I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 36: Manuscript Fees and Contracts

"Mikhail, a gentleman wants to see you."

When Mikhail just returned to the apartment, the old maid Nastasia came up to him and told him this:

"He's been waiting here for a while."

Nastasya said this while pointing Mikhail in the direction.

Mikhail walked in the direction Nastasia pointed, and soon he saw an elderly gentleman sitting at the dining table. The gentleman looked a bit stiff and old-fashioned, and at this moment his face seemed to be full of complaints.

After seeing Mikhail coming over, the other party seemed to realize something and immediately stood up and said to Mikhail:

"Excuse me, are you Mikhail Romanovich Raskolnikov? Mr. University Student? Or were you a university student in the past? You shouldn't be attending classes anymore, so why aren't you home at this hour? It looks like you've been out drinking."

Mikhail: “?”

It could be heard that the other party seemed to be full of resentment because he had waited for Mikhail for a while, so even though it was the first time they met, the words he said were full of sarcasm.

No buddy, are you okay?
It sounded like Mikhail almost started his greeting with a swear word.

"I'm not," Mikhail, who had a rough guess about the other person's identity, glanced at him and said speechlessly, "Excuse me, is this how you usually talk to people? Sir, your upbringing seems to be a bit problematic."

"Huh?" Hearing Mikhail's words, the well-dressed gentleman was stunned for a moment, and then a look of embarrassment appeared on his face: "Sorry, sir, I thought you were..."

Without listening to the other party finish his words, Mikhail just shook his head, then ignored him and walked straight to his room.

But he went in and the door was not closed. Although Mikhail was a little reluctant to communicate with such a person, some things had to be made clear, so Mikhail sat on his sofa.

Not long after, probably having received accurate information from Nastasia, the gentleman rushed in somewhat angrily. As soon as he entered the door, he looked at Mikhail's residence with an expression of undisguised surprise, and then said:
"Where have I been? There's actually such a place? And why did you lie just now? Do you think I shouldn't have said those things? I specifically found a day and took time out from my busy work to come and talk to you about your mother and your sister."

Perhaps because he felt that he had an advantageous position in his relationship with Mikhail, the well-dressed gentleman did not seem to care too much when speaking. Facing Mikhail's small room, the gentleman even pretended to be a little frightened, as if he had been insulted.

"So you are?"

"Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin."

When he said the name, the man seemed to have a certain arrogance, as if Mikhail was about to stand up and greet him.

It's really you.

You're already in your forties or fifties, why do you still want to be my brother-in-law...

And you are really rude...

Do you think it's a great thing for our family if you marry my sister?
After these thoughts flashed through his mind, Mikhail didn't want to get too entangled with this gentleman, so he simply spoke directly:

"Well, Mr. Pyotr Petrovich, I'm sorry, I was just about to tell you about this, but I've been a little busy lately.

But since you're here, I'll tell you plainly. I don't agree to this marriage, and if you've paid anything before, I'm willing to return it in full after I understand what's going on. Forget about the marriage, and I'll tell my mother and Dunya the same thing when they get here."

However, judging from what was said in the letter, the gentleman had not paid a penny yet, so this matter was easy to handle. Everything was just a verbal agreement, and even his sister Dunya had rarely communicated with the gentleman. "How dare you say that?" After hearing Mikhail's words, the gentleman seemed to be stunned for a moment, staring at Mikhail while looking at the place where Mikhail lived, and then said in disbelief: "Look at where you live..."

Before he could finish his words, Nastasia, who had appeared at Mikhail's door out of nowhere, suddenly interrupted him and said, "Mikhail, another gentleman is here to see you. He seems to want to talk to you about an article."

article?

Mikhail, somewhat puzzled, replied, "Then let him come in directly."

"it is good."

After responding to this, the old maid Nastasya, who had just heard a lot of things, glanced at Pyotr Petrovich standing there, with a hint of blame in her eyes.

How could he say such rude words to Mikhail, who wrote such an article?
And as Nastasya went to pick someone up, she came over with a gentleman in a few moments.

This gentleman also looked well-dressed and looked quite old.

After seeing Mikhail's small room, he was surprised for a moment, but quickly walked in.

However, since the space in the room was indeed a bit cramped, Mikhail said, "Mr. Pyotr Petrovich, I've already told you what I wanted to say. There's no room for maneuver. Could you please make way for this gentleman?"

Although Pyotr Petrovich, who was a little angry, had a lot to say, in the face of this sudden incident, in order to maintain his dignity, he did not say much, but gave way to the gentleman behind him.

But at the same time, he did not leave, but still stood there, as if he wanted to wait until the guest left before continuing to express his opinions and feelings.

And he must write a letter, he must tell his mother and sister everything this former college student did!
Doing nothing, drinking too much, and not even having basic manners!
And no one knew what this gentleman who suddenly arrived was doing here. Why would a gentleman like him, who looked so respectable, come to such a shabby place?

When Peter Petrovich was thinking this, the gentleman who hurried in looked at the man standing beside him with some hesitation. But after Mikhail said, "It's okay, dear sir, just tell me what you want to say." The gentleman no longer hesitated and introduced himself directly.

"Dear Mr. Mikhail Romanovich Raskolnikov, I am Nikodin Fomitch, editor of The Fatherland Chronicle. I have come to pay you for your last two articles and to arrange another. Do you have any new works?"

To be honest, Mikhail had been waiting for this royalty for quite some time, but now, Mikhail did not show any excitement at all. He just wrapped himself in his tattered coat, sat on the tattered little sofa, nodded slightly, and then asked:
"So, how much can you give me as a royalty this time?"

When Mikhail was penniless, twenty rubles was already a high price, and this was obtained by Belinsky for him.

But now, thinking about the magazine's recent surge in circulation, the editor pondered for a moment and then spoke:

"If it's still short stories, two, with the same number of pages as last time, you can get sixty rubles."

Although their boss is quite stingy, this editor is sure that he would agree to the price.

Although Peter, who was standing aside, was still confused by the previous words, his mind suddenly became much clearer when the number 60 rubles came out.

When will articles be priced like this?
Is what he wrote gold?
After hearing this, the elderly gentleman's eyes widened. After listening for a while, he realized that this was not a performance, but the real reality.

After realizing this, Peter once again met Mikhail's eyes, which seemed to have little emotion. After just one glance, he involuntarily moved towards the door.

If I stay any longer, I'll just be bringing shame upon myself.

Peter Petrovich gradually disappeared, and Mikhail also began to change his sister's fate with his pen.
(End of this chapter)