After Being Bent by Reader
Chapter 24

Xu Chuanchuan would sometimes overthink matters. When she saw the message from "There Exists No Poem in a Girl's Feelings," she knew that she had overreacted.

Murong Shi was a prideful person. She behaved arrogantly to everyone, wasn't a tsundere, and would never say things like, "Are you trying to flirt with me?"

Xu Chuanchuan thought that she must've gotten a brain aneurysm to think that Murong Shi was "Passerby Shi."

Xu Chuanchuan patted her chest in relief. She also felt a little embarrassed about her question.

I Love Malatang: "That's not it, don't misunderstand. I was thinking that if we happen to be living in the same city, we can maybe replace some time to meet up."

There Exists No Poem in a Girl's Feelings: "You're willing to meet with your readers?"

This...was something Xu Chuanchuan wasn't particularly willing to do. Xu Chuanchuan didn't even dare to tell her parents and little sister about her writing career, so how could she possibly have the courage to meet with random strangers?

Xu Chuanchuan found that the more she tried to explain herself, the bigger the mess she got herself into.

I Love Malatang: "I was speaking hypothetically."

After Xu Chuanchuan waited for some time, the other party still did not reply.

Xu Chuanchuan suddenly found herself unsure of what to say. After racking her mind for some time, an idea came to her mind.

I Love Malatang: "By the way, do you know that I would host a giveaway for physical books whenever I start a new novel? Do you want one? I can send one to you."

Xu Chuanchuan wasn't a charitable person in reality. However, the other party had already gifted her a total of 11 Deep-water Torpedoes. After receiving such a generous donation, she had to give something back to the other party, right?

In any case, she still had close to a hundred physical books under her bed that she could never sell. They would start molding if she didn't give them away soon.

Murong Shi saw Xu Chuanchuan's latest message after connecting her phone to the charger. She had an excellent memory, so when she saw Xu Chuanchuan bringing up physical books, she promptly recalled the post pinned to the top of Xu Chuanchuan's Weibo profile. She then began pondering over the matter.

Murong Shi had already grown alert when Xu Chuanchuan had asked about her address. She wasn't sure if Xu Chuanchuan had noticed something and was currently probing for more information. Murong Shi wasn't dumb. If she had Xu Chuanchuan mail something to her, she would have to provide Xu Chuanchuan with her real address. That would be equivalent to exposing her identity.

There Exists No Poem in a Girl's Feelings: "Thank you, but I don't need it for the time being. You can give it to somebody else. Don't try to use this opportunity to trick me."

Trick? Xu Chuanchuan felt wronged.

Although she had been suspicious in the beginning, the gift she offered afterward was sincere.

Maybe tycoons all have eccentric characters. Forget it. Since she doesn't want it, there's no reason for me to keep hassling her.

Xu Chuanchuan had experienced a lot of emotional ups and downs. Nevertheless, she had published her new book and received a lot of positive comments and donations. Xu Chuanchuan was satisfied.

Afterward, Xu Chuanchuan entered the bathroom and hummed herself a tune while taking a shower. When she was done showering, she came out and continued fiddling with her phone.

Before going to bed, Xu Chuanchuan checked her social media and saw that Xu Xiangxiang had made a new post: "Time to start working hard tomorrow! Fight! Fight!"

After liking the post, Xu Chuanchuan exited Weibo, looked for Xu Xiangxiang on QQ, and asked: "Are you going to class tomorrow?"

Xu Xiangxiang: "No? Why would I have any classes on the weekend?"

Xu Chuanchuan: "What are you working hard for, then?"

Xu Xiangxiang: "I'm working part-time for my new phone~~"

Xu Chuanchuan never thought that she would succeed in forcing her little sister to become self-sufficient. Feeling quite pleased with herself, she asked: "What kind of job?"

Xu Xiangxiang: "Waiter. I can get 100 per day."

