My System Forces Me to Live off Women-Chapter 93 - 90: Sharing and Gifts

Do I look like a big fool to you? Expecting me to come over in five minutes?

That’s impossible!

Li Peifeng knew that Zhao Qingge was probably at the peak of her anger at this moment. How could he act as her punching bag right now?

He decided to walk slowly, taking half an hour to stroll from the school gate to the School of Arts and Sciences, giving Old Zhao some time to digest and calm down.

Meanwhile, Li Peifeng felt he also needed to calm down, to digest this good news, and savor this bit of happiness.

As the saying goes, happiness is better when shared.

Joy shared with others often becomes even greater joy...

Most of the time, it’s not about having someone to enjoy it with you; rather, it’s the sight and sound of others’ envious, angry, or twisted expressions that make you even happier!

So, Li Peifeng pulled out his phone, took a screenshot of the Platinum contract from the Writer Assistant APP, and then took screenshots of the notifications about his works being adapted into anime and films.

Next, he opened WeChat and checked his long-neglected friend circle...

"Is this a bit too simple?"

Li Peifeng thought it over and felt it wasn’t right to show off such important news all at once.

So, he separated the photos and posted them in two different friend circle updates.

The caption for the screenshot of the work adaptation into anime and film read:

Li Peifeng: "I was born plain and ordinary, without a prominent family or stunning looks. I can’t amaze youth, or change the years. Yet, I still want to warm time, read extensively, and strive to compensate for my plain birth with a spectacular later life. Because I believe that the romance of the universe and the warmth of humanity are worth pursuing." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The caption for the Platinum contract screenshot read:

Li Peifeng: "The sun and moon are two lamps, spring and autumn a dream. Ten years ago, a young boy picked up the keyboard, not imagining he would one day achieve the Platinum seal."

After posting, he slowed his pace even further.

Li Peifeng even sat down on a bench by the campus roadside, eagerly watching his screen to see who would be first to comment or like his post.

Soon indeed, the first comment appeared, followed by the second and the third...

Lu Jing: "(crying) Is it true? Oh my god! I want to write a novel too, about ’My Senior Brother is a Platinum Author at Endpoint and I Didn’t Even Know!’"

Lin Zhihui: "Senior Brother? Platinum? Treat us!!"

Shen Liao: "(angry) I re-checked the contract’s timestamp... just over a meal? And you’ve already become a Platinum?! Seriously damn you! Where are you?! A few classmates and I want to have a good talk with this Platinum God!!"

(Literature Society) Bai Xiaoyang: "(smiling) In others’ twenties; they are Platinum gods, successful and giving lectures. In my twenties; my core gets fired, leaving me in tears. Li Peifeng, oh Li Peifeng, you’re hiding way too well! You’re not human! You’re just a beast!! I denounce you on behalf of the whole Literature Society!!"

(Chinese Language) Yin Xue: "Disgusting, truly disgusting, doubly disgusting. ’Born plain and boring... without beautiful looks... can’t amaze youth’ can’t you at least copy a fitting script? Platinum? Tui! Probably plagiarized!"

Pure impotent fury! They’re all furious!!

Li Peifeng laughed until he was stomping his feet.

The fun is right there.

Afterwards, the WeChat notifications kept ringing incessantly with people leaving comments in his friend circle, private messaging, and even calling him via voice chat.

Essentially, the news had caused an uproar in Li Peifeng’s ’fish pond’, awakening all sorts of fish that were previously lurking in the depths – groupers, tunas, sharks, and whales – all brought to the surface.

Currently, Li Peifeng felt that with Xu Manning and Wu Wenyue, accompanied by Old Zhao’s backing, he wanted to cut ties with the previous fish, hence adopting a laisser-faire attitude, responding to messages with a hint of detachment.

(Art Third-Year 176, playful) Li Luorou: "No wonder the famous peerless jackass at Beihua Normal has been ignoring people lately, turns out he’s made a name for himself. What’s wrong, not interested in earth beauties anymore? Looking for aliens?"

