Chapter 218: Chapter 218

"What were you guys just playing?"

Chu River was still curious.

Chen Jingbai laughed: "The three of us are all novel writers, so the bet was to describe the bar scene in 1000 words. Whoever finishes first gets to make the last person to finish do something."

Fatty laughed heartily: "I’m a word count genius, writing a thousand words for one scene is too easy for me... I’ll take the win, thank you!"

Chen Jingbai lost the bet by two minutes and had to complete the task of asking a girl for her WeChat ID in the bar.

But after looking around, for some reason, he suddenly spotted Chu River. The most update n0vels are published on ɴovelfire.net

"Wow!" Bar bets are relatively common, but Jin Siya was surprised by something else:

"Online novels? I like reading those too. Which platform do you write on? Mind sharing your pen names?"

This is an artistic world of flourish, reading novels is a hobby for most people, so naturally there are many in this line of work. Of course, Jin Siya and Hu Yun were interested.

Fatty chuckled: "Well... as for my pen name... I’d rather not say, hahaha. My novels are historical with multiple female leads, I’m afraid you guys will beat me up!"

He was quite forthright, making it difficult for Jin Siya and Hu Yun to hold any ill will: "We wouldn’t get mad at novels with multiple female leads! And many female authors write about multiple male leads too, and I enjoy those just the same."

As to whether it’s about men and women, or man on man, that’s not certain hehehehe.

The medium height man beside them sighed: "I don’t believe it... clearly you female readers are the pickiest about this."

Hu Yun laughed: "We’re not mad because of the multiple female leads, it’s definitely not because of pure romance dramas... In my opinion, I prefer novels with one female lead, but if I don’t like something, I just won’t read it—it’s not about love or hate. But there are some novels, with multiple romantic arcs and female leads, yet it’s still bragging how deeply affectionate the protagonist is, how he’s helpless... that’s what’s disgusting."

"Do you mean that kind of character setup isn’t popular?"

He felt a little numb.

"Aren’t female readers usually fond of deeply affectionate characters?"

Jin Siya burst into laughter: "Just think about it, if you meet a girl who’s quite flirtatious, playing around, with her heart set only on her career, and her boyfriends are just added flavors to her life... would you dislike that?"

Fatty thought about it: "If I knew beforehand what kind of person she was and both parties consented, I think there’s nothing wrong with that."

The man next to him nodded, but still felt compelled to add: "I wouldn’t like that kind of girl."

Jin Siya and Hu Yun were seasoned professionals, what haven’t they seen?

Between a person speaking honestly and another appearing sincere, it’s much more comfortable than some hypocritically righteous faces.

Furthermore, Chu River and Chen Jingbai were also listening intently, so the two novel enthusiasts became even more animated:

"Think about it, if you also have a girlfriend who’s wholeheartedly devoted, attentive, promising to not have any boyfriend other than you for her entire life, and even willing to risk her life for you—but when another man sacrifices for her, she can’t hurt him, so she has to divide her feelings, cooking for you and being a dutiful wife and good mother to someone else too..."

Fatty turned green in the face.

The man beside him shook his head vigorously: "I can’t, I cannot..."

Chu River suddenly thought of the original protagonist and couldn’t help but laugh too.

Jin Siya relaxed a bit more and opened a packet of snacks: "Now you understand which types of novels us girls hate, right?"

Fatty wore a bitter expression.

"I used to write urban fantasy, where the male lead cultivated a detached path, only striving for the ultimate truth. A bunch of women around him, and judging by the background, there are still quite a few female fans who like it, and the results were decent... But I didn’t expect when I started a new book—the male lead is reincarnated, first saves his fiancée, then heroically helps his delicate childhood sweetheart..."

He took a sip of his drink: "I thought this male lead would be more popular! I crafted my outline really well..."

Chu River looked up: "Is the novel not doing well?"

"No, no, no." Fatty shook his head: "Although many female fans left, a lot of male fans joined, I just can’t understand why many fans say in the group that they have misjudged me..."

He was bitter, wailing at this moment: "I also want female fans who appreciate me... It gives such prestige... But after the new book, even female authors I know stopped chatting with me, calling it disgusting..."

He couldn’t figure out why a novel with multiple female leads and characters could attract female fans with the previous detached path story, but not with this one!

Otherwise, he wouldn’t skip writing properly and instead drag friends out for a drink late at night.

Chu River nodded: "It is indeed disgusting."

She analyzed calmly: "The male lead following the path of being detached rises step by step, with a very clear goal of becoming stronger—no one dislikes power, and it’s human nature to follow strength, regardless of gender. However, since girls tend to like spinning thoughts and associations, they can’t help but imagine the other’s emotions, or admire his firm determination—a trait that is actually very rare and outstanding, naturally attracting a lot of female fans."

"But with your new book, you gave the male lead too perfect a setting right from the start—no girl wouldn’t imagine a deeply loving male lead who’s gentle and protective only to her. Presenting them such a male lead is like giving them a dream husband."

She laughed, full of meaning: "So what happens when a wife finds out her husband is cheating?"

Fatty collapsed crying on the floor.

The man next to him also grew dejected—

"It’s over... I crafted my new book’s outline with Fatty, and I had the same idea ahhh..."

Chen Jingbai chuckled: "Well, there’s nothing you can do about it then..."

He actually looked at Chu River: "I think your analysis is quite accurate... When I have ideas for my new book in the future, can I discuss them with you?"

His demeanor couldn’t be more earnest.

Fatty and his buddy glared at Chen Jingbai—what a sneaky bastard! Do you think you’re a rookie who needs guidance?!

Jin Siya and Hu Yun sighed silently—turns out they were just foils all along.

Chu River was equally serious: "Sure."

"But those remarks earlier were based on comments and reviews I found online, I was just summarizing them, not my personal views."

Chen Jingbai was momentarily stunned—they hadn’t mentioned which book, and she didn’t have time to check her phone, so how did she do the summary?

But he quickly brushed that aside and curiously asked: "Then what are your own views?"

Chu River seriously said: "If it were my personal preference, I’d want only one protagonist, with no need for any romance. Whether it’s a man or a woman, it would only slow down my sword-drawing speed."

However, Jin Siya and Hu Yun nodded enthusiastically: "Girl, you see things clearly!" Experience really counts.

Chu River calmly accepted.

The reason she pulled out so much information for analysis was just after considering that her ex-boyfriend Su Tiankuo’s future also lay in novel writing, and knowing more peers in the industry wouldn’t hurt.

While they were talking, Chen Jingbai glanced at Chu River’s social media and was instantly stunned—

"You just broke up today?"

Chu River finally remembered: "Oh yeah, I broke up today—exciting! I never had a breakup before!"

Feeling some regret: "I should’ve known we should have gone out for a good meal to celebrate."

Everyone was speechless—you broke up, girl, not won an award, why make it sound so thrilling?

For a moment, Chen Jingbai felt an odd sensation, then he joked: "No worries, whatever you want to eat is also available here, my treat—but if you don’t mind sharing, why did you break up? With your temper and character, it’s impossible anyone would be picky about you."

Jin Siya leaned towards Hu Yun: "He’s really nosy, definitely has a crush on Little Chu."

Hu Yun remained composed: "No worries, Little Chu has experience, she won’t lose in a relationship."