In the blink of an eye, more than a month had passed since Lin Zichen’s novel went online.

The first month’s royalties had arrived.

Over eighty thousand yuan.

Lin Zichen was a little excited when he saw the number.

His parents were even more thrilled, saying geniuses truly excel at everything they do.

“Xiao Chen, take this bank card. Your author account is linked to it. In a few days, when the website transfers the royalties, the money will go straight to this card,” Lin Yansheng said as he handed it to him, “Since you earned this money yourself, you can spend it however you want. We won’t interfere.”

Lin Zichen accepted the card and nodded.

* * *

A few days later, once the royalties arrived, he immediately went to the mall to buy Violent Eagle meat for devouring.

This time, instead of asking the old landlord for help, he went directly to the counter and asked the salesperson whether there was a discount for bulk purchases of Aberrant Beast meat.

The answer was yes—if he bought one hundred catties at once, he’d get a five percent discount.

Learning that, Lin Zichen decided to wait until he had enough money to buy the full hundred catties in one go.

It would only take until next month anyway.

* * *

The next day.

At school, as soon as the bell rang, Lin Zichen and Shen Qinghan headed toward the cafeteria.

A few days earlier, a new stir-fry station had opened and many students said the chef’s food was delicious.

After hearing that yesterday, Shen Qinghan had told Lin Zichen she wanted to try it.

He agreed.

So today, both of them came without packed lunches, planning to eat in the cafeteria.

They walked quickly and when they arrived, there wasn’t much of a line.

Seeing that, Shen Qinghan hurried over with Lin Zichen to the stir-fry station and ordered three dishes—one meat and two vegetables.

Because they were early, there was no line and within twenty minutes their food was ready.

Carrying their plates, they found an empty seat and started eating.

While they were eating, a long line began to form.

“Xiao Chen, good thing we came early. Otherwise, we’d be stuck in that line,” Shen Qinghan said, looking at the queue stretching almost out the door.

“Yeah,” Lin Zichen replied simply.

Just then, an argument broke out in one of the lines.

“Why are you cutting the line? Go to the back!”

“I’m not cutting. My deskmate saved me a spot.”

“Saving a spot still counts as cutting. Get to the back!”

“I’m cutting my deskmate’s spot, not yours, what’s your problem?”

“Are you stupid? Your deskmate’s in front of me. Cutting his spot means cutting mine too!”

“So what if I am?”

“...”

Amid the shouting, Lin Zichen recognized He Yu’s voice.

He looked over and sure enough, it was He Yu arguing with someone.

Apparently, someone had cut in front of He Yu and He Yu was giving him an earful.

“Xiao Chen, He Yu’s fighting with someone. Should we go check it out?” Shen Qinghan asked, ready to step in since He Yu had been wronged.

“No need,” Lin Zichen said calmly, “He Yu’s got quite the temper. Looks like the guy’s already backing down.”

Indeed, the line-cutter, realizing he was in the wrong, couldn’t win the argument and soon backed off.

Just when everyone thought it was over, several boys from another line suddenly stepped out and joined the troublemaker, cutting right in front of He Yu again.

He Yu froze, then flared up, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Nothing special,” one of them said arrogantly, “Just cutting in front of you.”

He Yu was furious and tried to shove them away—only to find he couldn’t budge them at all.

They were much stronger than him.

Seeing that, Lin Zichen stood up and walked over.

He stopped in front of He Yu, looked at the boys and said evenly, “Out.”

One of them sneered, “And what if I don’t?”

Lin Zichen took out his phone, recording them as he said, “Then I’ll report you.”

Their faces changed immediately—they hadn’t expected him to be that shameless.

Normally, students handled things privately rather than reporting to teachers or administrators.

Who would be so lacking in martial virtue?

But within moments, they all backed off, afraid of being caught on video.

As they passed Lin Zichen, one of them scoffed, “Resorting to reporting? Pathetic.”

“I think cutting in line is more pathetic,” Lin Zichen replied coolly.

The boy fell silent, humiliated and quickly walked away.

The rest followed suit.

* * *

Shanhai City, inside a villa in the wealthy district.

The Rat God Cult leader had gathered all his followers for a meeting.

Not many people—just about twenty.

Once everyone was there, the cult leader began, “Sha Qiang is dead. He went crazy and picked a fight with the Security Team near the market. Lost his life for it.”

Someone clapped and said, “Good riddance. That lunatic was always causing trouble. I was hoping he’d die sooner before he dragged us all down.”

The cult leader ignored him and motioned for a young man standing behind him to step forward.

“This young man is new. He’ll be taking Sha Qiang’s position. Everyone, get to know him.”

Then he continued, “Also, the Rat God told me that ordinary humans taste bad. From now on, we’re to offer the flesh of those high above—the elites. Make sure you don’t bring the wrong sacrifices.”

Someone spoke up, “Cult Leader, isn’t that too risky?”

Another agreed, “Yeah, ordinary people disappearing is fine, but if someone important goes missing, it’ll cause big trouble.”

The Rat God Cult leader said, “Target wealthy men without power. That minimizes risk.”

Then he turned to the newcomer, “You’re new, so don’t target the elites yet. Start by catching a handsome young man as a warm-up offering. Deliver him to one of the Rat God’s divine sons as a sacrifice.”

The newcomer asked, puzzled, “Why handsome? Can’t it be someone ugly?”

“Because the Rat God loves beautiful things,” the leader explained.

“I see,” the newcomer nodded, smiling confidently, “Don’t worry, Cult Leader. I’ll present the most handsome offering in the city to the divine son.”