ROBEPTQ chapter 2

Bai Sijun obtained Mei Yuchen’s contact information and residential address from the chief editor. Since Mei Yuchen’s phone was merely a decoration, the best approach was to go directly to his doorstep.

Before setting off, Bai Sijun bought a box of pastries from the popular dessert shop downstairs. He didn’t know Mei Yuchen’s taste, but he couldn’t show up empty-handed. Even if Mei Yuchen didn’t like pastries, at least he wouldn’t think Bai Sijun lacked manners.

Mei Yuchen’s villa was located in the suburbs, a two-hour subway ride from the city.

On the subway, Bai Sijun reviewed Mei Yuchen’s award-winning work, which won the Xingmu Award. He got so engrossed that he almost missed his stop.

Indeed, Mei Yuchen was talented. His writing seemed to possess an enchanting power, leaving readers uncertain about his true intentions until the very end. After finishing a piece, one would immediately want to revisit the beginning, overwhelmed by a sense of enlightenment.

If Bai Sijun were to summarize, he believed Mei Yuchen was a master at expressing sensuality and love through words. His works always revolved around these two themes, yet he consistently brought forth fresh perspectives. His debut work explored forbidden relationships among minors, a topic that might not pass for publication in the current era but was still revered by many.

As Bai Sijun searched for the house number in the vast villa area, the chief editor’s instructions echoed in his mind.

Writers don’t survive on reputation but on their works. Three years were the final deadline. If Mei Yuchen can’t produce a new work, Hongtu Culture would have to let him go.

Bai Sijun knew the company had already paid half of the advance payment to Mei Yuchen. If it escalated to a legal dispute, it would undoubtedly have a negative impact on Mei Yuchen.

Unconsciously, he arrived at Villa A-111. Bai Sijun looked at the combination of letters and numbers on the bronze plaque, feeling like it carried a touch of genius.

He pressed the doorbell and instinctively glanced around. In that instant, he saw the white curtain on the second floor move, and a blurry figure appeared behind the glass window.

The figure disappeared quickly, and Bai Sijun didn’t see it clearly, but at least he knew someone was inside the villa.

He stood at the door for ten minutes. During this time, he introduced himself countless times, but there was no sign of the door opening.

Hesitating, he pressed the doorbell again, but this time the curtain on the second floor didn’t move.

The early spring wind still carried a winter chill, and Bai Sijun pulled his scarf higher. He patiently waited for another ten minutes.

By now, he was almost certain that the person inside had no intention of opening the door for him.

Self-mockingly, he thought, perhaps this was an example of a failed mission. However, having traveled two hours by subway, he wasn’t about to give up so easily.

He pressed the doorbell again and waited for a while.

His ears were almost numb from the wind, and his legs were starting to feel numb. But this time, not long after, a casual voice came through the doorbell: “Who is it?”

Bai Sijun lowered his scarf, approached the visible doorbell, and said, “Hello, I am Mei Yuchen’s new editor. My name is Bai Sijun. Is Mei Yuchen at home?”

“No.”

The call ended.

Bai Sijun was momentarily stunned, quickly pressed the doorbell again. He knew the person hadn’t gone far, and now was the best time to press the doorbell.

Sure enough, the call was quickly answered. Bai Sijun hastily said, “I brought him some pastries. Could you please give them to him?”

After speaking, Bai Sijun stepped back, holding up the pink paper bag.

He saw his own image on the screen of the video phone, his cheeks red from the cold, and his lips trembling.

Click, the gate opened.

Bai Sijun didn’t relax yet, afraid that the wind might blow the door shut. He swiftly entered the yard.

The villa’s yard had some ornamental grass and trees, but either due to the recent winter or the owner’s neglect, it looked somewhat desolate.

He took a quick glance and hurriedly opened the partially closed door.

After entering, there was a hallway, a spacious living room to the right, and on the other side of the living room was a large floor-to-ceiling window. The room was well-lit from the outside, making it difficult to see the man with his back to the window.

The man said, “Just leave the things in the hallway.”

After speaking, he turned and ascended the right corridor.

Bai Sijun quickly took off his shoes, placed them in the shoe cabinet, and even before putting on slippers, he hurriedly followed and grabbed the man’s wrist, who was climbing the stairs.

The light outside couldn’t enter the corridor, and the dim space, formed by wooden boards, enveloped the slender figure against the wall. Bai Sijun felt a moment of timidity, but he strengthened his grip.

He knew it was impolite, and he realized his heart was beating fast, but he didn’t want to return empty-handed.

“You’re Mei Yuchen, right?” Bai Sijun said.

He wasn’t sure, but he hoped so.

The man slightly moved the wrist held by Bai Sijun, who quickly retracted his hand.

“So what if I am?” Mei Yuchen turned around, crossed his arms, leaned against the wall, and looked down at Bai Sijun.

Bai Sijun swallowed and, belatedly, realized the heating in the room was very strong. His thick down jacket made him a bit dizzy.

He licked his dry lips and said, “I’d like to get to know you.”

Bai Sijun’s tone was like that of kindergarten kids trying to make friends. He felt he should have sounded more assertive. After all, Mei Yuchen had just shamelessly lied about not being at home; he should be the one feeling guilty.

Mei Yuchen made a subtle exhale, and Bai Sijun knew he chuckled.

“Bai Sijun, right? You already introduced yourself earlier.”

“But that doesn’t count,” Bai Sijun didn’t want the conversation to end so soon. “I think we should have a more in-depth exchange.”

Mei Yuchen fell silent for a second, then spoke with a hint of playfulness, “More… in-depth?”

