Chapter 110: Wukong Legend!

The golden monkey lifts the thousand‑jin staff, and the jade sky clears ten thousand miles of dust!

Xu Yuexin wrote continuously until evening, only stopping when his hands grew sore.

In a little while, Chen Qiaoqiao came home from school.

Xu Yuexin called Da Yizi to the kitchen to chop and prep vegetables, so that his daughter‑in‑law could have dinner as soon as she got home.

"I'll cook, you just watch."

"I'm not expecting you to learn much; just don't starve yourself next holiday."

Having chopped the meat and vegetables, Xu Yuexin poured oil into the pan and told Da Yizi behind him.

Chen Yixue nodded, stepping back to prevent oil splatters from exploding.

Sigh, seeing Da Yizi like that, I guess I'll still have to help her cook in the future.

Xu Yuexin muttered upon seeing this.

After a while, the dishes were all finished, and Chen Qiaoqiao also arrived home.

The three sat around the table eating; after the meal, Chen Qiaoqiao, while her sister was away, whispered a question to Xu Yuexin.

"Did my mother come over again?"

"I don't know; maybe she came, but was stopped by the security officer."

"Huh? The security officer would care about this?"

"I gave him two packs of cigarettes."

"You're still quick‑witted."

Chen Qiaoqiao laughed with a weight lifted, saying she had been worrying all day that her mother would come and disturb.

……

At night, Xu Yuexin held Chen Qiaoqiao in bed, his large hand beginning to seize the high ground.

"No way, my sister is next door."

Chen Qiaoqiao, her face flushed, said, pushing Xu Yuexin's hand away.

"This house is well soundproof."

Xu Yuexin lied, "I tried it during the day; you can't hear it from the next room."

"Really?"

Chen Qiaoqiao said skeptically, pondering the truth of her husband's words.

"Can I still fool you?"

Seizing the moment while his daughter‑in‑law was distracted, Xu Yuexin moved again and kissed her directly.

"Mm…"

Chen Qiaoqiao pushed Xu Yuexin outward, trying to tell him to wait.

Unfortunately, the small cherry‑colored cup pressed against her, and she could no longer protest; in the end, Xu Yuexin got his way.

The bed beneath the two also began to emit rhythmic sounds.

At this moment, the neighboring bedroom.

Chen Yixue, who was already drowsy and about to fall asleep, was jolted awake by the sounds coming from Xu Yuexin's side.

Listening a bit, the sound was surprisingly rhythmic.

Chen Yixue felt speechless.

Without even thinking, it must be the brother‑in‑law's doing, and the sister probably did it reluctantly.

Day after day, can't they just settle down a bit?

At least my Da Yizi is still here.

Chen Yixue silently berated herself inside, trying to cover her head with the blanket to avoid the disturbance.

Yet the noise from next door grew even louder.

Xu Yuexin, that guy, is truly shameless.

Chen Yixue, unable to bear it, decided to give Xu Yuexin a warning tomorrow, telling him not to be so outrageous.

Logically, Chen Yixue should remind her sister, not the brother‑in‑law.

But she knows the root of the problem lies with Xu Yuexin, so reminding her sister would be useless.

The next morning, Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiaoqiao went to class together.

While Chen Qiaoqiao was in the bathroom fixing her hair, Chen Yixue called Xu Yuexin, "Did you sleep well last night?"

Xu Yuexin instantly understood: Da Yizi meant she hadn't slept well.

She was reminding him to be more careful.

"Very well."

Xu Yuexin pretended to be clueless, "Enough talk, I'm going downstairs to take the car out."

After saying that, Xu Yuexin vanished like a puff of smoke, sprinting out the door, leaving Chen Yixue fuming and staring.

Shameless, truly too shameless!

Chen Yixue really had her eyes opened by this brother‑in‑law! Xu Yuexin had a full schedule today, eating lunch at school.

After lunch, back in the dorm, he took out paper and pen to continue writing Wukong Legend, his brush moving swiftly.

……

Another May arrived.

The Wukong Legend manuscript was officially completed, and Xu Yuexin began handling submission matters.

