Chapter 138: A Certain Girl Goes Online
Despite being a senior facing the gaokao, Yu Linna’s book hadn’t been published yet. The main obstacle was the illustrations. Chen Xi had found an illustrator, but Yu Linna wasn’t satisfied.
The illustrator, Zhiqiu, known for his provocative and revealing art style, was reportedly quite famous in the industry, having worked on numerous Wenqing projects, commanding high fees. His illustrations often generated significant attention upon release.
Chen Xi, considering Yu Linna’s status as a newcomer, hoped to capitalize on Zhiqiu’s fame and distinctive style to boost her popularity. After all, eye-catching illustrations often translated to higher sales. Zhiqiu’s art style, catering to male readers, was a strategic choice.
“Shion-sensei, you requested less revealing attire, but this is already the most conservative outfit I can offer.”
Zhiqiu and Yu Linna were discussing the illustrations on QQ. Zhiqiu wanted to stick to his usual style: revealing clothing, exaggerated proportions, and ample cleavage. Yu Linna, however, insisted on a more conventional, wholesome aesthetic.
Regarding the attire, Ballad of the Enchantress was set in the future, implying advanced technology, including clothing. Zhiqiu had designed skintight outfits for the female characters, with unzipped chest areas and prominent curves, accentuating their figures. Even this, he claimed, was his most conservative style.
But Yu Linna disagreed.
She rejected his approach.
She wanted her female characters in military uniforms, carrying weapons, their hair tied back, reflecting the battlefield setting. And with the escape scenes, she didn’t want the characters to be overly sexualized. This was a story about love and resilience, not a harem fantasy.
“No, no, it doesn’t fit the setting. They have to wear military uniforms. The female protagonist can’t be so provocative. The fanservice is too blatant. I want illustrations that complement the story, a story about love, not a harem!”
“With all due respect, this is already quite conservative! Most readers prefer this style. Without some skin, who would buy the book?”
“People read novels for the story, not the illustrations. Illustrations are meant to enhance the narrative, to visualize what words can’t describe. Sacrificing the story for the sake of fanservice is foolish!”
“Shion-sensei, you’re too stubborn! I don’t understand what you’re thinking. A good novel… and you insist on such a conservative style? Do you want your readers to stare at endless walls of text?”
They argued on QQ, their disagreement escalating. Both were adamant, unwilling to compromise. Yu Linna was usually easygoing, but when it came to her work, she was incredibly stubborn, almost to a fault. For a newcomer to reject the current market trends was rare.
Zhiqiu, having worked with numerous authors, had never encountered someone so stubborn. He lost his temper, arguing with her on QQ, unaware that he was arguing with a young girl. Had he known, he might have been more lenient.
The argument continued late into the night, ending only when Yu Linna, needing sleep for school the next day, logged off. The next morning, she felt exhausted, regretting the pointless argument.
Whatever. There’s still time before publication. We can discuss it further. I’ll deal with the illustrations later.
The school day passed uneventfully, Yu Linna diligently studying. With the gaokao approaching, she wanted to finish her work quickly and focus on her studies. Since becoming a novelist, her life had become even busier.
The real trouble started after school.
Fang Jiangning had invited her and Huo Ningning for drinks, a usual after-school activity.
Though Yu Linna still disliked Huo Ningning, she couldn’t refuse Fang Jiangning’s invitation.
As they reached the school gate, they found a group of people gathered there, dressed like thugs, the leader wearing an earring and a short-sleeved shirt in the middle of winter, revealing his muscular arms. They looked menacing, clearly gangsters, and trouble.
The other students steered clear of them.
“Let’s hurry and leave,” Huo Ningning whispered, tugging on their sleeves, avoiding eye contact.
These thugs were clearly not to be trifled with. Better to avoid them altogether.
As Yu Linna tried to pass them, the leader blocked her path.
“You… you’re Yu Linna?”
“Huh?”
Yu Linna was shocked. They were looking for her?
She didn’t recall any dealings with gangsters. She had been a model student, never causing trouble, except for that one time in Shenzhen when she was harassed after eating a bowl of rice noodles.
“Um… I think you have the wrong person…” she said, forcing a smile.
“No mistake. The photo matches your face. You… I heard you had my little brother beaten up yesterday.”