Bai Sijun didn’t know why Mei Yuchen emphasized those two words, but he nodded. “Yes.”

In the dim corridor, Bai Sijun couldn’t see Mei Yuchen’s expression clearly. After a while, he heard him casually say, “Sure, come up then.”

Finally, seizing the opportunity to communicate, Bai Sijun breathed a sigh of relief. He took two steps upstairs, suddenly realizing that he felt a bit cumbersome and said, “Let me take off my coat.”

This time, Mei Yuchen burst into laughter. As Bai Sijun returned to the coat rack in the entrance, he faintly heard footsteps gradually approaching and a remark mixed in, “So impatient?”

Bai Sijun suddenly felt awkward.

Normally, someone with Mei Yuchen’s popularity as an author wouldn’t have him as an editor. He didn’t want Mei Yuchen to see him as a newbie. Whether it was out of pride for dealing with authors of this caliber or for his own self-esteem, he didn’t want to reveal this.

However, judging by Mei Yuchen’s laughter and tone, it seemed like he had already exposed himself quite thoroughly.

Bai Sijun hung up his coat on the rack and neatly placed the scarf and the box of pastries in the shoe cabinet. He then nervously headed upstairs.

At the end of the stairs was a tatami-style tea room. The room had sliding glass doors on one side, leading to a terrace that overlooked the courtyard.

Mei Yuchen lazily reclined on a pumpkin-shaped pillow, unabashedly scanning Bai Sijun from top to bottom. Even though Bai Sijun was reasonably confident about his appearance, at this moment, he couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy.

With the absence of obstructions, Bai Sijun finally saw Mei Yuchen clearly.

Mei Yuchen was dressed in a white silk long-sleeved shirt and matching black trousers. Disheveled strands of hair casually draped over his shoulders, and his somewhat pale skin revealed no expression. Bai Sijun couldn’t discern what he was thinking.

Bai Sijun’s initial thought upon seeing Mei Yuchen was that he had become thinner.

Three years ago, Hongtu Culture had just signed Mei Yuchen for his next book at the end of the year. Therefore, Mei Yuchen was invited to attend the annual company meeting. At that time, Bai Sijun had just been with the company for a little over a year and was placed in a very remote corner during the meeting. Even if he wanted to watch the performance, a large black speaker blocked most of the stage.

Naturally, Mei Yuchen sat with the company leaders, and Bai Sijun, unable to see the performance, instinctively shifted his gaze to that table after Mei Yuchen was introduced by the leaders.

He never knew that a person with profound insights could also be so dazzling in appearance.

Mei Yuchen didn’t look like an author at all. Every gesture exuded a strong self-awareness, and his face carried an arrogant and unrestrained demeanor that seemed to care about nothing. Bai Sijun knew that Mei Yuchen dropped out of a top-tier university in his junior year to focus on writing. Looking back, it did seem like the decision of a willful individual.

Perhaps enhanced by the aura of his works, Bai Sijun always felt that if everyone were grains of sand in a desert, Mei Yuchen was at least the top layer, glittering and shining in the sunlight.

Now, looking at Mei Yuchen again, he seemed to exude more of the aura of an author.

The three digits “1” on the house number no longer seemed so unrestrained and instead appeared somewhat lonely.

Bai Sijun sat cross-legged behind a low table. As he was still contemplating how to initiate the conversation, Mei Yuchen spoke first, “What do you want to discuss?”

Bai Sijun, rubbing his palms on his jeans to wipe away the sweat, took a deep breath and said, “I’m your fan…”

“Have you read all of my works?” Mei Yuchen interrupted him with a teasing tone. “I’ve heard that line countless times.”

Bai Sijun’s rainbow-farting preparation flew out the window before he could express it. He looked somewhat embarrassed at the teacup on the low table and said hesitantly, “I just wanted to ask about your thoughts on your next work…”

If Zhao Lin saw him now, she would definitely say he was pathetic. Zhao Lin always emphasized that an editor should be a strong partner for the author. When facing authors, the most taboo thing was to have a humble attitude. But Bai Sijun always felt that only someone with work experience like Zhao Lin had the confidence to say such things.

Mei Yuchen’s expression remained unchanged. He leisurely asked, “What ideas do you have?”

“Me?” Bai Sijun was caught off guard. He knew that editors discussed ideas with authors, but most of the time, the topics were about whether a certain theme could be written, and how well it might sell. No editor ever told an author how to write.

After steadying himself, he said, “Your works always revolve around sex and love. Shouldn’t your next work also be centered around these two themes? This way, readers can feel a strong personal style.”

Mei Yuchen tilted his head, and there was a hint of inquiry in his eyes. “Do you understand anything about sex?”

This question was beyond the scope.

This thought immediately popped into Bai Sijun’s mind.

The words he had just said were “sex and love,” which sounded entirely devoid of any erotic connotations. However, when spoken by Mei Yuchen, this topic was immediately pulled down to a more intimate literary level.

Bai Sijun felt like he was back in a job interview, unable to fathom the interviewer’s intentions, feeling stifled and uneasy.

“I know some readers say that there are scenes in your novels that resemble adult content, but…”

“Do you have a preferred position for intimacy?” Mei Yuchen interrupted him again.

Bai Sijun was dumbfounded, and Mei Yuchen asked again, “Are your nipples sensitive?”

Now Bai Sijun was standing still like a fool.

Mei Yuchen chuckled at Bai Sijun’s reaction and asked, “You know nothing, yet you come to exchange ideas with me?”

After a pause, he added, “In-depth ideas? Hmm?” It was as if he was telling a funny joke.