Chapter 100: Chapter 99 How Could I Be Deceived? (Please Subscribe)

Spreading rumors of ‘Lin Chuan’s plagiarism’ would not only stigmatize Lin Chuan, but also have a significant impact on the novel “All-In” that’s currently participating in the ‘anti-fraud essay’ event.

All fiction websites have to consider one important aspect.

Public opinion.

The ‘anti-fraud essay’ event is no exception.

If a work receives too much negative publicity and reports, it could face the risk of being taken down or blocked.

“Youyou, sorry, I didn’t expect things to turn out this way,”

“I have made clarifications for the author in the livestream, but the effect might be minimal,”

Su Qianqian, who was engaged in her livestream, saw the audience’s reactions and sent Youyou two messages.

She felt somewhat apologetic.

Her intention was to promote Lin Chuan’s new book, but things had taken an entirely unforeseen turn.

“It’s probably someone jealous, deliberately stirring things up, I’ll find a way to deal with it. Don’t feel guilty,” Youyou thought for a moment and replied.

As an editor, she naturally knew that the online literature circle was also a martial world.

Interests were what martial world characters fought over.

Leaving aside the competition for the status of Heavenly King and Influent Author, just for a recommendation spot or a place on the charts, many authors would exhaust their wits and employ various tactics, competing openly and secretly.

Whether by rolling up their sleeves, by refreshing or by reporting their competitors.

The gossip on Dragon Kong Forum was countless.

Half an hour later.

Sailing Novel’s chief editor, Zhang Yixing, called Youyou: “Youyou, what’s going on with the book ‘All In’? Why has it suddenly received so many reports?”

These rumormongers and blind followers had not only reported it on the Anti-Fraud Center’s website but also on the Sailing Novel APP.

The review process quickly provided feedback to chief editor Zhang Yixing.

Last time, “Hacker Kingdom” had a huge success abroad, and it also reached ten thousand orders domestically. Therefore, chief editor Zhang Yixing was particularly concerned about Lin Chuan’s new book “All In”.

Receiving so many reports all at once made him particularly puzzled.

Youyou answered the call and fed back the whole process to chief editor Zhang Yixing.

“You can rest assured, chief editor. Lin Chuan would absolutely not plagiarize. I guarantee this with my year-end bonus,” Youyou said earnestly and firmly.

“Year-end bonus, umm…”

Zhang Yixing considered it and then reminded her, “This could be a big or small issue, but we must still pay attention to the public opinion. After all, Lin Chuan is our ten-thousand-order author. Participating in the ‘anti-fraud essay’ event means he represents the face of our Sailing Novel.”

After hanging up.

Youyou took a deep breath, thinking about how to vindicate Lin Chuan.

It seemed that ‘smashing a fraud ring’ had become a very compelling way to do so.

…

In Dali, at the Chance Encounter Bar.

Lin Chuan sat in front of the bar and ordered a Long Island Iced Tea.

At this moment, he was unaware that his new book had just been released and had already been caught up in a plagiarism scandal.

During the day, Lin Chuan, along with Shen Qianqian and Xia Qingqing, had toured Erhai Lake, the Ancient City, and some other minor scenic spots, strolling and eating as they went.

The two policewomen were having a great time.

It was a rare outing for Lin Chuan as well, and he was in very high spirits.

Back when his books flopped, not to mention traveling to Yundian, even going downstairs to the Little Landlady’s supermarket required him to check his pockets.

Now, he could freely experience Yundian’s scenery.

It must be said.

The scenery in Dali, Yundian, was indeed very nice. Along the coastline around Erhai Lake, one could enjoy the deep blue and clear sky, the azure sea, the refreshing breeze, the babbling Mandarin Duck Creek, and the ancient architecture with unique characteristics.

When night fell.

The lights were lit, and neon signs flickered.

Lin Chuan and his reader ‘Old Bai’ had agreed to meet at the Chance Encounter Bar.

