Chapter 34: How Dare It!

"It's nothing, just a bit speechless."

Chen Fan looked up at the stars. The chubby cat, Xingxing, was already itching to explore his new domain, squirming restlessly in Peng Jiaxin's arms.

"I bought him a cat tree. Someone is coming to install it later. If I don't hear them, remember to open the door."

"OK."

Xingxing finally managed to wriggle free from Peng Jiaxin's embrace and began to explore the first floor, but before he could take two steps, Chen Fan scooped him up.

"This little guy has sticky fingers; don't let him break your things."

"Meow!"

Who are you calling a thief! It was clearly your stuff that was placed in the wrong spot! How can you blame me!

"Hmm... there's nothing valuable on the first floor anyway, so it wouldn't matter if he broke something."

Chen Fan chuckled, unconvinced. He pointed casually at an inconspicuous vase used as a decoration on the coffee table.

"How much is this?"

"A few million? I'm not sure. I saw it in my dad's collection room. I needed a vase at the time and thought it would look nice, so I just took it."

"..."

"Alright, let's just let him stay in his luxury bedroom."

Ignoring Xingxing's protests, Chen Fan carried him back to his room. He then returned to the sofa, pondering how exactly he should go about fixing Meng Wei's social ineptitude.

"Why are you sitting so far away?"

Peng Jiaxin glanced at the space between them, wide enough for a person to lie down in.

"Come over here."

"Coming."

Chen Fan shifted over to sit beside Peng Jiaxin. Their hands naturally found each other and intertwined.

Just then, April sent Chen Fan a message, informing him that the contract with Xinghai Company had been finalized and that he would be responsible for the follow-up coordination.

"Understood."

Peng Jiaxin received the news as well, her surprise evident.

"Chen Fan, we've secured the adaptation rights for 'The Flame Emperor'!"

"Is that so? Congratulations."

"It's all thanks to you. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't even have been able to contact him."

Typing with her left hand was a bit inconvenient, so Peng Jiaxin let go. Before Chen Fan could even feel a sense of loss, she leaned into his embrace. She kicked off her slippers, adjusted her posture, and rested against him, her fingers flying across the screen. It was clear how happy she was to have landed the animation rights for "The Flame Emperor."

I wonder what her reaction will be when she finds out I am Zijin, he thought. Heh, she’ll probably be even happier, right?

"By the way, Great Master Zijin, 'The Flame Emperor' is coming to an end. Have you considered what your next book will be about?"

April had come with a mission today; otherwise, she wouldn't have chosen to contact Chen Fan on a weekend. Even with someone leaning against him, it didn't hinder Chen Fan's ability to type with one hand. The effectiveness of his daily practice was on full display in this moment.

"I do. I'm planning to write an urban-themed story—the very healing kind."

"Ah?"

April paused. She was currently on a video call with two editors-in-chief from Eight Cats Network. Seeing her hesitation, they immediately asked what was going on.

"Does Zijin disagree?"

"Or is he saying he wants to go to another website?"

"No, Great Master Zijin says he wants to switch genres."

Upon hearing this, the two editors frowned, just as April had. It was common knowledge that just because a novelist writes one book well, it doesn't mean every book will be a success. Countless master authors have tried to step out of their comfort zones, but how many actually succeeded? Most eventually returned to what they were good at. Yes, Zijin had blazed a new trail with his "underdog" xianxia style, but that didn't mean he could write other genres well. They had to persuade him; if the new book failed, it would be a complete waste of his current popularity.

"April, what genre did he say he wants to write?"

"Urban healing."

The editors' brows relaxed significantly. It seemed he wasn't planning on doing anything reckless. An urban healing story was essentially just a romance; with Zijin's writing style, it shouldn't be hard to pull off. Combined with his existing fan base, a hit was guaranteed, though whether it could reach the heights of "The Flame Emperor" remained to be seen.

"Well... it's probably useless to try and persuade an author who became famous with one book."

"True. Geniuses always have their own ideas. Once he realizes that urban novels don't earn as much as xianxia, he'll probably come back on his own."

"Hmm, maybe he'll make a name for himself in the urban genre too. After all, he is a genius."

Since the editors had said as much, April naturally wouldn't argue.

"So, should I tell him it's okay?"

"Yes, tell him that."

"I understand. Great Master Zijin, when do you plan to start the book? Our website can coordinate with you on the promotion."

In his previous life, that book was known as the ultimate fantasy for the "loser" archetype, and Chen Fan wasn't sure if readers here would like it. After all, the current trend favored stories about Dragon Kings descending from the mountains or soldiers returning home.

"In a couple of days. Once I finish up some things here, I'll write an opening for you to see."

"Great!"

"What are you chatting about?"

"Talking to my editor about starting a new book."

"Starting a new book?"

Peng Jiaxin suddenly remembered that her husband was also a novelist.

"Come to think of it, I don't even know the name of the book you're writing."

Chen Fan smiled mysteriously.

"You'll know in a couple of days."

"..."

"I'll stop bothering you. I need to go to the study and arrange the workflow. The author of 'The Flame Emperor' is coming to our company for negotiations soon. Do you want to come and see the great master's demeanor?"

"Sure, I won't be in the way if I'm just watching, right?" Chen Fan asked, suppressing a laugh.

"It's fine, just wear an Animation Department badge."

Zijin was coming to discuss the specifics of the animation adaptation, and the entire department would be attending, so one extra person wouldn't matter.

Peng Jiaxin went upstairs to work. Not long after, Chen Fan waited on the sofa for the workers in uniforms to arrive to install the cat tree. After he signed the papers, parts resembling a small mountain were carried in, leaving Chen Fan speechless. Was Peng Jiaxin planning to build a castle for Xingxing?

Xingxing was sent to Chen Fan's room while the men went to work. After an entire afternoon of labor, Xingxing's room had been completely renovated. Bases for climbing were installed everywhere, and the structure in the center of the room was less of a cat tree and more of a small villa. The walls and floors were covered in a material Chen Fan didn't recognize, which they said would serve as a giant cat scratching board for Xingxing.

"Not bad."

Peng Jiaxin appeared behind Chen Fan at some point. Seeing the renovated room, she nodded with satisfaction.

"Two bosses, we'll be heading off now."

"Alright, come back at the same time next month."

"Will do."

The crew packed up their tools and left with their bags. Chen Fan looked at Peng Jiaxin, who was going to retrieve Xingxing, in confusion.

"Why have them come back next month?"

"To change the scratching board. It's a consumable, isn't it? It has to be changed once a month. Right, Xingxing?"

"Meow~"

Indeed, hairless ape, you really should learn more from this female hairless ape.

"..."

Chen Fan looked at Xingxing, then at the luxury cat room. Why on earth did this guy deserve to live in a place like this? His net worth didn't even match!