ICTEUWMN Chapter 32

Not only Kane but also the first wave of loyal readers who had rushed into the new book had finished the opening chapters of “Eternal Night Rose” around the same time.

With Yu Mian intentionally slowing down the pacing, the book’s carefully crafted atmosphere of ancient mystery and the suspense-filled plotline gradually revealed its allure, growing stronger as the reader base expanded.

Many readers quickly discovered the unique charm of this new book.

[The new book seems different in style from “Contract Marriage”, but it’s just as captivating! I can’t stop reading, and now I won’t be able to sleep tonight! You’re so mean! TAT]

[Kissing someone’s finger on the very first meeting! Is this guy really the other male protagonist? Ugh, I’m so conflicted. He’s way too old! But still, I blushed while reading. Damn it!]

Although the “time travel” theme was amazing at first glance, this chapter served merely as a prologue before the actual time travel. Thus, the two protagonists who made their debut naturally became the focus of discussion.

Most interstellar readers, harboring a critical mindset, clicked into this new, dual-release book and couldn’t help but compare the protagonists of the first book, “Contract Marriage”, with those of the second, “Eternal Night Rose”.

After “Contract Marriage” exploded in popularity, the cool and resilient beauty Gu Bai and the tsundere yet deeply affectionate CEO Caesar had won over a massive following of interstellar CP fans.

Many readers initially thought that after having witnessed the beautiful love story of Caesar and Gu Bai, no new pairing could capture their hearts.

But upon diving into “Eternal Night Rose”, they found not only a completely different style but also an opening scene that made their hearts race and faces flush.

The tyrant “Dreven”, who made a stunning appearance lying in an ice coffin, completely baffled interstellar readers unfamiliar with such an “openly criticized but implicitly praised” character setting before.

After all, in the interstellar era untouched by the novels of the 21st century, the word “tyrant” was unquestionably a negative label.

It was even considered a serious accusation. For any Federation leader to be branded a tyrant meant disaster was imminent.

Therefore, when the term “tyrant” was attributed to the male protagonist, a Bart clan, it surprisingly felt somewhat fitting to interstellar readers harboring rebellious thoughts.

After all, had Yu Mian started the book by whitewashing the Bart clan character, painting him as a righteous and glorious figure, readers might have assumed that the author had been forced by the Huanyu Editorial department to follow a prescribed formula.

Fortunately, Yu Mian took an unconventional route. Appearing to align with readers’ preconceived biases, he crafted a Bart clan character that seemed “evil and brutal”.

However, as readers progressed, they found that, despite the negative descriptors, it was strangely impossible to truly dislike him.

Especially when the seemingly cruel and evil tyrant bowed his head before the ordinary protagonist at their first meeting and gently kissed the soft fingertip wounded by a rose thorn.

The interstellar readers who had never seen such a plot were so shocked that they almost couldn’t hold their light brains.

On one hand, they wanted to denounce this rogue old male protagonist—kissing someone’s finger on the first meeting! If there’s a second meeting, what else will this guy dare to do?

On the other hand, they couldn’t deny that it was undeniably alluring, leaving them craving more.

[Crispy Shark: Did you intentionally write it this way? It feels so strange, yet it reads so smoothly!]

Editor Shax, who had finally finished reading Yu Mian’s new book, quickly noticed its unique qualities.

This new book seemed to carry an indescribable rhythm in its plot, different yet equally addictive as “Contract Marriage”.

[Fish: So, is it acceptable? You don’t find the Bart clan identity unacceptable?]

[Crispy Shark: Totally acceptable! Absolutely acceptable!]

Faced with Yu Mian’s inquiry, Shax tried to provide the most accurate and genuine reader feedback.

What Shax didn’t say was that he felt the new male protagonist, despite being from the Bart clan, had the potential to rival Caesar in popularity.

This reassured Yu Mian, who, despite his calm demeanor while observing reader feedback, had been somewhat nervous.

Writing about the Bart clan this time wasn’t just a spontaneous decision driven by his unsettled emotions after returning from the outside. He really wanted to depict something meaningful about this deeply misunderstood race.

But he had carefully considered his approach.

After all, he was, at his core, still an outsider in the interstellar era.

If one were truly arrogant, holding a condescending attitude and believing that having experienced the flourishing literature of Earth meant that anything they wrote would automatically be loved by interstellar readers, failure would not be far away.

Thus, Yu Mian had carefully deliberated over what kind of character setting to give the Bart male protagonist this time—one that could highlight his charming traits while avoiding triggering habitual resistance from interstellar readers. After much thought, a particularly fitting classic setting suddenly came to mind.

If the two protagonists of “Contract Marriage” embodied the classic dynamic of a cool, resilient beauty shou paired with an arrogant and tsundere CEO gong, then the protagonists of “Eternal Night Rose” were closer to another timeless pairing:

—”Marrying a wealthy older man!”

