Cloud’s landlady told her rent had been raised by 100 Yuan. Cloud was groaning in heart, but  had no choice. With current salary, she could only afford her rent and food. She couldn’t see any hope on the road to future.

    As for general saying, good marriage was even better than good work for a woman, but Cloud couldn’t expect that for she wasn’t pretty and tender at all. She didn’t know how to make a man appreciate her and also was disdainful to do that. She kept telling herself stubbornly, “Who cares to depend on man? I should be independent and proud. I can earn my life by my ability and there is no need for me to beg other people.” Only the reality was cruel, she was only a salesgirl in a small supermarket and earned barely enough for the basic life needs.

    Cloud wasn’t willing to live with fellow salesgirls because she thought they were all too shallow and stupid. She thought herself was different from them, but couldn’t understand why she still had the same miserable life as them.

    Seeing the gloomy room, she decided to go out for a walk. She had only several hundred Yuan left in her pocket and even wished she could find a wallet full of money to make her rich. Unfortunately, she found nothing. Even though there was a wallet on ground, there were so many people in the crowded deep city and Cloud didn’t have the strength to grab it.

    She walked to the supermarket voluntarily and was about to buy vegetables to get supper ready. By chance, Cloud saw gloomy Atman was waiting in a long queue to pay for his vegetables of supper. Cloud was smiling and greeted him merrily. After all, it’s nice to meet Atman in such a gloomy mood and she could cheer herself a little. Atman was happy to see her too.

    Then they walked out of the supermarket together. Cloud blurted out, “How about cooking supper together? I mean, at my place.” Without waiting for Atman’s answer, she was blushed, after all, had never invited a man to her room. Yaoyao joined a birthday party of classmate, so Atman was happy to have supper with Cloud and chatted for a while. He grinned, “Anyway, I think it’s really boring to cook for oneself. I have to spend a long time on cooking, after that, a long time on washing. “Cloud knew that deeply and couldn’t agree with him more.

    They came near to the door, Cloud said to Atman apologetically, “I’m sorry, the room is small.” Atman smiled, “It doesn’t matter. I even live in basement.” When Cloud opened the door, Atman found the room was really clean and tidy though it was small, which was even cleaner than Yaoyao’s.

    Many hands make light work. After only half an hour, they began to have supper merrily. Cloud decided to tell Atman her confusion, “I really don’t know why people don’t like my work. I’ve read some co-called bestsellers and think they’re really nothing. The authors are really naïve and stupid, yet they can attract so many readers.” Atman laughed in approval, “I like your coming straight to the point. Last time, you even made yourself a high-hearted literary youth to me and were able to write for yourself only. To be honest, I really doubted it. Hehe.” Seeing Cloud was embarrassed, Atman stopped teasing her and said seriously, “Do you think those authors really stupid and naïve? I’m afraid I don’t think so. Instead, they’re really smart. It’s not they’re lacking literary talent. Only they know how to capture readers’ hearts and also know clearly their writing purpose, which is to improve life. After all, everybody has to live. How could they spend so much time on writing something for nothing?”

    Cloud was surprised at first and then raised her head to stare at Atman in admiration, “Yeah, you’re right. How could I be so stupid to misunderstand this before?” Atman laughed, “There is nothing to be ashamed to write to earn money. Cao Xueqin was no doubt great to write Red Mansion even though he was so poor that he couldn’t afford to buy paper, but do you think it’would be better if he had a better life so that he could finish the remaining part of Red Mansion? “

    Cloud nodded, but still had a little doubt in her heart, “If I’m writing to curry favor with readers, do you think they’ll get tired of that kind of work sooner or later of its having nothing special ? “ Atman shook his head, “No, do you think a man is going to be tired of pretty women? Though ancient emperor had so many pretty concubines, he would never get tired of them. I guess that’s the same reason.”

