What kind of author, once lost, could truly be called a loss for Aige?
Han Qin couldn’t relate to Xiao Ni’s words right now.
If a top-tier author signed with Aige wanted to break their contract, Han Qin would indeed be annoyed for a while, but she definitely wouldn’t see it as an irreparable loss.
The platform was still there, the magazine’s circulation was still strong, one talented author gone, there were plenty more waiting for Aige to make them famous!
Xiao Ni’s words made Han Qin furious.
What made her even angrier was that the next morning, Zou Weijun called to say Rongcheng Publishing Group was planning to sign a publishing contract with Wen Ying.
“If your magazine has no objections.”
Han Qin had plenty of objections.
But how could she admit defeat to Zou Weijun?
Even now, Han Qin still believed Wen Ying and Zou Weijun were putting on a double act, that Rongcheng Publishing Group couldn’t possibly agree to a tiered royalty contract with a maximum of 15%!
“No objections, congratulations to Editor Zou for signing a promising work.”
Han Qin’s tone was cold, but Zou Weijun didn’t care.
The winner should show some grace, shouldn’t they?
“Editor-in-Chief Han, we should sit down and talk again. Once Wen Ying signs with us, we’ll need to discuss the serialization schedule for Teen Idol in your magazine. I’d like to find a plan that doesn’t harm your interests while getting Teen Idol published and on the market as soon as possible, you—”
Before Zou Weijun could finish, a busy tone came through the phone.
Han Qin had hung up.
Zou Weijun sighed, “Editor-in-Chief Han’s got quite a temper, but no matter, I’ll handle these talks. You just focus on finishing the manuscript for Teen Idol.”
Wen Ying had seen Han Qin’s temper yesterday, so this reaction wasn’t surprising.
She wondered if Xiao Ni got scolded yesterday?
Half an hour after Han Qin hung up, Wen Ying received a text from Xiao Ni: “Little Fish, goodbye, looking forward to our next meeting!”
They both knew that with Wen Ying and Han Qin at odds, meeting again soon was unlikely. But Xiao Ni was a gentle, optimistic girl, even if there wasn’t a chance in the near future, she looked forward to a next time, contract or no contract, their personal friendship remained!
Wen Ying also looked forward to their next meeting.
She hoped that next time, she wouldn’t be a newbie author with no say, and Xiao Ni wouldn’t be a rookie editor with no voice!
“Auntie Zou, let’s sign, I’m ready.”
Zou Weijun had prepared the contract, specifying royalties, sales calculations, payment cycles, and Wen Ying’s responsibilities.
It was late May, and Wen Ying needed to submit the remaining manuscript for Teen Idol to Zou Weijun by July 15.
“After you finish the full manuscript, there’s still editing and proofreading, then typesetting and printing. I hope Teen Idol can hit the market in early August. As for your royalties, you’ll get a 30,000 yuan advance when the book launches, with the rest settled three months later.”
An August launch with royalties settled after three months meant that, besides the 30,000 yuan advance from Zou Weijun, Wen Ying would receive her first quarter’s royalties around November.
November was a great time.
Tianjiao’s first drama would have recouped its investment, and with royalties in hand, Wen Ying’s liquid funds would be enough to buy a house in Shanghai, no problem!
The end of 2005 was the perfect time to snap up property in Shanghai.
Wen Ying had no objections and signed her name confidently.
“Didn’t you say you’d have a lawyer review the contract?”
Zou Weijun remembered what Wen Ying had said yesterday.
Wen Ying smiled, “If I were signing with Editor-in-Chief Han, I’d definitely get a lawyer to check the contract. But with you, I don’t need to, I trust you.”
Oh, that wouldn’t do!
She wouldn’t cheat this girl, but that didn’t mean others wouldn’t!
Zou Weijun gave Wen Ying a proper lecture, and Wen Ying nodded obediently, her “Auntie Zou, you’re absolutely right” expression leaving Zou Weijun both exasperated and amused.
“Alright, you can go back and work on your manuscript when you have time. From now until mid-July, you’ve got plenty of time, no need to rush, but make sure the final 120,000 words are high quality!”
Zou Weijun set the July 15 deadline, by which time summer holidays would have started, giving Wen Ying plenty of time to write.
After signing and fingerprinting, completing the process, Zou Weijun had to stay late at the office, while Wen Ying left Rongcheng Publishing Group’s building alone, her first publishing contract in her backpack.
Who should she share this joy with?
Manager Chen definitely wouldn’t be happy.
Old Wen kept calling himself the head of the family, but his ears were getting softer, if Manager Chen wasn’t happy, he wouldn’t dare congratulate her.
Xie Qian, Xie Qian was in Shanghai on business, would she be disturbing him?
Li Mengjiao would do, but she was out of town for a promotion, probably too busy to answer her phone.
Wen Ying quickly ran through her options and settled on the best person. She called Deng Shangwei, briefly explained, and asked:
“Uncle, are you happy for me? I’m telling you first with the good news!”
“…Happy, I’m really happy.”
Deng Shangwei’s happiness almost brought him to tears.
What kind of fool digs their own grave? Him, that’s who!
It was his fault, he’d told Wen Ying to keep it from her parents, and now he was the one bearing this “joy.”
“It’s big news, but don’t tell your aunt, I’m afraid she’ll let it slip. You signed on your own, is that really okay?”
Okay or not, she’d already signed.
Thinking of the contract in her backpack, Wen Ying’s joy carried a hint of bittersweetness.
So she really could do it!
She really could publish a book.
Someone who hadn’t published couldn’t be called a writer, just an author at best.
The same writer’s dream, Wen Ying had chased it across two lifetimes. In her last life, she gave up without fully trying, but this time, she finally left no regrets!
Deng Shangwei was infected by Wen Ying’s joy, momentarily forgetting the mess he was in, and offered to treat her to dinner.
“What do you want to eat? My treat, it’s the weekend, I’ll bring your two cousins.”
“Let’s go to Shrimp King!”
Keep the wealth in the family, a very Wen Ying choice.
Deng Shangwei agreed.
Wen Ying didn’t pick the main branch on Night Snack Street, she deliberately chose Da Liu’s franchise to test if the food quality was consistent.
Yang Xi, now a supervisor, needed to show some results.
Wen Ying arrived first and ordered, while Deng Shangwei showed up later with Chen Li and their two sons. As they sat down to eat, Chen Li was puzzled, “Why are we eating this in broad daylight?”
Wen Ying grinned brightly, “Auntie, I’m thrilled today!”
Thrilled about what, had she made up with her mum?
Chen Li wanted to ask, but Deng Shangwei cut her off, “Come, come, let’s toast Wen Ying with juice, wishing her… wishing her great results in the final exams!”
He didn’t dare mention the book’s success, but good grades were a win everyone could cheer for.
So here’s to Wen Ying, great exam results and a bestselling novel!
