After reading them, Fang Jingru liked both stories very much. "Qiqi, you are amazing. I originally thought it would take you some time to get used to it, but I think you can publish this manuscript directly without any revisions."

"You flatter me too much. Actually, I'm just trying to write something, and I have no confidence at all," Qiao Qiqi said modestly.

"How could that be? Your writing and stories are really excellent." Fang Jingru put down the manuscript, reached into her bag and took out 5 yuan and 2 mao. "By the way, this is the payment for your last two articles."

"So many?" Qiao Qiqi took them in surprise. Last time, one article only cost 1.8 yuan. She didn't expect that this time, two articles would have so many correct answers.

"Because your two previous articles were longer, and I calculate payment based on word count, the fee will naturally be higher."

Qiao Qiqi nodded, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, if my articles are published again in the future, could you give me a copy of the newspaper for that issue? You can deduct it from my royalties."

"No need to deduct it, I'll give it to you for free. Wait a moment, I think I have one here." Fang Jingru went to the study and looked around, then quickly came out with two newspapers. "I only have two here, take a look first, and I'll give you the other one when I find it in my office."

Qiao Qiqi took the newspaper and looked at it. She quickly found her article. Although it was located on the lower part of the inner pages, she didn't care because she knew it would eventually be on the front page.

Qiao Qiqi put the newspaper away and then chatted with Fang Jingru about the ideas and future plans for the two serialized articles. They talked until dark before finally finalizing the outlines for both articles.

"Based on this idea, one story could be about 30,000 words long and another about 50,000 words long. It's estimated that it could be serialized for 10 to 20 installments, which would be a considerable income. However, the final pricing will have to be decided in a meeting. But I think that if this story with fewer words is finished, it will earn at least 40 yuan," Fang Jingru said.

"Okay, you can talk to her for me." Since Qiao Qiqi had chosen Fang Jingru, she would trust her.

Seeing that it was getting late and that Fang Jingru and Fang Ke had to go to work the next day, Qiao Qiqi got up to say goodbye. She first had the driver take Fang Ke back to the Fang family home, and then the driver drove from the Fang family home to the Qin family home.

This stretch of road takes about half an hour to drive.

While driving along a side road, blinding lights suddenly appeared ahead. The driver immediately slowed down, but still saw a car suddenly rush out from in front.

Creak!

A screeching sound of brakes suddenly rang out.

Caught off guard, Qiao Qiqi slammed her body against the car door. Although she managed to grab the back of the front seat with quick reflexes, her shoulder still slammed hard against the door.

The next second, the car suddenly shook violently again.

Then, the screeching sound of brakes disappeared, and the blinding lights also disappeared.

The car is back to normal.

The driver immediately looked up and checked Qiao Qiqi's condition through the rearview mirror. "Miss Qiao, are you alright?"

Qiao Qiqi moved her arm slightly, realizing it was probably just a strain, and shook her head gently. "I'm fine, how about you? Are you alright?"

"No." The driver was immediately relieved to hear that Qiao Qiqi was alright.

Qiao Qiqi looked around and, seeing that she could no longer see what was behind her, frowned and asked, "What just happened?"

She had been looking at the road to the side and hadn't noticed what was happening ahead. By the time the driver hit the brakes and quickly turned the steering wheel, it was too late for her to see.

The driver was still shaken. Recalling what had just happened, he said, "I guess the road was too dark and the headlights of the car in front were too bright, so the oncoming car couldn't see the road and suddenly rushed out."

This was just a minor incident, and Qiao Qiqi didn't take it to heart.

When they arrived at the Qin family's residence, he told the driver, "Don't tell the old lady what happened earlier, so she won't worry."

Knowing she was a kind-hearted girl, the driver immediately nodded, "Okay, Miss Qiao, I understand."

I slept well all night.

The next day was Monday, and Qiao Qiqi really couldn't stay at the Qiao family home any longer. More importantly, every day she stayed at home meant one less day of money she would earn.

Since she's not leaving for the time being, she'll continue delivering goods.

So she told the old lady that she was going out to buy something.

The old lady readily agreed, "Sure, I'll have the driver take you."

Qiao Qiqi immediately waved her hand, "Madam, I want to go alone."

Old Madam Qin looked up, intending to ask why, but then she suddenly realized that Qiao Qiqi came from the countryside and was probably used to being alone. Now that someone was suddenly by her side, she probably wasn't used to it.

Thinking of this, she immediately said, "Just treat this place like your own home, don't be so polite with me."

Qiao Qiqi wasn't being polite at all...

She just wanted to do things that couldn't be seen by others.

Unable to speak frankly with the old lady, Qiao Qiqi could only bite the bullet and say, "If I'm not going to stand on ceremony with you, then you shouldn't stand on ceremony with me either. I really can go by myself."

Seeing that she insisted, the old lady didn't press the matter further. "Alright then, go early and come back early, and be careful on the road."

"Alright!" Seeing that the old lady had finally relented, Qiao Qiqi hurriedly went out.

She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but as soon as she stepped out of the courtyard, she felt as if someone was following her.

Qiao Qiqi looked back twice, but didn't see anyone. Still feeling uneasy, she quickly entered the department store, then made her way through the maze of doors before finally exiting through the back door.

After circling around the road a couple more times to make sure the feeling of someone following her was gone, Qiao Qiqi finally found a secluded spot, picked up the apples, and headed to the grocery store.

The boss was directing the unloading when he suddenly saw a familiar face. His eyes widened in surprise, "How come you're back so soon?"

Qiao Qiqi: "..."

A hint of embarrassment flashed in her eyes. "Something came up and I had to postpone my departure. So, I can deliver your goods on time again soon."

The boss ordered fruit on Wednesday, and it was almost all sold out yesterday. When he heard Qiao Qiqi say that delivery was available again, he was overjoyed. "That's great! Can we continue delivering as usual from now on?"

"It's okay for now!" Qiao Qiqi didn't dare to make a guarantee, after all, she was now in the Qin family's house, and it wasn't as convenient for her to come and go as she used to.

They still delivered 200 jin of apples and pears, 100 jin of grapes and peaches, and gave her 150 jin of apples. Qiao Qiqi then left with more than 310 yuan in her pocket.

This fixed daily income of over three hundred yuan instantly improved her mood.

After buying a basket of apples at the black market, Qiao Qiqi returned to the Qin family with a piece of floral cloth and a few pounds of peaches.

When Madam Qin saw that she had brought back fruit, she immediately said, "How can I let you buy fruit while you're staying here? Aunt Zhou, quickly give the money to Miss Qiao."

Aunt Zhou came out of the kitchen with a smile and said, "Madam, is the money you're talking about for the peaches or the money we were supposed to give Miss Qiao?"