Dad, Please Try a Little Harder - Chapter 67
Chapter 67: Chapter 66 A Lifetime Free Membership Card at the Clubl i
Translator: Inschain Editor: Inschain
Zhuge Zhelan and Feng Lingxi were characters from the new work Master’s Love by the relatively unknown contemporary Chinese web novelist Forest Gazer.
Feng Ling Xi was the female protagonist in the story, while Zhuge Zhelan was her sect leader and master.
Ever since a drama featuring a romance between master and disciple became popular like spring shoots after rain.
The trend became a master with an indifferent demeanor, powerful magic, deep-seated loneliness, and a tsundere attitude paired with a cute, hardworking, innocent, and mysterious female disciple.
It seemed that in the world of fantasy and martial arts, a powerful master would be remiss if he didn’t take on a female disciple.
Thus, when Master’s Love introduced such character settings, readers instinctively felt that Zhuge Zhelan would surely be the official love match for Feng Lingxi.
Following the current popular plotline, it progressed from a deepening affection over time, to moral disapproval, to a third party stirring up trouble, to suppressed emotions, misunderstandings without explanations, the female lead’s identity being dramatically revealed, the female lead turning dark or evil, the male lead, as a master, silently sacrificing, a love-hate torturous relationship, and finally the truth coming to light with more emotional torment…
However, Qian Quan, who knew the main plot of the book, was aware that Zhuge Zhelan would heroically fall while combating the antagonist. Then, after a small plot twist, the sect’s head disciple would ascend to power.
While many Master’s Love readers did enjoy the master-disciple romance, in actual content, Zhuge Zhelan and Feng Lingxi had a pure master-disciple relationship – a refreshing change from the norm.
Qian Quan mentioned this to counter Ding Linlang’s portrayal of master-disciple relationships.
However, the problem was that he pretended not to know what Ding Linlang had written. His confession, revealing not only that he followed the book but also deeply understood it, flustered Ding Linlang.
Confronted by Ding Linlang, Qian Quan quickly responded, “One line in your bio was my idea, so it was easy to find.”
“Qian Quan, don’t lie to me. Judging by your tone, you’ve finished reading my previous book, haven’t you?”
It was hard to deceive each other. They knew each other too well, often hanging out together, rarely pretending or being guarded.
He could have lied, but seeing how far she had gone with her suspicions, it seemed pointless to hide it.
He nodded, “Not only did I finish it, but I also voted daily and made numerous highlighted comments in the comment section. 1 am, you can say, a die-hard fan of Forest Gazer.”
“Qian Quan!” Ding Linlang’s face turned beet red.
This was utterly embarrassing!
It felt as if a diary she wrote when she was eleven or twelve was being read aloud to her.
“Are you in my reader’s group?” Ding Linlang inquired defensively.
“If 1 tell you, you can’t get mad, and you can’t kick me out of the group either.”
“Go ahead.”
“Promise first.”
“Alright, I won’t get mad or kick you out. Now, tell me.”
Qian Quan switched to his alternate account “Mystery Man” and messaged Forest Gazer, “This is Qian Quan. 1 am talking to the real Forest Gazer.”
Upon receiving the message, Ding Linlang almost dropped her phone. Three seconds later-
“Qian Quan! I’m going to kill you!”
That’s right, not only was Qian Quan in her reader group, but he was also an admin!
He had interacted with her countless times in the group, sometimes even discussing topics related to himself.
Other members often teased her about her mysterious childhood friend.
And the so-called friend was right there among them, occasionally joining in the teasing.
This was the ultimate embarrassment!
Ding Linlang lunged at him, trying to strangle Qian Quan.
“Hey! I’m an expert, I am… ouch! The sixth star of the Big Dipper…”
Ding Linlang, of course, didn’t use real strength. It was just the sudden wave of embarrassment that compelled her to do something to alleviate the awkwardness.
After a playful scuffle, Qian Quan, in his attempt to retaliate, pulled her into his embrace. Both hastily and tacitly separated.
Such close contact had happened in their younger days. Yet now, as both matured, it seemed more prudent to avoid such intimacy.
Ironically, their attempt to break the tension only made the atmosphere more awkward.
“When did you find out 1 was writing?” Ding Linlang quickly changed the subject.
“Not long after you started typing away. Your constant typing piqued my interest. Then one day, I spotted you browsing your book on the Thornbush Literature website. Combining your writing style and pseudonym, it was easy to deduce,” Qian Quan explained.
Ding Linlang remained silent for a while before stating, “The comments made by my pen name, Forest Gazer, don’t necessarily reflect my real views. You understand that, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Some plots and details in my book were crafted for the storyline and many details were searched on the fly online. I’m not particularly knowledgeable about them myself, okay?”
“Yeah,” Qian Quan replied with utter sincerity.
“Don’t tell anyone.”
“I won’t.”
“Don’t tease me using my book’s plot or quotes!”
“I promise, no teasing.”
Ding Linlang pondered for a moment and added, “That’s it for now. If I think of anything else, 1’11 let you know.”
“Alright.
The two had dinner and then went back to their respective schools.
Not long after they parted, Ding Linlang sent another message to “Mystery Man” online.
“Don’t check our chat history.”
Mystery Man replied, “I won’t.”
At 6 in the afternoon.
Zhao Chunjia sent a car to pick up Qian Quan and bring him to Tulip Garden.
Accompanied by his wife and daughter, Zhao Chunjia personally greeted Qian Quan upon his arrival.
When they met, Zhao’s wife, Huang Lingyan, naturally exchanged pleasantries with Qian Quan..
