Little Women: 1-1 A Rainy Encounter

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After getting rejected for the third time, Jo is starting to doubt her own writing. It has begun to pour. How will she be able to get home now...?

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• Gifts: Leisurely Tea, Courtyard Stroll
• Recommended: Leisurely Tea, Courtyard Stroll
• Rewards: 3,000 , 3 Reader's Coupon, Blueberry Jam, Blueprint: Cafe Tables, 1 Gift Material, 1 Clothing Material

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• Drafts litter my desk, but my novel's third edit is finally done. I stretch, giving my sore back much needed relief.
• You: Hopefully, Mr. Dashwood will be pleased with this edit.
• You: It's about time. I should change before setting off.
• This is my third time cisitng the press. My heart feels as heavy as the manuscript in my hands.
• The previous rejections remain vivid in my mind. I wonder if history will repeat itself.
• At the doorstep, I take a deep breath before pushing the door open.
• You: Sir, I've made the changes to the areas you mentioned. Please take a look.
• Mr Dashwood simply gives my manuscript a perfunctory look before returning it to me immediately.
• Mr. Dashwood: Jo, you should understand that your writing isn't the problem.
• Mr. Dashwood: You're talented and clever.
• Mr. Dashwood: I'm sure you know exactly what I mean.
• It hurts to see the disdain in his eyes.
• Thunder booms outside, and a downpour follows on its heels.
• You: Is it really not possible, sir?
• Mr. Dashwood: I've made myself quite clear, Jo.
• Mr. Dashwood: Family sagas are boring, and romance stories are tacky.
• Mr. Dashwood: Nobody's got the time to read these trivial things.
• Mr. Dashwood: People want to see exciting and dramatic content.
• Mr Dashwood picks up a random copy of the news, gesturing animatedly at the story column.
• These published stories are mostly about horror or fantasy. They are interesting and exciting!
• Mr. Dashwood: I don't deny your talent, Jo, but you mustn't work in the wrong direction.
• Editor: This week's manuscripts are in, and ready for your review, sir!
• Mr. Dashwood: Let's take a look.
• Mr. Dashwood: Not bad.
• Mr. Dashwood: Last week's story about vampires had great reviews, and its continuation will definitely bump up our sales.
• Mr. Dashwood strokes his chin contentedly. He's caught up in the manuscripts together with his editor, and ignores me completely.
• I walk towards the exit with the intention of going home, but it's still pouring outside.
• I sigh as I look at the manuscript that has been rejected for the third time.
• You: (Is it time for me to stop persevering...)
• Friedrich Bhaer: Pardon me, but are you Miss March?
• You: Yes, I'm- Oh! Hello, Professor Bhaer!
• Tall and slender, with slightly ruffled curls, and eyes you could lose yourself in - I can recognize this man anywhere.
• He is Professor Bhaer. I had the pleasure of making his acquaintance at a tea party a few days ago.
• You: Fancy bumping into you here.
• You: What are you doing at the press?
• Friedrich Bhaer: I'm here to see a theater director on behalf of my student.
• Friedrich Bhaer: Unfortunately, the director couldn't make it, and we didn't get to meet.
• You: I see.
• Friedrich Bhaer: What about you? You mentioned a novel the last time we talked. How is it going?
• My face falls upon hearing Professor Bhaer's question.
• You: It's quite embarrassing, but Mr. Dashwood didn't take a liking to my novel.
• Friedrich Bhaer: I guess we're two "unlucky fools" sympathizing with each other.
• Not expecting such humor from Professor Bhaer, I chortle at the term "unlucky fools".
• Friedrich Bhaer: Well, does Unlucky Fool Number One have the pleasure of inviting Unlucky Fool Number Two into his home for a cup of tea?
• Professor Bhaer extends his invitation after cheering me up.
• Friedrich Bhaer: I think some hot tea and cakes might be able to chase away these pesky bouts of bad luck.
• You: In that case, Unlucky Fool Number Two shall accept the invitation.
• Professor Bhaer opens his umbrella, and I walk beside him prudently.
• The rain is coming down in buckets. To prevent me from getting drenched, he moves his arm around, giving me more shelter.
• I can feel Professor Bhaer's hand over my back, but he doesn't touch me.
• At such close distance, I can feel the warmth emanating from him.
• My heart starts beating faster against my will.
• Friedrich Bhaer: I must have forgotten to tidy my room before I left. I apologize for the mess.
• You: There's no need to apologize.
• You: Oh. Your arm is drenched.
• To keep me dry, Professor Bhaer had shielded me with most of the umbrella, so he's wet instead.
• Friedrich Bhaer: Ah, I've been careless... Please wait for me, I'll have to change out of these.
