The following days were agonizing for Xi Luting.
She had carefully considered Ham’s proposal and was increasingly inclined to accept it.
The remuneration of 20 yuan per thousand words for editing was not high, but it was clearly open for negotiation.
Even without a price increase, editing 100,000 words for 2,000 yuan was still a decent part-ti job.
She was well aware that drafting the initial plot was the most laborious part, while editing and polishing were not difficult.
The work was manageable, not tiring, didn’t require showing her face, and she could even use soone else’s money to hone her own skills...
It was too good an opportunity to pass up.
Xi Luting was not exactly in dire need of money. Her family owned two apartnts and a shop in a prefecture-level city. Her father was a civil servant and her mother a teacher, making them a comfortable middle-class family that had never left her wanting for living expenses.
However, if she wanted to establish herself in Magic Capital, her family really couldn’t provide much help.
She had to rely on herself.
Unfortunately, the career path she had envisioned was proving unfeasible, and she simply lacked the aptitude for learning. Every ti she thought of this, she couldn’t help but feel envious of Han Lie.
They were both students from third-tier universities, so why was her learning ability so much worse than that damn man’s? My IQ is clearly not low... The heavens are truly unfair.
In any case, it seed she couldn’t rely on her academic abilities. The path after graduation would definitely not be easy. Now that she had the chance to try her hand at web fiction again, it was a great opportunity.
If Ham’s outline and first three Golden Chapters were exceptionally well-crafted, she was even willing to take a gamble and work for a share of the profits.
But since that day’s chat, three whole days had passed, and Ham, the rich tycoon, hadn’t logged in again.
The wait was making her more and more anxious.
On the evening of the 3rd, when she logged into her alternate account without much hope, she finally saw a bright, bouncing avatar.
Phew, I’ve finally heard from you...
She hurriedly opened the chat window, and the first thing she saw was a row of laughing emoticons.
Ham for Cucumber: "The outline and the first three Golden Chapters are all done!"
Ham for Cucumber: "I’ll send you a copy; take a look. Oh, and the outline only covers the early content, just so you get the idea."
Xi Luting replied with a single "Hmm" and eagerly started receiving the file.
Upon opening the docunt, the first thing that caught her eye was the title—"You Have to Live Well Without in Your Remaining Life."
It was sowhat literary and didn’t quite match the the, but it struck a chord with Xi Luting.
Moving on to the text, the female lead, Xi ng, encountered Wang Yan on a high-speed train in the first Chapter.
The story began with Xi ng being hit on by a middle-aged man. Her soft-hearted and kind nature made her inept at rejecting advances, allowing the opportunistic man to progressively encroach on her boundaries.
This disturbed Wang Yan, who was seated next to her, prompting the cold and domineering male protagonist to make a powerful entrance.
Like a great detective, he ticulously deduced the man’s background, capabilities, and family situation from his clothing, watch, and manner of speaking, effectively laying him bare.
His words were sharp and cutting, angering the middle-aged man.
But just before a more intense conflict could erupt, Wang Yan casually revealed his trump card:
"In my eyes, you’re like a completely transparent, laughable paracium.
"What gives you such confidence?
"Gusheng Group?
"Your direct superior couldn’t possibly be at Gu Mingtong’s level. However, if I were to call Gu Mingtong, I doubt he’d mind doing a favor by casually firing a mid-level manager who doesn’t understand his place.
"So, want to bet if the Gu Mingtong in my contacts is real?"
The minor villain was terrified. He begged for rcy, then fled with his tail between his legs.
With just a few sentences, he had smoothly asserted his dominance, demonstrating impressive analytical and situational control.
And it introduced an almost cheat-like skill—cold reading.
Xi ng was captivated by Wang Yan’s performance.
At the sa ti, Xi Luting was captivated by Ham’s writing skills.
Oh my god! Who exactly is my little fan? His skill at showing off and face-slapping is incredible!
The first Chapter alone thrilled Xi Luting, leaving her eagerly anticipating the rest of the story.
Of course, there were so issues.
In Xi Luting’s view, many descriptions and word choices in this Chapter were still too stiff.
By "stiff," she ant they were too heavily skewed towards a male perspective.
For example, the description of Xi ng’s resistance was purely speculative from a man’s viewpoint; in reality, Xi ng’s psychological reaction should have been portrayed as more vulnerable.
But these were minor issues.
The entire first Chapter—from character design and the to the execution and satisfaction of the "showing off and face-slapping"—was top-notch.
While female-oriented web novels don’t always emphasize "showing off and face-slapping," if executed with class and style, it can generate imnse satisfaction for readers of any gender.
Moreover, the dialogue Ham wrote was so good it could be used directly as lines in an idol drama.
This kind of cinematic quality was extrely rare.
Xi Luting couldn’t wait to finish all three Chapters, a single thought echoing wildly in her mind—
Collaborate with him!
A Lonely Cucumber: "I don’t want an editing fee; I want a one-third share of the royalties!"
When Han Lie received the ssage, he had already written up to Chapter 6 of his lodramatic new book about conning money and tricking girls.
"If that’s the case, I’ll be stricter with you. Are you ready?"
A Lonely Cucumber: "Bring it on!"
Han Lie smiled, an exceptionally wicked grin.
Ham for Cucumber: "Then, design a passionate scene between Xi ng and Wang Yan in advance. Write it out and let see.
"Motivation, setting, details, special imagery—make it all clear.
"Fully unleash your imagination. Write from a female perspective, making it more aesthetic and intense.
"By the way, there’s no word limit."
Xi Luting’s face suddenly flushed red, and she felt her toes instinctively curl.
Dammit, this is so embarrassing... Why on earth should I, of all people, write sothing like that for a man?! Alright, alright, for my dream, for art! Good thing this is online. Good thing he’s a stranger...
She managed to overco the psychological pressure, but she still felt a bit awkward.
A Lonely Cucumber: "Well... I have a little suggestion..."
Ham for Cucumber: "Hmm?"
A Lonely Cucumber: "Could we... change the female protagonist’s na?"
Ham for Cucumber: "Reason?"
A Lonely Cucumber: "Just... don’t you think it’s a bit too ordinary?"
Ham for Cucumber: "How about changing it to Xi ngting?"
The mont she saw the na "Xi ngting," Xi Luting froze, completely numb.
Good grief, why does it keep getting closer to my own na?! If this continues, I’ll really start to project myself onto the character!
A Lonely Cucumber: "No, no, no! What I an is, can we change her surna?"
Han Lie was about to collapse with laughter.
Wiping away the tears he’d forced out, he resolutely denied Xi Luting’s unreasonable request.
Ham for Cucumber: "The surna can’t be changed. Xi has a deeper aning."
Xi Luting shivered all over, her heart pounding wildly.
"What deeper aning?"
Ham for Cucumber: "Xi: a mat woven from grass or reeds. Don’t you think it fits her destiny perfectly?"
Fits, my ass!
Xi Luting grumbled resentfully. Just as she was about to try persuading him again, another ssage arrived.
Ham for Cucumber: "The female lead’s surna can’t be changed. However, aside from that, you can have the naming rights for both the male and female leads. I’m really not good at devising nas suitable for female-oriented fiction. You can give it so careful thought."
Xi Luting’s eyes suddenly sparkled, a strange excitent surging in her heart.
The male lead’s surna is Wang? I’ll make him Han!
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