Li Peifeng: "Without women in heart, writing naturally becomes divine."

(Education Fourth-Year 168, foodie) Lv Qi: "Just found out Brother Feng is a writer? Platinum? Sounds impressive, how about a meal to celebrate?"

Li Peifeng: "I appreciate it, I’ll make time for sure."

(Journalism Second-Year 174, sweet-voiced, playful) Tang Feng: "What bad luck, there goes my good mood for the day. Truly, no good deeds go unpunished, mischief persists for eternity."

Li Peifeng: "The other party has enabled friend verification, you are not his/her friend yet..."

(Biology First-Year 167, fiery) Lu Shuang: "(angry) I thought you were dead, but you’re living it up so well? Want a piece of you, do you have time tonight?! If not, at least name your price! I’ll take out a loan to play with you!"

Really so generous?

Li Peifeng hesitated for a moment but typed: "Read more books, don’t be swayed by my looks and talent, it’s going nowhere."

(Psychology Year Two 172, caring, cunning) He Yimeng: "Haven’t seen you in a few days and your career’s blooming. Yet, remember to take care of yourself, is the kidney deficiency better? Make sure to regularly drink the goji berries I bought you. If you finish them, let me know, I’ll get you more."

(Dance Third-Year 171, introvert) Gao Yuanling: "Body meeting at seven twenty?"

(English Fourth-Year 179, clingy) Sun Demeng: "(crying) You flourish with spring blossoms, while I’m still cloaked in old snow."

(Drama and Film Fourth-Year 170, gold-digger) Luo Ying: "Great writer, get me a role, I’m willing to dedicate myself to art!"

(Music Graduate 171, aloof) Yao Xun: "Fishing again? Being a sea king isn’t good, settle down with me soon!"

Due to a flood of WeChat messages and comments, never-ending calls too, Li Peifeng couldn’t keep up...

"Brother Feng, have you missed me lately?"

"Xiaoyu?"

"Oh you, not Xiaoyu, it’s Lixue."

"Same difference with Lixue, apologies, I’m busy, no meetup."

In a few words, Li Peifeng ended the call, with a determined face.

"As clouds continuously pile, the heavy rain comes as promised."

"To think of this overwhelming seductive allure, could this be the troubles of a successful man?"

"Come at me with greater force!!!"

...

2:00 PM, School of Arts and Sciences, Zhao Qingge’s office.

"Your main script needs some revisions."

Zhao Qingge looked at the PowerPoint on the screen and calmly said, "This really falls short of the Platinum writer’s standards, and also ’A Two Wen of Wind in the Human World.’ It barely mentions your works, making it more of a ’Beginner’s Guide to Online Writing.’ Who do you think you are, Li Peifeng?"

"..."

Li Peifeng rubbed his chin, gazed out of the window into the distance, pretending not to hear.

"You, Li Peifeng, have just been crowned a Platinum writer on Endpoint. Several of your works have been adapted into films and animations. I just called the teacher in charge of the student union, and they have posted a new message on the official account as per your request. In the School of Arts and Sciences WeChat group, the student council has also issued collective announcements, and the banners are being made overtime."

"..."

Li Peifeng silently took out his phone and glanced at the campus’s official WeChat account.

Hmm, it’s changed, really changed. The font is bold, big, and red.

"Notice about the lecture by the famous network writer, Platinum God ’A Two Wen of Wind in the Human World,’ at our school"

Old Zhao really is impressive—decisive and fast.

Li Peifeng tucked away his phone with a slight blush of embarrassment and continued to endure Zhao Qingge’s sarcasm...

"So, for such a formal lecture, how can you talk to the teachers and students from Beihua Normal University like a second-rate editor? Do you feel comfortable with that?"

"You have to talk about the literary aspects, do you understand? You’re from the literature department, so your online novels carry the genes of pure literature. You must contrast this part of the genes with the wild growth of online literature, and talk of the sparks that come from this impact, so the listeners will have some new insights into literature."

"..."

"At the very least, you should start by talking about your first novel, share your creative journey, and offer some writing tips, instead of giving this ’writing for dummies’ talk, which makes students feel like you’re insulting them."

