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. 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 free 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 Transformationsand Coiling Dragon, countless sequel fan-fictions emerged. Due to these countless fan-fictions, 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 unshakable 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.