Chapter Thirty-One: The Fallen Genius

"I have four 'no-go's' when it comes to novels."

"First, I don't read books by authors with a history of misconduct. If an author has ever crossed the line, I won't touch anything they write afterward."

"Second, I don't read books by 'literary' authors. They are always obsessed with some kind of artistic pursuit—pain, salvation, forgiveness—it’s just exhausting to read."

"Third, I don't read 'stock market' novels. Either give me a single heroine, or give me a harem, or no romance at all. Reading a 'stock market' novel is like going to a buffet where they only let you look at the food but never let you take a bite."

Yu Wei looked at Qi Luo'an, who had suddenly launched into this monologue, and a question couldn't help but surface in his mind.

*Who asked you?*

Having been exposed, she stopped putting on an act. After a brief moment of hesitation, she simply shifted the conversation toward novels, effectively abandoning all resistance.

As for how Yu Wei had figured it out... he had just given it a little extra thought and decided to test the waters. In novels, it’s common for a protagonist not to recognize a character just because they’re wearing a mask—it’s logical enough—but that doesn't stop people from overthinking things.

Qi Luo'an understood this, too. A deceiver needs to prepare a watertight plan, but the person being deceived only needs a sliver of suspicion to find countless ways to break the illusion. In truth, she hadn't really intended to pull off a perfect con; otherwise, she wouldn't have shared so many genuine facts. Her fake identity wouldn't have held up to any real scrutiny. She just wanted to see how Yu Wei would react, to see if he would be any different in person compared to how he was online.

It was like a male college student catfishing his roommates—not actually trying to scam them, just enjoying the process of watching a familiar face act all coy and flustered. Being exposed was just as entertaining.

Only now did the two of them feel that awkwardness typical of an internet friend meeting in real life. They felt familiar with each other, yet face-to-face, they didn't know how to start the conversation.

"If it were you, how would you write a plot about internet friends meeting?"

"I’d probably write it so one side knows who the other is while the other doesn't. It makes for better drama and sets up emotional tension for the later chapters."

There were plenty of such scenes in male-oriented web novels. In a "power fantasy" story, the author would have the heroine remain in the dark while the protagonist probes for information. If it were a sweet romance novel, the protagonist would be the one kept in the dark, while the heroine’s heart raced, choosing to keep her secret for now.

"No wonder you're a bottom-tier writer."

Qi Luo'an breathed a sigh of relief, finally finding her rhythm with Yu Wei again. Yu Wei didn't argue. Web novel tropes were the fruits of others' successes; feeling one's way across the river was always better than slipping and drowning. He didn't waste any more breath and went back into the shop to order another round...

Next up was the second round: the confession phase.

"I thought this was supposed to be a free ride, yet here I am, paying for two cups of coffee."

Qi Luo'an rolled her eyes at him, feeling a bit strange. Saying "free ride" online was one thing, but saying "I'm going to get a free ride off you" face-to-face sounded awkward no matter how you put it. She must have lost her mind to come here in person. She didn't want to act, and she didn't want to be famous—wasn't she just asking for trouble? At the time, she had been so curious about what Yu Wei was up to that she agreed in a moment of hot-headedness. It was too late to regret it now.

Truly, a woman's curiosity is the original sin.

Seeing her fall silent for so long, Yu Wei instinctively glanced over and noticed Qi Luo'an was taking off her hat. She sat up slightly, her hands behind her head as she unfastened the clasp. The curve of her arms and shoulders created a subtle balance, showing off her graceful figure to perfection.

"What are you looking at?"

"Uh... berets have clasps?"

"Country bumpkin, it's a wind-resistant fixing buckle."

Both knew perfectly well that it wasn't the hat he was looking at, but there was no need to discuss it—talking about it would only make things more awkward.

"Aren't you going to introduce yourself properly?"

Although Yu Wei had already guessed most of it, this was their first real meeting, after all—it deserved a little bit of ceremony.

"Qi Luo'an, second-year student, Chinese Language and Literature major at Jiao Tong University."

Hearing her surname was Qi, the last of Yu Wei's doubts vanished. So, there really was an "insider" in his circle... Still, he hadn't expected someone with such deep entertainment industry connections to truly be a civilian, with a major that had nothing to do with the arts.

"What you said earlier about your family—was that true?"

"Why would I lie about that? My grandmother is a first-class actress at the National Theater; she really did teach me a lot."

Qi Luo'an spoke with refreshing candor, without a hint of showing off, as if she were discussing the most mundane thing in the world. She had no intention of becoming a star—no strings pulled, no backdoor deals—so naturally, there was nothing to hide.

Yu Wei had already prepared himself for this, so his expression remained calm. If "Luo Qi's" grandmother was real, then "An'an's" director father must be real, too. Adding Qi Yuan into the mix, their family really was steeped in artistic heritage; it was easy to imagine their connections and influence.

*My reader is the daughter of an entertainment dynasty. What an ultimate fantasy for a failing web writer...*

"With that background, you're not going to be a star?"

Like father, like daughter—some things are just understood. Even setting aside the benefits of her family's shadow, just growing up immersed in the arts, she shouldn't have ended up like this. Second-generation stars either followed the path of someone like Meng Lei—getting attention from a young age and becoming a star in their own right—or they went the route of those child reality show stars, living a high-profile life of flaunting wealth and status.

Those with a bit of ambition, like Qi Yuan, might pretend to start from scratch, but people would inevitably treat them differently. There were very few who were like her, with no intention of using any of their family's capital.

"I was interested when I was a kid. My grandmother taught me a lot—singing, acting—but later on, I just lost interest."

There is no love without reason, and no hate without cause. Childhood passions aren't that easy to change; listening to her, it was clear there was a story there. Yu Wei didn't plan on asking, though. If someone wanted to share a major life-turning point, they would say so; if they didn't, asking wouldn't help.

In short, Qi Luo'an’s entertainment career had come to an abrupt end at a very young age. The entertainment world had lost a gifted second-generation star, but the internet had gained a homebody who loved reading novels.

*Chapter One: The Fallen Genius.*

*Popularity points, three stages...*

"So, can I still get my 'free ride'?"

Yu Wei was more concerned about his short film. How much of that childhood training did she still have left today?

"You're lucky to have me helping at all, and you're still being picky?"

Qi Luo'an glared at him, her bangs trembling with her indignation. It was truly chilling. She, someone who disliked acting, was risking her life to play along, and this guy had the nerve to be choosy. He was being spoiled.

"Do you know what you remind me of?"

Yu Wei, watching the occasionally sighing Qi Luo'an, took the initiative to steer the conversation.

"What?"

"The protagonist in those 'lazy-style' entertainment novels. They keep saying, 'Oh, I don't want to be famous, I just want to be a salted fish,' and then they go and show off their talent in every single scene."

Anti-trope entertainment novels were like that. It was fine for a laugh, but if you took it even slightly seriously, the protagonist's image would become very strange. If not handled well, it was easy for readers to criticize them for being hypocritical.

Qi Luo'an felt like he hadn't said anything at all, yet at the same time, it felt like he had cursed her quite deeply.

Lies don't hurt, but the truth is a sharp blade.

She felt she was really starting to fit that mold.

"Then how about you find someone else more capable?"