All-rounder Artist

Chapter 520: Chapter 496 Truly Fragrant_1

Of course, the stages of life wouldn’t be divided into morning and afternoon segments.

The era is still the same era.

But with the first batch of readers finishing Chu Kuang’s new book, the wind direction did indeed change––

Not just Leng Guang.

Not just Carter.

And certainly not only that guy who likes to engage his buddies in philosophical debates.

The change in wind direction usually takes a collective as its foundation before it sweeps over like a whirlwind.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

At a time when many internet users still resisting Sherlock Holmes hadn’t fully regained their wits, those readers who initially joined the collective criticism and mockery but later mysteriously vanished, suddenly reappeared.

Armed with an unexpected: “The magnificent Sherlock Holmes, the brilliant basic deductive reasoning!”

What the heck?

Have they been possessed?

Those internet users who refused to buy the book in opposition to Sherlock Holmes were dumbfounded at this sudden change, then they were swept up by one wave after another of shock, accompanied by one bewitching phrase after another:

“Chu Kuang is damned amazing!”

“I’m blown away!”

“I always thought Poirot was the greatest detective created by Blue Star, never expected there’d be another Mr. Sherlock Holmes, who is on par with Poirot. I, Wang Shang, hereby acclaim Sherlock Holmes as the new greatest detective!”

“I, Liu Jing, agree with this sentiment wholeheartedly!”

“Hello everyone, my name is Zhou Ze, and I am here to introduce my new idol, his name is Sherlock Holmes.”

“…”

Those who hadn’t bought the book finally snapped out of their daze. They didn’t want to be brainwashed. They were still resisting:

We are an unbreakable alliance!

I resist Sherlock Holmes…

I resist Sherl…

I resist…

I…

Their voices were drowned out.

Their will began to waver.

Their spirits gradually broke down.

They stretched out their guilty right hands; they took steps with their guilty legs; they began to order books online; they began to run towards the bookstores…

Until…

The front desk staff smiled at them: “All sold out, there’s truly not a single one left.”

They left the bookstore with their heads down.

Behind the staff, the shop owner clutched his chest, indeed not a single book was left, but the blood in his heart was still dripping down, drop by drop.

Weren’t you resisting?

Didn’t you “not know”?

It seems to me that you all knew quite well!

Only us booksellers didn’t know!

Chu Kuang you misled me! Chu Kuang’s readers misled me!

Birds of a feather flock together, you fans of Chu Kuang are all two-faced creatures, fundamentally the same as that old rascal Chu Kuang!

Nothing but shit men!

Cheating us booksellers’ feelings!

Alright.

Some bookstores had been regularly stocking up.

Many booksellers haven’t forgotten the horror dominated by “Zhu Xian”, so they played it a little safe.

That fear had once caused them heavy losses, yet on this day with similar circumstances, it compensated them to a certain degree.

They wouldn’t have to experience the awkwardness of an emergency restock again.

A bookstore owner who had stocked up a decent amount of “Sherlock Holmes” displayed a knowing smile, then said to his busy workers next to him: “People often don’t realize their hunger until the food is served, only then they say…”

“So hungry?”

“I don’t think so, why not test it out.”

The owner looked towards the entrance; it was the takeout he ordered for his employees half an hour ago, the kind with chicken.

“Really fragrant!”

The employees enjoyed their takeout. Turns out we don’t say “so hungry”, the bookstore was immediately filled with a joyous atmosphere.

The food tasted really fragrant.

And in front of the most conspicuous bookshelf.

Another new client picked up a brand new copy of “Sherlock Holmes”, his expression somewhat complicated.

Meanwhile on the internet.

More and more people are discussing Sherlock Holmes, fewer people are resisting Sherlock Holmes, their numbers dwindling almost to the point of extinction.

“It’s really good!”

“It truly is!”

“Chu Kuang, this intelligent… courageous and talented writer is just so likable!”

“I’ve rediscovered the thrill I had when I read the Hercule Poirot series, but Poirot is Poirot, Sherlock Holmes is Sherlock Holmes, they are both my favorite detectives!”

“Overflowing with nostalgic emotions!”

“When I read Sherlock Holmes saying that Poirot was the only detective he admired, I felt really moved. I bet Professor Chu Kuang misses Poirot too!”

“Professor Chu Kuang… is still so amazing!”

“Sherlock Holmes has an antisocial personality due to his high intelligence, is proficient in multiple disciplines, likes to pay attention to the details and deduce reasoning. While Poirot has a humanitarian style towards life and reality, he is particularly good at psychology and focuses more on logic. The characters are both very distinctive.”

“…”

People in the industry were dumbfounded.

If it weren’t for seeing a few familiar IDs, they would almost suspect they had traveled through time.

Like that guy named Zhou Ze!

Staring for what? Yes, you!

Didn’t you say “even if it kills me, I would rather jump from here than read Chu Kuang’s new book”?

Why are you flip-flopping faster than turning a page?

Isn’t it quite a shame to have two faces at such a young age?

Confused.

Based on the reactions, the people within the industry are absolutely the most dumbfounded.

Who plays like this?

In the morning, they were all saying they would resist Chu Kuang’s new book, acting as if they wanted to storm Chu Kuang’s house for a free grab spree.

But in the afternoon, they all fucking defected?

Yes.

They defected.

They defected completely.

And when the insiders looked at Chu Kuang’s Poirot comment section, the first hot comment that caught their eye was:

“Readers can’t always live in the past, I believe Mr. Poirot would be very comforted in spirit, knowing his detective spirit is being carried on by someone else!”

Insiders held their heads.

This comment got exceptionally high approval, and all the following comments were similarly themed:

“The old rascal commemorated Poirot in his new work, it’s comforting.”

Is that what you call commemorating?

“Let’s admit, grudgingly, that Sherlock Holmes can be considered a great detective too.”

So now you’re acting coy?

“I knew it, Chu Kuang never lets people down. Sherlock Holmes will lead a new era.”

The hindsight is really quite beautiful.

“No one can replace Poirot, but someone can stand alongside Poirot in the world.”

The insiders no longer had the strength to ridicule.

At this time, they noticed someone posted a humorous four-panel comic, from the reader’s point of view.

First panel: “I’ll beat up the old rascal! How dare he kill off Poirot!”

Second panel: “Who is Sherlock Holmes? No one can replace Poirot!”

Third panel: The reader starts to read a book called “Sherlock Holmes”.

Fourth panel: Sherlock Holmes is awesome (in a funny accent)!

“…”

The insiders finally had a realization.

Turns out readers will also wax poetic, turns out readers also know what they are doing. Look at what Chu Kuang has driven his own readers to become.

Utterly outrageous!

Not only can he slap the faces of his editors and major booksellers, when he’s ruthless he can even slap his own readers’ faces––

Sherlock Holmes has gotten popular.