ICTEUWMN Chapter 21

As the time for the first wave of the ranking competition for the new batch of signed books drew closer, the atmosphere in the editorial department grew increasingly tense, with undercurrents of anxiety brewing.

The data for all the new books in this batch had been printed out, with everyone receiving a copy.

Even the veteran editors, who typically handled a vast array of manuscripts, were beginning to feel a sense of unease.

This was because the ranking system of Huanyu was exceptionally fair and objective. Under the elimination system of the ranking competition, there was almost no room for cheating.

Even if they were experienced editors, the best they could do was strive to secure promising works during the signing process, but they had no control over the final ranking data.

All the new books would enter the first round of the ranking competition after their V-chapters went live.

This ranking could be considered the initial test for all new books—a kind of “entrance exam”.

The rankings were determined entirely based on reader subscription votes, with updates released hourly to reveal the latest standings.

The first batch of top performers to win the competition would move on to the next round, entering the most prominent channels with optimal traffic for further ranking elimination.

As for the rest of the books, most would be diverted from the main flow, with many eventually fading into obscurity in the vast ocean of books.

This “survival of the fittest” effect resembled the Matthew Principle, so it was fair to describe it as a life-or-death competition.

Therefore, before the new books entered V-status, both authors and editors were typically under immense pressure.

“But has that guy Shaxs lost his mind recently?”

Editor Lei glanced through the glass door at Shaxs at his workstation and couldn’t help but ask the person beside him in astonishment.

Because Shaxs was grinning foolishly as he sorted the files in his hands. Every now and then, he would glance at the light screen next to him and silently read a few paragraphs.

Then, he would cheerfully resume his work, as if brimming with endless energy!

“Maybe he’s given up hope on passing the regularization assessment and decided to let it all go?”

Another senior editor attempted to explain.

“Otherwise, why isn’t this guy urging that newly signed author of his to build up more draft stock? Where does he even find the energy to look at the light brain? He even seems to be reading a novel!”

Catching a glimpse of the screen from a distance, the senior editors were shocked.

Although being an editor technically allowed one to read novels openly at work, no one did it as blatantly and outrageously as Shaxs.

It was as if he no longer felt any pressure from his job!

At this moment, Shaxs was completely immersed in the joy of reading and was not paying any attention to the opinions of others.

Even though he had already finished the book once, rereading it a second time still made the corners of his mouth curl upward uncontrollably, to the point where his face was starting to ache.

At this moment, Shaxs’s anticipation for the expiration of the contract marriage had reached an indescribable peak of delight.

Divorce!

Hurry up and let the contract expire so they can divorce!

Shaxs couldn’t imagine how hilariously devastated Caesar, who was already in love and unknowingly jealous, would be when the day of the contract’s expiration finally arrived.

“Hey, Shaxs, what novel has you so hooked? I finished yesterday’s 3,000 words of “Contract Marriage” in a single toss and turn in bed. How are you still savoring it?”

A nearby intern editor noticed Shaxs’s odd behavior and asked curiously.

Shaxs couldn’t suppress a smile as he replied, “Of course not. I’m reviewing the backlog of chapters the author plans to release on the day they enter V-status—probably just tens of thousands of words.”

He tried to say this as calmly as possible, but his words instantly caused the eyes of everyone secretly paying attention in the office to widen in surprise.

“Fuck! You actually have the next part!?”

Even some editors who had hesitated in the meeting room earlier about signing this book now found themselves stunned.

‘Ah, if only I had stepped up back then! I could have been the chosen one holding tens of thousands of words of exclusive content to read first.’

But since the chapters hadn’t been published yet, it was clearly inappropriate for colleagues to ask for spoilers. They could only look at Shax with envy and jealousy.

“Don’t worry. You’ll see it tonight. There will be a massive release of new chapters,” Shaxs assured, noticing the envious stares around him. “But seriously, since when were there so many secret fans in this office?”

As a result, Shaxs suddenly realized that the number of envious, jealous and hateful looks in the editorial office had reached an overwhelming level.

Even the editors following Editor Lei pricked up their ears discreetly, as if hoping to catch some spoilers of the upcoming plot.

“I told you! A bunch of people have fallen into this pit long ago. They claimed they couldn’t sign it, but the moment they went back and read a few pages out of curiosity, they all dove in headfirst and started chasing updates more diligently than anyone else!”

The intern editor closest to Shaxs couldn’t help but rant.

For a book that caused such a stir in the editorial department, it was true that no one could resist searching for it after work.

But no one could have imagined that this book was like a black hole—once you entered, you couldn’t escape until you saw the divorce between Gu Bai and Caesar.

“Just wait. When the rankings refresh, there will definitely be several people secretly watching this book!”

While the editorial department buzzed with excitement, a loud “clang” echoed in the silent, solemn Federal Central Star First Research Institute as a light brain fell to the ground.

“Ah! Professor, what brings you here!?”

In the institute, a PhD student in a white lab coat froze in fear, not daring to even pick up the fallen light brain as a group of distinguished individuals entered behind him.

He hadn’t even managed to hide the smile lingering on his face.

“What were you looking at that made you so happy?”

Professor Mori, the student’s mentor, looked at his favorite student hesitantly. He was surprised to see his prized student seemingly slacking off.

“Oh, nothing much—just a novel my roommate recommended to me yesterday,” Cook, who had a good relationship with his mentor, scratched his head and grinned.

