“…That is the general situation.”
If you want to find out about the character of an experienced writer in the industry, asking Jiang Xuekun would be the right choice.
As for criticising Wen Ying, Jiang Xuekun did not think she had poor character, but his evaluation was that she was “stubborn”, and indeed, the older she got, the more stubborn she became.
With these older seniors, the younger generation could not exactly roll up their sleeves and fight them. Faced with criticism from them, there seemed to be no option but to accept it.
The essay competition was good for Spark magazine, good for Rongcheng Literature and Art Publishing House, and even beneficial for raising the profile of the entire Rongcheng Publishing Group.
It was also good for Wen Ying. Since the promotional video aired, sales of Young Idol had climbed once more. After news came out that she was a judge, some bookstores saw their stock of Young Idol snapped up completely.
Before, no one knew who the judges were, so they could only study the works published in the first issue of Spark, trying to match the judges’ tastes. These clever people guessed correctly, as it was indeed the magazine editors who did the initial grading of the submissions.
Now that Wen Ying’s role as a judge was public, there was heavy questioning online, yet even as she was scolded, sales of Young Idol were unaffected. Some people who neither entered the contest nor were her readers bought the book purely out of curiosity.
Since fame brought Wen Ying such benefits, she had to bear the negative pressure too.
This was the reasoning, yet Jiang Xuekun still felt bad. The benefits were shared, but this young woman was put on the front line to bear all public scrutiny, which was unfair.
“You mean that Rongcheng Publishing Group will help, but given the other party’s qualifications and standing, the rebuttal of an ordinary critic would not be very effective?”
“Yes, unless someone with a very high standing in the industry speaks up. In fact, if you had not called me today, I was already planning to take action myself.”
Xie Qian had always been quick to grasp the key points. When Jiang Xuekun offered to speak up for Wen Ying, Xie Qian refused.
“Uncle Jiang, if you step in, it will change the nature of the matter.”
Right now, many people were questioning why Wen Ying could be a judge. Jiang Xuekun’s position as General Manager of Rongcheng Publishing Group carried weight, but it would also make people believe they had found the truth, that Wen Ying became a judge because she had backing in the publishing group.
The label of “nepotism” would stick firmly to her.
No matter how well her books sold in the future or how great her achievements, that label could be used to erase all her efforts.
Rongcheng Publishing Group was indeed her backing, but not because of personal ties. It was because her books sold well and she had the ability to plan large-scale events like the essay competition, something an ordinary bestselling author could not match. The greater a person’s abilities, the more attention they would receive. Many people could not understand this and cried unfair treatment, while others understood but still joined in the noise, simply hoping to gain from it.
Of course, some were merely ignorant, but there were also more malicious ones. They saw that Wen Ying was being strongly supported as the vanguard for the publishing group’s entry into the youth literature and bestseller markets. These people would not challenge the publishing group directly, instead steering public opinion to focus on her, criticising her, and trying to ruin her.
Xie Qian understood this clearly.
Precisely because he understood, he was especially angry.
“It should not be you, Uncle Jiang. I have thought of someone more suitable. In terms of qualifications and standing in the literary world, they are more than a match for that famously stubborn senior.”
Jiang Xuekun immediately understood. “You mean Old Fu?”
“Yes, Old Fu. If he agrees to be a judge, that means he does not oppose the competition. Compared to others, at least he would not be prejudiced.”
If Old Fu’s role as a judge were announced, much of the outside doubt about the Spark Cup competition would vanish.
If Old Fu agreed to be a judge, it showed he recognised the competition.
To attack the competition would be to attack Old Fu’s choice. With so many students and protégés in the industry, no one in their right mind would openly oppose him.
But this would only resolve doubts about the competition itself. Judging by the current trend, Wen Ying would still face growing criticism.
At present, some were saying they would not participate because she was a judge.
In time, this might become demands for her resignation as a judge, arguing she was unworthy to be on the same level as Old Fu.
These were the milder opponents. The more extreme ones would subject her to all kinds of public abuse. If only Old Fu, while serving as a judge, could also show his approval of her. With his recognition, her crisis would be resolved instantly.
Xie Qian certainly dared to think big.
“Old Fu agreed to be a judge only because of your mother. Speaking up for Wen Ying… that will be difficult, but I can try.”
Jiang Xuekun did not overestimate himself, but as a well-known figure in the media world, if he was willing to go so far as to beg personally, Old Fu would probably agree.
As for saving face, what was face compared to substance?
Even without the connection through Xie Qian’s mother, Wen Ying was still an author the publishing group valued greatly. As a beneficiary, he could not pretend not to know and leave her to bear the attacks alone.
“Uncle Jiang, I want to visit Old Fu in person.”
“Hm?!”
Although someone at Jiang Xuekun’s level would not be shocked by the idea of “young love”, was Xie Qian acting a bit too much like someone blinded by it?
He had not expected the cold and aloof Xie Qian to have such a day. Holding back a laugh, he asked seriously, “How do you plan to persuade Old Fu to speak up?”
“With ability, of course.”
Begging? That word was not in Xie Qian’s vocabulary.
However, the ability he spoke of was not his own, but Wen Ying’s.
A literary giant like Old Fu, with many accomplished students, would not lack judgment. By seeing Wen Ying’s works, he could decide for himself what kind of person she was, how capable she was, whether she had greater potential, and whether she was worth protecting.
But how could he get Old Fu to see her work?
Just calling him and asking him to read Young Idol?
That would be ridiculous. Countless people nationwide wanted his guidance. Even if he was approachable, such a request would be disrespectful.
Xie Qian planned to visit in person, bringing him Young Idol and Wen Ying’s short stories.
He was a man of action. Once he decided, he booked a Saturday flight that very day.
With the tutor away, the underachievers in the Xie household were supposed to be studying on their own, though naturally they took the chance to slack off. If Wen Ying had not been in the middle of a public storm, Wang Shuang would have celebrated with fireworks.
“Recently Xie Qian seems to be going to Shanghai a lot.”
Aside from Jiang Xuekun, no one knew he was going to see Old Fu. When he said he had gone to Shanghai, Wen Ying had no idea her idol could lie.
Wang Shuang’s casual comment made Wen Ying a little worried.
He had indeed been going there frequently.
Was it because his logistics company was having problems, or was Xie Jinghu up to something again?
After all, Xie Jinghu’s henchman Zhao Dong was now in Shanghai.
