1836: I Became a Literary Giant in Great Britain

Family-run workshops are utterly vulnerable in the face of large-scale industrial production.

They will only be crushed under the wheels of time.

As a graduate student living in the information explosion of the 21st century, Michelle saw the ending at a glance.

Michelle took the letter and read it carefully twice more before falling into deep thought.

Michelle harbors no resentment towards her parents.

But... as the only son in the family, even though I might not be able to persuade my parents, why didn't they tell me about such a big thing beforehand?

There was absolutely no need to fight to the bitter end. If they had stopped in time and cut their losses, things wouldn't have escalated to this point at home.

At the end of the letter, the mother wrote in an almost desperate but resolute tone: "Mr. Hopkins in town has always admired Anna, and he's willing to pay off our debts. But on the condition that Anna marries him."

"Mr. Hopkins also promised to introduce you to a decent job or continue sponsoring your studies. He said yesterday that if we agree, he'll give us fifty pounds upfront, which will ease our family's debts and allow us to continue supporting you in London..."

"But don't worry, we'd rather starve than let Anna sacrifice herself. The LeBlanc family has no tradition of selling out daughters."

"It's just that we can't continue sponsoring you for the time being. As a member of the LeBron family, I don't think you'll blame us."

The letter also included two stamps, clearly indicating that the sender had guessed Michelle's current predicament.

Anna, his older sister. A gentle and kind girl with crescent-shaped eyes when she smiled. Like Michel, she inherited her parents' handsome looks.

Michelle remembered Mr. Hopkins; he was a fat, middle-aged miller who bullied the town because of his money. She heard that he had tortured several of his wives to death.

Should Anna be married to someone like that?

To complete his studies at the expense of his sister Anna's happiness?

"No! Absolutely not!"

Fortunately, although my parents were not wealthy, they were definitely people of conscience in this era.

There was no intention to sacrifice Anna in exchange for alleviating the family's debt.

But Michelle also felt a sense of powerlessness.

He had just escaped his desperate situation and thought he could finally catch his breath, but reality dealt him an even heavier blow.

An individual's basic needs for food and clothing seem so insignificant in the face of family disaster.

Michel paced back and forth in the cramped attic. What could he do? He was now just a penniless student, an unknown writer who had just received his first payment for his writing. The thirty shillings had once filled him with joy, but now it seemed like a drop in the ocean compared to his family's enormous debt.

Calm down! You must calm down!

Now that things have come to this, solving the problem is the most urgent task.

Michelle forced herself to stop, breathing deeply into the cold air. Anger and panic wouldn't solve anything.

He sat back down at the tattered table, took out paper and pen, and dipped the quill pen in ink.

He needed to write back immediately and tell his family not to give up.

"Dear Father, Mother, and Sister:"

"The letter has been received. There is no need to panic about the family debts. I am proud that you did not grant Mr. Hopkins' request even under such difficult circumstances. I am doing well in London and have found a decent job writing for a newspaper, earning a good income."

"I will find a way to earn back the money the family owes, please believe me. And please tell Anna that she doesn't need to sacrifice her happiness for anyone. Wait for me, I will send money home soon."

"Love, Michelle."

His tone in the letter was resolute, as if he were truly a successful and renowned writer. He knew he was lying, but the lie was the only thing that could hold up his crumbling home at that moment.

He had to change his family's fate, even if it meant using lies.

After finishing the letter, Michel took twenty shillings from the remaining twenty-five shillings. He carefully wrapped the money in paper, intending to mail it back with the letter.

After doing all this, he looked at the five shillings he had left in his hand and smiled helplessly.

I just received thirty shillings today, and before I could even enjoy them, this is all that's left.

With this little money, I'll have to make it until the next payment for my writing arrives.

The sense of security I had just gained vanished, replaced by an unprecedented pressure.

Michelle clutched the last few coins tightly in his palm, the cold metallic touch keeping him acutely aware. He looked up, his gaze falling on the stack of blank manuscript papers on the table.

He had to start conceiving his next work immediately.

Moreover, the next work cannot be a tender short story like "The Last Leaf".

He needs a work that can cause a bigger sensation, bring in more royalties, and be serialized for a long time!

A cash cow that generates a constant stream of wealth. He needs money, lots of money!

Michelle's breathing became rapid, and her brain started working quickly.

What kind of subject matter is most suitable for creating a sensation, achieving high sales, and continuously attracting readers' attention?

History, romance, adventure, science fiction...

A series of thoughts flashed through his mind.

No, that's not enough!

He needs something more stimulating, direct, and capable of capturing the attention of today's readers.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his chaotic thoughts like lightning.

He thought of a man, a detective who left a significant mark on literary history, a gentleman who emerged from the mists of Victorian London.

Michelle's eyes lit up: What if we brought him and his story into this world ahead of time?