After Being Bent by Reader

The time Xu Chuanchuan spent on dates with Murong Shi was growing shorter and shorter. Recently, the two of them would, at most, have dinner together at a nearby restaurant after work.

If the restaurant had a long waiting line, Xu Chuanchuan would grow impatient and ask Murong Shi something like, "Should we switch to another restaurant" or "Why don't we do takeaway instead." On the other hand, if the restaurant didn't have a long wait, they would find a seat and have their meal in the restaurant.

As luck would have it, they came across two female colleagues in the restaurant they visited today. However, Xu Chuanchuan did not try to hide. Instead, she only awkwardly greeted them.

After the two colleagues left, Murong Shi quietly asked, "You're not trying to avoid being seen together with me anymore?"

Sticking out her tongue, Xu Chuanchuan said, "Nope. Let them say whatever they want."

Murong Shi simply smiled in response.

There was no romance to speak of on their date today. After the food was served, Xu Chuanchuan finished her portion as quickly as possible. Then, after taking a look at the time, she wiped her mouth and said, "I need to hurry back by eight o'clock."

Xu Chuanchuan pondered for a moment. Then, she said, "Every person's circumstances are different. I have a terrible writing speed, so I need around two hours to write 3,000 words. If I'm suffering from writer's block, I might need twice that time. In contrast, Ange only needs an hour to write 3,000 words."

"An-what?"

As soon as Xu Chuanchuan started talking about her "second job," she had thoroughly forgotten to mind her words. By the time she realized that she had a slip of the tongue, it was already too late. "What did I say just now?"

Putting on a mischievous smile, Murong Shi said, "Stop pretending. I heard you loud and clear. You said 'Ange' just now."

"Is that so?" Xu Chuanchuan put on a surprised expression.

"If I remember correctly, you previously told me that Tang Xin's nickname is Ange. So...this university classmate of yours is also a novelist?"

Looking at Murong Shi in surprise, Xu Chuanchuan exclaimed, "Isn't your memory a little too good?!"

"So-so." Murong Shi shrugged. "So, what other story do you intend to make up?"

"..." Letting out a long sigh, Xu Chuanchuan said, "Alright, fine. I lied to you. Tang Xin isn't my classmate. We met each other online, and the previous visit was the first time we met each other in person. Her pen name is Ange, and she's similarly a yuri author like me. However, she is much more skilled than I am. She has sold the film rights to many of her novels already. Recently, one of her novels is even being made into a TV drama. The last time I went to G City was to accompany her in visiting the production crew."

Now that Murong Shi had already found out about her secret, Xu Chuanchuan decided to confess everything at once simply.

Xu Chuanchuan's confession was thorough and rapid. However, the more Murong Shi listened, the darker her expression began. Finally, when Xu Chuanchuan finished speaking, Murong Shi grimly asked, "She's the one who's amazing, so why are you feeling so proud?"

Without even thinking, Xu Chuanchuan said, "Because I have a good relationship with her. Since my good friend has made such a great achievement, so of course I am happy for her."

Murong Shi looked at Xu Chuanchuan in silence for a moment. Then, she let out a cold snort, turned around, and walked away.

Xu Chuanchuan was stunned by this development. Then, she ran Murong Shi, held onto her hand, and asked, "What's wrong?"

Without turning to look at Xu Chuanchuan, Murong Shi flatly said, "It's hot."

Looking at Murong Shi's profile, Xu Chuanchuan quietly asked, "Are you jealous?"

"I'm not."

"Stop pretending. You always behave like this when I bring up Ange."

Murong Shi did not follow up with Xu Chuanchuan's words. Instead, she pretended to be displeased and said with a straight face, "Stop sticking to me; you're sweaty."

Xu Chuanchuan ignored Murong Shi's struggles and held onto Murong Shi's arms even more tightly. Then, she said, "You look pretty cute when you're jealous."

"I already said I'm not jealous," Murong Shi stated.

In response, Xu Chuanchuan stretched out a finger and poked Murong Shi's cheek. Then, she smiled and said, "Even though you always act like an elder, you're only one year older than me. Your look especially like a kid who's throwing a tantrum right now."

"..."

"You look like a baby."

"..."

"Baby Shi, you're so cute. Come, let Big Sister pinch your cheeks."

Murong Shi agilely grabbed Xu Chuanchuan's wrist. Then, after clicking her tongue, she said, "You're no longer afraid of me now, are you?"

"You're so cute. Why should I be afraid of you?" Xu Chuanchuan asked, blinking her eyes.

"Are you really not afraid anymore?" Murong Shi asked with narrowed eyes.

As Murong Shi's face gradually moved closer, Xu Chuanchuan could smell a hint of danger. Then, she stammered, "W-W-What do you want? Don't mess around! There are many people here!"

The corners of Murong Shi's lips raised slightly. Then, she said in a sinister tone, "Wanna bet if I'll kiss you right now?"

Immediately, Xu Chuanchuan let out a soft shriek and pushed Murong Shi away.

However, Murong Shi was only messing with Xu Chuanchuan. After seeing the panicked look on Xu Chuanchuan's face, the annoyance she felt before vanished completely. Just when she was about to hold Xu Chuanchuan's hand, though, she saw the two female colleagues from before coming out of the restaurant through the corner of her eyes.

Xu Chuanchuan also noticed the two female colleagues, so she swiftly readjusted her mood while simultaneously putting some distance between herself and Murong Shi.

