Madam, Please Behave-Chapter 4: The Girl

A week had passed since Liu Changqing’s meeting with An Yuan Yao.

In that time, he had discovered a rather troublesome issue: his daughter seemed to harbor some hostility toward him.

It was as if, in her mind, he was the reason her beloved mother had left. As a result, her dislike for him grew stronger.

This left Liu Changqing with a headache. He understood, however, that the rift between a parent and child wouldn’t be easily mended.

Setting these matters aside, Liu Changqing furrowed his brow as his fingers flew over the keyboard.

His plan to make money by writing novels was hitting some roadblocks.

Despite no changes to the story’s plot and having even optimized the descriptions, the online serialization of Battle Through the Heavens had garnered only double-digit views and recommendations.

Over the past week, while working at the bookstore, Liu Changqing had been updating the story at an incredible pace—averaging 20,000 words a day. With a clear outline in his mind, his typing speed was astonishing.

He wanted to stockpile chapters while also trying to earn his first payout quickly before summer vacation ended.

However, given the current situation, it didn’t seem realistic.

That shouldn’t be the case, right?

The thought gnawed at Liu Changqing’s mind.

Even if the plot seemed clichéd to him, in a market filled with flowery, overly sentimental romances, a fast-paced, indulgent harem-style story should have been a breath of fresh air.

Why wasn’t it working?

Six to seven chapters a day—there was nothing wrong with his update frequency either.

Could it be… heroes are made by the times?

In his previous life, this book had succeeded because the author had written the right story at the right time, using the right formula.

This realization helped Liu Changqing come to terms with his current predicament. Being a "plagiarist" wasn’t as simple as in novels—where casually copying a popular story would guarantee instant success. Too many uncertain factors were at play.

Still, he was broke.

If he had money…

If he had transmigrated just one week earlier, things wouldn’t have come to this.

Liu Changqing scowled, his eyes glued to the computer screen as he concentrated on typing.

He failed to notice that the bookstore’s sole customer—a young woman holding a book—was glancing toward the counter from time to time, betraying her supposed focus on reading.

Li Qing hadn’t expected to meet him again.

Outwardly, she appeared calm, but her heart was already in turmoil.

Although his appearance had changed slightly, Li Qing recognized him at a glance as the person from her memories.

Their first encounter had been dramatic.

Last year, after finishing the college entrance exams, Li Qing attended her high school’s final class reunion.

Having never touched alcohol before, she gave in to her classmates’ encouragement and had a single beer.

During the meal, everything seemed fine. But as the gathering ended and she headed home, the alcohol’s delayed effects hit her.

Her steps became unsteady, her limbs weak.

On her way back, she encountered two young men who began chatting her up.

Perhaps it was her dazed appearance that emboldened them. What started as seemingly harmless conversation soon escalated.

The two men began to touch her inappropriately, half-pulling and half-dragging her off her route home.

Although her body was out of her control, Li Qing’s mind remained clear.

It was late at night, the streets dimly lit. People walked by hurriedly, some glancing her way but none stopping to help.

She wanted to cry, but the dizziness in her head left her too weak to do much.

Just as the two men were about to haul her onto an electric scooter, a voice rang out beside her.

“What are you two doing?”

It was a calm and steady voice.

In her hazy state, Li Qing felt a strong hand grasp her wrist, pulling her away from the two men who were trying to drag her off.

Still dazed, she vaguely felt a hand slap her cheeks firmly.

The stinging pain jolted her awake.

When she opened her eyes, she saw his face.

Sharp features, a defined profile, and a shadow of black stubble on his upper lip.

He looked like a mature, weathered man—an uncle.

The two men, clearly unhappy with this interruption, charged forward, trying to reclaim Li Qing.

Frightened, she clung tightly to the man’s shirt and hid behind him.

“Doesn’t seem like you know these two,” the man said, his tone shifting slightly as he glanced at them.

“You two punks! Young as you are, instead of learning something decent, you’re out committing crimes? Fine! Today, I’ll teach you a lesson on behalf of your parents!”

In Li Qing’s eyes, he charged at the two like a hero.

What girl doesn’t dream of romance?

Li Qing wasn’t immune to such feelings either.

After the college entrance exams, she decided to attend a local university. But after that night, she never saw the man again.

It was as if he had been sent by the heavens to save her.

If I ever meet him again, I’ll properly thank him.

That thought stayed with her for an entire year.

Near the end of the semester, Li Qing, an outstanding student in her class, stopped by a quiet bookstore after school to buy some well-known literary works.

The moment she walked in, she saw him—the person she had been searching for.

It’s him!

She couldn’t hide the joy in her heart and wanted to rush over to greet him. But just as she opened her mouth, she saw him frowning deeply, his hands flying over the keyboard.

Is he busy?

The words she wanted to say were swallowed back.

Trying to cover her emotions, she shuffled over to the shelves, picked up a random book, and pretended to read.

But her curiosity got the better of her.

I can’t see him clearly from here.

Changing positions, Li Qing set the book down and moved closer to the counter.

Once she found a good spot, she grabbed another book and held it up to cover her face, leaving only her big, round eyes peeking over the edge, staring at Liu Changqing.

Humans are strange creatures.

Even with his back turned, Liu Changqing couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching him.

He stopped typing and turned toward the customer.

“Ah!”

Letting out a startled cry, Li Qing raised the book above her head, completely covering her face. Her cheeks flushed bright red.

What do I do, what do I do, what do I do?!

Her mind spun in panic. Her grip on the book was so tight that her fingertips turned white.

I didn’t wash my hair this morning. Is it greasy? I didn’t put on makeup either. And I stayed up late—do I have dark circles under my eyes?

The more she thought, the more frantic she became. Li Qing felt like she was about to explode from embarrassment.

There’s no way I can let him see me like this!

In a desperate attempt to escape, she tried to dash out of the store.

However, her hurried movement made her trip over her own feet. She barely managed to regain her balance before bolting out like the wind.

Liu Changqing blinked in surprise, completely at a loss.

The whole thing had happened so quickly that he had no idea what was going on.

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For a moment, time seemed to stand still.

Then, suddenly, Liu Changqing slapped his thigh.

He remembered—the book that girl had been holding wasn’t paid for!

Damn it, is this some kind of new shoplifting technique?!

He hadn’t seen it coming at all!

Frustrated, Liu Changqing rushed out the door, scanning the crowd of passersby.

But she was already gone.