Chen Ru kept an eye on Wen Ying for two days, and Wen Ying stayed well-behaved for those two days.
Apart from secretly investing 500,000, Wen Ying swore she hadn’t done anything out of line.
Just days after school started, the science book promoted as “banned for minors” became a hit among students. At the start of the new semester, Wen Ying noticed classmates whispering about it in small groups.
Like underground operatives making contact, they gathered in twos and threes.
“Have you read it?”
“You actually read it!”
Li Mengjiao, who had filmed a few test scenes the day before school to get a feel for the camera, was rushed back to class. Her entire winter break had been spent promoting her album or learning acting, and she scrambled to finish her holiday homework the night before school. Now, she had dark circles under her eyes and looked utterly drained.
Li Mengjiao thought her classmates would talk about her upcoming acting role after the break. She had rehearsed at home how to respond modestly if asked.
But to her surprise, no one discussed it, no one even asked!
Even the carefree Li Mengjiao felt confused.
It had only been one winter break—had Manager Guan’s ban been so effective it reached the school?
Was she already washed up?
When she was popular, Li Mengjiao didn’t care, but now, facing the cold shoulder, she felt uneasy.
Whining to Wen Ying, Wen Ying chuckled: “You haven’t read that book yet, have you?”
Book? What book?
After Chen Ru “confiscated” her copy, Wen Ying went to the bookstore and bought two more to support Zou Weijun.
Li Mengjiao, the naive girl set to break into the entertainment industry, was Wen Ying’s top recommendation.
Wen Ying handed her a copy.
The book wasn’t actually called “Banned for Minors”—that was the marketing slogan. Its real title was Hush, Little Secret, with a touch of artsy flair. But the explosive tagline and blunt content, sold openly at the bookstore’s most prominent spot, naturally sparked discussion.
Li Mengjiao, bold as she was, didn’t think much of the “banned for minors” label at first. But after reading the content, her ears turned red.
Good heavens, it was so detailed, with illustrations! How could she face Wang Shuang now?
Li Mengjiao now saw Wang Shuang as if he were transparent—his school uniform couldn’t stop her wild imagination.
If Wang Shuang had read it too, would he see her the same way? This book was toxic!
Li Mengjiao shoved the book back to Wen Ying.
“I’m not reading it!”
“You already did.”
Wen Ying exposed Li Mengjiao’s denial: “What’s the big deal? Lots of classmates have read it. It’s a proper science book.”
Seeing Li Mengjiao still resisting, Wen Ying whispered: “Actually, this book was planned by Xie Qian’s mum. You’ve met Aunt Zou—she visited the school before and went to Tianjiao recently. I bought several copies to support her work. Take it.”
The book was legit, though Wen Ying couldn’t vouch for the readers’ intentions.
Now that students could learn about health education through proper channels, they should take advantage of it. Why sneak around when you could learn openly?
“Oh, oh, support, gotta support.” Li Mengjiao dazedly accepted the book, her gaze shifting between Wen Ying and Xie Qian.
Yun Chen’s words echoed in her mind. Li Mengjiao didn’t want to believe it, but she had to: Wen Ying knew things others didn’t, and her closeness with Xie Qian went beyond friendship.
What was closer than friendship? Obviously, early romance!
Li Mengjiao’s probing look made Xie Qian uncomfortable.
“Why are you staring? Didn’t finish your holiday homework? I’m not letting you copy mine.”
“Copy your head!”
Li Mengjiao admitted Xie Qian was good-looking and a top student, practically glowing with charm. But being good friends with someone like that was enough—how could Wen Ying date him?
Wen Ying must have lost her mind!
If they argued, Wen Ying would definitely give in first.
Poor Wen Ying.
Being the only one awake in a crowd of drunks wasn’t always fun—Li Mengjiao wished Yun Chen hadn’t pointed it out.
Hush, Little Secret spread quietly among students, its sales soaring, becoming the first bestseller of 2005.
Such bold marketing was a big risk for the publisher.
After going viral among students, it soon caught parents’ attention.
Parents like Chen Ru weren’t rare. Chen Ru could now temper her domineering streak, but some parents were as controlling as she used to be. Even if it was a science book, the illustrations were a bit much. Parents called the publisher to protest and complained to the education bureau, demanding the book be pulled.
The publishing department held an emergency meeting.
They hadn’t had a bestseller in years, and now this one was causing a storm. Zou Weijun’s boss was frustrated.
If they hadn’t followed Zou Weijun’s gimmicky marketing idea, the book might not have stirred such controversy. Now, it risked being pulled.
Zou’s boss, aware of her background, was usually polite, but in this crisis, he couldn’t help but scold her for being too bold.
Zou Weijun looked at the book on the table—her labour of love.
As a mother herself, how could she not care about teen health education?
Planning this book, Zou Weijun had worked closely with the author, chosen illustrations, negotiated with the review board, and pieced together scattered content into a cohesive whole—an unforgettable process.
If the book was bad, why were sales so high?
To embrace praise, one must endure criticism. Zou Weijun was ready: “If the book gets pulled, I’ll take full responsibility.”
Her boss choked: “You take responsibility? With what?”
Pulling the books meant huge printing costs.
No individual could bear that loss, and the department wouldn’t let one person take the fall—it would be the whole team catching flak.
Sticking to the safe path was steady; innovation invited trouble!
Wen Ying heard about parents protesting to the publisher and complaining to the education bureau, guessing Zou Weijun was under pressure. For days, she pestered Xie Qian about Zou’s mood.
“Is Aunt Zou really okay?”
“She’s fine, goes to work on time every day.”
That didn’t sound fine!
Normally, she’d be working overtime to handle the crisis.
Wen Ying suspected the publisher had sidelined Zou Weijun, but with Xie Qian not saying much, she couldn’t help.
The provincial key school wasn’t oblivious to social trends.
Amid parents’ protests and complaints, the school decided after discussion to hold a health education session for the entire school. They’d covered this in junior high, but given recent public sentiment, they didn’t mind repeating it.
During a self-study period, the homeroom teacher Lin Lin walked in with a smile, holding up a book.
“For this self-study, let’s do some extracurricular reading. You’ve all read this book, right? Speak freely—share your thoughts!”
The book in Lin Lin’s hand was none other than Hush, Little Secret!
