I was exposed for adding my female boss to my group of female friends.

Gu Yuanzhen turned around, her expression somewhat surprised: "Didn't I already say? It's impossible for Chen Ya to have written 'The Sentimental Swordsman and the Ruthless Sword' at the age of 13."

"Why?" Liu Ruyan tilted her head.

Gu Yuanzhen: "..."

Liu Ruyan is great in every way, but sometimes it's just too much effort to talk to her.

He opened the book and said, “Look, what’s in ‘The Sentimental Swordsman and the Ruthless Sword’? The martial world is full of unpredictable twists and turns, love is full of life and death, Li Xunhuan and A Fei are troubled by love, upright heroes are hypocritical, Shangguan Jin Hong is a ruthless and powerful figure… How could a 13-year-old child possibly write such rich and colorful content?”

He Shiying nodded: "Indeed, I was so engrossed in the book because I felt that the content was so sophisticated, as if it could only be written by someone who had been in the world for many years. I even wondered what the author had experienced."

Liu Ruyan seemed to think for a while before finally saying, "Teacher is very precocious."

"Even precocity shouldn't be this early!"

Qin Yun Chu squatted on the ground and said, "If he really is Gu Long, there must be some evidence. As long as we... look for it... we can definitely... find it, hmm?"

As she spoke, her pace slowed down.

Because she found something strange in the closet.

A stack of old, yellowed manuscript paper.

She pulled out the stack of manuscript papers, brushed off the dust, and turned to the first page, where she saw the following written:

"'Gu Long,' we have received your novel, 'The Sentimental Swordsman and the Ruthless Sword.' It is truly remarkable that you have written such a magnificent work. However, after reviewing it by our editor-in-chief, we found that the writing is absurd and nonsensical, with many outrageous statements. The characters' actions are illogical, and the so-called concept of martial arts is unheard of. It does not meet our publishing requirements. Therefore, please revise it and resubmit it."

"As for your request to pay a deposit for the manuscript in advance, our company has no precedent for this and we regret that we cannot grant your request."

"Jianghai Publishing House. March 2007."

Chapter 16 Just One Step Away

"What is this?" Gu Yuanzhen snatched the manuscript from Qin Yunchu's hand.

He Shiying leaned in too, and the two of them looked at the manuscript together.

After watching for a while, both of their hands began to tremble.

"From what I just read, this is a rejection letter for 'The Sentimental Swordsman and the Ruthless Sword'," Qin Yunchu said. "I don't even need to look at the rest to know that it must be the manuscript of 'The Sentimental Swordsman and the Ruthless Sword'."

Although Gu Yuanzhen was very unwilling, what she said was indeed correct.

After turning that page, on the yellowed manuscript paper attached to it, several large characters were written in black ink:

The Sentimental Swordsman and the Ruthless Sword

Ancient Cage

He Shiying picked up a piece of paper attached to the back and made a new discovery:

"Look, look! Look at this!"

On the paper in her hand, there was a passage written:

Hello, Jianghai Publishing House!

"I am a martial arts novelist, and Gu Long is my pen name."

"This manuscript is only a quarter of the total content. I'm not very good at creating with pen and paper, so this is the most I can write. My hand gets too tired."

"I have long admired your esteemed organization. I hope that after reading this manuscript, you can advance the royalties, or pay a deposit of more than 5000 yuan in advance."

"If possible, 1 would be better."

"I urgently need money right now. I would be very grateful if you could help me."

Below the entire paragraph are the words "Gulong", along with the individual's contact address and contact information.

"What kind of publishing house is Jianghai Publishing House? I've never heard of it before," Gu Yuanzhen asked, looking up.

He Shiying said, "This publishing house is quite famous, right? It used to be the industry leader, but it gradually declined and now it only publishes reference books and teaching aids."

Gu Yuanzhen glanced at the passage again and suddenly burst out laughing.

"Look at the way he talks, it's like Jianghai Publishing House is guaranteed to publish his book. He's even thought about paying a deposit in advance. He's too arrogant."

Qin Yunchu tucked a strand of hair behind his ear: "Judging from the later explosive popularity of 'The Sentimental Swordsman and the Ruthless Sword,' he certainly had the right to be arrogant."

