Chapter 70: Going All In Is a Kind of Wisdom

As for the aftermath of Mikhail's meeting with Dostoevsky, it is, to speak frankly, slightly complicated.

First, naturally, was Old Dostoevsky's reaction: after Mikhail and his party left, he first couldn't help but laugh for quite a while; while too excited to sleep, he immediately sat down at his desk, preparing to share his joy with his brother and also his best friend:

"Hey! Brother, my reputation, I think, will soon reach a height you can hardly imagine! Don't think I'm talking nonsense; on this night you didn't know about, do you know who I met?! I believe you must have heard his name.

And if you knew what kind of evaluation this Mr. gave my novel, then you would completely believe what I just said!

I don't know how to describe my current mood to you; perhaps I should talk about this matter with more people."

Although there was a bit of suspicion of showing off, the series of events that followed indeed went as smoothly as the young Dostoevsky had imagined.

First, Nekrasov rushed to Belinsky and shouted at him: "Another Mikhail!"

Although Belinsky didn't believe it at first, after hearing Mikhail's views, he immediately took the novel and began reading it very quickly.

After reading it, just like when he first met Mikhail, Belinsky soon invited the young Old Dostoevsky to meet.

While affirming his talent, he also took the opportunity to bring him into Panayev's circle.

Regarding this, Mikhail could only say that Panayev was quite tough; even in this state, he had been living quite well all along, indeed showing signs of a large family and substantial wealth.

Additionally, what Mikhail said before was indeed correct; saying they would meet again at a gathering meant they would truly meet again at a gathering.

Since they had already brought Dostoevsky into their circle, these people naturally needed a formal meeting, and this meeting was naturally arranged for the next gathering.

Besides witnessing Old Dostoevsky's debut, Mikhail also planned to take a moment to discuss the publication time of the anthology with Nekrasov; since the heavyweight novels had all been placed one by one, the matter of publication should best not be delayed any further.

After all, every day Mikhail opened his eyes, he would find that the interest on his head had increased by another sum.

However, before discussing this matter with Nekrasov, what surprised Mikhail was that the Miss from the General's family had unexpectedly sent two letters this time, and one of the letters seemed quite thick.

Although a bit puzzled, before going to this gathering, Mikhail still took a moment to read the Miss's reply letter.

And unlike the chattering when writing letters before, this time the Miss wrote quite concisely; the gist was:

"Why have you never mentioned to me what you have been preparing to do recently? If I hadn't heard a bit about your situation from Ivan Sergeyevich, I wouldn't have known you were recently troubled by money; from your letters, I couldn't see a single sign of it."

Mikhail: "?"

Turgenev, you big mouth, what did you say?

"I can't do much for you; here, for now, are three hundred rubles, you—"

Mikhail: "???"

How did I suddenly start eating soft rice, and...

By the way, why is every single one of you so rich?

Although this Miss seemed willing, Mikhail could only say it's better not to eat it if possible, especially eating soft rice from a Miss about the same age as his own sister; Mikhail felt somewhat embarrassed.

But before pondering how to politely refuse, Mikhail first rushed to the gathering where Old Dostoevsky was about to make his debut.

It was just that by the time he arrived, the young Dostoevsky seemed not to have arrived yet; instead, Belinsky and Nekrasov were already there discussing the novel "Poor Folk".

The excitement seemed to have already passed, so what these two were discussing now seemed to be where to place this novel in the anthology; looking at them, they seemed somewhat hesitant.

Upon seeing Mikhail arrive, they immediately invited Mikhail to come over to them, then prepared to hear his opinion.

At present, besides providing a large amount of funding for the publication of the "Petersburg Anthology", Mikhail was naturally also one of the contributors to this anthology; if Old Dostoevsky failed to hand over the work "Poor Folk" in time, then by reason and sentiment, Mikhail's work would most likely be placed at the very beginning of the anthology.

But now...

"It should be the novel 'Poor Folk'."

Mikhail, who actually didn't care about this matter, smiled and said: "It deserves this position; and as for my novel, you have seen it; to be honest, it is too concise; it lacks weight. Perhaps it could be placed there when there are no other works, but now that this work has appeared, I feel there is no need to hesitate anymore."

After hearing Mikhail's words, Nekrasov and Belinsky first exchanged a glance; then Belinsky couldn't help but take a deep breath, and only then spoke with a touch of excitement and emotion:

"Mikhail, although I think I already know you very well, after truly hearing you say such words, I still feel a heartfelt respect for your character!"

To be honest, although this is not a big matter, Belinsky has truly seen very few people who can let go as easily as Mikhail does.

And after finishing this matter, Mikhail also quickly found Turgenev, then asked him somewhat helplessly what he had said to that General's daughter.

After hearing Mikhail's words, Turgenev also couldn't help but widen his eyes and said: "Mikhail, I swear to God, I just mentioned it casually to her, and I dare guarantee I didn't say too much.

From what you say, she seems to have done something that troubles you? Could it be..."

"Let me be quiet for a while!"

Waving his hand to dismiss the suddenly gossipy Turgenev, Mikhail, with a bit of a headache, temporarily stopped thinking about this matter, and instead quickly squeezed into the middle of those playing cards, then joined the fray amidst others' slightly panicked glances.

And as Mikhail gradually started to get going, someone nearby suddenly mentioned the book "Petersburg Anthology"; of course, the main topic was Mikhail's huge investment in this regard.

"Mikhail? Why would you make such an impulsive move? This is completely unlike your style."

When someone voiced such a doubt, Mikhail had just played out all the cards in his hand; while winning money, Mikhail also casually replied:

"Nothing; you know, daring to go all in is also a manifestation of wisdom."

This statement was, of course, nonsense, but the real reason Mikhail couldn't possibly tell others; he simply made a random joke; anyway, others probably wouldn't take it seriously.

Just as Mikhail was thinking this, he looked up and suddenly saw someone who had appeared here at some unknown time staring fixedly at him, with a thoughtful expression even showing on his face.

Mikhail, looking at the young Dostoevsky who had entered at some unknown time: "???"

Anyone can hear these words, but you are the one who truly cannot hear a single word of it!

(End of this chapter)