Chapter 87 - I Am Only Interested In You

"What if I sign up as a manhua story writer?"

Shao Jingfei was stunned. He put down his spoon as he stared at Li Caiyi thoughtfully. "Are you serious? Can you draw a manhua?"

Li Caiyi shook her head. "No, I can't. But I know someone who is good at drawing. If I want to be a co-creator with him and make our manhua, can you sign both of us under your company?"

Shao Jingfei knew a lot of manhua artists who had a terrible storyline, so they worked together with someone who excelled at creating plot, the flow of dialogue, etcetera. Therefore, co-creators were actually pretty common. However, this might be the first time Glorious Days Company would work together with any. 

"Let me ask this first. What about your novel, then? I glimpsed upon what you wrote in the library the last time we met. What are you going to do about it?"

"Of course, I will continue. I intend to become a novelist and manhua story-writer simultaneously," Li Caiyi said decisively.

This might be the least thing she could do for those brothers. Li Caiyi actually had no clue if this would work or not since she had not even informed Dai Shenqiang about this yet. However, this chance probably would not come twice, so she could not delay this matter.

Meanwhile, Shao Jingfei was perplexed. In his opinion, Li Caiyi's writing style suited fiction novels the most. When she said she wanted to talk to him, he thought she would finally tell him her answer, but apparently, she was here to bargain with him.

"Why do you want to be a manhua story-writer so suddenly? Is there a reason for that?"

Li Caiyi pondered for a bit before answering honestly. "I have a friend who is struggling right now. I want to help him, so I want to use this opportunity to create something where both of us can work together. He is good at drawing, and I'm good at making stories. I think we both can create a great synergy if we work together, and it will be beneficial for your company, too."

"Well, I understand the situation, but I can't possibly give a pass when I have not even looked at the finished product yet," Shao Jingfei said with a troubled expression.

"My purpose for talking with you today is to ask whether it will be possible to sign up under your company as co-creators, so you don't have to decide now. I will bring the finished product to you soon, and then you can judge whether or not you want to try publishing it."

Shao Jingfei tapped the table with his finger. "Fair enough. There are no rules that say it can't be done, at least as far as I know. I can take a look at it, but I can't promise you anything. I have a strict standard and won't give a pass to some half-assed writing, even if you are my friend. You'd better impress me with this 'synergy' you talk about."

Li Caiyi nodded her head. "That's what I'm hoping to do. I'm basically asking you for a favor here, so I'm ready to fulfill any conditions you give me. I promise I won't disappoint you."

Shao Jingfei smiled. "That is some confidence you have there. Well, you deserved to feel like that since you are the one I have acknowledged. I don't hate people who are proud of their work, but I hope this friend of yours can keep up with you. Frankly speaking, I am only interested in you. As long as we can have you, we can compromise a bit."

Shao Jingfei was like a whole different person when he switched to his work mode. His gaze was sharper, and his tone carried a firm and authoritative manner in it. He was still so young, yet he could clarify his point while maintaining a professional distance between them. There was no trace of the carefree and easy-going attitude he usually showed in school. 

Li Caiyi smiled back at him, "Yes, please don't worry about it. I'm looking forward to working with you."

After this, she should talk with Dai Shenqiang. If he agreed, then they could start right away. 

"Xiaoyi! Are you here too? What a coincidence!" 

Li Caiyi looked up upon hearing someone was calling her, and her face twitched ever so slightly. Beside their table stood Li Chunhua, Li Junjie, and Meng Renshu. The three people she wanted to avoid the most were looking at her and Shao Jingfei alternately with a curious look.

"Why didn't you tell me you are going to eat here today? Come, let's sit together!" Li Chunhua quickly hugged her arm and pulled on her, forcing her to stand up.

"No, I didn't come here to eat. I was just talking with my friend."

"Hmm?" Li Chunhua shifted her gaze to Shao Jingfei. "So this is another friend of yours. You sure have a lot of friends now."

Shao Jingfei, who watched the scene unfolding before him, flashed a friendly smile. "Hi! You must be Caiyi's sister? I'm Shao Jingfei."

"Uh, yeah. Nice to meet you," Li Chunhua said briefly before she latched on to Li Caiyi again, "It's been a while since the four of us ate together, so let's move to another table, okay?"

Li Caiyi looked down at her sister with a doubtful look. She had been ignoring Li Caiyi all this time, and now she acted as if nothing had happened and wanted her to join them for lunch. Li Caiyi just knew Li Chunhua was trying to pull some stunts again, so she gently pulled her arm out of her grip. 

"Sorry, but I was about to go back to the class right now. I only came here to chat with him for a bit."

Li Chunhua pouted. "You have time to have a chat with him, but not with me? Xiaoyi, you have been so cold to me lately."

She was the one who ignored her first, so what was she playing at now? 

After learning the truth about Li Chunhua, she could not see her as the same innocent sister she used to take care of in the past. Her sudden display of intimacy alerted Li Caiyi and thought it would be better to go along and take her invitation for now. She did not want to make Shao Jingfei feel troubled. 

It just happened that Li Caiyi had something to tell them, too.

"Fine, then. Let's sit somewhere else first." Li Caiyi said helplessly.

"Why don't you guys just sit here with us? The more, the merrier!" Shao Jingfei cheerfully said, to which Li Chunhua replied with a faint smile.

"No, thanks. We are fine by ourselves."

"Don't say that. This table is big enough for six people. Sit here!" Shao Jingfei pulled Li Caiyi to sit down beside him, forcing Li Chunhua to follow suit because she held Li Caiyi's arms.

Li Chunhua frowned at Shao Jingfei in displeasure. "What are you doing? Honestly, you are bothering us."

Shao Jingfei was unperturbed by Li Chunhua's glare and grinned. "But Caiyi came here to talk to me, though? We have not finished talking yet, and you suddenly come here to take her away. The one who is bothering others is you."

Li Caiyi's eyes widened when she heard that. Shao Jingfei said it lightheartedly as usual, but the words sounded fierce to the ears. Li Chunhua's expression turned ugly immediately.