ROBEPTQ chapter 4

Bai Sijun’s scarf was a black-and-white striped knitted scarf. Wrapped around his neck twice, it could cover most of his face and was very warm.

However, this crucial lifesaver, more important than thermal underwear, was now forcibly taken by Mei Yuchen.

Bai Sijun wasn’t very receptive to new things. While not exactly conservative, he did have some stubbornness.

For instance, he discovered a type of milk tea at the teahouse downstairs that he found delicious, and ever since then, he would only order that one when getting milk tea. Colleagues recommended other flavors, and he promised to try them, but the next time he ordered, it was always the same milk tea.

Colleagues teased him, saying he was consistent, but in reality, he already found something suitable and didn’t want to spend time selecting the best option.

Buying things was the same. If he found comfortable shoes, once they wore out, he would buy the same pair again. Therefore, the shoes he wore now were basically no different from those he wore in college.

In a few days, the same black-and-white scarf arrived. After putting it on, Bai Sijun dared to walk outside confidently.

In the next few days, Bai Sijun proofread a book manuscript for Zhao Lin and helped Li Lan prepare for a book signing event. He basically had no time for his own matters.

Unfortunately, at this time, the chief editor approached him, inquiring about the progress of Mei Yuchen’s new book.

“You’ve visited Mei Yuchen twice. How did it go?” the chief editor asked.

“There hasn’t been much progress for now…”

“How did the talk with him go?”

“I just asked about his thoughts on the new book.”

“And then?”

And then, he talked to me about sex and life and death.

Bai Sijun suddenly felt a bit defeated. It seemed like he had been led by Mei Yuchen the entire time.

Bai Sijun stammered, struggling to form a complete sentence. The chief editor tapped the desk with his index finger and asked, “Did you tell him about the contract violation?”

“Not yet…”

“Why not?” The chief editor’s tone suddenly became stern. “This is the most important thing. We can demand compensation from him at any time based on the contract.”

“But, isn’t it normal for writers to delay their manuscripts…”

“Normal?” The chief editor tossed a stack of documents onto the desk, making a loud sound. “First, figure out your position. Every day he delays, the company loses. It’s not your salary, so you don’t care, right?”

In the chief editor’s outburst, Bai Sijun recalled the complaints of his predecessor who resigned.

This middle-aged, balding man always had a smiling face, but in reality, he was more sarcastic than anyone.

Lost in thought, Bai Sijun heard the chief editor say again, “I’ll give you three months. If you don’t get Mei Yuchen’s manuscript, you can pack up and leave.”

Bai Sijun doubted he heard wrong. He asked in a daze, “What?”

After venting, the chief editor seemed relieved, returning to his usual appearance. He sipped tea and said, “Three months is the deadline. I believe you can do it.”

Bai Sijun walked out of the office in a daze, wondering if he had offended the chief editor somehow.

He thought about what his experienced predecessor couldn’t achieve in several years. How could he possibly do it in three months? The chief editor said he believed in him, but he looked far from optimistic.

At this moment, Li Lan happened to pass by Bai Sijun. She held some copied materials and said, “Hey, Xiao Bai, I have a package arriving soon. I can’t leave right now. Could you help me pick it up later?”

Bai Sijun felt a sudden sense of disgust. He smiled and said, “Sorry, Li Jie, I have something to do and need to go out.”

Li Lan pursed her lips, visibly displeased. “Fine.”

Bai Sijun picked up a book he had only glanced at on his desk and, once again, went to the popular pastry shop downstairs.

The pastries in this shop were expensive, and Bai Sijun couldn’t bear to buy them for himself. While paying, he couldn’t help but feel a bit distressed, unsure if the money he spent was worth it.

Especially when he thought about the possibility of losing his job because of Mei Yuchen. But now, he was still buying expensive pastries for Mei Yuchen, making him feel unbalanced.

After a two-hour subway ride, he arrived at Mei Yuchen’s villa for the third time. This time, there was a hint of anxiety compared to the previous two visits.

Bai Sijun awkwardly informed Mei Yuchen about the contract issue, saying he might have to pay a hefty penalty. However, Mei Yuchen didn’t react much. He asked, “Do you want coffee?”

Bai Sijun hesitated for a moment, thinking he had been sitting there for almost half an hour, and Mei Yuchen only now remembered to ask what he wanted. It seemed that resolving issues as an adult required an adult’s approach. The chief editor was right to bring up the contract issue first. Bai Sijun nodded and said, “Thank you.”

However, Mei Yuchen lazily remained leaning on the sofa without moving. “I also want some. In the kitchen.”

Bai Sijun: “…”

He had underestimated Mei Yuchen’s shamelessness.

