Fancy Me, Professor!

Chapter 269 - Keep My Guard Up

Online literature is the umbrella term that refers to e-books, novels, and other literary works that are created specifically to be read on digital devices like phones, tablets, or computers (Bryce, 2020). 

Unlike most modern books, a work of web fiction is often not published as a whole. It is released on the website in installments or chapters as they are finished.

The web serial form dominates in the category of fan fiction, as writing a serial takes less specialized software and often less time than an e-book.

Moreover, according Bryce (2020), he stated that there is a difference between online literature and AllNovelFulls are not limited to them just being found on the internet or being found on the internet or being designed to be consumed digitally.

Web novels generally has its own unique writing characteristics, styles, and tropes.

Web novels are usually found as stories that are more market driven, requiring a high frequency of interaction with their readers obtaining valuable feedback and optimizing their works as authors write to obtain a better outcome (Bryce, 2020).

Web fiction has become hugely popular in China, with revenues topping US$2.5 billion. As said by AXP (2018), there is a growing base of web fiction offered for free and followed by a loyal readership.

In countries like China, web fiction has taken off, becoming a major industry with top writers making millions of dollars and their stories adapted into TV and movies.

One example of a web novel website that publishes a lot of translated Chinese stories and even original stories is called AllNovelFull.

These Chinese novels are translated and posted in English and is enjoyed by many. Furthermore, in AllNovelFull, people in and out of China can make their own stories and enjoyed by a lot of readers.

AllNovelFull is a website that is launched last May 2017 as a brand under Tencent. As said by Bryce (2020), that AllNovelFull is now gaining traction and is also a well-known international online literature reading and publishing platform.

Bryce (2020) also stated that over the years, AllNovelFull has built a stable relationship with authors, readers, and content adaption partners.

The authors will publish the content on AllNovelFull, the readers will pay for the content, generating income for the authors and on top of that adaptation partners, will look at the content and will decide on how popular or profitable it is.

There are chances that it may create an opportunity for a story to be adapted into games, movies, or even TV series (Bryce, 2020).

According to the verified editor of the writing platform AllNovelFull, Bryce (2020), the benefits of joining AllNovelFull is to allow an author's story to be seen by the 70 million cumulative viewers on the site.

They can also get features on their front pages found in their website or in the mobile application for more exposure.

There were also shows that were based in AllNovelFull stories such as one Chinese series in Netflix entitled, "The King's Avatar." Other than that, the story "Bringing the Nation's Husband Home," was made into an animation, and also has been made into a Chinese drama as well.

As said by AXP (2018), AllNovelFull (allnovelfull.com) is a fast-growing publisher of online fiction. They are owned by Yuewen (Qidian), a Chinese web fiction company, which is a subsidiary of tech behemoth Tencent.

***

"Huh…"

Shu Xian put down the research she was reading for a while as she looked at Zhang Ren and said her comment.

"Zhong Li was right! There is a research here on the table that I might find interesting since it involves web fiction—web novels to be specific!"

It was already their afternoon duty and it was now Zhang Ren and Shu Xian's turn to continue the task that the morning duty weren't able to finish.

With Zhang Ren hearing the fact that Zhong Li had told her this, he arched a brow at her and then made a comment that got his friend's attention.

"And how are you talking to Zhong Li? It's amazing that you two are getting closer nowadays," he commented, Shu Xian, blinking her eyes at him at the same time.

"We text," she answered, furrowing her brows together. "Is there something wrong?"

"Shu Xian."

With how Zhang Ren said her name, he put the research he was typing for a moment then turned his swivel chair so he could look at her.

"You're kinda clueless. You know… he may be interested in you. He was never like this towards a woman."

Shu Xian widened her eyes in surprise.

"Really?"

"Yeah!" Zhang Ren nodded immediately, shrugging his shoulders as well. "Your relationship may be a secret and I know you're this innocent to think, but be careful—you are indeed someone else's girlfriend now."

Shu Xian didn't know what to say because Zhang Ren was indeed right. With her letting out a small sigh, she crossed her arms in front of her chest and made a comment as well.

"Well, if that's the case, then we may be wrong with the assumptions."

Zhang Ren looked at her again. "What?"

Shu Xian shrugged. "What if he's just… you know, kind?"

"Oh, I'm telling you, Shu Xian—" Zhang Ren said, letting out a scoff at the same time. "—that he was never like this—always aloof."

At the same moment before Shu Xian could even retort, there came Zhong Li. With him giving them a small smile, he greeted them both, but specifically had his eyes on Shu Xian.

"Good afternoon, guys," he started, his gaze still on Shu Xian. "Uh… you usually have your break at this time, no?"

"Oh!" Shu Xian noticed the time, indeed already her break time. "Yeah."

"Wanna have break together? I may be in need of some help again," he said and asked, already gesturing to the lounge. "In the lounge?"

"Sure," Shu Xian answered immediately, Zhang Ren shocked that she had ignored his warning. "I will see you then."

And before Zhang Ren could even retort, Zhong Li already went on ahead, Shu Xian preparing her things as she wanted to have her break as she was already hungry.

"Shu Xian, please consider what I said."

"Of course," Shu Xian said, ruffling his hair at the same time as she could still not get his point.. "I'll keep my guard up."