• Friedrich Bhaer: There's no need to stand on ceremony. Feel free to look around.
• Professor Bhaer's room is littered with all kinds of books. It's kind of messy, but it doesn't feel cramped at all. On the contrary, it feels cozy.
• I can't help but pick up a book at random.
• Professor Bhaer has now changed into a dry set of clothes, and he emerges with hot tea and sweet treats.
• You: May I take a look?
• Friedrich Bhaer: Help yourself.
• You: Are these all about philosophy?
• Friedrich Bhaer: I may be a philosophy professor, but that doesn't mean I only read philosophy books.
• Friedrich Bhaer: There's astronomy, geography, arts, and humanities... I'm quite interested in them all.
• Friedrich Bhaer: Oh right, and your novel. It's been on my mind ever since we spoke about it, I've been hoping for a chance to read your masterpiece.
• You: You jest. It's not a masterpiece at all, but a crappy piece that failed three different reviews.
• Friedrich Bhaer: How so? We've only met briefly, and our chat at the tea party was short, but I had a lasting impression of you.
• Friedrich Bhaer: Your opinions are rather unique. I regret not being able to explore them further with you at the tea party.
• You: I-I didn't expect my humble opinion to leave such an impression on anyone.
• Friedrich Bhaer: May I see your work?
• You: Of course!
• Professor Bhaer begins reading the first chapter after I hand over my thick manuscript.
• Gradually he loses himself in the story, forgetting about the time.
• After a long period of silence, I'm a little at a loss as to what to do, so I nudge him gently.
• Friedrich Bhaer: My apologies, I was too immersed with the story. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to finish it in the future.
• You: Didn't you find it boring?
• Friedrich Bhaer: Boring? Oh no, certainly not.
• Friedrich Bhaer: I've only read the first chapter, but I'm certain this is an excellent novel.
• You: If you mean to console me, I'm thankful.
• You: But I'm well aware of its flaws. Mr. Dashwood wouldn't even look at it.
• Friedrich Bhaer: Taylor Dashwood may be the press proprietor, but he is not the golden standard for every piece of work out there.
• Friedrich Bhaer: Miss March, I may not know how to write, but what I do know is there's a certain power in your writing.
• Friedrich Bhaer: It's confident, powerful, but not in an aggressive way. The words flow like they're on a calm river. It's very comforting.
• Friedrcih Bhaer: This is exactly what this generation has lost.
• You: Lost?
• Friedrich Bhaer: Yes. During times of war, hearts are filled with distress and unease.
• Friedrich Bhaer: Few are willing to read pieces that make one feel serene.
• Friedrich Bhaer: Miss March, I found serenity in your novel.
• As Professor Bhaer gazes at me tenderly, a glimmer of light seems to appear in my mind.
• It's a little dim, but it still serves as a beacon of hope in the bleak abyss.
• You: Thank you for the compliment, Professor Bhaer. I'm rather embarrassed by it...
• Friedrich Bhaer: You don't have to be embarrassed. I'm only saying it as it is.
• Friedrich Bhaer: Also, there's no need to call me Professor Bhaer. Friedrich will do.
• You: all right, Friedrich. You can call me Jo.
• Friedrich Bhaer: Jo it is then.
• You: We keep talking about me. Let's talk about you now.
• Friedrich Bhaer: What do you want to talk about?
• You: I remember you saying that you're from Germany. Will you be returning to Berlin?
• Friedrich Bhaer: Goethe's hometown has been ravaged by the war.
• You: Goethe? I quite adore Goethe.
• You: I used to lose myself in his poems.
• Friedrich Bhaer: Really?
• You: There are many great German authors. My family and I enjoy their work very much.
• Friedrich Bhaer: Oh, that's wonderful! I've got to say, I really like Goethe too!
• You: I wonder if you've read <To the Moon>.
• Friedrich Bhaer: "Every echo fills my heart."
• You: "With memories of glad and sad times.."
• Friedrich Bhaer: "I pass between the happiness and pain..."
• You: "In loneliness."
• Friedrich Bhaer: "In loneliness."
• Friedrich and I recite the last line at the same time. Our mutual understanding makes us laugh with delight.
• Friedrich Bhaer: I guess I'm not just a dull philosophy professor.
• You: Of course not. I find out conversations fascinating.
• You: I hope to have more of such conversations with you in the future. I think I can learn a lot from you.
• Friedrich Bhaer: That's wonderful! I feel the same way.
• Friedrich Bhaer: If you don't mind, I'd like to invite you to a tea party this weekend. It'll be hosted right here.
• You: I'd be glad to attend.
• The downpour has subsided to a drizzle, and my mood has lightened up as well.
• Friedrich and I exchange a knowing smile as we bid each other farewell at the door.
• Friedrich Bhaer: Well, I'll see you again this weekend then.
• You: Yes, I look forward to it.