Chapter 20: Contempt from the Chat Group, A Man and A Woman Alone Together

Versailles Tri-Color Block: I envy you all for having such aspirations. I only want to sleep now. There won't be any recommendations for me next week.

Me, aspiring to be a god: What more do you want, big shot? You've already entered the boutique (a term referring to a selection of highly recommended or featured books section), with an average of over 3000 subscriptions, you also have an income of seven or eight thousand a month! It truly makes one envious.

Versailles Tri-Color Block: It's boring to write. What can you do with this income? I feel like giving up. I truly envy you all—young and ambitious. As for me, I can only be a mediocre writer. No recommendations, but my income is not just seven to eight thousand. Last month alone, with attendance and channel fees, it amounted to 11,000.

Just starting out: Versailles, I admire you the most! You're a legend! Please lend me your support!

Transforming into a female celebrity: Versailles, please recommend my work! You're a literary god! Show some mercy to a struggling newbie!

Kneeling to worship the big shots is my dream: Versailles, the eternal god! I bow down to you! Earning over ten thousand a month! You're about to become a legendary figure!

...

Watching a group of bootlickers groveling before Versailles Tri-Color Block, Li Bin couldn't help but shake his head. These people are willing to sacrifice their dignity for a meaningless recommendation.

Li Bin knew this person. Versailles Tri-Color Block was a new author in the group, and their first book received great recommendations and performed well. It reached over two thousand subscriptions on the first day of release. This person was arrogant and obnoxious in the group, always showing off. It was quite annoying.

However, his talent spoke for itself.

In the author group, subscriptions were everything.

As long as your subscriptions were high, everything you said was golden. Even if you farted, it would be considered profound wisdom.

And if someone accidentally offended the big shots, they would immediately be attacked by a group of lackeys.

Cute Wind Following Maple: Esteemed big shots, may I ask a question? My book has only reached 500 subscriptions since its release two days ago. Should I continue writing? Should I drop it?

At that moment, a newcomer suddenly asked a question in the group.

Versailles Tri-Color Block: Only 500 subscriptions? How many on the first day? How many collections?

Kneeling to worship the big shots is my dream: That's a terrible result. With only 500 subscriptions, you'll probably earn two to three thousand a month at most. I would drop it if I were you.

Cute Wind Following Maple: My book failed the second round of the new book recommendation upgrade. It was released only after reaching 200,000 words. It currently has over 4,000 collections, but only 480 subscriptions in the first 24 hours.

Versailles Tri-Color Block: Your numbers are truly rubbish. What else is there to write about in this book? When I started, I had over 2,000 subscriptions, and I almost dropped it. If it weren't for the editor's encouragement to continue, I would have dropped it long ago. With such poor performance, what else is there to write? Drop it sooner rather than later.

Peasant with subscriptions of only 200: Don't even ask, just drop it.

...

Watching Versailles Tri-Color Block mock and belittle newcomer who had published only one book and was actually doing good, Li Bin couldn't stand it anymore. With over 4,000 collections and 500 subscriptions… the book's data was not only decent but impressive!

If they continued writing, entering boutique was only a matter of time.

Li Bin had only 250 subscriptions when he first released his book. He had considered dropping it, but a few loyal readers encouraged and consoled him, so he persisted.

Unexpectedly, when he reached 500,000 words, the subscriptions skyrocketed to over 3,000, and it entered the boutique!

Therefore, based on Li Bin's experience, Cute Wind Following Maple wouldn't have a terrible performance if they persisted.

After hesitating for a moment, Li Bin couldn't resist and replied on the keyboard:

Men Are Inherently Wicked: @Cute Wind Following Maple, your book has great subscription ratios. You book has a real chance of entering the boutique. Keep writing! Keep going!

Men Are Inherently Wicked was Li Bin's pen name.

Just starting out: ??? With such poor subscriptions, do you really think their work can enter the boutique? Do you think it's so easy to make it to boutique? Can any Tom, Dick, or Harry achieve it?

Versailles Tri-Color Block: You pretend to know but you don't. A newbie like you shouldn't mislead others here! Entering the boutique is just a dream for you! It took me two months and over 2,000 subscriptions to make it into boutique!

Ha, the Great Emperor: Oh, aren't you the person who couldn't even secure a contract @Men Are Inherently Wicked? You, who couldn't even get a contract, are trying to guide others? As Versailles, the god has said, the book won't make it, then it won't make it. Who do you think you are?

Small newbie in the group: Ha! That's impressive! Couldn't even secure a contract, huh?

The King of Salty Fish: Focus on figuring out how to secure a contract before chatting here. What qualifications do you have to guide others?

Leftover Porridge: Hey, wait a minute. If they couldn't secure a contract, how did they end up in our contracted group? Ask the editor to kick them out. They're just a nuisance here!

Cute Wind Following Maple: Couldn't secure a contract? I thought you were some big shot... disappointing…

Observing the group of people who were obviously in Versailles Tri-Color Block's side, mocking and taunting him, Li Bin tightly clenched his fists.

