After being reborn, I gained a childhood sweetheart who appeared out of nowhere.

"Xi Yu, do you really not need me to wait for you?" Zhou Yun asked.

"No need, no need, I might not even eat later anyway." Chen Xiyu waved her hand. "You go eat first."

Today it was her turn to do chores. The two deskmates naturally divided the work: Zhou Yun was responsible for sweeping the floor and moving the desks, while Chen Xiyu was responsible for mopping the floor and washing the blackboard.

Zhou Yun has finished her work and was going to wait for Chen Xiyu to have dinner together, but Chen Xiyu declined because she didn't have much of an appetite today and didn't want to eat dinner.

"Okay." Zhou Yun nodded, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and walked out of the classroom.

Chen Xiyu then carried the water bucket from the classroom to the restroom by herself. She filled a bucket with water, and perhaps because she filled it with too much water, she found it difficult to carry it with both hands.

"Miss Chen, don't move, I'll help you." Lin Chuan suddenly appeared behind her, reaching out and lifting the bucket.

Back in the classroom, Lin Chuan asked, "The blackboard hasn't been washed yet, has it? Shall I wash it for you?"

Before Chen Xiyu could answer, Lin Chuan had already picked up the bucket of water and splashed it on the blackboard a few times, then vigorously wiped it with the blackboard eraser.

With the two of them working together, the remaining cleaning duties were quickly completed, and Lin Chuan even took the initiative to take the buckets and trash away to dispose of them.

After finishing everything, he returned to the classroom.

Lin Chuan smiled and said, "All done? Want to go eat together?"

"I don't really feel like having dinner tonight," Chen Xiyu replied, just as before.

"Should I bring you some bread when I go to eat, or is there something else you'd like to eat?" Lin Chuan asked.

Chen Xiyu didn't answer, but squinted and stared straight at him, "You're acting strange today."

"No," Lin Chuan replied.

"Absolutely, you're too kind," Chen Xiyu said.

Lin Chuan's performance today was simply unbelievable. She got up late this morning, causing both of them to be late for morning reading, and they were punished by Lao Xue by having to stand and read.

Lin Chuan said it was okay, saying that she was still young and should rest and sleep more; at lunchtime, he even put meat on her plate, saying that she had lost weight recently, and now he was even helping with chores.

"Given the relationship between our two families, isn't it normal for me to help you?" Lin Chuan said with a smile.

"Something's not right," Chen Xiyu frowned. "Speak, what's wrong?"

"this……"

"I'm in a pretty good mood right now. If you don't say anything, then there won't be another chance," Chen Xiyu snorted.

"There really is something."

"I knew it. Unsolicited kindness is either a sign of ulterior motives or theft," Chen Xiyu said.

"Don't put it so harshly. Actually, it's just a very, very small thing," Lin Chuan gestured with his hand. "You know, I just casually serialized a novel online before, and I received a contract offer last night."

"and then?"

"Signing a contract requires a written agreement, but since I'm a minor, my guardian needs to sign it. This means I have to be honest with my parents about the computer and my novel writing," Lin Chuan said. "But, you know, I don't have much credibility at home, so my parents might not agree."

He paused for a moment, then said, "If you could put in a good word for me tonight, wouldn't this little problem be easily solved?"

Chen Xiyu pouted, "Using me as a shield again, huh?"

"What shield? I was just helping out with a small favor," Lin Chuan said with a smile.

Chen Xiyu patted him on the shoulder, "Fine, since you're so sincere, I'll help you with this little favor."

Lin Chuan was taken aback. He had expected Chen Xiyu to ask all sorts of questions, such as whether writing novels was interfering with his studies, or something like that. He had prepared his answers, such as that he would manage his time well and it wouldn't interfere with his studies...

I didn't expect you to agree so quickly?

"Thank you, Miss Chen."

"Oh right, I'm going to have a late-night snack tonight."

"Okay, eat whatever you like."

"I want to eat ice cream too."

"If you give the word today, I can do so anytime."

When Lin Chuan returned home that evening, his parents were still awake, sitting in the living room watching TV. The show had already passed its scheduled broadcast time and was now simply replaying the episode from the previous night.

"Dad, Mom, I'm back," Lin Chuan called out.

"Hey," Mom turned around and answered, only to see Chen Xiyu. "Xiaoxi, what brings you here?"

"It's nothing, I just came to see my uncle and aunt," Chen Xiyu said with a smile.

"Dad, Mom, there's something I want to tell you," Lin Chuan said.

"What is it?" Dad turned around and asked.

