1979: My fiancée is a goddess

"The banquet continues."

With everything settled, the banquet hall returned to normal under the instructions of Editor-in-Chief Noma.

By this time, the night sky outside the 39th floor had already turned pitch black, and the dazzling crystal chandeliers in the banquet hall added to the city's night view.

As the pianist's slender fingers danced across the strings, the solemn and elegant piano music rang out once again, still melodious and pleasing to the ear.

People who had stopped because of the farce embraced each other again and started dancing on the dance floor.

Or perhaps they're in small groups, excitedly discussing everything that just happened...

In short, a lively and cheerful atmosphere once again filled the entire conference hall.

……

"Gulu gulu..."

The cola slid down from mid-air, resembling a splash of flowing dark red gemstone in the light, as it poured into a glass filled with square ice cubes.

At low temperatures, chilled cola produces fine bubbles and a hissing sound.

Cheng Kaiyan took the cold glass in her hand and took a big gulp.

Cool, bubbly, and sweet...

One bite relieved Cheng Kaiyan's thirst, making him feel extremely satisfied.

However, the satisfaction of cola is only felt on the first sip.

"Why are you all staring at me like that? How about you get some Coke?"

With a clatter, the glass was placed on the small table to the side.

When Cheng Kaiyan looked up, she saw several women staring at her intently, their expressions extremely complicated.

These guys have been like this ever since their identities were accidentally exposed.

"Who wants a Coke?! Cheng Kaiyan, aren't you going to explain yourself?!"

Ayana Uesugi jumped up from her seat, her face still showing a lot of surprise and astonishment.

In her eyes, Cheng Kaiyan had always been just an ordinary man.

The only redeeming quality is that he's very good-looking and a professor at such a young age...

Oh, I think he's also a writer.

That's all there is to say.

If it weren't for their childhood friendship, Ayana Uesugi really wouldn't see any hope that he could beat that guy, Ritsuto Yamamoto.

In terms of background, education, connections, money, and power, this guy is inferior to Yamamoto in almost every way.

But this seemingly ordinary guy suddenly transformed into a nationally renowned writer after attending a banquet.

Just like in those overused novels.

My rustic childhood sweetheart from the countryside could never be a literary giant.
She wouldn't have believed the huge difference if she hadn't heard it from the editor-in-chief of Kodansha.

"You didn't even ask, did you? Besides, we don't have any national-level writer titles where we're from. It's all just a strange misunderstanding..."

Cheng Kaiyan spread her hands, looking rather helpless.

Are you suggesting we let him boast about his achievements like a peacock spreading its tail feathers, and then exaggerate how amazing he is?

This is so out of character for him.

"Humph!"

Ayana Uesugi crossed her arms and hummed, clearly finding this reason unconvincing.

Then she quickly remembered that Cheng Kaiyan's purpose in coming to Japan was because his movie was about to start filming and he wanted Ruixue to be the female lead!
A novel being adapted into a movie, and even filmed in Japan—isn't that the kind of treatment only great writers get?

"Oh right! You're here to film a movie! You kept it a secret! I've been trying to set you two up all this time!"

The little round-faced girl sorted out her thoughts and pointed indignantly at Cheng Kaiyan.

She was certain that this guy had come with the intention of showing off in front of others.

"Is that matchmaking? You're just being a third wheel, okay?"

Cheng Kaiyan said irritably, then smiled and looked at the girl sitting quietly beside her.

"You're definitely hiding something from me and Ruixue! You might as well tell us the truth!"

The girl with the round face wrapped her arm around Zhao Ruixue's arm outside her evening gown, as if she had found a powerful weapon, and snorted coldly.

Zhao Ruixue squinted slightly, seemingly observing Cheng Kaiyan, her expression much calmer and more composed.

After all, Cheng Kaiyan had always been an outstanding person in her heart. Before she went abroad, Cheng Kaiyan was already very famous in the domestic literary world.

It's not impossible for someone to become a nationally renowned and household-name writer in just six months.

But... just like Ayana said, is there something this guy is hiding from her?
Zhao Ruixue believed that her understanding of Cheng Kaiyan was mostly accurate!
"Heh, what else are you hiding?"

The girl pulled her arm away from her friend's embrace, crossed her arms over her chest, and lifted her already round and firm breasts under her black satin evening dress. Her usually cold and aloof face revealed a half-smile.

"Uh……"

Cheng Kaiyan's gaze was drawn to her sudden movement and the beauty that was highlighted. He couldn't help but admire how good the girl's figure was, the kind that was flawless. However, now was not the time for such sentimentality, and he felt a little guilty.

You should know that he tricked the girl out of her savings that morning by claiming he couldn't afford food and was about to starve.

Although he hadn't seen how much money was in his bank account, it must have been at least several hundred thousand.

"Is there anything else that hasn't been explained?"