The two policewomen sat in a nearby booth, listening to the bar’s resident singer perform folk songs, while browsing photos from their day trip.

“Old Bai, where are you?”

Lin Chuan sent a message to his reader ‘Old Bai’.

“I’m already at the door,” Old Bai replied instantly, and attached a photo of the entrance to the Chance Encounter Bar.

Straight away.

A young man with slicked-back hair approached Lin Chuan, displaying a bright, white smile, and sat down beside him: “Mr. Lin, I’m Old Bai.”

Lin Chuan turned to look: “Old Bai, you have a pretty good eye for people, huh?”

“I’m just homing in on the suspect, I knew it was you as soon as I entered the door,” Old Bai laughed heartily, then changed the subject, “Just kidding, didn’t expect you to be quite handsome.”

Old Bai and Lin Chuan often chatted casually in the group, so they were quite familiar with each other.

Lin Chuan laughed heartily and joked back, “Your later compliment was a bit delayed; just that first sentence almost unleashed my 40-meter broadsword.”

“Haha…”

Old Bai laughed, ordered a Gin Tonic, another classic cocktail.

“Old Bai, have you met your online girlfriend yet?” Lin Chuan asked with a smile.

“Not yet,”

Old Bai shook his head. “I’ve arranged to meet her tomorrow morning in the Ancient City.”

“Online dating has its risks; meeting up in person should be approached with caution.”

Lin Chuan took a sip of his Long Island Iced Tea and offered a word of caution.

Old Bai just chuckled, “Mr. Lin, you’re overthinking it. I’m fully prepared; I won’t be fooled.”

“How so?”

Lin Chuan smiled.

That’s when Old Bai took out his phone, opened his gallery, and showed Lin Chuan a photo of a beautiful girl: “Mr. Lin, take a look. This is her real-life photo.”

“She is indeed pretty,” Lin Chuan praised after glancing at the photo.

“Obviously,”

Old Bai squeezed his eyebrow, laughing, “We video chat often; she looks even better in the videos than she does in the photos.”

“You’re the alliance hierarch of my new book, so I still want to remind you; with advanced AI synthesis technology these days, it’s always better to be extra vigilant,” Lin Chuan chuckled and said.

“Old Lin, rest assured, the hotel was booked by me, and I planned the travel route as well; there shouldn’t be any problems,” Old Bai said with a smile.

“Well, to your successful meet-up, cheers.”

Lin Chuan raised his Long Island iced tea and clinked glasses with Old Bai.

After taking a sip of Gin Tonic, Old Bai patted Lin Chuan on the shoulder, “Old Lin, looking at you like this, you don’t have a girlfriend yet, do you?”

Lin Chuan was taken aback, “No, what’s up?”

“Do you want me to give you a couple of tips so that you can also experience an online romance, meet up and, you know, shed your single status?” Old Bai raised his eyebrows, a smile spreading across his face.

Lin Chuan shook his head with a smile: “I don’t do online dating.”

“It’s not easy to encounter one or two beautiful ladies in reality, so you’ve got to cast your net wide. Old Lin, as a writer with no social engagements, if you don’t go for an online meet-up, you’re destined to stay single,” Old Bai earnestly advised.

“That shouldn’t be the case… right?”

Lin Chuan laughed heartily.

“Old Lin, heed advice and you’ll benefit from it,” Old Bai chuckled.

“Lin Chuan!”

Suddenly, a soft voice called out, and Shen Qianqian waved to Lin Chuan.

Old Bai was taken aback, “Old Lin, is she calling you?”

“Yeah, excuse me for a moment,” Lin Chuan nodded and said with a smile.

Old Bai’s face darkened, thinking to himself, well played Mr. Lin, with such a beautiful girl beside you, and you’re still single?

“How does this group photo look?”

“I have a group photo here too, do you like it?”

“…”

Xia Qingqing and Shen Qianqian, both holding group photos, surrounded Lin Chuan from the middle.