"However, his manuscript was rejected." Gu Yuanzhen couldn't help but burst into laughter. "If this gets out, it will definitely trend on social media: 'Gu Yuan's dark history: confidently submitting a manuscript only to be rejected and then mercilessly criticized,' hahaha..."

He Shiying glared at him and said, "Whose dark history is this? Don't we know! Isn't it the publishing house that's blind?"

“Indeed.” Qin Yunchu took the manuscript and said, “Later, we changed publishers, and the book became an instant hit, sparking a martial arts craze that lasted for ten years. If Jianghai Publishing House had taken on this book back then, it wouldn’t have fallen to the point where it can only publish textbooks now.”

Gu Yuanzhen took a deep breath and then sighed heavily.

Although they were unwilling to face it, crucial evidence had been discovered, and there was no escaping it no matter how they tried.

"This is... solid proof, right?"

The group stood there motionless for a moment.

Not far away, Xiao Yingying, who was quietly reading a picture book, suddenly closed her book, picked it up, and ran to the bookshelf with her little feet on the wooden floor.

She tiptoed and put the picture book back where it was. Then, she took out a new picture book, hugged it to her chest, and ran back to where she had been lying, like a lamb on the prairie nestling in a warm grassy den, letting out a satisfied sigh.

Liu Ruyan turned around, picked up Xiao Yingying, and said, "Don't read for too long, it will hurt your eyes. Go out and get some sunshine."

After sending Xiao Yingying away, Liu Ruyan returned and closed the door.

She was also very curious about Chen Ya's true identity.

The release of this manuscript is essentially a definitive confirmation that Chen Ya is indeed the owner of Gu Long.

Qin Yunchu, He Shiying, and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.

"No, that's not right, it doesn't make sense," Gu Yuanzhen said firmly. "This isn't solid evidence yet."

He Shiying looked at him with some surprise: "Isn't this solid evidence?"

“Didn’t that guy who produced a manuscript before also get suspected of having it ghostwritten?” Gu Yuanzhen said. “A manuscript doesn’t prove anything because it can be forged. Only when the person involved admits it in person can it be considered solid evidence.”

There are reasons why he cannot accept it.

After all, no one can accept the idea that a 13-year-old child wrote "The Sentimental Swordsman and the Ruthless Sword".

Most importantly, he wrote more than just "The Sentimental Swordsman and the Ruthless Sword"!

If Gu Long really is Chen Ya, then it means that he wrote "The Sentimental Swordsman and the Ruthless Sword", "The Peerless Twins", "The History of the Martial Arts World", "The Legend of the Great Banner Hero", and "The Record of Washing Swords in the Washing Flower Garden" when he was 13 years old.

At the age of 14, he wrote "Happy Heroes", "Meteor, Butterfly and Sword", "The End of the World, Bright Moon and Blade", "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang" and "Xiao Shiyi Lang".

At the age of 15, he wrote "The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng", "The Big Shot", "The White Jade Tiger", "Seven Weapons" and "The Prodigal Son of the Border Town".

He wrote "Seven Swordsmen of Mount Tian", "The Four Great Constables", "A Step into the Past", and "Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty" at the age of 16!

Let alone a child in their teens, even an adult with such a high output could be called a living god!

Qin Yunchu said, "I know someone in the publishing industry. I'll ask her; maybe we can find some clues."

Gu Yuanzhen asked, "Who?"

“Xiao Qing,” Qin Yun Chu said.

"Xiao Qing?!" He Shiying suddenly exclaimed, "You know Xiao Qing?"

"Ah."

There's a reason she's so agitated.

Xiao Qing is a well-known "beautiful young female writer" in China, who is best known for writing romance novels and can be called the "romance goddess".

Many of her novels have been adapted into movies and TV series, making her a well-known author in China.

Of course, calling her a "beautiful girl writer" was a decade ago.

Now, this "beautiful girl" is 35 years old, and can be considered a "beautiful young woman".

She now lives a carefree life in Jiangcheng, free from financial worries, and rarely writes books anymore.

Qin Yunchu dialed the number and said somewhat nervously, "Hello?"

"Hey Yun Chu, what brings you to call me?"

"Sister Xiao, I'm sorry to bother you," Qin Yun Chu said politely, "I have a question I'd like to ask you."

