Watching as the collection count for the legendary book skyrocketed by over ten thousand in just a few hours—comparable to the total results others get from weeks of recommendations! And it wasn’t even over yet, since all these recommendations lasted for 24 hours, and only a few hours had passed. This kind of crazy surge was just getting started!

At this point, wild readers of the legendary book also started tipping more, and the comments were all exclaiming how enjoyable it was to read.

The authors’ group was dead silent, until someone suddenly said, “Should we pull him into the group? Maybe we can get close to him in the future?” If someone in the group becomes a legend, even a casual recommendation at the end of a chapter would be as effective as a prime recommendation slot. Even if they thought the legendary book was childish and couldn’t stand it, there was no need to show it on the surface—everyone’s an adult, why be so immature?

“Let’s pull him in…”

“Pull my ass! How? He didn’t even leave any contact info!”

Yeah, they suddenly realized that Henry Carter never left his messaging app number. It seemed like Henry Carter never intended to blend into the online literature circle—he just wanted to make money, with such a straightforward and clear goal...

Some authors sent him private messages with the group number, but unsurprisingly, it was like throwing a stone into the sea, because Henry Carter never checked his private messages.

In the eyes of these second- and third-tier authors, the author of the legendary book was like a hermit, standing apart and watching coldly from the sidelines in the noisy world of online literature.

They could never have imagined that the author of a book that might become a legend was just a middle schooler who had just entered the third year.

Henry Carter looked at his phone and let out a gentle sigh of relief—the weight in his heart finally lifted. With Shengshi Chinese Web pushing him as a benchmark like this, even a pig would get pushed to the top, let alone the “new literary trend.”

……

In class, he suddenly heard someone in the front row whispering, “Did you hear? Henry Carter doesn’t even have money to go out and play. I sat in front of him yesterday and heard it myself. I was wondering why Henry Carter suddenly started working out. His family has no money, his grades aren’t good, and if he doesn’t do sports, there’s really no way out.”

Damn, Henry Carter’s face darkened. They’re just middle schoolers and already comparing family backgrounds? You think you’ll turn out well when you grow up? Will socialism let snobs like you take over? Just wait till I get my manuscript fee—I’ll slap you all in the face!

The chubby deskmate also heard their discussion, turned around and looked at Henry Carter with concern: “How about I lend you some money? You don’t have to rush to pay me back, just whenever you have it.”

Huh, Henry Carter looked at this chubby deskmate with new eyes. In the memories of this body, he and this chubby deskmate had always been good friends, which is why the two of them sat together in the last row, thick as thieves. It seemed that the money for going to internet cafes and eating skewers was always paid by Little Jack.

Little Jack’s name was Nora Grant, a homebody who had always lived a smooth life. His family ran a business and lived well, which is why he was so chubby.

Henry Carter thought for a moment: “No need, bro’s got money. I’ll have money in a few days, but even if I do, I’m too lazy to join those activities, you know?”

Little JackNora Grant nodded, just taking it as Henry Carter’s excuse. The two were best buddies—who didn’t know who? If Henry Carter had more than 50 cents in his pocket right now, he’d smash an egg live!

After school, Henry Carter got a call from Mr. Foster: “Hello, Mr. Foster, have you arrived?”

A hearty laugh came from the other end: “Didn’t want to disturb your studies, so I waited for the bell before calling. I’m already at the gate, waiting for you.”

“Alright!” Henry Carter hung up with a grin and patted Little JackNora Grant on the shoulder: “The guy bringing me money is here!”

Chapter 8: The Vulgar Man

Bringing money? Has Henry Carter gone crazy? Nora Grant wondered.

But his voice had been a bit loud just now, so a few students in front who were packing up also heard, and they exchanged glances and whispered, “He doesn’t even have money to go out and play, what’s he pretending for?”

The crowd of students leaving school bustled toward the exit. At this moment, an elderly man, quite noticeable in his simple cotton shirt but with an outstanding and energetic presence, was waiting at the school gate for someone.

“Why does he look so familiar?”

“Can’t remember, but he does look familiar.”

For middle schoolers, maybe they’d seen Mr. Foster in some news report, but to remember such a distant figure—who wasn’t a celebrity—was a bit difficult.

Henry Carter had done his homework after getting Mr. Foster’s call, so as soon as he saw him in person, he walked right up: “Hello, Mr. Foster, I’m Henry Carter.”

Mr. Foster smiled and looked Henry Carter up and down: “You look energetic, young man. Do you work out often? Let’s walk and talk.”

Only Mr. Foster had come—no luxury car, no driver. This little detail made Henry Carter like him even more. Walking together, the dignified elder suddenly seemed just like a grandpa picking up his grandson after school.

Down-to-earth, approachable—that was Henry Carter’s first impression of Mr. Foster. Not at all like those imagined big shots, always surrounded by an entourage, not even a private car. Maybe he even took the bus after getting off the train.