Wen Ying was very dissatisfied with the negotiation results, and how could Han Qin feel any different?
Carrying her bag downstairs, Han Qin glanced back at the office building of Rongcheng Publishing Group, a mocking smile curling at the corner of her mouth.
“Editor-in-Chief,”
Xiao Ni hurriedly spoke up for Wen Ying, “Actually, calculating royalties based on actual sales would be equally beneficial for us. Don’t you really want to consider it?”
“Consider what, consider giving out a maximum of 15% royalties?”
Han Qin, exasperated, lectured Xiao Ni, “It’s not just about the money, it’s about the rules. If a newcomer gets 15% royalties, what will the other authors at the magazine think? If I give in to her today, I’ll have to give in to more authors tomorrow! I’m not saying we can’t compromise at all, but every compromise means giving the magazine’s profits to the authors. If we don’t make money, how can the magazine pay our salaries?”
Publishing novels was only a part of the magazine’s revenue.
Magazines with large circulations were basically sustained by annual advertising revenue, not by the few yuan earned from selling each issue. A few yuan could hardly cover anything. Youth magazines might just break even, while fashion magazines, with their numerous colour images and high-quality paper requirements, didn’t even cover printing costs with their sales price!
Xiao Ni, scolded by Han Qin, couldn’t think of a rebuttal.
Han Qin was naturally assertive, and Xiao Ni had little say in front of her boss.
From 130 yuan per thousand words to 180 yuan, and then to 240 yuan, all of it was Xiao Ni fighting under pressure to secure for Wen Ying.
Han Qin’s words made sense, but for a new author who had already shown great potential, shouldn’t they be treated differently from ordinary newcomers?
If the editor-in-chief didn’t budge, what if Xiao Yu really signed with Rongcheng Publishing Group?
Sure, Rongcheng Publishing Group had never packaged a youth literature writer before and lacked experience, but they were such a massive publishing group. If they decided to enter this field, it would definitely impact the current youth literature market.
Xiao Ni voiced her concerns to Han Qin, who sneered, “You believe that? I think that Zou Weijun is probably a relative or friend of ‘Against the Current Fish,’ stirring up all this fuss just to push for better publishing terms for ‘Against the Current Fish’! If she could really offer good terms, Against the Current Fish would have signed long ago. Would it even be our turn to negotiate?”
Han Qin refused to give a newcomer 15% royalties.
Even if it was tied to actual sales, she wouldn’t agree.
She also didn’t believe Rongcheng Publishing Group would agree.
If Zou Weijun really had the power to push through decisions, she would have signed Teen Idol already!
Xiao Ni felt it wasn’t quite like that.
But Han Qin didn’t listen to what Xiao Ni said.
This left Xiao Ni particularly helpless, trailing behind Han Qin with a dejected air.
Even if the terms offered weren’t as good as Rongcheng Publishing Group’s, if they showed they valued Xiao Yu, she might not choose Rongcheng Publishing Group. The two had only communicated online until meeting for the first time today, but Xiao Ni had watched Wen Ying grow. A person’s character could shine through in their work, and Xiao Ni felt she understood Wen Ying better than the editor-in-chief.
No voice, no power!
Back at the hotel, Xiao Ni was still distracted.
While Han Qin rested, she slipped out to the corridor to call Wen Ying.
“Xiao Yu, can we meet up? Don’t worry, I’m not here to convince you to sign the publishing contract. I’m leaving tomorrow, and I don’t know when we’ll meet again, so I just want to chat.”
When Xiao Yu called, Wen Ying was still with Zou Weijun.
After the failed talks with Han Qin, Wen Ying had basically given up on signing with the magazine. She was discussing publishing details with Zou Weijun when Xiao Yu’s call came, asking to meet, and Wen Ying hesitated.
“What, afraid the editor will try to sway you with personal feelings?”
Zou Weijun teased, and Wen Ying shook her head, “Xiao Ni isn’t that complicated. She’s just a new editor. If her boss were easy to talk to, she could make suggestions, but with a strong boss, she barely gets a chance to speak.”
“Then you should definitely meet Xiao Ni.”
Zou Weijun wasn’t worried about anyone poaching.
As she’d said before, if the magazine offered Wen Ying better publishing terms, Zou Weijun would be happy to see it.
“Business is business, but your personal friendship can be separate.”
Wen Ying agreed, “Alright, I’ll head over. We’ll talk about the contract details tomorrow after Editor Han leaves.”
Xiao Ni rarely came to Rongcheng, so Wen Ying decided to show her around properly.
If Xiao Ni wanted to discuss business, she’d listen.
If not, they could just hang out more comfortably.
While Wen Ying was being undervalued and dismissed by Editor Han in Rongcheng, Xie Qian in Shanghai had just finished meeting a professional manager recommended by Gong Sheng.
Before the meeting, Xie Qian hadn’t had high hopes, but after talking, he found Gong Sheng’s recommendation reliable.
The manager Gong Sheng recommended had experience in the logistics industry and was willing to join a newly established logistics company, clearly eyeing the land Xie Qian owned near Hongqiao Airport!
That piece of land wasn’t ideal for most developments but was perfect for airport-related facilities and air freight industries. When it was put up for sale, those with financial strength weren’t interested, and those without could only dream. In the end, with Gong Sheng’s help, Xie Qian secured it.
The original plan was to make Xie Jinghu bleed financially, so the bid was slightly above market price. Others wanted it but couldn’t outbid Xie Qian.
Such an awkwardly positioned piece of land was truly perfect for logistics.
Bulk goods used to rely on road and water transport, but with China’s aviation industry growing and the Yangtze Delta being a fast-developing economic zone, air freight was becoming more popular, not pure air freight, but with Hongqiao Airport as the hub, radiating across the entire Yangtze Delta. In the manager’s eyes, Xie Qian’s land was a logistical goldmine!
The manager even revealed to Xie Qian that another logistics company had wanted the land but couldn’t raise enough funds in time.
Gong Sheng thought Xie Qian was too young, but the manager didn’t mind.
A young, wealthy boss who mostly stayed out of company affairs was perfect, allowing the manager to work freely and make bold moves!
The meeting left both Xie Qian and the manager mutually satisfied.
Afterwards, Xie Qian told Gong Sheng he didn’t need to meet anyone else, “This guy’s the one. Let’s finalise it soon. I’m heading back to Rongcheng tomorrow morning, and I’ll need you to handle the remaining paperwork, Brother Gong.”
What?!
Didn’t Young Master Xie want to consider others?
Gong Sheng thought Xie Qian was playing hard to get, but Xie Qian had already decided to hire this manager.
What about me?
Young Master Xie, are you really moving on so fast?
Gong Sheng was feeling resentful when Xie Qian suddenly said, “Brother Gong, I’m just hiring someone to assist you. If you’re willing, you’re still my top choice for a partner.”
