There is nothing wrong with the training method of the Justice Messenger

This is a good thing indeed.

But this is not what Li Nian needs.

What he needs is not praise, but correction of his shortcomings.

However, for An Yi, who has already fallen in love with this book, it is no longer possible for him to take a critical stance and give it an objective evaluation.

When people subjectively like something, they will spare no effort to beautify it. As an avid otaku, Amaki is actually a representative of this type. Such people can easily become a fanatical fan of a certain work - and thus turn a blind eye to all its shortcomings.

The more Li Nian heard An Yi praising him, the more he realized that this guy's praise was poison and a deception - because in fact he knew very well that he, Li Nian, had not been as perfect as An Yi said.

It's not just An Yi, probably all ordinary readers are the same.

What readers need is a good enough story, not to play the role of a critic, which is not their obligation.

A good enough story may be able to meet the needs of readers, but the author’s position is different. What the author needs to pursue is always to write a better story.

Perhaps some people would be satisfied with this step, and would choose to compromise and give up, but Li Nian would not be satisfied with this. He clearly understands that a work will become more substantial and refined in content as it is carefully considered, and its value will be further sublimated. He does not seek to really reach that level, but just feels that since he has done it, he must do his best. For this reason, Li Nian will not allow himself to be blinded by the voices of praise.

When it comes to evaluation, I should really look for someone with a higher vision, such as...

Listening to An Yi's endless chatter, Li Nian thought of another person...

Chapter 109: Temporarily Lack of Opportunity

An Yi was planning to continue speaking, but Kato had disappeared at some point. Li Nian had almost heard enough and couldn't help but interrupt An Yi.

"Okay, you've blown me up so much that I can't get down from here. Thank you so much for thinking so highly of me."

"Because it's really great!" An Yi couldn't calm down after getting excited, and had an expression that showed he was still unsatisfied: "How should I put it? The choice of subject matter and the plot are obviously old-fashioned. Exorcists and demon kings are already clichés..."

He didn't notice that when he said this, Wu Geng behind him trembled all over, and Li Nian also smiled bitterly, because it was indeed as An Yi said, the subject matter related to exorcists was something that had been written to death in Japan in this world.

But An Yi continued.

"But what can I say? The feeling given by your writing is just different from that of others!"

Only this compliment made Li Nian, whose ears were almost callused, hear something. He keenly caught something and immediately asked, "You said it feels different? What exactly is it?"

An Yi thought about it, and carefully said after considering her words: "...I just feel that everything is fresh! It seems fresh and unique and unconventional...Is this the feeling?"

It's the same as saying nothing. This summary is too vague. Li Nian was confused and couldn't figure out what exactly made him feel fresh. He opened his mouth, but on second thought, he gave up asking in depth. Sentiments are inherently vague and subjective opinions. It would be too difficult for An Yi to explain them.

"Really?... I see. I already know that you think it's wrong after reading it. Anyway, let's leave this topic here."

"What do you think? Is what I said valuable for reference?" An Yi licked his dry lips and pounded his chest as if to ask for credit.

Li Nian secretly shook his head in his heart. Perhaps An Yi's words would be very effective in promoting the book to the general public. He praised the book to the skies and provided convincing evidence. He described his manuscript as having the aura of a "masterpiece". But as for any reference value to the author... there is almost none.

Li Nian didn't say anything, but nodded with a smile: "It's very valuable for reference. I'm so excited and confident now. Thank you very much."

If it were someone else, he would probably be so flattered that he would lose all sense of purpose.

"That's good." An Yi nodded with satisfaction, and then asked curiously, "By the way, you want to submit this, right?"

"That's it."

"It seems that I will be able to see your works on the bookshelf in the near future. Tsk, tsk, tsk, just think that one day I will be able to witness my friend become a god... If you count [Kasumi Shiko], this small Sobu High School can actually produce two gods!"

An Yi no longer had any doubts about Li Nian's ability to win the award and obtain publishing qualifications through fierce competition, and even began to look forward to the future of a rising star in the light novel industry, and also put "Kasumi Shiko" on the altar.

"...Really, please stop milking."

As Li Nian said this, a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. Although he knew very well that he was not as good as An Yi said, and he restrained himself from being overwhelmed by the voices of praise, it was always a good feeling to be recognized by others.

But speaking of Kasumi Shiko - the senior sister Kasumigaoka Shiyu, Li Nian did think of her just now.

Agreeing to show him the ending as soon as it was written, Li Nian sent An Yi away and turned to greet her deskmate.

