mijobooks Chapter 27 Men must learn to protect themselves when they are out and about!
Chapter 27 Men must learn to protect themselves when they are out and about!
In the blink of an eye, a week has almost passed.
Chen Mo continued his work as usual.
His "Smart Community Management System" project is progressing steadily despite some setbacks, but the overall progress is in line with expectations.
Meanwhile, the progress of the system task "Brave Lifestyle Enthusiast" has quietly reached 65% amidst the daily routine and occasional little surprises.
The least noticeable change is probably in his fantasy novel, "The Immortal Clan in the Mortal World".
Since receiving the signing notification from the website last week and completing the electronic signing, the status of my work has been changed to "Signed Work".
He was also pulled into his author group by the editor "Huya".
The group is very lively, with authors discussing data, recommendations, writer's block, and various gossip from the online literature circle every day.
Chen Mo mostly just watched silently, occasionally interjecting with a word or two.
After all, newcomers should have the awareness of newcomers.
Besides, his book's sales figures are unremarkable; there's nothing to brag about or talk about.
Every day, the number of favorites increases by a dozen or twenty, and the number of recommendation votes also increases by dozens, with the occasional monthly vote.
In short, the fantasy of "taking off" from the very beginning was completely shattered.
Lukewarm.
However, the follow-up data in the background is slowly increasing every day.
This put Chen Mo at ease a little.
This at least shows that the readers who stay are genuinely reading, rather than just casually adding it to their favorites and then forgetting it in a corner of their bookshelf.
Furthermore, the readers' reviews are also quite good.
Although there weren't many comments, most of them were encouraging and supportive.
"Keep it up, author! The family cultivation setting is very novel!"
"I follow it every day, but could you please update more frequently?"
"I like the protagonist's personality; he's neither a saint nor a mindless killer."
These simple messages became Chen Mo's biggest motivation to open the author's back-end system every day.
But he also knew it in his heart.
Such data is still quite far from being considered a "trial run".
The so-called "trial promotion" is the first round of recommendations for new books on Qidian.com. Based on the data performance of other works published at the same time, subsequent recommendation resources will be determined.
For new authors, testing the waters is a crucial first step.
On Wednesday evening, Chen Mo inquired about the status of his data in the authors' group.
[Spicy Tofu Pudding]: Dear experts, I'm a newbie and would like to ask for some advice. I currently have over 300 favorites and about 70-80 reads. Is there any hope for me to try this out?
Several authors responded quickly.
[Gu Qu]: Tch, it's not number one on the category's new book chart, what's the point of writing it!
[Manke1]: Fantasy novels? Fantasy novels are quite popular right now. None of my books have taken off yet, so your data is... uncertain, but you can keep reading.
[Lu Yue Shijiu]: It's really hard for newcomers to write Xianxia (fantasy/martial arts) novels. I've been writing Xuanhuan (fantasy/mythical) novels for a long time and I'm still struggling.
[Willow Bank Flowers Bright Again]: New writers who want to make a name for themselves in the fantasy genre really need perseverance and luck. After all, I quit my last fantasy novel after writing 500,000 words.
【Taibai Cat】: Forget it, let's change the subject and write about urban life with me!
……
[Spicy Tofu Pudding]: Oh, I see... Thank you everyone.
Chen Mo looked at the replies from authors he didn't recognize in the group and felt a mix of emotions.
Everyone in the group was chiming in with their own opinions!
But most of them are just jokes and banter!
Sure enough, signing a contract is only the first step for online novels.
Making money from this is not an easy thing.
But he was not discouraged.
On the contrary, the words of these "seniors" aroused his competitive spirit.
After all, the first book was the story I most wanted to write.
He also has confidence in himself.
It's not blind confidence, but rather confidence in one's literary skills and storytelling ability based on the improvement of system attributes.
Moreover, he didn't write novels purely for making money, or at least not entirely.
This is also a form of expression, an attitude towards life, and perhaps it can be considered part of being a "brave life enthusiast".
Besides his own books, Chen Mo would occasionally check out Su Xiao's new books on the platform when he had free time.
The data was worlds apart from his book.
Look at the medal record.
On the first day of her new book's release, it garnered over 10,000 favorites, and the number of recommendation votes increased by thousands. The comment section was as lively as a market, filled with requests for updates, donations, and lengthy reviews...
That's the influence of platinum authors.
It not only has a huge readership and fan base, but also a series of new book events, recommendation slots, and exposure traffic provided by the platform.
Chen Mo looked at the staggering data, but remained calm.
This is normal.
Su Xiao got to where she is today through her own abilities and years of hard work.
It's alright, he opened Su Xiao's new book and read a few chapters.
