118: Hush money maneuver

By the time he left school, it was already getting dark.

Winter days always end early,

and the dim yellow halos of the streetlights bled into the air like clumps of thick oil paint.

Lin Que didn't go straight home.

Instead, he skillfully rounded two blocks and ducked into an inconspicuous convenience store to buy some oden,

then turned into the SOHO Future City office building.

The elevator ascended, stopping at the 18th floor with a "ding."

He pushed open the door to his studio.

The air, unique to him and filled with the scent of ink and a hint of coffee, rushed to meet him.

Lin Que tossed his backpack onto the sofa and sank into his ergonomic chair.

The computer screen lit up, its faint blue glow reflecting in his slightly tired but exceptionally bright eyes.

The first thing he saw was an unread email sitting in his inbox.

The sender was Xu Lan, an editor at Xinchao Magazine Agency, CC'd to Editor-in-Chief Wang De'an.

The subject line was long and very polite:

[Apology and Follow-up Regarding the "Two Flowers Blooming" Statement Issued on Your Behalf].

Lin Que took a bite of a steaming radish and clicked on the email.

"...Teacher Jian Shen, in view of the malicious association of your name with the online controversy,

and in order to maintain a healthy competitive environment in the literary world, we, without having fully obtained your consent,

took the liberty of quoting your 'Two Flowers Blooming, each on its own branch' viewpoint,

and responded in an official capacity..."

Every line was filled with caution.

Even through the screen,

Lin Que could imagine the young female editor's anxious expression,

fearing this move would offend this "feather-cherishing" traditional writer.

Lin Que swallowed his food.

This wasn't taking liberties; it was a perfect assist.

This move by New Tide had directly placed Jian Shen on a pedestal—

magnanimous, inclusive, and supportive of the younger generation.

At the same time, it gave the Dream Weaver a layer of "official recognition,"

instantly depriving those who wanted to use the moral high ground to crush soul ferry of their leverage.

It was like his left hand holding his right; he was boosting himself up.

He pulled out a tissue to wipe his hands, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the keyboard.

[From: Jian Shen]

[To: Xu Lan]

[Editor Xu, I have received your message.

Literature is, in itself, a vast forest.

Some are tall trees, growing toward the sun. Others are moss, growing wildly in the shadows.

You have done well. On the contrary, I appreciate this kind of tolerance for different voices.]

[Additionally, the new chapters for the ferryman have been conceptualized and will be sent to you shortly. As for the publication matters, I leave them entirely in your hands.]

Click, send.

Lin Que leaned back in his chair, imagining how, hundreds of kilometers away,

Xu Lan would look relieved or even jump for joy upon receiving this email.

"Di-di."

The penguin icon in the bottom right corner of the computer screen began to flash.

Lin Que glanced at it; it was an ID with a cartoon rabbit avatar—Fugitive Beethoven.

[Fugitive Beethoven]: Teacher Lin, are you there? Are you there, are you there? [peeking.jpg]

[Fugitive Beethoven]: I just finished practicing the piano, and my fingers are about to break! Come out and chat with me for five bucks! [five_yuan.jpg]

Lin Que smiled and clicked on the chat box.

[Mu Xia]: Five bucks? That only gets you two sentences. Counting this one, that's exactly two.

The reply came instantly.

[Fugitive Beethoven]: [rolling eyes] Vulgar! How can a great writer be so vulgar!

[Fugitive Beethoven]: Seriously though, did you see that Microblogging platform post from New Tide?

Teacher Jian Shen is so magnanimous! As soon as that Microblogging platform post went up, those people cursing the Dream Weaver went silent. [smug]

[Mu Xia]: Yeah, it shows that readers nowadays are still reasonable.

[Fugitive Beethoven]: And I feel that after this storm, everyone is actually looking forward to the rest of the plot of soul ferry even more.

Lin Que smiled. This girl's artistic perception was indeed sharp.

[Fugitive Beethoven]: But the direction of public opinion changes so fast these days.

One second they're calling the Dream Weaver shameless, and the next, because of one sentence from Jian Shen, everyone starts shipping them as a CP? [laugh-cry]

[Mu Xia]: It's called gap moe.

The two chatted for a while longer about identity theories for Zhao Li in soul ferry, and the topic gradually shifted from literature to life.

[Fugitive Beethoven]: Oh, by the way, I'm going to Jiang City this weekend.

