Chapter Fifty-Five: An Important Client

Yuan Zhong glanced at Qi Leyu, wondering why he seemed so indifferent to matters concerning himself.

Qi Leyu was focused on one particular dish, taking several bites in succession and raising his thumb in approval.

“There’s more in the fridge—it’s semi-prepared. If you want to eat it later, just heat it up. Of course, if you have time, you can add some ingredients and stir-fry it, which will make it even tastier,” Yuan Zhong said.

“You prepared so much in one evening?” Qi Leyu asked curiously.

Yuan Zhong shook her head. “My family made it. I never finish all of it myself.”

Qi Leyu nodded, thinking Yuan Zhong was clearly cherished at home. But if she was so treasured, why was she working in a small company, subject to grievances?

“How are things at the company? Are you getting used to it?” Qi Leyu asked.

“It’s good. The colleagues are all nice,” Yuan Zhong replied, carefully chewing a piece of beef.

“What about Wang Shanshan?” Qi Leyu pressed.

“You’re really bringing up the most awkward subject,” Yuan Zhong retorted.

“You weren’t honest first,” Qi Leyu countered, taking a sip of red wine.

“Most colleagues are nice, and that’s good enough for me.”

Qi Leyu grew more curious. “Why did you choose this job? Did you find it yourself?”

“My family found it.”

As expected! “Only this one?”

Yuan Zhong shook her head. “They let me choose. I just wanted somewhere with simple interpersonal relationships.”

Qi Leyu understood and nodded.

After a while, Yuan Zhong wanted to ask about the contract again, but Qi Leyu cut her off. “Don’t worry about the contract. Miao Shu will be my lawyer. No need to discuss the details. Just focus on your job and pretend you know nothing.”

Qi Leyu’s calm demeanor convinced Yuan Zhong outwardly, but she was still unsure inside—had he found a solution or not? He always wore an expressionless face, and pressing further seemed inappropriate, so she let the matter drop.

After loading the dishes into the dishwasher and tidying up the kitchen, Yuan Zhong prepared to leave.

She peeked into the study and saw Qi Leyu holding his phone horizontally, looking as if he were playing a game.

“Hey, do you play Honor of Kings?” Yuan Zhong recognized the familiar sounds.

“Yeah, I play a couple of matches when I have time.”

But aren’t you supposed to be busy right now? Yuan Zhong wanted to remind him but refrained.

Her own phone had a WeChat message from her disciple, the Unlovable Miser, sent to their three-person group, inviting her to duo-queue that evening.

Calculating the time, Yuan Zhong scheduled it for two hours later.

Qi Leyu seemed in good spirits. Seeing Yuan Zhong about to leave, he put down his phone and insisted on escorting her downstairs.

“No need, my car is parked in the basement—it’s very convenient.”

But Qi Leyu insisted, “It’s nice to walk a bit after dinner.”

In the basement, Yuan Zhong let out a small cry.

“What, forgot your parking spot again?” Qi Leyu shook his head. “No problem, we can check the security cameras.”

“No, I forgot my cooler bag.”

“I saw you brought a lot. That’ll last you a while.”

Yuan Zhong nodded, admitting he was right. “I’ll come get it after some time.”

“After some time?” Qi Leyu asked, “Aren’t you coming tomorrow?”

“I don’t need to come tomorrow, do I?” Yuan Zhong was puzzled.

“So, I have to cook for myself?”

“Yes, it’s simple. Just reheat it.”

Qi Leyu shook his head. “How am I supposed to know where you put everything in the fridge? Besides, I need to write—I don’t have time. Aren’t you always urging me for drafts?”

Yuan Zhong looked at him, thinking silently, I’m not your housekeeper.

“Oh, and I still owe you for those ingredients. It’s inconvenient right now, so come by tomorrow night,” Qi Leyu added.

“It’s fine…” Yuan Zhong started.

“It’s not fine. I’m not your sponsor; why should I eat for free?” Qi Leyu interrupted.

Well, it was just one meal. Yuan Zhong didn’t want to argue further and nodded.

Qi Leyu was pleased, opening her car door and commenting, “Your car is really tiny.”

Tiny? What kind of description is that! Yuan Zhong kept silent and got in. Just as she fastened her seatbelt, Qi Leyu tapped on the window.

She rolled the window down, puzzled.

“Come early tomorrow. After dinner, I want to play a couple of games.”

Yuan Zhong wanted to say, you just said you had no time, so how do you have time to play games now? But her gentle nature kept her from saying it, so she simply nodded.

Back home, after washing up, Yuan Zhong finally had time to log in.

Unlovable Miser was already online. This time, Unreliable didn’t ask to join, so Yuan Zhong guessed he was duo-queuing with Cong Wenbin.

Unlovable Miser: Master!

Yuan Zhong: Haven’t seen you free in ages. Got time tonight?

Unlovable Miser: Yes, finally finished my work.

Yuan Zhong: Then let’s play two matches.

She didn’t want to stay up late; a good night’s sleep meant more energy during the day.

While playing, they opened voice chat.

Yuan Zhong asked, “Things going well lately?” She didn’t probe for details—it was just a gaming friend.

Unlovable Miser: Not bad. Nothing much changes. How about you, Master?

Yuan Zhong: I’m alright. Getting used to things lately.