Judging solely from the writing style, given his high level of literary skill, a fair assessment would be warranted...
The film is exquisite, the characters are vividly portrayed, and the pacing of the plot is just right.
The female protagonist's workplace predicaments and psychological struggles are particularly realistic.
Perhaps the advice he gave last time also played a part in this.
Chen Mo smiled, but he couldn't immerse himself in the female-oriented novels.
He closed the page and continued writing his novel, "The Immortal Clan in the Mortal World".
Everyone has their own path to walk.
Su Xiao has her own level of achievement, and he has his own pace.
……
This Friday afternoon, 5:30 pm.
Chen Mo saved the last project document, turned off the computer, and breathed a long sigh of relief.
The work week is over.
The week went relatively smoothly. There were no new developments from Team Leader Li's side for the time being, and the internal coordination within the project team was gradually improving.
Lin Wei's suggestion to conduct advance stress tests and safety assessments has been reported to Minister Huang and Manager Shen and has received their support.
The company's security team will get involved next week.
Everything is going in a good direction.
Chen Mo packed his things, said goodbye to his colleagues, and got up to leave his workstation.
But as soon as I reached the company's main entrance, I heard hurried footsteps behind me.
"Chen Mo! Wait!"
It's Wang Qing.
She jogged after him, a hint of anxiety on her face.
Chen Mo stopped and turned around to ask, "What's wrong?"
"Um... could you do me a favor?"
Wang Qing said somewhat embarrassedly, "One of the light bulbs in my living room chandelier is broken, and it won't light up no matter how I press the switch."
Chen Mo: "???"
"I'm a woman at home all alone, I don't know how to do these things at all. Could you please help me change them?" she said, her eyes filled with expectation.
Chen Mo checked the time; he had just gotten off work and didn't have anything planned for the evening. He nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go with you."
"Thank you!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Qing immediately smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
The two took the subway together to Wang Qing's apartment complex.
On the way, Wang Qing chatted enthusiastically with Chen Mo, talking about everything from work to life, and then from life to the latest TV series.
Chen Mo mostly just listened, occasionally chiming in with a few words.
He could actually sense that Wang Qing's feelings for him had changed recently.
He might have had some ideas before.
but now……
Chen Mo shook his head inwardly.
Now his demands are higher.
It's not like he'll take a woman just because she approaches him.
Moreover, he believed he knew Wang Qing quite well.
Enthusiastic and proactive, but also a bit...clingy and pragmatic.
Once you're involved, if things fall apart and you don't end up together, it will be very difficult to get rid of the ties.
Therefore, she is suitable as a colleague, maintaining a certain distance and helping each other, but not suitable for developing any other closer relationship.
At least for Chen Mo right now, it's not suitable.
We arrived at Wang Qing's house.
This is a small one-bedroom apartment decorated in a very girly style, with pink curtains, a fluffy carpet, and several plush toys on the sofa.
As Wang Qing walked towards the kitchen, she said with a smile, "Please make yourself at home, I'll get you a glass of water."
"No need to trouble yourself, let me check the light bulb first." Chen Mo said, walking to the chandelier in the living room and looking up at it.
It's a very ordinary ceiling light, and it doesn't look anything unusual.
"Where is the switch?" he asked.
"It's at the door," Wang Qing pointed.
Chen Mo walked over and pressed the switch.
"Clatter".
The lights came on.
Bright yet soft light instantly filled the entire living room.
Chen Mo: "..."
Wang Qing was also stunned.
She walked over with a water glass, looking "surprised," and said, "That's strange, it wouldn't light up no matter how I pressed it yesterday, but it worked as soon as you came in?"
Her acting wasn't bad, but Chen Mo still noticed the slight deliberate effort in her eyes.
He said, "Since the light is fine, I'll head back now."
"Hey, wait a minute!"
Wang Qing quickly put down her water glass and walked briskly to him.
"I feel so bad that you made a wasted trip."
Her tone carried a hint of coquetry as she said, "Since you're already here, I should at least treat you to a meal before you leave. If you don't mind, I'll cook something and we can have some drinks."
"..."
Chen Mo looked at her, his mind perfectly clear.
He is not a fool.
The light bulb wasn't broken, but I specifically asked him to come over and help.
Now they want him to stay for dinner.
The intention is all too obvious.
"It's not really appropriate for just the two of us, a man and a woman, to be alone together."
Chen Mo said jokingly, "You have a boyfriend."
We broke up a long time ago, and I'm single now.
Wang Qing immediately said.
She stared directly at Chen Mo, her gaze carrying a hint of provocation and teasing, and said, "You're not scared, are you? I'm a grown woman and I'm not scared, what are you afraid of?"