However, after that day, rumors relating to Xu Chuanchuan and Murong Shi's good relationship started spreading in the company.

Some people gossiped that Xu Chuanchuan had relied on her close relationship with Little Yan to gain Murong Shi's favor. Some countered by saying that Xu Chuanchuan had already been frequently moving together with Murong Shi even before Little Yan arrived. Some people even gossiped that Xu Chuanchuan was no longer the lowest-paid employee in the company because Murong Shi had secretly told the finance department to give her a raise...

However, even though the rumors became more and more outrageous, Xu Chuanchuan paid no attention to them. Instead, she continued doing her job and going on dates like usual. And after her dates, she would impatiently rush home and write her novel. Simply put, she was too busy to care about the rumors!

One time, Murong Shi jokingly said, "You seem to have a very stable mind now, Oh Great Author."

Xu Chuanchuan grew a little embarrassed upon hearing the title Murong Shi gave her. But then, she said, "I got cursed at a bunch during the first few years of my writing career, so these rumors are nothing to me."

So long as there were no rumors of her dating Murong Shi, Xu Chuanchuan didn't care what rumors her colleagues spread about her.

Murong Shi was initially supportive of Xu Chuanchuan's decision to focus on her writing. However, after getting sidelined several times, Murong Shi started feeling resentful.

Xu Chuanchuan was required to publish 10,000 words on the day her novel became monetized. Unfortunately, as she had started her new book in a rather rushed manner, she didn't have much of a stockpile. So, she had no choice but to sacrifice her weekend dating time with Murong Shi to focus on writing.

Murong Shi didn't say much on the phone. Instead, she went straight to the dormitory to visit Xu Chuanchuan.

When Murong Shi saw Xu Chuanchuan occasionally banging her head against the keyboard and frantically scratching her head, she couldn't help but ask, "What's the matter?"

"Writer's block. I want to die," Xu Chuanchuan said dejectedly.

Taking a step forward, Murong Shi glanced at the writing software displayed on the screen and asked, "Why don't you take a break and order something to eat first?"

"Hah-- Alright, then."

Afterward, Xu Chuanchuan ordered some food and ate together with Murong Shi and Little Yan.

Recently, Little Yan had been getting along very well with Xu Xiangxiang. Even when eating, she would exchange voice messages with the other party.

Seeing Little Yan holding onto her phone throughout the entire meal, Xu Chuanchuan said, "I didn't expect you two to get along so well."

"Xiangxiang is very funny, and I enjoy chatting with her a lot. I've even been watching her live streams every night recently."

Surprised, Xu Chuanchuan asked, "You're even watching her streams?"

Smiling, Little Yan said, "That's right! Her streams are very entertaining! Xiangxiang is talented at speaking and entertaining people. Although not many people are watching her, she always thinks up ways to get her viewers to throw money at her. I think she's very amazing!"

Xu Chuanchuan suddenly had a bad premonition. Then, she worriedly looked at Murong Shi and said, "What if Xiangxiang becomes a bad influence for Little Yan?"

After pondering for a moment, Murong Shi said, "Xiangxiang's a good girl."

"Why do you keep speaking up for her?"

"Because she's your little sister. My love extends to everyone connected to you."

Xu Chuanchuan's heart thumped at Murong Shi's words.

Meanwhile, Little Yan picked up her phone, pressed on the 'Talk' button, and sullenly said, "Two people are showing off their affection in front of me right now. I feel my lonely heart cracking."

Then, Little Yan released her finger and sent the voice message.

Xu Chuanchuan swiftly looked at Little Yan and said, "Little Yan, please don't tell anyone about your cousin and me for now, not even Xiangxiang."

Waving her phone around, Little Yan said, "I know. Rest assured, my mouth is sealed. I won't tell anyone."

Subsequently, Murong Shi smiled and added, "Little Yan is very obedient. Weren't you always worried that Xiangxiang would do something foolish on her streams? Now that you have Little Yan helping you keep an eye on her, you can focus on your writing."

"Are you using Little Yan?"

In response, Murong Shi righteously said, "She's young. She needs more opportunities to train herself."

Watching live streams is also considered a type of training?

According to Little Yan, Xu Xiangxiang currently streamed twice a day, from three to five in the afternoon and seven to nine in the evening. Xu Chuanchuan was a little surprised when she heard this, and she couldn't help but ask, "Since when did she become so hardworking?"

While gnawing on a drumstick, Little Yan vaguely said, "Xiangxiang says she wants to work hard and earn money."

"How rare." Xu Chuanchuan smiled.

After swallowing the food in her mouth, Little Yan added, "After she heard that you were borrowing money to buy a house last time, she decided to make as much money as possible during her semester break to help you out."

Xu Chuanchuan was stunned for a long time when she heard Little Yan's explanation. Then, she asked, "Did she say that to you?"

"That's right. We talked about this the last time during the last sleepover. While Xiangxiang might seem rash, she is quite a sensible person. She also loves you very much."

Xu Chuanchuan couldn't help but wonder if they were talking about the same person for a moment. After all, in her mind, Xu Xiangxiang was nothing but a lazy freeloader. Her little sister had also never said anything about helping or loving her before.

For the first time, Xu Chuanchuan started doubting her perception of Xu Xiangxiang. Then, several seconds later, she couldn't help but be deeply moved by Little Yan's words.