"Wen, you're someone I raised, so let's not be so polite."

Qin Yun Chu relaxed a little and said, "Do you know about the Ancient Lyrics Publishing House?"

"Yes, I know. Many of my books are published by Ancient Poetry Publishing House."

Qin Yunchu was delighted and said, "Then do you know someone named Xi Wendian?"

A voice came from the other end: "Hey, Lao Xi, he was my editor back then, I heard he's editor-in-chief now. You mentioning him reminds me of him, I should call and ask how he's doing."

Qin Yun Chu clenched her small fists even tighter and said, "Then do you know about the Ancient Cage?"

The voice on the other end paused slightly, then said, "Yes, I know him. I've met him once. Back then, he and I were both writers under Xi Wendian's supervision."

Qin Yunchu, He Shiying, and Gu Yuanzhen exchanged excited glances.

They held their breath and didn't make a sound, but they waved their hands wildly in the air.

We're just one step away from figuring out the true nature of the ancient cage!

Qin Yun Chu asked, "Then, um, is Gu Long very young?"

Xiao Qing's voice suddenly became calm: "Why are you asking him?"

Qin Yun Chu whispered, "I just found Gu Long's manuscript, and I suspect that one of my current employees is Gu Long himself..."

Xiao Qing immediately asked, "Where are you?"

"In Jiangcheng..."

"I know you're in Jiangcheng. Where in Jiangcheng are you?"

"At a friend's house, on Nanwangqiao East Road..."

“What a coincidence, I’m also at Nanwang Bridge,” Xiao Qing said. “Send me your location and I’ll come find you.”

Chapter 17 Wasted Half a Lifetime of Marriage

Xiao Qing has arrived.

This woman is clearly 35 years old, but her features still retain the charm of a beautiful young writer from back then. Her dark eyes are surprisingly large, and her eyelashes are incredibly long.

But her appearance surprised Qin Yun Chu and the others: she had big, wavy, golden hair, a pair of sparkly sunglasses, and her lip gloss was smooth and alluring, the most greasy and seductive kind.

She wore a pink off-the-shoulder lace T-shirt, revealing her delicate collarbone and slender belly button, and black stockings with a very low D-shape underneath her hot pants.

This outfit would make her a princess surrounded by admirers in a nightclub, but in the eyes of Qin Yun Chu and others who were used to seeing professional women dressed, it could be described as either unconventional or outrageous.

Having been idle at home for a long time, Xiao Qing has become quite carefree. As a woman, she's matured to the point where a slight sway of her hips can make anyone's heart flutter.

"This must be the great writer Ruyan, right?" Xiao Qing smiled as he looked at Liu Ruyan, who was standing at the back of the group, his eyes scanning her up and down.

Liu Ruyan nodded gently and said obediently, "Senior."

"I dare not accept the title of senior. Your one book sells better than ten of mine bundled together." Xiao Qing went over and shook hands with her. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Of course, there was an element of modesty in her statement. She has written far more than just a few dozen books.

Gu Yuanzhen took out the note tucked inside the book and the manuscript of "The Sentimental Swordsman and the Ruthless Sword" and gave it to Xiao Qing, saying, "These are the things. Can they prove Gu Long's true identity?"

Xiao Qing glanced at it and said, "There's usually no motive to fake these things because they're worthless. And no one would have anticipated that you'd come to see them and gone to all this trouble to make them in advance."

Gu Yuanzhen was deeply shocked, and He Shiying felt even more complicated.

Previously, she had said a lot of bad things about Chen Ya, but now the answer has been revealed: Chen Ya is Gu Long, her idol.

She even complained that her idol only earned 5 yuan a month.

If there weren't so many people around, she probably would have run off and started banging her head against the wall.

Xiao Qing glanced at the note, a smile appearing on her face, and said:

"Back then, Gu Long and I were the two biggest cash cows for the Ancient Lyrics Publishing House. I never expected that he would have suffered a setback when he invested in Jiang Hai. I've never heard of that before. It seems he was hit hard enough, haha!"

Qin Yunchu said, "You've met Gu Long. Is his real name Chen Ya?"

Xiao Qing's expression suddenly calmed down, and she said, "I don't know."