Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

  Zhang Zian and Pi blankly stared at the computer screen, not believing their eyes.

  Chief?

  Many well-known novels that had been recognized by the Hall of Fame on the Qidian website, didn’t have a Chief, so it was hard to believe that the Feather of the Specter had rewarded 1,000 Yuan to Pi’s novel and had become the Chief of Pi’s novel?

  Zhang Zian thought it was too good to be true. He wondered if it was a trick to gain his trust. No, my trust isn’t worth 1,000 Yuan!

  The phone in his hand buzzed again.

  [Feather of the Specter]: Has the website showed the reward I sent? Sometimes there are some problems with the system and the rewards from Chiefs disappear.

  Zhang Zian couldn’t suppress his excitement and he quickly typed a response.

  [Jie Po]: It has. Thank you so much for your reward, Chief. From now on, I’ll call you Feather of the Chief Specter.

  [Feather of the Specter]: What? Why?

  Without any explanation, Zhang Zian changed the person’s alias to Feather of the Chief Specter on his QQ.

  When Old Time Tea and Famous came in, Zhang Zian explained what Chief meant, and they were also surprised.

  [Feather of the Chief Specter]: Well, my name aside, I think you should sort out those posts in your book review section. Today, I’ll add your book to my reading list, and I’m not bragging about this, but you’ll witness the number of adds soaring.

  [Jie Po]: I see.

  As the saying goes, “if someone invites you to a meal and you accept his hospitality, you’ll find it difficult to say anything against him.” Before he knew it, Zhang Zian’s attitude towards this person had changed, talking to this person with great respect.

  Old Time Tea who noticed the change in attitude, slightly frowned.

  [Feather of the Chief Specter]: You have to write, right? Then, I won’t disturb you.

  [Jie Po]: Yes, I do.

  Zhang Zian felt relieved. Just when he was about to close the chatroom, he got another message. After seeing the message, Zhang Zian was so scared, he almost threw his phone.

  [Feather of the Chief Specter]: Actually, I’ve been wondering if there’s an elfin writing the novel.

  How did the person know? Did he implant a Trojan horse program on my cell phone to open the camera and observe my every move? At the thought of this, Zhang Zian broke out in a cold sweat.

  He tried to compose himself and typed.

  [Jie Po]: Why do you ask?

  [Feather of the Chief Specter]: Well, in your novel, there’s a mobile game that collects elves. Galaxy helped you bring the first customer to your pet shop, and Fina helped your pet shop make a name for itself. Although Old Time Tea’s real name is unknown at the moment, from the manner of its speech and behavior, I can guess that it has an extraordinary origin. Old Time Tea seems like a hidden warrior and it helps you keep your pet shop from violation. Assuming that this isn’t just a novel, but something that actually happened, based on the events of your novel, you should also have an elfin that’s writing the novel for you, right?

  After reading this long paragraph, Zhang Zian was so stunned that he shuddered. Holy cow! This person is amazing, inferring so many things from little clues, just like Sherlock Holmes!

  Old Time Tea and Famous also found this person astounding.

  How should I answer? I have to say something. If I say nothing, they’ll think I’m rude and that they’re right.

  Zhang Zian pondered a bit and decided to take a risky move.

  [Jie Po]: Yes, you’re right. Can you tell me the real name of the elfin that’s writing the novel?

  Zhang Zian had actually gained some advantages. Meanwhile, he wanted to see this person’s ability. If this person could figure out Pi’s real name, it’d save Zhang Zian a lot of trouble.

  [Feather of the Chief Specter]: No spoilers, please! Those are just my thoughts. All right, keep writing your novel. I won’t bother you.

  Zhang Zian waited for a while. He didn’t wipe the cold sweat from his head until he knew the person had left the chatroom. That was a close call. Luckily, his bluff worked. By confessing that an elfin was really writing the novel for him, the person would think Zhang Zian was joking.

  “Zhang Zian.” Old Time Tea muttered.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Zhang Zian.

  Old Time Tea winked at Zhang Zian. They went downstairs, and Old Time Tea whispered, “There’s a saying, ‘a great man isn’t corrupted by wealth or honor, and he won’t betray his principles in the face of hardship or poverty.’ Although this influential person seems to appreciate Pi’s novel, and it’s good to receive help in times of crisis, Pi’s mind must not be influenced by this person, otherwise his assistance will be counterproductive.”


  Zhang Zian was shocked to realize that Old Time Tea wasn’t just talking about Pi, but also him. Why was so polite to a person who rewarded him 1,000 Yuan? He wasn’t a poor college student anymore.

  Judging from the tone of Feather of the Chief Specter, he didn’t seem like a person who’d ask for a favor in return for his reward. However, Old Time Tea’s reminder had calmed Zhang Zian down.

  What if someone else rewarded Pi with 1,000 Yuan and wanted Pi to write the novel how they wanted?

  A great man isn’t corrupted by wealth or honor, and he won’t betray his principles in the face of hardship or poverty. This principle could also be applied to novel writing.

  Zhang Zian admired Old Time Tea’s wisdom. One shouldn’t be pleased by external gains or saddened by personal losses. Is this what “possessing no evil thoughts” meant?

  He also thought of Snowy’s behavior.

  As a full-time vlogger, Snowy could accept rewards from her audience like other vloggers did. During every broadcast, tens of thousands of viewers offered Snowy money, but she had never accepted any rewards.

  So, was Zhang Zian’s state of mind inferior to Snowy’s?

  After careful consideration, Old Time Tea reminded Zhang Zian. “About this incident of slandering against Pi, though Feather of the Specter has provided a solution, we should be more discreet. How about explaining the misunderstanding to the editors in charge of Pi’s novel?”


  “You’re right!” Zhang Zian nodded.

  Old Time Tea was very thoughtful. To avoid similar incidents from happening in the future, it was necessary for him to report this incident to the editors. If the editorial team of the Qidian website believed that Pi was hacking into accounts to rig votes, there was nothing Zhang Zian could do to clear Pi’s name.