I’m Really a Superstar

Somewhere else.

In Russia.

The Russian edition officially went on sale.

At a bookstore, the line inside was growing longer and longer.

“I want a copy of Gone with the Wind.”

“Give me five copies.”

“Everyone’s here to buy this book?”

“Yeah, I heard it sold really well abroad. It’s the best-selling book in recent years.”

“I heard about that too. The book is very sought after in America, Canada, and Britain. That is why I also came to buy one to read it. There should be a reason why it’s so popular.”

“I was recommended to read it by other people too.”

“How’s the Russian translation?”

“I don’t know. I heard that it was written by a Chinese person and the translations were even done by the author himself without the help of a translator, although that sounds doubtful.”

“Wow!”

“What is it?”

“This person’s command of the Russian language is really good!”

“Are you serious?”

“I just bought a copy and browsed through it. This translation is so good!”

“I’ll have a look as well—aiyo, it’s true.”

“The way this Russian is expressed is even better than how a native can do it!”

“Is this person Russian or Chinese?”

“I heard that the Chinese edition has also been put on sale in China. It’s not unusual for a person to know three languages, but how many can claim to be proficient in three languages?”

“I’m even more interested in this book now.”

On the same day.

Many Russian bookstores also went out of stock as Gone with the Wind sold crazily on its first day of sales!

Some people bought the book because they simply liked reading novels and would always look for newly published works to read. Meanwhile, others were attracted by the talk surrounding the book. After all, Gone with the Wind had been making a name for itself in the international arena for the past few days. It was very popular, so everyone was curious about what kind of a book it was. Moreover, Russia had quite a few disputes with its neighboring countries over the past two years. There were many incidents that were even brought to the attention of the United Nations, and the international arena was getting worried that a war could break out at any moment. So, within Russia itself, war novels became very popular, which laid the foundations for Gone with the Wind to sell so well.

…

At a Russian publishing house.

“Chief Editor, they’re out of stock!”

“That’s how many stores already?”

“It’s the fifth store!”

“Why is it selling so quickly?”

“I don’t know. We’ve already taken that into consideration and printed 500,000 copies for the initial print run. But we still couldn’t have expected the sales to be this crazy! It’s simply too frightening!”

“Print! Print some more!”

“OK!”

…

At another place.

In China.

The bookstore industry’s reaction was even more astonishing!

Beijing.

Shanghai.

Shenzhen.

Nanjing.

Countless cities.

Countless points of sale.

At this moment, long lines were forming!

“Gone with the Wind! Give me a copy!”

“I want one too!”

“Please give me ten copies! Thank you!”

“Do you still have Gone with the Wind?”

“Sorry, we’re sold out.”

“What? I’ve been lining up since morning!”

“Why is it sold out already?”

“Damn, I’ve been waiting for Teacher Zhang’s new book for a very long time!”

“Why aren’t you all bringing in more stock! Why are you all so dumb! That’s Face-smacking Zhang’s book, and which book of his hasn’t sold well in the past? Why didn’t you all consider that beforehand!”

“Yeah, I only managed to get Fortress Besieged the last time round after waiting in line for three days! You people are so incapable. You don’t even know how to plan your stock orders? It’s Face-smacking Zhang’s book we’re talking about. Even a first print of two million copies wouldn’t satisfy the demand locally, much less abroad! Just by Zhang Ye’s name alone, who wouldn’t buy a copy of it to read?”

…

On Weibo.

The Chinese release of Gone with the Wind was already making headlines!

“Did anyone manage to get it?”

“I couldn’t get a copy. I was a step too late!”

“*cries* Me neither! *flips table*”

“Hahaha, I managed to buy one!”

“I’ve already read over twenty pages of the book. It’s so wonderful!”

“This is such a complete change from Zhang Ye’s previous styles! But it’s still very nice to read! The description of life during the war is amazing! It feels as though Zhang Ye really lived during that period!”

“The characters in the book are outstanding too!”

“The racial tensions are palpable and run deep!”

“Eh, the war really affected the livelihood of people. Zhang Ye has made his point on this really well. This novel is absolutely on the level of a world-famous work! It’s no wonder it’s been so well-received in the international market!”

“Face-smacking Zhang has finally managed to become a little more international!”

“He has really defied the Heavens this time!”

“True that, I never expected that he could write a novel like this!”

“I’ve looked through a few pages, but I didn’t quite like it. Still, I bought ten copies!”

“Previous poster, why did you do that?”

“To collect! If you don’t buy Zhang Ye’s book, you aren’t Chinese!”

“Pfft, Face-smacking Zhang has really got a lot of fans!”

“Of course, the number one of the Chinese entertainment circle is not just for show. In order for Face-smacking Zhang to march into the international celebrity rankings, I’ve got to do my part as well!”

“Supporting Zhang Ye’s foray into the international entertainment circle!”

“Right, China should have had a celebrity who can stand firmly in the international celebrity rankings long ago! Zhang Yuanqi couldn’t do it, Xu Meilan couldn’t do it, and Guan Zhaohua was also unable to do it. It’s all up to Zhang Ye now. That scammer of a fellow is full of ideas, so I would also like to see if he can break into the international scene and start some trouble there!”

“Well said! I’ll go buy five books too!”

Thus, Gone with the Wind also sold like crazy in China!

This was also where it sold the most crazily in the whole wide world!

…

At the Chinese Writers’ Association.

“W-Was this written by Zhang Ye?”

“This is so impressive!”

“I’ve heard that bookstores everywhere are already out of stock for this book.”

“Yes, it seems to be the case for Russia too.”

“It’s even selling well in the non-English-speaking countries?”

“Perhaps he really does stand a chance of winning the Nobel Prize.”

“I really dislike Zhang Ye as a person. But if he can really bring back an unprecedented Nobel Prize, I’ll be the first person to clap for him!”

“Does he really have a chance?”

“That depends on the Nobel Committee.”

…

India.

“What? That Chinese writer’s novel has broken sales records?”

“Is he thinking of competing with us for the Nobel Prize?”

“He only has one book to his name, how dare he?”

“The Nobel Prize in Literature will surely be ours this time!”

“That’s right! We didn’t manage to get it the previous time around, but it will definitely be ours this time! Teacher Bangalore has been accumulating reputation for ten years and has released seven or eight best-selling novels. This Chinese guy has only got one book, so there’s basically nothing to worry about. Hai, if it weren’t for Teacher Bangalore’s temper and his character, he wouldn’t have had to wait for ten years to get a Nobel Prize.”

…

At the committee for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

“Gone with the Wind?”

“This novel has very strong momentum right now.”

“I’ve read it. It’s truly worth recommending!”

“This is indeed a good novel. But there are some topics in it that are quite insensitive.”

“I don’t find it insensitive at all. What was written in the book is really just a naked manifestation of the contradictions during those times. This is absolutely a great work in the history of literature!”

“You’ve got such a high opinion of it, Stanford?”

“Yes, I love this book to death!”

“Zhang Ye?”

“This person is worth giving attention to.”

…

With three different language editions of the book.

Gone with the Wind was selling exceptionally well in countries around the world!

Suddenly, the international focus on Zhang Ye and his popularity also started increasing. As such, he was now a big step closer to the international celebrity rankings!