The Novelist Forced to Become Famous

She curled up under the covers, not wanting to move.

The knight wasn't home, and no one was urging her to get up. As she dozed off, her consciousness slowly became fuzzy again.

Her parents would be heartbroken if they knew she had died, wouldn't they? Would they blame her for being reckless? They certainly would. They had always wanted her to live an ordinary, stable life without taking risks or standing out.

Yet she had gone and done something so dangerous.

Sigh, what's done is done. There was no point in dwelling on it now.

Perhaps someday in the future, she would regret her choice, but at this moment, Jian Jing couldn't deceive herself—she truly preferred this world more.

If only her parents were here too... Oh, never mind.

This was fine as it was.

Her parents sought stability, so they could remain in the original world. She craved the thrill of detective work, so she would stay in this world. Though they couldn't see each other, everyone got what they wanted.

Lost in her thoughts, the phone suddenly rang.

She answered, "Hello."

"Teacher Jian? This is Yunyun." In the sunny hospital room, with the smell of disinfectant in the air, Ji Yunyun sniffled, trying hard to contain her excitement. "I-I wanted to let you know, my brother has woken up."

Jian Jing's eyes flew open. "He's awake?"

"Yes, yes, he's been moved to a regular ward now." Ji Yunyun asked cautiously, "Would you like to say a few words to him?"

"Sure."

Ji Yunyun handed the phone to Ji Feng.

"Teacher Jian." His voice was the same as always, just a bit softer. "I've heard everything. Thank you."

Jian Jing: "Huh."

She let out a cold laugh, suddenly sitting up straight, no longer feeling any pain in her waist or legs. "So you've survived? Very well, you bastard, let me tell you something—our friendship is over!"

Ji Feng's temperature was still a bit high, and his mind was foggy. He reflexively said, "But I didn't offend you."

"Oh right, you didn't offend me. I offended you, okay?" Jian Jing no longer wanted to deal with him. "Goodbye!"

Ji Feng: "Wait—"

Before he could finish, the line went dead. He came to his senses a bit and quickly tried to call back, only to find he'd been blocked. He checked WeChat and saw a red dot when he tried to send a message.

"Ah." Ji Feng lay back down.

"Brother?"

"It's nothing," he said. "I'm going to rest for a bit. If anyone comes, handle the food as you see fit. Don't accept any red envelopes. Everyone has it tough."

Ji Yunyun nodded, "I understand." She hesitated, then asked, "What about the money Teacher Jian paid earlier? Should I transfer it back to her?"

Ji Feng waved his hand.

She: "??"

"Don't worry about it," he said lazily. "I'll pay her back."

Ji Yunyun mercilessly pointed out: "She just blocked you."

"It's fine." The fact that she waited until he woke up to block him was already quite considerate.

Of course, getting her to add him back wouldn't be so easy. But they had already overcome the biggest hurdle. Things would get better from here on out.

Ji Feng turned his head to look out the window.

The grandson in the next bed had just started kindergarten and had brought many paper-cut window decorations yesterday. Every window had a flower pasted on it, creating a festive atmosphere for the upcoming Spring Festival.

He hoped to be discharged by New Year's Eve so he could go home for the holiday.

Thinking about this, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

--

Meanwhile, Jian Jing called Kang Mu Cheng and asked him: "Where are you?"

Kang Mu Cheng: "At the airport."

She: "I want to go to Egypt too."

Kang Mu Cheng: "..."

She: "I want to go too. Take me with you."

"Alright, pack your things and come over," he sighed. "I'll wait for you."

Jian Jing immediately beamed with joy and quickly got up to pack her luggage.

She threw in a few clothes, figuring she could buy more locally if needed. She didn't bother with skincare products, planning to buy a full set at the duty-free shop later. Sunscreen was essential though, or else she'd come back several shades darker.

Packing haphazardly, she ended up with just a 24-inch suitcase.

Unbelievable, she must have forgotten something.

But Jian Jing couldn't be bothered to think about it. She grabbed her suitcase and headed downstairs.

It wasn't tiring at all. She could even run 800 meters while carrying it. Undeniably, having a good body was incredibly important. If she had been in this state during the mission, Zhang Feng and Wang Tan would never have made it out of the apartment door.

She'd have to keep exercising diligently to maintain this condition in the future.

Humming a tune, she got into her car. The car air freshener emitted her favorite citrus scent.

Accelerating and speeding, she arrived at the airport's VIP lounge in just thirty minutes.

