When you’re powerless against someone’s enthusiasm and sincerity, especially when they wield their own brand of twisted logic, what do you do?
—Of course, you give in!
Satisfy their demands quickly to escape.
After being derailed countless times, Wen Ying helplessly surrendered to the adorable Mrs. Wang, abandoning resistance and seriously brainstorming solutions.
After all, as Mrs. Wang put it, she just wanted to spend money on Zou Weijun. She wasn’t a man trying to deceive anyone’s heart or body, so why shouldn’t she be allowed to spend?
The reasoning was so compelling, so refreshingly bold.
But spending money on Zou Weijun wasn’t that simple.
First, Zou Weijun wasn’t short on cash.
As head of Rongcheng Literary Publishing House, her salary might not be sky-high, but her performance bonuses were substantial. Even if she and Xie Jinghu lived apart, would Xie Jinghu, a prominent figure, dare skimp on living expenses? If word got out he was neglecting his wife, he’d lose face and substance!
For someone who didn’t lack money, Mrs. Wang’s spending had to target something Zou couldn’t refuse.
Like how Mrs. Wang entrusted her deposit to Chen Ru, spending on Zou Weijun’s career would be more effective than gifting expensive jewellery.
Mrs. Wang’s approach was sound but lacked specifics, as she didn’t know the publishing industry.
Or perhaps she’d considered it but couldn’t break into publishing. The Wang family’s business networks had no ties to it. Asking Mrs. Wang to write a bestseller for Zou Weijun to publish was a tall order. Despite her charming, middle-aged cuteness, writing required talent… So, Mrs. Wang gave up on the publishing house and focused on Zou’s other project, the launch and promotion of *Spark* magazine!
*Spark* had been founded but not yet distributed.
Zou Weijun and Xiao Ni both hoped for a stronger debut.
The market had plenty of youth magazines, and *Spark* needed to stand out to shine!
To that end, *Spark* relied on Wen Ying’s popularity and influence. With her current fame as “The Fish Against the Current,” her articles in *Spark* would draw readers.
But Wen Ying alone couldn’t sustain a new magazine. Xiao Ni was frantically soliciting manuscripts, poaching authors from her old employer *Aige* and others.
These were key to *Spark*’s survival.
Yet other youth magazines had similar advantages.
The top-circulation ones had exclusive star authors, and million-selling books weren’t Wen Ying’s monopoly.
*Spark* needed more.
A more impactful promotion strategy.
This wasn’t Wen Ying’s concern, but with Mrs. Wang approaching her, insisting on spending for *Spark*, Wen Ying had to think seriously.
Ask Mrs. Wang for a promotional budget?
Mrs. Wang would pay, but why would Zou Weijun accept? Rongcheng Publishing Group wasn’t strapped for cash.
Sponsoring as an advertiser was more legitimate, but what Wang family business needed promotion? Advertise their phone mall on Taisheng South Road?
It wouldn’t work.
The Wangs didn’t make phone brands.
Besides, magazine readers might not afford phones. Most youth magazine readers needed parental approval for such pricey purchases.
Advertising in a youth magazine was less effective than blasting ads from a van’s loudspeaker in the streets!
Under Mrs. Wang’s trusting, expectant gaze, Wen Ying’s brain worked harder than during exams.
What method would Zou Weijun accept, ensuring Mrs. Wang’s money wasn’t wasted?
Thinking of the Wangs’ phone mall, Wang Jun’s habit of hoarding properties, and the Tianjiao shares he’d just transferred to Wang Shuang, Wen Ying had a spark.
Actually, the Wang family *did* have a business tied to publishing.
Tianjiao Media!
The film industry would, in the future, be upstream of literature.
The “big entertainment” concept wouldn’t emerge for over a decade, but if Tianjiao Media entered early, laying groundwork now, it wasn’t a bad move.
In a decade, IPs fetching tens of millions in copyright fees might still be free serials on forums.
Future giants of adaptation rights might now be struggling new authors, rejected by magazines, scraping by.
Publishing houses and magazines lived on words, but with a longer view, words weren’t just words.
After boldly declaring to Wang Jun she’d buy Tianjiao shares in a year, Wen Ying already saw herself as a future shareholder.
As Tianjiao’s future stakeholder, *Spark*’s star author, Zou Weijun’s key ally, and with Mrs. Wang’s high hopes, Wen “Awesome” Ying devised a plan for Mrs. Wang to spend openly, benefiting everyone, “You could sponsor a writing competition in Tianjiao’s name!”
Mrs. Wang’s eyes lit up, her smile genuine, “What kind of competition? I don’t understand these things, just tell me how much it’ll cost!”
—*No, I suspect you already get it, but you’re tricking me into doing the heavy lifting.*
—*God, stop looking at me with that trusting, admiring gaze, my resolve isn’t as strong as I thought!*
Later, Wen Ying reflected on why she fell into Mrs. Wang’s trap, step by step.
It wasn’t her weak resolve, Mrs. Wang just offered too much!
Like a generous, undemanding client with a fat budget, supporting every planner’s idea, agreeing to fund anything, how could Wen Ying not be moved?
Resisting Mrs. Wang’s charm, Wen Ying’s thoughts clarified, “It’s hard to say how much it’ll cost, but your money won’t be wasted. Sponsor a competition in Tianjiao’s name, co-hosted with *Spark*, calling for creative story submissions nationwide. Set generous prizes to attract participants. This will quickly boost *Spark*’s fame, attract talented authors, and the winning stories won’t go to waste—Tianjiao can buy their creative rights to enrich its film library. What do you think?”
Though she didn’t fully follow, it sounded impressive.
Mrs. Wang nodded enthusiastically, “I think it’s great!”
Spending money, bonding with Zou Weijun, and benefiting Tianjiao exceeded her expectations.
One investment, multiple gains, a total win!
Nodding, Mrs. Wang gripped Wen Ying’s hand, “It’s great, but I can’t explain it alone. Come with me to see Xie Qian’s mum, okay? And since it’s in Tianjiao’s name, should we ask Teacher Yuan too?”
