I, who advocate giving up, feel like a disqualified person

Ignoring Ye Jin's expression as if he was looking at me like a salted fish, I ran straight upstairs.

"I'm going to call her right now!"

. . . . . . .

“Beep—beep—beep—”

Actually, if you think about it carefully, is it really that easy to change editors?

"Hello? Is this Sheji?" Xiaoye's voice came from the receiver.

"Yeah, it's me."

The call went through, which meant she wasn't very busy, otherwise the call wouldn't have been connected so quickly.

"So you've already gone home, right? Sorry, the editor-in-chief called me unexpectedly, so I didn't wait any longer..."

"No, no, no, I should be the one apologizing. I said I'd be right back, but I was delayed by something."

"It's okay, it's okay. It's tiring to be out in this kind of weather. I understand."

...I was actually accused of being on the move or something...

"When it comes to running around, you're the more suitable person." After all, she's doing it for work, while I seem to be looking for trouble.

"It's just my job... Come to think of it, why did you suddenly call me like that? You don't usually call me that often."

"Ah... well..." Asking directly about a change in editors seemed a bit unsound. "Well... I wanted to ask if there are any particularly talented newcomers emerging recently, the kind who can achieve the level of real-world novels in a short period of time."

Yes, this indirect approach seems to be a solution.

"There are very few people like that. After all, it's rare for novelists these days to achieve instant success. And even if someone becomes very popular because they write about popular topics, the editor still needs to consider the scope of their contract. After all, while the subject matter is important, the writing style and other factors are also something readers don't care about at all."

“…Is that so?”

It seems I won't have to worry about this for a while. Oh, I feel a little relieved now.

"What? Are you worried about something?"

"Ah... if I had to say it, I wouldn't say I'm worried." He said this simply because he didn't want to admit it. "I just feel that my achievements are a bit incredible. It's too accidental for me... I clearly hadn't been noticed before, and then suddenly I got signed. It's like a dream."

"Eh?... Why... why are you saying that? I feel like everything is fine. There's no need to have such thoughts. Seriously..."

The person on the other end of the line seemed a bit flustered. Was he worried I'd stop updating because I sounded a bit downhearted? For an editor, that's a pretty high level of vigilance.

"...Don't worry, I'm not looking for an excuse to delay the update."

Anyway, it’s better to keep her calm for now.

"Hmm? That's not what I meant..."

"It's okay, I understand. It was definitely my fault before, but it was also partly due to schoolwork. But it's summer vacation now, and I still have plenty of energy to write. Don't worry about that."

"...Well, I never thought I'd hear you say something like that in real life. I'm almost dreaming now."

"Isn't this too much? Is it so strange that I submit my manuscripts on time?" It's not like I often delay updating... just occasionally.

"Of course it's strange, because you're not punctual and have a bad sense of time. Even during class, you're easily late, right?"

"..."

She actually guessed it right... Does my every move reveal what kind of person I am?

"I'm glad you said that. After all, now that everything's peaceful, I can have some free time... I can even accompany you to collect materials."

"Record-collecting...record-collecting..." When I think of my experiences collecting material with her, it seems the only thing I can think of is going to an amusement park together. This kind of plot simply doesn't fit the worldview of my novel, so I made a slight change, just revealing the mood of a date.

Having said that, it was still super embarrassing when Xiaoye checked the finished draft.

"That's really exciting... If I really hit a bottleneck and we both happen to have time, I will definitely invite you."

However, the current situation is going smoothly, so there is probably no chance of that happening. But who can say for sure what will happen in the future...who knows if such a day will ever come.

"Then I'll be looking forward to that day... You should enjoy your summer vacation too."

"Enjoying something like that... Actually, it's pretty boring at home. I open my eyes and play games on my computer. After dinner, I read a few comics, and then it's night. Even though I drag my tired body into bed, I still can't sleep as soon as I pick up my phone... So it seems that vacations aren't that big of a deal after all."

"That's really enviable. Stop complaining. People like me can't even rest."

"Sorry, sorry, maybe this is just a case of not knowing how to appreciate what you have... I was looking forward to the holidays at school, but after the holidays, I feel bored... Speaking of which, to relieve the boredom, I plan to try cooking for myself or something."

Although the recipe was just bought and nothing has started yet.

"Wow, Sheji, are you going to try cooking? I'm really looking forward to it."

"Don't expect too much... You might fail a lot, but it should be more meaningful if you use it to kill time."

"That's right. Learning this will also enhance your charisma. After all, men who can cook are very handsome."

"It's a bit exaggerated...but who doesn't want to look a little more handsome?" There's nothing wrong with learning an extra skill.

"So, I have one more thing to look forward to... That's great! When you can cook something delicious, don't forget to let me try it."

"Yeah, no problem."

Who would fix the failed recipe? After all, it's not good to waste it. Oh, isn't Ye Jin here? Let her try it.

"Well, I still have some things to deal with, so I won't say much. Let's talk next time..." It seems like she is taking a break from her busy schedule...

"Then I won't bother you anymore... Goodbye." And with that, he hung up... No, he ended the call first. Apparently, it was because of me that he took the time to chat with me for a few minutes. If it were someone else, they'd probably just say one sentence and then hang up.

Now that I think about it, it seems like I wasted her time... well, after talking to her, I feel like there are some things I have to do. Like cooking according to the recipe.

------------

"What do you want for dinner?"

I slowly walked downstairs and asked Ye Jin who was lying down reading a book.

"It's so dim, can you really see the screen lying like this..." Even if you can see it, it will probably cause great damage to your eyes. "At least you should lie down on the sofa to watch it."

