Genshin Impact: This light novel author doesn't cross the line.

Carrying the grain and fruit in his hands, he unconsciously turned his gaze to the Naganohara fireworks shop again, but the red figure from his memory was indeed not there.

He chuckled and turned to walk forward.

But as soon as he turned around, he heard calls coming from behind him.

He paused for a moment, then quickened his pace, wanting to escape.

However, the voice behind him grew closer and closer, so close that he could neither pretend not to hear it.

He turned around with a smile and said, "It's been a long time, Mr. Naganohara."

Naganohara Yomi, who had finally caught up, was leaning over with his hands on his legs, panting heavily.

When she heard the title "Naganohara shop owner," her chest tightened, as if something was blocking it.

"Brother Qian Shu, didn't you always call me Xiao Gong? Why is that?"

“Mr. Naganohara, I’m not the same Ueno Chiki I used to be. I’ll never be as good to you as I used to be.” Ueno Chiki said with a resolute expression.

These words deeply wounded Xiaogong's heart.

Her brother Qian Shu used to be so gentle with her, but now he has become like this.

She could no longer control her emotions, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Seeing her with tears streaming down her face, Ueno Chiki felt bad too; he was most afraid of girls crying in front of him.

"Uh, Yomiya, don't cry. I was just joking, just kidding."

Upon hearing that it was a joke, Xiaogong immediately stopped crying and started laughing; his expression changed faster than turning the pages of a book.

"I knew Chishu-nii was lying, but please don't make jokes like that again, because it will really hurt Xiaogong."

Ueno Chiki really wanted to strangle herself. If she had been ruthless enough, she would have just left and been done with it, leaving no trace of her past. Now, she was stuck in this mess.

It seems that only time can gradually heal these feelings. In any case, once the traveler arrives in Inazuma, her heart will be bound to him.

"Okay, Xiaogong, I promise you, I will never make such jokes again." He made the promise helplessly.

"By the way, Brother Qianshu, why haven't you come to see me in so long?"

"I've been quite busy lately, writing light novels."

"Writes light novels?" Yomiya looked him up and down curiously. "I never knew you had such a talent. I heard there's a light novel that's been really popular lately, could it be yours?"

Chiki Ueno wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and quickly shook her head. "I'm just a nobody, how could I possibly write such a popular novel?"

"Brother Qian Shu, it's okay, I believe in you. One day your novel will appear on the shelves of Yaedo. Keep it up!"

"Yes, that's what I think too. It's getting late, I have to go back early, goodbye!"

After saying that, Ueno Chiki quickly grabbed her things and ran away, giving Yoshimiya no chance to stop her.

Xiaogong gazed at his departing figure, feeling a sense of loneliness.

Even though she's usually quite oblivious when it comes to relationships, she understands that she and he can never go back to the way things were.

If only I could have understood my own heart sooner.

.......

After returning home, Ueno Chiki first put twenty catties of grain into her rice jar. Seeing that the jar was half full, she felt a sense of satisfaction and peace.

The seeds sown in the small field in front of the door have begun to take root and sprout.

After walking along a winding path, we arrived at the old woman's house.

He discovered that, besides the old woman, there was also an acquaintance of his in the old woman's house—Araki Kazuto.

"It's you! Little White Dragon of the Waves!" Arataki Ichito jumped up from the wooden floor upon seeing Ueno Chiki. "What are you doing here?"

"My house is right next door, is it not normal for me to be here?" Ueno Chiki said matter-of-factly after putting down the fruit in her hand.

"Ichidou, Chishu, you two know each other? That's wonderful! Have dinner here with me tonight." Granny Gui was delighted to learn that the two knew each other, her face beaming with joy.

"No, Mother-in-law, I've already cooked dinner at home, so I won't eat here."

Ueno Chiki declined the old woman's invitation and, after exchanging a few pleasantries with her, stepped out of the house.

Unexpectedly, he was stopped by Araki Ichito as soon as he left.

"Little White Dragon of the Waves, do you dare to fight me again? I've already mastered the secret of your move. Bring it on!"

Ueno Chiki was truly speechless. After receiving the royalties, he no longer wanted to swindle this idiot, but the idiot just had to deliver himself to his doorstep.

What could possibly be inside such a huge head?

"Alas, Arataki Ichito, I've lost interest in your challenge. But since you've chosen to challenge me again, I'll give you one last chance."

"Bring it on, I've already seen through you." Araki Ichito had already figured out the tricks of the monkeys, and when Ueno Chiki asked again, he would first ask whether it was riding one monkey or seven monkeys.

"Okay, chickens and rabbits are put in a cage. A chicken has one head and two legs, and a rabbit has one head and four legs. Now there are eight heads and twenty legs. How many chickens and how many rabbits are there?"

Chiki Ueno finished answering the question in a very fast voice.

Araki Kazuto stood there dumbfounded, his brain completely shut down; it was clear that this problem had exceeded his limits.

Ignoring Araki Ichito any further, Ueno Chiki returned to her home and started cooking.

Before long, a pot of fragrant violet porridge was ready.

He sat by the door, drinking hot porridge and watching the magnificent sunset. All his worries and sorrows seemed to vanish at that moment.

