I turned reality into a romantic comedy.

"The main problem is that I feel like the things you gave me will be noticed if I bring them home, and then it will cause a lot of trouble."

After all, Shen Nianqiu is no longer the obscure girl who was habitually ignored by her parents. However, this attention, which came many years late, was due to the arrival of another new life, which is hard not to find ironic.

"Well, it's alright. I'll buy you a new outfit after you get to Guoning."

As he spoke, Chen Junqian took out a bag of roasted chestnuts that he had bought on the way from a roadside stall when he left Guoning. They were still warm at this moment, and each chestnut was grinning to reveal the bright orange flesh inside. With a little effort, they could be peeled open completely. Then he put them into the other person's mouth.

In Guoning's winter, the most common snacks on the streets and alleys besides the roasted sweet potatoes and rock sugar roasted pears that Zhu Wenyun had taken Chen Junqian to eat were sugar-roasted chestnuts. So he brought a bag of them himself, and judging from Shen Nianqiu's expression, she seemed to like them quite a bit.

The literary girl, who hadn't run away from home, continued to use words to precisely depict and describe Shen Nianqiu's feelings, following his narration, and then incorporated them into her new book:

The significance of running away from home is that it makes punishment seem far away, while extending the joy that is right before your eyes. For a moment, it makes you feel, in a daze, yet sincerely, that this is not running away from home, but rather returning home after a long journey.

P.S.: Thank you for reading and subscribing. There will be a combined chapter tonight.

PS2: I recommend a book to a friend, who, like me, writes original works on Shuke. It's a super good original martial arts novel called "Why Does a Long-Armed Person Fighting a Short-Armed Person Not Count As a Martial Arts Master?"

Chapter 128: I Love Listening to Other People's Love Stories (Part 2)

"So, is my little brother coming back with me later? I think I can squeeze onto the bus if it's crowded. I just need to ask the ticket seller for a ticket first. They've already picked up several individual passengers along the way."

It's common practice for buses to pick up passengers along the way. For the drivers and ticket sellers, this mode of transportation is essentially a long-distance bus. They don't need to guarantee on-time arrival like trains or airplanes. The bus is empty anyway, and it's a way of helping travelers who want to hitch a ride along the way. It's much better than Wang Baoqiang and Xu Zheng in "Lost in Thailand" ending up riding a tractor.

However, tractors are one of the most frequently seen modes of transportation in domestic comedies. It's just a pity that domestic romantic comedies and anime-style romantic comedies have many elements that cannot overlap, as each has its own national characteristics.

"Yes, if it's only a short traffic jam."

Chen Junqian, who didn't want any accidents to happen, even arranged a ride to Guoning on the way, just like the car that took him from Guoning to Lin'an today. Lin'an is the largest hickory nut producing area and planting base in the country besides Guoning, and the company also has related business cooperation. If Shen Nianqiu hadn't already bought the tickets and insisted on coming to Guoning, it would have been relatively easy for Chen Junqian to go to Lin'an.

"Indeed... we don't know when the roads will be open again."

Following Chen Junqian's words, Shen Nianqiu also looked up at the snowflakes still falling outside the window. However, compared to the tension and anxiety she felt earlier when she couldn't find a charging socket and didn't know when she could leave, she calmed down again. For a moment, she even wished that the snow would just keep falling.

"Besides, at this time, I feel like my parents should have already come back from outside and found that I'm not home."

Somewhat uneasily, Shen Nianqiu pressed the power button on the side of her phone. She had originally thought that keeping the phone on with Chen Junqian would keep his line busy, but now that Chen Junqian had hung up and come over in person, her parents' calls, or rather, their interrogations, might come in the next second.

"But my sister still didn't choose to turn off her phone, did she?"

"Well, because that would only make things worse. If it can be explained clearly, I would prefer to explain things clearly. After all, running away from home and running away from home and then disappearing are two different things."

As she spoke, Shen Nianqiu nodded again, seemingly having successfully convinced herself. She stopped repeatedly checking the screen for incoming calls and text messages, and instead quietly placed it aside, resting her head on Chen Junqian's shoulder.

"And aren't you here too?"

This wasn't an intention for Shen Nianqiu to have Chen Junqian answer the phone for her; she absolutely had no such thought. But she just felt that as long as Chen Junqian was there, he could do the same thing.

A few days later, Zhu Wenyun continued to accurately depict the other person's psychology:

[Actually, I might have always hated my indecisiveness and overthinking, but I don't know why I became like this. But at this moment, it suddenly dawned on me: in the past, I just had no one to back me up, so I could only rely on myself to repeatedly deduce the situation until I had the courage or was pushed by time to make a choice.]

However, Zhu Wenyun didn't need to summarize Shen Nianqiu's chaotic thoughts for the next sentence, because she said it out loud.

Chen Junqian continued peeling the roasted chestnuts in his hands. The sweet and sticky texture melted on his tongue. The chestnuts' natural sweetness, awakened by the heat, always brought the most genuine warmth in this winter season. Then he heard his sister, who was leaning against him, suddenly say something like this:

"If only people could live twice, once to be completely obedient and once to completely rebel, wouldn't you say, little brother?"

