Blocking someone’s path to wealth is like killing their parents.
Though not every viewer of the promo has the ability to win first prize, dreams are worth having, what if they come true?
Thanks to the gradual buildup, all anticipation and passion exploded with this fourth promo!
—Ahem, money or not, it’s not the point, the point is pursuing dreams, right?
Alright, no more pretending, in 2005, 200,000 yuan was a huge sum. A short story could win that much prize money, no matter how you look at it, it’s a steal!
A tiny minority genuinely don’t care about money, purely loving literature.
For them, having their writing recognised and works widely praised matters more. Winning prize money is just icing on the cake, equally worth their anticipation!
Wen Ying’s promo was like pouring water into a boiling oil pot, already simmering, now splashing wildly.
The promo aired on TV, and since families watching together at night couldn’t discuss the contest, the conversation shifted online.
Tianya, Rongshu, and Tieba were all stirred up by the contest.
If there were a trending list, “200,000 yuan prize” would rocket to number one in no time.
The biggest twist was at Rongshu.
Posts criticising the contest went quiet for a bit.
After brief calm, a bigger backlash hit.
“Are we the kind of vulgar people swayed by filthy money? This trashy contest totally disgusts me, I’ll never sign up!”
The poster typed this, closed Rongshu, and started searching how to enter.
As for shame… come on, online, who knows if it’s a person or a dog at the keyboard? Slapping your own face on Rongshu doesn’t stop you from secretly joining!
Denying temptation preserves your Rongshu persona and confuses rivals.
Hope those fools buy it, heh!
The post drew many like-minded replies.
“Exactly! I, XXX, swear on this post, I’ll never join this garbage contest!”
“Swear on this post, I won’t compete!”
Each refresh brought new comments, fervent words, and flying oaths.
Fans lurking on Rongshu were stunned.
Are these purists really that stubborn, unmoved by huge prizes?
No way.
Even if the prize didn’t tempt them, Wen Ying’s promo didn’t stir them at all?
The fans were too naive, unaware how many say one thing and do another.
Some clear-headed Rongshu users, not famous writers but stronger than those ranting about the contest’s vulgarity, earned fees from their writing. Some had published novels, though not hits, and at least contributed to magazines like *Mengya* or *Reader*, even sci-fi or martial arts ones, not the youth lit mags aimed at young girls.
This group had their own circle, often chatting online.
The contest already caught their eye, and tonight’s promo sparked analysis in their usual QQ group.
These writers, earning from their craft, were sharp thinkers, dissecting the contest with precision.
“The contest has short and long fiction categories.”
“Short fiction needs fewer words, less time, lower investment, with a top prize of 200,000 yuan!”
“Low requirements, low investment, means a low barrier and fierce competition. Some with weak literary skills but good storytelling will try their luck in the short fiction category…”
“Exactly, short fiction will draw tons of entries! Long fiction, needing at least 100,000 words, takes more time and effort. Its prize is a 200,000-yuan publishing contract, seemingly equal to the short fiction prize, but actually far more valuable!”
“Yep, with a book priced at 30 yuan and 10% royalties, a 200,000-yuan contract means a first print of over 60,000 copies, not something new authors usually get!”
“Don’t forget film adaptation chances. Long fiction has better odds for that… I think even established writers will be drawn to this. Look at ‘Upstream Fish,’ with a three-minute-plus promo on Hunan TV. That kind of push is rare at any publisher. Even less talented writers could make a name with that exposure!”
Exactly.
Those not yet famous want fame.
Those already famous might want more.
Not everyone’s chasing hype, but when it comes to film adaptations, every youth lit writer would be tempted!
If big names join, what chance do these folks have?
The QQ group fell silent.
It’s about trade-offs.
Short fiction: low barrier, mixed skill levels, a one-off 200,000-yuan prize.
Long fiction: high barrier, skilled competitors, intense fight, but a 200,000-yuan publishing contract offers long-term income and adaptation potential.
So hard to choose!
Argh, which category to enter?
Suddenly, a new message popped up.
“Are we being dumb? The organiser didn’t say you can’t enter both categories, right? No conflict!”
“Right, enter both! Long fiction will attract established writers, but we’d stand out in short fiction. Compete in both, double the chances!”
—You clever little bugger.
—Only fools pick one, smart ones take both!
Now, the question:
When will the detailed rules be announced?
What are the short fiction requirements? The long fiction ones? Do we really wait until *Spark* launches?
God, it’s only November 5th, ten days until *Spark*’s release. Just sit and wait?
Whoever planned this contest is a scheming genius!
No, not knowing the rules doesn’t mean doing nothing.
The contest keeps stressing “creativity.” Creativity doesn’t just appear, but with ten days until registration, there’s time to brainstorm.
…
Literature enthusiasts discussed how to join, while Wen Ying’s readers and casual netizens focused on her.
The promo was done.
Per the past few days’ pattern, it’d replay multiple times tonight.
Wen Ying’s first on-screen appearance hit her readers hard.
By Yuan Fenghui’s standards, Wen Ying’s looks were debut-worthy, high praise indeed.
Though the promo downplayed her appearance, avoiding direct face shots, the final reveal was striking.
No fancy clothes, no heavy makeup, just a clean face, deeply moving.
“So Little Fish is this pretty.”
Readers waiting for the second airing were thrilled.
“So pretty and so talented, I think I like Little Fish even more. Sounds shallow, but I can’t control it!”
“I admit I’m shallow!”
“I’m shallow too.”
“Another shallow day!”
Everyone loves beauty.
Wen Ying first won readers with her soul, then showed her looks, hitting harder than just showing beauty upfront!
Her 70-point beauty, through readers’ filters, became a perfect 100!
Even without the fan filter, judged fairly, Wen Ying was stunning, not star-level, but top-tier among authors.
Take Xie Qian’s cousin-in-law, Jiang Youjia, who was shocked:
—Is this really the same chubby round-faced girl from last year?!