When Bai Sijun returned to the living room with two cups of instant coffee, Mei Yuchen happened to be flipping through the book Bai Sijun brought. It was “Walking on the Edge of Life” by Yang Tao.

“That’s for you.” Bai Sijun placed Mei Yuchen’s cup in front of him and said.

“For me?” Mei Yuchen looked at it front and back. The pressure marks on the book’s spine were evident. He chuckled and said, “The first time someone gave me an old book.”

“Cough.” Bai Sijun felt a bit awkward. He explained, “Before giving it to you, I wanted to confirm if the content was suitable, so I read it.”

“Is that so?” Mei Yuchen’s face showed no joy or anger. “So, do you think it’s suitable?”

“I think it’s okay.” Bai Sijun said, “The content of this book is quite broad-minded.”

Mei Yuchen, with interest, turned a page and asked, “How do you know I haven’t read it?”

After all, giving a book to a writer required a lot of courage.

“You definitely haven’t read it.” Bai Sijun said confidently.

“Why?”

“Your mindset doesn’t seem like it.”

Mei Yuchen raised an eyebrow. “What kind of mindset?”

“Just…” Bai Sijun hesitated, not daring to continue.

Mei Yuchen urged, “Just what?”

Bai Sijun took a deep breath and gathered his courage. “This book is Mr. Yang Tao’s reflections on life written when he was over ninety years old. But you… you’re far from such reflections on life. You’re like you’re back to eighteen, not knowing what to do.”

Actually, Bai Sijun wanted to say that Mei Yuchen was just whining without reason, but in the end, he kept his tongue in check.

Mei Yuchen didn’t respond further. This was the first time Bai Sijun saw him completely expressionless.

An awkward silence filled the living room, and Bai Sijun could even hear the sound of passing cars outside.

He awkwardly changed the topic, saying, “Um, have you had lunch?”

Mei Yuchen didn’t answer but instead asked, “You mentioned earlier, what will happen if I don’t submit the manuscript for three months?”

“The company might…”

“I’m asking you.” Mei Yuchen interrupted Bai Sijun.

“I’ll be dismissed.” Bai Sijun said quietly.

When he mentioned the deadline earlier, he also brought up this matter. He thought writers should be reasonable, and if Mei Yuchen knew about this, he might feel guilty and start writing.

However, his thoughts were completely wrong.

Mei Yuchen nonchalantly said, “Have you ever thought that if I dislike you and intentionally drag out these three months, then you’ll just be waiting to be dismissed?”

Bai Sijun pursed his lips, not understanding Mei Yuchen’s meaning.

He suddenly thought of the dark characters in Mei Yuchen’s book. He now realized that Mei Yuchen wasn’t portraying such characters; they originated from his own inner self.

With a casual smile, Mei Yuchen asked, “So, are you voluntarily resigning now, or are you going to endure my torment for three months before resigning?”

Bai Sijun didn’t answer, but the cold sweat on his forehead exposed his nervousness.

Mei Yuchen adopted a more comfortable sitting posture, sipping his coffee. “Here’s a piece of advice: don’t easily reveal your weaknesses in the future.”

His hands, resting on his knees, clenched into fists. Bai Sijun lowered his head and said, “Understood, thank you.”

On the subway ride back, Bai Sijun sat lifelessly in the empty carriage, his body swaying rhythmically with the moving train. He had known for a long time that editors needed good communication skills, but he found himself lacking.

If the initial premise was a refusal to communicate, then no matter how much he spoke, it would be futile.

For the first time, Bai Sijun felt self-doubt. Was he not suitable to be an editor at all?

Perhaps he still had time to take the civil service exam.

But he felt that it was a form of escape. The goal of effort should be self-realization, not comfort and ease.

After hesitating for a long time, he finally took out his phone and sent a text message to Mei Yuchen.

He didn’t apologize or plead; he just sent a brief sentence: “I really want to make your book.”

Until the evening, Mei Yuchen had not replied.

Bai Sijun comforted himself, perhaps Mei Yuchen’s phone was off, and he hadn’t seen the message yet. But then he thought, even if he saw it, he might choose to ignore him.

Unconsciously, a heavy rain began outside, and the large raindrops continuously tapped against the window, creating a depressing sound.

Bai Sijun knew that after this heavy rain, spring would truly arrive. However, he felt like he was still in the midst of a harsh winter, unable to see any hope.

As he dozed off, the phone beside his pillow vibrated.

Bai Sijun, with a furrowed brow, glanced at the screen and was instantly awakened by the name displayed.

He sat up abruptly, tremblingly tapped the answer button, and Mei Yuchen’s voice came through the phone: “I’m hungry, bring me a box of snacks.”