In mid-July, Shao Cheng’s first detective novel was published, and the release date was set on Bai Yang’s birthday. Although he had been touched by this for a long time, when the day actually arrived, Bai Yang’s heart was moved a hundred and one times by this romantic gesture.
Shao Cheng gave him the first printed official version of the novel as a birthday gift. The inside pages not only bore the author’s name but also his name, with the title of editor.
Upon seeing it, Bai Yang couldn’t help but smile and said, “I just helped you revise the initial draft, at most, I can be considered a proofreader, right?”
Shao Cheng said calmly, “Even if you didn’t change a single word, your name will be on every one of my future books.”
Bai Yang’s face turned a bit red, and he whispered, “Stubborn…”
“What did you say?” Shao Cheng pinched his chin to make him look directly at him, his eyes carrying a playful smile. “Have you become bolder?”
Bai Yang fearlessly retorted, “You’ve spoiled me.”
Shao Cheng’s lips curved into a smile.
“Then I’ll continue to spoil you.”
In the afternoon, instead of going to the publishing house, the two of them drove with Bai Tao to a cemetery in the outskirts where their parents were laid to rest.
Shao Cheng had already accompanied Bai Yang once before. This time, the main purpose was to bring Bai Tao for a memorial visit. He had avoided mentioning this to her while she was recovering, fearing it might trigger a relapse of her condition. Now that her condition was relatively stable and she had expressed her desire to visit, he brought her here.
As soon as Bai Tao reached her parents’ memorial plaque, she began to sob. Although her self-awareness had come to accept this fact during her coma, facing the reality still stirred up her inner grief. She cried loudly, and Bai Yang’s eyes also welled up with tears. He hugged his sister and comforted her by stroking her hair.
Shao Cheng stood silently on the side, occasionally handing them tissues to wipe their tears, not interrupting their emotional release.
After about half an hour, Bai Tao’s emotions gradually calmed down. Bai Yang held her hand and knelt in front of their parents’ grave, smiling gently. “Mom, Dad, look, Tao Tao has grown so big. She’s doing well now, and I’m doing well too. You can rest assured.”
Bai Tao, choking up, said with maturity, “Mom, Dad, I have two big brothers taking care of me now. I’m so happy. When I grow up, it’ll be my turn to take care of them!”
Shao Cheng also knelt down properly and said, “Uncle and Aunt, with me looking after them, they won’t suffer. Don’t worry.”
Bai Yang, with tears in his eyes, looked over. Shao Cheng reached out and gently wiped the corners of his reddened eyes, causing the tears he had been holding back to fall uncontrollably.
In front of this small cemetery, he had cried his eyes dry, from the initial heart-wrenching sobs to the later silence and choking. The unchanging thing was the sorrow and helplessness in his heart. Here, his usual strength was replaced by vulnerability. But after each bout of sorrow, he had to force himself to stand up and face life.
Yet now, being here, he felt a completely different mindset and sensation. The sadness still remained, but it no longer tore at him as it had before. Another warm force blended with the grief, giving him genuine strength to rely on.
He was unfortunate, but he was also fortunate. And he would always remember who had given him this fortune.
During that summer vacation, Bai Yang finally didn’t have to work under the scorching sun, sweating profusely. However, he still couldn’t escape the busy life of work.
Just because Shao Cheng’s novel had caused a strong reaction within the industry less than a month after its release. Physical copies sold three hundred thousand, and one million e-books were sold online. There were even screenwriters coming to discuss the possibility of adapting it into a film or TV series. The publishing house hadn’t encountered such a massive success in a long time, and they were busily printing more copies and preparing for book signing events.
Initially, Shao Cheng found the idea of a book signing event troublesome and didn’t want to do it. He wrote the novel purely out of interest, not for money or fame. The verified Weibo account the publishing house had set up for him already had over a million followers, and he hadn’t even posted a single piece of content.
Bai Yang earnestly advised him to manage his popularity, as it would be beneficial for his future development. Shao Cheng had his long legs propped up on the desk and said, “I had Tang, the chief editor, bring you here because I thought you would support my decisions. How come you’re even more involved than him?”
Bai Yang pulled up a chair and sat beside him. “It’s precisely because I’m responsible for you that I care about the decisions you make, and this will generally be good for this novel and also your future works. How can I let you be so stubborn?”
Shao Cheng gave a cold snort and fell silent.
Bai Yang smiled, revealing his dimples. His tone carried a hint of coaxing. “Just listen to me, okay?”
Shao Cheng glanced at him, his face devoid of expression. Indifferently, he said, “What do I get in return if I do as you say?”
Upon sensing a chance, Bai Yang immediately responded, “What do you want? As long as it’s something I can do, I’ll do it!”
Shao Cheng crooked his finger, and Bai Yang obediently leaned in. After hearing Shao Cheng’s whispered words in his ear, his face instantly turned beet red. For quite a while, he didn’t know whether he should agree or not.
“What’s wrong? Don’t want to? Then forget it.” Shao Cheng said.
Bai Yang bit his lip, his handsome face flushed crimson. After a long while, he managed to squeeze out a faint voice from between his teeth:
“Okay, deal…”
