Chapter 14: Northern Soy Sauce Is About to Become Famous

Yun Xuan left the library with his notebook in hand, sighing deeply. The special task was even more terrifying—transforming into a cute girl... He was truly afraid.

At least wearing women's clothes was safe; but turning into a cute girl... that seemed anything but secure.

So, how could he make Wen Xuan'er truly smile?

"Ah, it seems my protagonist halo isn’t shining yet." Yun Xuan glanced up at the sky. He hardly understood Wen Xuan'er at all; how could he hope to bring her laughter?

"Big brother..." Yun Xue’s voice drifted from nearby.

"Xue’er, why are you here?" Yun Xuan looked at Yun Xue. There was no one around the library—the cleaning was handled by custodians.

"Big brother... Are you alright?" Yun Xue gazed at Yun Xuan’s bandaged hand, tears brimming in her eyes. The thought of her brother’s bleeding hand, and the possibility that he might never draw again, made her forget all about cleaning.

"It’s nothing, Xue’er." Yun Xuan gently stroked her head, warmed by her anxious expression.

"Is your hand... really okay?" Yun Xue wiped her tears away.

"Of course. Your brother isn’t reckless—I’ll be drawing again within a week." Yun Xuan smiled reassuringly.

"That’s a relief. I’ll go finish my class duties then." Yun Xue smiled sweetly and walked away.

"Congratulations, host, for completing the side quest and gaining friendship. Reward: Cooking skill upgraded to intermediate level."

"Cooking skill, now intermediate? I wonder how impressive that really is." Yun Xuan had no concept of what intermediate ability entailed.

He shook his head and headed to his class. It seemed there were no lessons today, so he planned to continue drawing more emoticon packs.

...

At three in the afternoon, Yun Xuan, Lin Qingyu, and Yun Xue walked home together.

Upon returning, Yun Xuan went straight to his room, turned on his computer, and saw a system message.

"Emoticon packs can be contracted?" Yun Xuan stared at the message—it asked him to add a QQ number to discuss signing a contract as an emoticon artist for the QQ company.

System messages were always accurate, so Yun Xuan copied the number, added it, and sent a screenshot of the system message.

Within minutes, he was connected to an account called Dingdang.

Dingdang: Hello, Teacher Northern, I am one of the heads of QQ’s emoticon website. Congratulations on your excellent achievements, Teacher Northern.

Yun Xuan read the message and replied.

Northern: Thank you. I’d like to ask, what’s involved in signing a contract for emoticon packs? What are the benefits?

Yun Xuan’s question was practical and direct, giving no hint that he was a high school student—an insight from his previous life.

Dingdang: After signing, Teacher Northern will receive multiple recommendations from our emoticon website. If downloads exceed ten million, you can produce related merchandise and comics. Even if you don’t make them yourself, you’ll receive authorization fees, which can be split or bought out.

"Merchandise and comics for emoticon packs—the company clearly sees more economic value in Northern than just now." Yun Xuan’s eyes sparkled.

Northern: Could I see the contract? One thing I need to clarify: even if I sign, I want my identity kept confidential. I won’t be forced to participate in any commercial activities.

Dingdang: Of course. Please wait a moment.

Yun Xuan reviewed the contract sent over. To his surprise, it was simply an authorization letter.

The letter specified that the author of Northern could not publish Northern emoticons on similar websites. QQ company had the right to produce Northern emoticon merchandise and comics.

And the compensation was substantial.

Northern couldn’t move to other sites, but would receive full platform promotion from QQ company and a share of the profits.

For comics and merchandise, the author would negotiate the profit split.

The authorization simply gave QQ company the rights to the Northern emoticon pack.

Northern: The contract is sincere. I’m currently in Fangyu City. How do we sign?

Dingdang: Fangyu City? I can arrive within two hours. Teacher Northern can arrange a meeting place and bring a lawyer if you wish.

Northern: No need for a lawyer. For the contract, aside from personal info, can I upload a video to my official account?

Dingdang: That... is fine. We’ll also release an official statement about the contract, excluding your personal information.

Northern: Let’s meet at the entrance to Fangyu City Library. Call me when you arrive, my number is...

Dingdang: I’ll set out immediately. Goodbye.

Yun Xuan closed the chat window, feeling excited about the prospect.

Excitement aside, when he considered his current number of fans and downloads, he realized he was still far from the ten million mark.

"Who would have thought Northern could bring such returns? Merchandise... comics. This strategy device isn’t bad at all." Yun Xuan glanced at the cat-eared girl figure on his desk.

The cat-eared girl stood smiling on the desk.

Yun Xuan turned his attention back to the computer—he hadn’t checked today’s downloads for Northern.

He opened the backend and gasped.

Download count: 155,555!

Over a hundred and fifty thousand downloads!

"This... Over seven hundred thousand?" Yun Xuan stared in shock at the withdrawable cash. A high school student, earning nearly a million in less than a week without leaving home?!

In his previous life, he’d never dared to imagine such a thing. The only reason this was possible here was that everyone purchased legally.

Seven hundred thousand—it amazed Yun Xuan even more than the strategy device.

In his previous life, he’d scraped together less than a hundred thousand over years; now, in just two days, it felt like a dream.

"In a few days, I’ll be able to start house hunting. Buy one, then rent it out to some cute girls." Yun Xuan’s thoughts were simple—he never considered using the money for indulgence.

After withdrawing the money, Yun Xuan shut the computer, changed clothes, and prepared to shower.

Just as he opened the door, the bathroom door opened as well. Yun Xue came out, her snowy skin completely exposed.

"Xue’er, what’s for dinner?" Yun Xuan wore only shorts.

"Big brother..." Yun Xue froze, then realized she wasn’t dressed and hurried back to her room.

"Definitely an affection score at work—normally, a sister would have slapped me by now." Yun Xuan recalled the moment, feeling heat rise within him.

He entered the bathroom, saw the clothes atop the washing machine—blue and white stripes and...

"Xue’er really is careless." Yun Xuan grabbed her clothes, ready to put them back.

Click—the bathroom door opened. Yun Xue stood at the doorway in a bathrobe, watching Yun Xuan holding her clothes.

"Xue’er, your brother is a teenager too. From now on, keep your clothes in the washing machine. I’ll leave mine for you as well." Yun Xuan paused for three seconds, then solemnly placed her clothes into the washing machine.

PS: Please add to your collection and vote for recommendations.