"Gogen-san."

"What? If you want to show off to others, please don't come to me." Wu Geng said lightly while packing up his lunch box.

Li Nian was stunned for a moment, and heard a hint of tension in her words. He knew that she had not seen the conversation here, and she might not be as calm as she appeared. She must have been a little irritated. However, Li Nian did not bring up this topic tactlessly, and she did not come to Wu Geng to talk about this.

"…I just want to ask if you remember one thing?"

"what?"

"It was at Kasumi Shiko's book signing event last time. I remember you were there too, wearing some strange clothes..."

"That's not a weird outfit!" Gogen immediately glared at him excitedly, "You ignorant fellow, can't you recognize that it's a complete set of cosplay of the Night Demon Queen from "Maschera ~The Wail of the Demonic Beast~"?!"

"...I really can't recognize him. Just hearing the name is enough to make me back off...Speaking of which, it would be even weirder if someone wore cosplay clothes and walked down the street without hesitation, right?"

"Hmph. I never expected you mortals to understand my taste."

"..." Li Nian decided not to argue with her about this: "Anyway, since you appeared at the book signing event, you must have seen the true face of that [Xia Shizi]. Do you remember who she is?"

Gogen smiled and said, "I saw her. I was shocked when I found out that she was the third-year senior from Kasumigaoka. What's wrong? You don't think you can compete with her? Are you thinking about how to seduce her now?"

"You really don't hesitate to speculate on my intentions with malicious intent... I mean, if you want to seek advice, haven't you thought that that person is the most appropriate person?"

She is a professional writer who has already published works. Although the sales do not seem to be very good, Li Nian thinks that her works are indeed very beautiful and that her ability is already at the top level. If she is to be sought for advice, there will be no one in this school who would be a higher choice than her.

Wu Geng was silent for a moment, then answered.

"It's not like I haven't thought about it, but... it's not quite appropriate because I feel that the distance between me and that person is too far."

"..."

Wu Geng's voice sounded a bit lonely and depressed, which made Li Nian realize that when she said "too far away", she was probably considering more than just the distance in interpersonal relationships...

Wu Geng suddenly changed the subject, sweeping away his dejected look, and spoke in a sarcastic tone.

"Since you are so confident and invincible, you probably don't think so, right? Then why don't you just go and shamelessly approach me? I'll wait for you to come back in a state of disgrace after being beaten to a pulp."

"...No, I was just talking."

Li Nian knew that they had only met once, so it was indeed a bit inappropriate to approach her like this. Moreover, Li Nian was not as desperate for recognition as Wu Geng was, and was not that eager to ask for anyone's opinion. So Li Nian gave up the idea of ​​looking for [Xia Shizi] and stopped thinking about that senior sister.

"So now, you just need to wait patiently for the evaluation from the Service Department tomorrow."

"Do you really expect Hikigaya and the others to explain it?"

"The opinions of the common people are the most valuable for reference. Just wait, I will definitely win this time."

"...I just hope that I won't give opinions that are worthless like what An Yi did today."

I have no time these two days as I have to work on the project and prepare for the final defense. I have been sitting on the train for a whole day today and I have to take the CET-4 tomorrow morning. My mind is so confused that I can't write anything.

The past month has been really tiring for me, with so many things piling up. But now that my internship is over and I've finished the Level 4 exam, I finally have nothing else to do and I can be considered to have some free time. As the title says, I will start to speed up the updates in the near future.

Emmmm...I want to drink pigeon soup to nourish my body!

Chapter 110 Waiting and Expecting

After finishing work and returning to Sakurasou, Li Nian came to the living room and found that for some reason, everyone was gathered here.

Kanda was pacing back and forth in front of the table, Shiina and Aoyama were feeding the cats, Jin was sitting there chatting with someone on his phone, and next to him Kamiigusa was watching anime while gesticulating and making meaningless noises.

Although they were all doing their own things, all the students of Sakurasou had gathered in this small living room, except for Ryunosuke who had not come out of his room until now.

"Student Li Nian is back too."

Kanda stopped pacing when he noticed Li Nian coming back, and was the first to say hello. Everyone looked over. After Li Nian smiled and responded, he asked curiously, "Is it time for dinner already?"

"Ah? No, it's still early. I haven't done anything yet."

Kanda shook his head. For some reason, his expression seemed a little anxious and absent-minded.

According to the duty roster, it is Kanda's turn to cook today. Since he said so, it proves that Li Nian's guess was wrong... and that's why Li Nian felt strange.