Zhao Ruixue stared at him as he crossed his legs, his white diamond-encrusted open-toe high heels dangling beside Cheng Kaiyan's legs, his ten toes, more exquisite and beautiful than pearls, starting to move restlessly.

"There's really nothing else. It's just that the film rights and novel rights for 'Love Letter' sold for a combined 20 million."

Seeing this, Cheng Kaiyan honestly told the whole story.

"Twenty million?!"

Zhao Ruixue's eyes widened when she heard this. She had worked herself to the bone for almost half a year and only earned a little over a million yuan.

This guy, on the other hand, sold the copyright and made twenty times more than her.

This bastard even tried to scam her out of money for being his mistress!

Thinking of this, even Zhao Ruixue felt a little dissatisfied.

As for Ayana Uesugi, she was so shocked that she shut her mouth and couldn't say a word.

Twenty million, twenty million...

This is almost twenty years' salary for an average person.

This guy isn't poor at all; he's a multi-millionaire. Wait, didn't he say that himself...?

Once Ayana Uesugi realized this, she lost all her temper.

"The price for film rights is already at the level of top-tier authors..."

Editor Morita Koshiko, standing nearby, watched in utter shock. As someone in the industry, although she hadn't been involved in copyright transactions herself, she still knew the prices.

It seems that Cheng Kaiyan's level of writing, as a national-level writer, is quite impressive even in Japan; otherwise, Shochiku Co., Ltd. would not have offered such a price.

"I apologize for underestimating Professor Cheng."

Morita Eshiko sincerely apologized, although at first her attitude towards Cheng Kaiyan was still rather cold and polite.

Even after Cheng Kaiyan met a wealthy young lady, she felt that apart from that, she had nothing outstanding about her.

Unexpectedly, Cheng Kaiyan was exceptionally talented, a renowned writer, a film adaptation expert, and a multi-millionaire.

What woman wouldn't like such an outstanding man? What woman wouldn't be devoted to him?
No wonder Ruixue was so fixated on him that she didn't give Yamamoto Ritsuto the slightest bit of a friendly look.

Looking back now, Yamamoto Riteng is nowhere near as good as Cheng Kaiyan.

"Is the movie adapted by Professor Cheng called 'Love Letter'?"

Morita composed himself and asked curiously.

"Yes, it will be released in Japan later..."

"It's so touching. I read the novel last night."

"We definitely have to go see it! We'll support Professor Cheng's movie!"

"Cheng Kaiyan even invited Ruixue to play the lead role in a movie before..."

……

The women chattered for a while, finally calming down their strange emotions and starting to gossip. Cheng Kaiyan also finally calmed down, crossing his legs and drinking cola, idly observing the crowd coming and going in the banquet hall.

Not far away, Chia Tachibana was chatting with Editor-in-Chief Noma and his group, glancing back at him every now and then, and then saying a few words to him.

Editor-in-Chief Noma walked over with Deputy Editor-in-Chief Yoshida, stopping in front of Cheng Kaiyan and Zhao Ruixue with a serious and solemn expression.

"What's wrong, Editor-in-Chief?"

Upon seeing this, editor Morita assumed that they had come to cause trouble for Ruixue, and hurriedly got up.

Cheng Kaiyan and Zhao Ruixue also frowned and looked at the two of them.

"You must be Ms. Yuki, the talented woman who has recently become famous in our Kodansha?"

Surprisingly, the editor-in-chief did not retaliate, but instead smiled gently: "I have already inquired with the staff present about what happened just now. As the editor-in-chief of Kodansha, I am truly sorry for the bullying and unfair treatment that Ms. Yuki suffered."

"I'm so sorry, Miss Xue."

The editor-in-chief bowed slightly, offering a sincere apology, then sternly slapped Yoshida on the back of the head and said coldly, "Apologize to Miss Yuki now!"

"I'm so sorry! Please forgive me, Miss Xue."

Editor-in-Chief Yoshida, standing to the side, looked extremely nervous and bowed several times, seemingly afraid that Zhao Ruixue would not understand.

Looking at the man bowing repeatedly before her, Zhao Ruixue remained calm and said in a cold voice, "This matter ends here."

"Thank you, Miss Xue. I'm so sorry."

Yoshida breathed a sigh of relief.

"This matter is not over yet. The company will compensate Ms. Xue. I have decided to increase Ms. Xue's royalty rate to 12%, and I hope Ms. Xue can accept it."

Editor-in-Chief Noma shook his head apologetically.

Zhao Ruixue remained noncommittal.

Morita Etsuko was quite surprised. Ruixue's current royalty rate was only 8%, which was considered quite good for a newcomer. Now it had been increased to 12% all at once?

This is the level of a bestselling author!
"On behalf of Ruixue, I thank the editor-in-chief."

