Chapter 19: Inside Information

Inside the filing room.

Li Bing glanced at Chen Ming who was being 'suppressed' by Lin Chuan and laughed heartily, "Comrade Lin Chuan, thank you for being willing to contribute to Anling's anti-gambling efforts."

"It's my duty to do so."

Lin Chuan said with full righteousness, "By the way, may I make a small request?"

"Please, go ahead."

Public Security Captain Li Bing asked.

"I hope that in the anti-gambling publicity, in addition to introducing my identity as an anti-gambling campaigner, my identity as a writer could also be introduced, along with a link to my novel 'Swindler.' This should have an even better promotional effect," Lin Chuan explained.

"Of course!"

Li Bing nodded with a smile, "Your novel can serve as a benchmark for exposing cheating techniques, allowing more people to see it is also a form of anti-gambling!"

"Right, that's what I also think!" Lin Chuan nodded seriously, adding his voice.

[Current work: 'Swindler'.]

[Status: Launched.]

[Popularity Value (Average Subscription): 104/1000.]

The Popularity Value of 'Swindler' was too low right now; he had to figure out ways to attract readers himself.

This joint anti-gambling publicity with Anling Police Station's video platform was the perfect opportunity.

If the publicity effect was good, the Average Subscription should see a significant increase.

Oh right, there was also a 3000 yuan labor subsidy.

Two birds with one stone!

Immediately, Lin Chuan quickly wrote down a series of numbers on the back of a playing card and handed it to Li Bing.

"What is this?"

Li Bing asked, puzzled as he looked at the 'Morse code'.

Lin Chuan smiled, "That's my payment account. When the time comes, the labor subsidy can be transferred directly into my account."

Li Bing and Shen Qianqian smiled at each other, "No problem!"

The anti-gambling publicity matters were settled quickly, scheduled for the night after next.

The filing went smoothly too.

When Lin Chuan stepped out of the police station, it was already nearing dusk.

In the western sky, the fish-scale-like clouds reflected streaks of golden light, adding a touch of dreamy color.

Birds flew back to their nests, their sporadic chirping mixed with the sound of traffic on the roads, becoming peaceful in the remaining glow of the sunset.

At the entrance of the police station.

Lin Chuan took a deep breath.

At that moment, a figure came sprinting over.

It was Old Wang.

The moment Old Wang saw Lin Chuan come out, he rushed over and gave Lin Chuan a big hug, "Old Lin, you finally came out, if you hadn't come out, I would have... "

"You would have what?"

Lin Chuan asked with a smile.

Old Wang chuckled and whispered into Lin Chuan's ear, "I would have made it with Qiqi."

Lin Chuan was taken aback, "???"

Your brother is almost turned into a criminal suspect, and you're romancing outside?

Old Wang chuckled and said, "Thanks to Qiqi's friend arresting you and making you squat in the station, I had plenty of time and space alone with Qiqi, you know what I mean."

"You forget your friends at the sight of beauty."

Lin Chuan turned to walk away.

Old Wang grinned and said, "Old Lin, just kidding, Officer Shen already sent a message briefly explaining your situation to Qiqi while you were filing, so we didn't need to worry. She also said she would treat us to a meal."

"You've known her for half a day, and you're already on a first-name basis," Lin Chuan remarked with amazement.

Old Wang grinned, "You can tell you've never been in love; Qiqi is also in the same profession, we hit it off quite well, it was hate at first sight that we didn't meet sooner."

"Who hasn't been in love?" Lin Chuan retorted, "Have I had fewer romances?"

"How many have you had?"

A soft voice reached Lin Chuan's ears.

Lin Chuan extended his right hand, spreading out all five fingers, "Can't even count on one hand... Huh? Officer Shen, how did you get here?"

"Of course, it's to treat you to dinner as my way of apologizing," Shen Qianqian replied with a beaming smile, batting her eyes, her curved eyelashes like a slender crescent moon, "Just curious, how many exactly have you dated?"

Gossip is second nature, and Officer Shen was no exception.

Lin Chuan's mouth twitched slightly, his hand awkwardly retracting, "Uh, Officer Shen, that's not within the range of information required for the record."

Old Wang on the side laughed, "Officer Shen, Old Lin has never had a girlfriend, he's always home writing books, he's seen very few girls, where would he get a girlfriend from?"

"I can tell."

Shen Qianqian laughed along too.

At this moment, Shen Qianqian was back in casual wear, in a fresh little white dress outlining her slender waist, the hem falling to reveal a stretch of her fair calf. It was a completely different aura to when she was in her police uniform.

Sweet, gentle.

Then, a Mercedes-Benz GLC stopped in front of the three of them.

The driver was none other than Old Wang's blind date.

"Get in."

Xue Qiqi held the steering wheel, sporting sunglasses, looking lively and cool.

Shen Qianqian took the passenger seat.

Lin Chuan murmured into Old Wang's ear, "Is Xue Qiqi really one of us?"

"Yes! She's in female-oriented fiction, sold quite a few rights," Old Wang whispered back.

Lin Chuan suddenly realized, no wonder Shen Qianqian thought 'authors make good money'.

"Looks like you're planning to live off a woman."

Lin Chuan joked again.

Old Wang coughed, "I'm also someone holding great masterpieces, how can it be called living off a woman?"

"Impressive."

Lin Chuan gave a thumbs up.

…

Shen Qianqian had booked a music restaurant.

Inside the restaurant, blue lights flickered, casting a glow on the art paintings hung on the walls. An antique vinyl record player spun slowly, playing a vintage folk song, cozy and romantic.

The four of them sat by the window.

Xue Qiqi was curious about Lin Chuan being taken in for questioning, "Lin Chuan, how did you end up being arrested by Qianqian as a criminal suspect?"

Lin Chuan's face was full of bitterness, "Let Officer Shen explain."

Shen Qianqian smiled lightly, her rosy lips parting slightly, "It wasn't an arrest, it was a summons. The reason I had to summon Lin Chuan has an irresistible cause, a very large cause, which has to do with the books he writes."

"Writing books?"

Xue Qiqi, also a writer, became even more curious upon hearing this.

Shen Qianqian nodded, sharing the story of how Lin Chuan had been mistaken as a criminal suspect and summoned twice.

"Lin Chuan, you really are full of surprises," Xue Qiqi complimented, giving Lin Chuan a thumbs up.

Some people, on the surface, are failed writers, but in reality, they are locksmiths, they are swindlers!

Amazing!

Lin Chuan waved his hands, smiling, "It's all a misunderstanding."

The three writers naturally steered the conversation towards novels.

Xue Qiqi spoke earnestly, "However, your 'Swindler' coincided with Handon and Hongmei, two authors with tens of thousands of average subscriptions, and you were at a big disadvantage in terms of recommendations."

Lin Chuan deeply agreed, "Indeed."

"Actually, there's some insider news," Xue Qiqi said slowly.

"What insider news?"

Lin Chuan and Old Wang were both curious.

Xue Qiqi paused for a moment before dropping a bombshell.

"Sailing Novel will select recent releases for a 'Heroes Compete' event, that is, vying for the first place, with specific rewards unknown."

"Although it's called 'Heroes Compete,' everyone knows it's actually 'The Two Heroes' battle, specially prepared for Handon and Hongmei, the two authors with tens of thousands of average subscriptions. Other books might just be cannon fodder."

"This event should be announced in the next couple of days, Lin Chuan, you should be prepared."