The seemingly villainous tyrant male protagonist, “Dreven”, was essentially the epitome of the “wealthy older man” archetype.

Although this trope had been criticized and debated in the past, the undeniable appeal of many best-selling novels—even those that didn’t appear to follow this trope—still fundamentally relied on these satisfying elements.

They were cold, powerful, arrogant, and unimaginably wealthy, yet they displayed absolute passion, loyalty, and favoritism toward their partner.

In fact, it was precisely these villain-like traits that provided more opportunities for unpredictable, crazy character development.

Once the intensely stimulating plotlines began to unfold, the pace could accelerate wildly, leaving readers breathless with excitement.

As for the criticism about Dreven’s age, the age gap was a key plot point, future developments were guaranteed to turn it into irrefutable proof of his devotion!

This seemingly evil but actually affectionate character design was undoubtedly the perfect fit for a member of the Bart clan, whose image in readers’ minds often resembled that of a villain.

[Fish: Alright, alright, now I feel relieved. I’ll focus on this one after “Contract Marriage” ends. OvO]

Feeling at ease, Yu Mian even began looking forward to it.

After all, writing the sweet, lighthearted romance of the young couple in “Contract Marriage” had become routine. Switching gears to the fiery, intense plot of “Eternal Night Rose” was exhilarating.

It turned out people always craved the new and disliked the old!

[Crispy Shark: Um, weren’t you going to update every other day? Now switching to weekly updates feels excessive. The comments section is practically filled with crying at this point. [Shark poking fingers.jpg]]

[Fish: Uh…]

In fact, Yu Mian decided on weekly updates after seeing the readers’ protests in the comments. The first chapter had been a trial run to gauge their reception and determine if any adjustments were needed.

But as Eternal Night Rose’s opening plot gradually showcased its appeal, the situation suddenly changed.

Many readers who were hesitant gradually realized that although everyone said they would not read it, how come so many people had fallen into the pit in the blink of an eye?!

Moreover, those who secretly read it were still gushing and saying things like “I binge-read the whole thing, it’s amazing”, “The first meeting has a kiss—such fast progress; it’s making us blush and excited”…

Hearing this, the skeptics couldn’t help but investigate.

What kiss? They had to see it for themselves!

And so, another wave of readers dove into the pit with doubt and half belief.

[Help! Which bastard told me there’s a kiss on the first meeting? Fraud! Does kissing a finger count? Fine, I admit it’s a little steamy, but weekly updates? [Fainting]]

[I almost passed out seeing the words ‘weekly updates.’ One moment I’m completely engrossed, and the next, you tell me it’s weekly? Author, how could you! TAT]

The outcry in the comments section soon gave way to a new group of mischievous, black-bellied readers:

[Yes, I’m sad too, but what’s the point of crying? Since we’re already here, why not join forces to spread the word? After all, the more people cry with us, the louder we’ll be, and maybe the author will reconsider. [Tearful blackened cat emoji]]

This sinister suggestion immediately directed new readers toward a peculiar goal.

Thus, these readers began enthusiastically promoting the book across various interstellar platforms, tricking others into joining the pit to wait for weekly updates.

Many readers, unaware of the details, were misled, thinking that Fish Soup Noodles, known for his ten-chapter updates in one night in the past, would be just as generous. Without hesitation, they jumped in, only to almost “break their legs” on landing.

As a result, the comment section for “Eternal Night Rose”, which was initially filled with skepticism, completely changed its tone in a few hours into a wail-filled battlefield.

Even Yu Mian was caught off guard by the situation.

[Fish: Um… let me think about it. But there’s no time to write now; tonight’s update for “Contract Marriage” is entering a major plot arc.]

Yu Mian had anticipated that as “Eternal Night Rose” progressed, it would attract a stable audience eager for updates.

But he hadn’t expected the “weekly update controversy” to trigger such an exaggerated chain reaction, causing the new book to spread virally through sheer reader effort.

Only the opening chapter had been written, and so many had already fallen into the pit. Yu Mian felt a twinge of guilt.

Why were they so eager to jump in?

[Crispy Shark: The Rising Star Project interview is tomorrow. If the readers’ resentment gets too strong, I’m afraid it’ll be hard to manage the situation on-site.]

[Also, the department just decided that all authors who can’t attend on the central star can now participate virtually using avatars.]

[So your special event page will soon be officially promoted through Huanyu’s social media account, so remember to log into your StarBlog and share it!]

Shax relayed the latest updates, trying to persuade Yu Mian to reconsider the weekly updates to salvage his reputation.

At least let the Rising Star Project event transition smoothly.

