"A novel that sells 32 copies in its initial run, barely making a profit of 15 US dollars, how did it get involved with CNN?
CNN is the one that broadcasts 24-hour worldwide news, right?
Wang Jian held the microphone and for a moment couldn't snap back to reality.
Then, he hurriedly picked up the remote control and switched the TV channel.
On the screen, a female anchor was reporting the news in a serious tone.
"Yesterday, in Los Angeles, the famous rapper 2Pac was shot during a recording. This incident follows the death of prominent N.W.A member Eazy-E from AIDS, marking another major event in the American rap community recently."
"Although his media spokesperson has claimed that 2Pac is out of danger, this incident still brings the escalating violent crimes among East and West Coast rappers into the public eye."
"Next, let's watch the surveillance video from outside the studio at the time of the incident."
The TV image then changed.
A group of black people was seen sitting outside the studio, puffing away in clouds of smoke.
El was in the frame, laughing and joking with a few companions.
Among these people, the scene of two black men sitting in the back row, head to head, smoking rolled cigarettes, and flipping through books, was particularly striking.
Then, a swaggering black man, surrounded by a group of others, approached the studio.
El and others stood up, blocking their path.
Then, an altercation broke out between the two groups.
And the boss following El also came out of the studio, entering the surveillance screen.
The swaggering man said something that infuriated El's boss significantly.
The two of them stood head to head, like two fighting roosters.
Suddenly, the swaggering man took out a pistol from his pocket and pressed it against El's boss's head.
El's boss, in a somewhat panicked state, raised his hands.
While the swaggering man was pointing the gun at El and others, he was speaking something.
It was only then that the two people behind El, who had been reading the book, looked up with confused faces.
Next, the two black men put down the novel, pulled out pistols, and started shooting at the swaggering man.
The entourage behind the swaggering man immediately panicked.
El's group was also stunned.
The image cut back to the studio, and the female anchor continued, "At present, the criminal suspects have been arrested by the police, and their lawyer has given an exclusive interview to our reporters outside the police station."
The camera then switched to in front of the police station, where a middle-aged white man spoke into the microphone: "First, it was 2Pac's side that initiated the provocation."
"My client reacted excessively after being frightened, which should be considered excessive self-defense."
"Moreover, my client suffered from violence in his youth and has certain mental issues, which I have applied to the court for a psychiatric evaluation report."
"Lastly, I must point out that my client was influenced by some books that promote violence, leading to such a crime."
"And that book is even rated suitable for all ages by publishing authorities. We will also protest to the publishers about this and ask the court to consider it leniently."
After that, the image switched back to the studio.
By this time, Wang Jian was dumbfounded.
He didn't know what expression to make or what to do anymore.
After being stunned for a while, he quickly called El back.
"El, what's going on? How did my book get blamed for your trouble?"
El mumbled for a bit and then said, "The lawyer the boss found suggested that we claim we were influenced by that book, which could win some sympathy and understanding from the judge."
"Why can't you say you were influenced by marijuana? In the surveillance footage, all of you were smoking it, isn't that more credible than being influenced by a book?" Wang Jian's voice gradually rose.
"The lawyer said smoking marijuana is considered using a soft drug. It would not only fail to garner the judge's understanding but could also increase animosity and potentially add to the sentence," El's voice grew fainter.
"But don't worry," El continued, "the boss said that once we're back in New York, he'll compensate you."
Compensation my ass!
I've really fallen on hard times, not only making no money from publishing but also gaining a bad reputation.
Wang Jian slowly put down the phone and scratched his head fiercely.
"Really, trouble comes from the sky when you least expect it," he muttered to himself, "It's utterly messed up."
Just then, the phone rang again.
Wang Jian, fed up, answered the call.
"Don't talk—damn it, knowing you is just bad luck. I'm moving out to live elsewhere tomorrow!"
Suddenly, the voice of Roy from Scholastic Publishers came through.
"'I'm a Great Mage' has been published for barely 20 hours, and it hasn't even been distributed to Los Angeles yet."
"Of the 32 copies sold in New York, 27 were bought by bookstore owners themselves. Four were purchased by small libraries, and one copy's whereabouts are unknown, but the buyer was a white boy."
Wang Jian stammered for a while, then had to admit, "Yes, that's the one I took as a keepsake."
Roy, unmoved, went on to say: "The New York Criminal Court has just submitted a request to the publishing house to present a synopsis of 'I'm a Great Mage' as it was submitted for publication, in order to determine whether there was any encouragement of violence during the creative process."
"The Publishers and Distributors Industry Association has also sent a self-examination letter, asking us to conduct a brand new rating review of 'I'm a Great Mage' to determine whether it is indeed suitable for all ages."
Wang Jian opened his mouth but found he could utter nothing but swears.
In the end, he could only say to Roy, "I'm sorry, I didn't know that such a thing would happen."
"But I really didn't lead to violence!" he said, "You've seen the original manuscript."
Roy's voice was cold, "It doesn't matter what I say, the judge decides."
Wang Jian's heart felt like it had fallen into an ice cave as he trembled, "So, will I go to prison?"
Roy replied, "No, no novelist has ever faced criminal punishment for this reason."
Wang Jian felt a wave of relief, but quickly asked, "So, do I need to compensate the publishing house?"
"Although I have no money now, I can get a job," he pleaded, despite feeling unjustly accused, "I will be sure to pay back the publication costs to the publishing house."
Roy's voice remained level, "No need, this doesn't fall under intentional disruption of the publishing house's distribution plan."
"This incident is an unexpected factor. It's not really about you."
At this point, Wang Jian felt tears welling up.
Gratefully, he asked, "Then what can I do to make up for the loss to the publishing house?"
"Get ready to sign some autographs," Roy's voice suddenly filled with excitement.
He said loudly, "I'm on my way to your apartment. We're going to increase the print run. Before the rating results come out, let's publish 100,000 copies!"
"Haha, Wang, you're going to be famous!""