"Ah, yes," I nod to his statement. "Do make him grab her by the hand and stare at her intensely, will you? He'll mutter 'I love you. I love your smile. I love your mouth that opens wide like that of a fool.' Make sure to depict the way his eyes glimmer with lust."
"This.." the pedant sigh briefly before continuing. "Yes, Elder Miss."
Frankly, I don't pay him enough for this. This was probably not what he expected.
"What else would you like me to include in chapter fourty seven?"
"Insert a scene where he embraces her, informing her that 'I have never accepted anyone else's feelings and don't intend to anytime. I, Chen Lian Mo, will only have eyes for you," I snicker in joy.
"Is this after the misfortunate event?"
I nod and tap my chin, "It would only be fair to make it after the danger, so yes. Oh, oh! And have him stroke her cheeks and kiss her forehead during her sleep."
"This.. Elder Miss.. It is improper for men and women to touch each other prior to marriage. Propriety should be kept!"
"That," I announce to the pedant, "Sir, is where you are incorrect. Mencius has once said, 'He who would not so rescue the drowning woman is a wolf. To rescue her with the hand is a peculiar exigency, no?'"
"Such principle is true; however, how would drowning relate to the following scenario?" He ponders with curiosity, his eyes bulging in wonder.
"Of course it is relative! For she is drowning!" I utter in disbelief of his disposition, "She is drowning in love!"
The pedant complies, "If the Elder Miss says so, I concur."
"Sister!"
I detect where the sound come from. It's Xi Ning, who holds a plate of desserts in her hand. "I have made some guihuagao for mother. I thought I would bring you some as well." She lays the plate on the resting table a few feet away.
"That's very considerate of you, Ning'er."
How wonderful of the female lead. I didn't create her intangible traits for nothing.
"Look here, I am completing my second novel," I tell her as I pick a guihuagao from her plate and munch on it.
"Second? Have you already completed the first one?"
Oops! I forgot that I created my first novel in the present.
"Forgive me. I meant to say first novel," I blurt out nervously. Good lord!
"But sister, I have questioned why you decided to create your own novel. You despise the arts quite a while ago."
"Ah, you see, even you said 'quite a while ago.' I have recently taken a liking in writing. Through cultural diffusion, I have been inspired by the foreigner's special taste in books. Now! I will develop one of my own."
"Really?" She gasps in shock, "A foreigner's tale? Please tell Ning'er about it!"
I scratch my head, "Er..."
The male lead has a strange fetish, where he enjoys inflicting pain on others. The female lead falls for his disputable traits anyways. The relationship was preposterous to begin with!
I can't possibly tell her about the fact that I based it on a quite provocative and voluptuous book!
"You see," I try to create a purified version of the book. "It's about a man who has a strange habit of.." I force myself to think hard, "..loving women too much he may hurt them. He hides it from others but one day, when his significant other discovers it, he has no choice but to tell her. I-Instead of leaving him, she accepts him for his true self. In the end, he changes his habit for the best."
Xi Ning claps her hands in joy, "Such happy ending!"
She takes a seat around the resting table, "Have you had a purpose of centralizing the story around a young maiden and an imperial military soldier?"
"Mm.." I contemplate, "Not really. I just feel like it. Why?" I munch on another guihuagao. So tasty! I pour some tea into a porcelain cup and drink it.
"Could it be, you favor the son of the Brocade-Clad Commander, he who brought you home?" She chuckles, taking a glimpse at me for my response.
I spat out my tea, "No way! Me and him, impossible! He created a mess and made me deal with it. If anything, I would deem him as an enemy."
"He is so handsome and talented, would you not think so?"
I cough, "Of course he is, but his attitude isn't."
I snatch the final booklet off the pedant's hand, "Finally!" I smile happily to the pedant, who expresses his sense of relief with a dutiful nod. "Finished product!"I want to thank Xiu Ying, who managed to help me convince Yuan Zi Yan's parents that inviting a pedant to "teach me" will somehow serve as a torturous method for me.
