The chat group admin really knows when to take action.

Eriri immediately got angry when she heard someone call her an idiot.

"It seems someone's question still hasn't been answered!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha had obviously been listening for a while.

Eriri paused for a moment, then seemed to realize something, and immediately glared angrily at Jiang Nan.

"It should be cold."

Jiang Nan's lips twitched slightly.

"You're trying to fool me again! You haven't answered my question directly yet!"

Jiang Nan waved his hand.

"Calm down, calm down, anger makes you ugly."

No pretty girl wants to become ugly.

Eriri suppressed her anger.

"Give me an answer, you bastard!"

"Speaking of which, I also want to know why you left the industry, Jiang Nan. Your future is so bright, even better than mine. Many of your works have been adapted into animation and film. I really can't think of a reason for your retirement."

Kasumigaoka Utaha also wants to know the answer.

They were good friends in that circle of writers.

However, when Jiang Nan became famous, both of them were still unknown.

That is why Kasumigaoka Utaha calls Kang Nan "senpai" (senior), referring to a senior figure in the literary circle.

In that circle, the two of them kept chasing after Jiang Nan, but they could never even catch a glimpse of his back.

Sometimes, hard work can be defeated by talent.

Especially in this creative field that requires a great deal of talent.

Writing requires talent and inspiration.

Some people write their whole lives and still can't produce a single decent work.

Some people can achieve heights that others can never reach in a lifetime simply by writing casually.

Some people's debut works are something that many writers can't catch up to in their entire lives.

Jiang Nan knew from their intense gazes that there was no way to avoid it.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke.

"Because my existence is the greatest disrespect to you hard-working people."

Jiang Nan finally gave the answer.

He was a plagiarist, and the reason why every work he wrote became a hit was because those works were already popular in his world.

He didn't put in the effort to create, nor did he rack his brains to think about the next plot.

They didn't seek inspiration by experiencing different lifestyles.

He is just a plagiarist, and for those who work hard at writing, his existence is the greatest negation of their efforts.

Please give me some monthly votes, guys.

If you guys have any extra monthly tickets, please vote for them; the rankings have all dropped.

Chapter 409, Effort and Talent

After entering the circle of writers, Jiang Nan met many friends who were also writers.

The pursuit of the strong is a common practice in every circle.

The same applies to writers.

After Jiang Nan became a sensation with his novel Sword Art Online, he instantly became a big shot in the industry.

Within the circle, he met some authors who went to particularly dangerous places in search of inspiration.

I've seen some authors racking their brains over a single plot point.

Jiang Nan always felt out of place with these people.

Perhaps it's because he's a plagiarist.

Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha seemed not to have expected this reason, but they couldn't understand the sentence.

Because they never imagined that Jiang Nan was a time traveler, let alone that he was just a plagiarist.

That's why Jiang Nan didn't want to talk about it!

"What on earth do you mean?"

Eriri is very angry.

Kasumigaoka Utaha sat next to her with her legs crossed, but her brows were furrowed.

“I know you are a genius, the kind of genius we can't catch up with, but you can't say that. I will eventually surpass you.”

It's clear that the two of them misunderstood something.

Because of what Jiang Nan said, without considering that he was a time traveler, it was a genius's blow to an ordinary person.

It's as if no matter how hard an ordinary person tries, they are too weak in the eyes of a genius, so weak that the genius has to treat them with pity.

"What I said is just the truth, and isn't that what you all think too?"

Jiang Nan loosened his shoulders, and the atmosphere suddenly became a little tense.

At that moment, Jiang Nan revealed a wicked smile.

"Wasn't what I just said cool? You guys didn't believe me, did you? You're still so easily fooled!"

The sudden change in art style caught everyone off guard.

Jiang Nan: "Long time no see! You guys are still the same as before!"

Eriri suddenly felt that Jiang Nan was still as hateful as before.

So she kicked Jiang Nan's shin hard under the table.

"Don't be so violent, or you'll become a violent woman."

Jiang Nan rubbed his calves haphazardly and began to speak.

"How utterly despicable, senpai!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha's complexion improved slightly.

The atmosphere just now was really oppressive.

It's like a friendship that was about to break down, but has now been salvaged.

"Actually, the real reason I quit is something those who know will understand: I just didn't want to write anymore. Every author goes through this phase—you lose the feeling, you can't write, so you just give up."

Jiang Nan's tone was somewhat gentle.

At this moment, he was no longer as sharp and aggressive as before.

"Senior, you give up so easily. Your personality is still the same as before."

Kasumigaoka Utaha shook her head helplessly.

It was this tendency to give up so easily that led Jiang Nan to cut many of his books.

"Speaking of which, I'm now a huge fan of yours, senior! Your novel, 'Love Metronome,' is really interesting, and I'm really looking forward to your latest book."

"Thank you!"

Jiang Nan's straightforward manner made Kasumigaoka Utaha a little embarrassed.

Jiang Nan is quite influential in the literary circle, and his recognition proves that he has the corresponding ability.

"I'll also buy Eri Kashiwagi's latest 18th birthday gift..."

Before Jiang Nan could finish speaking, he was kicked in the calf again.

Eriri glared fiercely at Jiang Nan.

"You bastard Jiang Nan, stop talking now."

The school's rich girl turns out to be a doujinshi artist.

This is quite embarrassing.

"Calm down, calm down. Besides, I've read all of your books..."

"do not talk."

Eriri kicked again.

Kasumigaoka Utaha sat quietly to the side. The old friends hadn't seen each other for a long time, but their relationship was still good when they met again.

"Well, speaking of which, I haven't introduced myself yet! I'm Kasumigaoka Utaha, a third-year student at Soubu High School, and also Kasumigaoka Utako, the author of Love Metronome."

"Was Ms. Kasumi Shiko originally a student? She seems so mature."

Kato Megumi's eyes sparkled; she really liked the Love Metronome written by Kasumigaoka Utaha.

Megumi Kato: "Speaking of which, it was Jiang Nan who recommended the book 'Love Metronome' to me."

Kato Megumi and Kasumigaoka Utaha both looked at Jiang Nan, who was rubbing his calves beside them.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm just doing what an otaku should do: pass on excellent works. Huihui is my good friend, and good friends should naturally be together!"

Jiang Nan said with a smile, while also openly admitting his identity as a homebody.

"You just say whatever comes to mind, your straightforward personality hasn't changed. By the way, is Kato your girlfriend? It's amazing that a girl can put up with your personality."

Eriri crossed her arms, her tone full of disdain.

Jiang Nan said, clearly unconvinced.

"Don't underestimate me! I have social butterfly syndrome. I dare to stand in a crowd and shout, 'I believe in light, I'll transform into Ultraman Tiga!' Do you believe me?"