He didn’t mention that he had stayed up all night reading “Contract Marriage” and had almost signed up for piano lessons on impulse after being inspired by the book.

After all, the novel made playing the piano seem incredibly cool!

“You young people…”

Professor Mori shook his head with a chuckle, not scolding Cook further. Instead, he turned to the person beside him and apologized, “I’m sorry for the disturbance. The examination will take place in the lab ahead.”

Huo Ting glanced briefly at Cook and the fallen light brain before following Professor Mori into the lab.

Watching Huo Ting’s retreating figure, Cook couldn’t help but mutter to himself.

Novels were clearly something someone like General Huo Ting, who was so serious and rigid, would never understand. He seemed like the type to have no leisure activities whatsoever.

For instance, the author of “Contract Marriage” definitely couldn’t be someone like General Huo Ting!

The comment section was filled with readers furiously speculating about the author’s identity, wondering who could write such an extraordinary novel.

But most importantly, there was a major update tonight!

When Cook thought of this, he became so excited he couldn’t sit still. After setting his alarm, he eagerly awaited the new chapters while sharing the novel in his lab group chat.

[Cook: Hey! Must-read book—check it out! I stayed up all night reading this, and it’s pure perfection! Click to find out! [dog emoji]]

Similar enthusiastic recommendations from readers like Cook were popping up all over the interstellar network.

Before anyone realized it, “Contract Marriage” had amassed an enormous readership that was difficult to count in specific numbers. Without any official promotion, these readers had already formed a thriving community.

Like tiny streams converging into a vast galaxy, they quietly waited for the moment of eruption.

Meanwhile, in the lab, the results of the mental sea examination personally conducted by Professor Mori were finally out.

“This is quite unexpected, Young Master Huo Ting. Your mental sea is in excellent condition. Have you undergone any additional treatments recently?”

Huo Ting lowered his head and stared at the data on the diagnostic instrument for a long time before finally looking at Professor Mori.

“No.”

“Hmm, that’s odd…”

Meanwhile, Yu Mian, who was in the study and completely unaware of what was happening, was taking advantage of Huo Ting’s absence to sit comfortably in front of his light-brain, furiously typing away and stockpiling drafts.

After all, starting at midnight tonight, “Contract Marriage” would enter its first rapid update phase to climb the rankings.

At that time, one chapter would be released every hour—ten chapters in total! He had to prepare enough drafts to account for his unpredictable writing schedule.

In fact, when the clock struck midnight and the rankings refreshed, countless interstellar readers flocked to the list in unison.

The first page? It wasn’t there.

The second page? Still nothing!

It wasn’t until they reached the third page that they finally spotted the familiar title of “Contract Marriage”.

Editor Lei let out a long sigh of relief.

“So Shaxs was just bluffing these days!”

The book hadn’t even made it into the top ten.

On second thought, it wasn’t surprising. Other new books were given plenty of exposure with three rounds of ranking boosts, but this one had been suppressed by his insistence on holding off signing a contract, leaving it with no boosts at all.

Under such conditions, how could it compete with the others?

However, at the moment Editor Lei closed his light-brain and started to relax, millions of natural reader views began pouring into the newly refreshed rankings.

This one-day-only list was one of the largest sources of natural reader traffic across the entire Huanyu’ Reading Platform.

Although “Contract Marriage” was barely hanging on the third page, its allure couldn’t be denied!

What made it even more puzzling was the state of its comment section—it was pure chaos.

[Ahh, their first hug! Damn it! It’s obviously an infuriating misunderstanding, but it’s so sweet it made me cry! Absolute perfection! Give us more! (shakes light brain violently)]

[Oh my god, Caesar is so wronged! He grabbed a coat and went to look for his wife because he was afraid that Gu Bai would catch a cold, but he found out that his wife had been kidnapped by another man! It’s too tragic! Author, I’m begging you, please don’t write it this way!]

[Hahaha, serves him right! He doesn’t deserve a wife with a brain! I’m camping here until their marriage contract ends in a breakup! The second male protagonist is clearly the better choice!]

In the comment section, there were waves of despair and horror, but also waves of excitement and laughter—the atmosphere was like a doomsday carnival.

The most important part was that interstellar readers, who were already satisfied after eating a bite of the sweet and sour candy, suddenly discovered that at 1 a.m.—

The perpetually stingy author who only updated 3,000 words a day had dropped a second wave of updates!?

And then at 2 a.m., 3 a.m.—a new chapter every hour like clockwork!

[Fuck—?! Is it a holiday today?! Author, are you planning to update until the book ends?!]

Once they realized the pattern, the entire comment section erupted in excitement.

After all, interstellar readers had never seen this wild rapid update mode from the 21st century.

More importantly, Yu Mian’s latest plot updates made all readers realize with disbelief that this good show seemed to have just begun!?

It could even be said that from the moment Kane got jealous and, disregarding the terms of their contract, embraced Gu Bai tightly in his arms, the true devastation of the “chasing wife to the crematorium” trope had just started to manifest itself.

“Well, only when he falls completely, just to find that his wife has given up on him entirely—and then uncovering the truth behind the million-credit medical bill—can the true essence of the “chasing wife to the crematorium” be realized,” Yu Mian subconsciously muttered to the small system beside him as he typed furiously.

The little system monitored the violent fluctuations in the comment section while observing its host’s faint smile.

A deep, indescribable sense of awe and fear arose within it.

‘A devil! This was a true devil!’