Chapter Forty-One: Are You Devils?

While other authors were inquiring about the news of "World of Immortals" going on sale, Chen Qi also received a message from his editor.

The book would be launched and sold next Friday.

Chen Qi had no objections, of course. He did a quick calculation and figured that by next Friday, the free chapters would total around 510,000 words.

He wasn’t sure if that was a lot or a little; in any case, he would just go along with the editor’s arrangements. It didn’t matter to him.

Perhaps guessing that Chen Qi was the type to be oblivious to everything outside his window, the editor not only informed him of the launch date but also mentioned that "World of Immortals" had caused quite a stir on the website.

This news surprised Chen Qi. Amused, he logged onto the site and clicked into his own book to take a look.

He hadn’t realized before, but now he was truly startled.

The book review section was filled with red-highlighted reward notifications!

Scrolling further down, he even saw a few shameless Silver League members brazenly asking for extra chapters.

“Hahaha, you people are devils!”

“Is there any humanity left? Asking for more even now? But… I like it!”

“Oh my god, is there even a question? Of course, there should be more!”

Some readers, eager to stir up trouble, chimed in and egged each other on in the comments.

Reading these, Chen Qi couldn’t help but laugh out loud himself.

Extra chapters?

Impossible!

Even though he now had nearly a million words in reserve, he absolutely refused to fall into the cliché of adding more because of big tips.

He was here to cause a ruckus, not to write books in earnest.

After a moment’s thought, he used his author account to reply to one of the Silver League threads.

“No extra chapters, but after the launch, there will be fifteen updates per day.”

This comment quickly drew the readers’ attention. Once they confirmed it was really the author speaking, many were stunned.

After a long moment of silence, laughter broke out; people laughed so hard they were bent over, unable to stop.

No extra chapters for the League Masters or Silver League members?

You’re something else!

We admire your courage not to bow to money!

After all, it was practically an unspoken rule in the industry that rewards above League Master level warranted extra chapters, yet he simply ignored it?

How interesting, truly fascinating!

As seasoned readers, they could tell that Chen must have a huge stockpile of chapters, but even so, he stuck firmly to his principles and refused to add more.

This kind of move, breaking the usual pattern, immediately captured the hearts of many readers.

Even though many readers kept trying to contact him in the thread, Chen Qi didn’t reply again.

While the readers laughed uproariously, screenshots of Chen Qi’s promise of fifteen updates a day after launch were circulated in author groups.

Unlike the readers, the other authors focused on the promise of fifteen updates daily.

Once the screenshot’s authenticity was verified, many authors nearly exploded on the spot!

This was madness! Complete madness!

Ten updates a day was already unthinkable—he wanted fifteen?

You’re not here to write books, you’re here to shake things up, aren’t you?

Is this your way of humiliating us two-update-per-day hacks?

At this point, many authors couldn’t help but suspect: did he already have an entire book written and stored? Otherwise, how could he afford such a crazy pace?

...

Unaware that his single reply was once again stirring up waves on the website, Chen Qi was still hard at work.

Perhaps due to practice, he could now copy four chapters per hour!

After a week of tireless effort, he had over a million words in reserve!

Looking at the list of chapter files in his folder, Chen Qi felt a profound sense of accomplishment!

However...

To him, writing novels was ultimately just a side project—a test to earn points for causing disruption. He still needed to find something else to do.

More importantly, staying cooped up at home day and night was beginning to get to him.

He did enjoy being a homebody, but this was getting unhealthy.

In any case, with over a million words stockpiled, taking on something else wouldn’t affect the novel’s progress.

Perhaps it was a coincidence, but just before noon, his phone rang again.

Xu Bunan was calling.

Seeing the name, Chen Qi paused for a moment.

He’d already left Blueprint a week ago—what could Xu Bunan want?

“Mr. Xu?” he answered.

“Where are you?” Xu Bunan asked.

“I’m at my apartment. What’s up?”

“Do you have time? Come out for a meal, I have something to discuss with you.”

Chen Qi was slightly taken aback. “Does it have to be in person?”

“It’s better in person—hard to explain over the phone. If you’re too busy, I can come to you,” Xu Bunan’s tone was somewhat grave.

Chen Qi hesitated, then said, “Alright, send me the address. I’ll come over.”

After hanging up, Chen Qi was quite puzzled. What could Xu Bunan want that required a face-to-face meeting?

Soon, Xu Bunan sent him the location.

Without delay, Chen Qi headed out, flagged down a cab, and went straight to the destination.

Over forty minutes later, he arrived at the restaurant Xu Bunan had chosen.

To his surprise, Xu Bunan had even booked a private room.

It seemed whatever he wanted to discuss was truly important.

Following the waiter to the private room, Chen Qi saw Xu Bunan alone, appearing deep in thought.

“Mr. Xu?” Chen Qi called out, half amused, since the other man hadn’t even noticed him come in.

“Ah?” Xu Bunan, lost in his thoughts, snapped back to reality, quickly stood up, and smiled, “You’re here—please, sit.”

“What’s going on?” Chen Qi asked as he sat down, eyeing him suspiciously. “That smile of yours is awfully forced.”

“…Is it that obvious?” Xu Bunan stiffened a little, embarrassed.

Chen Qi nodded earnestly. “You might as well have it written on your face.”

Xu Bunan could only laugh, not saying much more, and gestured for the waiter to serve the dishes.

Once the food was on the table, Xu Bunan looked at him seriously and said, “The reason I asked you here is because I have something very important to discuss with you—something that will affect the rest of my career.”

Hearing this, Chen Qi couldn’t help but sit up straighter, surprised. “What is it? Why do you need to discuss it with me?”

“I heard from Xiao Liu that you’re thinking about entering the entertainment industry?” Xu Bunan asked.

Chen Qi blinked in confusion, only remembering after a while that Xiao Liu must be the pretty music teacher from Blueprint.

He’d only half-jokingly mentioned this to her when they met over musical instruments.

But what did that have to do with Xu Bunan’s career?

Chen Qi nodded blankly, staring at him in bewilderment.

“Chen Qi, I want to work with you.”

What Chen Qi never expected was that, seeing him nod, Xu Bunan would say this with utter seriousness.

...

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