Otaku Translation: Literary Genius: This Kid Was Born Smart C97

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Chapter 97: Struck Down

[Chief Editor Gao: I’ve transferred all the remaining serialization royalties for to you. Please check your account. As for the royalty rate of 9%, it’s the best we could do. Since you don’t yet have a successful publication to your name, New Star Publishing can only offer up to 7% with an initial print run of 50,000 copies.]

The text message on Gu Lu’s phone delivered both good and bad news.

"I’ll check tomorrow if it’s arrived. How I miss SMS notifications—they were so convenient," Gu Lu mused. He couldn’t recall when started offering the service, but it was definitely not offered in 2012.

Once the money came through, he planned to buy a computer—but he didn’t know anyone who was particularly tech-savvy. Should he go to a computer mall or a branded store?

"For now, let’s not think about that. There’s something more important to consider…"

For debut authors, royalty rates typically hovered below 8%. Even flat-rate buyouts per thousand words were common. The 9% offered for was likely the result of Director Jian pushing hard on his behalf.

"An initial print run of 50,000 copies at around 20 yuan per book, plus 7% royalties… That comes to roughly 70,000 yuan." Gu Lu quickly calculated using advanced math and arrived at the figure.

"It’s a bit low."

After some thought, Gu Lu decided to delay publication. Without a proven bestseller under his belt, the pricing was understandably lower—but next month, The Little Prince would hit the shelves. By then, he’d officially be a bestselling author, and his royalty rates would surely rise.

To command a rate above 10%, one needed to already be a bestselling writer—and since Gu Lu wasn’t in urgent need of cash, he could afford to wait.

With this plan in mind, Gu Lu replied to Chief Editor Gao. Only afterward did he notice a new friend request.

Verification message: Mr. Gu, hello! I’m Xue Haiyang, corresponding editor at . Mr. Li recommended you. I hope we can collaborate.

Ah, another editor. After accepting the request, Gu Lu immediately sent a reply: [I do have several horror-style pieces ready.]

Gu Lu intended to set his phone aside—it was past ten o’clock, after all, and editors surely wouldn’t still be working—but to his surprise, the response came instantly.

[Smiling Always: When can you finish writing, Mr. Gu? I have absolute faith in your abilities. Your work The Dwarf is one of my favourites. In front of a packed audience, a man decapitated someone on stage and used ventriloquism to make it seem like the severed head was talking. The crowd actually applauded, thinking it was part of the performance… That scene has stayed with me ever since—a perfect blend of madness, gore, and logic.]

[Smiling Always: Most authors write revenge stories involving dwarfs as purely bloody affairs.]

[Smiling Always: For works of The Dwarf’s caliber, 200 yuan per thousand words is entirely reasonable.]

The praise poured out freely—genuine or not, Corresponding Editor Xue was clearly enthusiastic.

At 200 yuan per thousand words, this was the highest offer Gu Lu had received, even surpassing what paid their contracted writers.

Xiao Xue’s confidence stemmed from Fear Guest·New Reading’s impressive sales figures. Published three times a month (a, b, c editions), the magazine cost six yuan but came with a buy-one-get-one-free deal, effectively making each issue three yuan. Its popularity among students far outstripped competitors like Boys & Girls and .

After running some mental calculations, Gu Lu estimated he could finish within a week. Xiao Xue responded with a flurry of messages, which boiled down to one sentiment: He was highly anticipating their collaboration.

Why such enthusiasm? Despite its strong sales, Fear Guest had struggled to cultivate a standout horror writer capable of shouldering the publication’s reputation.

"I heard this genius writer loves experimenting with styles. Please don’t rush into anything—the style of The Dwarf is already perfect!" Xiao Xue prayed silently that Gu Lu wouldn’t disappoint him.

Disappoint?

Gu Lu felt confident. He had a short story that had won a horror award—how could he fail?

"Done!" Gu Lu ate a quick snack while glancing around his empty room. It suddenly felt too spacious.

"It’s time to buy a computer," he declared.

---

The next morning, Gu Lu spotted Dou Ke and his father in the classroom again.

This time, Class Monitor Lu Yi insisted on paying. "Refrigerant costs money. Uncle has repaired our AC twice already—it’s causing trouble enough without asking him to absorb the expense. We collected funds specifically for AC repairs, and the entire class agreed."

"How expensive can refrigerant be? Don’t worry about it, Class Monitor," Dou Ke waved dismissively before turning to his dad. "Right, Dad? It’s nothing much."

Dou Ke’s pleading gaze begged his father not to ruin the act.

Standing AC units in classrooms were typically 3 horsepower; filling them required three pressure units. Though Gu Lu didn’t know the exact cost of refrigerant, three units likely amounted to over a hundred yuan—not cheap at all.

Clearly, Lu Yi was experienced in life matters and saw through the facade, insisting on payment.

"Our Dou Ke studies here too. Consider it my support for everyone. Just take care of him in school," Dou Senior said diplomatically.

Relieved his father hadn’t exposed the ruse, Dou Ke smiled.

With no further objections, Lu Yi let the matter drop.

During lunch break, Gu Lu checked his bank account. Over 20,000 yuan sat quietly in his account.

"Finally! Enough suffering in internet cafes. This weekend, I’m buying a computer!"

Happy events lifted spirits. Over the next couple of days, Gu Lu attended school cheerfully.

Thursday—another day closer to his computer purchase.

"Gu Lu, Li Guyuan quit the club," Qi Caiwei informed him after morning exercises.

"Li Guyuan quit? Why?" Gu Lu asked, puzzled.

Instead of answering, Qi Caiwei gave him a strange look. But Gu Lu remained genuinely confused.

"Because you crushed him!" Qi Caiwei explained. "Think about it—you’re terrifyingly talented. The gap between you two is insurmountable."

I have an unfair advantage, Gu Lu thought. What’s there to compare? Besides, he barely interacted with Li Guyuan.

"The president was pretty angry during yesterday’s Wednesday activity," Qi Caiwei added.

"Alright, I understand," Gu Lu replied, realizing Li Guyuan must have secretly viewed him as a benchmark.

Gu Lu asked Qi Caiwei a small question...

This was the title of Li Guyuan’s submission to . He often mentioned it to Qi Caiwei, so despite her poor memory, she remembered it vividly.

Buying old magazines from over a year ago was simple. Gu Lu knew of a recycling station where outdated issues sold for one to two yuan each.

The story recounted his grandmother’s death. Despite living with her for over a decade, the protagonist felt no sadness at her funeral. Instead, he berated himself, questioning whether he was ungrateful. His grandmother had doted on him while alive, and the narrative beautifully captured the complexity of his emotions.

[Why did the flowers die? No one watered them anymore. The sun shone on my thirteen-year-old face, and only then did I realize Grandma was truly gone...]

"A freshman writing like this is impressive," Gu Lu thought.

After evening study hall ended, he approached Li Guyuan and tossed him a copy of Chronicles of Mystery.

"This is the magazine I’m serialized in. It has my autograph."

Damn! Li Guyuan’s eyes reddened instantly. Wasn’t this rubbing salt in the wound? He’d already quit the club!

Before his anger could erupt, Gu Lu threw another magazine—Sprout—his way.

"In exchange, sign this for me too."

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