After hearing such dismal sales figures, Wang Jian couldn't sleep all night.
32 copies, each priced at 10 US Dollars, multiplied by his own 4% royalty.
His first novel had earned him a total of 12.8 US Dollars on its first day.
And without any accompanying promotional campaign, could today have been the highest sales day for "I'm a Great Mage" ever?
That amount of money wouldn't even cover the round-trip bus fare!
He stood up and moved to the window, looking down at the homeless people huddled together, as if seeing himself after finishing community service.
The morning hours just drifted away while Wang Jian was in a daze.
And in the afternoon's community service, he was completely out of it.
As the female politician passionately discussed ethnic integration on stage, Wang Jian's thoughts had already drifted to Chinatown.
In the United States, is Sichuan cuisine more popular, or is Shandong cuisine more popular?
He wondered if they were hiring apprentices there.
Would being an apprentice be tiring?
No matter, it surely had to be less exhausting than writing novels.
Because writing novels could indeed make one lose money.
While lost in random thoughts, Wang Jian suddenly caught a glimpse of the check-in officer, Lily, standing at the far left of the stage.
Then, his attention sharpened instantly.
Oh no!
He had been thinking about his novel.
He had forgotten that tonight he had to babysit at the check-in officer's house.
Writing and losing money just bruised the spirit.
Being this free babysitter might just cost him everything.
At that moment, Lily also noticed Wang Jian looking at her.
She felt a rush of nerves.
It seemed that she had to satisfy him today.
Otherwise, who knew what could happen?
Suddenly, the sound of applause brought Wang Jian and Lily both back to their senses.
The community service for the day had ended, so did that mean the date tonight was about to start?
Wang Jian was mentally preparing for what might happen tonight when he felt someone approach him.
Looking up, he saw Lily whisper emotionlessly, "Still at eight o'clock, remember, don't be late."
Then, she turned and left without looking back.
Wang Jian stood still for a moment, then decided to go home and take a shower and change his clothes.
He thought he might as well respect his opponent.
Two hours later, outside an apartment in Brooklyn.
Wang Jian, wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, had a struggling expression on his face.
Inside the apartment, Lily had just changed into a black form-fitting skirt and mesh stockings, with heels that were at least 10 centimeters high.
She stood in front of the mirror, looking at her fully prepared reflection, and whispered to herself.
"You can do this, Lily!"
"You've even dealt with scumbags like Gene, you can deploy all your charm and bewitch that young boy."
"Prevent him from reporting anything before he turns 18."
Just then the electronic doorbell rang.
Wang Jian stood outside, feeling his calves tremble.
He was no rookie.
Why was he so nervous?
The sound of high heels clicked inside, as if striking his heart.
Then, a fair, pretty face peeked out from the door.
Wang Jian was slightly startled.
The check-in officer had put on heavy makeup, even covering all the freckles on her face.
Her extremely feminine aura made Wang Jian's heart race.
Could the check-in officer be hiding a steel wool sponge behind her back?
He really had been trying his best.
Suddenly, a crisp female voice interrupted Wang Jian's reverie.
"Come in," Lily said.
"Oh, oh," Wang Jian stuttered in response.
"Is little Gene not here?" he attempted to make the atmosphere less awkward.
"Yes, I sent him to my ex-husband's," Lily answered. "Would you like a drink?"
"You look very nervous."
"I'm okay," Wang Jian felt his underwear was soaked with sweat. "A drink sounds good."
Lily, walking with catlike grace, headed toward the kitchen.
In a moment, she returned, swaying left and right, holding two wine glasses and a bottle of wine.
Wang Jian took the wine bottle, opened it, then poured the wine into the two glasses.
Lily picked up a glass and gently swayed it.
She looked at the pale red liquid in the glass and asked nonchalantly, "How many more days until you turn 18?"
"20 days," Wang Jian responded.
Lily's heart was set, and she suddenly burst into a smile.
Under the dim light, Wang Jian watched as the beautiful, mature woman before him smiled; it made his heart flutter.
Lily, holding her glass, sat down next to Wang Jian, her silk-stockinged legs slowly edging closer.
Wang Jian trembled slightly, turning his head to look at this woman who was thirteen years his senior.
At that moment, the air in the room seemed to solidify.
Then Lily poured the wine into her mouth, some liquid spilling from the corner of her lips.
She then took Wang Jian's finger, gently wiped the wine from her mouth,
and softly sucked on his finger.
Wang Jian's breathing grew heavier, and suddenly, he forcefully wrapped his arms around Lily, pressing her onto the sofa.
Lily let out a cry of surprise.
Their faces drew closer.
Their bodies entangled.
As they say:
A man and a woman drinking at night,
Applause for love should not be delayed.
With bellies full and a touch of desire,
Time for exercises to transpire.
The next day.
Wang Jian opened his eyes, looking at the check-in officer beside him.
She, too, opened her eyes wide and looked back.
Neither spoke, and then…
Half an hour later.
"Don't get too close to me during community service," Lily, now wearing her blue uniform, instructed. "Don't even keep staring at me."
"If, I mean if," she continued, "you can ask if I need a temporary babysitter, got it?"
Wang Jian, like a schoolboy, sat up straight on the sofa, listening as the check-in officer, like a teacher, explained various precautions.
It had happened so many times that Wang Jian had given up.
He'd think about how to end this relationship after the community service.
However, he didn't know that Lily was thinking the same thing.
After Wang Jian repeated Lily's instructions back to her, he was finally allowed to leave the apartment and return home.
Having released some stress, Wang Jian found he wasn't as concerned with his novels.
But such is life, mostly filled with disappointments, just as he was peacefully watching TV, the phone suddenly rang.
Wang Jian answered the phone, and El's voice came from the other end.
"It's all over. Everything is done," El said in despair. "I told you we shouldn't have started in Los Angeles."
"Now, the rappers from the East and West Coast are battling it out fiercely. Even the Blood Gang won't support us here in Los Angeles," he lamented loudly.
"What exactly happened?" Wang Jian was confused.
"Just watch CNN," El suggested, "I hope it doesn't affect the release of your new book."
With that, he hung up the phone.
Leaving Wang Jian utterly baffled.