"Well, that makes sense."

As the only person in the small county who had truly lived twice, Chen Junqian could understand Shen Nianqiu's feelings when she said those words. After all, everyone only has one life, so it is difficult to make a decision thoroughly and firmly choose a path. More often than not, people just hesitate, compromise, and waver. Especially when it comes to family-related issues, they are always neither completely obedient nor completely rebellious, and both sides feel wronged.

However, having already witnessed the outcome of the first scenario, he still couldn't help but offer words of comfort:

"Sister, you should just follow your heart now, and I don't think your parents deserve this."

It's no exaggeration to say that Chen Junqian would rather believe that Gu Linguo's mother has changed her ways than believe that Shen Nianqiu's parents have suddenly become better. After all, the former's emotional starting point is essentially that awkward family affection. At least Lin Su didn't think about having another boy, and her attention and time and energy invested in Gu Linguo were not exaggerated. After talking things out, at the very least, they could maintain a superficial peace like they are now.

But Chen Junqian didn't think so about Shen Nianqiu's parents.

He had known Shen Nianqiu for a very long time, so he knew very well what her personality was like. In his previous life, the fact that his sister, who had such a personality, was driven to that point meant that her parents must have done something outrageous. Even if both of them attempted suicide, his sister's resilience was definitely stronger than Gu Lingguo's, given that she was two years older and about to become an adult in her final year of high school.

"...I don't know either, let's talk about it later."

As they were talking, before Shen Nianqiu's phone rang, Chen Junqian's phone on the other end started ringing with the familiar melody of "The Brightest Star in the Night Sky."

Is this my phone?

Upon hearing this part of the story, Zhu Wenyun first asked a question, which Shen Nianqiu immediately dismissed with a shake of her head. Then she saw a thoughtful expression on Shen Nianqiu's face.

"No, you called after this call."

As for this phone call—

"It's Youyou on the phone, I'll take it."

After glancing at the caller's name on the screen, Chen Junqian casually told Shen Nianqiu before pressing the green call button to answer the call from Xu Youwei.

"Hey, Yoyo, what's up?"

"Did Qinqin go out to pick up Sister Shen? I'm at your house now, but I don't see you. Uncle said you went out a long time ago."

Xu Youwei's voice was quite recognizable. Shen Nianqiu, who had dealt with all three members of Guoning's group, could clearly tell that Mu Mu's voice was the most childlike, Zhu Wenyun's voice was the most aloof, and Xu Youwei's voice was the most suitable for a girl of that age. Just like the rich expressions on her face, the various emotions in her tone were also impossible to hide. The jealousy in her words could be clearly heard even through the phone by Shen Nianqiu, making her unable to help but chime in:

"Yes, and I've already received it."

It was clear that Shen Nianqiu's sudden outburst had startled her. Perhaps the phone had slipped and fallen; after a flurry of fumbling and noise, Xu Youwei finally managed to ask again on the other end of the line:

"Why haven't they come back yet?"

"Because we weren't picked up at the bus station, Nianqiu and I are still at a service station on the highway. There's a section of the road that's being cleared of snow and can't be passed yet, so it feels like we'll have to wait a while to get back."

"Wow, this sounds like the plot of 'Lost in Thailand.' Are you two going to have to wait until the morning of Chinese New Year to get back?"

"...No, it's not that bad. To be honest, my legs would have gotten back to normal in two days. Don't worry."

"Okay, let's have a meal together when we get back. It's been so long since I've seen Sister Shen. You're welcome to spend the New Year in Guoning!"

After exchanging a few more words, Chen Junqian ended his call with Xu Youwei. For some reason, Shen Nianqiu felt that the other party had a somewhat arrogant and provocative air about him.

However, before he could think about it or ask any more questions, it was as if they were queuing up. Not long after Chen Junqian hung up on Xu Youwei, Zhu Wenyun called:

"Hey."

"Hey, I'm here, what's wrong?"

"Would it be convenient for you to come to my house for dinner tonight or tomorrow night? Grandma invited you, since we're going back to the mountains for the New Year the day after tomorrow."

"With such heavy snow, you're still going back to the mountains for the New Year?"

"I checked the weather forecast. It won't rain this heavily from the day after tomorrow—starting from the 30th of the twelfth lunar month—so it's alright. After all, I still have to go back to pay respects to my ancestors, visit their graves, and put up Spring Festival couplets, even if I only stay there for a few days a year."

"It's definitely not possible today. By the way, Wenjun, didn't you know that Sister Nianqiu was coming to Guoning today?"

"...Oh, it's today. I forgot. I've been busy writing my new book lately. My editor wants me to continue writing about youth and campus romance, but I don't have any ideas about the story outline yet. It's giving me a headache."

Upon hearing Zhu Wenyun's words, Chen Junqian had an idea, so he repeated to Zhu Wenyun what he had just said to Shen Nianqiu not long ago:

"If possible, how about writing about Sister Nianqiu?"

As he spoke, Chen Junqian didn't forget to ask Shen Nianqiu's opinion again. Only after seeing his sister nod slightly at him did he confidently offer his suggestions:

"Just like your previous novels, weave her story into the female protagonist's character. Haven't you been wanting to know what's going on in her family for a long time?"

