Chapter 3

《Journey to the West: A Novel》 is at least a hundred thousand words long. If it were merely something Su Shichen had read in his past life, even if he had read it seven or eight times, he wouldn't be able to transcribe it word for word. However, Su Shichen managed to do so, not because his memory was exceptionally good or because he had a photographic memory, but because he had a search engine in his head.

Most importantly, this search engine seemed to be connected to Earth, meaning that Su Shichen could search for anything he wanted just by thinking about it. This was how he had answered Li Dongfang's previous question, and it was also how he had transcribed *Journey to the West: A Novel*.

Even though this world had strict anti-piracy laws, it was difficult to regulate online piracy. Despite this, web novels were still very popular, and methods like typing out text and taking screenshots were still used. However, the respect for copyright was much higher in this world, which greatly improved the situation for writers. For example, the number of writers earning over a million yuan annually was twice that on Earth.

Indeed, in this world where web novels were even more popular than on Earth, there were many classic works. However, there were also many classic web novels from Earth, so Su Shichen decided to make money by writing web novels.

Of course, writing web novels required a prerequisite: having a computer that he could use independently.

Su Shichen's family did have a computer, but it was in his parents' room, and his father used it for work, storing important files on it. In short, it was inconvenient, so he needed to earn some money to buy his own computer.

Therefore, he chose to submit his work to a publishing house. A few thousand yuan would be enough to buy a computer, so a medium-length novel of about a hundred thousand words would suffice.

Su Shichen then searched his mind and ultimately chose *Journey to the West: A Novel* by Jin Hezai. Although the book was only a hundred thousand words long, it was known as the "Number One Web Novel" and had even been adapted into a game.

Given its prestigious reputation, publishing it in 2012, a year when web literature was flourishing, would not be a problem. Indeed, Su Shichen's estimate was correct, and his submission to the De Yun Publishing House was approved.

Using the vast knowledge from Earth to conquer this world and build his own cultural empire—novels, anime, music, and scripts—was his goal.

Writing novels and scripts was relatively straightforward, as he could transcribe them directly from his mind. However, anime was a different story. Without any drawing skills, even the most exciting and dynamic manga plots would be incomprehensible to others.

Although he could use the Chinese Music Score website to copy sheet music, the idea of someone who didn't even know how to read sheet music composing hits like "Forget You," "Goodbye Kiss," and "Dangerous" would be hard to believe. Therefore, learning drawing and music was essential for Su Shichen after his reincarnation.

Fortunately, he had not been reincarnated too late, at around fourteen years old.

On the way home from school:

"Xiao Si, the book you wrote can be published. The essay the homeroom teacher assigned should definitely win first place, definitely surpassing Xiaoyu," Li Dongfang said. Xiaoyu was a nickname given to Tang Lingyu by the mischievous classmates.

Although Li Dongfang, the class president, was the top student in the class, he had always been outshone by Tang Lingyu in writing. It was said that Tang Lingyu's mother was the chief editor at a publishing house, and Tang Lingyu had been influenced by her from a young age, always ranking high in writing. Therefore, Li Dongfang had been in constant competition with Tang Lingyu.

Someone once said that middle school friendships were the purest and most innocent, as there was less scheming and fewer conflicts of interest. If there were any competitions, they were usually about academic performance, which was how it should be in student life.

"Did Mr. Zhou assign any essays?" Mr. Zhou was their homeroom teacher and Chinese teacher.

All morning, Su Shichen had been deciding which novel to publish online.

"I'm dizzy. Xiao Si wasn't paying attention in class. The teacher assigned an essay today. The theme is environmental protection, and the genre is open—novels, essays, and poems are all acceptable, but it must be at least six hundred words," Li Dongfang said.

"Environmental protection?"

"Right, another such topic. We've written about environmental protection countless times since we were young. It's hard to come up with something new. Xiao Si, do you have any ideas?"

"Actually, it's quite simple to come up with something new, and it's also simple to outdo Xiaoyu."

"What's the method?" Li Dongfang's eyes widened with excitement as he looked at Su Shichen.

"Big Class President, why don't you write a poem about the environment? That would definitely stand out."

"Hmph, easier said than done." Li Dongfang turned his head, pouting angrily. "Big Class President, remember our bet."

"Hmph!" "Big Class President, are you turning into a pig, hmpf hmpf."

"Xiao Si, you're bullying me. I'm not talking to you anymore." Li Dongfang turned and went home.

"An essay on environmental protection, any genre, needs to be original. Let me think." Suddenly, an idea struck Su Shichen. He decided to write a science fiction short story, linking science fiction with environmental protection. The story he planned to copy was written by the father of Japanese microfiction.

