In a flash, Luo Xiaolu hoisted the entire blanket, wrapped Luo Xiaotang and the trash inside, and tossed the bundle straight into Luo Xiaotang’s room before clicking the door shut behind her.
Luo Xiaotang: "?????"
She then dashed back to her room, grabbed the new outfit purchased earlier, and began getting ready.
Thanks to her past as a delinquent girl, Luo Xiaolu’s makeup skills were sharp.
Combined with the system’s recent training, she could switch into her most flawless appearance anytime.
Confidence radiated from her.
...
Lv Ye’s nerves were stretched to the limit.
Logically, she was here on a workday as the editor-in-chief—she should act as a senior professional, communicate calmly with the author, and establish credibility if needed.
But—
She was about to meet Teacher Zhou Shuren!!
The author of *July Is Your Lie*, creator of the most poetic love story, the one who made countless teens swoon!!
Netizens had thrown fortunes hoping for a single photo.
Yet Zhou Shuren always remained aloof, seemingly indifferent to worldly praise (in truth, Luo Xiaolu just didn’t go online).
This only fueled wilder speculation about her true appearance.
Innocent sheltered maiden? Reclusive heiress? Beloved pet of the Asura Dragon King? Countless romantic fantasies swirled around this literary goddess.
And now—Lv Ye, both editor and devoted fan—was about to become the first person online to see her in person.
Even that brief morning call had instinctively told Lv Ye: this woman was extraordinary.
“Is it taking too long?”
Too shy to keep knocking, Lv Ye tapped the door every thirty seconds—but got no reply.
She checked her phone: 6:55 AM.
They’d agreed on seven. Had she arrived too early?
Still, after knocking, someone *had* to answer.
This reminded her of the girl sprinting past the apartment gate earlier, nearly knocking her over with shopping bags.
How rude!
If only she’d seen her face—she’d have stopped her and urged her to read Teacher Zhou Shuren’s works, to learn grace and refinement.
Just then—*creak*—the door opened.
?!
A girl stood before her.
A tailored emerald dress hugged her petite frame, lace trim evoking bridal elegance. Her waist—so slender it seemed pinchable, the famed "A4 waist"—radiated an aura of untouchable grace.
Why wear a beret indoors? Yet paired with delicate gold-rimmed glasses, she exuded scholarly poise and quiet nobility.
Luo Xiaolu blinked. Her eyes held starlight and deep seas.
*Here she is!*
The innocent maiden! The hidden-world heiress! The Asura Dragon King’s cherished one!!!
Lv Ye froze. Luo Xiaolu offered a faint smile and extended a delicate hand.
“You must be Editor Lv Ye? Thank you for waiting.”
“Y-you… hello,” Lv Ye stammered, taking her hand.
*Is this… Teacher Zhou Shuren’s hand?*
Skin so smooth it seemed porcelain, rosy and warm, gently enveloping her own.
Such hands must never have known labor—only inkstones, brushes, and the world’s most delicate things.
*Is this real?*
*Is this real?*
*Is this real?*
“Please, come in,” Luo Xiaolu said softly, pulling Lv Ye from her flustered daze.
She released her hand with a graceful gesture.
Inside, the apartment felt… modest.
A two-bedroom rental, surprisingly spacious yet bare: a folding table and two chairs by the kitchen, a lone TV opposite. No sofa. No AC—just a brown pedestal fan resting quietly on the floor.
*This…*
Lv Ye’s throat tightened.
*Poor?*
No!
She instantly scolded herself for the disrespectful thought.
How could someone so transcendent care about surroundings?
An old proverb surfaced: *A mountain gains fame from the sage upon it, not its height; a river earns spirit from the dragon within, not its depth. This humble room shines with its master’s virtue.*
Shame flushed through her.
How dare she doubt—even for 0.001 seconds—the radiance of Teacher Zhou Shuren?
Unforgivable!
Luo Xiaolu guided her to sit.
“Please wait a moment. I’ll brew tea.”
With a gentle smile, she turned—her spring-green silhouette vanishing into the kitchen.
The kitchen door shut.
She yanked open the fridge, sprinkled Biluochun tea into two cups, poured pre-boiled water from a pot…
“I’ll help—”
The door opened just as she tucked the pot away.
No tea leaves. No kettle. Only two steaming cups now sat on the table.
Ignoring Lv Ye’s stunned expression, Luo Xiaolu led her back to her seat.
Time for business.
“Teacher Zhou Shuren, I bring good news,” Lv Ye said, composing herself into professional mode.
“Yes?” Luo Xiaolu’s elegant smile never wavered. She lifted her teacup and took a delicate sip.
“Congratulations—*July Is Your Lie* has won the Bronze Award in this contest!”
“You’ll receive a 10,000-yuan prize and a homepage feature!”
*Pfft—*
Luo Xiaolu nearly spat out her tea.
She hastily tilted the cup to gulp it down.
*Scalding hot!*
Hand trembling, she set the cup down, clamping the other tightly to hide the slip.
*Nice!!*
Joy exploded inside her.
If not for the editor’s presence, she might’ve slammed the table in triumph.
Gold? She’d dreamed of it. But as a total newbie competing against industry legends? Bronze was already a miracle.
“One more thing,” Lv Ye added. “On behalf of our company… we’d like to propose purchasing the copyright outright.”
