“Tell me more.”
Zou Weijun’s interest was piqued.
Wen Ying smiled shyly, “It’s about advertising, but deeper than that. You extract a key promotional element and plant it in people’s minds, sparking their curiosity, so when they walk into a bookstore, they immediately think of this book series and can’t help but pick it up.”
What Wen Ying described wasn’t a novel concept. Take the two most popular young adult literature authors of the moment, each carries distinct labels and elements.
One dropped out of school young, standing in opposition to the rigid education system, with a rebellious and unrestrained personality. For ordinary students constrained by rules from a young age, such a label holds fatal appeal.
Though most students can’t emulate this post-80s writer by dropping out, his every word and action is idolised by them.
It’s as if the writer’s free-spirited life allows students to vicariously experience such a life themselves.
The other, with delicate prose, is a pioneer of pain literature, and in a few years, will become a symbol of decadence and extravagance. Readers chase not rebellion, but the “high society” portrayed in her works, unattainable for ordinary students.
Different labels, different audiences. Their rise to fame stems from talent, luck, and the media’s relentless hype.
Such marketing no longer focuses solely on the work, it’s about marketing the writer as a person.
Returning to Zou Weijun’s book series, pure science books struggle to attract young readers anymore. With so many teen magazines on the market, how many students want to be preached at?
Unless the books, while educating, can also capture their interest!
“‘Recommended by so-and-so writer’ is outdated. Better to say, ‘So-and-so writer warns young people not to read this book.’”
“A book for parents, forbidden for those under eighteen.”
“Secrets boys and girls can’t speak of.”
Wen Ying rattled off several sensational, clickbait-style slogans from later years.
Solemnly urging students to read, and they’re uninterested.
But at their rebellious, contrarian age, the more you forbid them from reading something, the more curious they become.
Zou Weijun listened, captivated.
Wen Ying’s words opened up new avenues of thought for her.
Is this what today’s middle schoolers are like?
Brains brimming with such whimsical ideas.
Zou Weijun suddenly realised she might truly not understand her son, Xie Qian. The inner world of young people is far richer and more vibrant than she imagined, so this book series isn’t just for students, parents need to read it too. If you don’t understand your own child, how can you communicate with them?
“You’ve helped me tremendously!”
Inspiration surged, and Zou Weijun couldn’t wait to jot down the ideas flooding her mind.
Having navigated the workplace for years, Wen Ying wasn’t blind to cues. Glancing at her watch, she said it was about time she headed home.
Zou Weijun invited her to stay for dinner, but Wen Ying politely declined.
“My parents will be home tonight, and we’re eating together.”
Spending an entire day at her crush’s house on her first visit seemed a bit forward.
“You go get busy, I’ll see Wen Ying out,” Xie Qian said.
Today, Xie Qian had completely yielded the stage to Wen Ying.
His mother, as expected, really liked her, and the topics Wen Ying brought up helped shift his mother’s focus.
Relying solely on medication and therapists made it hard to overcome depression. Xie Qian was mentally prepared for a long battle, knowing it would be a drawn-out struggle. Zou Weijun’s willingness to return to work was a crucial step, and today, Xie Qian glimpsed a faint ray of victory.
If his mother’s condition continued to improve, she’d eventually overcome her depression, find the courage to resolve her marital conflicts, and turn a new page in life!
As Xie Qian escorted Wen Ying out, the housekeeper, Aunt Liu, asked Zou Weijun what time dinner should be. Zou Weijun first inquired how Wen Ying’s lunch was, and after Aunt Liu’s affirmative response, she said dinner could be later tonight.
“Or let Xie Qian eat first, I have some work to finish.”
With inspiration striking, Zou Weijun was now bursting with passion for her work.
Aunt Liu nodded with a smile, “You go handle your work, Xie Qian will definitely wait for you.”
Living under the same roof, Aunt Liu could see Zou Weijun was in high spirits.
Not just Zou Weijun, Xie Qian was also noticeably happy today.
A mother and son, with one housekeeper and two caregivers in such a large house, it usually felt quite desolate. But with Wen Ying’s arrival, even Aunt Liu sensed a lively atmosphere in the house.
A big house isn’t necessarily a home, it takes human warmth to make it one.
Zou Weijun used to be often lost in her emotions, and Xie Qian wasn’t talkative. With little communication between mother and son, the bigger the house, the colder it felt.
Xie Qian should invite classmates over more often!
Especially ones like Wen Ying.
The thought popped into Aunt Liu’s mind as she cheerfully went about her chores.
Zou Weijun’s steps up the stairs were unusually light.
Arguing with the printing factory’s workshop manager was part of her job, as was launching this book series.
No job is inherently superior, but the latter gave Zou Weijun a sense of purpose.
