Chapter 92: Release of the New Magazine

Regarding the card game with Mikhail, since the Modern Man magazine office recently received a large advance payment, they ensured sufficient funds for the magazine's operation while also distributing a modest amount of wages, which indeed improved Belinsky's financial situation significantly.

With more money on hand, and having won several hands in a row before Mikhail arrived, boosting his morale, Belinsky struggled internally for a moment before truly choosing to challenge his own weakness once again.

As for Mikhail, to be honest, he really does not love playing cards; it is just that in these times, ordinary people's means of entertainment are too scarce, unable to be as flashy as the noble lords, and since Mikhail is also an ambitious young man who cannot engage in eating, drinking, whoring, or gambling, he has no choice but to play cards for some leisure.

Hmm, let me restate this once more: I, Mikhail, do not love playing cards.

When I return, I will write in my diary:

"Alas! I truly have no interest in playing cards, but Belinsky has always liked it; to be able to communicate with him more, I will occasionally come and play a bit."

While Mikhail was thinking this, on the other side, the young Dostoevsky, while extremely excited by the prize money Mikhail mentioned, was also observing Mikhail's conduct and character as usual.

Although recently the young Dostoevsky has indeed considered himself a genius, and sometimes even felt he was not inferior to Mikhail, merely lacking a bit of time, at the same time he also realized a problem: that people indeed welcome Mikhail a bit more.

Even Mikhail's enemies are mostly because Mikhail infringed upon their interests, not because Mikhail truly has any faults in his character.

Although the young Dostoevsky often still finds it hard to restrain his writerly arrogance, since there is Mikhail as a comparison, he certainly hopes to become like Mikhail, becoming rich through high-stakes gambling while also being welcomed by many people.

In short, it is observation.

And Dostoevsky, while observing, also briefly summarized the key points of today:

"This is the day a brand new literary award was born, proposed by Mikhail, welcomed unanimously by everyone, and I am the same. Then, after announcing this matter, Mikhail didn't even have time to drink tea before starting to call people to play cards with him."

While summarizing thus in his heart, Dostoevsky also seriously observed the battle situation of the card game between Mikhail and Belinsky.

Largely because he was just fantasizing, Old Dostoevsky is currently still in a state of boiling blood, to the extent that he really wants to take out his meager bread money to play a few hands with the gentlemen present.

If things go smoothly, he estimates he can go to a decent restaurant for a meal today.

Holding such thoughts, Dostoevsky, who had been arguing with someone before Mikhail arrived, suddenly fell silent, sat down on a chair beside the card table with some others, and began to observe the specific situation on the field.

And Belinsky, who was in the midst of it, started his game in hesitation, then his face turned slightly red, and very soon he was covered in sweat.

"I'm not playing anymore! I'm not playing anymore! Let the Almighty God come!"

With the end of another round, Belinsky wiped his sweat while waving his hands repeatedly; his face, originally slightly pale, was suddenly covered with flushed excitement, and he continued: "Mikhail, if you feel sorry for the wages you issued, just take them back directly! Why use this method to torture people!"

Oh no, Old Bel is being sarcastic.

Since he hadn't played for quite a while, Mikhail's moves were perhaps a bit too heavy-handed, so upon hearing this, Mikhail touched his nose slightly awkwardly.

Regarding why Mikhail can win so much, to be honest, with all the cards memorized, as long as luck isn't too bad, the probability of winning is always a bit higher.

Having said that, I don't feel like I won that much either.

While Mikhail was thinking this, Dostoevsky on the side naturally also heard that sentence: "Let the Almighty God come."

Although he knew Belinsky is now an atheist, and many of his religious arguments felt a bit grating to him, hearing such words at this very moment made him feel somewhat uncomfortable inside.

But before Old Dostoevsky could complain a couple more times in his heart, he saw Belinsky turn around hastily; while everyone else was dodging, Belinsky looked directly at the slightly stunned Dostoevsky and said: "Fyodor, you come! I know you have always wanted to talk more with Mikhail, to communicate more; isn't now the best opportunity?"

"As long as you are willing, Mikhail will stay with you forever!"

Seeing Dostoevsky covered in sweat: "?"

"No, no, no, better not."

While shaking his head like a rattle, Old Dostoevsky also immediately shifted his bottom backward a good distance: "I have absolutely no interest in playing cards. Let the Devil come."

Since everyone retreated one after another, by the time the gathering ended, Mikhail could only say he indeed didn't get to play to his heart's content.

It is my fault; I should have lost a bit more.

Mikhail began to reflect.

Although he didn't get to play to his heart's content, before leaving, Mikhail did hear some good news.

That was the young Dostoevsky, somewhat shyly, coming up to him and asking him in more detail about the literary award.

It was clear that Old Dostoevsky was quite eager for those five hundred rubles.

To this, Mikhail naturally patted his shoulder and said: "Come on, Fyodor; I think if you can settle down and write seriously for a while, this award of our magazine will definitely belong to you!"

"Good!"

Hearing Mikhail say this, while Old Dostoevsky felt excited and happy, he indeed also reflected a little on his own behavior in his heart.

Yes, I should spend more time on writing.

Watching the thoughtful Old Dostoevsky, Mikhail could not help but reveal a gratified smile.

And after this gathering, the day for the release of the first issue of Modern Man was finally approaching.

Mikhail had sent part of the content of that long novel to Belinsky and Nekrasov a while ago, but since Mikhail has been busy with various affairs recently, they have not yet had time to launch a more in-depth discussion with Mikhail.

Of course, precisely because Mikhail only sent part of it, Nekrasov and Belinsky now, whenever they see him, most often ask the same question: "Mikhail, is the rest of the content organized? If it is ready, let us see it quickly!"

Hmm, I hope the broader readership will be a bit more patient when the time comes.

(End of this chapter)