Chapter Four: The Daily Writing Routine of the Wealthy Tycoon

Now that the White family has suffered a sudden misfortune, many forces have begun to circle like wolves, all eager to tear a piece of flesh from this fallen giant. Ruthless? Perhaps, but this is the norm. In the kingdom of capital, kicking someone when they're down is a favorite pastime.

Whether it’s White Farms or White Oil, these are highly desirable assets. If the price is right, a devouring is only natural. No one cares about the difficulties William must face. On the contrary, many envy the vast inheritance he has received.

Well, that’s mostly true. To ordinary people, such wealth is astronomical, even after the enormous inheritance taxes. It remains a tremendous fortune.

Uncle Ford felt that the young master had grown up overnight. Though he didn’t understand many things, it did not prevent him from carrying out orders.

After dinner, William headed to the shooting range. The family’s castle was truly enormous, equipped not only with a heated pool but also an indoor shooting range.

In Texas, almost everyone carries a gun. There’s no need to elaborate on how tough folks are here. And by carrying, it means openly wearing firearms on the street.

No joke—if you see someone riding a horse to buy ice cream on the street, don’t be surprised; it’s perfectly normal. Often, the cowboy will have a massive revolver or an M16 slung at his side.

If you ever have the chance to visit, remember: don’t mouth off for no reason. Texans aren’t known for their patience.

Talking about gun control in America is a fantasy, and you’ll understand that at a glance on a Texas street.

If you think public safety here is bad, you couldn’t be more wrong. It’s actually quite good. The police usually have little to do.

There’s an old Texas saying: “We don’t call 911—we have guns in our hands.”

Gangs have a hard time in Texas. If you plan to bully someone, you’d best give it up. There are no pushovers here.

Though America has frequent shootings, in Texas they’re rare. The reason is simple: anyone reckless enough to fire indiscriminately risks being turned into a sieve in under a minute.

Even the mentally unstable fear the strong, so public security in Texas is notably better than in New York.

An indoor shooting range is typically the domain of the wealthy—at least in Texas. Most people here prefer hunting game rather than target shooting, which holds little appeal for them.

Gunshots echoed as William White fired round after round, emptying several boxes of ammunition.

“You’ve improved a lot, sir,” Ford remarked.

“It seems so. It looks like I need to practice regularly.”

“Would you like to continue, sir?”

“No, I think I’ll swim for a while.”

“Very good. They’ve just changed the water.”

William noticed something unusual about himself; he seemed stronger, his vision keener. He had never been nearsighted before, but it had never been this sharp. Could these be the perks of crossing over?

Forty-five minutes later, William climbed out of the pool. A maid hurried over with a large bath towel.

“Thank you.”

William smiled down at her, then turned and went to the bathroom. After his shower, a team of attendants filed in and busied themselves: one tended his hair, another cared for his skin, a third trimmed his nails, and yet another massaged his muscles.

This was uncommon in Texas, where most are nouveau riche, preferring to live recklessly rather than indulge in such refinements.

The White family was different. Their ancestors were once English nobility, and with wealth came a certain affectation.

In his previous life, William disliked these indulgences; this time around, however, things had changed. If, after being granted a second chance, he remained a childish boy, he doubted even the Lord would forgive him.

Some might ask, “Is skincare really necessary for a man?”

Indeed, it is. In America, it’s easy to age badly; a bit of care is crucial.

In the States, the poor are usually overweight, faces marked by wrinkles and freckles. The wealthy, on the other hand, rarely even develop age spots.

American women may look stunning at first glance, but once the makeup comes off, the truth is revealed: a face full of freckles is the norm. The paler the skin, the more pronounced the freckles.

When dawn breaks, if you find a stranger beside you, don’t be alarmed. She’ll return to her usual self after a trip to the bathroom—almost as fast as changing masks.

Back in his room, William White took out a stack of draft paper and began to write and sketch without pause.

As a transmigrator, the first thing one does is plagiarize. It’s the simplest task with the greatest rewards.

What’s that? Morality, you say?

When profit is at stake, who cares about such things? Morality can be set aside. William certainly wouldn’t be bothered.

The title of bestselling author is a powerful tool in America. If your books are even half decent, you’ll be welcomed into high society.

What kind of books are most popular now?

Naturally, those that expose the dark side of society. Everyone is disillusioned with the status quo, disappointed in the government. Why hold back? Go with the flow. If you write anything patriotic now, failure is guaranteed—there’s no “maybe” about it.

The best choice is undoubtedly “Forrest Gump.” Honestly, William disliked the female lead’s fate; even an accidental death would have been better.

The film already changed that—what was written in the novel was too dark and implausible. Even borrowing a scene from “Waterloo Bridge” would have been an improvement.

Nonetheless, it’s a classic novel, and very American at that. It condenses decades of American life into a single volume.

One must admit, the author’s skill is superb; he perfectly captured the American psyche.

Young people aside, Americans aged thirty to fifty would worship this book. William even believed that, with some artistic refinement, his version might surpass the one from his previous life. The original was simply too bleak and heavy.

“Sir, your coffee.”

“Thank you,” William nodded to the maid, then said, “Anna, you can go to bed. I’ll be working a while longer. I don’t need anything else.”

“Yes, sir.”

Though it was only eleven o’clock, remember that on a rural farm, everything winds down by nine. Even cowboys who enjoy a drink are already in bed. Only wild wolves still prowl at this hour.

Though Texas has many wolves, there were none near White Farms. The land was close to the city, surrounded by other farms. Even if a lone wolf appeared, it would be dispatched quickly.

Texans are as tough as their reputation suggests. One farmer wiped out dozens of wolves in a single night—practically an extermination. It’s almost unbelievable.

The castle doctrine is strictly enforced in Texas. If you aren’t invited, it’s best not to knock. And if you do, mind your manners; any rash behavior could get you shot on the spot.

The tough guys in American movies usually have a Texan accent. Even the cowboy in “The Mummy” is a nod to Texans.

California and Texas are the two most prideful states in America. The federal government’s opinions matter little to them.

Though the Civil War ended long ago, the North-South divide remains unresolved—Texas, in particular, refuses to accept the outcome.

Being a wealthy writer is a comfortable life. There’s always someone to bring tea or coffee, and if you wish, someone to help you relax your muscles. With such perks, it’s no wonder books are written with such speed.