Chen Mo smiled.
He suddenly remembered a sentence he had seen online before.
So he said in the same joking tone, "Men need to learn to protect themselves when they're out and about."
"???"
Wang Qing was amused by his words and said, "It's just a meal, I'm not going to eat you up, why are you so scared?"
"Or are you getting promoted to supervisor and now you're looking down on me as a colleague?"
"no."
Chen Mo shook his head and said seriously, "I'm afraid of myself. I've been single for so long, and you're so beautiful. What if I act impulsively and can't control myself?"
Wang Qing was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "It's okay, I don't need you to take responsibility."
"But I'm a responsible man, so I'll head back now. See you Monday."
After saying that, Chen Mo smiled and, without waiting for Wang Qing's reaction, turned around, opened the door, and left.
"..."
Wang Qing stood alone in the living room, the smile on her face gradually fading, replaced by a trace of frustration and resentment.
……
Chen Mo walked out of Wang Qing's residential compound and looked up at the sky.
As the sun sets, the sky is tinged with orange-red.
Because of the delay, it's almost seven o'clock now.
I'm a little hungry, but I don't want to go home and cook for myself.
Today is Friday, so let's treat it as a day off.
So Chen Mo decided to find a restaurant nearby and grab a bite.
As he was walking slowly down the street, his phone suddenly vibrated.
Chen Mo took it out and saw that it was a WeChat message from Su Xiao.
Su Xiao: [Chen Mo, have you eaten?]
Although Chen Mo added the other party on WeChat, he only sent messages when he needed to contact them, and otherwise they rarely chatted privately.
He replied: "Not yet, just got off work."
Su Xiao: [That's perfect! I'd like to invite you to dinner, and while I'm at it... to continue learning from you and give me some inspiration.]
Su Xiao: [Ugh, my new book is stuck again, I desperately need help!]
It was followed by a "pitiful" emoji.
Chen Mo couldn't help but laugh.
He thought for a moment, then joked, "Okay, but you're treating. We agreed you'd treat last time, but you ran away faster than a rabbit."
Su Xiao: [Haha, that time I was just bursting with inspiration, I couldn't stop it! I'll definitely treat you properly this time! Where are you? I'll come pick you up.]
Chen Mo looked around and sent his location.
Su Xiao: [I'm not far from you, about twenty minutes away. Find a place to sit and wait for me.]
Chen Mo: [Okay.]
After putting down his phone, Chen Mo suddenly felt much more relaxed.
He didn't know why, but he felt very comfortable around Su Xiao.
There's no pressure, no calculation; it's as natural as chatting with a like-minded friend.
Chen Mo found a convenience store, bought a bottle of water, and sat in the rest area by the entrance to wait.
Twenty minutes later, a white BMW 5 Series slowly pulled up to the side of the road.
The car window rolled down, and Su Xiao leaned out and waved to him.
"Chen Mo, over here!"
Chen Mo got up, walked over, opened the car door, and sat in the passenger seat.
The car was very clean and had a faint, pleasant fragrance, not perfume, but more like the scent of some kind of plant.
Su Xiao was dressed casually today, wearing a white T-shirt and light blue jeans, with her hair casually draped over her shoulders, making her look several years younger than her actual age.
"Have you been waiting long?" she asked with a smile.
"No, I just sat down a short while ago." Chen Mo fastened his seatbelt.
"What would you like to eat?"
As Su Xiao started the car, she asked, "Chinese food, Western food, Japanese food, or something else?"
"I'm fine with either, you decide."
"How about... we go eat Japanese food?"
Su Xiao suggested, "I know a really good restaurant. The ingredients are fresh, and the environment is quiet, which is perfect for chatting."
"it is good."
Su Xiao drives very steadily and calmly, which is very much like her personality.
In the car, Chen Mo asked, "Where are you stuck with your new book again?"
"Sigh, it's still about the people."
Su Xiao sighed and said, "The female lead's career storyline is well-developed, but the romance storyline has run into problems."
I arranged a competitor for her, who was also a senior executive in the company. The two were business rivals, but they also admired each other.
I wanted to capture that feeling of being both rivals and friends, of mutual respect, but when I wrote it, I always felt something was missing.
"Is the competitor a man?" Chen Mo asked.
"Yes, the character is an elite who has returned from overseas. She is highly capable, good-looking, proud but principled."
Su Xiao said, "But I don't want to write the cliché 'domineering CEO falls in love with me' kind of story. Instead, I want to write about the mutual attraction and struggle between two independent souls."
Chen Mo thought for a few seconds and said, "I think you can start with the details."