I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 438 An Unexpected Old Rival!
The following day, Liu Jin appeared again in the entertainment section of the newspaper.

But for him and Alizee, it didn't matter anymore.

His rumored affair with Alizee has lasted for more than three years since 2000, and readers are no longer surprised.

If Liu Jin and Alizee were to officially break up someday, it might attract attention.

but now……

Why haven't these two broken up yet?!
If they break up, they'll tear each other apart!

It looks better when it's torn up...

Besides, Liu Jin's playboy image is already well-known in France.

After all, the French are notorious for their unfaithfulness.

What truly captured the public's attention was Guillaume.

Guillaume and Jennifer's relationship has lasted for three or four months, from last year until now.

Previously, when Guillaume's book was not yet on the market, everyone was still looking forward to it.

While many claim to support Amos, they still harbor the thought that Guillaume's new book will be released and Liu Jin, a Chinese man, will be eliminated.

Unfortunately, compared to "The Man Who Will Disappear," "Later..." pales in comparison.

The results are pretty good!

In just under a month since its release, it has sold nearly 100,000 units.

At least the bestseller status is secured, but what happens next...?

According to SLF's assessment, the sales of "Later..." would be between 300,000 and 350,000 copies that year.

Unless, in the event of a special incident.

For example, the verbal battle between Liu Jin and Michel Uelbek, the support from people in the film and television industry, and the speech by the Minister of Culture...

and many more.

But that kind of thing is difficult to do.

After all, Liu Jin's status now is completely different from that of Michel Uelbek back then.

Guillaume wanted to replicate his approach...

Jennifer needs to get her album to sell over 500,000 copies first.

……

It's raining outside.

Liu Jin sat by the window, writing an outline.

Alizee sat opposite her, her legs crossed, reading a newspaper.

The firewood in the fireplace was burning brightly.

This also makes the room warm and cozy.

"Damn guy!"

Alizee suddenly started cursing.

Liu Jin looked up at her and asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

"How dare that guy!"

Alizee gritted her teeth and handed the newspaper to Liu Jin.

Liu Jin glanced at the headline; it was a news article about Guillaume Miso and Jennifer.

Someone photographed him drinking heavily at a bar, chatting and laughing with several girls.

The reporter tried to interview him but failed, so he changed course and found several bar girls who were talking to Guillaume.

According to the bar girl's account, Guillaume had been cursing Liu Jin and Jennifer.

He told the bar girl that Jennifer's technique was terrible and that she couldn't sing as well as Alizee.

The reason he lost to Liu Jin was entirely Jennifer's fault.

Jennifer was the one who pursued him. He was so persistent that he tried dating her, but it didn't feel right.

In short, it's all about shifting blame.

Sales fell short of expectations; it was Jennifer's fault.

The criticism of her work is Jennifer's fault.

Alizee cursed, "What a scumbag."

Liu Jin smiled and shook his head, his gaze immediately skipping over the news about Guillaume and landing on another news item.

"Huh? Michelle has a new book out?"

"Who?"

"The guy I argued with in 01, the house we live in now was previously in his name."

In 01, sales on the platform were poor, and he didn't produce any new work for a long time, which made it impossible for him to repay his loan. The bank foreclosed on his house, and that's how I bought it. I thought he had retired, but it turns out he was biding his time and wrote another book.

"what book?"

"The possibility of an island."

As Liu Jin spoke, he picked up the phone.

"Mera, have you seen last week's bestseller list?"

"I see!"

"Michelle's new book is doing well... eighth place."

"Ha, I knew you would ask that."

I've read his new book; the style has changed a lot, quite different from his previous works like *Elementary Particles* and *Platform*, and it's very well written. I heard he's been working in film these past two years; his 02 film adaptation of his debut novel, *Extensions of the Struggle*, was a huge success in Denmark. He also wrote the screenplay for the film.

Mela said, "I consulted some veteran editors."

It is widely believed that his new book returns to his original style and is excellent.

"Then I must buy it and read it."

