"A long, long time ago."

"stop."

Zhou Chu was interrupted by Gao Qinyi as soon as he began to tell the story.

"I don't want to listen anymore just from hearing that opening!" Gao Qinyi squeezed his hand tightly. "I want you to tell me a story that no one has ever told before! At least one that I've never heard before!"

Are the requirements that high?

He originally thought he could just tell a simple, ordinary fairy tale.

After all, he hadn't read that many books, so he couldn't just start talking to her about "I'm in Tokyo xxx" from the same website, could he?

Although these are all bestsellers, it's really inappropriate to use them as bedtime stories.

"Let me tell you a love story about one of my friends, who is also an online novelist."

After hesitating for a long time, Zhou Chu decided to talk about a dessert.

This kind of atmosphere isn't suitable for discussing national affairs or matters of life and death.

“Of course, he’s a better writer than me. To be precise, we’re not really friends, more like idols.” Zhou Chu coughed twice and cleared his throat. “He’s a well-known online novelist, and his girlfriend is an erotic illustrator.”

"They're quite a good match." Gao Qinyi blinked, clearly more expectant of what he was about to say.

"The book lover and the author are actually students from the same university! They had originally planned to meet in person, but his girlfriend found out about his identity beforehand and thought of using this relationship to blackmail him and force him to write by making him socially incompetent."

"That's indeed a good idea." Gao Qinyi seemed to have thought of a new idea: "From now on, if you don't study hard, I'll tell everyone about your online novel writing!"

"This plot is a bit too much like his." Zhou Chu waved his hand. "Our relationship should be different from theirs. Listen to me. Although his girlfriend discovered his secret, he soon found out her identity—she was actually the legendary female book lover!"

"Hold on a minute." Gao Qinyi interrupted him again: "So, do you have female book friends and have you developed an offline relationship with them?"

"That's impossible." Zhou Chu shook his head with a smile: "You know my personality. I usually stay in my room writing unless I have something to do. Let alone whether a loser like me has female readers, even if I did, I would most likely be too lazy to meet them in real life."

"Goodness!" Gao Qinyi reached out, intending to pat his head, but due to the distance, she only punched his thigh instead: "Having a solution proves you've thought of it!"

The best way to deal with this kind of jealousy that has no basis is to remain silent and smile.

Sure enough, as long as he didn't speak, Gao Qinyi quickly quieted down.

The reason is actually very simple: she just wanted to show that she loved him enough.

Although Zhou Chu has never been in a relationship, he has known Gao Qinyi for so many years and has been writing romance novels for so long. How could he not understand a girl's thoughts at all?

“They have their own personas and stances, and we have our own methods and tricks.” Zhou Chu’s hand gently landed on her face.

There were several stray strands of hair on her face, and he instinctively reached out to brush them away for her.

He hadn't felt anything at first, but after seeing Gao Qinyi's evasive gaze, Zhou Chu realized that he seemed to have done something ambiguous.

In all honesty, it was just an unconscious action.

“We’re senior and junior, and with the added advantage of being teacher and student, we’re not necessarily inferior to them.” Zhou Chu obediently withdrew his left hand—because his right hand was still tightly held by her.

"Is that so..."

Although Gao Qinyi appeared indifferent on the surface, her heart was already boiling with excitement!

He just clearly stated that his friend's story involves a boyfriend and girlfriend.

By making this analogy, aren't you telling her that you and she are also boyfriend and girlfriend?

Such a simple thing doesn't need to be said in such a subtle way.

Wait, no... did that just now count as a confession?

That kind of confession is definitely not enough. You have to look into your own eyes and say "I love you" with utmost sincerity!

Don't worry about failing, because she won't refuse at all!

Zhou Chu genuinely failed to discern her complex inner thoughts.

I was just continuing what I was saying...

I never expected her to have so many associations and daydreams.

"How was the story just now?"

"It's alright." Gao Qinyi realized at this moment that something was wrong.

His expression clearly shows that he has no idea what he just said!

Although unconscious admissions can be quite sweet.

But it was still much worse than she had imagined!

"Then I will..."

Having finally satisfied this young lady, he was ready to go back and rest.

Don't be fooled by the fact that four thousand words a day may not seem like much.

But it's incredibly energy-consuming!

Especially for a romance novelist like him, who has almost no background to draw on, the focus should be on the plot from the start.

He really didn't want to fool the readers with a bunch of random plots.

"I want you to tell me another one!" Gao Qinyi sat up and moved to the side: "You can lie down here and tell me too."

If you actually lie down, is it still just simple storytelling?

Do you need to lie down to tell a story?

I can't let myself fall into this trap again!

"Go to sleep." Zhou Chu strode towards the door.

Gao Qinyi, of course, knew what he was afraid of.

Their relationship is just that of childhood sweethearts; he seems to have never seriously confessed his feelings to her.

This ambiguous stage is the sweetest time in a relationship; once a real relationship is established, many problems will arise.

"Good night," Gao Qinyi whispered.

"Good night." Although her voice was low, Zhou Chu still heard it.

This cohabitation doesn't seem so bad, Zhou Chu thought to himself.

It can also help build up the plot in romance novels!

He was lying flat on the bed when his phone suddenly rang.

It was a text message.

The first thing she said was, "I am Gu Man."

This is a text message, which perfectly overcomes the problem of the two parties not being friends!

But the question is, how did she get her own phone number?

Tomorrow is Saturday! Don't forget the picnic you promised me! I've already talked to Sister Qin about it, and she'll tell you all the details later (add me as a friend now, texting like this is such a waste of phone credit!)

There's another row of numbers after that, which I'd guess is her QQ number.

Zhou Chu wanted to reply, but deleted the "I understand" he had typed.

Since she told Gao Qinyi, she should have known that he would find out.

Sure enough, Gao Qinyi's message arrived as well.

[Girl with a piano: Has she already told you about tomorrow's picnic?]

[Chu Kuangren: The notification was given; she sent a text message.]

[Girl Qin: If you add her as a friend, I won't be jealous! (Really, I won't!)]

He could even guess Gao Qinyi's expression when she typed those words.