"Little Jing Jing," Si Yingjie opened his arms to welcome her. "Long time no see."

Jian Jing smiled and hugged him: "Brother Yingjie."

Kang Mu Cheng handed her a cup of hot coffee, asking with concern: "Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

"No particular reason," she shrugged. "I just felt like going. Don't you want to take me?"

Kang Mu Cheng shook his head: "No, I want you to come."

She smiled.

"What did you have for breakfast?" he asked.

"I didn't eat anything," Jian Jing glanced at the dining table and casually picked up a sandwich. "I just woke up."

"Then don't drink coffee," Kang Mu Cheng took the cup from her hand and replaced it with a glass of hot soy milk. "Do you want to ask them for a bowl of noodles? Or wonton?"

Jian Jing turned her head: "When do we take off?"

"We can leave anytime. We were just waiting for you," said Si Yingjie.

She said: "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."

The flight plan had already been approved. Although there was a slight delay, they were soon cleared for takeoff.

Once the plane was cruising steadily, CEO Kang prepared to catch up on sleep: "Don't let me interrupt you young people's chat."

With no elders present, Jian Jing eagerly began to gossip: "Brother Yingjie, where's your new girlfriend?"

Si Yingjie: "We broke up."

Jian Jing: "Why?"

"The spark was gone," Si Yingjie said. "I have high standards when it comes to feelings."

She was curious: "What kind of feelings?"

He considered for a moment, then admitted with regret: "First of all, she has to be beautiful."

A common flaw in men, but understandable. Women were the same. Jian Jing nodded, then suddenly asked curiously: "So do you think I'm beautiful?"

Si Yingjie: "Uh..."

Jian Jing narrowed her eyes and made a dangerous statement: "You know, it's strange. We're so close, yet Brother Yingjie has never considered me?"

A look of horror flashed across Si Yingjie's face: "Little Jing, I've always thought of you as a little sister." He carefully chose his words, "You should find a young man your own age to play with. Someone like me who's a whole generation older than you just won't do."

Jian Jing rested her chin on her hand, smiling at him: "Is that so?"

Si Yingjie couldn't take it anymore and nudged Kang Mu Cheng: "Quick, control her."

Kang Mu Cheng raised his head helplessly and said to Jian Jing: "Stop bullying Yingjie."

"Hmph." She got up and went over, shooing Si Yingjie away and sitting down next to Kang Mu Cheng herself. "I'm not bullying him. Can't I just be curious?"

She raised her chin at Si Yingjie, gesturing for him to answer her question.

Si Yingjie raised his hands in surrender: "Let me put it this way, Little Jing. Men feel a lot of pressure being with you." He said sincerely, "Forget about cheating, I feel like you'd see right through even a small lie. But sometimes in a relationship, you need to be a little oblivious to make it work."

Jian Jing coldly replied: "That's because you're too easy to see through."

Si Yingjie: "..."

"What do you think?" she asked Kang Mu Cheng.

Kang Mu Cheng thought for a moment, then said: "I don't feel that way." He knew she was very capable now, having caught many criminals, but that made him worry even more.

Like today.

"Why did you suddenly change your mind?" he asked in a low voice. "Did something happen?"

Jian Jing: "No, I just felt like going on a trip."

Kang Mu Cheng looked at her, and she met his gaze nonchalantly.

"Alright." Perhaps Si Yingjie was right—sometimes in relationships, you need to be a little oblivious. "So when do you plan to submit your manuscript?"

Jian Jing: "...Next year."

Si Yingjie, getting his revenge, deliberately asked: "When next year?"

Jian Jing: "Just sometime next year."

Dealing with procrastinators, Kang Mu Cheng had more experience: "First half or second half?"

"Uh, first half, I guess," she said sheepishly. "I'll definitely write it. I'll start as soon as we get back."

He said: "I'll let you off the hook this time."

--

The plane landed in Egypt, and Jian Jing checked into a hotel next to the pyramids. Opening the curtains, she could witness one of humanity's greatest wonders.

She sank into the bathtub, soaking away the fatigue from the long flight while calling Jiang BaiYan.

"I'm sorry," she said apologetically. "I suddenly don't feel like writing at all. I just want to go out and play."

Jiang BaiYan didn't mind: "I'm not blaming you, Jing Jing. Everyone feels like not working sometimes."

"I'll bring you a gift when I come back," Jian Jing promised. "What would you like?"

He pretended to be angry: "Do friends need gifts when helping each other?"