This marks a whole month since I have been stuck here. Sure, writing again has lift some weights off my shoulders but life is not the same. I forgot my privileges in the 21st century: when I can go out to wherever I want, where I can see my parents whenever I want.I slowly drift back again into pessimistic thoughts.
I was about to leave until I see a hydrangea on the corner of my eyes. It is lying within a small box next to his vintage arithmetic calculator."No way. Hydrangeas!" I point to the box in surprise.One of my top favorite flowers when I was studying botany. I
Following the introduction and history of the villages, we took a trip to examine the village's conditions. In order to reason with the Yuan family, I had Xiu Ning tell Madam and Master Yuan that I am paying pardons for my unfortunate deeds in a temple. They seem to be satisfied at the fact that I am asking for forgiveness and saving the Yuan household's face.One thing I am fine with is the fact that Madam and Master Yuan can care less about Yuan Zi Yan's whereabouts. That is convenient and easygoing!
"Take a look at this." Li Shi Zhen hands me a catalog with ancient Chinese words I cannot comprehend."I cannot read-" I pause before continue, "I don't favor reading. I usually meticulously observe my evidences." I subconsciously laugh to express my incongruous emotions.Xu Kai's eyes are shoot
We had our dinner by sharing a wild rooster. Li Shi Zhen said that he caught it in the wild, but by the looks of it, it was Sir Xu who hunted the rooster.All of the tents as well as the bonfire is set up now.Xiu Ying insists on preparing the sleeping tent as comfortable as possible for me whil
When everything seemed quiet and everyone seems to have fallen asleep, I sought to finally join too.After some time, I hear ruffles and the shuffling sound of bushes. My eyes immediately open and the sound of swords clashing surprise me, causing me to stand up."Miss, do you hear that?" I nod,
We stay on the low for the rest of the night in the rural village.By the time it was morning, we hurry into another horse carriage and head back to the city through another route. It should be safer this way, as it is a secret route.. at least according to Co-Commander Xu Kai.Inside the carria
The door gradually opens up. A strange feeling envelopes Yan Zi, as she raises her head to face the Director.A distance away from Yan Zi stands a figure she thought she'd never see again.Her brows furrow, her eyes widen. She becomes aware of her own heartbeat.
The sun has risen 365 times since she last saw his face. The whistling winds dance with the grass and florals, unbinding the dandelions that adrift throughout the sky.The dawn is calling, as the soft grass laps at her feet and tickles her finger.She chooses
It is pitch black.The absence of light deprives her of her senses. She stumbles into the essence of darkness.Then suddenly, as if a flick of a switch, a glimpse of light shines down on Yuan Zi Yan.
Three figures grieve be forth an empty grave.As General Li and Scholar Li rise up from the ground, they notice that Sir Xu does not move an inch. His eyes rest on the gravestone, heavy in thought.When General Li attempts to tap Sir Xu's shoulders, Schol
Riding his armored horse, Sir Xu rushes past the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees. "Please be okay.. Zi Yan."He thinks back to what happened in the morning today...It is early morning when General Li, Sir Xu, and Scholar Li gather in the Guest Room. General Li huffs through her tear
The pale crescent moon shines down like a silvery claw in the night.Yuan Zi Yan and Xu Kai is now strolling along a river near the up-roaring city. They take a seat on a smooth stone, resting beside each other.The two watch the blanket of stars that stretch to infinity. Stars of all sorts of c
Tiny specks of dust seem to dance in the shaft of afternoon sunlight that slant through the broken windows.Yuan Zi Yan wakes up to Xu Kai by her side. Their hands are intertwined together, with their bodies lying facing each other.Gazing at the sleeping Xu Kai, she lifts up her hands to trace
Yuan Zi Yan listens as the rain continues to pour down. Now, there is barely any sunlight.It's okay, Zi Yan. Someone will find you. You left a letter, remember?She tries to wait it out, but soon falls asleep.
Yuan Zi Yan hears humming, a faint tune. The voice sings:"Enjoy every little thing that life throws your way.""..The sunsets, the laughter, the moon, the gatherings, the takeaways. For you will wake up one day and realize that you are living someone's dream. Enjoy everything, as such a beautif