I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 45: St. Petersburg
On the second day after Mikhail left Panaev's house, and on the third day after his new work was released, the two dusty figures finally arrived at the bustling and noisy streets of St. Petersburg after several days of long journey.

They all looked exhausted after sitting in the carriage for several days, but when they thought of the person they were about to meet, they immediately became energetic again, and their dark eyes, similar to Mikhail's, also shone with new light.

But when they thought about the two completely different pieces of news they had received recently, this excitement was inevitably mixed with a bit of worry.

"Dunya, this is unbelievable! I still can't believe that I haven't seen my dear Misha for nearly three years. Why did God separate us for so long?" The old woman, Prikheria, was a little excited and a little frightened, and spoke incoherently.

"Of course, we can't blame God. Maybe this was God's plan? He made Misha study alone for three years, and only then did he achieve what he has today! God knows how happy I was when I read his letter a few days ago! He even sent us thirty rubles. Without that money, we would have had to wait a long time to see you!"

After the excitement subsided, a hint of worry appeared on this face that had been ravaged by time. He took his daughter's arm and continued:

"But why did Pyotr Petrovitch say that Misha was doing nothing in Petersburg, drinking all day, and not only insulting him to his face but also having someone staged a play to deceive him? But if that were the case, how did dear Misha get the money to send us? Did he borrow money from anyone?

But who would be willing to lend Misha thirty rubles in his current condition?"

"Mom, it's because we heard completely opposite news that we came directly to St. Petersburg without telling my brother." Unlike Pulcheria's excitement and panic, the girl was also a little excited, but her face was more of a contemplative look, as if she was thinking about whether the next series of actions were feasible.

"Well, now, as we agreed on the way, let's go to the bookstores and cafes in St. Petersburg and look for the latest issue of 'Fatherland Chronicle' to see if my brother's name is in it.

After we confirm this, we will go to the address of his apartment that my brother left us to see what his current situation is like. Then we can think about what to do next!"

The girl, who was only seventeen years old, was tall and her face was at least 60% similar to Mikhail's, but she looked more gentle and elegant. Her brown hair was slightly lighter than Mikhail's, and her black eyes sparkled.

And when she thought about it, her expression was almost exactly like Mikhail's.

In other words, if he really has to, Mikhail can completely avoid the iron fist of the military police by wearing women's clothes...

Ahem, just kidding, Mikhail said that this is simply impossible...

Now, back to the present, after the young woman said this, Pulcheria's panic-stricken heart suddenly calmed down a lot. After she calmed down, she took a step forward and said:
"Then let's go, Dounia! How I long to see Misha's name in a literary magazine! You must read it to me then. I really want to hear what Misha has written! But he forgot to send us a copy!"

In fact, Mikhail did not forget about this matter, but the sample magazine sent to him arrived too late. As for the other reason, his mother and sister would probably know it soon.

Although Pulcheria and the young girl were not familiar with St. Petersburg, after constantly asking passers-by about the situation, they finally arrived at the bookstore.

Compared with other regions, bookstores in St. Petersburg are undoubtedly much more lively, but since it is a bookstore, it is destined not to be too lively. The daily deserted state is its norm. Only in some special periods and days will it suddenly be crowded with people.

But for Pulcheria and Dunya who came from other provinces, what they saw when they arrived at the bookstore was groups of people constantly coming in and out of the bookstore. Some stayed inside for a long time, but more people seemed to just ask the bookstore owner a question, then shook their heads regretfully and walked out.

Although she wasn't very clear about the specific situation, seeing this lively scene, the plainly dressed Pulheria subconsciously moved a little closer to her daughter before she sighed:

"My dear Dounia, this is St. Petersburg, worthy of the Emperor's presence! Look at these things and these gentlemen! Where can we find such things here? No wonder I hear people say that where the Emperor is, the nobles are kinder, the officials more just, and even the gentlemen here are more educated. When will we ever see such things here?"

"That may take a long time, Mom, but I believe that day will come." After answering her mother's question, the girl from another province hesitated for a while, and finally walked into the bookstore.

A girl like her attracted a lot of people's attention as soon as she came in, but more people focused their attention on the bookshelf, trying to find a copy of "Chronicles of the Motherland" that might have been missed.

Because Pulcheria and Dunya were timid and shy as newcomers to the big city, they were too embarrassed to ask the boss directly. Instead, they looked at the shelves intently, hoping to quickly find the literary magazine that they had been talking about for more than a dozen times.

But after searching again and again, the old woman and the girl became more and more confused.

Why not? I can't find it anywhere!

Could it be that this literary magazine isn't as famous as Misha said, or even that it doesn't exist at all?!

The old woman and the girl looked at each other, and they saw the terrible idea in each other's eyes. In order to avoid being clouded by this fear, the girl bit her lip, and finally made up her mind and walked towards the bookstore owner.

But the bookstore owner's place was surrounded by people, and Dunya could hardly see him. But even so, she still pulled Pulcheria closer, ready to ask if there was a copy of the literary magazine "Fatherland Chronicle" after the crowd dispersed a little.

But as they got closer, the voices of the people surrounding the bookstore owner became clearer and clearer. At first, they were a little stunned, but after they could hear them clearly, they were stunned on the spot:

"Has the Chronicle of the Fatherland arrived?"

"Do you still have the 'Chronicle of the Fatherland'?"

"I asked yesterday, why haven't you asked me yet today?"

"Why not yet?"

.........

The bookstore owner seemed to be annoyed by the constant inquiries and simply raised his voice and shouted:

"No more, no more! It won't arrive until the day after tomorrow at the earliest! Please, gentlemen! You're almost making me deaf with all the noise! ​​Go to a cafe. There are often a few magazines on the counter for people to browse. If you're lucky, you might get one!"

After the people around him gradually dispersed, the bookstore owner rubbed his brows and couldn't help muttering:
"Oh my God, another Gogol! Everyone is criticizing him, yet everyone wants to read his works. Why is that? Take this gentleman today. I've seen so many magazines and so many authoritative figures criticizing his works, but why do so many people want to read them?"

(End of this chapter)