Chapter 23: May I Pursue You?

He glanced at the basket on the table, thinking it wouldn't do to eat someone's fish for nothing; it was best to return the favor.

He walked over to the parcel his mother had mailed him last time and began rummaging through it. A grown man eating White Rabbit creamy candies—his mother truly still treated him like a child. He placed a bag of the candies into the basket. Searching further, he found four canisters of malted milk powder. Suddenly, he recalled the two times he had held her slender waist; he remembered how thin it was, his palm nearly wrapping around her entire waist. Realizing what he was thinking, his ears flushed hot instantly.

Had she not been eating enough? How could she be so thin?

He took out one canister and placed it in the basket as well—a return gift for the fish.

Seeing her reading, Lin Yu knew she enjoyed it just as much as he did. "How is it? Is it good?"

Su Wanwan closed the book and asked curiously, "Where did you buy this? Is this considered a banned book?"

She remembered that after the Reform and Opening-up, novel writing and reading had exploded in popularity. Had it started early here? Or was it because this was a world within a book, causing some things to be accelerated?

Lin Yu chuckled. "What banned book? I wouldn't dare read those. This book was bought through a friend of Brother Shen's from a legitimate source. His friend is an editor at a magazine in the Imperial Capital. The book is being serialized, and since policies have loosened up a bit, it’s not as strict as it used to be. It’s allowed."

Su Wanwan’s eyes lit up. She pointed to the book. "If someone writes something better than this, can they submit it? Can they make money?"

"What?" Lin Yu exclaimed, surprised. "Do you know how popular this is in the Imperial Capital? How could anyone write better than this? Who?"

*Of course, it’s her,* she thought, though she could only say it in her head for now. "A friend of mine. Can they submit it? Can they make money?"

"Of course they can make money," Lin Yu said. "If a novel is selected, there’s definitely a manuscript fee, and not just money—there are all sorts of ration coupons too."

Su Wanwan beamed. She had been racking her brain all morning thinking about how to make money. This was exactly what she could do; it was like someone offering a pillow the moment she felt sleepy. Ever since high school, she had loved reading novels—fantasy, sci-fi, CEO romances, you name it. She was certain she could write well. "Can you give me the editor's address? I’ll have my friend submit a manuscript."

Lin Yu glanced at her, skeptical. She hadn't even finished elementary school, so how could she have a friend who wrote novels? In this godforsaken corner of the world, could there really be such talent? He didn't believe it for a second, wondering what she was up to.

Seeing his hesitation, Su Wanwan pressed on, "It’s just an address. If my friend’s novel gets accepted, you’ll be able to read something even better than this. You won’t lose out—it really is better."

Lin Yu replied, "I don’t know the exact address. Brother Shen always handles the buying; I just read them. You’ll have to ask him."

Su Wanwan looked toward the room and asked, "Is Xie Beishen in there? I’ll go ask him right now." With that, she headed toward the room.

In a flash, Lin Yu blocked the doorway. "That won’t work. Brother Shen is busy; you can’t go in." Brother Shen had instructed him to refuse all female visitors, and he had done a good job of it—he couldn't let her break that streak.

Su Wanwan stood before him and called out loudly, "Xie Beishen, it’s Su Wanwan. I have something to ask you. Can I come in?"

"Come in."

Su Wanwan gestured for Lin Yu to move aside. Lin Yu was stunned. Why did Brother Shen agree? Similar things had happened before, and Brother Shen had always ignored them. Why the exception today? He stepped aside, bewildered.

Su Wanwan opened the door and saw Xie Beishen sitting at the table, reading. She walked in. Xie Beishen closed the book and looked up. Her fair, rosy face looked like a ripe peach, and her slightly wavy hair made her look even more delicate and charming. He felt a sudden urge to pinch her cheek.

"Something the matter?"

Su Wanwan’s dimples deepened as she smiled. "Xie Beishen, I heard from Lin Yu that your friend is an editor at a magazine in the Imperial Capital. Could you give me his address? A friend of mine is very good at writing novels and wants to earn some money." She pointed at the book he had just closed. "Is that okay?"

Without hesitation, Xie Beishen found paper and a pen and wrote down the address.

Only then did Su Wanwan look around the room. A single bed, a wardrobe, a table, and two chairs. A few pairs of clean shoes sat under the bed. The room was tidy and neat. Her gaze fell on his hands—long, slender fingers gripping the pen. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing arms that were lean, muscular, and full of strength.

She stepped closer and saw the calligraphy on the paper: flowing, vigorous, and powerful.

Xie Beishen looked up and handed her the paper. "Writing about sensitive topics won’t pass, and you’ll be held accountable."

Su Wanwan took the paper and looked at the writing, beaming. "Got it. Xie Beishen, how can you be so kind? And your handwriting is amazing—you’ve clearly practiced a lot."

Xie Beishen gave a cold, dismissive laugh. Someone who hadn't been to school could tell he had practiced? He didn't believe that for a moment. Still, this woman had a very sweet tongue; it was the first time anyone had ever told him he was kind.

Su Wanwan pointed to the basket on the table. "I’m here to get my basket." As she picked it up, the weight felt wrong. She lifted the cloth covering it and was shocked to find a tin of malted milk powder and a large bag of White Rabbit candies. Malted milk powder was a scarce, high-quality commodity in this era.

She saw the massive bag of candy—at least several pounds.

Seeing her shocked expression, Xie Beishen explained, "Consider it a return gift for the fish. We can't eat your food for free." He had realized since arriving in the village how hard life was for everyone. Besides, he didn't lack food, and giving it to her meant he wouldn't owe her anything.

Su Wanwan placed the basket back on the table and looked at him with a gentle smile. "Xie Beishen, do you have a girlfriend?"

Xie Beishen paused, momentarily stunned. A girlfriend?

Su Wanwan remembered that in this era, it was better to call it a "partner." She rephrased, "Do you have a partner?"

Xie Beishen narrowed his eyes, then curled his lips in a nonchalant smile. "Why do you ask?"

Of course, she was asking because she wanted to pursue him. After a moment's hesitation, she pointed at the items in the basket. "It determines whether I accept these. If you have a partner, I can't take them." This was what she wanted to know most of all.

"No," Xie Beishen said. "You can take them."

Su Wanwan smiled, took the two items out of the basket and set them on the table. She tore open the bag of candies and took out four. "If it were just for the fish, this would be enough." She met his gaze, her smile radiant. "If I were your partner right now, I’d definitely take all of it." She stared at him, trying to read his expression.

But his eyes remained calm. She picked up the basket and started toward the door. In her modern life, four years of unrequited love had been bitter enough. To go through another four? The thought was unbearable. Eight wonderful years spent pining away was a waste of time. She wouldn't repeat the regrets of her past life; she wouldn't do unrequited love.

She would do it openly.

She stopped abruptly, turned back, met his deep gaze, and gathered her courage. "Can I pursue you? How about being my partner?" As she spoke, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of nervousness.