Chapter 52: Plotting a Story, Meow?

A Writer’s Block

When Ye Xinglan entered Xiao Xi’s room, Xiao Xi was slumped in her chair, clutching her hair, staring blankly at her writing software, her mind completely frozen.

Indeed, Xiao Xi was stuck again, and this time, her writer’s block was particularly severe.

Lately, to avoid Mu Xingge’s suspicion, Xiao Xi had written bland plots. As a result, her backend data had been dismal these past few days.

Anxious, Xiao Xi desperately wanted to recapture her old writing rhythm. Even if it meant writing slightly risqué content, losing money was far worse than losing dignity!

Her obsession with earning money was intense. After all, she still owed Ye Xinglan two months’ rent, plus next month’s rent and the money Ye Xinglan had loaned her for a new phone. Her debt to Ye Xinglan was nearing ten thousand!

Never in her life had Xiao Xi owed so much. The pressure of debt drove her to seize every earning opportunity.

However, the recent mundane daily plots had completely derailed her story’s direction. Moreover, she’d used up most of the inspiration drawn from past experiences, leaving her utterly stuck, unable to write a single word today.

Worse still, she had no drafts left. If she couldn’t write, tonight’s update was in jeopardy!

A Helping Hand

“What’s wrong, Xiao Xi? Why the long face?”

Ye Xinglan pinched Xiao Xi’s cheeks and sat on the bed. Seeing the blank document on the screen, she instantly knew Xiao Xi was stuck.

“Look, I told you your recent plots are boring. The early chapters were so good!”

“I know,” Xiao Xi sighed. “But inspiration isn’t something you can just recreate. I’m completely out of ideas!”

Seeing Xiao Xi’s hair turned into a bird’s nest from her frantic grabbing, Ye Xinglan got serious and began helping her brainstorm.

“How about adding a new character?” Ye Xinglan suggested. “You’ve already written about [Nightingale Songstress] Mu Xingge. Why not include the Blood Moon Witch?”

“I want to see Mu Xingge crushed by the Blood Moon Witch! Heh heh heh heh…”

Xiao Xi shook her head. Honestly, ignoring Ye Xinglan’s villainous cackle, her suggestion had some merit.

With the plot stalled, introducing a new character for a side story wasn’t a bad idea. Besides, many similar novels included real-world villains.

After all, some villains, like the Blood Moon Witch, were quite infamous. Yet, Xiao Xi’s conscience wouldn’t allow it.

Writing risqué magical girl stories already pushed her limits. Including her nemesis, the Blood Moon Witch, and having her repeatedly defeat magical girls in the story? That was something Xiao Xi couldn’t do!

As [Eternal Star], her principles wouldn’t let her write something that glorified her enemy and undermined her own side!

A Pushy Patron

“What? Why not write it?”

Seeing Xiao Xi’s refusal, Ye Xinglan pouted and kicked her computer chair. “I’ve tipped your book plenty, haven’t I? Is this how you treat your patron’s requests?”

Caught between obligation and reluctance, Xiao Xi couldn’t outright refuse Ye Xinglan. Instead, she scrambled for an excuse.

“It’s not that I don’t want to… I just can’t come up with a plot involving the Blood Moon Witch, you know? If I had one, I’d write it!”

“No plot, huh?” Ye Xinglan’s eyes lit up. “I’ve got a plot for you. Want to hear it?”

Suddenly, Ye Xinglan recalled an incident involving Mu Xingge. She’d once nearly defeated her.

The Divine Assembly had caught Mu Xingge alone and set a trap, successfully capturing her. Seeing Mu Xingge dangling in midair, Ye Xinglan had been ready to thoroughly humiliate her. Unfortunately, an unexpected twist let Mu Xingge escape.

The memory felt perfect for a defeat-themed story. Moreover, if Xiao Xi wrote it, it would fulfill Ye Xinglan’s dream—humiliating a magical girl in fiction, since she couldn’t in reality.

“You?”

Xiao Xi eyed Ye Xinglan skeptically, her tone dripping with doubt. In her view, Ye Xinglan had never written a novel, so her plot ideas were probably useless.

Besides, Xiao Xi’s stories were adapted from her own experiences. How could an ordinary person like Ye Xinglan come up with such inspiration?

Nevertheless, to show respect for her patron, Xiao Xi decided to listen. If it was bad, she’d just say, “It doesn’t fit,” and be done with it without offending her.

“Ahem, here’s the story—”

Xiao Xi nodded halfheartedly, her eyes still glued to the screen, pondering her own plot.

An Unexpected Spark

However, as she listened, Xiao Xi’s attention was gradually drawn to Ye Xinglan’s story.

A lone magical girl, careless, captured and humiliated by a powerful enemy, only to escape at the last moment…

This… Hiss, this plot actually sounded pretty good!

Ye Xinglan snapped her fingers in front of Xiao Xi, pulling her out of her reverie.

“So, what do you think? Not bad, right?”

Xiao Xi stayed silent. Though the idea was solid, could she really write about the Blood Moon Witch? Her conscience…

‘Ugh… Sorry, Xingge!’ she thought. ‘For all the times I saved you in battle, please forgive me! It’s just life forcing my hand!’

Xiao Xi felt her moral底线 drop another notch.

“But, Xinglan, your story feels so real, like it actually happened.”

“Haha, really?” Ye Xinglan gave an awkward laugh. “Guess I’ve got a knack for storytelling. Get writing, I won’t bother you. I’m heading out.”

The door clicked shut. Xiao Xi glanced at the time, took a deep breath, and started typing.

A Shocking Update

Late that night, Mu Xingge, fresh from a shower, returned to her room. On her desk lay a neatly compiled file of Xiao Xi’s personal information.

She’d hired a reliable private investigator. Tomorrow, she’d hand over the file, and they’d dig into Xiao Xi’s entire history.

Though doxxing wasn’t ethical, Mu Xingge strongly suspected this risqué novel was tied to an old friend. She was mainly investigating the latter.

Just then, her phone pinged with a novel update notification. Glancing at the time—11:59 p.m.—she noted the author’s update was oddly timed.

Mu Xingge casually opened the new chapter. But as she read the opening, her eyes widened.

Ten minutes later, after rereading the chapter two or three times, one question consumed her mind—

‘Who the f*ck wrote this novel?!’