Perhaps, living such an ordinary life is just fine.

However, nothing in the world changes according to his personal will.

Chapter 16 Am I one of the Fools?

In the stillness of the night, only the sounds of the wind and frogs outside the window whispered in my ears.

Chiki Ueno was fast asleep, hovering on the edge of a dream.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open silently, and a cool breeze rushed in, carrying a sudden chill.

He woke up on the spot, his nerves immediately tensed, and his eyes became wary.

He squinted in the darkness, trying to make out the identity of the newcomer, while his hand groped on the mat, searching for the kitchen knife hidden underneath. He quickly found the knife, and with it in his hand, he felt a little more at ease.

A tall, thin man appeared at the doorway.

"Code name 9527, put down the cleaver in your hand, it's me."

Ueno Chiki was completely bewildered. Codename 9527? He frantically searched his memory, but found only scattered fragments of related information. This was a side effect of his transmigration; the original owner had lost many memories, retaining only the relatively important ones.

Judging from what he said, it seems that the original owner of this body had joined some kind of organization.

"Yes, sir," he replied, forcing a smile, as he put down the kitchen knife.

"Code name 9527. The higher-ups are very dissatisfied with our recent work, believing that we have neglected our duties, and demand that we quickly disrupt Inazuma and plunge Inazuma into turmoil."

The man's tone was cold, with a hint of complaint in it.

“The higher-ups simply don’t understand the hardships we lower-level employees endure. You, sir, have clearly done an excellent job, but they just turn a blind eye.”

These words struck a chord with the man. "Sigh, I've risked my life for the organization for so many years, shedding sweat and blood, and all these damn leaders do is bark like dogs all day long."

"Lord Kodok, I believe you will become a great man one day." Ueno Chiki followed up with another round of flattery, making Kodok very happy.

He felt that Ueno Chiki was much more pleasing to the eye now; before, she was like a block of wood, incredibly dull.

"Alright, let's not dwell on that for now. We were given two tasks by our superiors today. The first is to find out the author of 'My Husband is Impotent, and I, as an Executive Officer, Have No Choice But to Embark on a Path of Immorality.'"

"Why bother finding out this?" Since it concerned his own life and fortune, Ueno Chiki had no choice but to pay close attention.

"Code name 9527. The Executive Officer will be arriving in Inazuma soon. Do you understand?"

Ueno Chiki's heart skipped a beat; he now understood what kind of organization he had joined.

It was the infamous Fools of Teyvat.

Holy crap, this is outrageous! The Fools are notoriously ruthless, not only to their enemies but also to their own.

At this moment, memories hidden deep in my mind were also brought to the surface.

After reading it, Ueno Chiki's fists clenched.

It turns out that this guy joined the Fools' Clan's intelligence organization in order to pay the miscellaneous taxes for the Naganohara fireworks shop, driven by money.

I used to feel some sympathy for Ueno Chiki, but now I realize she doesn't deserve any sympathy at all.

He'd sell his country and his soul for a woman who doesn't love him; he truly deserves it.

However, this guy really got himself into a mess.

Once the main storyline concludes and Lei regains control, he will definitely conduct a purge.

Just as he was frowning in worry, Kobik announced the second task: "Soon, a blond traveler will be arriving in Inazuma. Keep a close eye on him and gather all information about him."

"Yes, sir, I will definitely complete your mission!" This mission is relatively simple.

"Hmm. Also, please note that if you see the Executive Officer, you must bow your head. Not long ago, a member of the Fools brought the novel into real life and stared intently at the woman's chest. He was then gouged out on the spot."

"Understood." Ueno Chiki suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. That lady was too ruthless. All she wanted to do was watch the game.

"Code name 9527. There's something bad I need to tell you. The Liyue branch of the Northern Bank has run into some problems, which has resulted in the organization's funds being insufficient recently. But don't worry, as soon as the funds are available, they will be disbursed immediately."

"Don't worry, I'm willing to do it for Her Majesty the Empress's supreme ideals!" Ueno Chiki said confidently.

Kodok stepped forward and patted him heavily on the shoulder, his expression very excited. "The organization needs someone like you! If I can be promoted and transferred back to Touhou, then you will be in charge of Inazuma's intelligence network!"

This has caught Ueno Chiki off guard. Didn't he join the National Revolutionary Army in 1949?

"I am not capable enough; I am not up to the task!"

"Work skills can be developed, but loyalty to the Queen is rare. It's settled then. You need to hurry up and find out the author of 'My Husband is Soft and Powerless...'. This is extremely important. The sooner we find out, the sooner I can get promoted, and the better it will be for you."

Afterwards, Kodak gave Ueno Chiki some instruction, clearly intending to groom him as his successor.

Just as Ueno Chiki thought Kodoc genuinely wanted to train her, Kodoc coughed, looking embarrassed, and said, "Code name 9527, I'm a little short on funds lately, this, this..."

Ueno Chiki immediately understood his intention, silently opened her tatami mat, found her money pouch, and took it.

"It is my duty to help you, sir, but my abilities are limited, and this is all I can do for now."

Kodok snatched the money bag, weighed it, and wasn't particularly satisfied.