Chapter 35: Strike While the Iron Is Hot

“These days, the top scorers in the college entrance exam are incredibly multi-talented. They can get perfect marks in math, compose essays in classical Chinese, and even find the time to write a Sherlock Holmes fan fiction,” editor Zhou Ling remarked with a sigh. “The waves of the Yangtze push ever forward, and sure enough, the old waves are left behind on the shore.”

Li Hongjuan, unable to resist, revealed another tidbit. “This issue doesn’t just feature a story by Zhang Chu. His father, Zhang Bowen, also submitted a piece—‘The Principle of Deduction.’ If I hadn’t checked the addresses and noticed their IDs listed the same home, we might have missed this entirely.”

“No wonder both stories place Holmes in a modern setting—turns out the authors are father and son!” Wan Yuan exclaimed enviously. “I didn’t become a writer myself; clearly, my own dad failed to set me on the right path.”

At that moment, Liu Qiao was checking her email submission log. “‘Detective Sherlock’ was sent to us on June 12, so Zhang Chu wrote it shortly after finishing his exams. The difference between geniuses and us ordinary folk is truly staggering.”

The previously silent middle-aged man, Li Yuanqing, suddenly spoke up. “I can’t believe ‘Detective Sherlock’ was written in such a short time. If a ghostwriting scandal involving father and son broke out in our magazine, the impact would be disastrous.”

“He’s the top scorer, after all—someone who could write ‘The Death of Red Hare’ shouldn’t need his father to ghostwrite for him, right?” Wan Yuan replied cautiously, not wanting direct conflict with Li Yuanqing.

“You can never truly know someone’s heart. Maybe they’re trying to create a prodigy author for publicity. I’m just saying—it would be best to verify things.”

Zhou Ling couldn’t let that slide. Usually as genial as Maitreya Buddha himself, he was fiercely protective of ‘The Principle of Deduction,’ which he had discovered. He wouldn’t tolerate even a hint of slander.

“Mr. Li, that’s not fair. ‘The Principle of Deduction’ and ‘Detective Sherlock’ may both be set in the present day, but their stories are quite different, and so is the writing. Anyone can tell they’re the work of different authors.”

“That’s right. ‘The Principle of Deduction’ is noticeably more polished and focuses more on narrative flow. ‘Detective Sherlock’ is a bit rougher, more intent on honoring the original and obsessed with detail.”

While the group was debating, the door to the chief editor’s office swung open. Editor-in-chief Chen Haodong, bespectacled and stern, strode out. “What’s all this commotion about?”

Everyone fell silent instantly, including Li Yuanqing, who knew better than to provoke his old colleague in one of his tempers.

“Wan, you explain—what’s going on?”

Summoned by name, Wan Yuan had no choice but to step forward and explain. “Ms. Li just told us that Zhang Chu, this year’s top science scorer in Jiangdong Province, is the author of ‘Detective Sherlock.’ And that Zhang Chu’s father, Zhang Bowen, also wrote a piece for our magazine, titled ‘The Principle of Deduction.’ Mr. Li suggested there might be ghostwriting involved…”

Chen Haodong had little interest in internal squabbles; all he cared about was the prospect of a top scorer. “Is this true? Did the top scorer really write ‘Detective Sherlock’?”

If it was true, then "Ages of Mystery" had just struck gold.

Li Hongjuan nodded emphatically. “That’s what the payment information says, anyway. It’s Zhang Chu.”

“Then what are you all bickering about?” Chen Haodong slammed his hand on the table. “Spread the word! Announce it far and wide! Out of all the magazines in the country, who else can claim to have published a story by the top scorer?”

The editorial staff scattered in all directions, no one daring to object.

For "Ages of Mystery," this was a windfall from heaven. The exam results had just been released—the whole country, media and netizens alike, was paying attention. No other top scorers could match Zhang Chu’s popularity, and now it was revealed he wrote fiction. Even if just a fraction of that attention spilled over onto the magazine, it would be enough to transform its fortunes.

This was the moment "Ages of Mystery" could break out from niche obscurity into the mainstream. Chen Haodong’s aging heart seemed to beat with new vitality.

...

The magazine’s official microblog account had less than fifty thousand followers, but that didn’t stop it from trending.

“He’s extraordinarily gifted, adept at observation, the memory palace, and deductive reasoning—a truly rational mind. He also possesses unusual physical strength and a genius for disguise and acting. On top of that, he’s a skilled boxer, master of Bartitsu, psychological modeling, and tracking. He is Sherlock Holmes! Jiangdong Province’s 2018 top science scorer Zhang Chu’s new work, ‘Detective Sherlock,’ appears in the August issue of Ages of Mystery. Don’t miss it!”

At first glance, it was just a routine book promotion, yet replies flooded in and reposts soared. Numerous marketing accounts joined the wave, adding fuel to the fire.

The microblog comedy chart posted: “This year’s top scorer writes fiction? And about Sherlock Holmes, no less—I’m intrigued.”

Xiao Ye, the queen of snark, chimed in: “Poisonous Chicken Soup King Zhang Chu has a hidden talent! Ages of Mystery magazine is on fire!”

“Book Lovers’ Insights” added: “I wonder if our top scorer can handle the detective genre.”

Other accounts like “I Was Shocked at the Time” and “Little Vest” reposted as well—some paid promotions by the magazine, others opportunists chasing the trend.

It was money well spent.

Even the official account for the film “Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective” posted: “Heard our Jiangdong top scorer wrote a fan piece—looking forward to ‘Detective Sherlock.’”

This was essentially a direct endorsement from Warner Bros., the film’s producer. The whole fanfic contest was meant to boost ticket sales, and spending just a million or two yuan for such massive buzz—this had to be the marketing team’s most successful project yet.

Only now did netizens realize what was happening. For many, this was their first time ever hearing of "Ages of Mystery."

“Did he make the cut early, or did they open the door after he became the top scorer?”

“No wonder he’s the top scorer—even likes Holmes and writes stories.”

“I want to buy a copy to see for myself. Where is it sold?”

"Ages of Mystery, huh… I haven’t bought it in two or three years. Might pick it up again this time.”

“I wonder if the top scorer’s fiction is as good as his essays.”

“What kind of obscure magazine is this? Never heard of it.”

“I have a bad feeling—what if Zhang Chu really wrote a classical Chinese version of Sherlock Holmes?”