106: A lucid madman

Back in the room, Zhao Zichen was already fast asleep, letting out soft snores.

Lin Que kicked off his shoes and sank into the soft bed.

The moment his back hit the sheets, the string that had been taut all day finally relaxed.

The smoke from the battle at Zijin Mountain Villa had barely cleared before he ran into "Fugitive Beethoven" at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, followed immediately by being dragged off by those two big shots from the Writers Association to be force-fed a stomach full of Dahongpao tea.

This day had been more mentally draining than writing a ten-thousand-word script.

He rolled over and pulled his phone from his pocket.

As soon as he unlocked the screen, the phone vibrated frantically in his palm, nearly slipping from his grasp.

The notification bar looked like it had been bombed; messages from Lǜluó were still piling up at a visible speed, all filled with glaring exclamation marks.

Wang De'an was more composed, sending only a brief report on the public opinion from the past few hours.

Having had his mind racing all day, Lin Que simply ignored both of them.

Finally, his fingertip hovered over the chat box named "Fugitive Beethoven."

The red unread count was somewhat glaring.

Two hours ago.

【Fugitive Beethoven】: [Link] Shocking! A high school student publicly declares on a literature forum that he "doesn't want to starve," and duck blood vermicelli soup might be the biggest winner!

【Fugitive Beethoven】: Teacher Lin, you've gone viral! [Sunglasses] [Sunglasses]

【Fugitive Beethoven】: It's a pity I left early and missed the reporter interview part. That line of yours, "My mouth is on my own body," was just too cool!

【Fugitive Beethoven】: The comment section is going crazy laughing right now, see for yourself.

Lin Que raised an eyebrow and clicked the link.

It was a hot post on "Tianya Haijiao," the largest social forum in the country, with a highly provocative title: "When Literature Meets duck blood vermicelli soup: A High School Student's Sharp Critique of the Mainstream Literary Scene."

The first post contained a video, showing him chatting confidently with a reporter at that small shop in Old Gate East.

In the video, the youth stood before the noisy shop with an empty, clean-licked bowl in front of him, his eyes clear, his tone playful yet tinged with a streak of resolve.

"...My mouth is on my own body, and my stomach is my own too. I can't just starve myself to death to cater to the so-called 'mainstream', can I?"

This quote had been turned into all sorts of meme GIFs and was flooding the comment section.

【1st Floor】: I suggest adding "My mouth is on my own body, and my stomach is my own" to the nine-year compulsory education curriculum!

This guy is alright; when there's food, he actually eats!

【2nd Floor】: Dying of laughter. Editor-in-Chief Fang: I'm talking to you about depth, and you're talking to me about spice levels?

【3rd Floor】: Three minutes! I want all the information on this man!

Otherwise, I'll... I'll kneel and beg you!

That line "don't want to starve" is the perfect mouthpiece for us working cattle and horses!

【4th Floor】: The expert is here.

This is Lin Que from Jiangcheng No. 1 High School, the first prize winner for "the person waiting to die."

I can only say, the thought process of a big shot is indeed something us mere mortals can't understand; all I can do is babble.

【5th Floor】: Where is the address for that duck blood vermicelli soup?

I must say, the owner has to catch this overwhelming traffic; whether the small shop becomes a chain depends on whether they can seize this wave.

【6th Floor】: Am I the only one craving it?

Looking at that layer of chili oil, my tears uncontrollably flowed from the corners of my mouth.

Lin Que tapped his finger on the screen and chuckled.

Public opinion in the internet age is often like this: as long as you are authentic enough and interesting enough, the public will naturally stand on your side.

The "authoritative" persona that Fang Zhenyun had painstakingly cultivated seemed so pale and powerless in the face of this bowl of down-to-earth duck blood vermicelli soup.

He switched back to the chat interface and tapped his fingers quickly on the screen.

【Mu Xia】: Low profile, low profile. I'm just stating the basic qualifications of a foodie.

The person on the other end seemed to be guarding their phone, as the message was replied to almost instantly.

【Fugitive Beethoven】: Yo, the big celebrity finally replied? I thought you'd been thrown into the dark room. [Snicker]

【Mu Xia】: Pretty much. Got dragged off by two old men from the Writers Association to drink a stomach full of tea; now I feel like my stomach is full of water—I can hear it sloshing when I shake.

【Fugitive Beethoven】: [Horror] They didn't do anything to you, did they?

【Mu Xia】: Nothing much, just gave me a "get-out-of-jail-free card." I doubt anyone in the Su Province literary scene will dare to stop me from now on.

【Fugitive Beethoven】: ...

【Fugitive Beethoven】: Fine, you're awesome. [Cat thumbs up] But come to think of it, those theories you told me in the shop today about "Jian Shen" and "Morphine"—I thought about it after I went back, and I find you quite scary. [Pondering.jpg]

【Mu Xia】: Oh? How so?

【Fugitive Beethoven】: Someone like you... you clearly view this world as a giant ICU, knowing that no one can save anyone.

【Fugitive Beethoven】: Yet you can still sell painkillers as if nothing is wrong, while hiding on the side, enjoying your duck blood vermicelli soup.

Someone like you is either a compassionate saint, or you are...

【Mu Xia】: Is what? [Confused]

【Fugitive Beethoven】: [Image: A rabbit wearing glasses taking notes frantically.jpg]

【Fugitive Beethoven】: A sober madman!!! [Ultraman beam.gif]

Looking at these five words, Lin Que rubbed the frame of his phone with his thumb, unable to type a single word for a long time.

This evaluation had some substance to it.

It sounded more pleasing to the ear than the "literary star" or "rising talent" from the mouths of those old pedants, but... it was also much more jarring.

This girl looked harmless, but who would have thought her eyes were so sharp; she saw straight into the bone at a single glance.

【Mu Xia】: You flatter me. I'm just an ordinary high school student who occasionally goes crazy, but most of the time I'm quite normal.

For example, right now, I just want to sleep.

【Fugitive Beethoven】: Pfft, as if I'd believe that. [Roll eyes]

【Fugitive Beethoven】: Anyway... make sure you keep that huge twenty-yuan hush money safe.

If you dare to tell anyone about my secret stash, you're dead! [Kitchen knife] [Hug]

Lin Que recalled that comical transfer record and couldn't help but laugh.

【Mu Xia】: That's enough. But if we meet again next time, remember to treat me to that plum blossom cake that wasn't open.

【Fugitive Beethoven】: It's a deal! [OK] Get some sleep, future great writer. Goodnight.

【Mu Xia】: Goodnight.

Putting down his phone, Lin Que walked to the window and drew the curtains.

Outside, the night view of Jinling was still dazzling.

The silhouette of Zijin Mountain in the distance was looming in the lights, like a dormant giant beast.

He looked at this ancient capital of six dynasties, but his heart remained calm.

Today's farce was merely a beginning.

"Jian Shen"'s "the ferryman" had already gained a firm footing, and as the original entity, Lin Que now possessed an official amulet.

The whole family has to be complete, after all.

Lin Que looked at the bright red icon of the Hongguo Novel app and smiled.

Next.

It was time to let the Dream Weaver come out... and stretch a little!