Chapter 7: The Editor Is Pressing for the Manuscript
Chapter 7: The Editor Is Urging for the Manuscript
Only after Qianqian had quieted down did Su Xin speak to Lu Anzhi on the phone. “Do you have any plans tomorrow?”
Lu Anzhi replied, “Not really. Next up is checking the renovation, buying furniture, and handling the bookstore’s operating permit. It all has to be done step by step, so there’s no rush in the next day or two.”
“Mm,” Su Xin responded softly. Then she asked, “Would you like to come over tomorrow to keep Qianqian company?”
Lu Anzhi was slightly taken aback.
He hadn’t expected Su Xin to invite him to her home so soon. But regardless, spending time with Qianqian was always a good thing.
“Sure,” he agreed.
Su Xin said, “That song ‘Two Tigers’—that’s the name, right?”
“Yes,” Lu Anzhi confirmed.
Since the song only had a few lines, it was easy for Su Xin to be sure of the title.
“Have you registered the song’s copyright online yet?” Su Xin asked.
Lu Anzhi was surprised. “You can register copyrights online now?”
He had assumed the world had developed similarly to the early 21st century in his previous life.
In the realm of novels, things were much the same, and although several music websites existed online, they lacked popularity and mainly focused on slow song downloads.
While the internet age had already brought a first wave of change, singers still primarily released albums.
Su Xin explained, “Yes, you can. The official platform launched an online music copyright registration system just last year. You can register directly online, although the connection is slow and often drops.”
“If you want, bring your ID over, and I’ll help you register it.”
Lu Anzhi was pleasantly surprised that this world was ahead in this regard. He nodded immediately. “Thanks a lot.”
“No need to thank me,” Su Xin replied.
Nothing more was said after that.
Before hanging up, Su Xin had Qianqian come over to say goodbye to her father.
From the other end, little Qianqian said, “Bye, Daddy,” then made a playful “muah” sound from a distance, causing Lu Anzhi to smile involuntarily.
After the call ended, Lu Anzhi received a text from Su Xin containing the address of a residential complex.
He changed his original plans. After grabbing a quick dinner, he went to the mall to pick out gifts for Qianqian.
Even if the meeting gift was late, it was better than none.
Near Jiu’an Road was the Wantong Mall, a comprehensive commercial area similar to the Wanda Plaza in his previous life.
The mall was bustling even at night.
When Lu Anzhi arrived alone, he saw a small basketball game being held outside, with passionate young players battling into the night, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Had it been earlier, he might have had the leisure to watch. But now, focused on buying a gift for Qianqian, he glanced briefly and moved on.
Inside the mall, he found a children’s toy store and entered, only to be overwhelmed.
The shelves were filled with all kinds of toys—small cars, dolls, music boxes, and more—so many that his eyes grew dizzy, unsure of what to pick.
After a long look, he gave up choosing just one. He picked a small toy car, a bunny doll, and a music box—each one.
Money wasn’t an issue; why limit himself to just one?
Unfortunately, there were no Barbie-like dolls, which he thought little girls would like.
He wasn’t sure if such dolls simply didn’t exist in this world.
Enjoying the shopping, after leaving the toy store, he found a nice children’s clothing store. Recalling Qianqian’s size, he bought several small T-shirts, shirts, skirts, and jackets in various colors.
He also wanted to buy snacks but wasn’t sure what a two-year-old could safely eat or what dietary rules Su Xin might have for Qianqian, so he decided against it.
Carrying his bags back to the hotel, Lu Anzhi settled down to continue writing.
He added another segment to The Little Prince. Midway through, a message popped up on the chat app from the editor under the username Maple, asking, “Where’s the manuscript?”
Lu Anzhi casually replied, “Still writing.”
Maple was the editor’s online name; Lu Anzhi still didn’t know her real name.
Having interacted online for three years, they were quite familiar, though both were curious about each other’s chosen nicknames.
He wondered why a cheerful, lively girl would choose the name “Maple.”
Maple, in turn, couldn’t understand the meaning behind Lu Anzhi’s pen name, Doraemon, nor why his chat nickname was “You’re not a penguin.”
Maple’s avatar flickered again, and Lu Anzhi switched screens to see her complaining: “You told me the manuscript would be done in a couple of days!”
Lu Anzhi responded, “Yeah, so just wait a bit longer.”
Maple: “T皿T!!”
Lu Anzhi kept typing, ignoring her.
She sent another message: “I’m waiting so painfully! So tired! So miserable!”
He replied, “Hang in there, keep pushing a bit more. You can do it.”
Maple: “...You’re such a dog!”
That was a joke Lu Anzhi had made earlier, now cleverly reused by Maple.
He glanced at the screen, realizing delaying the manuscript wasn’t right, especially since he had already promised a deadline. Breaking a promise made him seem untrustworthy.
So he replied, “Alright, alright, this dog will submit the manuscript by the day after tomorrow at the latest. Step down now.”
Only then was Maple satisfied, sending a smiling emoji with a “Here you go.”
Lu Anzhi paused his work on The Little Prince to save it for later.
After all, Qianqian probably couldn’t understand the book yet, so a slower pace was acceptable.
After a night’s shopping, he felt he’d fulfilled his urgent desire to do something for the child. There was no need to rush writing the fairy tale.
He opened an older document and resumed his sharp exchanges with Eri.
The next day, as he set out for Su Xin’s home, Lu Anzhi not only brought the clothes and toys he bought for Qianqian but also carried a backpack containing his laptop.
If possible, he wanted to spend the entire day with Qianqian. She might nap sometimes, during which he could write and get the manuscript done sooner.
He also packed his ID, planning to see firsthand what the online music copyright registration system looked like—something unheard of in his previous life.
After taking a taxi and giving the driver the address from Su Xin’s text, it took about ten minutes to arrive.
The distance wasn’t far.
However, Lu Anzhi was surprised to find that the Bamboo Garden community, where Su Xin lived, was not an upscale neighborhood but a fairly ordinary residential complex.
Though not lavish or luxurious, it was decent enough to be considered mid-range.
The community had security guards at the entrance, and visitors had to contact residents before being allowed inside.
Lu Anzhi called Su Xin, then was granted entry.
When he reached Su Xin’s door and knocked, he soon heard quick footsteps inside—clearly not an adult’s.
The door opened with a click, revealing Qianqian’s little head popping out as she sweetly called, “Daddy!”
(End of chapter)