I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 22 The Stingy and Generous Master
Mikhail was so absorbed in his reading that he didn't actually pay much attention to the audience. He was just immersed in the emotions of the novel, telling about his own experiences and his expectations of returning home with a childish innocence, but this narration inevitably carried a sense of heaviness in some parts.

After all, things like this do happen all over Russia today, and most of them are unknown to the public. They are just like sand, blown away silently by the wind of history.

Mikhail's recitation was quite emotional, and as the novel progressed, the dining table, which had been a bit noisy, suddenly became much quieter.

The small businessman Versilov, who had been a little impatient at first, looked much more serious. Occasionally he twisted his body as if feeling guilty, and he didn't know where to look.

Smirnov, a small civil servant of the fourteenth rank, was already prepared to laugh heartily. He wanted to give the young man some encouragement and share his experience in telling funny stories with him.

Therefore, at the beginning, Smirnov even put on a smile and gave Mikhail an encouraging look.

But now, Smirnov's smile had frozen, and the corners of his mouth sank down little by little, until his face was full of pain.

Even the small landowner Tusenbacher, who had been persistently putting food into his mouth, suddenly stopped at some point, raised his head and listened blankly to Mikhail's recitation.

Before he knew it, the eyes of this elderly man were filled with tears.

Even Nastasya, the old maid with green eyes who just wanted to watch the fun at first, was stunned where she was. The green light in her eyes had long disappeared, leaving only a cold and dull feeling like the weather in St. Petersburg.

As for Tsarina Pavlovna in this small apartment, this woman as heavy and resolute as a mountain, she was originally indifferent, with only her precious samovar in her eyes. But as she listened, she pursed her lips and wrinkled her fierce face, as if she had suddenly become angry with someone.

And when Mikhail's story comes to an end:

"He settled down with good hopes, and an hour later, he fell into a deep sleep..."

When the story finally ended, Tsarina Pavlovna in the small apartment was the first person to take action. She slowly walked to Mikhail's side, took away Mikhail's empty teacup, and then refilled it for Mikhail.

As he placed the book in front of Mikhail, the Tsar in the small apartment spoke slowly in a gentle tone Mikhail had never heard before: "It's a very good story, respected Mikhail, you wrote it very well. Have some tea, drink more!"

When Pavlovna spoke, the quiet atmosphere in the room was immediately broken. Among them, the elderly small landowner Tusenbach was the first to cry out:
"Poor child! He was so much like my little grandson. Just as innocent, just as affectionate towards his grandfather, but he passed away from typhoid fever several years ago! Fortunately, he didn't suffer too much, but such a little life was still smiling at me yesterday, climbing onto my knees to play, how could he be gone so suddenly?"

While crying, the old man couldn't help but look at Mikhail and asked:

"What happened next, respected Mikhail? Was the poor child picked up by his grandfather? Can he live the happy life he once had?"

"Of course, dear Tusenbach." Looking at the old man who was recalling the sad memories of the past, Mikhail spoke gently, "He will soon be able to escape from his suffering, reunite with his grandfather, and live a better life than before."

"Oh, God bless him!"

Isn't that right?

Although the young civil servant wanted to ask this question, after looking at the old man who was crying so sadly and then at Mikhail with a gentle face, Smirnov immediately understood what was going on, so he couldn't help but praise him:

"It's so well written, Mikhail! You're truly a university student! This is the best story I've ever heard in my life. It's more powerful than a hundred jokes! I never thought such a novel could exist in Russia today!"

While saying this, Smirnov did not forget the small merchant Versilov beside him, so he quickly turned around and asked his opinion:
"What do you think of Versilov? Do you understand? What do you think of this novel?" "It's not bad," Versilov muttered, though a little embarrassed. "But what's the use of such a novel? How can it be more valuable than the ruble? People just read it, and that's all."

Because the words were vague, most people didn't hear clearly in the noisy situation. After Versilov muttered for a while, he suddenly looked up at the time and immediately became panicked:

"Oh my God! I have a business to discuss. How come it's already this late? I have to go."

Although he immediately started to act, before leaving, the small merchant Versilov took off his hat and saluted Mikhail:
"Dear Mikhail, do you want to continue reading? Is it possible that you have published more than just this one work?"

"There is one more, Mr. Versilov. But it's almost time now, and everyone is busy. If there is another opportunity later and you are still willing to listen, I will find a time to read the other novel again."

"That's perfect! I'm leaving! I'm leaving!"

After saying this, Versilov hurriedly avoided the junior clerk Smirnov, who seemed to want to say something, and walked straight downstairs.

In order to save time, Versilov hurriedly stopped a carriage. After telling the time and place, he temporarily relaxed behind the carriage and waited for the carriage to stop at the destination.

But for some reason, the novel that Mikhail had just read was still echoing in Versilov's mind. In order to get rid of this influence, Versilov unconsciously looked at the coachman in front of him.

A tattered coat, a young face that still looked childish but already very rough, and cheeks that were red from the cold.

But for some reason, the young man was not tired at all, and was even a little excited.

Versilov didn't know why he noticed these things that he would never care about on normal days. But when he arrived at the destination, looking at the young face, Versilov hesitated for a long time before he handed over the fare with a painful heart.

"A kopeck more, sir!"

"Here you go, here you go, take it and have something to eat, young man."

Oh God! I must be crazy!

Waving his hand painfully, Versilov quickened his pace, ready to leave this sad place quickly.

After watching Versilov leave, the young coachman hurriedly got on the carriage, ready to pick up a customer.

Today is an unusual day!

The young gentlemen in St. Petersburg are going crazy today!
They would often give several more kopecks, and it was said that some people even received rubles!
There is no doubt that today is a good day to try your luck.

However, such good things almost only happened to young gentlemen. The young coachman did not expect that an old gentleman like Versilov, who looked a bit sarcastic, could give so much more.

But it is indeed quite stingy, which is in line with the style of such a master...

(End of this chapter)