Author Training

When they reached the entrance of the residential complex, the five parted ways. Youxin’s home lay in a different direction from the others, so he said his goodbyes first. After walking a dozen paces, Lin Xia also took her leave. Before parting, she looked at Chen Zimo and Zhao Xin, who walked ahead like a perfect pair, and said to Xie Xitong, “If you need anything, just call me or come find me—I’ll be at home.”

Xie Xitong nodded. She watched Lin Xia wheel her bicycle into Building Four, then quickened her pace to catch up with the two ahead.

When she arrived home, the apartment was empty. She put her bike in the corner of the balcony, turned on her computer, logged into Q, and began to work.

Her parents had no particular skills; running a small supermarket was just a way to get by. The money they managed to save in a year was still less than what she earned from a single novel. So, if she wanted to live in a neighborhood like this and blend into its social circles, she couldn’t afford to slack off.

People’s social circles are a curious phenomenon. For example, if Lin Xia hadn’t moved to the county but stayed in the town of Xishui, continuing to associate with friends like Ren Jie, she would, by current standards, be the most well-off among the four. Whenever they went out together, she’d be the one footing the bill. But over time, this imbalance in finances would inevitably lead to an imbalance in their relationships.

Now, however, her family, the Chen family, the You family, and others were all roughly equal in status. When they went out together, sometimes Lin Xia paid, sometimes it was Xie Xitong. With everyone taking turns, their friendships gradually deepened. The one who paid didn’t feel put upon, and the others felt it was fair—a natural give-and-take.

Of course, on closer inspection, the Chen family was currently the wealthiest in the group. The Xie family was a political family; though Xie Xitong’s grandfather was now retired at home, he had once been the top official in Rongcheng, and his influence lingered. Her uncles now held important positions in Rongcheng, and one served as a department director in W City.

The Chen family was mainly involved in business, but with political connections, their commercial ventures in Rongcheng had grown significantly. Although not as prominent as the Xu family, the Xie family had been rooted in Rongcheng for generations. By Xie Xitong’s generation, they were considered fourth-generation “red nobility,” with deep roots and a complex web of connections.

The Liu family was slightly less influential than the Xies but still formidable—the two families were evenly matched. It was precisely because the Xu family played both sides, pitting the Liu and Xie families against each other, and with two old foxes presiding over their affairs, that it took Xu Yichen nearly a decade of careful maneuvering to completely eliminate the power of the Liu and Xie clans.

Of course, Lin Xia had never been involved in such political intricacies in her previous life, nor would she be in this one.

At that moment, the Q chat group was bustling, the topic being the summer workshop for writers organized by “Light Rain” magazine.

She skimmed through the messages and got the general idea, when her phone rang.

It was Meow Meow.

“Hello, Meow Sis.”

“Xia Xia, you know about this, right? Our editorial department had an extra meeting this morning and just came up with a new policy—to provide training for some promising full-time writers. I only have five spots under my care, and I’ve already decided on the names: you, Qin Mo, Wan Wan, Xiao Yu, and Black-White. They’re all chatting in the group now—you should go take a look.”

Lin Xia glanced at the clock next to her computer. It was already four o’clock. “Meow Sis, you’re still working overtime at the office?”

As soon as she said this, she heard an engine start on the other end. “I just finished. I’m leaving the parking lot now.”

“Wow, Meow Sis, you’re doing pretty well! It’s only been a year since you graduated, and you’ve already earned enough to buy a car.” They’d talked about this before—Meow Meow planned to buy her first car with her own earnings.

“Heh, I’m not as impressive as you. The royalties from just one of your books are considerable. Me, I can only play around with a little Audi that costs a bit over a hundred thousand.” Meow Meow sighed. “Ah, when will I ever be able to own my dream 911?”

Lin Xia broke into a cold sweat. She remembered Meow Meow’s dream car—the 911 GT—now selling for over three million.

Thinking of this, Lin Xia said, “Meow Sis, you’d better stick to the Audi, or maybe get a GL—it’s only four or five hundred thousand. If you want a Porsche, you’ll have to find yourself a rich husband and let him buy it for you.”

“Oh, you! Always raining on my parade,” Meow Meow grumbled.

“All right, Meow Sis, drive safe. I won’t distract you anymore. Call me or log on once you get home—I’ll be around,” Lin Xia said. “Take care on the road.”

“Okay, bye-bye.”

After hanging up, she checked the group chat again and was startled—hundreds of messages had piled up in just a few minutes.

Wan Wan: At last, I’ll get to meet the infamous Qin Mo in person.

Qin Mo: Little Wan Wan, at last, I’ll get to meet the shameless you in person.

Yu Xiyan: At last, I’ll get to meet the two of you, who have no sense of propriety.

Black-White Stills: I’m out of words.

Liuyan: …

Wan Wan: Haha, the five great titans are finally gathered together! I heard we’ll meet in B City next month—wow, I’ve never seen the Great Wall before.

Yu Xiyan: At last, I’ll get to meet the other Yan Yan from the group. I can’t wait.

Qin Mo: Me too. She’s not in the group right now, and she never…