Chapter 135: New Neighbors
Moving out on her own again meant readjusting to living independently and acquiring essential household items. Unlike before, when she juggled multiple jobs to survive, she now had prize money to spend freely, though years of frugality prevented her from splurging.
From now on, she could focus on writing, waiting for her books to be published and earning royalties. Nothing else mattered. She was finally embarking on her dream journey, overcoming countless hardships and setbacks to reach this point.
She had once chased Nangong Ying’s shadow; now, she would climb her own Mount Everest, reaching for higher, farther destinations.
Everyone had dreams, but realizing them wasn’t easy. True dreamers were one in a million.
Though she didn’t consider herself one in a million, she would give her all, letting her own light shine.
“Phew… finally here…”
Stepping out of the van, dragging her suitcase, Yu Linna wiped the sweat from her brow. Moving was always a chore. Though she was used to moving frequently, having lived alone for so long, unlike her childhood when a few clothes were all she needed, she now had a considerable amount of luggage.
“Hey, little Linna! You’re here! Chen Xi said she found you a nice place. I didn’t expect it to be across from mine! We’re neighbors now!”
Zhao Yuyan appeared from across the street, Bluetooth earphones around her neck, clearly having been playing games before coming over. Judging by her slippers, she had probably left her apartment less than five minutes ago.
“This is going to be a problem, Zhao Yuyan…”
“Call me big sis, little Linna~ I’m your senior~”
“…”
Does she even act like a big sister?
Though numerous retorts sprang to mind, Yu Linna held them back. They were both working with Wenqing, and Zhao Yuyan was her senior. Calling her “sis” wasn’t unreasonable.
“Big Sis Yuyan.”
“There we go.”
Zhao Yuyan beamed, the sound of Yu Linna calling her “sis” music to her ears.
This Yu Linna was adorable, petite, and cute, her only flaw being her appetite. She was a gift from the heavens.
Come to think of it, Luo Nan had been the same when she was younger, always trailing behind her, calling her “sis.”
But Luo Nan had lost her cuteness as she grew older.
Yu Linna was much more fun.
“Little Linna, let me help you with your luggage. You’re new here; there are things you don’t know yet. I’ll help you settle in. Oh, school’s starting soon. I only come back on weekends. You’re in your senior year, right? Studying for the college entrance exams and writing… do you have enough energy?”
Zhao Yuyan was genuinely concerned. Yu Linna was a high school student facing the crucial exams in a few months.
The gaokao was incredibly important in China, a serious matter. High school seniors spent an entire year preparing, hoping to achieve a high score and secure a place at a good university.
Zhao Yuyan, now a university student, had a much more relaxed schedule than in high school. But Yu Linna was still under immense pressure.
“I’ve thought about it. I plan to take a break from writing after my second book is published, focusing on the exams.”
“That’s a lot of pressure.”
For a newcomer, not capitalizing on the momentum of a new release to build a fanbase was a risky move. But Yu Linna had no choice; she had to prioritize the gaokao. Zhao Yuyan understood.
The gaokao was crucial for everyone.
She remembered her own parents keeping a close watch on her during her senior year, practically imprisoning her at home to study. Now that she was in university, they were much more lenient, even allowing her to write, something they would have forbidden before.
Yu Linna’s parents must feel the same way, furious if their daughter prioritized writing over her studies.
But Zhao Yuyan didn’t know Yu Linna had no parents, no family to worry about.
“Do you have any universities in mind?”
“…Not yet, but I want to get a good score.”
Yu Linna exhaled, her expression calm, but her voice firm.
She was a top student, having represented her school in competitions, a pillar of the First Municipal High School, the only one capable of competing with the Municipal Experimental High School. Aiming for a good score meant she was aiming for a top ranking in the province.
Though not a large province, Huainan was known for its competitive gaokao. Achieving a high ranking was no easy feat.
But she had made up her mind.
She was Yu Linna, after all.
After meeting the landlord and agreeing on the terms, Yu Linna received the keys. This landlord, unlike her previous, shrewish one, was quite pleasant. Yu Linna didn’t haggle, simply accepting the keys and dragging her suitcase to her new apartment.
Chen Xi had found the apartment for her, claiming it was convenient for work. It was a one-bedroom apartment, just the right size. Opening the door, she was greeted by an empty living room, devoid of furniture. The bedroom had a bed, but no sheets or blankets, which she could easily buy. She touched the floor, her fingers coated in dust. It hadn’t been cleaned in a while.
“I need to clean this place.”
“Ugh, is that really necessary? I always hire someone…”
Looking at the apartment, though not large, Zhao Yuyan wasn’t keen on cleaning. She was lazy; she hated chores.
She would rather spend her time playing PUBG; time was precious.
Her mother often scolded her for her laziness, warning her that no one would want to marry such a lazy girl.
“Hiring someone costs money! It’s not worth it! I’ll do it myself. There should be a mop and disinfectant downstairs. I’ll buy them later.”
“…Fine.”
Though reluctant, Zhao Yuyan couldn’t refuse when Yu Linna seemed so determined.
Later, Yu Linna bought cleaning supplies, kitchen essentials like seasonings, a cutting board, and an induction cooker. She considered furniture too expensive, opting to buy it online. Despite having a substantial amount of money, her frugal habits persisted.
Having lived through periods of hunger, pinching pennies, and even forgoing medicine when sick, she couldn’t bring herself to be extravagant. She would save wherever she could; it was in her nature.