When are you going back to Toulouse?

"Go back on Sunday, Sunday."

"Alright then, welcome back."

Mela hung up the phone, while Liu Jin sat on the sofa, a thoughtful expression on his face. After a moment, he got up and walked out, picking up his coat as he went.

"Liu Jin, where are you going?"

"I'm going to the bookstore to buy a book, I'll be right back."

"Then please bring me a cup of black tea."

"it is good!"

Liu Jin got dressed and went outside.

There is a bookstore at his residence, just across the street and down the steps.

I easily found the book "The Possibilities of an Island," and then sat in the tea shop reading it while waiting for my tea.

The protagonist, Daniel, joins a pagan organization.

The organization is pushing hard to promote human cloning, in order to help people overcome time's control over life and escape the loss of passion and depletion of desire that come with old age.

This cult is a product of an entertainment society and has no moral constraints on humanity whatsoever.

Daniel has several clones, and the story unfolds between him and his twenty-five clones...

After Liu Jin finished reading the first chapter, the black tea was ready.

He took the black tea back to his residence and continued reading.

This story revolves around the clash of viewpoints between the original and clones 24 and 25, showcasing their differing values.

Judging from the story alone, Liu Jin would find it hard to believe that the author of this book is the same person as the author of "Elementary Particles".

It has depth, and it has emotion.

The description of X is as detailed as that of elementary particles and platforms.

But it also reveals the complex relationship between X and love...

Liu Jin watched it for a whole day.

After watching it, he dialed Mela's number again.

"This guy really surprised me; his book is a contender for the Goncourt Prize."

And let's put it this way, the possibility of this island is far superior to last year's award-winning work, Bryant's Lover.

"Compared to Notre Dame Cathedral?"

"Ha, that's not on the same level."

Mela couldn't help but laugh.

This is the Liu she knows, full of confidence.

Are you interested in competing with him?

"This year?"

Liu Jin thought for a moment and said, "It's too late, let's talk about it next year."

He chatted with Mela for a few more minutes before hanging up the phone.

Looking at the books on the table, Liu Jin scratched his head, a thoughtful expression on his face.

He wasn't sure if Michelle had written the book in the original timeline.

If so, that's amazing.

If not, that's even more remarkable.

After all, Michel in this timeline suffered a major setback, almost being humiliatingly driven out of the literary world.

But only two years later, he came back.

This demonstrated his extraordinary depth of knowledge.

That person has real skill, unlike plagiarists like him.

This guy is something else!

Liu Jin sighed inwardly.

We still need to work hard and stay at the top of the pyramid.

He picked up the book again, looked at the preface, and fell into deep thought.

……

Guillaume and Jennifer started a war of words.

But it has nothing to do with Liu Jin.

Although Guillaume Miso repeatedly tried to stage an incident to elicit a response from Liu Jin.

However, Liu Jin seemed to be deaf and completely ignored him.

He spent the next few days wandering the streets and alleys of Paris.

Sometimes she strolls alone; sometimes she walks hand in hand with Alizee.

Before he knew it, it was the weekend, and he boarded the train back to Toulouse alone.

Alizee remained in Paris to prepare for her new album. However, on the day Liu Jin left, she published an article in the newspaper accusing Guillaume Misso of exploiting Jennifer and calling him a "despicable man."

The article caused a sensation.

After all, Alizée is now a pop star with two albums selling tens of millions of copies, and her influence has even spread to America.

She has many fans, even more than Liu Jin.

This left Guillaume completely at a loss.

XO Publishing then attempted to contact Alizee, hoping she would retract her remarks.

Alizee, who had already signed with Universal Music, completely ignored XO Publishing's attempts to win her over, leaving XO Publishing and Guillaume in a state of utter chaos.

A week had passed when Liu Jin received the message.

He did not make any statements, but simply gave a mysterious smile when asked by reporters before walking into the campus.

Guillaume?
What does it have to do with him?

What he needs to do now is to finish "The Da Vinci Code" as soon as possible.

……

(End of this chapter)