Chapter 58

[PS: Thank you to YiXiaoJiDuoChou for the tip. This chapter was written and sent via mobile, which was quite a challenge. We are currently 20th on the new book chart. As long as we maintain our lead and don't get overtaken by the three behind us, I'll continue with three updates today. Everyone, vote with all your might!!]

Tong Yan returned to the classroom empty-handed, the magazine having been confiscated by Song Rao. Although he had read the story of the cat and dog many times, this was the first time he was reading it in print. Whenever he saw Song Rao's infectious smile, he lost his ability to think. He didn't even consider fighting for it and let Song Rao take the magazine without a fuss.

There was still some time before class, and Dong Mian and a few of his dorm mates had arrived. Seeing Tong Yan, they all gathered around to ask what was wrong.

"Nothing, something happened at home," Tong Yan said, not wanting to elaborate. The others, who were good at reading people, could tell it wasn't good news and thus said nothing more, letting Tong Yan sit at his desk and think.

Before class, Luo Xiaoxu didn't disturb Tong Yan and went to Mr. Song's office to get the textbook.

When Song Xiancheng started the lecture, he saw a spirited and focused Tong Yan, which made him very pleased. He hoped to see a hardworking and ambitious Tong Yan in the next exam.

Now, Tong Yan didn't want to think about anything else; he just wanted to get good grades to show his mother. He even wished there was an exam right now so he could give it his full attention.

If he were asked to leave the school and spend the night at an internet cafe writing his novel, Tong Yan really couldn't do it. He couldn't imagine sitting in front of a computer and completely ignoring his mother in the hospital and his father running around for medical expenses, even if it was to ease their burden.

His mother's hospitalization had left him in a state of confusion, and the problems exposed after writing over 200,000 words of "The Little Soldier's History" made the plot seem unstable. He wanted to write a good story but found himself unable to do so, and the sense of failure made him unwilling to touch the keyboard again.

He didn't know how long he could hold on, but for now, he just wanted to be a good student.

To Song Rao, works like "Desecration" and "Rising Dragon Path" meant nothing. She had only read Tong Yan's novel in the entire "Shengda Entertainment·Novel" magazine. The next day, after finishing it, she personally came to Class 2-2 to return the magazine to him.

"Finished reading," Tong Yan went to take it, but Song Rao dodged.

"I have a question for you."

"Go ahead."

"What is 'The Little Soldier's History'?"

"How did you know about it?" Tong Yan was surprised and then pulled Song Rao aside, "Let's talk over there."

There were many people in the corridor outside Class 2-2 watching them. Tong Yan was worried about the news getting out, so he pulled Song Rao to a quieter place.

Tong Yan was holding Song Rao's arm, but many people saw it as holding hands. This scene was too visually striking and sparked discussions in the neighboring classes 1, 2, and 3.

Huang Yelou said sourly, "No wonder the teacher is so protective of him, there must be something going on."

Dong Mian was surprised, "I used to think the rumors were unreliable, but now I might be wrong."

Zheng Jing said seriously, "Actually, I noticed it a long time ago. Do you remember what I told you last time..."

Luo Xiaoxu sighed, "I wonder if it's a blessing or a curse."

Seeing the two disappear from the window, Ye Qingzhu lowered her head, unsure whether to tell her best friend about what she had seen and heard today.

Duan Hou came out of Class 1, looking at the departing Tong Yan and thinking, "This guy is quite smooth, but that gives me a chance. I won't give up on Ye Qingzhu!"

Zheng Jing saw Duan Hou and called out, "Old Duan, didn't you go to the liberal arts class? Why are you back?"

Duan Hou approached, knowing that Zheng Jing was the biggest gossip in the world, so telling him was like telling the whole class. He smiled, "Just came back to visit, and I have some good news to share with my old classmates."

Duan Hou couldn't hold back, and this was the wrong time to let Zheng Jing ask.

Since he had already revealed that he had good news and had a look of urgency, Zheng Jing decided not to ask.

"I wonder when that Tong Yan will be back; class is about to start," Zheng Jing said to himself, leaning against the door frame.

His words reminded Duan Hou that class was about to start, and there was no time to be picky, "Zheng Jing, aren't you curious about my good news?"

Duan Hou was being too direct, and Zheng Jing didn't push him anymore, "If you want to tell me, I'll listen."

"Hehe, actually, I don't need to say much. You'll probably hear it from Class 1 soon, or maybe from Mr. Song, but since we're good friends, I'll tell you."

Zheng Jing rolled his eyes, "You've built it up so much, just say it."

"It's like this, recently..."

"Hey, can you stop pulling me around? Pay attention to your image!" Song Rao, whose arm was being held by Tong Yan, obediently followed him to the entrance of the lecture hall, where no one was around.

Tong Yan realized they were being too intimate and let go, apologizing, "Sorry, did I hurt you?"

"I'm fine, but you have some explaining to do. What's 'The Little Soldier's History'? The magazine says you're the author of 'The Little Soldier's History' on起点网 (Qidian.com) and a new and popular online writer."

Tong Yan slapped his head, "How could I forget that? Sister Guo mentioned it. There's a brief introduction about me at the end, but they really exaggerated, calling me a new and popular writer."

"Actually, it's like this..." Tong Yan explained his situation in detail, without any concealment.

"You're still writing a novel!?" Song Rao was amazed by Tong Yan's talent. She couldn't imagine how he managed to write a 200,000-word novel amidst his busy high school life, and it wasn't even finished!

"I've already told you everything, remember to keep it a secret," Tong Yan said bitterly, thinking about the fate of "The Little Soldier's History."

"Will you continue writing the novel?" Song Rao asked.

"I don't know. I can't write it now," the guilt over his mother's illness made him unable to even think about writing.

"But you've already written so much," Song Rao felt sorry for the effort.

"Let's wait until my mother gets better," Tong Yan could only say that. Then he tore out the part of the magazine that introduced the author, willing to acknowledge the short story if necessary, but not the novel.

Back in the classroom, many people noticed the book in Tong Yan's hand, but everyone was whispering about something else. Only Dong Mian asked, "Is that a book?"

"Oh, it's a magazine. I lent it to Song Rao, and she returned it."

Dong Mian took it, "Shengda Entertainment? Is it the same Shengda that made Legend?"

"It's the same Shengda. They're the same company," one cared about games, the other about web novels, but both were related to Shengda. Tong Yan glanced around the classroom, "What are they talking about?"

"Oh, they're talking about Duan Hou."

At that moment, Wang Ping, who was behind Tong Yan, patted him, "Tong, your title as the top talent of Yangping No.1 High School might be in jeopardy!"

"I never claimed to be the top talent, but what do you mean it's in jeopardy?"

"You don't know yet, Duan Hou published an article in 'High Schooler' magazine and was showing it off just now!"