Old Bai’s face was green with envy, feeling uncomfortable all over, thinking to himself, well played Old Lin, wait until my girlfriend and I meet up, then I’ll have to show off in front of you too.

Tomorrow, tomorrow I’ll have my meet-up!

Old Lin, just you wait!

The competition between men doesn’t have to be that sophisticated; a simple “I concede to your prowess” is already enough.

…

The night deepened, and the trio returned to their homestay.

Huddled in the living room, they started a casual chat.

“Comrade Lin Chuan, was that young man in the bar one of your readers?” Shen Qianqian half-leaned on Xia Qingqing’s shoulder, her face covered in a mask.

“Not just a reader,” Lin Chuan said with a smile.

“Is he a close male friend?” Xia Qingqing, also wearing a mask, giggled softly.

Lin Chuan sat by the window in the living room, the breeze from Erhai Lake blowing in, his face turning pale: “That’s the Alliance Hierarch, a super true fan!”

“A level higher than a full subscription?” asked Shen Qianqian with curiosity.

“Readers shouldn’t be classified by rank but unfortunately for most authors like me, who haven’t made much money, when we receive a tip, naturally, we get excited.”

Lin Chuan laughed.

That was indeed what he thought in his heart.

Readers are just ordinary people; to be willing to spend money on reading his novels and support the legitimate version is already precious.

Even if some unsubscribe, it’s understandable because many readers also find it hard to earn money.

Lin Chuan was grateful for both full subscriptions and tips.

So, when Old Bai happened to come to Dali too, Lin Chuan happily agreed to meet up.

“Is that young man from Dali?”

Shen Qianqian occasionally popped out one or two questions.

Lin Chuan replied with a smile, “No, he came to Dali to meet up.”

“To meet up?”

Xia and Shen both sat up from the couch, all curious like gossipmongers.

Lin Chuan then repeated Old Bai’s words.

“Online dating meet-ups, a hotbed for fraud,” Xia Qingqing, as a cyber police officer, often dealt with investigating such cases.

Like tracking the money involved in online romance fraud and pinpointing IP addresses.

The amounts involved in the frauds were also significant, ranging from tens of thousands to even millions.

Lin Chuan said with a smile, “That’s true, but Old Bai will meet up tomorrow. He even said he’d bring her to meet us, and I told Old Bai to be extra careful and to text us or call the police if anything unexpected happens.”

“That’s good then.”

Xia Qingqing nodded her head and lay back down to apply her facial mask, checking the travel guides she had made on her phone.

“Comrade Lin Chuan, tomorrow we’ll continue to stay in Dali, but it’s the peak season for tourism right now, and it’s too crowded. The day after tomorrow, let’s go somewhere with fewer people, Lincang,” Shen Qianqian suggested.

Shen Qianqian chimed in, “The scenery in Lincang is also great, with relatively fewer people, so it’s more suitable for you to gather material and inspiration.”

Lin Chuan chuckled, “I have no problem, I’ll follow the two officers’ arrangements.”

…

The night faded away into the cool evening breeze.

The morning sunlight, having circled the Earth once more, appeared again over the lands of Dali in Yundian, casting a warm light that highlighted Dali’s unique charm.

The next day, Lin Chuan continued to tour Dali with Shen and Xia.

Old Bai and his online girlfriend had a successful meet-up, but since his girlfriend was rather shy, Old Bai opted to cancel another meeting with Lin Chuan.

However, he did send Lin Chuan a photo; in the picture were him and his girlfriend together.

“Isn’t she pretty?”

“Indeed, very pretty. /Big_thumb.jpg,” Lin Chuan replied.

“Hehe, mission accomplished in showing off!” Old Bai was obviously very satisfied.

The Yundian Dali trip came to a quiet end.

On May 3rd, Lin Chuan and the party headed to Lincang, a relatively less-known tourist destination in Yundian.

But shortly after arriving in Lincang, Lin Chuan received a strange message.

The message was from Old Bai.