System: Master Your Life-Chapter 774 - 193: Viewing Renovations with Shang Wanjun, Shang Wanjun’s Second Novel, Xu Lin Develops New Software

"Aren't you often able to visit the renovation site, so when the time comes, outsource the renovation? Let the renovation company handle it directly?"

Xu Lin is helping Shang Wanjun find a renovation company.

"Yeah." Shang Wanjun nods.

"Don't just agree, give me some feedback."

"Like you said, I can't visit the renovation site often, and I don't really want to interact with strangers. So just let the renovation company be responsible."

"I'll pick out a few renovation companies first. Many of these companies are unreliable; going all-inclusive can easily lead to getting ripped off, and they might cut corners, so we need to choose a good one."

Shang Wanjun nods.

"As for the Song-style renovation you want, I'll help design it. Tomorrow I'll go with you to visit the renovation company, and you have to treat me to a feast. I don't work for free."

"How about I treat you to bluefin tuna?"

"That extravagant? This stuff isn't cheap."

"I need to reward you properly!"

"It's a deal then."

Bluefin tuna is very expensive. The exaggerated price can reach ten thousand per pound, or even higher depending on the quality.

Xu Lin: "Let's start designing the Song-style renovation you want. You watch from the side."

So Shang Wanjun moved a chair over and sat next to Xu Lin.

"Just one screen; if your computer had two screens, it would be better. One screen is uncomfortable to watch."

"I have a laptop, want to use it?"

"Bring it out."

Shang Wanjun took out her laptop, which she usually uses for classes.

"Do you know how to design that style of renovation?"

"Are you kidding? It's simple. Just say what you want, so you don't waste time with those designers later."

"Okay."

For the next two hours, the two of them researched Song-style renovation.

Xu Lin previously acquired a new skill, "Visual Feast," an artistic skill that enhances his abilities in composition, color coordination, and other visual expressions.

Plus, Xu Lin's computer skills.

The combination of the two abilities makes designing a renovation style a piece of cake, even international design masters might not match him.

Xu Lin thought about how he would design his own house if he bought one in the future.

After two hours, based on Shang Wanjun's requirements, Xu Lin designed a house that completely matched the renovation style she wanted.

This is a 3D rendering, allowing Shang Wanjun to view it freely.

"Amazing!"

Shang Wanjun couldn't help but admire Xu Lin's skills.

"It's no big deal."

Xu Lin: "But I estimate your renovation might cost one to two million, prepare yourself mentally."

"Oh, no problem."

"Is there anything else to do?"

"I finished that novel the last time; do you want to take a look?"

"Sure, is it going to be published?"

"Yes, I'll submit it for publication, if there's no issue."

Shang Wanjun opened her new novel.

This novel is 300,000 words long, a moderate length.

It's about a teacher-student romance, with the male lead being Xu Lin and the female lead being Shang Wanjun.

Xu Lin had read a bit before and didn't find much to comment on; he wasn't thrilled.

In terms of plot, Shang Wanjun doesn't write tragic stories; her writing is exciting, and she has a particularly good style, exploring the inherent moral, social ethics, and the conflicts between love in teacher-student romances through the progress of the story.

Third-rate novels tell stories; second-rate works have some thought; first-rate works focus on characters.

Xu Lin thinks Shang Wanjun's book can enter the ranks of second-rate, as it explores ideas deeply.

Xu Lin had no idea what this literature enthusiast usually ponders in her mind.

"What do you think?"

"I think it's very well-written, though I'm not sure if the publisher will approve it. Teacher-student romances are a red line in both online and realistic literature, with strict approvals."

"I'll submit it anyway. If they don't approve, so be it."

"If this one doesn't pass, submit it to more publishers. A good work will find someone to publish it. If rejected by ten publishers, let it be. Try submitting to the previous publisher now, since you're a bestselling author, they might relax the rules for you."

"So this book is fine?"

"No problem, better than your last book."

"I'll submit it then."

Then Shang Wanjun submitted her manuscript to Zhu Yue Publishing House from last time.

Nothing happened that night.

Xu Lin spent the night at Shang Wanjun's place.

The next morning, after breakfast, the two set off to negotiate with a renovation company boss.

This renovation company was finalized last night by Xu Lin and Shang Wanjun; it has a good industry reputation, though it's quite pricey.

But that's understandable – good reputation often means higher costs.

If you're not willing to spend this money, an all-inclusive renovation might face many issues.

"When we get there, I'll say the house is mine. With renovation companies, reputation is one thing, but you should know that successful businesses are often run by shrewd people. These folks assess based on appearances; being a quiet-looking woman, they might instinctively think you're easy to push around, possibly leading to procrastination and lack of seriousness."

"And you? You're younger than me."

"Me? They can't trick me."

Soon, the two met the renovation company boss.

He's just a renovation company boss, not a big shot.

Xu Lin and Shang Wanjun arrived at the renovation company. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

In the reception room.

A female employee greeted them to have a seat and brought tea.

Xu Lin glanced at the ashtray on the coffee table.

He took a packet of cigarettes from his pocket.

Then pulled one out.