Chapter 6: Cut Back on the Soap Operas

“Uh... so your best friend is flying back from the capital and wants to ask about us getting our marriage certificate?”
“Yeah.”
“And the main reason we’re getting the certificate is just to appease our parents, so you haven’t figured out how to explain it to her yet.”
“Uh... not exactly.”
Peng Jiaxin quickly clarified.
“I already told you this morning, I want to develop a serious relationship with you. I never intended to deceive you into marriage.”
Chen Fan nodded; he could tell Peng Jiaxin was adjusting to his pace of life.
“I understand. So, have you thought about how to explain it to her?”
“Uh...”
At that, Peng Jiaxin lowered her head again.
She truly didn’t know how to explain it to Zhou Xuejing because her reason for marrying was far from pure.
“I was planning to tell her after I really liked you. I was too hasty posting on social media this morning and forgot to block her.”
Chen Fan took a deep breath, clutching his rapidly beating heart.
After a while, he calmed down.
That was close—one sentence almost drained all his energy.
“Ahem, when will she be here?”
“Probably tomorrow night?”
“Then let’s invite her and your uncle and aunt for dinner. That way, we won’t have to explain everything again.”
“Mm.”
That was the only option.
Peng Jiaxin wasn’t the type to brood over troubles; she believed things would work out in time—just like the adaptation issue of The Flame Emperor. She was worried in the morning but found a breakthrough by evening.
What if it didn’t work out straightforwardly?
Of course, she’d turn to her father.
Peng Jiaxin hadn’t forgotten that her surname, Peng, was the same as the Peng Group’s.
After chatting a while longer on the sofa, Peng Jiaxin excused herself and prepared to leave.
“I should get going. By the way, tonight’s meal was delicious.”
“Thank you. I’ll cook for you again sometime.”
Chen Fan stood up with her, thinking of seeing her off.
“Don’t forget, eight o’clock tomorrow morning at XinXin Square.”
“Don’t worry.”
After escorting Peng Jiaxin downstairs and watching her get into the car, Chen Fan returned home.
He had converted another guest room into a gaming room. Compared to the simplicity outside, this room was somewhat luxurious.
Filled with electronic devices—computers, Nintendo Switch, PS5—every gaming device on the market could be found here.
He might not play often, but he couldn’t be without them!
You could say it was a kind of retaliatory indulgence after striking it rich.
Chen Fan sat before the computer, opened the writer’s dashboard, and began his daily routine of lurking and enjoying himself.
Over 999 unread messages dazzled his eyes.
“Came here for the reputation, that line ‘Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west,’ got my blood boiling!”
“This is my check-in post; I’m committed to daily check-ins!”
“Ahhh! Ziqin (Chen Fan’s author ID), I want to have your babies!”
“No way, bro above, you?”
“Not updating yet? Even the village herd donkeys don’t slack this much!”
“Exactly! Who wants two updates a day? One update per person! Brothers on this floor, each of you update once!!!”
The readers’ comments remained wildly entertaining.
Chen Fan laughed and replied under one comment:
“The village donkeys don’t dare update this often, right?”
The next second, a red dot lit up under his reply.
“Gotcha!”
“Just now, let’s take a photo first~”
“Hurry up and update!”
Chen Fan was startled by the speed—it was too fast.
After enjoying the comments for a while longer, he then contacted his editor, April, to discuss adaptation matters.
April was ecstatic.
Boss, you finally want to talk about adaptation!
Chen Fan played it cool, happy to relax, but April felt the pressure mounting.
Her inbox was flooded daily with inquiries from major companies asking if the author of The Flame Emperor was open to adaptation into live-action dramas or animation.
Some well-connected parties even went straight to the boss to ask what was going on.
Before signing Chen Fan, April was just a rookie editor; she’d never faced such scenes.
She was also hesitant to bother Chen Fan because he had said he didn’t plan to hand over adaptation rights until he found a company he liked.
The anxiety had been making her hair fall out in handfuls.
Now, finally!
She saw the light at the end of the tunnel!
“Is there the Xinghai Company?”
“Yes, they want to adapt it into an anime.”
Xinghai’s offer was the highest among all companies; April was impressed.
“Okay, let’s go with them.”
“But Xinghai is a rising company in Su City. Isn’t it risky to have them adapt The Flame Emperor?”
“Hmm... then let’s add a clause to the contract stating I will personally supervise it, and it can only be released with my approval. How about that?”
April suddenly remembered that this big shot also lived in Su City.
“Alright, I’ll arrange it.”
“Thanks.”
“Hehe, no trouble at all.”
The thought of finalizing this meant she wouldn’t have to rush around taking calls all day, and she couldn’t stop smiling.
Most importantly, she was going to earn money too!
The adaptation profits were split: the company took 30%, Chen Fan 65%, and the remaining 5% all went to her!!! (Plot requirement; no complaints, please.)
With bonuses and various extras added up, it was at least six figures!
April suddenly sat up straight and got out of bed, preparing to work overtime at the company.
“Great Ziqin, wait for me! I’m going to get the contract ready for your review now!”
“Uh... no need to rush so much.”
Chen Fan glanced at the time—it was already nine o’clock. Why go to the company now?
“No! This is what your editor should do!”
“...Fine.”
Seeing her so excited, Chen Fan shrugged and chose to respect her enthusiasm.
He opened his phone and sent Peng Jiaxin an “ok.”
No reply—she was probably still driving.
With the adaptation settled, Chen Fan called his mother.
She answered immediately!
Chen Fan was surprised; his parents ran a small grocery store in their hometown’s small town. At this hour, they should have been getting ready for bed or asleep since they had to restock early the next morning.
He had called on a whim.
“Mom, why aren’t you asleep so late?”
“Heh, my son getting married quietly without a word, how could I sleep?”
“...”
“Didn’t we agree to put this behind us?”
It was fine earlier in the day, so why had things turned like this at night?
“Hmph!”
Mrs. Chen snorted coldly. After analyzing with Mr. Chen all day, she felt something was off about her son’s story.
Her daughter-in-law was wealthy; would she really rush to get a marriage certificate after just one meeting?
Not very realistic, so she thought her son was more likely deceiving the other party!
After all, Chen Fan had pulled too many wild stunts; tricking someone into marriage wasn’t impossible.
With years of watching soap operas as a basis, Mrs. Chen deduced this conclusion, and Mr. Chen wholeheartedly agreed.
When they saw their son in a few days, they would remind him what paternal love felt like in childhood.
“Speak up, what do you want?”
“Mom, can’t I just miss you?”
“If you say another word of nonsense, I’m hanging up.”
“...Uncle and aunt said when you come, they want everyone to sit down and have a meal together.”
“Alright.”
“It’s also a good chance to talk with the in-laws about the kids. Of course, it’s best if you two keep going, but if they feel like their daughter is being held back, we won’t force it. If it’s over, it’s over; the next one will be better.”
“Exactly, son, don’t take that kind of grievance! So what if it’s a wealthy family? My son is the best!”
Chen Fan: “...”
Dad, Mom, I appreciate you caring so much for me.
But maybe you two should watch fewer soap operas from now on.