I Eat Tomatoes

## Zhu Hong Zhi

我-吃西红柿

**I Eat Tomatoes** was originally a math major in Soochow University when he began writing. After two years, he published his first 6 million character long web novel. In his third year, he quit school to become a full-time author. At that time, he had already published more than 20 million characters worth of novels. On November 26, 2012, he ranked 2nd on China’s Rich Internet Authors Ranking with an annual income of 21 million yuan in royalties, which drew the attention of everyone.

## Background

Since childhood, IET has been fond of wuxia novels. He was deeply fascinated with the works and wuxia type worlds of Jin Yong, Gu Long, and Wo Long. The first wuxia novel he read was *Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber* by Jin Yong. He had spent a whole day and night reading it, as if possessed by a devil.

In high school, IET used Li Xunhuan, his favorite character from Gu Long’s wuxia novel, *Xiaoli Feidao,* as a model for his own novel, *The Legend of Xingfeng*. Xiao Li Flying Dagger never missed its target. When it flew, demons would be scared! How imposing was this?

After entering university, he had a lot more fre e time, and his dreams of wuxia were unceasingly expanding. He felt as if he was on the verge of erupting. Thus, with *Xiaoli Feidao* as his theme, *Inch of Radiance* was born. Afterward, *Stellar Transformations*, *Coiling Dragon,* *The Nine Cauldrons, Swallowed Star, and Desolate Era* were written.

Numerous people read them, and he is one of the few authors who was at the top of the Qidian rankings from the very beginning. His name could be found at the very top of the rankings numerous times. Moreover, once he had finished *Stellar Transformations*and *Coiling Dragon,* countless sequel fanfictions emerged. Due to these countless fanfictions, a great number of lawsuits were also filed. The netizens began to spread a phrase “Don’t read *Stellar Transformations,* it is to call on bookworms in vain.”1 He truly embodies the title of “Net Culture King” and is unshakeable in his position. He was nicknamed “Tomato” by his readers and began addressing himself as “Tomato” too.

Zhu Hong Zhi’s second novel, *Inch of Radiance*, reached the top of Baidu’s novel rankings that year and was the most popular novel in its year. Moreover, he has already written six novels that have climbed their way to the top of Baidu’s novel rankings. He is the internet author with the most works in the top rankings of Baidu’s novel rankings.

IET has already finished writing *Desolate Era.* On June 15th, 2015, he started his newest novel, *Lord Xue Ying*!

## Literary Traits

Tomato has developed his own writing style. The heros of his stories are all very similar, which can be seen as a cornerstone of his. In addition to his fame as a web author, his novels are also infused with his own distinguishing characteristics. In comparison to Tang Jia San Shao, his portrayal of people, especially females, cannot be considered delicate. He is, however, an expert in the ‘fast food’ style of writing.
Although he might not meet the reader’s expectations all the time, he is still exceptionally professional. Tomato’s novels develop very quickly, making his readers both love and hate him. They love him because they can see the hero grow strong quickly, but they hate him because he overlooks much of the plot’s details. Tomato can also be considered a very fast author, having already written eight novels.

## Influence

On November 26th, 2012, he ranked second on China’s Rich Internet Authors Ranking with an annual royalty income of 21 million yuan.
“I have been fond of wuxia novels since I was a child, and I also loved writing, but I never would have thought that I would be able to support my family as an internet author.”
Zhu Hong Zhi’s words rushed into the world of internet literature, unleashing a wave of cultural industry. He had dropped out of university to become an internet author.

## Works’ Reputation

In 2008, *Stellar Transformations* was adapted into an online game which has already closed.

In 2009, *Coiling Dragon* was adapted into an online game which has already ended.

The rights to adapt *Stellar Transformations* and *Coiling Dragon* were bought by Shanda Games for 1 million yuan and 3.1 million yuan respectively.

*Stellar Transformations* was the first web novel to enter the top ten of Baidu’s top fifty searched list. *Coiling Dragon* was the first web novel to reach the top spot of Baidu’s top fifty searched list.

On July 28th, 2009, I Eat Tomatoes uploaded his new novel, *The Nine Cauldrons*. At that time, Qidian advertised it as “Net Literature of a King”.

November 12th, 2009, was the eve of the *Stellar Transformations* movie announcement.

On May 24th, 2010, Shanda Literature announced that *The Nine Cauldrons* was being adapted into a web game.

On July 28th, 2010, the sci-fi novel, *Swallowed Star,* was released on Qidian.

On September 29th, 2011, the manhua for *The Nine Cauldrons* was officially printed as a volume.

On December 16th, 2012, *Desolate Era* was released on Qidian.

On June 15th, 2015, the qihuan (western fantasy) novel, *Lord Xue Ying*, began its serialization on Qidian.

I Eat Tomatoes’ second novel, *Inch of Radiance*, broke the subscription record of the time. Afterward, *Stellar Transformations* rose up and broke the collection, hits, and subscription records of the time. Moreover, the most important record, the subscription record, had been broken with total numbers approaching 40,000. When *Coiling Dragon* came along, it broke the records set by *Stellar Transformations* and surpassed 40,000 subscriptions. *The Nine Cauldrons* once again broke some of *Coiling Dragon*’s records. Right as everyone thought that I Eat Tomatoes would slow down, *Swallowed Star* debuted, breaking four important records—an unprecedented feat.