My Years as a Copyist in Taiwan

Several veteran novelists also jumped on the bandwagon, publishing short articles in newspapers and magazines in support of Aunt Phoenix.

These guys are already overwhelmed by the sales of Zhao Wen's two masterpieces, and now that they've seized the opportunity, they take turns accusing him of altering his writing style and making money in unsightly ways.

What these people didn't expect was that these manifestos not only failed to damage Mr. Snail's reputation, but instead stirred up a hornet's nest, directly igniting a nationwide war of words.

First, a group of up-and-coming music critics presented the arrangement structure, recording quality, and melody creation logic in a very organized manner. Their professional perspective far surpassed that of the other critics, completely exposing the old-school music critics' "pretending to know what they don't."

Immediately afterwards, students from universities across the island were in an uproar—they were the core audience of this album, having followed it from the novel to the singles, and then to the vinyl record, their recognition of Mr. Snail's talent was already several levels high.

Now that someone was jumping out to criticize their favorite works, how could they hold back? School magazines, reader letters, folk song restaurants—wherever they could voice their opinions, there were voices of rebuttal, directly tearing the Phoenix Aunties apart.

"You've spent your whole life writing romance novels filled with mindless love and angst, corrupting young girls to the point of wanting to die for men. How dare you accuse others of setting a bad example?"

"Someone sold 100,000 copies of their album because of their talent, while someone else has spent half their life writing clichéd and predictable stories. Why don't you release an album that sells like hotcakes?"

"You can't even understand the fun of the Easter eggs? You're really getting old, Auntie. You've become an old relic. Don't come out and give me any more pointers!"

I don't know if the literary world is corrupt or not, but you guys have certainly mastered the art of relying on seniority and ganging up to suppress younger generations.

Of course, the United Literary Society is also present here; they're already on Mr. Snail's side. Editor Lou is a master of creating buzz, as usual, providing examples and comparisons, and then asking the society's veteran writers to write book reviews...

The cultural rioters have once again launched their attack: The reason why a public nuisance is a public nuisance is that it can escape any eradication and eventually bite back at humanity!

This was somewhat tinged with past grievances, and they started digging up old dirt because the title of "auntie" was officially defined, and she didn't dare to argue against it!

The newspaper supplement's reader's letter section was filled every day, and the flame wars raged from Taipei to Tainan, from newspaper pages to school wall newspapers.

However, this war of words did not hurt Zhao Wen at all. On the contrary, it made the album a hot topic again. Casual fans took out their money to buy the CD, just to see what this "unconventional" work that was being criticized so much was really like.

Zhao Wen was criticized by readers quite a bit for his writing in his previous life, so he wasn't angry at all and was comfortably enjoying himself at Meiling's massage parlor.

Although he scoffed inwardly, it didn't mean he didn't hold a grudge.

Since you say I'm crossing over into other fields to make money, then I'll cross over and make money off you!

Zhao Wen was scheming against the old aunt in his heart. Aunt Chun arrived, saying that Lin Xinjun from Taipei had called and seemed a little anxious.

After returning home and answering the phone, Zhao Wen fell into deep thought. The call was from Lin Xinjun, who was talking about Wu Deng, who wanted to visit him in Tainan.

Who is Wu Deng? Zhao Wen scratched his chin. "Damn it, he's got connections in both the legitimate and underworld circles, he's a force to be reckoned with in the film industry, and when he gets ruthless, he's truly willing to risk his life!"

Before 1984, the force led by Wu Deng was overwhelmingly superior to all its peers. In the entire organization, apart from their spiritual leader, Wu Deng was the actual helmsman!

However, Zhao Wen's lips curled into a wicked smile... This might not be such a bad thing after all.

It can be basically concluded that Wu Deng's purpose in coming here was to obtain the film and television rights to his works "You Are the Apple of My Eye" and "Love Letter".

This chief protector entered the film and television industry in the 1970s and is known as the "forceful producer." No one in the television station or film studio dares to offend him, so he is now rich, powerful, and influential.

But since they came to us on their own initiative, they couldn't possibly be here to cause trouble.

What people in the underworld value most is not necessarily loyalty; real financial gain is what matters most.

Of the two books he owns, "Love Letters" won't make much money, maybe just enough to win a few awards. But "Those Years" is a lucrative IP, and a seasoned veteran like Wu Deng wouldn't pass up the opportunity to make money and risk offending his cash cow.

Having figured this out and estimated the time when Wu Deng would arrive, Zhao Wen put a vinyl record into the record player, playing Yamaguchi Momoe's "A Good Day to Begin".

When the singer arrived, Zhao Wen couldn't help but feel a little nervous. He hoped that this legendary Japanese singer could soothe Wu Deng's restless heart with her melancholy and gentleness.

The old man at the alley entrance led Wu Deng to Zhao Wen's house, but they turned back before even entering the courtyard, as no one was watching the stall.

Wu Deng only brought two men with him. When they arrived at Zhao Wen's courtyard, he told the two men to stay outside.

Having walked all the way from outside the alley, despite being sweating profusely from the heat, he felt cleansed by the unique tranquility of the alley and thought it would be too offensive to bring these two fools into Mr. Snail's house.

Yes, even Protector Wu reads novels. After all, the Hi Gang also had their youth, right?

Aunt Chun opened the courtyard gate, and Zhao Wen stood in the yard: "Grand Protector, welcome! Welcome, welcome!"

"Mr. Snail, I've been wanting to visit you for a long time. Seeing is believing, you're truly a young hero!" Wu Deng stretched out his hands, grinned, and tightly grasped Zhao Wen's right hand.

My hero was young, not at all! I'm a cultured man...

As soon as Wu Deng entered the old wooden house, he felt refreshed and didn't even break a sweat. "This old wooden house is so sophisticated," he thought. "Should I build one like this when I go back to Taipei?"

A cool breeze blew gently from the large standing air conditioner in the corner, and the record player seemed to be playing a recording of Momoe Yamaguchi's story. Wu Deng's eyes lit up:

「いい日立ち!」

Damn, isn't this guy the leader of the Hi Gang? His Japanese is as standard as Mr. Fujiki's!

"Chief Protector, your Japanese is incredibly fluent! It's unbelievable. I thought, I thought..."

Wu Deng: "Mr. Snail, you think I'm just a brute, huh? Hahaha, I'm actually a cultured person. I often go to Little Neon's house to discuss copyright and distribution!"

The Chief Protector was very pleased with Mr. Snail's surprise. "I really got away with this today!"

"Chief Protector, just call me Awen, that's what we call each other."

"Okay, Wen, please call me Brother Deng!"

Wu Deng took the teacup from Aunt Chun with both hands, placed it on the coffee table, and gestured to Zhao Wen to sit down first, almost as if she were the guest taking the initiative.

It's said that throughout history, the more decisive and efficient a gang leader is, the greater their achievements will be. Look at Brother Deng; in just a few minutes, he gained Mr. Snail's friendship!