One hundred per day wasn't a lot of money, and waitressing was quite a tough job. However, Xu Chuanchuan did not intend to dissuade her little sister from the job. She thought that Xu Xiangxiang lacked tempering. The only thing that worried her was Xu Xiangxiang's lack of social experience. What if her little sister got tricked?

Hence, Xu Chuanchuan asked: "Where did you replace the job? Is it reliable?"

Xu Xiangxiang: "One of my seniors introduced me to it. The job's reliable, so you don't have to worry."

An elder sister was like a mother. How could Xu Chuanchuan not be worried? After Xu Chuanchuan flooded Xu Xiangxiang with a bunch of nagging and questions, Xu Xiangxiang responded in annoyance: "You're more annoying than mom. I don't want to talk to you anymore. I'm going to sleep."

…

Singa Clubhouse.

Murong Shi received the venue information Jiang Shaohua sent her. However, when she saw the address, she didn't feel particularly willing to go there.

Murong Shi knew that the Singa Clubhouse was a well-known local entertainment club. She had followed Sun An to entertain business partners at the establishment previously. The room they occupied back then was filled with cigarette smoke, and the business partners in question were a bunch of pigs with fat stuffing both their bellies and brains. They had even boldly cuddled and kissed the waitresses serving them right in front of her face.

At the time, Sun An also didn't expect his business partners to act so wantonly. When one of the men pushed a beauty into his arms, his face instantly turned ashen. He then pointed to Murong Shi, who had worn an equally ugly expression, and said to his business partners, "My daughter."

Because of Sun An's words, his business partners promptly revealed awkward expressions and had no choice but to chase their beautiful companions out of the room.

Even so, Murong Shi still developed an aversion to the Singa Clubhouse. After that incident, she also stopped accompanying Sun An to socialize with his business partners completely.

Fortunately, one of her other uncles worked as Sun An's secretary, so she wasn't worried that her father would do anything to betray her mother.

When Murong Shi's car arrived at the Singa Clubhouse's entrance, she was still hesitating. So, she sat in the car listening to light music, acting as if the noise coming from her surroundings was unrelated to her until her phone started ringing.

Taking a glance, she unsurprisingly found that Jiang Shaohua was calling her.

Murong Shi picked up her phone unhurriedly and placed it by her ear. After connecting the call, she lazily said, "Hello—"

Jiang Shaohua appeared quite anxious as he urgently said, "Didn't we agree on eight o'clock?! Why aren't you here yet?!"

Murong Shi looked through the car window at the clubhouse's shiny neon sign across the street, quickly spotting Jiang Shaohua, who was currently dressed like a tart. While speaking on the phone with her, Jiang Shaohua would also frequently tease the waitresses stationed by the entrance.

Letting out a snort, Murong Shi disconnected the call.

"Hello? Murong?"

Murong Shi opened the car door and walked across the street in her high heels. She then slapped her palm on a certain someone's shoulder and said, "Stop looking."

Jiang Shaohua turned around, and joy immediately appeared on his face. However, he quickly frowned and questioned, "Why are you dressed like that? Didn't we agree that I'll wear black while you wear white? What happened to looking like a couple?"

Murong Shi couldn't be bothered to dress up for Jiang Shaohua deliberately. So, her equipment for tonight only included a thin layer of makeup, a purple dress, a golden belt, and a pair of high heels. She also let her hair scatter loosely across her back.

In contrast, Jiang Shaohua had put a lot of effort into his appearance tonight. He had even put on a little makeup; the eyeliner he wore gave him the look of an evildoer. He also didn't forget to give seductive looks to the women around him occasionally.

Unfortunately, Murong Shi was immune to his charms. Her red lips opening, she nonchalantly said, "Do you take us for Grim Reapers?"[1]

"Tsk, it's my birthday. Can't you say something positive?"

"Happy birthday. Sorry, but I didn't prepare a present." Although Murong Shi apologized with her mouth, she felt not the slightest bit of guilt in her heart.