Lin Que's fingers paused.

[Mu Xia]: Jiang City? For a trip?

[Fugitive Beethoven]: Sort of. It's actually an official mission... [sigh]

The province is holding some "Youth Art Exchange Conference," and they want me to attend as a special guest.

My dad is the type who's most enthusiastic about these kinds of high-profile events; he didn't even give me a chance to refuse. [rabbit_smashing_piano.jpg]

[Mu Xia]: Isn't that great? A piano master from the provincial capital coming to guide the young piano students in our small city.

[Fugitive Beethoven]: Pfft, what guidance? I'm just going to be a mascot.

I'll have to wear one of those suffocating dresses and fake a smile. Just thinking about it is exhausting. [sigh][sigh]

[Fugitive Beethoven]: But... guess where the exchange conference is being held? [evil grin]

Lin Que looked at the words on the screen, his eyes flickering.

An art exchange conference held in Jiang City.

At this point in time,

there were only a handful of places in all of Jiang City that could host an exchange of this caliber.

He replied tentatively.

[Mu Xia]: Oh? Which venue? The Jiang City Grand Theater? Or the Art Center?

A few seconds later, a voice message arrived.

Lin Que clicked it, and the girl's crisp, slightly mischievous voice echoed in the quiet studio.

"Ta-da! Wrong guess! It's right at your Jiangcheng No. 1 High School! Surprised? Unexpected, right?"

Although Lin Que had a premonition, he couldn't help but chuckle when it was confirmed.

As expected.

It's a small world.

Although he didn't pay much attention to school art activities,

he had vaguely heard Old Zhao mention

that the art building, which cost tens of millions to build, would be requisitioned this weekend.

Apparently, some provincial leaders and experts were coming.

So, you're the star of the show.

Lin Que adjusted his sitting position and replied:

[Mu Xia]: What a coincidence? It's actually our school?

[Fugitive Beethoven]: Yeah, I was surprised at first too, but it makes sense when you think about it.

As the only provincial key high school in Jiang City,

and the high school that sends the most students to the Jinling Academy of Arts every year,

it's a joint art exchange conference between the two schools. [shrug][shrug]

Lin Que leaned back in his chair, understanding it now.

As the city's benchmark for art education,

bringing in resources from Jinling for an exchange was both to boost the school's prestige and to pave the way for the art students.

And as a leading figure among the younger generation of pianists in Jinling and even Su Province, it was perfectly logical for Ye Xi to be brought in to bolster the event.

[Fugitive Beethoven]: So, as the host, shouldn't you show some hospitality?

[Mu Xia]: Since you're a teacher from the province, I must treat you well.

[Fugitive Beethoven]: [eyes shining.jpg]

[Fugitive Beethoven]: Wait! [alert.jpg] Last time you treated me to duck blood vermicelli soup; now that I'm in your city, it's my turn to treat you!

[Fugitive Beethoven]: I heard Jiang City's barbecue is legendary? Especially those roadside stalls, covered in cumin and chili powder, sizzling with oil... [drooling]

[Mu Xia]: Jiang City's barbecue is indeed good. But isn't the Piano Goddess afraid of her breath smelling like cumin the next day if she eats at a roadside stall?

Lin Que looked at the drooling emoji on the screen,

and an image of Ye Xi in a haute couture gown crouching at a roadside stall gnawing on mutton skewers popped into his head.

[Fugitive Beethoven]: Not afraid! What's that compared to good food! Besides, I'm going there for an art exchange, not a beauty pageant.

[Fugitive Beethoven]: So? Guide Lin, will you do me the honor? This meal is on me! Consider it payback for that bowl of vermicelli soup and the hush money!

Lin Que smiled and quickly typed a reply.

[Mu Xia]: Since the benefactor has spoken, I'll reluctantly make the arrangements.

But let's get one thing straight: if you're recognized by your fans, I'm not responsible for blocking the cameras.

[Fugitive Beethoven]: Deal! I'll contact you then! [spinning]

Lin Que tossed his phone back onto the desk and stretched.

Putting the matter of hosting the Piano Goddess aside for a moment, there was a more pressing task at hand.

After all, compared to hosting a piano-playing girl,

or treating someone to a meal,

figuring out how to ferry that room full of "exam-grinders" driven mad by finals across the sea of suffering

was the real challenge!

...