[Fish: Huh? Why didn’t you say so earlier… Now it’s too late!]

The problem was that Yu Mian had been so preoccupied with the serialization of his two novels in recent days that he had completely forgotten about the Rising Star Project event.

To his surprise, Huanyu had actually agreed and even revised the previously unreasonable regulations.

[Crispy Shark: What do you mean, “too late”?]

[Fish: Because tonight’s major update for “Contract Marriage”… I’ve already posted it. qwq]

Even without the weekly update drama of “Eternal Night Rose”, tonight’s devastating plot twist in “Contract Marriage” was bound to spell disaster for him as the author.

So how could he atone for this in mere seconds…

[Crispy Shark: Uh…]

After hearing Yu Mian’s response, Shax suddenly had a bad feeling.

Meanwhile, interstellar readers—who had been wailing in the comment section of “Eternal Night Rose” without success, were collectively startled by a new update notification.

It was already 6 PM, and “Contract Marriage” had been updated!

At this critical juncture, the update felt like a bucket of hot water in cold winter, offering solace and hope to readers whose fragile hearts had been deeply wounded by the news of weekly updates of “Eternal Night Rose”.

If we can’t get a new chapter of “Eternal Night Rose”, at least we can enjoy the daily updates of “Contract Marriage”, right? Right?!

With this bittersweet resolve, a wave of emotionally battered readers flooded into the latest update of “Contract Marriage”.

And the moment they started reading, chaos erupted!

Freshly reminded of Contract Marriage’s plot, the readers were hit with the full emotional weight of its plot.

Because the readers who had sorted out their mood after reading “Eternal Night Rose” finally remembered to revisit the current plot line of “Contract Agreement”.

You know, as Gu Bai’s graduation day approached, his marriage contract with Caesar faced its final countdown. Deep in the throes of their false romance, Caesar had no doubt about the renewal of their contract. He was wholeheartedly preparing an extravagant anniversary celebration.

But Gu Bai had already submitted all the necessary paperwork and even booked a starship ticket to leave for another galaxy immediately after the graduation ceremony to continue his studies under a new mentor.

So, when Gu Bai spotted Caesar in the audience just before stepping on stage, he was stunned.

He thought that the ticket he’d casually handed Caesar earlier had long since been discarded.

Perhaps, just like that snowy winter day when they first met, everything would begin and end with the sound of the piano.

As Gu Bai glanced toward the audience from behind the piano, Caesar clenched the ring box in his hand with a stubborn arrogance.

He had been waiting for months for this day to arrive.

Beyond the private starship dinner and the custom-made rings, he had prepared an even bigger surprise for Gu Bai.

Gu Bai would definitely love it.

Caesar, who was brimming with anticipation, fixed his gaze on Gu Bai, who seemed to shine under the spotlight in the center of the stage.

Perhaps due to the deep emotions imbued in his performance, Gu Bai’s piano playing at this graduation recital far surpassed any performance he had ever given before.

When the final notes resonated, the entire audience stood to applaud, unable to contain their admiration for this exceptionally talented young man stepping onto a new stage in life.

Among them, Caesar clapped with unrestrained pride, his palms turning red from the force without him even noticing.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to have you here today for my student, Gu Bai…”

Gu Bai’s mentor approached the front of the stage, looking at his most outstanding pupil with satisfaction.

But just as the mentor was about to speak, Gu Bai’s gaze froze on someone in the audience.

“Mom?”

His mother was here! Not only was she out of bed, but she was also able to stand on her own!

To Gu Bai’s shock, his mother appeared at the front of the stage, supported by a few medical staff, her face glowing with pride as she looked at her son.

“I am so proud of you, my child.”

At that moment, Gu Bai rushed into his mother’s arms.

“Mom, how did you get here? Your legs… have they improved?”

Seeing his mother standing and even attending his recital made Gu Bai feel as though he no longer had any regrets in life.

“Of course, all thanks to Caesar. He kept it a secret from me until today. No wonder he’s been accompanying me so diligently during my rehabilitation sessions.”

Recalling Caesar’s attentive care over the past months, Gu Bai’s mother smiled warmly at him as he stepped up behind Gu Bai.

“Caesar?”

When Gu Bai turned to meet Caesar’s gaze, he noticed the formal attire Caesar wore and the nervous expression on his face.

Caesar had never been this anxious before, not even in the countless situations he’d faced throughout his life.

Yet, just as Caesar was about to speak, Gu Bai’s mentor who had been interrupted seized the moment to announce Gu Bai’s graduation plans.

“As you all know, this student of mine has faced significant challenges in life, yet he has persevered with unwavering determination. I am overjoyed to see his mother here today, and I share in their happiness.”

“However, my role as his mentor ends here. Gu Bai will now be guided by the renowned Professor Roberts from August Star, who will lead him to even greater artistic heights.”