This story was even included in textbooks, but in this world, the author did not exist, so the story did not either. As for poetry, he would consider it next time.

"Shichen's mother, I have to tell you, our Xiaonan wrote an article that was published in a magazine, and they gave him two hundred yuan as a fee. The magazine will be on sale next week, so you must buy it," said the neighbor, referring to Fu Nan, who was in the same class as Su Shichen.

"Your Xiaonan is so talented, earning money at such a young age, and his article was published in a magazine. That's impressive. Our Xiaochen isn't as talented," Su Shichen's mother, Wei Xin, said.

"Shichen's mother, don't say that. Your Xiaochen is very smart too," Fu Nan's mother said, her face beaming with pride.

"Mom, I'm home." Su Shichen returned to the neighborhood with his schoolbag.

"Look at you, and then look at the Fu family's Xiaonan. He wrote an article that was published in a magazine and earned two hundred yuan."

"Oh, coincidentally, I also wrote a novel and submitted it to De Yun Publishing House. The chief editor has already approved it. Here's the contract. Since I'm not an adult, I need a guardian's signature," Su Shichen said, taking out the contract from his bag.

"Xiaochen, don't lie. Publishing a book is something only famous writers do," Fu Nan's mother said.

Su Shichen's mother, Wei Xin, took the contract, half-believing and half-doubting.

"Is this really a contract from De Yun Publishing House?" Wei Xin's voice was filled with joy.

"Shichen's mother, there are many scammers these days. Don't get cheated. Fu Nan's mother, I heard you have a relative who works at De Yun Publishing House. Can you ask them to check?"

"Sure, sure." Fu Nan's mother, though boastful, was also kind-hearted. She took out her phone and called. "Hello, is this Lao Liu? How's work?"

"Pretty good."

"Right, I have a question for you."

"One of our neighbors' children wrote a book that was accepted by De Yun Publishing House for publication. I'm worried they might be scammed. What's the name of the book and who reviewed it?"

"The book is called *Journey to the West: A Novel*, and it was reviewed by the chief editor, Wang Ni."

"Right, right. Can you check for me?"

Wei Xin was conflicted. If it was true, her son would be publishing a book, a significant honor. But if it was false, she would be disappointed, and it might dampen his confidence. However, her worries were unfounded.

"Ah!" Fu Nan's mother suddenly exclaimed.

"How is it? Was Xiaochen scammed?"

"No, my friend at De Yun Publishing House confirmed that *Journey to the West: A Novel* is indeed on the publication list." Wei Xin's face lit up with a smile.

"Shichen's mother, your Xiaochen is much more talented than our Xiaonan."

"Not really, not really," Wei Xin said modestly.

The neighbors, who had gathered to hear the news, congratulated and praised Su Shichen, calling him a little genius. Su Shichen's mother beamed with pride, repeatedly thanking everyone. Su Shichen suddenly realized that his mother hadn't been this happy in a long time.

His son's success brought his parents more joy than his own success. However, in his past life, at nearly forty, he had no girlfriend and had achieved nothing, causing his parents a lot of worry.

"I will definitely be my parents' pride!" Su Shichen said to himself.

After chatting with the neighbors for a while, Wei Xin couldn't wait to tell everyone about her son's book.

"By the way, does the publishing house need money from us for the book?" Wei Xin suddenly asked.

"Of course not. Not only do we not have to pay a penny, but the publishing house will also give me a fee."

"How much?"

"Five thousand." Su Shichen held up five fingers.

"Five thousand! Xiaochen, you're amazing!"

"No, I'll go to the market to buy a fish to celebrate Xiaochen's book. Xiaochen, go home first." Wei Xin rushed to the market.

Back home, his father hadn't returned from work yet. Su Shichen decided to finish the essay assigned by the homeroom teacher first. He took out his composition book and transcribed the science fiction short story about the environment from his mind.

He finished it quickly, in about ten minutes, and carefully checked it for typos. Satisfied, he put it away.

He then took out a piece of paper and wrote down some book titles: "Buy a computer, which novel should I choose first?"

"Zhu Xian? Known as the 'Bible of Post-Jin Yong Martial Arts,' its quality is undeniable, but in this world, where light novels dominate, it might not be suitable." He crossed out *Zhu Xian*.

"Then, *Battle Through the Heavens*? Potatoes became a new king with this novel, which is considered the pinnacle of light novels, but it seems to lack depth. Pending." He drew a triangle next to *Battle Through the Heavens*.

"*Infinite Terror*?..."

The page turned, and the advertisement began.

The page turned, and the advertisement ended.