After shopping, it was time to clean. Yu Linna put on gloves, tied her hair back in a ponytail, and started mopping. Zhao Yuyan, though reluctant, couldn’t just stand there, so she grabbed a rag and started cleaning the windows. A pampered young lady like her, reduced to cleaning windows? If her mother knew, she would laugh herself silly.
Unlike Zhao Yuyan’s reluctance, Yu Linna was full of energy, changing the water repeatedly, mopping the floors, cleaning the windows and doors, and even scrubbing the bathroom. Having lived alone for so long, she was accustomed to these chores. Zhao Yuyan, however, was struggling just with the windows.
“You clearly don’t do chores often.”
“You can tell? My mom usually does everything…”
“Whatever. It’s almost clean anyway. I just need to buy a computer, and then I can start working.”
Though small, the apartment was perfect for writing, located away from the bustling city center, surrounded by trees and fresh air, a far cry from her previous living conditions in the slums.
The quiet environment, free from noise and pollution, was conducive to writing.
“Big Sis Yuyan, the air here is so fresh.”
“Yes, the longer you stay here, the more you’ll like it.”
Yu Linna couldn’t believe how far she had come. She used to be content with just a roof over her head; now, she had a comfortable home and didn’t have to worry about food. She used to hesitate even before buying warm clothes, shivering in thin layers while other children were bundled up. She used to be satisfied with a single meat dish; now, she could afford meat with every meal.
She was no longer poor. She had truly escaped poverty.
But she also had new goals, new aspirations.
One day, she wanted to buy a big house and live with the person she loved.
With more money, she would buy the finest ingredients and cook delicious meals for everyone.
She would travel the world, experiencing the joy she had missed out on for so many years.
She would visit the beach, see the girls in bikinis.
She would travel to America, to England, to see if there were others like her, children of mixed heritage.
“Little Linna, I’ll go with you to buy a computer. Desktop or laptop? If you want to play games, I recommend a desktop. I’ll teach you how to play PUBG; we can team up.”
“No, I’ll get a laptop. It’s more convenient for traveling.”
“Why not a desktop? We can play games together! If you don’t like PUBG, we can play 300 Heroes!”
“I’ll pass on the games. I’m not very good at them. And girls shouldn’t be playing games all the time.”
“Hey, that’s not true! Why can’t girls play games?!”
Yu Linna walked, gazing at the path leading down from her apartment building, the steps descending towards a new road, a road to the outside world. She was finally stepping onto that road, venturing out into the world.
No matter the hardships, no matter the setbacks, she would overcome them, using them as stepping stones to reach her destination.
Yu Linna was ready to spread her wings and soar towards her dreams.
A fledgling, its wings fully grown, ready to take flight.
—-
Afterword for Volume Three
Author Notes:
This volume is finally finished! It feels so liberating!
I’ve had these ideas for a long time, waiting for the right moment to write them. From Nangong Ying’s betrayal, the protagonist’s downfall, to her eventual rise, everything followed the outline. No one achieves success easily, no one receives divine favor without reason. To gain something, you must lose something.
That’s what I wanted to convey.
It’s also a message of self-encouragement.
Like Yu Linna, I’ve experienced numerous setbacks and failures, constantly striving to move forward, only to be thwarted by fate. There are struggles I can’t express, pains I have to endure silently. Life is often cruel. Not everyone meets a Ye Zhiyun, and not everyone is as lucky as the protagonist, able to rise from the ashes after so much suffering.
Some readers might find certain parts of this story too heavy. After all, people read for enjoyment, not for pain. Therefore, unlike Internet-Addicted Girl is a Hero, I didn’t focus solely on angst. I included more positive elements, but the popularity still hasn’t picked up (╥╯^╰╥).
Perhaps everyone has to go through a difficult period in their lives. Only those who have succeeded know the sacrifices they’ve made. I’ve been writing for three or four years now, and without realizing it, I’ve written three novels. Only I know the struggles behind them. Those days weren’t easy. If it hadn’t been for the support of a few readers, I might have given up writing /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~
But I persevered, and here I am today. Though I haven’t achieved instant success like the protagonist, nor do I have millions of views like other authors, some of my peers are far more popular than me. My focus on darker themes has put me in an awkward position.
But I don’t regret it. Stories aren’t always smooth sailing. Everyone wants a smooth path, but that’s unrealistic. Therefore, in this book, Yu Linna’s journey to success isn’t easy. To achieve something, you have to work for it. (￣▽￣)／
I’m not saying all this for sympathy, but simply to express my thoughts, feelings I rarely share with others. Few people in my life know I’m a writer, and I rarely talk about it. Even my parents don’t know, so they can’t possibly understand my struggles.
I’m still quite lucky to have been writing for so long. If no one had read The Witch’s Journey, I would have quit long ago. But I didn’t want to abandon it, wanting to give my readers a complete story. I persevered, and I finally found you.
Perhaps we’re all like Yu Linna, yearning for success, constantly striving, yet constantly facing setbacks, constantly falling. But I hope everyone can pick themselves up, bravely face their challenges. Perseverance might not always lead to success, but without perseverance, there’s no chance at all (〃’▽’〃).
I hope that in the future, I can reach greater heights together with you. That’s my dream.
Please continue to support Shion. The story will only get more exciting. What challenges will our protagonist face? How will her relationships with the other girls develop? Stay tuned to find out! ￣ω￣=
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