Editor Morita glanced at the silent Zhao Ruixue, sighed inwardly, and quickly spoke up for her.

"Furthermore, such an incident within the publishing house is a serious dereliction of duty. Upholding the dignity and interests of authors is the duty of editors, and editor Morita has done an excellent job in this regard."

The editor-in-chief praised him with a smile.

"The editor-in-chief is too kind; it was all Morita's responsibility."

Morita straightened up and said modestly.

"Then I won't disturb you."

Editor-in-Chief Noma nodded in satisfaction and was about to turn and leave when he turned back to Cheng Kaiyan and invited her, "Teacher Cheng, would you like to come up on stage later and exchange ideas about literature with Mr. Murakami and the others?"

"Let's forget about it, today has been lively enough."

Cheng Kaiyan smiled and shook her head, politely declining.

"Oh... it's such a pity that Teacher Cheng can't come, but I still want to apologize to everyone."

Editor-in-Chief Noma sighed and apologized.

"The editor-in-chief has been very polite and fair."

Cheng Kaiyan waved her hand, indicating that it was alright.

To be honest, this editor-in-chief has a truly great vision and perspective.

Ruixue's matter can be considered a big deal or a small deal, after all, it was just verbal bullying.

However, the editor-in-chief, Noma, still personally came with his subordinates to apologize, which not only restored the trust of the talented writer Zhao Ruixue in Kodansha and demonstrated his magnanimity as editor-in-chief, but also won over his subordinate, Yoshida.

That's quite a sophisticated tactic.

"Then we won't disturb you any longer. We wish you all a pleasant time."

Editor-in-Chief Noma left with his entourage.

……

"I doubt that without Cheng Kaiyan's presence, Yoshida and the editor-in-chief would have apologized so politely."

"Uesugi Ayana said indignantly."

"Yes, if it weren't for Teacher Cheng and Miss Ju, Ruixue probably wouldn't have received an apology or compensation at all."

Editor Morita gave a wry smile. She was an adult; there was no way she couldn't see the truth.

"Thank you, Ayan."

Zhao Ruixue gently stroked her skirt and slowly stood up, a captivating smile blooming on her exquisitely beautiful face.

It's still the same as before!

As long as he's around, I don't have to worry about anything; he can take care of everything for me...

I feel so safe, so secure, so happy...

"In return, Miss Xue'er, would you mind joining me for a dance?"

Cheng Kaiyan smiled gently, her eyes fixed on the stunningly beautiful and aloof woman before her. She gracefully made a beautiful arc in the air with her hand and presented it to the girl.

"It's an honor, Ayan!"

Zhao Ruixue smiled faintly, gently stroked the hem of her black satin skirt, and raised her delicate hand for Cheng Kaiyan to take.

Under the soft, orange glow of the crystal chandelier.

The two walked gracefully into the crowd.

They faced each other, holding hands, their eyes locked.

Frédéric Chopin's "The Little Dog Waltz" danced in the banquet hall.

On the dance floor.

A perfect couple danced slowly to the innocent, cheerful, and lively music.

The dance moves resembled pairs of butterflies, just like the delicate butterfly-shaped ribbons that unfurled with the movements on the girl's bare, jade-like back...

……

The writers' salon officially began at 7 p.m.

Several prominent figures in the Japanese literary world, including Haruki Murakami and Yuko Tsushima, took to the stage to speak and exchange ideas on literary creation, literary philosophy, and their literary journeys.

Cheng Kaiyan sat there in the audience, with a cool and elegant girl sitting beside him. The two of them watched the speech on stage in silence.

But there was no focus left in his eyes; his attention had been completely drawn to the person beside him.

The dinner ended at nine o'clock.

Cheng Kaiyan and the other two were sent back by Tachibana Chiai.

Apartment downstairs.

Cheng Kaiyan and Zhao Ruixue stood facing each other in the cold evening breeze.

After leaving the banquet, the two calmed down a bit and maintained a subtle distance without making a sound.

"Ruixue, I might have some things to take care of tomorrow, so I probably won't be able to stay with you."

Cheng Kaiyan looked at the girl who was shivering in the wind and apologized.

Zhao Ruixue fell silent for a moment, wondering what else Cheng Kaiyan wanted to discuss. Could it be...?

She suddenly realized something, her face grew even paler, and her eyes turned slightly red.

"I'll come find you after class this afternoon; I have a surprise for you then."

Cheng Kaiyan sighed inwardly, realizing she couldn't bear to see her sad and hadn't originally planned to tell her.

"it is good!"

Zhao Ruixue felt like he was his toy.

He suddenly threw me into hell, and then lifted me up to heaven, but I still couldn't help but look forward to it and feel joy.

See you tomorrow afternoon.

"It's cold outside, go home and get some sleep. See you tomorrow." (End of Chapter)