So many!
Wen Ying stared at her phone screen, convinced Xiao Ni had miscalculated or mistyped the number.
But on second thought, Xiao Ni was meticulous and wouldn’t make such a basic mistake. So, Youth Idol’s first-day sales in Rongcheng were indeed 4,221 copies.
Amid the surprise, Wen Ying’s rationality gradually returned.
The sales were unexpected yet reasonable.
For the past half-month, Rongcheng’s print media had been promoting the book, boosted by a major ad in the Rongcheng Morning Post. Many were curious about Youth Idol, and 4,000-plus copies sold on its debut didn’t mean she was on par with J.K. Rowling. The 4,221 figure wasn’t just one day’s result but a surge built on half a month of groundwork.
Whether Youth Idol would become a bestseller couldn’t be judged by this alone; it depended on sustained sales.
Still, if Rongcheng alone sold 4,221 copies, national first-day sales could easily exceed 10,000. Wang Shuang had turned prophet.
“Thank you, Xiao Ni! Thank you and Aunt Zou for believing in me and for all you’ve done for Youth Idol.”
The book’s cover alone went through multiple designs, with every detail perfected to make Youth Idol as flawless as possible. A book’s success wasn’t just the author’s triumph but the entire publishing team’s achievement.
Xiao Ni smiled at the message.
Saying she made Youth Idol a success was less accurate than saying Wen Ying’s work made her. Youth Idol brought Xiao Ni not just professional recognition but the courage to follow her heart.
In the editorial office, a stack of Youth Idol sample copies sat on the desk. Xiao Ni picked one up, inhaling the scent of fresh ink, and all her fatigue vanished.
“Sister Zou, I’m so happy. Tonight, I’m sleeping with the book.”
This book gave Xiao Ni boundless drive to keep pushing forward.
Zou Weijun laughed, “I’m taking one home too.”
It was already midnight when they left the office. Zou Weijun was still smiling on her way home. Though much older than Xiao Ni, she felt no exhaustion. The sense of accomplishment fueled her—she felt she could work another week straight!
At home, Aunt Liu had prepared bathwater. Zou Weijun’s steps upstairs were light as a breeze. “Wen Ying’s book will definitely sell a million copies.”
Aunt Liu, very familiar with Wen Ying, smiled and echoed, “That’s amazing! And I mean not just Wen Ying but you too. You’re both incredible!”
Last year, Zou Weijun was in a dark place; now, her transformation was clear to Aunt Liu.
Her words carried a double meaning.
Everyone cared about Zou Weijun, wanting to save her, and she was actively saving herself. In just a year, she went from despair to career success—truly remarkable.
Zou Weijun thought: Remarkable? This was just a small career milestone. Her goal was to become a major industry figure, setting rules and unearthing hidden talents and books like pearls in river sand.
That night, Wen Ying, Zou Weijun, and Xiao Ni weren’t the only ones too excited to sleep.
Editor Wan and Song Foxiang, who quietly supported the book, were guessing Youth Idol’s first-day sales in Rongcheng.
Song Chan, who got a copy of Youth Idol, was another.
Song Chan always thought she was talented, blaming her book’s lack of success on clashing with Hush, Little Secret. After reading Youth Idol, she had an epiphany.
In terms of refined prose, “The Fish Against the Current” didn’t match her.
But the pen’s strength was remarkable—simple, direct words painted vivid, impactful scenes and lifelike characters that left Song Chan feeling inferior.
She heard “The Fish Against the Current” was young!
The pen name only appeared in Aige last year. Song Chan read all its short stories, each better than the last, with astonishing progress.
She began to question herself, even her confidence in writing.
Her father was a writer, so she wanted to be one too—that was her lifelong belief.
But writers differ.
Song Chan painfully realized: her father was a writer, she could write, but she might never surpass his achievements.
What if “The Fish Against the Current” was her father’s child? Would he be prouder?
Song Foxiang’s recent praise for Youth Idol put immense pressure on her.
Unaware of his daughter’s sensitive thoughts, Song Foxiang guessed Youth Idol sold over 3,000 copies in Rongcheng, while Editor Wan bet on 4,000. The two middle-aged men argued late into the night, with Wan brimming with confidence.
“Old Song, I may not match you in poetry, but in publishing, you’re no match for me!”
Song Foxiang scoffed, “Sure, Youth Idol’s doing well, but that’s Xiao Zou’s sharp eye. What’re you proud of? My goal is to crush Zhao Family Letters, and Youth Idol’s doing great.”
True enough.
Whether Youth Idol sold 3,000 or 4,000 copies in Rongcheng on its first day, it had drowned out Zhao Family Letters. Editor Wan was smug, knowing Zhao Dong’s money-fueled promotion lost to his tactics.
Kindred spirits make confidants. Song Foxiang and Editor Wan agreed to celebrate Youth Idol’s success with drinks, the loser of the sales bet footing the bill.
That night, another sleepless soul was Han Qin in Shandong.
Zheng Zhizhi acted swiftly. On the same day Youth Idol launched, Editor Han received news of Xiao Ni’s lawsuit against her.
This time, no summons—Han Qin got a direct call from the court.
In Han Qin’s mind, Xiao Ni was an easy target, a quiet pushover. Yet, at a critical moment, Xiao Ni’s bite was fierce.
Han Qin’s lawyer friend was pessimistic.
If the court accepted the case, Xiao Ni must have evidence. The friend repeatedly urged Han Qin to secure “proof.”
For instance, could Han Qin ensure the author who sent “ginseng tea” to Xiao Ni would testify in her favor?
Han Qin gritted her teeth. “Don’t worry. Not everyone is ‘The Fish Against the Current.’ As long as that author wants to keep working with Aige, she’ll know what to say. Is a former editor more important than her own career?”
Xiao Ni had clearly been bought by Zou Weijun. She left the magazine and seamlessly joined Rongcheng Publishing Group. Han Qin even wanted to sue Xiao Ni for leaking internal info, causing the magazine’s failed contract with “The Fish Against the Current.”
Youth Idol might sell well in Sichuan, but in Shandong, Aige’s stronghold, Han Qin knew its distribution channels were choked. Any stray copies wouldn’t make waves.
Han Qin was determined to ensure Youth Idol flopped in Shandong.
