Volume One, Chapter 39: The Editor’s Sudden Concern

Jiang Yu’s name shot straight to the top of the trending list.

#‘Idol Two and a Half Years’ trainee Jiang Yu writes a song to confront mentor#

But Jiang Yu himself had no idea what was happening online. At that moment, he was busy copying books.

Recently, because he was participating in the show, he hadn’t updated for several days.

In the office in the capital city.

CatCat Reading Company, editorial department.

A delicate young woman, named Cherry, sat at her desk looking exhausted. She was Jiang Yu’s editor-in-charge.

Right now, she was staring at her computer screen, where the test rating for ‘Zhu Xian’ showed an S grade. Moreover, it had already entered the top ten on the must-read list.

Such an achievement was explosive, even in the whole industry.

By rights, with such a successful author under her management, she ought to be happy, but reality refused her any joy.

Because this author was simply too willful.

For an online novel, the testing phase was extremely important. Other authors, during this crucial period, would wish for extra hands and write tens of thousands more words to retain their readers.

Yet this infuriating author actually stopped updating during the test phase.

Because of this, even the chief editor had spoken with her, asking her to talk to her author friend and find out what was going on.

They even suspected he might be older, maybe suffering from some health issue.

After all, to write something as profound as “Heaven and earth are ruthless, treating all things as straw dogs”—how could a young person come up with that?

They had once suspected that the author might be in hospital, fighting for his life.

But no one could reach him.

The chief editor told her to keep trying to contact the author.

She had tried for three days now, but still received no reply.

Cherry couldn’t help feeling aggrieved.

She was an editor for the website, and all the other authors under her care would fawn over her, asking for help signing their books.

But this author always ignored her.

He had written over a hundred thousand words.

She had said so much to this turkey-flavored rice cracker, but his replies were always just three words.

Mm. Ah. Okay.

Because of this author, she felt she had aged several years.

“Updated? Finally updated?”

Just then, she saw a notification flash on her screen.

[‘Zhu Xian’, which you’ve added to your favorites, has been updated.]

The author was alive!

Cherry instantly perked up.

She quickly opened Penguin and found the turkey-flavored rice cracker avatar.

“Rice Cracker, are you there?”

After a long while, there was still no reply, so Cherry continued.

“Rice Cracker, ‘Zhu Xian’ is now in the test recommendation phase. There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.”

On his side, Jiang Yu had finished updating two chapters and stretched lazily.

He logged into his Penguin account.

Honestly, he rarely used Penguin, but he had no choice. Announcements for ‘Idol Two and a Half Years’ were made there, since files could be uploaded in groups.

As soon as he opened Penguin, he heard a series of beeps.

He looked closely; it was someone named Cherry.

Jiang Yu frowned. Who was this Cherry? He didn’t seem to know her.

He opened the chat record and suddenly remembered.

A bit embarrassed—he had actually forgotten his own editor.

She sent another message.

Cherry: Rice Cracker, it’s okay if you don’t reply, but right now ‘Zhu Xian’ is in the test recommendation phase. Stopping updates really affects its performance. If you have any drafts, could you set up scheduled releases?

Turkey-Flavored Rice Cracker: Sorry, I don’t really use Penguin.

Seeing his reply, Cherry was first stunned, then overjoyed.

This stubborn author finally replied! Cherry sat up straight.

Cherry: It’s fine, Rice Cracker. May I ask, how old are you this year? Are you in good health?

Turkey-Flavored Rice Cracker: Thanks for your concern. I’m twenty-two, perfectly healthy, just had some things come up recently, so I’ve been delayed.

Cherry: May I ask, do you have any drafts? Please try not to stop updating during the test phase.

Turkey-Flavored Rice Cracker: No.

Seeing those two words, Cherry’s mood plummeted, but then she saw his next reply.

“Okay, I’ll try my best not to stop updating.”

He said “try”—he really meant it! She should have insisted he absolutely couldn’t stop!

Cherry lay on her desk, utterly defeated.

But Jiang Yu had no idea what sort of blow his editor had just suffered.

At that moment, he opened his author dashboard.

He hadn’t checked the stats in a while. Partly for lack of time, partly out of absolute confidence that this masterpiece would reap huge rewards in this world.

Sure enough, when he opened the dashboard…

Though the word count wasn’t much, the number of favorites had broken five hundred thousand, and was still climbing.

His plot had just reached the Blood-Dripping Cave, and Biyao had just appeared.

Everyone now knew that the senior sister wasn’t the female lead.

The factions of Xueqi fans and Biyao fans were already forming, giving the novel tremendous heat.

Jiang Yu glanced at the comments, his mouth twitching from time to time.

“The author’s chapters are short and powerless. Diagnosis complete.”

“Even the village mule wouldn’t dare rest this much—are you not going to get up?”

...

Maybe other web novel authors had anxiety about updating, but Jiang Yu was different.

Updates came as fate allowed, depending on his mood.

That was his style—bold, arrogant!

Who else could do so, holding a masterpiece in his hands?

Just then, the door opened.

It was Su Ling and Su Muyu.

The two walked in together.

Su Ling entered first, face full of excitement. “Xiao Jiang, you’re amazing! You’re famous! Do you know you’re famous?”

“Oh!” Jiang Yu nodded calmly.

“?” Su Ling looked puzzled. “You’re so calm?”

Of course he was calm. The other contestants’ songs weren’t even worthy opponents.

“It’s so late, why are you two here?”

Su Muyu chuckled, “The first episode aired tonight. We came with Auntie to check on you.”

Jiang Yu grinned, “So, do I look handsome?”

“Not bad,” Su Muyu smiled. “Keep working hard next episode.”

“Jiang Yu, did you hear me? I said you’re famous!” Su Ling shouted.

Jiang Yu startled, then quickly regained composure and smiled, “Thank you, Auntie.”

“I want to see if you can stay this calm when you know the details!”

Su Ling, annoyed, pulled out her phone, opened Weibo, and tapped the trending list.

There, it clearly read: #Trainee Jiang Yu confronts mentor Xu Kun#

Some people had posted Xu Kun’s critique alongside his video.

There were tens of thousands of comments.

“This guy is impressive—he could write a song under these circumstances.”

“Are all newcomers this arrogant nowadays?”

“He’s handsome, but so bold right after debut—what’s his background?”

“Debut? He offended Kun Kun—how could he even debut?”

“Suggestion: ban him. Criticism from seniors is guidance. If you don’t learn from them, fine, but to talk back? Do you understand respect for mentors?”

“Don’t talk about respecting mentors. Should our idol be his teacher? Is he worthy?”

Sure enough, the fan comments were as bizarre as ever. Jiang Yu’s mouth twitched as he read.

“He offended our idol, get out of the entertainment industry.”

“What trash song—how dare he speak to our idol like that? Ban him!”

“Unbelievable, I knew you’d flatter, but I didn’t expect such devotion. If this isn’t a song, what is? ‘Chicken, you’re too beautiful’?”

“What are you talking about? Do you know how hard our idol works?”

“Yeah, works hard at making money.”

“Do you have any sense at all? Sisters, hurry to the group, pull people in, report all these trolls, report Jiang Yu too!”