After finishing the meal, Su Yu and Lin Yanyu took a flight back to Shuangqing.
The fourth episode of "Masked Singer" was set to air tomorrow. There were already many rumors online about this episode. The old topic of whether Dark Night Rabbit could win consecutively was common. Another very popular topic was whether Balloon Queen had been eliminated. In everyone's eyes, Balloon Queen had survived only due to luck, and this episode should be her end.
Netizens who had attended the live taping, however, stated that Balloon Queen was not eliminated and had even performed an amazing show. Some didn't believe it, calling it bragging. Regardless, before the show aired, various claims were circulating.
"Legend of Sword" was also scheduled to air in two days. Gu Qianqian sent many messages on WeChat, asking Su Yu to return to accompany their parents and relatives to watch the premiere of the TV series, fearing she couldn't bear the wrath of so many relatives alone. She specifically asked Su Yu to bring Lin Yanyu along, as she was a life-saving charm. No matter how angry they were, they wouldn't lose their temper in front of Lin Yanyu. She was the cherished daughter-in-law of the Su family, adored by everyone.
"Don't worry, when we get to the later parts, we'll find an excuse to slip away," Su Yu said confidently. Although "Legend of Sword" had some heartbreaking moments between Zhao Ling'er and Li Xiaoyao in the beginning, it wasn't as tragic as the later episodes, and there were plenty of sweet moments. The beginning was not a problem. Only the later episodes were unsuitable to watch with parents and relatives, otherwise, everyone would be doomed!
...
News of "Legend of Sword" being broadcast spread online. The Literary Awards Ceremony also garnered attention. The awards presented at this ceremony included traditional literature as well as web novel awards for the year.
"The Golden Editor award goes to Qingkong Literature, Peach Blossom Eyes!"
"The Web Novel Newcomer King award goes to Jiangnan's 'Legend of Sword and Fairy I'!"
"The Most Popular Web Novel award goes to Jiangnan's 'Legend of Sword and Fairy III'!"
"..."
Jiangnan, with his "Legend of Sword and Fairy" series, directly entered the newcomer king rankings and won four or five awards of various sizes. He was exceptionally glorious. However, when accepting the awards, it was his editor, Peach Blossom Eyes, who went on stage to accept them on his behalf.
"The premiere of 'Legend of Sword I' is approaching, and Jiangnan cannot get away. He asked me to thank the organizers and all the readers and fans for their support!" Zhou Sisi had already become well-known in the industry due to her role as Jiangnan's editor. Her past experiences were also widely circulated: whoever she signed went downhill, and few authors she favored managed to reach the shelves; they all ended up abandoning their works. In such a situation, she managed to sign Jiangnan; how much incredible luck must she have had?
Qingkong Literature.
Editing Department, Xianxia group.
Everyone gathered around the computer watching the live broadcast. When they saw Zhou Sisi holding several trophies on stage thanking everyone, all the editors cheered for her. However, only one person, curled up in a corner, was crying like a child.
"Wuwuwu... I'm such an idiot!" Lu Xun buried his head, sobbing, his hands clutching his phone case, cursing under his breath.
"Lu Xun, don't be so upset. Let Sisi treat us to a meal when she gets back," said the chief editor, Li Minghui, stepping forward and patting his shoulder. Everyone knew that Jiangnan's "Legend of Sword and Fairy" was initially reviewed by Lu Xun, but he was too busy and passed it on to Zhou Sisi. Thus, he missed out on a newcomer king author and all the coveted Golden Editor awards. The better Jiangnan performed, the more Lu Xun regretted it.
"Is this something a meal can solve!" Lu Xun looked up and said resentfully. He knew how amazing Jiangnan was. There was no need to discuss the plot with him or help him organize the pacing and logic. As Jiangnan's editor, he only needed to manage his recommendation slots and manuscript fee applications. This was the dream of every editor, and Lu Xun was no exception.
"This is Sisi's good judgment, seeing Jiangnan's potential at a glance. Perhaps with your judgment, you would have directly rejected that 'Legend of Sword and Fairy'. If you had rejected it, and Jiangnan went to another platform to write, not only would we not forgive you, but the boss wouldn't either," Li Minghui said, somewhat annoyed. Many people thought signing Jiangnan was Zhou Sisi's luck, but only those in the Xianxia department knew that Zhou Sisi had seen the book's potential at first glance and often worked overtime to analyze its data. When recommending it, she strongly pushed the book to the platform, and when the recommendation results were poor, she was more anxious than anyone. She did everything an editor could do. These were all well-deserved.
