Chapter 82: Going out with Auntie~
Alex scrolled through the chat. His expression darkening with each line.
Lilian: [Hi there! I feel like my book doesn’t have enough readers... is there some way I can improve it?]
JBeditor: [You know that other books get more readers because they are more interesting, right?]
Lilian: [Yes, I know, so I am asking how can I improve? Can I have the data on which Chapter I lost the most readers?]
JBeditor: [How is that gonna help you if your book is not interesting?]
[If you have something that is better, why would you get what is second best?]
Lilian: [Wait, I know my story isn’t the best, that’s why I came to ask you how to improve?]
JBeditor: [If you can buy the best smartphone for $100, would you use the same $100 to buy a lousy phone?]
[I already said that it could be another book, not you writing a shit Chapter]
Lilian: [Wait, I understand that, the only thing I want to learn from you is how to improve, but you just keep telling me my story isn’t the best?]
JBeditor: [So what’s the point of you finding out which Chapter you lost the most readers if the reason is another book being published that is more interesting than yours?]
Lilian: [I am aware of that...]
JBeditor: [I’ll give you a tough fact. If you cannot be the best, then don’t expect to be chosen.
[You will be stuck with the leftovers]
Lilian: [Ok]
[But... can you at least give me some practical advice for my book? Something specific I can work on?]
JBeditor: [I don’t have time to read trash novels]
Lilian: [Then... what exactly is an editor supposed to do?]
JBeditor: [Let trashes know they don’t belong in this industry]
[And tell them to fuck off before they waste more of everyone’s time]
Lilian: [...]
JBeditor: [If you feel offended, that’s on you. I’m just being direct]
[Some people are just too fragile to handle reality. Not my problem]
Alex’s hands trembled. Gripping the laptop edge. Hard.
His eyes locked on the screen. Reading. Re-reading.
That last line.
Not my problem.
His blood boiled.
Lilian sniffed. Louder now.
Her hand moved to her eyes. Wiping. Tears streaming down.
She tried to hold it back. Failed.
Shoulders shaking.
"I just... I just wanted to improve..." Voice breaking. "I worked so hard on it..."
Another sob.
"Why would he... why would anyone..."
Alex’s jaw clenched. Teeth grinding.
"Which platform is this?"
His voice cold. Deadly calm.
Lilian looked up. Eyes red and swollen.
"It’s... it’s WebNoble."
Alex’s eyes narrowed.
WebNoble.
He grabbed the laptop. Started typing. Fast.
Fingers flying across the keyboard.
Searching.
"WebNoble headquarters location..."
His mouth twitched. Corner lifting.
Smile spreading.
Wrong smile.
Dangerous smile.
Veins bulging on his forehead.
You dare talk to Lilian like that?
YOU DARE?
Lilian reached out. Grabbed his arm.
"Alex, wait—"
"No."
Cold.
"Alex, it’s not worth it—"
"It is."
He kept typing. Searching.
Found it.
"Downtown. Harmony Plaza. Fifteenth floor."
His smile widened. Manic.
"Got you."
Stood up. Fast. Grabbed his jacket.
Then turned to Lilian.
"Come on."
Extended his hand.
Lilian blinked. "What?"
"You’re coming with me."
His tone left no room for argument.
"We’re going together."
Lilian hesitated. "Alex, I don’t think—"
"Lilian."
He looked at her.
Eyes burning.
"Trust me."
She looked at his hand. Extended toward her.
Then at his face.
That dangerous smile.
That protective fury.
Her heart skipped.
This is working even better than I thought.
She took his hand.
"Okay."
Alex pulled her up. Gentle but firm.
"Let’s go have a chat with this editor."
Grabbed his phone with the other hand. Headed for the door. Lilian’s hand in his.
She followed.
Part worried.
Part excited.
Part... satisfied.
Tactic Number One: Complete success.
They walked down the street.
Lilian’s arm linked through Alex’s. Close. Leaning into him .
Small bird relying on a person.