    Cloud opened her computer and logged on a famous literary website to show Atman her work. Atman read several chapters and shook his head again, “No, too depressive, you can’t expect readers to like it. The real life is also so sad, they surely don't like to read sad things to make heart sadder. “ Cloud was unconvinced, “But last time, you told me to write things I’m most familiar with, hence I wrote something about my life. My life is depressive, you know that.” “Last time, you seemed to be a pure literary youth and that’s why I told you to write in that kind of way for you didn’t have to consider readers. Cao Xueqin wanted to make Lin Daiyu die, even though her fans had no right to object that.” Cloud was amused by his humor.

    Atman saw new works on that website emerging like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, could not help laughing, “Oh, my god. This is really a golden literary period. So many literary youths are struggling hard to earn fame and money. You have to get ready for writing for ten years without success. “Cloud had a heavy heart, saying sadly, “I really envy those people who earn their lives by doing things they like. I like reading and writing, but can’t earn my life by it. I have to do the boring work as a salesgirl. The feeling is killing me.”

    Seeing Cloud was sad, Atman tried to encourage her, “There is no need to be sad. Your literary talent isn’t bad. Those people can earn lives by writing and you can too, after all, they’re flesh and blood too. No need to despise yourself to promote other people’s morale.”

    After a short intermission, Atman said again, “Actually I write things too. I only write for myself. Whenever I encounter wisdom, I’ll write it down. Real wisdom never cares about readers, or else there’ll be no confidential documents in the world. I write things for self-discipline.”

    “Really? Can I have a look?”

    “No way.”

    “OK.” Cloud was a little disappointed.

    “Sorry, that’s my principle, or even faith. The only difference is that I create my own faith. Come on, I can still show you what a man needs. “

    “What’s that?”

     “Woman, exactly, pretty and virtuous woman. Money, money to make one away from burden of working to make daily needs end. Achievement, to prove his value, to prove he is different from other men. If you can give readers those things in your work, I’m sure your work is gonna be a hit. Your style of writing is great now, only content matters, now that content isn’t gonna be a problem to you. Oh, by the way, you also need to know what a woman needs. There is no need for me to say, you’re a woman.”

    “I really don’t know,”said Cloud helplessly.

    “I get an idea. I’ll call my friend to ask what a woman needs.” Atman called Yaoyao to get the answer.

    Yaoyao was singing a romantic song when her mobile phone was ringing. She saw it was from Atman and couldn’t help laughing, “The weirdo can’t even live without me for a little while.” She went out of singing hall and asked Atman loudly, “What’s wrong?” Atman stopped for a while, “Nothing, do you know what a woman needs in life?” Yaoyao laughed ironically, “Weirdo, are you all right?”

    “Yeah, I’m serious, do tell me.” 

    “I don’t know what a woman needs, but I can tell you what I want in life.”

    Atman had his ear on the mobile phone to listen to Yaoyao, waiting for her answer. Suddenly Yaoyao shouted loudly, “I need handsome man, beautiful house, fashionable clothes, also obedient maidservant to cook and clean and take care of my cute baby. In a word, all good things in the world, I want to own them, all of them!!” Atman nearly got his eardrum broken by her deafening voice. After that, Yaoyao said to Atman, “Hehe, I feel fabulously well. I have to go inside to sing, so see you tonight.” Without even waiting for Atman’s answer, yaoyao hanged off and couldn’t help being amused, “Poor thing, so cute and funny.”

    Cloud was curious, “Who is that? Really so rude.” Atman rubbed his ear annoyingly, but answered with a smile, “My friend. Have you heard of it? In a word, handsome man and money. Get it? A woman needs that. Hehe.” Cloud frowned, “I’m afraid I don’t think so.” “I know you don’t think so, but you have to write so, “said Atman.”I’m afraid I have to go now so that you can write with new content. I’m gonna read it a week later. Come on! Cloud can, Cloud can!” Cloud waved his clenched fists, shouting, “I can, I can, see you.”

    When Atman left, Cloud looked her in the mirror, wondering, “What’s wrong with me? I behaved totally different today.” After that, she shouted again, “I can, beat all of them.” With a cup of green tea, Cloud began to create her world by typing words.