“Child, I look forward to the day I see you perform a solo at the Venue Star Concert Hall. The starship is almost here, it’s time to depart.”

As thunderous applause filled the hall, the audience was deeply moved by the near fairy-tale perfection of the moment.]]

“Are you planning to leave Central Star? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Caesar clenched the ring box in his palm, his face maintaining its usual coldness, though his voice had turned hoarse.

“I’m sorry. I thought you didn’t care about these things…”

“But Caesar, I’m truly grateful for your care this past year, especially with everything regarding my mother. Thank you so much.”

Gu Bai smiled as he looked at Caesar in front of him.

“Oh, and there’s one more thing I want to give you.”

Before boarding the vehicle to the starship airport, Gu Bai turned back toward Caesar, who stood not far away.

“This is the 300,000 scholarship I received. As for the remaining 700,000 and the interest, I promise to pay you back after I start working.”

“I know you probably don’t care about the money, but it’s important to me.”

As if realizing what Caesar was about to say something, Gu Bai quickly added, and his words completely silenced Caesar.

Caesar froze, accepting the card handed to him. He could only watch as Gu Bai waved goodbye with a lightheartedness he had never shown before.

“I hope you can soon find your partner, Caesar.”

Who was his partner? Why did it need to be “found”?

Wasn’t Gu Bai his only partner?

That night, Caesar replayed every word Gu Bai had said at their parting, yet he couldn’t make sense of it.

Wasn’t today supposed to be their anniversary?

So why had everything fallen apart?

When Caesar returned alone to the villa that night, he suddenly realized how little Gu Bai had left behind during their year together.

With just a single suitcase, Gu Bai left, and there were no traces of him anymore.

Had Gu Bai already been prepared to leave at any time?

Only he foolishly thought everything could last forever.

Did Gu Bai see him as stupid?

The pair of rings sitting atop the Atlantis piano in the courtyard shimmered coldly under the moonlight.

But from now on, no one would gently play the piano for him in the dead of night.

A single drop of water fell onto his suit cuff, but Caesar quickly wiped it away.

His sharp, handsome features remained as cold and composed as ever, as though his eyes had never reddened.

“You pathetic brat!”

At that moment, his grandfather appeared at the door, causing Caesar to look up in surprise.

—

When readers reached this scene, words could not describe their emotions.

Yes, everyone had eagerly awaited the expiration of the marriage contract.

But now that the day had come—Caesar’s “wife” had run away, Gu Bai had finally let go, and even repaid the money—

Why did it hurt so much?!

[I’m crying my eyes out! Caesar even cried?! I can’t deal with this today, author, why did you stab us like this?!]

[Okay, okay. One’s doing weekly updates, and the other’s filing for divorce. Wonderful, I’m officially losing my mind!]

[I cried on the Star Rail, help! Dear Gu Bai, when will you realize this idiot has no “White Moonlight”? You’ve made Caesar cry, damn it!]

For interstellar readers experiencing the ultimate climax of the “crematorium” arc for the first time, this was a sour nightmare.

Two people who clearly loved each other—how did it end like this?

Author, how do you plan to explain yourself?!

[Help! Caesar, even your grandfather is here. Just go after him and clear things up already! I’m begging you!]

[I’m sobbing, but I suggest everyone hold back their tears because tomorrow Huanyu has an event—!]

At the height of the comment section’s uproar, a reader angrily reminded everyone of the upcoming event.

After all, no matter what, following the update of “Contract Marriage”, Huanyu officially announced the final guest author participating in the Rising Star Project.

Even though Yu Mian desperately wanted to play dead, he had no choice but to follow protocol, logging into his author account on StarBlog to share Huanyu’s post.

[ABowlOfFishSoupNoodlesV: Repost // Wow, I’m the last one! Super excited to interact with everyone online~ qwq]

Yu Mian pretended to ignore the chaos erupting in both comment sections.

But that was impossible.

Especially after reading the latest update of “Contract Marriage”, the interstellar readers whose hearts were severely hurt twice by Yu Mian’s new and old books in one day almost directly blew up these two Starblogs inside and outside overnight.

Not only did the reposts and comment counts soar to record-breaking levels compared to other authors’, but the most liked reader comment broke all Huanyu StarBlog records:

[*At the third watch, nothing happened; at the fifth watch, collective amnesia; by the tenth watch, everything is cleaned up. You know what we mean, author. This is our last shred of politeness. [wearing sunglasses to pretend to be cold and crying.jpg]]

*This is a metaphorical phrase often used in a satirical or critical context, usually implying a sequence of denial first, then forgetting, and finally a complete cover-up. The comment points out that Yu Mian is deliberately ignoring the readers’ cries as if there was nothing.