Even though there is the Chinese Music Score website, which allows you to copy both the lyrics and the sheet music in their entirety, just think about it—a person who doesn’t even recognize the staff notation, yet managed to compose hit songs like “Forget Love Potion,” “Goodbye Kiss,” and “Dangerous.” Who would believe that if you said it out loud? That’s why painting and music are things Brian Carter must master after transmigrating.

Fortunately, the transmigration wasn’t too late—fourteen years old is about right.

On the way home from school.

“Xiao Si, your books could be published. This time, with the essay assigned by the homeroom teacher, you should be able to get first place and definitely surpass Little Lily.” The Little Lily that David Thompson mentioned is the nickname the mischievous classmates gave to Jessica Parker.

Although David Thompson, the class monitor, has the highest grades in the class, when it comes to essays, Jessica Parker always has the upper hand. It’s said that Jessica Parker’s mother is an editor-in-chief at a publishing house, so Jessica Parker has been influenced since childhood and always ranks among the top in essay writing. That’s why David Thompson is always openly and secretly competing with Jessica Parker.

Some say that friendships in middle school are the purest and most untainted, because there isn’t so much scheming or so many interests at stake. Even if there is competition in middle school, it’s about grades, and that’s how student life should be.

“Did Teacher Clark assign any essays?” Penelope Clark is their homeroom teacher, and also the Chinese teacher.

Brian Carter spent the whole morning debating in his head which novel to publish online.

“Oh my, Xiao Si, you weren’t paying attention in class. Today the teacher assigned an essay. The topic is environmental protection, any genre is fine—novel, prose, poetry, whatever. At least 600 words.” David Thompson.

“Environmental protection?”

“Yeah, it’s this kind of topic again. I don’t even know how many times I’ve written about environmental protection since I was little. It’s really hard to come up with something new. Xiao Si, do you have any ideas for a fresh take?” David Thompson.

“Actually, it’s very simple to write something new, and it’s also easy to surpass Little Lily.”

“What’s your method?” David Thompson’s little face was full of excitement, her big watery eyes wide open as she looked at Brian Carter.

“Class monitor, if you write a poem on the theme of the environment, that will definitely stand out the most.”

“Hmph, easy for you to say.” David Thompson turned her head away, pouting angrily. “Class monitor, remember our previous bet.”

“Hmph hmph!” “How did the class monitor turn into a little pig? Hmph hmph.”

“Xiao Si, you’re bullying me. I’m ignoring you now.” David Thompson turned and headed home.

“An essay on environmental protection, any genre is fine. It really does need a fresh angle. Let me think.” Brian Carter pondered, and suddenly a flash of inspiration hit—he knew what to write. He’d write a science fiction story, yes, a micro science fiction story, connecting sci-fi with environmental protection. The article Brian Carter planned to copy was written by the father of Japanese micro fiction.

This article was even included in textbooks, but in this world, that person doesn’t exist, so naturally, neither does the article. As for poetry, that can wait until next time.

“Shichen’s mom, let me tell you, our Little Yvonne wrote an article, and the magazine published it. They even paid two hundred yuan as a manuscript fee. The magazine will be released next week. Shichen’s mom, you must buy a copy.” The speaker was the neighbor living next door to Brian Carter, and the Little Yvonne she mentioned was, of course, Yvonne Foster, who was in the same class as Brian Carter.

“Your Little Yvonne is really impressive, making money at such a young age and getting published in a magazine. That’s amazing. Our Little Brian isn’t nearly as accomplished.” Brian Carter’s mother, Grace Miller, said this.

“Shichen’s mom, you don’t have to say that. Your Little Brian is also very smart.” Mrs. Foster said this, but her face was full of pride, her satisfaction obvious.

“Mom, I’m home.” Brian Carter came back to the apartment with his little backpack.

“Look at you, then look at Aunt Bolton’s Little Yvonne. He wrote an article that got published in a magazine and even earned two hundred yuan.”

“Oh, as it happens, I also wrote a novel and submitted it to Deyun Publishing House. The editor-in-chief at Deyun Publishing has already approved it. Here’s the contract. Since I’m not yet an adult, I need a guardian’s signature.” As he spoke, he took the contract out of his backpack.

“Little Brian, you can’t just make things up. Publishing a book is something only big authors do.” Mrs. Foster said.

Brian Carter’s mother, Grace Miller, took the contract, half believing, half doubting.

“It really is a contract from Deyun Publishing.” Grace Miller’s tone revealed her delight.

“Shichen’s mom, there are a lot of scammers these days, be careful not to get tricked.” “Mrs. Foster, I heard you have a relative working at Deyun Publishing, can you help check?” Mrs. Foster loved to show off, but she was also warm-hearted. She took out her phone, “Hello, is this Old Henry? How’s work going?”

“Not bad!”

“By the way, I wanted to ask you something!”

“A neighbor’s kid wrote a book and said Deyun Publishing is going to publish it. I’m worried he might be getting scammed.” Mrs. Foster turned and asked, “Little Brian, what’s the name of your novel? Which editor reviewed it?”

“‘Wukong Biography,’ reviewed by Deyun Publishing’s editor-in-chief, Olivia Martinez.”

“The book is called ‘Wukong Biography,’ and it was reviewed by Deyun Publishing’s editor-in-chief, Olivia Martinez!”

“Yes, yes, please help check!”