Chapter 4: Don’t Go Too Far

At dawn, as the rooster crowed and a faint light appeared on the eastern horizon, Lin Qianfan finished writing three sets of lyrics. Using the mobile DreamNet, he found the contact information for three singer studios and sent the lyrics to them.

However, Lin Qianfan only held onto a slim hope regarding these three songs.

The reason was simple: the singers originally meant to perform these songs had already become famous, and their contact details were public. It was easy to imagine how many people sent submissions to them daily.

The fate of these three songs was very likely to be silence and oblivion.

Yet, if any of them were discovered by those singers, the copyright fees from just one song would be enough to fund his starting capital.

This was why, despite knowing the odds were slim, Lin Qianfan still decided to try.

Putting the lyrics aside, Lin Qianfan turned his attention to writing novels.

In his previous life, he had read many novels—urban, historical, fantasy, all kinds—both male- and female-targeted, which were also the popular genres today.

After some thought, he registered an account on a female-oriented website under the pen name “Contending Current.”

The competition on male-oriented sites was too fierce, and as a student, he couldn’t manage daily updates of 4,000 words—2,000 was already pushing it.

On female-oriented sites, readers cared more about quality than quantity.

Ultimately, Lin Qianfan chose to base his story on a once very popular novel from his past life—a wealthy family romance full of torment. When he read it then, it had pained him deeply—not because of the suffering itself, but the sheer frustration. The male lead nearly tortured the female lead to the brink, yet she loved him so deeply she couldn’t bear to leave.

He planned to build on this foundation a story about an impulsive departure and an uncompromising, fiery pursuit to win back his wife.

Without delay, he registered the book title, grabbed some leftover food from last night, and started typing.

By around 2 p.m., he had completed 6,000 words. After publishing, he put down his phone and went to catch up on sleep.

When he awoke, he found a new friend request on QQ from an editor named Tiantian.

Lin Qianfan knew his book had been shortlisted.

After accepting, he discussed some follow-up writing directions with the editor, who then sent a contract.

Lin Qianfan printed it out and mailed it back, officially becoming a workhorse writer.

From then on, he began writing diligently. Before school the next day, he had to produce six chapters totaling 12,000 words to maintain continuous updates during school days.

During this time, his QQ was bombarded with messages from Xu Qian, whose incessant texts drove him to annoyance.

Lin Qianfan simply logged out of QQ, bringing peace back to his world.

By the afternoon of the next day, the 12,000-word manuscript was completed and scheduled for release. He then prepared to head to school.

After bidding farewell to the little old lady and the skinny old man, Lin Qianfan grabbed his backpack and phone and set out for school. Yet, as he caught sight of the school gate, a flash of anger crossed his face.

The reason was clear. At the school gate, Xu Qian and her clique were aggressively surrounding Xia Ruo. Especially Li Yanzi, who was yelling loudly, spitting as she spoke.

Xia Ruo, trapped in the middle, clenched her backpack tightly and kept her head down, silent.

Seeing this scene, Lin Qianfan could not stand it.

He strode forward swiftly and, without hesitation, shoved Li Yanzi aside, standing protectively in front of Xia Ruo.

Xu Qian and her group were somewhat surprised to see Lin Qianfan arrive, then all their gazes shifted to Xu Qian, the leader of the group.

Xu Qian glanced at Lin Qianfan with a sullen face, adopting an accusatory tone.

“Last Friday, you said you’d get my bracelet back for me, but what did you actually do?”

“And you were clearly online. Why didn’t you reply when I messaged you?”

“Who do you think you are, that I have to respond to your messages?”

“Also, you claim Xia Ruo’s bracelet as yours—is it really yours now?”

“Who do you think you are, wielding legislative power with every word you say?”

“Don’t make me laugh. If it’s really yours, show the purchase receipt and report it to the police!”

“I said I’d get it for you, and you just agreed?”

“I said I wanted to be your daddy, so shouldn’t you call me that now?”

Before, Lin Qianfan had acted like a loyal dog for Xu Qian because of that scheme. Now that he knew the truth, Xu Qian was nothing to him—he wouldn’t tolerate her anymore.

“You, you…” Xu Qian stared at Lin Qianfan in disbelief.

Before, Lin Qianfan obeyed her every command, never going against her wishes.

But today, his attitude was the polar opposite.

“What ‘you,’ huh? Haven’t seen you for a few days and suddenly you’ve got infantile paralysis and stuttering.”

“Besides, if I find out you’re targeting Xia Ruo again, don’t blame me for losing my gentleman’s manners. You should know I’m a transfer student; my academic record isn’t here.”

“School punishments don’t affect me!”

“Right, Li Yanzi?”

Lin Qianfan glared darkly, deliberately aiming at Li Yanzi—everyone in that clique already knew about the slap he gave her last Friday.

Having said this, he grabbed Xia Ruo’s hand and strode inside the campus, ignoring the group of bullies as if they didn’t exist.

“Xu Qian, what’s going on with Lin Qianfan?”

“Wasn’t he your lapdog? Why is he biting us now?”

Li Yanzi, the one Lin Qianfan had targeted last, spoke up.

“Lin Qianfan wanted to date me before—I didn’t agree!”

At once, everyone understood.

Lin Qianfan’s hostility stemmed from unrequited love; since he couldn’t be with Xu Qian, he had turned against them.

“So, what now?”

“With Lin Qianfan protecting her, Xia Ruo will only become more brazen.”

Hearing this, Xu Qian sneered coldly.

“Lin Qianfan is just sulking at me. If I show him a friendly face, he definitely won’t protect that little brat forever.”

Meanwhile, inside the campus, Lin Qianfan and Xia Ruo were walking toward the teaching building.

“Please, stop tickling me, okay?”

“It’s so itchy!”

From behind, Xia Ruo’s voice sounded like a faint mosquito’s hum.

Lin Qianfan paused and turned to see Xia Ruo’s face, rosy and sweet like a red apple.

Reluctantly, he let go of her small, soft, delicate hand—truly a treasure.

“Thank you for today,” Xia Ruo said, looking at Lin Qianfan.

“So, have you thought about how you’ll repay me?” Lin Qianfan asked.

“Huh?”

Xia Ruo was puzzled; normally, Lin Qianfan would say it was nothing.

“What kind of repayment are you thinking of?”

“But it can’t be too outrageous…”