“What? I didn’t do anything like that!”
“My brother confessed to you, and you rejected him, then had him beaten up! He’s in the hospital now! He showed me your picture. It’s you! What do you have to say for yourself?”
“…”
Yu Linna was speechless. These thugs were the brothers of the boy who had confessed to her yesterday. She wanted to hide her face.
“It’s a misunderstanding! I didn’t have him beaten up! He was harassing me, and someone else stepped in…”
“Stop making excuses! All you women are the same, hiding behind men, thinking you’re so great. Today, let’s see what you’re made of. Two choices: the hospital, or come with us. Choose.”
The leader’s menacing glare and intimidating aura sent shivers down her spine. She couldn’t even lift her head, cold sweat trickling down her back. This was someone powerful, someone dangerous.
“If you don’t come with us, your two friends… well, you can imagine what will happen to them.”
He gestured towards Fang Jiangning and Huo Ningning.
Yu Linna saw several men in the group leering at them, their eyes filled with lust. Fang Jiangning and Huo Ningning were attractive; they would be easy targets. If anything happened to them…
“Fine, I’ll go with you.”
“Linna, what are you doing?! You can’t go with them!”
“Linna!”
Though terrified, Fang Jiangning and Huo Ningning knew what would happen if Yu Linna was taken away. These men were clearly up to no good.
“Listen to me! Go! Run! I’ll be back soon!”
Yu Linna pushed Fang Jiangning away, tossing her bag at her, then stepped forward. The leader grinned; he knew this girl couldn’t defy him. His brother was pathetic, unable to handle a single girl, a true simp.
“Smart girl. Let’s go. I promise I won’t hurt you. Just be obedient. Hahaha.”
Yu Linna, suppressing her fear, followed him, surrounded by the thugs, preventing her escape. She sighed, following them out of the school gate, taken away in broad daylight.
“Jiangning! What do we do?! We have to do something!”
Huo Ningning, watching Yu Linna being taken away, was on the verge of tears. They had just wanted to enjoy some milk tea after school; how did things escalate so quickly?
“Calm down! Linna told us to stay; she wants us to call the police! She’s not that stupid! Quick, call 110!”
Though panicked, Fang Jiangning wasn’t foolish. She quickly dialed the emergency number. These thugs, abducting a girl in broad daylight, would pay for their actions.
As Yu Linna was led away, the thugs’ expressions were filled with anticipation. Yu Linna could only imagine what they had planned.
She was beautiful, a mixed-race girl, a rare treat for these men. They were clearly looking forward to… sampling the goods.
Yu Linna was terrified, surrounded by these men, about to become their prey. The familiar fear from her time at Chenghe resurfaced.
“Don’t worry, little girl, we won’t hurt you… much. You hurt my brother; I have to make you pay. He confessed to you, and you dared to reject him, even having him beaten up! We can’t let that slide.”
“I didn’t have him beaten up!”
“Shut up! I say you did, you did!”
The leader grabbed her hair, pulling her closer. He wouldn’t do anything too drastic in public, with so many people watching. He led her through several side streets, towards a more secluded area.
“Boss, remember to share after you’re done.”
“This girl, though a bit young, looks delicious. Hehe.”
Yu Linna’s head bowed even lower. What could she do? She was outnumbered, outmatched. The thought of her impending fate made her tremble.
Suddenly, a scream echoed from behind. Yu Linna turned to see two of the men who had been harassing her moments ago collapse to the ground, clutching their groins.
A chilling aura filled the air, a wave of killing intent far more intense than their leader’s.
“Which one of you said you were going to… use her?”
It was a girl’s voice, a voice like a demon from hell. The leader, hearing that voice, trembled. He, a seasoned gangster, was trembling? Impossible!
“I thought it was someone with guts. Turns out it’s just a bunch of pathetic losers. Looks like you’re tired of living. Prepared your last words?”
The sound of cracking bones followed by another scream made the leader’s blood run cold.
A flash of dark hair, a usually elegant face now contorted with rage, her eyes burning with murderous intent. Though dressed in a school uniform, she exuded an aura of power, a force to be reckoned with.
Looking at the blonde girl still in their grasp, Ye Zhiyun felt a surge of rage, a fury that threatened to consume her.
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