"Okay, okay~"

She responded impatiently, lifting her legs and then suddenly straightening her body. This behavior was completely unlike that of a fourteen-year-old girl. I hoped more and more that she was actually my cousin.

"You're really nosy... Do you think you're my mom?" She pointed her middle finger at me. "You're such a hassle."

"As the saying goes, an elder brother is like a father. In this case, it's not excessive for me to correct your wrong behavior. And if you show this gesture to others, you'll really get a beating."

"Don't worry, I'll just show you."

"You..." I was too lazy to argue with her anymore, "Okay, tell me what you want to eat."

"...Are you going out to eat again? Then let's go to a place nearby..." She seemed to be thinking about where to go.

"Not going out to eat." I interrupted her before she finished speaking.

"That means we'll order takeout. I'll have braised chicken with rice."

"Why are you so skilled in placing an order? I didn't say I wanted to order takeout..." I responded helplessly.

"Huh? Are you going to eat instant noodles? You're really considerate to ask me what flavor I want for instant noodles."

Their attitude suddenly turned sour. Was it because the food quality had changed? This guy was really realistic.

"No, no, none of them are right~" I shook my finger, "Your imagination still needs to be improved."

"Huh? Could it be that you stole Doraemon's four-dimensional pocket and got the magic beans from it that can heal all injuries and allow you to go without food for five days if you eat one, and that collecting seven of them can summon Saber Li's Italian Cannon?"

"Alright, alright, that's enough. Forgive me for speaking out of turn..."

"...So what are you going to do? Is it fun to keep me in suspense like this?" She looked at me angrily. "Don't waste my time."

"..."

Is the time you spend lying on the sofa watching TV precious?

"Well, actually, I was planning on cooking for myself."

"Ah...Ah? What?"

Ye Jin's reaction was as if he heard a foreign language.

"I mean, I'll make dinner."

"Wait, but brother, can you cook? I've never seen you go to the kitchen before." Ye Jin's face showed a worried expression, "Can you do it?"

"Cooking is something you can learn if you just learn a little bit, right?" I said, pulling out a recipe. "Even though I haven't tried it, I can just follow the instructions, right?"

"I advise you to take back this bold idea!"

"That won't do. You have to trust me," I said, preparing to head towards the kitchen. "Although it's been almost ten years since I last tried cooking, it shouldn't matter."

"If you mean that you cut your hand by playing with a kitchen knife in the kitchen, then I advise you not to do that." Ye Jin said as he was about to come over to stop me.

"No way? How did you know this?" She was the one person who had revealed some of my dark secrets. I was curious as to who had told her.

"Your mother told me so, and she also told me not to let you think about cooking."

It turned out to be my mom... But what the hell is this "stay away from the kitchen" thing? Is my cooking skills really that scary to my mom...

She had already walked over to me and grabbed my arm, "So calm down!"

"I'm very calm."

"I don't believe it. Can't you hear the sea...can't you hear the kitchen crying? That's the despair it feels when it senses danger and can't escape."

"...That's too much. I'm just cooking..."

This little girl is surprisingly strong...but she still can't stop me from moving towards the kitchen bit by bit.

"Let go...you're going to break my arm..."

"I won't let go... Wait a minute, before that, let me ask you... Can you use the gas stove?" She suddenly asked me this question with a serious expression.

"Aha, you look down on me? Of course I know. All you have to do is open the main valve... and turn it on... right? Then you'll hear the gas... and then you can light it... I think you need a lighter, right? Just light it near the stove."

"Wow! This way I can't let you touch things in the kitchen!" She said as she hugged me tighter, and I could feel that she was trying to use her weight to slow down my walking speed.

"Don't worry, you'll understand once you try this kind of thing..."

"Yeah, try it and you'll understand why the news says that improper use of natural gas can cause explosions! We'll definitely be on the evening news if you do this!"

"That's not an exaggeration. I will never be famous in my lifetime."

"This has nothing to do with fame or not, right? Why are you so carefree?"

"...I've made up my mind, please let me go."

"For my own safety and the safety of the kitchen, I won't let you cook. Even if the kitchen doesn't explode, you'll definitely end up with something awful. You might even be able to turn the ingredients into charcoal."

"...Am I that powerful? Impossible..."

The entrance to the kitchen is one step closer.

"I'm absolutely convinced you have the ability, so stop now! It's not too late to stop!"

"I want to go back too... but if I want to go out and order takeout, I need money, and I don't have any money anymore..."

"Instant noodles! I don't mind instant noodles! I'm begging you. As long as you don't turn on the gas in the kitchen, I'll let you eat whatever you want."

Ah... that's what they call a look of despair. But then again, that reaction is a bit exaggerated... I was joking, of course. I do know how to use cooking utensils.

Well, it seems she won't tell me exactly what she wants to eat. And as for the ingredients, I have no idea what's left. It seems I should prepare them tomorrow before taking action. This time, I'll just follow Ye Jin's lead.

"Oh, I want to eat ramen..."

As I said this, I glanced down at her condescendingly and made a few hints to her.

"...Okay...let's go eat ramen. And it's my treat, okay? Get out of the kitchen right away."

Oh, this is a surprise. I wanted to scare her, but I didn't expect her to be so scared... How much does she distrust me? There's no way I could blow up the kitchen.

"Okay, I get it, let me go..."

"Well..."

She then realized that she had been holding my arm for a long time and seemed a little embarrassed. She hesitated for a moment before letting go.

And in this moment of hesitation...

"Let go quickly, my arm is hurting so much from your sternum."

"Go to hell you!"

. . . . . . . . .

Oh, my stomach hurts.