Chapter 51: Liu Fan's Strange Transformation

For the entire following day, the two communicated through translation as Jiangxiwen explained his cultivation system to Inaba Keinan. In Keinan’s words, Jiangxiwen’s ethereal legend was a magnificent creation that blended traditional classic xianxia with elements of science fiction. However, in order to adapt it into a manga, much needed to be streamlined.

After some thought, Jiangxiwen decided to start anew—an entirely fresh concept began to take shape in his mind: a xianxia novel infused with futuristic elements, yet full of chivalry and tender emotion. After discussing it with Keinan, he immediately wrote the first episode, and Keinan began illustrating at once. Soon, they had completed a thirty-page draft. Both reviewed it and found it excellent.

Keinan, elated, immediately phoned his editor in Taiwan, saying he would mail the first episode to see if it was viable. The Taiwanese editor responded readily, agreeing to review it as soon as it arrived.

That evening, Jiangxiwen treated Keinan to local specialties of Yangjiang. The spicy dishes had the slender man sniffling and tearing up, yet he kept exclaiming how delicious it was.

“Delicious” became the first phrase of Chinese he learned.

Over the next two days, Jiangxiwen stayed with Keinan and together they created two more episodes of the manga. They agreed on the title “Immortal Charm,” a name Keinan especially liked for its distinctly Chinese flavor.

On the third day, Keinan decided to return to his country. He left Jiangxiwen his detailed contact information and took him to a lawyer, where they signed a valid contract for the collaborative creation of “Immortal Charm.” They agreed that if the Taiwanese publisher approved, Jiangxiwen would provide twenty episodes at a time, mailing them to Japan, where Keinan would illustrate them and then mail them to Taiwan.

To allay Jiangxiwen’s concerns, Keinan introduced him to his editor friend in Taiwan over the phone, ensuring that future publishing contracts would be signed by all three parties.

Keinan’s approach impressed Jiangxiwen greatly—he was a madman in creative work, but prudent and meticulous in business.

At the end of the month, the Yangjiang City Student Computer Competition went off smoothly. Unsurprisingly, Jiangxiwen wowed the judges with a small but practical program, effortlessly taking first place in the city and earning the right to compete at the provincial level.

Jiangxiwen was indifferent to this, but the principal was overjoyed. In stark contrast, Miejue Wen was in a deep depression. Never in her teaching career had a student she had labeled as a poor performer managed to redeem themselves—Jiangxiwen was the first.

Returning to the classroom, Jiangxiwen noticed that his classmates seemed completely transformed—everyone was working hard, even the usual troublemakers.

Gong Xiang confirmed Jiangxiwen’s suspicions: these students were working so diligently because they wanted more updates of “Ethereal Legend” during the winter break.

Tan Yutou, in addition to Jiangxiwen’s requirements, added another—everyone had to keep this a secret. It became a pact among the class and Old Tan: no one was to leak it to anyone, not even the teachers. If Jiangxiwen was punished, he wouldn’t write anymore.

This trick worked wonders. All the teachers were amazed at how suddenly studious Class 4 of the third year had become, but they couldn’t find any explanation. No matter whom they asked, the students would only reply with positive slogans, leaving the other class teachers baffled.

Even Liu Fan had become much more well-behaved. Even under Miejue Wen’s interrogation, he didn’t reveal the truth. According to Gong Xiang, Liu Fan’s attitude had changed even before Tan Yutou made the announcement. Though still arrogant with other students, he was always polite to Gong Xiang, and he no longer tried to flirt with Zhang Ya as he used to.

This news made Jiangxiwen increasingly suspicious that Liu Dashan was involved in the recent kidnapping. He wondered whether old man Zhang Song had discovered anything.

Zhang Ya hadn’t seen Jiangxiwen for several weeks, and was especially happy to see him now. She wanted to talk to him, but remembering his cold indifference that day, her expression hardened and she kept reminding herself, “I absolutely must not speak to him first.”

While she remained silent, Jiangxiwen approached her with a grin. “Beautiful class monitor, it’s been days since I’ve seen you, and you’ve grown even more lovely.”

If he had said this before, Zhang Ya would have found him unbearable, treating him like a little scoundrel. Now, though, she felt an inexplicable sweetness, though she tried to keep a straight face and replied, “Nonsense, it’s nothing like what you say.”

Liu Fan, hearing this clearly from the side, couldn’t help but chime in with a laugh, “Zhang Ya, West Wen is right, you really are getting prettier.”

Zhang Ya frowned. She had never liked Liu Fan and was about to tell him to shut up, when Jiangxiwen turned to Liu Fan and said, “Who asked you, spring onion? What’s it got to do with you?”

Zhang Ya’s strained expression finally relaxed, and she burst out laughing.

“You—!” Liu Fan, embarrassed, glared at Jiangxiwen, making as if to hit him.

“Go on then, Liu Fan, hit me right here,” Jiangxiwen taunted, thrusting his face forward as if he didn’t care about the consequences. From the moment he complimented Zhang Ya, he had been deliberately provoking Liu Fan. He wanted to see just how much Liu Fan had changed. If he could swallow even this, it could only mean someone had warned him. No one’s character changes that quickly in just a month. For someone like Liu Fan to suddenly become tolerant, it must be due to some greater threat or promise of greater reward.

Zhang Ya, not understanding Jiangxiwen’s motives, grew anxious and quickly said, “Liu Fan, don’t bully your classmates.”

Liu Fan was furious. Clearly, it was Jiangxiwen who was picking a fight, yet now he was being accused of bullying. He gritted his teeth, glared at Jiangxiwen, jabbed a finger at his face, and spat out, “Just you wait!”

That was exactly what Jiangxiwen wanted to hear. No matter how much this brat tried to act calm, he couldn’t help but give himself away. Such a simple phrase told Jiangxiwen that Liu Fan hadn’t been threatened—someone had only told him to behave for a while, after which he could act as he used to.

Me, Gong Xiang, and Zhang Ya. The three of us were all involved in the kidnapping incident. Liu Fan’s changed attitude was only toward us, which made Liu Dashan even more suspicious. Who knows what that guy is up to next.

Still, Liu Dashan had sought favors from Zhang Ya and Gong Xiang’s father. Remembering the kidnapping, Old Seven and Blackie had tried their best not to harm them, which suggested there was no immediate danger for now.