At 3 a.m., the landmines in front of the station

To be fair, Su Che thought that Lin Xiao's features were definitely not bad. After all, she was without makeup and didn't wear any cosmetics. She belonged to the most innocent type, at most using some skincare and moisturizing products...

Even in this state, she is still pleasing to the eye.

Especially her outfits—they're exactly the same as they were last time…

As if unchanging since time immemorial, all the clothing, including the black stockings, had been washed multiple times…

It's clear that she has an extremely frugal personality, which aligns with the past she mentioned.

There is something that I am somewhat concerned about.

Su Che withdrew his gaze and asked casually:

"If you're in the same boat as me, why did you agree to add me when Lao Zhang charged you 500 yuan?"

"Ah...that..."

The topic was quite sharp, and the angle was even more unconventional.

This made Lin Xiaoxiao's face heat up even more.

"Actually... I know you'll get your revenge..."

"Huh? What if I happen not to pay it back?" Su Che asked hypothetically.

"If it's not returned, I'm willing to accept it..."

Lin Xiao's voice lowered, and she said in a weak voice, "When you were performing, even though I was standing in the corner and you couldn't see me, I was completely immersed in your music, even though your 'temporary teammates' were all... ah, very immature."

"Really? But that's a landmine song. You like landmine songs too?"

"...Yeah, my previous school was a music-related high school, so I knew a lot of people in the music department. Among them, the junior girl Lian left the deepest impression on me. I envied her, although... I couldn't afford it myself."

At this point, her eyes dimmed again. "I've been working part-time as much as I can, even if I don't earn much, it's enough to cover my daily expenses."

However… outfits and skirts with a landmine theme often cost thousands, and I don't have the financial resources of Senior Yu, nor do I have much earning power, so… I'll give up on that, just like with music.”

"what…"

【hiss.】

Su Che frowned.

I thought of An Qing.

An Qing's circumstances weren't good either, but she would rather go hungry than not spend the money she saved on clothes.

She seems to have an unusual obsession with being pretty and beautiful.

No, she's not obsessed with beauty; she's simply obsessed with landmines.

After all, she claims she's not a landmine woman.

The more Su Che thought about it, the stranger it seemed.

Lin Xiao in front of me is a very normal girl. She knows that the landmine style is very expensive. Whether it is clothing or makeup, it is not cheap. Buying clothes once costs one or two thousand yuan, and a complete outfit costs several thousand yuan. Therefore, even if she likes it, she will give it up.

An Qing clearly knew this, but she still tortured herself and persisted...

Is this reasonable?

Su Che was starting to care.

"Your name is Xiaoxiao, right?"

He glanced at her again.

"Mmm, Lin Xiao. Xiaoxiao is a nickname my senior gave me. If it's Su Che... that's fine too."

She looked at the flower bed in the distance.

"Oh, okay then."

Su Che didn't shy away from the topic, but spoke in the tone of someone who had been through it all:

"In some ways, I'm the opposite of you."

"Huh? Why?"

Lin Xiao was puzzled.

"Although I am very poor now, my father left me a lot of expensive musical instruments, which are kept in my home."

"!"

“I didn’t get into the music academy not because I wasn’t good enough,” Su Che said. “It’s because I knew that even if I had, my family might not have supported me to go. And the little bit of money I earned from writing alone wouldn’t be enough to cover the tuition. I’m not that capable.”

He shook his head dejectedly, as if to say, "Even with the best equipment, the moment your heart dies, it's like you've truly given up on this path. After all, you can't turn back time."

This was his attempt to offer "bat-like comfort" to Lin Xiao, who was also feeling down.

Who knew...

"Huh?! Manuscript, royalties...?"

It seemed like he heard familiar words.

Lin Xiao's steps slowed down slightly.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Su Che was puzzled, wondering what was strange about the term "manuscript fee".

I was thinking, I'm trying to be serious with you, how come you're missing the point?

Is this some kind of reshoot with the camera shifted?

He couldn't help but turn around and look at her.

"What's going on? Besides washing cups and serving dishes, I also occasionally write things. Is that strange?"

He looked at her increasingly tense expression, and his confusion deepened.

Lin Xiao cautiously asked in a very soft voice, "Che, may I ask... which website are you writing on..."

"what?"

"I mean... could it be that they're on the same platform as me?"

She tightened her grip on the notebook and asked with concern.

……

……

Chapter 58 "The Evil Water Technique": Blasphemy against Senior!

Su Che hadn't expected that Lin Xiao was completely different from the impression she gave off.

She is the kind of perfect secretary who, at first glance, appears very composed, reliable, and discreet—that's undeniable.

However, once the conversation starts... or the radio waves connect...

—She would suddenly dump everything out all at once.

Including the senior's conspiracy.

Including the "Mosse Magic Cup".

Including gossip from the surrounding area.

This even includes her own creative career.

"I write on Tianhai Literature Network, which was newly opened a few years ago. Although the monthly manuscript fee is only 500 yuan, and with full attendance bonus it is less than 1500 yuan, it is still enough for my living expenses. Hehe, Su Che, I suppose you must be a failure too, right? We should be the same, only able to struggle at the bottom."

"..."

Recalling Lin Xiao's naive words, Su Che sat in the classroom, lost in thought, unable to calm his mind.

Indeed, to idols, I'm just an insignificant nobody.

【but……】

The rent in Tianhai is still affordable.

If five of my books hadn't been banned, I might be... now.

"."

Su Che shook his head, trying his best not to hurt Lin Xiao's fragile heart.

Speaking of career,

I have only one goal.

I don't seek great achievements, fame, or recognition within the industry.

I don't care about how others see me; what I truly care about is "surpassing."

One cannot dwell on the past.

If you can't break through the constraints time and time again, you'll never keep up with his pace, easily get stuck in a quagmire, and become trapped in your own web.

Therefore, even when An Qing mentioned her creative work at home, she only answered in the simplest way possible—

"Those who write light novels haven't achieved much."

An Qing is very well-behaved and knows her boundaries; she won't ask too many questions.

But Lin Xiao, who was in the same profession, kept sending messages to Fetion after class, as if she still had a million things to say to each other.

[Su Che, Su Che, I suddenly remembered that we can write together in the future, right?]

You write, I write, let's go to the library together! We won't bother each other, we can each do our own thing, wouldn't that be great? I can even teach you how to write plots and create settings, hehe, for free!

“?…”

Before the band's problems could be resolved, a "youngster" bravely ventured into the male-oriented music scene.

Why choose such a dangerous part-time job?

Su Che didn't comment on this. He could tell from his own three jobs that if the royalties were high enough, there would be no need to wait tables, wash cups, or constantly smile obsequiously.

"never mind."

Others' decisions are their own business, and I have no obligation to interfere.