All of them joined the group after him!

Although he couldn't secure a contract at the moment, in terms of experience, he was undoubtedly much more knowledgeable than them.

If his old book hadn't been banned, he would have had at least 8,000 average subscribers by now!

Moreover, he had only spoken the truth and encouraged the newcomer.

However, he didn't expect that these people would mock and ridicule him because his words conflicted with the words from Versailles Tri-Color Block!

What made Li Bin even more angry was that even the newcomer who asked the question joined in the mockery!

Li Bin initially wanted to argue back, but after some thought, he realized that this group revered achievements, and he currently had none. Speaking out would only invite further ridicule and humiliation.

Reasoning with these people would only make them look down on him even more!

Besides, even if he won the argument, what would be the point?

Those who looked down on him would continue to do so!

It was better to remain silent!

After being struck by such a blow, Li Bin's mood immediately worsened.

The joyful mood he had just experienced because of Wen Lan quickly diminished.

Writing had always been Li Bin's hobby. Writing a good book, gaining recognition from many readers, and his wife and in-laws and achieving publication had always been Li Bin's dream.

The path he chose was incredibly rough, and Li Bin had contemplated giving up countless times after facing setbacks.

But ultimately, he persisted because of his passion.

Now, he couldn't give up!

Because just by the act of writing, he had faced too much mockery and contempt.

Not proving himself means retreat, it would allow those who had once looked down on him, doubted him, and mocked him to have the upper hand.

It would only prove that what they said was right!

Li Bin gritted his teeth fiercely and muttered to himself, "I will never surrender!"

"Brother-in-law, what are you doing up here? Are you writing a book?" Suddenly, the pleasant voice of his sister-in-law, Wen Lan, came from outside the door.

Li Bin composed himself, got up, and opened the door, smiling at Wen Lan, who was standing with her hands behind her back. "No, just relaxing and reading a bit. I got tired after shopping earlier."

Wen Lan's hair was still slightly damp, her long, black hair cascading over her shoulders. She wore a white shirt on top and a short skirt below. Perhaps she hadn't dried off the water stains on her body, as the white shirt clung to her, revealing a tantalizing hint of cleavage.

Wen Lan curiously glanced at Li Bin's study. Li Bin was generally tidy, and his study was well-organized, except for the pile of cigarette butts in the ashtray. The room was permeated with a faint smell of smoke, causing Wen Lan to furrow her brows. "Brother-in-law, smoke less. It's not good for your health... Um, I've washed the fruits I just bought. I'll bring them to you."

As she spoke, Wen Lan gently took out a bowl of fruit from behind and handed it to Li Bin.

Li Bin hurriedly took the fruit and picked a cherry tomato, putting it in his mouth. "You're always so thoughtful, sister-in-law. Would you like to come in and sit?"

Li Bin felt this was a good opportunity.

Just the thought of the rewards he could obtain after conquering his sister-in-law, made him increasingly anxious.

"I haven't visited your study yet..." Wen Lan casually walked into Li Bin's study, comfortably settling down on the sofa. She looked at Li Bin's computer and asked, "Brother-in-law, is it true that you can make a lot of money by writing online novels? How do you write them? If it were me, I wouldn't even be able to write a 10,000-word thesis."

Li Bin smiled as he glanced at Wen Lan. He saw Wen Lan sitting on the sofa, with her legs unconsciously spread apart, and her skirt only partially covering her beautiful legs.

Her plump and fair thighs were exposed.

Through the gap between her legs, Li Bin could even catch a glimpse of her pink underwear.

This made Li Bin's breathing quicken.

His sister-in-law looked incredibly tempting in this state!

Moreover, the two of them were now alone in the room!

The atmosphere made Li Bin feel incredibly ambiguous!

Suppressing his impulse, Li Bin smiled and carried the fruit bowl to Wen Lan's side, placing it on the coffee table in front of her. He said with a smile, "Just like how you enjoy dancing, I've loved writing since I was young. It's also my dream. Pursuing one's dreams and hobbies, why would it feel like hard work?"

Saying that, Li Bin sat directly next to Wen Lan.

The distance between them was very close, and Li Bin's thigh could touch Wen Lan's exposed leg.

After returning to his room, Li Bin had also changed into a pair of casual shorts.

His thighs were also bare.

Flesh against flesh, it made Li Bin feel a cool, moist, soft, and comfortable sensation.

His sister-in-law Wen Lan's beautiful legs were truly enchanting!

Li Bin swore that he could play with these legs every day for a year without growing tired!

Wen Lan also seemed to feel Li Bin's leg against hers. Her face immediately turned slightly red, but she didn't feel uncomfortable.

She assumed it was unintentional on Li Bin's part and felt awkward moving away.

"Brother-in-law, I envy you. You can turn your hobbies into a profession and pursue your dreams freely." Wen Lan looked at Li Bin with admiration.

Their eyes met unintentionally.