Chapter 35: The Literary Rising Star Competition (2)

Fantasy Under the Pen: Say, Editor, I have a question—who is covering the expenses for this event?

Counting the Years of Youth: Exactly, Editor! That’s what we’re most concerned about. Look, we spend all day typing away and barely make any money. We aren’t top-tier authors; we have lives to lead. How could we have extra cash to go out and play?

Once Counting the Years of Youth posted this, the group erupted, with everyone declaring they were unwilling to pay.

Soaring Miles, meanwhile, stayed silent for a long time, seemingly enjoying the suspense.

Ziqing: Alright, alright, everyone stop arguing. I will cover the expenses for this event.

As soon as Ziqing said this, there was an uproar.

Fantasy Under the Pen: Wow, as expected of a top-tier author, so wealthy and generous!

Scattered City Night: Truly, a top-tier author is a top-tier author. Readers adore whatever they write, so they must be rolling in money.

Only then did Soaring Miles speak up. Lin Yan watched the chat interface, observing the "Soaring Miles is typing..." indicator. She could almost imagine the faint smile on his face.

Finally, Soaring Miles sent a private message to Lin Yan.

Soaring Miles: What do you think, Yan-Yan?

Yan-Yan: I don’t have any thoughts on it. The internet is the internet; why drag it into reality? I don’t want to participate in this event.

Soaring Miles: Yan-Yan, I have always considered you a friend—a real-life friend. I never thought you only saw me as a virtual entity.

Lin Yan froze. She had never expected Soaring Miles to say such a thing. Their relationship had always been strictly editor and author, with occasional chats limited to manuscripts. Hearing this now made her feel somewhat embarrassed.

Yan-Yan: No, that’s not it. I consider you a friend too, Soaring Miles. It’s just... isn’t it fine the way things are now? Why must we meet in person?

Soaring Miles: If you don’t participate in this event, it means you don’t consider me a friend.

Yan-Yan: Er...

While Lin Yan was messaging Soaring Miles, the girls in the group were still teasing Ziqing, who remained silent.

Soaring Miles finally jumped back into the group chat and said: Everyone, stay calm. Actually, the website already approved the funding for this event. You don’t have to pay; the website is covering everything.

This announcement from Soaring Miles made the girls in the group cheer with delight.

Ziqing: Yan-Yan will be attending this event, right? I heard Yan-Yan took first place in the romance competition.

Lin Yan was stunned that Ziqing would bring her into the conversation. She was usually a wallflower in the group, never mentioned by anyone and rarely speaking herself. Being singled out by a top-tier author like this left her feeling completely overwhelmed.

Xiao Lan: Is that true? The results haven't been announced yet, have they? Could it be rigged?

Counting the Years of Youth: Editor, come out and tell us!

Fantasy Under the Pen: Exactly, we want to know too.

Soaring Miles remained silent again for a long time, leaving everyone in the group to speculate wildly. As Lin Yan read the messages directed at her, she felt a surge of indignation building in her chest.

Yan-Yan: The competition results haven't been revealed yet; it is far too early to say anything. As for rumors of it being rigged or using back-door channels, I know nothing of them. I have stayed quiet and focused on my writing, and I have a clear conscience.

Ziqing: Staying quiet is fine, of course, but there's no harm in having private chats with people in positions of power, is there?

Lin Yan was fuming. She had always kept to herself—what could she have possibly done to offend this top author? She had once admired Ziqing, who wrote complex, intricate harem and palace intrigue dramas, while Lin Yan focused on realistic contemporary romance. There was no conflict of interest between them. She couldn't understand why this top author was targeting her like this.