Otaku Translation: Literary Genius: This Kid Was Born Smart C144

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Chapter 144: Newspaper Interview

With classes starting at 2:30 PM, there was no time to take the bus. Gu Lu once again hopped into the yellow taxi.

On the way back to school, Gu Lu reflected on why he had agreed to meet with Mr. Qian. He truly did want to find a partner for collaboration. The potential of was immense—a treasure trove too vast for him to handle alone, especially as a minor. Even as an adult, one person couldn’t possibly manage it all. He needed to share the pie—but only with reliable people!

That day, Gu Lu had obligations both inside and outside of school—

A team from arrived, led by , a renowned journalist specializing in in-depth interviews. Unlike the casual reporter who covered No. 8 High School’s anniversary celebration, Liu Ting was a seasoned professional known across Chongqing for her sharp and confident style. Though similar to Reporter Ji of Channel 630 in demeanor, Liu Ting exuded a more assertive presence.

Standing nearby, Time Radio Station’s Vice President and Zhang Liwan held their breath, intimidated by the seasoned reporter. Despite Zhang Liwan’s usual ease when interviewing students, she now felt like a novice in the presence of such expertise—eager to learn.

As Liu Ting, clad in a sleek business suit with short hair, methodically prepared her equipment, Zhang Liwan couldn’t help but imagine herself becoming someone like her someday.

Once everything was set, Liu Ting handed Gu Lu a list of pre-prepared questions for review. State media always followed protocol, ensuring nothing controversial slipped through.

After confirming the interview script, they began.

“Within a week of its release, The Little Prince was added to the Chongqing Municipal Library’s collection and recommended for children’s reading. In two weeks, it topped Amazon’s monthly bestseller list. What inspired you to write this book?” Liu Ting spoke clearly and fluently.

“The initial idea was to create a story that both children and adults could enjoy. Now that I’m older, I can say this book is dedicated to my childhood self—Gu Lu,” he replied.

“Is this a kind of farewell?” Liu Ting probed. “A goodbye to your younger years?”

“Rather than a farewell, I’d call it a memorial,” Gu Lu corrected.

“Like commemorating one’s youth,” Liu Ting interjected before swiftly moving on. “We understand that aside from depicting children, you also excel at portraying the elderly, as seen in . Is this because you live with your grandparents?”

“No, I often visit the rehabilitation center in Dockside District to assist and observe details,” Gu Lu explained calmly. A line from an anime flashed in his mind: , is this all part of your plan?

“I see. As expected, much of a writer’s inspiration comes from observation,” Liu Ting remarked. “So, does the loneliness of The Little Prince stem from your personal experiences?”

The pace of the interview was relentless!

Gu Lu was barely able to keep up… The full content of the interview would only be revealed upon publication.

---

The following Saturday, Gu Lu visited , one of Chongqing’s premier legal practices specializing in contract disputes and copyright domain issues. He had called ahead to schedule a meeting with Wang Shengxing regarding copyright matters—something he knew required professional guidance.

“Mr.… Mr. Gu, hello,” Wang Shengxing said, visibly surprised by his client’s age.

The lawyer’s office was impeccably organized, dominated by a towering mahogany bookshelf filled with volumes. Many were law books, while others focused on history. For the first time, Gu Lu saw a complete set of the —not just 24 books, but thousands of pages totaling around 40 million characters in their unabridged form.

“Hello, Lawyer Wang. I have some questions about copyright protection,” Gu Lu began. “Though I’ve researched online, I still wanted to consult a professional.”

“I’ve published articles in magazines and released The Little Prince,” Gu Lu added.

“Oh! The young author Gu Lu—I’ve heard so much about you,” Wang Shengxing exclaimed. “Just the other day, a friend mentioned wanting to relocate his ancestors’ graves near yours!”

“What specific questions do you have, Mr. Gu?” Wang redirected the conversation.

“As I’m still a minor, can my parents interfere with my copyrights?” Gu Lu asked bluntly, knowing honesty was key in front of a lawyer.

“Interference? Do you mean financially or creatively?” Wang clarified. “If it’s financial, parental control diminishes significantly after turning sixteen, which is close to adulthood anyway. As for creative rights, they remain independent regardless of age. Copyright belongs solely to the creator.”

Gu Lu caught the subtle hint: at sixteen, slight interference might still occur, but hiding his earnings for another two years could mitigate concerns.

While pondering, Gu Lu noticed a photo frame on the desk. Squinting, he recognized a familiar face.

“?” Gu Lu asked hesitantly.

Ah, the savior of struggling middle schoolers!

“Hmm?” Wang Shengxing looked puzzled. Why did his child’s name suddenly come up during a discussion about copyrights?

“Wang Han and I were classmates in Class Five at No. 37 Middle School,” Gu Lu explained.

“What a coincidence!” Wang Shengxing chuckled. “My son never mentioned having such a famous writer as a classmate.”

It wasn’t surprising. From what Gu Lu observed over the past few months since arriving, Wang Han lived and breathed history. Engage him in historical discussions, and he’d talk endlessly; anything else, however…

“Any other legal questions? Since you’re Xiao Han’s classmate, I’ll do my utmost to assist you,” Wang Shengxing assured.

Despite his friendly tone, Wang maintained professionalism throughout. Satisfied, Gu Lu proceeded to ask about trademark registration for minors and potential copyright infringement scenarios.

Two hours later, they had discussed everything—both pertinent and tangential.

“Thank you, Uncle Wang, for handling the copyright matters,” Gu Lu said as he stood to leave.

“You’re my client and my son’s classmate. Rest assured, I’ll handle everything properly,” Wang Shengxing promised.

Hiring professionals came at a cost, but Gu Lu felt reassured. Before finding partners, securing his assets was paramount.

---

The next day, Sunday, the red edition of (second half of the month) hit stands. Compared to New Reading, Youth Digest shared a significant advantage with Story Digest: nationwide coverage across virtually every newsstand.

The 2012 version of Youth Digest featured columns absent in later editions, such as “Tears Don’t Cry,” “The Art of Conversation,” “,” and “Flowers Bloom Along the Path.” These sections hinted at the magazine’s tone—literary merit blended with elements of teenage angst literature, catering to reader preferences.

And in this issue—Gu Lu’s two articles appeared!

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