Many students used this class to quickly finish their homework, then went home to have fun.

Forty minutes passed in a flash, and soon class was over.

"Xiao Si, you really made us proud. Weren't you the one who used to struggle to write even six hundred words for an essay? This time you went straight for a micro-novel of over three thousand words—amazing! This time you're almost guaranteed to get published in the school magazine." William Reed.

"What's so great about being in the school magazine?" Brian Carter retorted.

"Of course it's great," William Reed said as if it were obvious.

"What's so great about it?"

"How should I know what's so great about it? It's just great, otherwise why would all the students and teachers want to get into the school magazine?"

"Why? Let me tell you why. The school magazine is published by our own school, one issue per month. Although it's also sold outside, do you think outsiders would skip works by famous writers and instead buy a magazine featuring middle school students' articles?"

"No," William Reed shook his head.

"Exactly. So the buyers of the school magazine are basically just us students, or our parents. Think about it—if your article got published in the school magazine, wouldn't you buy a couple of copies to keep, or buy a few to show off to your good friends?"

"Of course I would!"

"That's right. If parents find out their child's article is in the school magazine, that's something to be proud of. They'd definitely buy a few copies to show the neighbors, to show off their son or daughter's abilities. You can't disagree with that, Tiger."

"Mm!"

"Alright, now for the conclusion: what is the school magazine? The school magazine is something that publishes our stuff, then sells it back to us using our own stuff. That's the school magazine." Brian Carter delivered the final word.

William Reed's mouth hung wide open. Brian Carter's words completely overturned his impression of the school magazine. In his eyes, getting published in the school magazine was supposed to be a great honor, but the way Brian Carter put it, it sounded more like a scam.

"Then why do so many people still want to get into the school magazine?" William Reed.

"The reason is simple: because getting into the school magazine makes you famous."

Yeah, it's as simple as that. For fame, people are willing to get scammed and still be happy about it. It's just like Zhou Yu hitting Huang Gai—one is willing to hit, the other is willing to take the beating.

"Let's not talk about this anymore," William Reed said energetically. "Xiao Si, how about we go hang out at Fat Boss's place today?"

Fat Boss was a nickname among the students for the game room. The owner was a fat guy, hence the name.

"No, I have something to do," Brian Carter refused.

"Something to do? Xiao Si, what are you up to? Even during break today, you stayed in the classroom writing and drawing. Aren't you sick of it?"

"Of course I'm sick of it, but time waits for no one. I don't have much time left..."

"Ah! Xiao Si, you don't have much time left? You didn't get some terminal illness, did you? Is it cancer or AIDS? Xiao Si, you can't leave me!" William Reed shouted dramatically, almost hugging Brian Carter's leg and bawling.

"Get lost," Brian Carter said, half curious, half annoyed. As the two were horsing around, Jessica Parker walked up to Brian Carter. Their movements froze as if someone had hit the pause button.

"Emily Carter, I lost to you this time, but next time I definitely won't lose." Before Brian Carter could reply, Jessica Parker turned and walked away, giving Brian Carter a view of the back of her head.

"Heh, I'm off to Fat Boss's. Xiao Si, take care of yourself. Now that Little Fish has her eye on you, you're in for it." William Reed left.

Originally, he wanted to go home with class monitor David Thompson, but David Thompson seemed to be avoiding Brian Carter and left as soon as school was over. With no other choice, he had to leave by himself.

He took out his phone and dialed the chief editor of Deyun Publishing, Olivia Martinez. "Hello, who is this?" Olivia Martinez's voice was very different from before. Previously, it was cold but caring; now it was strong but lazy, a lazy, drawling voice, like a cat scratching.

"Is this Aunt Wang? This is Brian Carter. My parents have already signed the contract. I wonder if you're still at the publishing house. If you are, I'll come up to find you."

"Aunt Wang had something to do today and left the publishing house early. Xiao Chen, where are you now?"

"Me? I'm at the school gate, Experimental Middle School."

"Oh, then listen to Aunt Wang. Take bus 225 and get off at the Jinde Garden stop. I'll wait for you at the entrance to Jinde Garden."

"Okay, sorry to trouble you, Aunt Wang."

He got on the bus. Five or six o'clock was rush hour, so the bus was extremely crowded. Brian Carter waited for a bus, but not only were there no seats, it was packed.

At the stop, as soon as Brian Carter got off, he saw Olivia Martinez. Today, Olivia Martinez wasn't wearing her usual black professional office outfit, but a pair of tight jeans that showed off her long legs, and a cotton long-sleeve top with a little bear on the chest, the bear stretched tight. Brian Carter couldn't help but think of a saying: "Greatness lies in capacity!"

"Xiao Chen, over here," Olivia Martinez waved.

Dressed casually, Olivia Martinez had shed her cold elegance and now gave off a completely different vibe. Her hair, usually tied back, now hung down naturally, making her look less capable but more gentle.

She really did have "greatness in capacity." Brian Carter couldn't help but glance a few more times at the little bear.