After Editor Lu left, Zhou Wenjie collapsed onto his chair.
He finally understood why authors in his past life had found ways to take leave and break their serialization. Now, he too found himself thinking of excuses to push back his submission deadline.
Authors in his past life typed with keyboards, but he was now handwriting everything, every character needing to be penned out one stroke at a time. He felt his hand was about to fall off.
But there was no other way. The manuscript fees were his family's livelihood. If he couldn't write, they might go hungry.
So, he could only grit his teeth and continue writing, finally submitting his manuscript to Editor Lu before the deadline.
He now felt he really should go out and find a job. Writing truly made one's hair fall out.
However, he didn't slump for long. Besides agreeing to submit his manuscript to Editor Lu today, he also planned to send his younger siblings to school. Apart from Zhou Wenfan, who was still too young, he intended to send Zhou Wencong and Zhou Wenying to school.
Although Wencong always felt he was working too hard and wanted to drop out to work, Zhou Wenjie still insisted on enrolling him in school.
But attending school was quite expensive now. He remembered that in his era, primary and middle school were free.
Here, not only did schools charge tuition, but they also required the purchase of uniforms and leather shoes. This was another expenditure. However, once this manuscript fee arrived, he should have more financial breathing room.
"Wenying, Wencong, let's go!" he said, looking at his siblings who had already tidied themselves up. He understood that they didn't dislike school, but rather didn't want to burden him.
"Wencong, you must study hard. I heard your school has scholarships. If you get good grades, you can earn back your tuition!" Zhou Wenjie said, holding Zhou Wencong's hand.
"Big Brother, I will definitely study hard and get a scholarship!"
"Big Brother, I want to get a scholarship too!"
The siblings said in unison.
"Good, then Big Brother will wait for your scholarships." Zhou Wenjie didn't mention that Zhou Wenying's school didn't have scholarships. Since his sister had the intention, why dampen her spirits?
"Big Brother, I want to get a scholarship too," Zhou Wenfan said eagerly, seemingly not wanting to be left out.
"Alright, alright, our Wenfan will also get a scholarship!" Zhou Wenjie picked up Zhou Wenfan, weighing him slightly as he smiled.
Zhou Li Shi and Zhao Yiniang watched the siblings talking and smiled.
Zhao Yiniang looked at her son with a smile. She didn't ask for much for her son; as long as he had a good relationship with his elder brother, Jie Ge'er would surely not mistreat his younger brother.
One day, Lin Yan was stopped at the entrance of her factory by a person. The man wore a well-fitting suit, his hair neatly combed, and a pair of round-rimmed glasses adorned his handsome face, exuding an air of scholarly refinement.
"Excuse me, Sir, do you need something from me?" Lin Yan inquired. Although she didn't recognize the man before her, she knew he had come for her.
Looking at his familiar eyes, Lin Yan was very curious. Had he regained his memories in this life? Why would he come looking for her directly?
"Boss Lin, I am Ye Xiu Yuan. I've heard about your achievements and took the liberty of coming to meet you." Ye Xiu Yuan was very polite; he always treated capable individuals with courtesy and respect.
"Hello, Mr. Ye. May I ask what business you have with me?" Lin Yan was curious about his identity and also wanted to understand why he had come to her so directly.
"This is not a place to talk. I would like to invite Boss Lin for a simple meal and, at the same time, ask you some questions."
"I'm afraid I can't today. It's getting late, and I need to go home. However, if you are free the day after tomorrow, Mr. Ye, we can arrange another time."
"I am free the day after tomorrow. Then I will await Boss Lin's arrival at the Peace Hotel at noon the day after tomorrow." Ye Xiu Yuan quickly set the time and place.
"You are too kind, Mr. Ye. However, I truly don't have time today and cannot chat with you further. May I know where you are staying, Mr. Ye? Do you need me to find a car to give you a ride?"
"No, thank you. The car I called is still waiting. Thank you for your kind offer, Boss Lin." Ye Xiu Yuan pointed towards the waiting rickshaw puller.
"That's good. Please forgive me, Mr. Ye, I must leave now." Lin Yan was not lying. She had a banquet to attend tonight, otherwise, she might have asked for Mr. Ye's address.
"Then I won't delay you any longer, Boss Lin. Please," he said, stepping aside.
"Then I'll see you the day after tomorrow." After saying this, Lin Yan got into her car. She waved goodbye to Ye Xiu Yuan from the car, and then it drove away.
Ye Xiu Yuan watched the receding car, his mind replaying the conversation he had with Lin Yan.
She was even more radiant than he had imagined. He had expected such an accomplished woman to be either arrogant and rude or overbearing.
But he hadn't expected her to be so approachable. Her attitude towards him, a sudden stranger, was so pleasant.
However, he had no doubt that her achievements were not merely due to luck. The confidence radiating from her made it clear to anyone that she possessed genuine talent.
"Mr. Ye, shall we go?" the rickshaw puller asked, pulling his vehicle up beside Ye Xiu Yuan.
"Let's go, take me home!" Ye Xiu Yuan replied. His objective had been achieved. There was nothing more for him to do here, so he might as well go home and rest.
This period had been the busiest time for him in a long while, but his busyness was worthwhile!
"Boss, who was that gentleman?" Uncle Qian asked. A stranger had suddenly stopped his boss, and it had startled him greatly.
If his boss hadn't signaled him, he would have certainly stepped down to stop the man.
"It's nothing, Uncle Qian. His name is Ye Xiu Yuan. Help me find out about him later," Lin Yan said, then looked out the window.
"Boss, do you suspect...?" Uncle Qian's expression changed.
"It's not what you think. I'm just curious about Mr. Ye's identity," Lin Yan said with a smile. "To come looking for me so impulsively, either he wants something, or he's a very straightforward person. But I don't think Mr. Ye is either of those."
"Then Boss, you're still going to meet him? What if..." Uncle Qian was very worried. He had heard his boss arrange to dine with him at the Peace Hotel the day after tomorrow.
"Uncle Qian, have you forgotten whose territory the Peace Hotel is? Since he came looking for me, he must have learned something about me. The fact that he chose the Peace Hotel is his way of telling me he has no ill intentions towards me."
"But Boss, you still need to be careful. It's wise to guard against others. How about we alert them beforehand?"
"There's no need to make such a big fuss. I can guarantee my own safety!"
What Lin Yan didn't say was that she also really wanted to have a chat with this Mr. Ye. She wanted to find out his identity from him and why he had come to her.