"I wrote some things out of boredom, which could be considered novels. I tried serializing them online and then received a contract offer from the website," Lin Chuan said. "If I get the contract, I'll get royalties if the novel is successfully published."

My parents were both stunned, seemingly unable to process the news.

After all, my child has just started high school. Before, he was a middle school student who was not very easy to manage. How come he suddenly wants to write novels and make money?

"You mean you've started writing novels now, and you still have a chance to make money?" Dad asked.

"right."

"A novel serialized online? Where did you write it? On your phone?" Mom asked.

"This brings up another thing I haven't told you about: a friend had an old laptop that he didn't use anymore, so he gave it to me," Lin Chuan said.

Dad and Mom fell silent again.

After a while, Mom still asked that question, "You rarely have the opportunity to go to the No. 1 High School in the city, you should spend more time studying and not do these other things. The family doesn't need you to earn money right now."

"If you need money, you can tell your family," Dad added.

"Dad, Mom, writing novels isn't all bad. As long as it doesn't interfere with your studies, it can improve your writing skills," Lin Chuan said. "I was two points short of a perfect score on my mock Chinese essay."

"Huh?" Mom was taken aback.

"You can ask her," Lin Chuan pointed to the side.

"His essays are indeed very well written; the teachers have even taken them to read aloud in other classes," Chen Xiyu said.

Upon hearing this, the two were still a little hesitant, after all, they didn't understand what serialized novels were, they just hoped that their son could study hard.

"Do you really want to write this, or is it just a passing fancy?" Dad asked. He knew what kids liked, especially since Lin Chuan had only just started high school and there was a high chance it was just a passing fad.

"Really," Lin Chuan said, "If you find out that I've neglected my studies because of writing novels and have been using the computer to play games, you can confiscate the computer right away."

He directly addressed his parents' biggest concern: whether it would interfere with their studies. This is the core of "negotiation"—accurately identifying the other party's needs.

After saying that, Lin Chuan winked at Chen Xiyu.

"Uncle and Aunt, I will also help keep an eye on him. If he doesn't study hard at school, I will come back and tell you," Chen Xiyu said.

The silence in the living room was unusually long this time. Finally, Dad and Mom looked at each other, as if exchanging glances.

Finally, Dad spoke up, "Since you're so keen on it, why not give it a try?"

"Okay, thanks, Dad," Lin Chuan said. "Since it's being serialized online, I'd like to get a wired internet connection at home. Is that okay? It shouldn't cost too much, or I can pay for it myself."

"Okay." Dad nodded.

Things went surprisingly smoothly. After reaching an agreement, Lin Chuan sent Chen Xiyu back home.

As soon as she entered the house, Chen Xiyu asked, "Are you taking the computer back?"

"Hmm, I thought about it and realized that staying here all the time isn't very convenient, especially with all the back and forth," Lin Chuan said. Besides, sometimes when inspiration strikes, it's not appropriate to write late.

He turned on his computer and began writing for the day, as well as following the instructions in the contract signing information to complete the signing process.

Chen Xiyu simply said "oh" and didn't say anything else.

"The way you're looking at me makes it seem like I'm going on a long trip. I'm right next door, okay?" Lin Chuan looked up and said, "You're so reluctant to let me go? If you need anything, just come over. How about I give you a key to my place too?"

"Yes, I'll miss you," Chen Xiyu sighed, making a dejected expression. "If you leave, who will clean up?"

"Then I'm finally free from this misery." After finishing the signing process, Lin Chuan was delayed by various things that night, and it was already midnight. He closed his laptop, got up, and left. "I'm going back."

Just as I reached the door, Chen Xiyu's voice came from behind me, "Remember to give it to me tomorrow."

"What?"

"Your house key."

"OK."

The door closed, and Chen Xiyu pursed her lips and hummed.

........................

(Author's note) I'm putting this in the main text, which might be a bit of a hassle, but I feel that if I don't put it here, some of you might not notice it.

Before I knew it, the book had reached 150,000 to 160,000 words, but the data was still stagnant, and the readership would drop from time to time. I was at a loss. I didn't know if it was because of a lack of traffic or what, and I didn't want to think about it too much.

I've stopped looking at the data lately (though I still check comments and such), because seeing the data drop every day affects my mood while writing the book.

I'll focus on writing until I reach 200,000 words first. If I can get it published by then, that would be great. If I can't, then I'll consider other options.

If the book is to be published, the readership needs to reach a certain level. So please take some time to catch up when the book is almost 200,000 words long. I apologize for taking up your valuable time.