CH013

"You sure wake up early. Don't you?"

Lu Fan casually sat at a table as he poured himself a cup of tea. Li Lin had been coming at this exact time every single day for a whole week and it reminded Lu Fan just how troublesome she could be.

He had figured it out from the first instance he saw her and if the tags above her head were anything to go by, it was just the beginning.

This girl had so many tags that Lu Fan did not even know how it was humanly possible. Though, if the purple [Genius] talent was added to the equation, it made perfect sense. What Lu Fan was cautious about was the white [Psychology] talent and her rather absurd [Manipulation +88] tag at the side.

How sick must one be to reach such proficiency? It was chilling just thinking about it.

"Of course. I have to work for my meals after all."

"You can just rent the spare rooms in your building and collect rent you know."

Lu Fan did not buy the BS she was selling and they kept going around in circles.

There was no way Lu Fan was going to bring up the topic of the novels or the contract. Li Lin was very good and even Lu Fan was not confident that he was not being played even as they were speaking.

He could feel Chen Lu's piercing eyes and he was sure that it was going to be a problem. Judging from the way Li Lin was acting extra… she must also be capitalizing on that.

"What do you want? I don't have all day you know."

"That, about the contract…"

"Forget about it, I have decided to open my own Studio to deal with it."

"…"

"Oh, if you could, tell your publishing house to take down any publications that they might still have online."

"Eh, it's not easy to start your own studio. You'd need to hire all sorts of people, then look for means of publication, then there is the issue of authors. You can't start a studio with just two books, now can you?"

"That's for me to worry about."

"The money. Starting a studio will require upward of 10 million yuan and that's just the groundwork. Where are you going to get the money? I can lend you some, but I want 50% equity."

"That's also my problem. As for shares, let's forget about it."

Lu Fan watched as Li Lin put on a flustered display and he had to say that she was very good at acting. He could imagine that from Chen Lu's viewpoint, she must think that he was bullying her.

It was a good thing that Chen Lu had always trusted him and if she was going to say anything, it would be when they were alone.

"If there is nothing else, I'll get back to whatever."

"Wait, I-I can work for you. I have worked in the industry for 4 years now. I am sure you won't get anybody better than me."

Lu Fan looked at the panic in her eyes and could not help but grow a little curious.

This young lady was obviously very rich. And Lu Fan could say that she was very spoiled growing up. why would she be out here doing all this?

Was it not comfortable sitting at home, eating from a silver plate with a golden spoon?

"Is my story that good? You can just wait for me to open the studio and publish the novel there."

"No! I need it now. I can even give you the start-up capital if you let me see the manuscript now."

Woah, junky much!?

"I can give you the manuscript for free, but I don't want to hire you."

"WHY?"

"You're too troublesome."

"…"

"If you don't hire me I'll, I'll…"

"You'll what?"

"I'll cry."

"Pfft, are you trying to kill me? That tea nearly went the wrong hole."

"I promise, I'll work super hard and not trouble the boss."

"Stop acting cute. I can hire you but you have to agree to three things."

"I agree."

"…"

Lu Fan was already starting to see his peaceful days waving him goodbye. Maybe it's not the books she was after, maybe he was after his body. Having a handsome face is a sin, sigh.

That aside…

"First, I want to use your building as the office. I want the first five floors, you can keep the other five. Of course, I will pay rent and everything.

Second, I won't tell you what to do and what not to do, but I expect adequate professionalism when we are working. Also, don't come to my house like some psycho ex.

Third, If you want to work for me, you can only work as the CEO. Don't mention other positions."

Lu Fan watched as Li Lin put on a solemn face as she nodded along. He wondered how much of that she had gotten.

"I can do that. But why must I be CEO?"

"What else am I going to tell your parents if they come after me? You moved here from the capital just to be some lowly editor for a newbie!? You do want to kill me."

'Plus, you're rich both in wealth and experience. Those tags are also too tempting to give up.'

"Let me get my laptop. For your interview, we are going to come up with a business plan and your contract."

Lu Fan left the dazed girl and made his way upstairs. He needed to give her time to think and he also needed to talk to Chen Lu.

He could feel that she was barely holding back her curiosity. Li Lin had a very animated face and he was sure that Chen Lu was dying to know what they were talking about.

"Mom, you could join us if you're that curious."

"Ah, no-nothing. That girl has a very adorable face, I couldn't help myself."

Lu Fan chuckled at her attempt as he made his way to get his laptop, leaving a pouty Chen Lu behind.