Lawyer Du was right. After the trial, media coverage boosted Teen Idol’s sales again.
The first judgment hadn’t been announced, yet reporters were already writing that “Upstream Fish” had won, defending their reputation.
It was the tale of a young, lone knight bravely fighting an evil dragon, too marketable.
Reporters couldn’t take photos but subtly mentioned “Upstream Fish’s” appearance, a fleeting glimpse at Rongcheng’s courthouse entrance, described with poetic vagueness. Wen Ying laughed reading the reports; the journalists were convinced Xie Qian was “Upstream Fish”.
With no verdict yet, Zheng Zhihe told Wen Ying not to worry about the case, it was a sure win.
“After the first judgment, they might appeal, but it’s fine. You won’t need to appear in the second trial. I can handle it fully without disrupting your studies.”
Zheng Zhihe’s assessment matched Wen Ying’s.
The first trial was crucial, with all evidence and testimonies gathered. Wen Ying didn’t think she’d need to attend the second trial; that would underestimate Zheng’s ability.
During the trial, Wen Ying spotted her mentor in the audience. She wanted to know his take on the case but, with her current status, had no way to approach him. Trying to pry from Zheng Zhihe wouldn’t work either; he was too sharp and would get suspicious. So, she held back.
Five days after the trial, The Princess’s New Clothes announced its air date.
The Super Girl finale was August 26, and The Princess’s New Clothes was set for September 2.
By then, students would be back at school, the target audience for teen dramas suppressed under Buddha’s Five-Finger Mountain. Could the show’s ratings soar?
Hunan TV, investing 70 million, had high hopes, expecting the drama to pull students back to their screens. They strategically chose September 2, a Friday, when most students could watch TV since there was no school the next day.
Hunan TV’s scheduling was cunning.
As a beneficiary, Wen Ying appreciated their cleverness.
While Wen Ying anticipated the show’s ratings, Zou Weijun and her son Xie Qian were guests at the Jiang household.
Zou Weijun had planned Shh, Little Secret and boosted Teen Idol. As Rongcheng Publishing Group’s general manager, Jiang Xuekun no longer saw her as just a wealthy wife passing time. She treated the job seriously and achieved results.
Jiang Xuekun believed Zou Weijun deserved a bigger stage.
She was in the editorial department, but lacked the experience to lead it and gain respect. Jiang planned to send her to Rongcheng Literature Press, a subsidiary, for experience. Over dinner, he raised the idea, seeking her opinion.
“If you go, you’ll have to give up the Shh, Little Secret series. Consider it carefully.”
Rongcheng Publishing Group had ten subsidiaries. The eldest was Rongcheng People’s Press, the second Rongcheng Education Press, each specializing in different books. Shh, Little Secret, a popular science series, was published by Rongcheng Education Press, while Teen Idol came from Rongcheng Literature Press.
If ranked by business volume and group priority, Rongcheng People’s Press was first, Rongcheng Education Press second, and Rongcheng Literature Press, which published Teen Idol, seventh.
Releasing a bestseller like Teen Idol let Rongcheng Literature Press stand tall among its siblings.
If Teen Idol’s lead editor, Zou Weijun, joined Rongcheng Literature Press, the veteran staff would accept her, making her work easier.
But there was no perfect solution. Joining Rongcheng Literature Press meant abandoning Shh, Little Secret. The group had plans for which books each press published. Though not strictly enforced, switching a popular science series midstream would spark conflict. Rongcheng Education Press would not let Rongcheng Literature Press, the “younger brother,” off easily. The group didn’t support internal strife; they wanted subsidiaries to compete externally to grow the pie.
Shh, Little Secret’s second book was in preparation for a launch next year. Zou Weijun was reluctant to hand it over and didn’t trust others to follow through.
Who could take over?
An old hand like Editor Wan, or a newbie like Xiao Ni?
Xiao Ni would be fine, but it wasn’t realistic. She wasn’t permanent yet, and a blockbuster like Shh, Little Secret wouldn’t go to a young editor.
Thinking it might go to Wan, Zou Weijun was uneasy.
It wasn’t Wan’s professionalism but his lack of integrity. He’d sway with the wind. If all went well, fine, but if the second book faced the same criticism as the first, Wan would likely bolt.
Still, Jiang Xuekun’s offer to join Rongcheng Literature Press tempted Zou Weijun.
Rankings aside, she’d have her own turf, with high freedom in selecting, planning, and publishing.
If she went, she’d bring Xiao Ni. The thought was interrupted by her son, Xie Qian, who asked Jiang Xuekun if he’d considered launching a youth literature magazine.
“Hunan has Hua Huo, Shandong has Ai Ge. What does Sichuan have? What does Rongcheng have? Can you name one? Even if my mom runs Rongcheng Literature Press, can she always luck out and poach works like Teen Idol from other magazines?”
Poaching was necessary, but for Rongcheng Literature Press to produce bestsellers consistently, it needed to nurture its own authors.
Rongcheng Publishing Group lacked a youth literature magazine.
“Youth literature” was an unavoidable trend. If you couldn’t dodge it, embrace it.
The Jiang family stared at Xie Qian.
It was just a dinner, yet Xie Qian dropped such a bombshell.
Starting a magazine sounded as simple as doing homework in his mouth.
Zou Weijun’s heart stirred: Xie Qian’s idea was great. If they launched a youth magazine, she’d move Xiao Ni there once at Rongcheng Literature Press. Xiao Ni had worked at Ai Ge after all.
Zou disliked Ai Ge’s Editor Han, but objectively, Ai Ge was well-run.
With a youth magazine, Xiao Ni would have a fitting role, and Wen Ying’s future works could be serialized there, keeping the benefits in-house. Xie Qian’s proposal was perfect.
Jiang Xuekun grew interested. “After dinner, come to my study, and we’ll discuss further.”
“Sure, Uncle Jiang.”
Xie Qian looked open, seemingly selfless.
While Xie Qian worked to convince Jiang Xuekun, the polished Lawyer Du arrived at Wen Ying’s hometown.
He planned to meet Wen Ying’s father first.
Typically, a small-town official like him would be the family head. Convincing Wen Dongrong with settlement terms would ensure withdrawal.
Du had prepared his pitch, confident all civil cases could settle.
Wen Dongrong’s details came courtesy of Zhao Dong. Dressed sharply, Du handed over his card, leaving the gatekeeper unsure whether to stop him.
Wen Dongrong, receiving the internal call, was puzzled: why was a lawyer visiting him?