"Wuwuwu... Chief Editor, I know all that, but it's not too much for me to ask Sisi to treat me to two meals, right..." Lu Xun stood up from the ground, dusting off his pants.
"Fine, I'll have her treat you. Two meals it is!" Li Minghui was immediately amused. The atmosphere in the Xianxia group was always good. He didn't want these things to turn the office into a battlefield. It was best if Lu Xun could come to terms with it. Zhou Sisi had broken free from her curse and soared with Jiangnan. Given her personality, she would definitely treat everyone to a meal upon her return.
...
After accepting the awards.
Zhou Sisi prepared to leave. As she exited the venue, she found a group of editors chatting outside. These were experienced editors from other platforms, and one was a big figure in the industry. Zhou Sisi naturally recognized him. Just as she was about to greet them, she overheard them discussing her.
"The most glorious editor this year is probably Peach Blossom Eyes, right?"
"Naturally, who else but someone lucky enough to sign Jiangnan, the newcomer king."
"I heard her judgment is surprisingly poor; whoever she signs goes downhill. Signing Jiangnan was pure dumb luck."
"Sigh... giving her the Golden Editor award is practically a blasphemy to the award."
"Heh, honestly, Zhou Sisi is quite pretty. Maybe she used something to keep Jiangnan, to make him so dedicated to writing under her."
"I thought Dragon Walker would win this award. What a disappointment."
The Dragon Walker mentioned by them was the chief editor of Muyu Literature Network. He had three top-tier authors, all of whom received awards at this literary ceremony, but they were minor awards, not as glorious as Jiangnan's.
"This year belongs to Jiangnan. Let Zhou Sisi have her moment of glory for one year. Next year, when Bai Ye returns, they won't stand a chance!" Dragon Walker said with a smile.
Hearing this, everyone was stunned.
"Great God Bai Ye is returning?"
"Damn, he's a master of both web novels and traditional literature. He's signing with you?"
"For a traditional literature master like Bai Ye to enter the web novel circle is like fishing in a stocked pond..."
Dragon Walker nodded. "Bai Ye will release a new book next month. Jiangnan hasn't released anything in so long after 'Legend of Sword and Fairy' concluded; he must be suffering from writer's block. Next year, there will be a Web Novel King award. If nothing unexpected happens, this grand prize will go to Bai Ye."
"Then the Golden Editor award will be within reach for Great God Dragon Walker, won't it?" someone chimed in.
"Low profile, low profile," Dragon Walker quickly waved his hands.
At this moment.
Zhou Sisi walked out of the venue with a cold smile. When the group noticed her, they quickly fell silent. She walked right through the crowd.
"Sisi, congratulations."
"You'll definitely be promoted to chief editor by your boss when you return, right?"
Listening to their insincere blessings.
Zhou Sisi didn't look back. She slowly raised her right hand, then extended her middle finger slightly.
"A bunch of idiots," she uttered four words.
To everyone's astonished gazes, she strode away.
...
Under the dim yellow streetlights.
Zhou Sisi sat on the steps by the roadside. She hugged her knees, her body trembling slightly. Beside her, the zipper of her backpack was open, revealing it full of glittering trophies. In her hand, she held the "Golden Editor" trophy she had always dreamed of, shining brilliantly under the night light.
A sports car roared past, its brakes screeching. Zhou Sisi didn't look up. She buried her face in her knees and sobbed softly.
"A bunch of idiots, they don't know anything, only badmouth others behind their backs!"
"And that damned Gong Juren, he always makes me angry. Can't you just go easy on me? You get me angry and then don't even come to comfort me!"
She cried and cursed. Why should they say she got the award for nothing? Why should everything be attributed to her good luck, negating all her efforts? Although she admitted she was lucky to have met Jiangnan, and that she had few worries, she had always done her job. She had no regrets about winning this award!
"If you know they are slandering you, why are you still crying?"
Suddenly, a voice sounded beside her. A spark of anger ignited within Zhou Sisi. "I'm crying because I want to, it's none of your business... right..."
When she saw who it was, she froze. It was Gong Juren, whom she had just cursed.
"You curse them, why do you also curse me?" He spread his hands, looking innocent.
"Wuwuwu... because you deserve to be cursed!" Zhou Sisi cried and threw herself into Gong Juren's arms.
In Luzhou in December, a light snow fell at night. The streetlights illuminated them, casting long shadows. Two figures embraced tightly. A faint sweetness seemed to permeate the deserted street.
"Do you like listening to songs?"
"I do."
"Then I'll sing for you in the future?"
"Okay..."
...
ps: It's been a while since I wrote about supporting characters. It's time to tie up these loose ends and enrich the plot, filling in some gaps...