Li Peifeng silently filled Zhao Qingge’s cup with hot water, then said, "Mentor, the books I’ve written before can’t really talk about literary value... but I want to start a new book about Narnia, and this time I intend to take it seriously with some changes and innovations. What do you think?"

This time it was Zhao Qingge’s turn to be silent. She frowned, stared at him for a moment, before slowly saying, "What’s Narnia?"

Pretending to have amnesia?

Li Peifeng hesitated for a moment and said, "I won’t write about things between you and me; instead, I might fictionalize a protagonist that crosses over, mainly depicting the characters’ manners and customs of that world."

"There was nothing between you and me originally!"

Zhao Qingge furrowed her brows for a moment and then said, "You can give it a try. After the outline is done, send it to me, and I can help by supplementing suggestions. But as for the dream, I’ve pretty much forgotten it, so don’t put too much hope in me."

"No problem, thank you, Mentor."

This came as a pleasant surprise to Li Peifeng. He had entered Narnia in a dream yesterday and had deepened his understanding again, but it was even better with Zhao Qingge willing to help.

Thus, Li Peifeng nodded in thanks: "Alright, I’ll go back and revise my draft."

"Go back, but..."

Zhao Qingge seemed to inadvertently remind: "I wonder why you only announced signing with Platinum on your Moments? Shouldn’t you also tell your TT Book Friends group? They should be the first ones to know, after all, they’re your book fans."

Oh right, I forgot to harvest that third burst of joy. I must show off to my book fans!!!

"Thanks for reminding me."

Li Peifeng had a sudden realization, and after bidding farewell to Zhao Qingge, he picked up his phone from the office, logged into TT, and while sending those two screenshots to the group, he walked out of the door.

Just as he reached the staircase in the hallway outside the door, Li Peifeng was still basking in the group’s book fans’ praise when his online wife messaged him...

Yun Xin Yue Xing: "(hits you) Where’s the gift? Did the courier have an accident? It’s been a week already."

Yun Xin Yue Xing: "If my brother didn’t buy me anything, then fine, let’s just go back to our previous purely financial relationship!"

Oh, right, haven’t bought the jewelry for Old Zhao yet!

She was pretending to ask me to notify the book fans but actually wanted me to log on to TT to see this message!

Li Peifeng found it amusing. After pondering for a moment, he turned back to Zhao Qingge’s office...

"Knock, knock~"

"Come in."

Li Peifeng pushed the door open, then closed it after him, walked to the desk, and focused his gaze on Zhao Qingge’s face.

"Something up?" Zhao Qingge’s gaze met his without losing ground, her stance was that of a strict teacher indeed.

Li Peifeng’s expression changed several times. Finally, he glanced at his phone and took a deep breath: "Do you have any time this evening?"

Zhao Qingge lightly frowned, "What’s up?"

"I want to buy a gift for a friend, but I really don’t know what kind of thing she likes, so I was wondering if you could accompany me and give me some advice. I’ll treat you to dinner!"

Zhao Qingge blinked and didn’t say anything.

Li Peifeng smiled and explained: "To be honest with you, this person is the one I’ve been telling you about, the netizen I’m in an online relationship with. She used to be a fan of my books, and she’s helped me a lot, so I want to buy her a present. And her age is about the same as yours, so I thought... could you help me with this favor?"

"..."

Zhao Qingge shifted her gaze to the computer screen.

Silence, a long silence.

Is it really not possible? Although the two had kissed before, it was during the ’sleep’ state of Zhao Qingge. No way they could go shopping together...

Li Peifeng sighed inwardly and turned to leave. After a few steps, he reached the door, and his hand was already on the handle.

Turning it.

"Click~"

"I finish work at six today."

The voice was light, as if someone was talking to themselves. But there were only two people in the room!

Was she talking to me?

Li Peifeng turned back with suspicion, yet Zhao Qingge was still looking at the computer screen...

Is this really going to lead to a face-to-face meeting with my online love interest?