However, despite how good it was, the serialization of this manga unexpectedly stopped last week! And it halted right at the moment when the female protagonist was about to bravely confess her feelings to the male protagonist! Just like that!

“Trash author! Another damn cliffhanger!”

Some authors deliberately leave readers hanging at the most gripping moments. As a manga artist, Bai Tao understood this strategy, but as a reader, she couldn’t help but fume.

When Bai Tao initially clicked into this manga, she hadn’t paid attention to the author’s name. Now, however, she was fixated on finding out: “Let’s see who this damn author is…”

Grumbling discontentedly, she closed the page and returned to the manga’s homepage, where Bai Tao saw her own name.

???

“…”

Well, this was awkward…

The damn author turned out to be herself…

Bai Tao stared at her name on the screen, feeling a mix of emotions. In that moment, she had only one feeling—

“No wonder it’s me!!!”

Who else could create such effortlessly cute, down-to-earth yet uniquely imaginative works? Who else could draw such gorgeous artwork without being ostentatious? Who else could weave such tightly knit plots, not neglecting the romance that tickles the heart?

It’s me! It’s me! It’s me! Definitely me!

Lost in self-admiration, Bai Tao’s phone rang, showing Song Yan’s name on the screen.

According to Bai Tao’s prior research, Song Yan was her studio assistant for the past few years.

What could the assistant want with her?

As a current hotshot successful manga artist, this call must be about some business collaboration or a commissioned work.

Bai Tao steadied her mind, mentally preparing herself, and then answered the phone.

Successful people, no matter the scale of the deal, must stay composed and calm. Avoid showing too much excitement.

However, just as Bai Tao finished silently reciting “stay calm,” she heard Song Yan’s resounding roar through the phone—

“Bai Tao-sensei!!! When are you going to submit your manuscript?! Are you planning to delay the serialization again?! You’ve already taken one issue off! We can’t afford to pigeonhole this issue again! Many fans in our super topic are freaking out, threatening to turn against us! And our contract with the platform includes penalties for late submissions! Should I calculate the late fees for you?!”

Damn, why was this assistant so fierce?!

“…” Bai Tao was bombarded with a rapid-fire series of questions and complaints, momentarily stunned. “Wh-what?”

Song Yan poured her heart out, every word dripping with frustration, “Your ‘Getting Closer to You’! When will the next chapter be ready? You promised me it would be today, and if it’s delayed again, I swear I’ll hang myself at your doorstep! I’m only twenty-one, I haven’t even held a man’s hand! Can you do this to me, Bai Tao-sensei?!”

“…” Bai Tao instinctively responded, “I’ll do it right away, I promise!”

“We still have five days until the deadline! What do you mean by ‘right away’? Should I book a hotel to lock you up and cut off your internet?”

“No… no need!”

Bai Tao immediately swore to the heavens that she would start drawing right away!

This assistant seemed to have a knack for changing faces. As soon as she got Bai Tao’s assurance, her tone instantly softened, “Also, Bai Tao-sensei, how long has it been since you last updated your Weibo? It’s time to engage! Don’t forget our image of being as calm as chrysanthemums in public. Post more about your and CEO Pei’s everyday sweet moments. Everyone’s waiting!”

After hanging up the phone, Bai Tao stared at the manga on her computer screen, sinking into silence.

“To live for the moment is to live forever.”

Others who time-traveled gained special abilities, but her own journey felt rather bleak—

She truly didn’t know how to develop the manga’s storyline further and felt utterly blank.

Others traveled to the past, reciting poetry, painting, and making savvy investments. In contrast, she, who traveled to the future, was left with nothing but emptiness and darkness.

Bai Tao rummaged through her room but found no inspiration notebook, script drafts, or outlines.

Oh well, there were still a few days until the deadline. Perhaps a good night’s sleep would bring inspiration tomorrow?

Besides, after Song Yan’s call, Bai Tao felt surreal. She was supposed to maintain an image of calmness like a chrysanthemum?! Could she really be that calm?

Scenes from her daily loving life with Pei Shi?

Luckily, there were plenty recorded in her notes app. Bai Tao picked one and posted it on Weibo.

Regardless, she was now a renowned manga artist and Pei Shi’s beloved wife. Thinking about this, she couldn’t help but feel a bit proud of herself. These five years seemed to have treated her well. But what about Pei Fei?

The thought of Pei Fei couldn’t be suppressed. Bai Tao searched her name as a keyword.

Five years had passed. What was Pei Fei up to? Why hadn’t they seen her for so long? Bai Tao was her sister-in-law; even if there was a car accident, why hadn’t she come to visit?

But when she looked, Bai Tao was enraged. Pei Fei actually had a Wikipedia page!

“Pei Fei, renowned pianist, currently residing in Austria. Noble and graceful, with a deep background, born into a scholarly family. Elegant, noble, dignified—these are her trademarks…”

What the hell? This was Pei Fei? Noble? Elegant? When she slapped her in the face and insulted her, she certainly didn’t seem like that!

No wonder she could maintain such a calm demeanor. Even Pei Fei managed to be noble and elegant!

In this vast world, anything was possible!

—

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Bai Tao: The future of humanity is bright!!!

Pei Shi: The future of humanity might be bright, but I’m not so sure about your future.