She needed recognition.
Whether from colleagues and leaders, her son Xie Qian, or even society at large.
That recognition helped her affirm herself.
If someone completely denies their own worth, living loses much of its meaning.
Xie Qian walked Wen Ying to catch her ride.
In November, ginkgo leaves were already falling. Stepping on the scattered leaves, Xie Qian wanted to say “thank you” but felt the words were too light, lacking weight.
In 2004, he made many decisions, and the best one was agreeing to join his cousin Lin Lin and Wen Ying for tutoring.
Xie Qian had never felt so grateful.
Humans truly are social creatures, in need of friends.
A friend like Wen Ying might be the redemption heaven sent him.
“Is there anything you’ve been wanting lately?”
Xie Qian suddenly asked. Wen Ying, puzzled, replied, “Wanting what?”
“Yeah, anything you want.”
Wen Ying thought seriously, “I want to go to Shanghai for the New Concept Essay Contest finals, improve my grades, and for everyone around me to be doing well.”
These were all hard to translate into tangible gifts.
Now it was Xie Qian’s turn to be stumped.
He couldn’t help with the essay contest, he couldn’t exactly bribe the judges to get Wen Ying into the finals.
Even if he could, Wen Ying wouldn’t want that kind of “help,” it would be an insult to her abilities.
Wanting everyone around her to be well, Xie Qian could manage himself but not others.
After much thought, it seemed the only thing he could help with was her grades.
“Let’s do homework together tomorrow.”
Before Wen Ying boarded, Xie Qian tossed out the offer.
Wen Ying, thinking of the piles of practice tests and workbooks, gave a strained smile.
Could she refuse the care of an academic overachiever?
…
While Wen Ying was visiting Xie Qian’s home, Wang Shuang accompanied Li Mengjiao to Hunan, with Li’s mother in tow.
The trio was there to select songs for Li Mengjiao’s solo album.
The company’s reception staff were very warm toward Li Mengjiao.
Oddly enough, after the grand finals, the champion Xu Mei and third-place Zhang Yangning both signed with the company. They attended every performance the company arranged, maintaining steady exposure. While not always making entertainment headlines, their names frequently appeared in newspapers.
As signed artists, Xu Mei and Zhang Yangning received professional styling and packaging from the company.
They were gradually shedding their amateur status, transitioning into professional artists. They weren’t A-list stars yet, but their travel arrangements were top-notch.
Today, for song selection at the company, Xu Mei and Zhang Yangning arrived with makeup and carefully curated outfits. Li Mengjiao, bare-faced and casually dressed in a hoodie, still exuded a strong student vibe. Xu Mei couldn’t fathom why, despite less exposure post-competition compared to her and Zhang Yangning, Li Mengjiao still enjoyed sky-high popularity.
Li Mengjiao didn’t even participate in performances, yet her fans from the competition still supported her. Just days ago, the company held a poll on the largest online forum, and Li Mengjiao’s votes topped the charts!
This was why the company was so enthusiastic about her, they believed her album would have a strong market upon release.
The company’s priority was profit.
Whoever could make money for them was their darling.
Xu Mei didn’t grasp this before signing, but she was starting to understand now.
She feared that during today’s song selection, the company might let Li Mengjiao choose first!
Though songs suited for Li Mengjiao might not suit Xu Mei, it was a matter of pride. Xu Mei refused to yield an inch to Li Mengjiao.
She still harboured a grudge over Qin Yi breaking up with her.
Thinking it over, if Fu Jing hadn’t told Qin Yi, the most likely culprit was Li Mengjiao!
Li Mengjiao’s meddling ruined her relationship with Qin Yi. Every time Xu Mei thought of it, her eyes reddened.
Fu Jing quietly returned to the lounge, whispering in Xu Mei’s ear, “I’ve sorted things with Zhang Yangning. She wants benefits, so she’ll have to ally with us.”
Xu Mei nodded slightly, her expression still clouded with worry.
Fu Jing reassured her, “Our chances are actually good. Professor Fang is involved in album production, and for some reason, that Pan Li really dislikes Li Mengjiao. If Li Mengjiao ends up in Professor Fang’s team, her album is likely doomed.”
After serving as a judge for the talent show, Professor Fang saw its influence, and her personal fame skyrocketed. If students at the music academy once took her classes for TV station internship quotas, now they were drawn by her reputation.
Professor Fang had become a star professor at Chengdu Music Academy.
Her fame brought more resources. For one, her research funding this semester was higher than in previous years!
Other arts institutions were also reaching out to her, offering generous salaries to lure her away from Chengdu Music Academy.
Having tasted the benefits of fame, Professor Fang had long forgotten her initial reluctance toward such competitions.
