Chapter 66: The Magic of Barbecue

"How do you know that Zijin's book is actually pretty good?"

Xiang Yongyang looked at Chen Fan with a puzzled expression.

"Uh..."

Chen Fan was eating a piece of crispy fried pork. He hadn't expected to blurt that out so casually, but it was no big deal anyway. Writing novels was his day job, so what if he let it slip?

Just as he was about to confess to Xiang Yongyang, Peng Jiaxin, who had been listening to their conversation, chimed in.

"Have you forgotten? Chen Fan and Zijin are friends."

Xiang Yongyang's eyes gradually cleared up.

"Oh! I remember now. You punk even hyped up Zijin before. Tell me, do you already have Zijin's new novel in your hands?"

Chen Fan: "......"

He felt a sense of helplessness, wanting to tell the truth but unable to do so.

"Well... I've read the first few chapters, I suppose."

"Quick, send it to me!"

"Didn't you say you wanted to focus on reading *Flame Emperor*?"

"That can wait. I just want to know how good Zijin's sci-fi writing level actually is so I have a baseline. You have no idea how arrogant those internet trolls are being right now. Several times I wanted to play my piano piece to go head-to-head with them online, but lacking confidence, I had to back down."

"......"

"I made a promise with them not to leak it, but I can guarantee you that the quality is absolutely top-notch."

On this point, Chen Fan had absolute confidence—not in himself, but in *The Three-Body Problem*. As an award-winning sci-fi masterpiece from his past life that had taken the world by storm, there was no reason it wouldn't work in this world. The same logic applied to *Flame Emperor*.

An outstanding work is outstanding anywhere.

"Having your word is enough for me!"

Xiang Yongyang let out a series of sinister laughs ("Jiejiejie"), ready to go back and flex his muscles.

Suddenly, Peng Jiaxin understood why Ning Lu "occasionally" liked Xiang Yongyang; this guy's looks really were a bit unpredictable.

Ever since he almost exposed his alternative persona, Chen Fan hadn't logged onto Weibo, but he hadn't expected the internet to still be this lively.

Should he discuss with April about releasing a bit of hype? Letting the trolls keep driving the topic like this wasn't a long-term solution.

Action speaks louder than words. Chen Fan took out his phone and started discussing it with April.

Seeing that Chen Fan was getting busy, the others didn't disturb him and chatted among themselves.

April replied very quickly.

"Actually, we had the same idea, but since we're still not quite clear on what Zijin has planned for the later chapters, we aren't sure how best to hype it up."

If they made big claims and the actual content ended up mismatching, wouldn't that just be a slap in the face?

Chen Fan understood; they were asking him for the subsequent manuscript.

Because of a past incident where a sudden power outage caused him to lose half a day's worth of writing, Chen Fan was now used to keeping a saved copy of his completed drafts on his phone. He forwarded the file directly to April.

"I plan to write the *Three-Body* series in three parts. This is the content for the first part."

"Got it, I've received it."

After replying to Chen Fan, April clenched her fist in excitement.

"Nice!"

As for the manuscript, of course she would hand it over to the editor-in-chief tomorrow. Tonight, she would enjoy Zijin's new masterpiece all by herself~

She soon immersed herself in the world of *The Three-Body Problem*.

After finishing the discussion with April, Chen Fan began to focus wholeheartedly on eating.

He swore he had already eaten his fill before coming here, but barbecue seemed to have some kind of magic. As you ate and chatted, no matter how full you were, there was always room to squeeze a little more in.

Peng Jiaxin couldn't resist either and ended up eating a bit extra.

It was worth mentioning that all the barbecue ordered today was chosen by Xiang Yongyang. Everything served was either chives or oysters, and even the drinks had changed from beer to herbal liquor. Chen Fan gave Xiang Yongyang a meaningful look, while Ning Lu's face flushed red, not daring to look at Peng Jiaxin.

"What? I suddenly felt like eating oysters, is that not allowed?"

"Of course it is."

Chen Fan held back his laughter and said nothing.

This meal lasted for several hours. Chen Fan even received a text message from Chen Mengting reporting that she had arrived home safely before they finally wrapped up.

While waiting for the designated driver, Chen Fan leaned close to Xiang Yongyang's ear and whispered.

"The first time is always like that, it's completely normal."

Xiang Yongyang shuddered all over, turned his head to look at Chen Fan with a gaze as if he were looking at a savior.

"Really? Is it?! I looked it up online and they said the same thing."

Back then, Ning Lu's casual remark of "Huh? It's over already?" had almost shattered Xiang Yongyang's mental defenses. He had wanted to prove he was still capable, but unfortunately, Ning Lu was feeling a bit inconvenienced at the moment, leaving him agonizing over it all by himself.

The reason he had been clinging to Ning Lu just now was purely out of fear that she would look down on him.

Chen Fan nodded while holding back his laughter.

"Yeah."

"So you too...?"

Xiang Yongyang looked at Chen Fan with full anticipation.

Chen Fan shook his head. What he actually wanted to say was that he hadn't reached that stage yet, but in Xiang Yongyang's eyes, Chen Fan was simply showing off.

His whole body instantly deflated.

The designated driver called by Ning Lu arrived first, so they left ahead of time.

Not long after, Ning Lu sent a video. In the video, a drunk Xiang Yongyang was hugging her arm and acting spoiled, murmuring things like "You can't abandon me," leaving Ning Lu both amused and exasperated.

"What did you say to Xiang Yongyang? His mood seemed a bit off."

"Nothing much, he'll be fine in a few days."

"?"

Peng Jiaxin leaned over.

"Ning Lu?"

"Yeah, that guy Xiang Yongyang got drunk and is acting spoiled with her right now."

Chen Fan skillfully saved the video. On his phone, he might lack the works of various distinguished authors, but he could never, ever lack the ugly photos and foolish moments of his bros!

Isn't that the exact reason for buying a 1TB phone in the first place!

Soon, the designated driver they called arrived as well, and the two of them returned home.

As soon as he stepped through the door, Chen Fan saw a pair of eerie green eyes quietly watching him in the dark.

"Holy shit."

Startled, Chen Fan quickly turned on the lights.

Star was squatting at the doorway like an emperor waiting for a servant to offer tribute, chin lifted high. Though small in stature, its aura was immense.

"What's wrong?"

Peng Jiaxin peeked out from behind Chen Fan and spotted Star.

"Aww, Star~ Are you hungry? Mommy will find you something to eat right away."

"Meow!"

Audacious servant, how dare you speak to this feline who has conquered this realm in such a tone!

Peng Jiaxin walked into the kitchen, took out a piece of salmon that Star loved best, and placed it in its dedicated food bowl.

"Here, eat up~"

Star nodded with satisfaction.

"Meow."

You have more sense than that male bipedal beast.

After giving Chen Fan a side-eye, it slowly and deliberately lowered its head to eat.

Chen Fan: "......"

Although he didn't understand the meaning behind Star's glance, he felt thoroughly offended.

Thus, Chen Fan decided to prove to Star who the real master of this house was!

He took a large stride forward, but just as his hand touched Star intending to pick it up, he was stopped by Peng Jiaxin.

"What are you doing?"

"...Carrying it back."

"Let it finish eating first."

Star seemed to have understood the sentence, raised its head to give Chen Fan a smug look, and then continued lowering its head to eat.

After finishing, it walked over to Chen Fan's ankles, rubbed its tail against his calf to signal that he could now carry it back.

"......"