Unlovable Miser: How’s your not-so-great master these days?

Yuan Zhong: She’s still the same. Hasn’t made things too hard for me recently—except for giving me a job I didn’t ask for.

Truth be told, Yuan Zhong felt happy to have a chance to work directly with a client, especially one of high quality as a writer. It was a start—she wasn’t just doing odd jobs anymore.

After a while, Yuan Zhong added, “I have my own client now.” She wanted to share the news.

Unlovable Miser: Really? That’s good news?

Yuan Zhong: Yes, it’s a good thing.

Unlovable Miser: What’s the client like?

How to answer that? Yuan Zhong thought for a moment. “A very talented person. Of course, talented people tend to be a bit temperamental.”

“Heh, sounds like someone not easy to get along with,” Unlovable Miser replied.

Yuan Zhong: “He doesn’t really consider other people’s feelings when he speaks—that’s a drawback.”

Unlovable Miser: “Did he upset you?” Her disciple was known for being straightforward.

Yuan Zhong: “It’s alright.”

Unlovable Miser laughed. “I guess you’re tolerating him because he’s your client?”

“Well, there’s no other way. Clients are the source of our livelihood,” Yuan Zhong said.

“That’s a bit much,” Unlovable Miser doubted. “Does this client pay your salary?”

“No, the company does. But I think if I can maintain this client, it’s a great start.” In a way, Yuan Zhong admired Wang Shanshan, or perhaps envied her—she had her own client base, which was why the editor valued her.

Yuan Zhong added, “In this job, if you have a few strong clients, it’s very beneficial.”

Unlovable Miser: “Then put up with him.”

“Yes, it’s annoying sometimes—he asks me to do this and that, almost as bossy as my incompatible master.”

Unlovable Miser: “For example?”

“Work stuff and personal stuff—sorting files, ordering takeout, cooking dinner, taking out the trash. There’s always something.”

“You have to cook and take out the trash?” Unlovable Miser was shocked. “What kind of client is this?”

“It’s just a special situation lately. It’ll be over soon,” Yuan Zhong said.

Unlovable Miser sympathized. “That’s a bit much, honestly.”

Yuan Zhong sighed, “Endure for a moment, and all will be calm; take a step back, and the seas will open.”

“Alright.” Unlovable Miser couldn’t help with real-life pressures.

They won both matches smoothly. Yuan Zhong stopped right on time and soon drifted into sweet dreams.

Qi Leyu, however, was unsettled. What exactly did Yuan Zhong do for work?

He thought for a while—Unreliable probably knew more. He’d sensed something before. Unreliable and that Keyboard guy—their relationship was a bit different.

How was it different? He couldn’t say for sure, but it felt like they had a larger safe zone, not quite like ordinary online friends.

Could it be that they’d met in real life? Unreliable had secretly met Yuan Zhong! Qi Leyu couldn’t sit still.

Unreliable was busy ranking up with Cong Wenbin and ignored Qi Leyu’s WeChat messages.

After a while, Qi Leyu entered the livestream room: Calling Unreliable, Unreliable! Unreliable!

Here! Unreliable quickly responded, “I’m in ranked, talk later.”

Qi Leyu watched the game progress. “Ten minutes?”

Cong Wenbin replied, “Twenty.”

Qi Leyu: “Fifteen?”

Cong Wenbin: “Seventeen.”

Qi Leyu: Deal!

Unreliable was helpless—negotiating even in the game!

Qi Leyu timed it perfectly and called Unreliable on voice chat as soon as time was up.

“Ancestor, why aren’t you writing? What are you doing in my livestream room?” Unreliable’s tone was resigned.

“I have something to ask you,” Qi Leyu said. “That Keyboard guy—what’s his relationship with Yuan Zhong?”

“She already said it last time. Keyboard is my fan,” Unreliable replied.

Qi Leyu: “Come on, if he’s your fan, why would she introduce him to me? What’s their relationship?”

Unreliable dodged, “Why are you so interested? Go ask Yuan Zhong yourself.”

“Are you going to tell me or not?”

“Don’t threaten me. Your story ended well, my favorite characters got their happy endings, so I’m happy,” Unreliable said.

“So?” Qi Leyu pressed.

“So stay out of my livestream room and hurry up with your new story or I’ll kick you out.”

Qi Leyu snorted, “You’ve really grown bold lately!”

Unreliable thought, with Cong Wenbin around, he wasn’t afraid of Qi Leyu causing trouble.

But Unreliable underestimated Qi Leyu—relying on his VVIP client status, Qi Leyu went ahead and reported him!

Unreliable turned to Yuan Zhong for backup.

Then, in their three-person gaming group, Yuan Zhong’s exasperated voice came through: “Miser, what’s your problem? It’s the middle of the night and you won’t let people sleep!”

Qi Leyu had to admit defeat: Master, I was wrong!

He even sent two kneeling emojis.

Yuan Zhong: “Cong Wenbin is my colleague, Unreliable’s fan. Do you have any other questions?”

Qi Leyu: No, no more. Master, sleep well. Good night.

Unreliable snickered quietly—he used to be helpless against Qi Leyu’s antics, but now things were different; someone could put him in his place.

Colleague? So there was another layer to their relationship. Qi Leyu hadn’t expected that.