Writing Web Novels In America-Chapter 100 - 101

In the end, Leonard still couldn’t get any extra pocket money from his mother.

However, he managed to earn enough money by helping neighbors trim their lawns and engaging in other laborious tasks.

Unfortunately, the computer store in their small, remote town didn’t have the game in stock on its release day.

Consequently, Leonard waited with great anticipation for a whole day.

Finally, after school on December 9th, he got hold of the game disc.

Excited, Leonard ran home and after washing his hands and using the restroom,

he took a deep breath, his expression serious as he inserted the disc into the drive.

As the game loaded, Leonard felt his heart rate accelerating.

Soon, EA’s logo flashed briefly on the screen.

The computer began playing a stunning cg animation.

Leonard had watched this animation countless times since it was first revealed at a game expo,

but in that moment, he was completely captivated.

Two minutes later, the game reached the character selection screen.

Uh, Mage, Holy Knight, Vampire, Priest— which one should he choose?

Recalling the protagonist of the original story was a Mage, he chose a Mage as well.

Next, he named his Mage "Leonard," feeling as if he was the character in the game.

He clicked the mouse, guiding his character to wander aimlessly through the town.

Soon, he received his first task.

"Visit the famous pianist’s home to apprentice and master the Literacy skill."

While he was enjoying the game with high spirits, his mother came over.

She unceremoniously pulled the plug on the computer and said, "Time to sleep, you have school tomorrow."

"But I haven’t saved yet!" Leonard cried inwardly, feeling desolate as he walked back to his bedroom.

Then, with a "plop," he flopped onto the bed.

He lay there, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Ah, he still wanted to play so badly!

Although this game’s graphics and playability were comparable to those of Diablo,

for some reason, this game was far more appealing to him than Diablo.

Forget it, he thought, I’ll just come straight home after school tomorrow and indulge in a proper gaming session.

The next morning, Leonard picked up the game cover and admired the words "Arcane Throne" as if gazing at a goddess.

Softly, he spoke to his computer, "Wait for me..."

Leonard’s mother, observing her son like this, was beside herself with frustration.

"If only you were as obsessed with sports as you are with your computer, would your gym grade still be an ’E’?"

"You don’t understand, Mom," Leonard said. "You’ve never felt this agonizing addiction."

"Alright, go to school now or you’ll be late."

Watching Leonard’s retreating figure, his mother shook her head helplessly.

Soon thereafter, Leonard’s father finished his breakfast and left for work.

Leonard’s mother glanced at the time, exclaimed in shock, and quickly got her younger daughter into the car.

They were going to be late.

"Mommy, I want General Tso’s chicken for dinner!" the little daughter said.

"Would pasta be okay?" The mother asked her daughter reluctantly. "Mom doesn’t know how to make General Tso’s chicken."

"No way, no way!" The little daughter deployed her ultimate weapon, acting coy.

"Fine, fine," her mother conceded. "Then we’ll just order takeout from a Chinese restaurant."

"You’re the best, Mommy." The little girl kissed her mother on the cheek and then merrily ran into the elementary school.

The mother then turned the car around and headed back home.

Ah, what a chaotic morning!

She returned home and began her daily routine of washing dishes, tidying up dirty laundry, and cleaning the house.

After being busy, she leaned heavily on the couch and turned on the TV.

She’d watch some TV and then prepare lunch for herself.

In the afternoon, she still needed to go grocery shopping and order that takeout.

Oh, how tiring.

Her mind wandering, she idly flipped through the channels.

The morning TV dramas were terribly poor in quality.

She might as well take a nap in her room.

But by then, a CBS drama had already started airing.

Oh well, she thought.

She’d just watch it casually.

Then...

How could someone that unattractive be the lead?

But then again, it’s a prison-theme show...

Munching on Bugles, she watched the TV absentmindedly.

"Eh, the Prison Warden is kinda handsome."

"The uniform looks quite nice, I just wonder how my husband would look in it."

She indulged in a little fantasy.

"Wow, the heroine appears again and she’s so beautiful now?"

"The clothes she’s wearing are gorgeous!"

"I wonder how I’d look in them?"

At this moment, she began watching the heroine’s every move intently, as if she was imagining herself in her shoes.

"This girl bully actually likes me too?"

"It seems like back in college, Robin from the sorority had a bit of a crush on me as well..."

"Ah, what am I thinking?"

"I’m dying of embarrassment, dying of embarrassment!"

"Wow, the Vice Prison Warden is in great shape and so handsome!"

"What, you ask how he compares to my husband?"

"Who’s my husband?"

"Ah, the mature Prison Warden and the handsome Vice Prison Warden are fighting over me."

"Stop fighting, you two!"

...

As the credits rolled, she finally snapped back to reality.

"This TV show is quite good, I really want to keep watching!"

But when the preview for the next episode played, she shook her head in disappointment.

Next Tuesday, they would air the next episode.

"How come I never realized before how inhumane this airing schedule is?"

She stood up, feeling disturbed, and took a deep breath.

Then, she rushed into the bathroom and washed her slightly feverish face with cold water.

"I can’t afford to daydream anymore, there’s so much to do!"

After that, she resumed her busy day.

Time always flies in the midst of busyness.

Soon, the kids returned from school, and her husband came home from work.

They all had dinner together, laughing and talking, and then each got busy with their own things.

"Leonard, you’re not allowed to play that late today, you hear?"

"Understood, Mother dearest."

Leonard made a face and ran to the study to continue playing on the computer.

Leonard’s father sat in front of the TV watching a football game.

After helping her younger daughter with homework, it was time for a break.

She first called Leonard out of the study, then went to wash up herself.

After everyone had turned off their lights, she lay in bed, still thinking about the drama from the morning.

Not until next Tuesday could she watch it again...

Suddenly, an idea struck her.

"The preview said it was adapted from a novel of the same name, so why not search for which novel it is and just read the original?"

"Honey, my stomach feels a bit off, you sleep first."

"Mm."

She stood up, walked into the study, and turned on the computer.

Then...

Eh, it’s serialized online?

She clicked on the title, entered the text, and began reading intently.

But at that moment, the door to the study creaked open slightly.

"Leonard? You’re in for it tonight!"

She turned off the monitor and hid behind the door.

Then, she saw a figure stealthily sit in front of the computer.

She suddenly turned on the light and yelled at the figure, "Gotcha, Leonard!"

"You’re going to do some housework this weekend."

But when the light was fully on, she was a bit startled.

Two different voices spoke at once.

"Husband, wife, what are you doing here?"

As the two stared at each other, the study door gently twisted again.

"I could play all night, and no one would know, hehe!"

Leonard muttered to himself.

But when he opened the door, he saw both his parents staring at him with wide eyes.

"The housework this weekend, all yours!"

Both parents said in unison.

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