"It doesn't seem like it's impossible."

Zhu Wenyun certainly doesn't have any obsessive-compulsive disorder. After all, the prototype of the female protagonist and the person involved in the incident that made her first fortune in her first novel was Mu Mu. But as the saying goes, the female protagonist in my story is myself. The literary girl who understands this principle well was worried about not having any good stories to create. Now, she accepted this pillow without any politeness.

Moreover, just as Chen Junqian said, besides helping her conceive the outline of her new book, Zhu Wenyun had indeed been extremely curious about Shen Nianqiu's affairs for a long time. After all, the first thing she wanted to see when she stole the phone last summer was the chat history between Chen Junqian and Shen Nianqiu. Now that she could finally find out about the other person's story, she naturally had no reason to refuse.

“After Sister Nianqiu arrives in Guoning, you two can take a day to have a good chat. I think you two have a lot in common.”

Inspired by the relationship between Xu Youwei and Lin Mu, Chen Junqian is now increasingly willing to let the female protagonists form various interpersonal entanglements. Youyou and Mumu go without saying, and Lin Guo and her sister also have similar bonds. Now, if the older sister owes Wen Yun a favor and the two sides can understand each other, it will definitely have a positive impact on his future romantic comedy career.

After all, it's no exaggeration to say that if the only female leads he's currently in contact with are Lin Mu and Xu Youwei, Chen Junqian is confident that he could easily achieve a threesome in a few years. However, if the number reaches six, he will definitely need to put in more effort.

"Okay, if you have time, tomorrow would be fine, since I'm going back to my hometown in the mountains the day after tomorrow."

"What did your sister say?"

"OK."

"Okay, then I'll finalize things for you two tomorrow."

After saying that, Chen Junqian briefly explained to Xu Youwei, just as he had said before, that they were currently stuck at a highway accelerator station, in a situation where a Spring Festival Gala production crew was coming to film a skit called "Snowy Dumplings," and that they might not be able to return to Guoning for a while. Unexpectedly, Zhu Wenyun replied, "This kind of scenario is quite common; it's been used before," which made Chen Junqian feel a little dumbfounded.

"Then I hung up."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Wenyun, who had been diligently writing on her manuscript, stopped what she was doing. Seeing that Shen Nianqiu across from her still seemed lost in thought, she asked curiously:

"What's wrong?"

“I was thinking about that phone call Xu Youwei made to you before. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but now that I think about it, it feels a bit strange. She usually doesn’t mention me, let alone say something like ‘Welcome to Guoning for the New Year.’ When you came to Beijing before, you were only with your younger brother. You even celebrated your birthday there.”

"I don't know, but Youwei has always been like this. I remember Junqian telling me that she once sang something like 'Please take my song back to your home' in front of Xiaoxi, so the two of them still don't get along."

Clearly, compared to dwelling on this, Zhu Wenyun was more interested in continuing to complete the story, so she immediately urged again:

"And then, you and Junqian were there together."

"Hmm, let me think..."

The girl sitting opposite her, resting her chin on her hand, continued to reminisce:

"Then the two of us got in the car."

"So early? But you arrived in Guoning quite late yesterday, didn't you?"

"Yes, because the car broke down again."

"?"

P.S.: Thank you for reading and subscribing.

Chapter 129: Let It Go (Part 2)

Shen Nianqiu told a little lie here.

Of course, if Chen Junqian could also hear the conversation between Zhu Wenyun and Shen Nianqiu, he probably wouldn't point it out either. Unlike the former, who was trying his best to add flesh-and-blood psychological details to this story that only had a skeleton, the latter intentionally removed a part of it, such as the time in between before the two boarded the bus again.

Sitting inside the service station, watching the snow fall outside the window, and recalling the achievement he had just triggered in his mind called "The Secret of the Sports Warehouse," Chen Junqian suddenly felt that model operas sometimes become stereotypes. In essence, this is because they are useful enough in many situations, just like "Nisekoi," which just aired in January of this year. To some extent, this romantic comedy, which is called an old-fashioned love story, can be considered a packaged collection of the many achievements in his mind, making him feel particularly familiar with it.

However, on the other hand, it is indeed a story that can only happen in the world of anime. After all, the concept of childhood promises is difficult to keep. Even in anime, it is necessary to express it through concrete things like keys and locks. However, as someone who has watched many romantic comedies over the years and has been practicing being a male protagonist in a romantic comedy for four and a half years, Chen Junqian also feels that while this kind of writing with suspense can bring gimmicks and discussion to the work, it will inevitably make the tone of "factional strife" become heavier and heavier.

If not handled properly, it could easily lead to an irreversible outcome, which is what worries Chen Junqian and what he tries his best to avoid.

A childhood promise...

Although the romantic comedy achievement in his mind also had a "promise", Chen Junqian had no doubt that even the person who triggered the achievement had long forgotten what he said back then. After all, he and Lin Mu had made far too many similar promises over the years, and not all of them had been kept. However, this kind of unrestrained squandering was indeed a privilege of childhood sweethearts.