"Really? Then it's really strange that everyone would gather here in the living room."

As Li Nian spoke, he put down his schoolbag, dragged a stool and sat down, wanting to drink some water to quench his thirst.

Kanda gave him a strange look when he heard that.

"Student Li Nian, don't you know that today is the day when the results of the Newcomer Award will be announced?"

"Ah?" Li Nian paused as he brought a glass of water to his mouth and asked blankly, "What newcomer award?"

"Comics! Comics drawn by Shiina! Didn't she submit a Newcomer Award? You wouldn't have forgotten, would you?"

Li Nian suddenly realized that he was talking about the comic that Shiina had submitted for the Rookie Award: "Well, I didn't forget, but the result will be announced today? Sorry, I really didn't know."

"Didn't I mention this at dinner? Ah, it's true that you went back to your room very quickly after dinner that day, so you weren't there when this topic was brought up."

Did you miss the news when you were in a hurry to go back and write?

"That's why you all gathered here, waiting for news..."

Li Nian looked at Shiina over there. Success or failure depended on this. It was the day to test whether the long-term hard work and efforts had paid off. Whether she could pass the rookie award meant whether she could get serialized. The result should be of vital importance to Shiina who aspired to become a cartoonist. At such an important time, this child should be more nervous than anyone else, but she was still the same as usual, and there was no sign of nervousness on her face.

At this moment, she was concentrating on feeding the cat.

The seven cats were all circling around Aoyama, and for some reason they completely avoided Shiina, but she still persevered in challenging him.

Whether it was Xiaoguang, Xiwang, or Mu Ling, they all turned their heads away.

Finally Shiina turned around.

"Korata, what did you do?"

"Why do you bring this to me?"

"Kōta's cat bullied me."

"Don't blame me!"

"I obviously wanted them to become tigers."

"Even if a cat grows up, it won't turn into a tiger! It will just turn into a fat cat!"

"...The real owner doesn't seem to be panicked at all." Li Nian sighed blankly.

"Yeah, the most panicked person here is Kota." Ren said with a smile, "You don't know how many times he had circled the table before you came back. Looking at that scene, I was worried for him."

Li Nian asked why Kanda looked anxious today, and it turned out that he was worried about the result of the Newcomer Award for Shiina.

"That's how Kanda-kun is." Aoyama nodded in agreement: "He cares more about other people's affairs than his own."

She scratched the white cat Xiaoguang's chin and asked with a smile: "Don't you think so, Xiaoguang?"

"Meow~~~" Xiaoguang made a comfortable sound.

Li Nian chuckled and nodded. If it weren't for his personality, Kanda wouldn't have adopted so many cats. This boy is too much of a nice guy.

However, when it comes to the newcomer award, Li Nian did become a little concerned and he asked Shiina.

"Shiina-san, you are so calm. Are you confident that you can pass the review and win the award this time?"

Shiina shook his head, his eyes still on the cat that was circling around Aoyama and acting coquettishly: "I'm not sure."

"…Then you are not in a hurry?"

"Because there's no use in worrying."

Li Nian was stunned for a moment, then thought about it and realized that this was indeed the case, but he didn't know if Shiina was just saying nice words to please the audience. He looked at her carefully and the girl's expressionless face did not show any fluctuation.

Li Nian recalled the dazzling awards that Shiina had participated in online, and couldn't help but feel amused - what was she doubting? Compared with the international awards that Shiina had participated in and won, what was a mere magazine newcomer award?

This seemingly frail girl in front of me is actually a genuine world-class painter. It can be said that she is more famous than anyone in Sakurasou. It would be strange if she didn't have this kind of self-control.

But even a world-class painter...

"Dontmind Mashiro! I know if it's you, you will be able to defeat all the scum in your way like autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves and get selected!" Misaki jumped up and gave Shiina a thumbs up as encouragement.

"Isn't it too rude to the other contestants to say that..."

"Korata doesn't want Shiina to be selected?!"

"How is that possible!" Kota shook his head. "I've seen Shiina's recent efforts. I know better than anyone how much effort she put into this manuscript. She draws all the time... If she can't be selected, then God must be playing a bad joke on us."

Kanda was the person who had been responsible for taking care of Shiina before Aoyama came. As the one closest to Shiina, he naturally understood better than anyone how hard Shiina worked. Other people in Sakurasou would not doubt this because everyone could see how much Shiina focused on painting.

But Li Nian was not as optimistic as they were. On the contrary, he still had many doubts at this time.