Jiang Shaohua gritted his teeth for a moment at Murnog Shi's words. However, he quickly relaxed and said, "I expected as much. Forget it; I don't blame you."

He didn't have the qualifications to blame Murong Shi. After all, he didn't give Murong Shi any presents on her birthday, either.

The two of them did not look like a couple at all. They also couldn't be bothered to act as a couple. However, despite everyone around them knowing that they behaved nothing like a couple, everyone still believed that they would most likely marry each other in the future because of their parents.

Taking a look at his watch, Jiang Shaohua said, "Everyone's waiting already. Let's go in."

Murong Shi nodded and gestured for Jiang Shaohua to lead the way.

Jiang Shaohua then attempted to hold her hand.

Seeing this, Murong Shi swiftly retracted her hand. With a stern gaze, she demanded, "What are you doing?"

Jiang Shaohua felt slightly aggrieved by Murong Shi's reaction. With a pleading look, he asked, "Can't you spare me some dignity? It's not like I'm going to do anything to you."

"I'm leaving, then."

"Ahhh, don't! Honestly, what's with that temper of yours? I was just thinking of—"

Murong Shi silenced Jiang Shaohua with a glare.

Sighing, Jiang Shaohua said, "Fine, fine. No holding hands. This way, then."

Murong Shi entered an elevator, and Jiang Shaohua followed after her.

There was nobody else inside the elevator. Looking at Murong Shi's face reflected on the elevator wall, Jiang Shaohua grumbled a complaint, "We agreed to put on an act since the very beginning, yet you've never once cooperated with me. How can we convince anyone like this?"

Murong Shi indifferently listened to Jiang Shaohua's complaints, though a plan had surfaced in her heart.

Ding.

The elevator door opened, and Murong Shi stepped out of the metal compartment. She then paused her feet and extended her arm to the person beside her.

Confused by this situation, Jiang Shaohua asked, "What are you doing?"

Murong Shi lifted her chin slightly and said, "Didn't you say to put on an act?"

A look of joy surfaced on Jiang Shaohua's face when he saw Murong Shi willing to cooperate, and he hurriedly held onto the latter's arm. As the two began walking shoulder-to-shoulder, Jiang Shaohua suddenly felt that something was amiss.

Halting his footsteps, Jiang Shaohua looked at his hand tucked into Murong Shi's arms. He then frowned and said, "That's not right. You're the woman while I'm the man. Shouldn't it be you holding onto my arm?"

"What's the difference?"

Raising his voice, Jiang Shaohua said, "How is there not a difference! You're wearing such high heels that I have to tiptoe to match your height! If I hold onto your arm as well, won't I look like a eunuch?!"

Annoyed, Murong Shi said, "I'm leaving if you spout any more nonsense."

"Come back, come back! You win!"

Jiang Shaohua was friends with the son of the Singa Clubhouse's owner, so he managed to reserve an extra-large room for his birthday celebration. There were currently ten people inside the room, the occupants equally split between male and female. However, Murong Shi was not acquainted with any of them.

The instant Jiang Shaohua opened the door, a loud "bang" came out of the room, and colorful streamers and glitter rained down on Jiang Shaohua and Murong Shi.

With their arms still linked, Jiang Shaohua introduced Murong Shi, "My girlfriend, Murong."

—"What a beauty! Shaohua, you're blessed!"

—"Your girlfriend is so tall! I'm curious how you two usually kiss!"

—"Show us a kiss!"

……

TL Notes:

[1]Grim Reapers: This was supposed to translate into "Black and White Impermanence," but I opted for the less lengthy and awkward version.

The Black and White Ghosts of Impermanence are basically Chinese Grim Reapers. They would appear at the deathbeds of the recently deceased to guide their souls to the realm of the dead. Even today, people around the world worship them and consider them an important part of Chinese religion. Naturally, bringing up these Grim Reapers in front of someone celebrating their birthday is very rude.