Chapter Four: Each Roommate Is a Real Character

Without further ado, Chen Jiang quickly downloaded the Writer’s Assistant app from Yue Dian Reading.

He registered an alias named “River Jiang.”

[Sorry, this pen name has already been taken!]

Chen Jiang: ...

“Rivers and Miles!”

[Your pen name has been successfully registered!]

After registering the pen name, Chen Jiang clicked on “Create.”

He typed the title “Mystery” — famous in his previous life — into the book title box.

Synopsis: Amid the tides of steam and machinery...

Creation complete!

Chen Jiang clicked on the first chapter and began his writing journey for the night.

His typing speed was quite fast; in less than fifteen minutes, he had written a thousand words.

“If this keeps up, I could write two thousand words in half an hour,” he thought.

Indeed, relying on his memory to type out the plot was definitely faster than those authors who imagined and created as they went along.

About half an hour later, Chen Jiang finished the first chapter.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

The delivery had arrived.

Zhengxing Mansion, located in the heart of Deep City, was a premium residence surrounded by many high-end restaurants.

Chen Jiang had ordered takeout from one of them.

This meal cost him several hundred yuan.

Spending a few hundred yuan on a meal alone was nothing extravagant.

In his previous life, at this time, Chen Jiang would probably be huddled in a rented room, eating leftover leftovers...

Eating the takeout, Chen Jiang pursed his lips.

Why was this stuff more expensive than elsewhere? It didn’t even taste that good.

If it weren’t for the fact that the surrounding area mostly charged these prices, Chen Jiang would have ordered a simple pork trotter rice.

When it came to eating, nothing beat the authentic flavors from the urban village!

After finishing his meal, Chen Jiang sent a message to the property management to come collect the trash.

He tied up the garbage bag and threw it by the door, then returned to his study to continue writing.

By 7:30 p.m., Chen Jiang had finally completed the opening, having written a full ten thousand words.

Should he publish it directly or submit it to an editor?

Chen Jiang hesitated for a moment, then opened the all-powerful Tieba forum.

He searched for “Yue Dian Novel Editor Contact Information.”

Sure enough, the all-knowing forum users had all the answers.

Soon Chen Jiang found a post:

“Hey guys, I’ve read a few online novels recently and feel I’m ready! I heard that the recent ‘Dragon King’s Return’ made tens of thousands a month. If that trash can earn so much, I can too! I want to try! I think I can at least make six figures. Anyone have contact info for Yue Dian editors?”

Someone replied below:

“Yue Dian Editor’s email: [email protected]”

“Bro, take my advice — don’t write novels; you won’t make any money. Two and a half years ago, I was just like you, full of dreams, quitting an 8,000-yuan-a-month job behind my parents’ backs to write full-time. Guess what I’m doing now?”

“What are you doing?”

“Being a security guard. The job’s easy and pays well. I’m pulling full attendance bonuses at Yue Dian while working security, making 8,500 a month — 500 more than before!”

“Whoa, security guards make 7,000 a month? That sounds tempting...”

Reading the comments, Chen Jiang couldn’t help but smile.

Being a security guard was indeed a lucrative job. From what he knew, security guards at Zhengxing Mansion earned as much as 10,000 yuan a month, mostly strong young men.

They could even earn some extra cash on the side. Occasionally, some guards quit to enjoy life with the homeowners’ aunties.

He could only say he was glad to have avoided forty years of detours!

Chen Jiang copied the editor’s contact email.

He logged into his mailbox and sent his manuscript.

Soon, an automatic reply popped up:

“Beep beep! Hello, I am the Yue Dian Editor. I have received your manuscript and will respond within 24 hours!”

Chen Jiang nodded with satisfaction.

A 24-hour response time was impressive; if rejected, he could quickly submit to another editor.

Though confident about this manuscript, Chen Jiang knew every editor had different tastes, so he couldn’t guarantee a one-time acceptance.

After submitting, he checked the time.

Almost 8:00 p.m.

Outside, the sky was completely dark.

When the weather wasn’t too cold, Chen Jiang would go out for a run at this hour every day.

It had become a habit.

But now it was winter, so Chen Jiang bought himself a treadmill for home workouts.

He ran five kilometers and was drenched in sweat.

Chen Jiang took a sip of water and was about to pet his cat when he suddenly remembered the cat had already been taken back by its owner.

After sitting down to rest for a while, Chen Jiang went into the bathroom to shower.

As a native of Guangdong Province, Chen Jiang persisted in showering every day even in winter.

Enjoying a hot shower, drying his hair, he returned to his bedroom in a bathrobe.

It was already nine o’clock.

Chen Jiang checked the dormitory group chat.

Late at night, the roommates became livelier.

[Zhang Jianlong]: After a whole day of hustle, finally some rest.

[Wu Haiping]: Zhang, did you contribute your usual insignificant bit to your company today?

[Zhang Jianlong]: Screw you, don’t tease me. How’s your civil service exam prep going?

[Wu Haiping]: Same as always. Sigh, my parents really... they moved to Guangdong Province but still insist on the Shandong approach. Can’t they learn from Guangdong’s mindset? They want me to take the civil service exam.

[Wu Haiping]: They even signed me up for classes recently. I have to watch online courses every day; it’s killing me. Don’t know if I’ll pass next year.

[Lv Hao]: At least you can still manage your own time. I have to help out in the lab, attend classes, write papers... I’m about to go crazy.

[Chen Jiang]: Old Lv, finally making an appearance. Haven’t seen you around these days.

[Lv Hao]: You’re the easiest guy here, just lying flat, huh? Found any new projects lately?

[Chen Jiang]: To be honest, I’ve entered the entertainment industry. Planning to train for two and a half years, then debut and shock the world with my basketball skills!

This world even has Kun Kun memes, after all, “Chicken, you’re too unimportant” isn’t a major cultural work.

Many trash songs still exist, like the wizard’s “Ah ah ah ah”!

His few good songs have all disappeared.

[Wu Haiping]: Don’t forget to sign my basketball when the time comes.

[Zhang Jianlong]: Haha, you’re planning to debut in overalls, right? What era is this? Stop with the lame jokes.

[Chen Jiang]: You better tell me about that colleague you liked before. How’s it going?

[Zhang Jianlong]: Heh, when Dragon Brother moves, how can he fail? She’s already surrendered beneath my cowboy jeans!

[Chen Jiang]: Does she know who you really are?

[Zhang Jianlong]: Don’t overthink it. Only a few top execs know my identity. That scheming supervisor even scolded me today. If I catch any dirt on her, I’ll report it straight to my dad!

[Chen Jiang]: Nice, man, you’ve finally found true love. This deep dive into the company’s bottom is worth it!

These roommates were all lively characters with decent family backgrounds.

Two from well-off middle-class families, one a second-generation rich kid.

And one a first-generation wealthy heir — yes, that’s Chen Jiang himself!