She laughed, leaning on the edge of the bathtub: "Is Knight behaving?"

Jiang BaiYan sent a video call request.

She accepted.

Pudding was playing with a cat teaser toy, while Knight was chewing on a large bone.

"Knight," she called her dog's name.

The German Shepherd's ears immediately perked up, and he ran to the bedroom following the sound: "Woof!"

"Have you missed me?" she asked. "Be good at Little Bai's house. I'll come pick you up as soon as I get back from Egypt."

Knight: "Woof!"

"Good boy," she said, tapping the screen with a smile she couldn't suppress.

Jiang BaiYan got into bed holding Pudding and continued chatting with her: "Why are you taking a bath? Isn't it daytime there?"

"Don't even mention it. My hair was covered in dust as soon as I got off the plane," she said. "I'm going to see the pyramids later, and I don't want to look like a mess when I go."

Jiang BaiYan: "Are you going to the Nile this time?"

"Of course, we've chartered a boat," she winked. "Who knows what interesting things might happen."

Jiang BaiYan slyly remarked: "Better not, otherwise Mr. Kang will worry again."

Jian Jing: "...Brother Yingjie is here too, so it's hard to say."

Going out with Mr. Kang doesn't necessarily mean trouble, but add Si Yingjie to the mix, and it really becomes unpredictable.

--

Surprisingly, the Nile trip went smoothly.

The boat had only the four of them, plus a few crew members. The scenery along the river was nice, offering views of various Egyptian landscapes. The water was relatively clear, and the misty vapors rising from it helped dispel the intense tropical heat.

Jian Jing sat on the deck, rereading "Death on the Nile."

Revisiting this classic after many years, she was still impressed by the author's ingenious plot devices, but couldn't help feeling that love truly is murder's best companion.

Just like coffee and milk, a classic pairing.

Si Yingjie teased her: "Reading 'Death on the Nile' while on a boat, 'Murder on the Orient Express' on a train, what do you read on a plane?"

"'The Cloud Atlas Murder.'"

"What about on an island vacation?"

"'And Then There Were None'... or if that's too famous, 'Evil Under the Sun' works too."

"The North Pole?"

"'30 Days of Night.'"

"The South Pole?"

"'The Thing.'"

"Aren't those all horror movies?" Si Yingjie was speechless.

Jian Jing shrugged. So what if they were horror movies? It's not like she hadn't encountered such situations before.

Si Yingjie decided to switch to some more everyday scenarios: "What if you're stargazing with someone..."

Jian Jing: "'The Tokyo Zodiac Murders.'"

He racked his brains: "School library?"

Jian Jing: "...'The Library Mystery'?"

"There can't be one for a gymnasium, right?"

Jian Jing stared at him silently: "'The Gymnasium Mystery.'"

Si Yingjie decided to try an adult venue: "Golf course?"

Jian Jing looked at him with pity: "'Murder on the Links.'"

He exploded: "Nightclub!"

Jian Jing: "...'The Blind Spot in the Karaoke Room'?"

Si Yingjie: "What's that?"

"A manga," she wanted to tell him to stop struggling. While other classic works might choose locations leaning towards the "isolated mansion in a snowstorm" trope, there was one manga series that had been running for so long that its "tentacles" had spread to every aspect of daily life.

Cars, trains, planes, airships, hot air balloons, cruise ships - none were spared. Tourism, family visits, searching for people, vacations - most of these scenarios led to incidents. Living rooms, balconies, bedrooms, bathrooms, studies - bodies had appeared in every part of the house.

Si Yingjie sincerely sighed: "Detective novels are really too twisted."

"That's where the fun lies," Jian Jing said with a smile. "Murder is everywhere, everyone has evil thoughts, detectives and criminals engage in battles of wit, and the clash between justice and evil never ends."

She turned to Kang Mu Cheng: "What do you think, Mu Cheng?"

Kang Mu Cheng said: "I suppose so."

Jian Jing was unsatisfied: "What do you mean by 'I suppose'?"

Kang Mu Cheng: "We'll see when you write one."

"Hahaha," Si Yingjie gloated. "Serves you right, Xiao Jing. You're being pressured to write."

Jian Jing grumbled: "In the future, we need to make a deal. No pressuring me to write when we're out having fun."

"Alright, alright, I won't pressure you," Kang Mu Cheng laughed. "You're still young, take your time writing."

"Yes," she gazed at the distant shore, murmuring with a mix of hope and melancholy, "There's still a long way to go."