Heads turned.
Everywhere.
"Wow, what a handsome guy..."
"That woman is gorgeous!"
"They look so good together!"
"Perfect match!"
"Is that his girlfriend? Lucky bastard."
"No way, she’s too mature for him. Maybe his older sister?"
"Sister or girlfriend, either way he’s winning."
An older woman smiled at them. "You two make such a lovely couple!"
Lilian’s face turned red. Instantly.
Bright red.
But she didn’t deny it.
Didn’t say anything.
Just kept walking. Face burning.
Alex noticed. His smile turned wicked.
His hand moved. Slipped around her waist. Squeezed.
"You didn’t refuse~"
Leaned closer. Whispered in her ear.
"Do you think we’ve reached that step already?"
Lilian’s head snapped to the side. Away from him.
"Hmph!"
Huffed.
"Don’t get ahead of yourself, little man!"
Her voice proud.
"You think chasing a gentle, intellectual beauty like me is that easy?"
"No way!"
Paused.
"Even if I raised you myself!"
But her grip on his arm tightened.
And her face stayed red.
Alex laughed. Soft. Amused.
"We’ll see about that, Auntie~"
...
They passed a bubble tea shop.
Lilian’s eyes lit up.
Bright. Longing.
Then she looked down. At her stomach. Flat. Smooth.
But still.
She turned her head away.
Alex caught her arm. Pulled her back.
"If you want it, just get it."
Lilian shook her head. "It’ll make me fat."
Pause.
"And all that sugar... it accelerates aging."
Alex smiled. "Then get it sugar-free."
"As for the calories..."
Leaned closer.
Voice dropping.
"We can just do more... exercise together."
Lilian’s face turned crimson.
"Alex!"
Her fists pounded his chest.
"Empty out all that R18 garbage in your brain!"
"Right now!"
Alex laughed. Caught her hands.
"Oh really? You’re saying you don’t have any fantasies?"
His smile turned wicked.
"Last night when I came home... you weren’t wearing anything."
Pause.
"And there was a strange smell in the air."
"Who knows what you were doing before that~"
Lilian’s eyes went wide.
"YOU—!"
Face burning.
She broke free. Started chasing him.
"ALEX! GET BACK HERE!"
Alex dodged. Laughing. Running in circles around the bubble tea shop entrance.
"I’m just asking questions!"
"STOP ASKING!"
Swung at him. He ducked.
People nearby stopped. Watched. Smiling.
"Young love..."
"So energetic!"
"They’re adorable!"
Lilian finally caught him. Grabbed his collar.
Face still red.
"There was NO smell!"
"And I was just... just hot! That’s why!"
Alex grinned. "Sure, Auntie. Whatever you say~"
"Stop calling me Auntie in public!"
"Why? That’s what you are~"
"Alex!"
She pulled him toward the shop entrance.
"You’re buying me bubble tea now."
"As an apology."
"Large size."
"With extra toppings."
Alex laughed. "Yes ma’am."
They walked in together.
Still bickering.
Still smiling.
Still holding each other.
The shop was busy. Afternoon rush.
People everywhere. Ordering. Waiting. Talking.
A woman’s voice rose above the noise.
"Xiao Ming! Xiao Ming, slow down!"
Stressed. Tired.
A small boy—maybe seven or eight—ran past tables.
Weaving through people.
Bumping into chairs.
His mother followed. Phone in one hand. Bubble tea in the other.
"Xiao Ming! Wait for Mommy!"
But her eyes stayed on her phone. Scrolling. Not really watching.
The boy didn’t listen. Just kept running.
Faster.
Headed toward the entrance.
Where Alex and Lilian stood.
He wasn’t looking. Too busy laughing. Playing.
His shoulder clipped a table edge.
Stumbled.
His hand shot out. Grabbed his mother’s cup to steady himself.
The lid popped off.
Red liquid sloshed.
Hot.
Splashing forward.
Straight toward Lilian’s white dress.