1. Chapter

Who doesn't know it? You wake up in the morning and know that the day is going to suck. Well, that's how I felt all week. It would have even fit if I had said, "There are two kinds of people. Those who are lucky and those like me."

Last weekend already sucked when Zera Publishing announced that new volumes of Fantasy World would only be released YEARLY. Apparently my favorite author wants to make time for other works besides writing the Fantasy World volumes. Although I'm happy that I'll be able to enjoy more books from him, I think it's a pity if the remaining 5 volumes of Fantasy World are released with a interval of one year.

All hell broke loose in the fan forums because of this. Many have insulted each other. Since there were some who were always bickering, claiming that the author would not dare to write other books than his Fantasy World series. And even if so, the sales numbers confirm that the readers love it. That's my opinion, anyway.

Then on Monday, a whole pallet of laminate fell off the pallet jack while I was working at the hardware store. Fortunately, the laminate is always packed extra and therefore remained undamaged. Not to think what would have happened if it had been damaged. After all, it was expensive laminate.

On Tuesday, I was sitting in the staff lounge during my lunch break, reading through the latest rumors about the author on my cell phone, when all of a sudden my cell phone display fell in two pieces. Just like that! Suddenly I had two parts of my display lying there.

I then had to go after work to get a new cell phone. And of course the one I was looking at the other day was no longer on sale and now cost twice as much! The salesman additionally didn't want to understand that I already had a cell phone contract and didn't need a second one, but just a new phone.

In the end, I just took the first best and was annoyed that I did not take what I wanted to have the other day, because the price for my new phone was only slightly lower.

On Wednesday, I was half an hour late for work because my neighbor's new boyfriend parked his car right in front of my car and I couldn't get out of the parking space. And then before my neighbor even responded to my ringing and knocking and her boyfriend had gotten dressed to move his car, I was long overdue and could listen to a lecture from the manager about punctuality.

Then yesterday on Thursday, I had to work an extra hour and get the orders ready for the coming week. I was tired and exhausted and then had to go to five bookstores, because I was looking for the 5th volume of Fantasy World. It had just come out yesterday and I really wanted to get it.

In the fifth bookstore I was finally lucky and found a freshly printed book. Unfortunately not with the special edition cover. I'll have to buy it on the internet sometime. Because my other 4 volumes of Fantasy World are also with the special edition cover.

What's so special about it? It's a painting. There's a piece on each book. And then when you eventually have all 10 volumes together, you see the entire picture painted by the author himself. A picture of fantasy world. And I really want to have it!

Rumor says, that the author has already written all 10 volumes, only the publisher does not want to publish them all at once. Probably they make more money that way.

Anyway, I got the new book and proudly drove home with it. I plan to read it on the weekend. Then, when I don't have to go to work the next day and can read through it in one go without having to worry about oversleeping.

But further, well, I just went to my car after work, I wanted to drive to my brother, who is moving next weekend and needs my help and wants to discuss some details and what? My fucking car won't start!

Now I'm standing here looking into the open hood of my car and imagining I can fix the problem by just staring at it. Since my car is an older foreign model, there is only one auto repair shop here that can or will repair my car. The problem is, the repair shop closes at 4pm every day. And now it's 5 pm!

"Yibo? Why haven't you left yet?" My best friend Seungyoun and also work colleague.

"Car trouble."

"Again? Come on, admit it. You manipulated something so you could see that car mechanic again."

I took a deep breath, shook my head and replied," First of all, I wouldn't even know how to manipulate my car. Second, I'm sure they'd figure it out if they looked at the car. And third, I don't even know what you mean."

"Oh yeah right. How many times have you been to the auto shop in the last three months? Three times, or was it four? And weren't you always especially happy afterwards, telling me about that one auto mechanic? The one with that mole under his lower lip."

"Um, Xiao Zhan."

"Yeah, that's the one. Why don't you just admit that you're totally into him?"

"I'm not admitting anything. And even if I did have a crush on him, which I don't, that doesn't mean I'd have a chance with him. I'm sure he's not into men."

"How can you be sure of that mhm? Have you asked him about it?"

"Of course not. I would never dare."

"Well I would have tried to find out if I were you. Because honestly my friend, you can tell me whatever you want, I know you have a huge crush on him."

"So what if I am. What good does that do me?"

"Just ask him out on a date."

"No way! I'd just embarrass myself."

"Why? You're totally cute."

"I'm not cute, all right?"

"Sure you're cute. And you're as innocent as a baby."

"Oh great, just make fun of me."

"I'm not making fun of you. I think it's cute that you're still so innocent at the age of 23 now."

"What's cute about being 23 and not even having had a kiss yet? And what does that have to do with the car mechanic?"

"Um, never mind. Why don't you just ask him, he can't say anything more than no."

"Oh he'll say no for sure. And then I'll never dare go to that auto repair shop again because of the shame."

"Haha, you again. Yibo, how will you finally find your love happiness if you never dare to just be brave."

"I wouldn't even know how to start it."

"Mhhh, put on your sexy jeans, show him your crunchy butt and he'll come to you all by himself."

"You're really disgusting you know that? Why only are you my best friend?"

"Ok, ok. Sorry. But seriously now. Just be braver for once and stop hiding behind your books."

"I just like to read, what's wrong with that?"

"There's nothing wrong with it. But it's strange how you worship that one author."

"What's strange about it?"

"Well, listen. Nobody knows what he looks like. He's probably in reality a fat woman in her forties who can't handle reality herself and that's why she makes up these fantasy stories."

"Wei Ying may just be his alias. But Zera Publishing has revealed it's definitely a man. He is 29 years old and lives here somewhere anonymously in Beijing."

"They can tell a lot. After all, no one knows what he looks like. I continue to believe it's a fat woman in her forties."

"Believe what you want. I'll stick with it."

"But let's get back to the subject. What are you doing about your car now? Weren't you planning on driving to your brother?"

"Yes, I wanted to. But without a car? And it's too expensive for me with a cab. He doesn't live in Beijing yet."

"Why is he moving back here anyway? I thought he was comfortable there in this village?"

"He was. But he broke up with his boyfriend and wants to move away so he won't run into his ex every day. Besides, the breakup is the number one topic in the village. And, he'd be a lot closer to his work and wouldn't have to commute every day."

"I see. So, what now? Do you want me to drive you?"

"No don't bother. I'll call my brother and ask him to pick me up. And then tomorrow morning I'll have to call the repair shop. Hopefully they can send someone here to look at it. I'd like to save myself the towing costs this time."

"And that someone should preferably be that certain auto mechanic what?"

"Can you just stop doing that? Yeah, maybe I have a crush on him. But he'll never accept me."

"Don't give up before you've even tried. And besides, when he was at our hardware store last week, didn't he even recognize you and greet you? What was it he said? Oh yeah, hey pretty man."

"That doesn't mean anything."

"Yeah sure Yibo. If you say so. I have to go now too then, I'm sure my honey is waiting."

" Say hello to Wooseok for me."

"I will. And you, get more confidence and courage. See you on Monday."

I wave goodbye to him, relieved that he's finally leaving, and now I have to call my brother. Well, he won't be thrilled if he has to pick me up from here right after his work.

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A/N: Again, right now I don't know if I can manage to update daily. Because of my other two ongoing stories. But, I'm doing my best and will try it.