Writing Web Novels In America-Chapter 222 - 218 Funeral

"Old man didn’t have any relatives, right?"

At the old man’s funeral, Wang Jian watched as several slightly disabled young people spoke on stage.

"Mr. John was a respected mentor; he taught us how to truly face life."

"Wang, I always feel these young people are a bit odd; their expressions when they saw you, very much like a police inspecting a criminal."

Tom, who had accompanied Wang Jian to the funeral, whispered to him, "Look behind you, those are the normal reactions when people see you."

Wang Jian turned around and saw many people smiling at him, some even eagerly ready to strike up a conversation.

He quickly turned his head back and continued watching the stage.

Just sighing in his heart, "The old man’s popularity doesn’t seem too good."

When Wang Jian used the old man’s contacts to invite his former colleagues and friends, their first reaction was to pretend not to recognize him.

It wasn’t until someone curiously asked who Wang Jian was and he introduced himself that these people called back to say they would attend the funeral.

Moreover, after these people arrived at the funeral, what they cared about most was not the old man, but themselves.

Even just now, during the ceremony to view the old man’s body, someone was circling around while glancing over in Wang Jian’s direction.

"Wang, do you know?" Lily’s eyes began to redden again, "When I first became a check-in officer, I was very scared."

"Scared of interacting with criminals, even more scared of being hurt by them."

"It was Mr. John’s encouragement that truly made me a check-in officer."

Wang Jian gently patted Lily’s hand, "It’s okay."

"Such a kind man, he surely would go to Heaven."

"Next, may I invite the famous bestselling author Mr. Wang Jian, to give a speech for Mr. John Kramer."

Wang Jian took out a piece of paper from his jacket pocket and slowly walked to the stage.

At that moment, those who were initially disinterested in the audience instantly focused their attention on Wang Jian.

Even, someone pulled out a camera.

Not until Wang Jian frowned and glared fiercely at that person did they sheepishly put the camera away.

"Because of Mr. John Kramer’s encouragement, I am what I am today; he truly was my life mentor."

Wang Jian spoke while looking down at the stage.

He noticed that the young people who also called the old man their mentor were now sizing him up with meaningful glances.

"Damn, they really do look like cops," Wang Jian muttered to himself.

"No, ever since my image started appearing frequently on TV, even the cops have been very respectful toward me, even asking for autographs."

"This is also a major reason why I wanted to move out of the apartment and buy a property."

"And these people, they are like police dogs. I haven’t offended them, have I?"

Wang Jian, uncomfortable under their stares, quickly shifted his gaze.

"When I wrote my first novel ’I’m a Great Mage’, Mr. John Kramer gave me great encouragement."

Hmm?

Why did Tom suddenly take a call and hurriedly leave?

Doesn’t he know that’s very rude?

When Wang Jian finished speaking and stepped down from the stage, he found a young girl had taken Tom’s place.

"Mr. Wang, I’m a fan of your books; could you sign for me?"

Then, Wang Jian saw her pull out a physical copy of ’Arcane Throne’ and hand it over.

"Shit! This is a funeral!" he cursed internally, but he still took the book and signed it.

"Here’s my phone number," the girl took the book back and handed him a slip of paper, "I’m available anytime."

Then, she bent down swiftly and left Wang Jian, returning to her original seat.

Wang Jian furrowed his brows and looked in that direction, where he saw the girl had come with her parents.

The mother noticed Wang Jian’s gaze and flashed him a smile.

The father, however, glared at him furiously.

"Why glare at me? You’re middle-class now; can’t you see that it’s your daughter who is being rude?"

Wang Jian casually tore up the note and muttered, "What’s this, shooting ’Four Weddings and a Funeral’ or something?"

At that moment, Tom hurried back and whispered in Wang Jian’s ear.

"Wang, there’s been an unexpected situation. We need to leave."

Hmm?

Wang Jian glanced at the eager crowd around him and then at Tom before nodding his head.

Indeed, they had to leave, otherwise the old man’s funeral would turn chaotic.

As for not being able to watch the old man’s burial, Wang Jian sighed.

"I’ll buy a bouquet later and come back to pay my respects."

He patted Lily on the shoulder and gestured for her to call.

Lily looked around, slightly stunned, then nodded.

As Wang Jian left, the attendees at the funeral murmured quietly.

Fortunately, most of them were from middle-class families and their basic education prevented them from behaving too disgracefully.

Once in the car, Wang Jian turned to Tom, "Thank you for helping me out, otherwise the funeral would have definitely been disturbed."

"Helping you out?" Tom blinked, shook his head, "I wasn’t just helping out, there really is something going on!"

Hmm?

Wang Jian looked at him quizzically, "What happened? Why all the rush?"

"Wang, NBC released a special report on you in their most popular news documentary segment."

A news report?

Already tired from frequently appearing on TV, Wang Jian nodded absent-mindedly.

"That video has been played a long time, it’s not fresh anymore, it won’t cause any stir."

"It’s not that," Tom’s expression was very serious, "This isn’t the usual video."

"In this video, there are appearances from your former roommate, people you’ve worked with socially, and even childhood friends."

This...

Wang Jian’s mind flashed back to something Lily had once mentioned.

NBC had sent reporters to interview her, but Lily had refused to participate.

What did NBC want?

Wang Jian’s spirits immediately detached from the funeral atmosphere.

"What exactly is in the report? What angle are they taking?"

"It’s not clear yet," Tom shook his head as he continued, "They don’t talk about your work, only your wealth."

"And they even got people who know you to expose your past life."

Tom hesitated for a moment but then spoke up, "Although I don’t know what NBC’s aim is, we need to be prepared."

He added gravely, "The main editor of the program is named Bob Woodward."

"He is very skilled at swaying public opinion."

"How skilled?" Wang Jian asked curiously.

"Wang, have you ever heard of ’Watergate’?"

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