Chapter 4 of 100

Chapter 4

15 min read3,632 words

"Lin Mu, you have a letter!"

The class monitor, Cui Tingting, who was responsible for distributing letters to the class, curiously handed an envelope to Lin Mu. It was a special envelope from a magazine, with the magazine’s address and postal code at the bottom.

"Could it be that Lin Mu’s novel, which he submitted some time ago, has been accepted?"

Others in the class who saw it also had this question in their minds.

Lin Mu was initially a bit nervous, but when he saw the thick envelope, which seemed to contain a book, he immediately felt reassured. If the manuscript had been rejected, it would have been returned according to the rules, but it would only be a few sheets of paper, not so neatly arranged.

Lin Mu took the letter back, and the two girls sitting in front of him and his desk partner were also curious to see it. He originally wanted to take it back without making a fuss, but he couldn't help it. The result was right there, and waiting for the two-hour break to end would drive him crazy.

After some thought, Lin Mu tore open the envelope, and a copy of *Wuxia Story* slid out, along with two sheets of paper: a reply and a remittance slip.

Lin Mu first put the remittance slip in his pocket, glancing at it, his heart skipped a beat.

"2240 yuan!"

His mouth went dry, and he opened the reply letter.

"Author Yizhangshu:

Hello, your novel *Zhaotou Feng* has been successfully accepted by our magazine. We are sending you the sample book and the remittance slip. As this is your first acceptance, the manuscript fee will be calculated according to the new author’s rate, 80 yuan per thousand words.

Your *Zhaotou Feng* is 28,000 words long, and the total manuscript fee is 2240 yuan.

We hope to receive more high-quality manuscripts from you in the future.

*Wuxia Story* Publishing House."

Lin Mu then looked at the sample book. He opened it and found that his manuscript was indeed the first story in the magazine, as he had expected, which made him feel more at ease.

Choosing *Zhaotou Feng* as his first manuscript was a deliberate decision. Its length was almost perfect for the first story in a magazine, not a mid-length novel but with nine chapters, enough to keep readers engaged without finishing it too quickly.

With this good start, he hoped his future manuscripts would have a better chance of being accepted.

"Ah! 2240 yuan!" The girl in front of him screamed, having read the reply while Lin Mu was looking at the sample book.

"Huh?"

The students in the class were immediately intrigued. For a typical student, a month's living expenses, including food, daily necessities, and study materials, would only be about 400 to 500 yuan. So, did Lin Mu’s novel really get accepted?

It was worth four to five months of living expenses?

The students who had been reserved were now unable to remain calm. A few outgoing students came over to ask if it was true and wanted to see the remittance slip.

Lin Mu helplessly covered his head, looking at the 17-year-old girl in front of him, speechless.

"Wow! It’s really true! Lin Mu, how did you do it? Right, let me see the sample book!"

A few students who often talked to Lin Mu, including his group leader, ran over and, without being polite, took the sample book from Lin Mu’s desk and started flipping through it. Other students, hearing the confirmation, slowly gathered around.

The 2240 yuan manuscript fee was one reason that attracted them, but for these somewhat naive students, having their own work published in a newspaper or magazine was even more prestigious.

Mr. Shang Zhicheng, the homeroom teacher, was grading homework in the office when he heard the commotion from the neighboring class. He frowned and quickly put down his pen to go out.

"These students are usually not so noisy. Could someone be fighting?"

The back door of the high school, for the convenience of the homeroom teacher, was never closed during the day. As soon as Mr. Shang Zhicheng entered the back door, he saw most of the students in the class gathered around Lin Mu.

After listening to the girls’ chatter for a moment, Mr. Shang Zhicheng understood what had happened.

"Everyone, back to your seats! Lin Mu, come out with the book!"

The authority of the homeroom teacher was not to be challenged, and the students dispersed, watching Lin Mu with unusual interest as he walked into the office.

"Which one did you write?" Mr. Shang Zhicheng sat down and opened the magazine, asking.

"Zhaotou Feng!"

Mr. Shang Zhicheng then started reading, while Lin Mu stood there, bored, looking around.

The office, which was familiar to him as a poor student, was empty at the moment. He found it uninteresting and couldn’t leave, so he was quite bored.

The break between the second and third periods was quite long, about 20 to 30 minutes, enough time to read the story.

Mr. Shang Zhicheng read the nine-chapter novel in one go. With his years of experience with writing, he found that while Lin Mu’s novel had many shortcomings, the plot and theme exceeded his expectations.

He had thought that if Lin Mu’s novel was published, being young, it would likely be something thrilling and action-packed.

But in *Zhaotou Feng*, the story of loyal and righteous heroes saving the country, and a weak woman bravely opposing the corrupt officials, was quite uplifting. Overall, it was a good piece for a high school student.

"Hmm, it’s not bad, but one thing: don’t let the sample book circulate in the class. Try to be low-key and don’t affect the learning atmosphere, understood?" After some thought, Mr. Shang Zhicheng returned the sample book to Lin Mu.

Lin Mu felt relieved. Although he didn’t expect to rely on school for his future, having the homeroom teacher’s support was certainly beneficial.

He nodded and was about to leave when Mr. Shang Zhicheng called him back.

"Students should focus on their studies. Since you have the talent to write novels, you’re not stupid. Study hard and aim for a second or third-tier university. You still have a year, it’s not too late!"

Lin Mu was surprised. He hadn’t expected the homeroom teacher, who usually ignored him, to say such caring words.

He nodded solemnly and said, "Sure!"

Having lived two lives and possessing a memory palace, Lin Mu had already planned his path. Although he appreciated the concern, he didn’t intend to join the millions of students competing for the college entrance exam.

As he walked out of the office, he saw his English teacher, Susan, smiling at him.

Susan was not a foreigner, but on the first day of class, she said that since she taught English, everything in class would be in English, and she asked the students to call her by her English name.

"Great job! Keep it up!" Susan pinched Lin Mu’s cheek playfully.

Lin Mu knew that his English teacher had just graduated from her master’s program a couple of years ago and was usually playful. Seeing her tease him, he retaliated without hesitation.

"Keep it up! You too, teacher. Get married and have a baby soon, you’re already so ‘big’..."

Susan’s smile froze, and she laughed, scolding him, "You naughty child, daring to tease your teacher. Go back and prepare for class. Write an English novel one day to make your teacher proud!"

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