As a 240,000‑word Long Novel, Wukong Legend would have to continue being published in People's Literature via serialization.

So he must wait in line until Great Ming 1566 finishes its serialization, because he already has a column in People's Literature and cannot start a second one.

Let's try another place!

Xu Yuexin thought, and went back to his home in Keyuan Community to retrieve the business cards he had received at the last award ceremony.

Among those business cards were many from well‑known publishing house editors and chief editors. Xu Yuexin examined them one by one, and finally his eyes settled on one of them.

October Magazine, editor‑in‑chief Liu Xinwu, with the magazine office address attached to the back of the card.

Xu Yuexin had collaborated with October Magazine before, having authorized them to print The Horse Herder and The Wreath Under the High Mountain.

They paid handsomely and worked efficiently, and Liu Xinwu had even shared a stage with him to receive an award.

Xu Yuexin decided to submit a manuscript to them this time.

According to the contact information on the card, Xu Yuexin originally planned to go to the Street Office to borrow a phone and reach Liu Xinwu of October Magazine.

But on second thought, the phone at the Street Office would surely be used by many people, and speaking there in front of a crowd would be somewhat inconvenient.

So he took the business card, rode his motorcycle, and hurried to Tuanjie Lake.

The few apartment buildings where Da Yizi lives are in good condition, and the developer installed a telephone especially for the residents.

The occupancy rate is still low, so making a call there would likely not be overheard.

When he arrived, Xu Yuexin saw that the phone booth in the hallway was, as usual, empty, so he went in and picked up the handset.

The phone was coin‑operated, five cents per call with no time limit, and a wooden sign beside it listed the numbers for the Jingcheng Switchboard, the Hu Hai City Switchboard, and the provincial switchboards.

In two years, this type of phone will be spread throughout the Jingcheng Urban Area.

After dropping a coin, Xu Yuexin turned the rotary dial, connected to the City Switchboard, and then the operator transferred the call to October Magazine.

These days, a telephone operator is one of the most sought‑after jobs—no wind, no rain, and good pay. A female comrade in that role even gets extra admiration when going on blind dates.

However, with the later spread of direct‑dial phones, the operator job vanished into history.

"Hello, which department are you looking for?"

"Excuse me, could you connect me to October Magazine?"

"Sure, one moment."

"Doo—, doo……"

The call is being transferred, and soon it connects to the October side.

"Hello, comrade, I'm Xu Yuexin, a writer, and I'd like to speak with your editor‑in‑chief Liu Xinwu, comrade."

"Oh? The Xu Yuexin who won the People's Literature Award? Very well, please hold, I'll fetch Director Liu right away."

Then a hurried set of footsteps.

Today I got to enjoy the perks of a great author.

I called the magazine office to reach their director, and they didn't even ask any questions, just sent him straight to me.

A moment later, Liu Xinwu's voice came through. "Hello, Comrade Yuexin, I'm Liu Xinwu."

"Hello Director Liu, I'd like to submit a manuscript to your magazine office."

"Submit? Sure, welcome, welcome. When do you plan to send it over, and would you like to meet to discuss?"

"Hmm, I'd like to bring the manuscript later for a meeting; are you free?"

"Yes, of course. Where would you like to meet?"

"Right at the magazine entrance, so as not to delay your work; I'll head out now."

"Alright, alright, I'll wait for you here."

The first formal interaction, both sides were still rather polite.

After ending the call, Xu Yuexin pushed his Harley motorcycle out of the parking shed and sped onto East Third Ring amid the rush of wind.

Third Ring Road is about to be fully opened; the east, south, and north sections are already completed and in use, leaving only the western segment to be finished.

The smooth asphalt, the open road—riding a motorcycle on it feels exhilarating.

Following the address on the card, Xu Yuexin rode along the Third Ring toward Chongwen District's Xinglong Street, then turned onto the Second Ring just before arriving.

From the moment he started the motorcycle, Xu Yuexin covered nearly ten kilometres in five minutes, and when he stopped the bike he still felt far from satisfied.

Just one word, awesome.

Just as Xu Yuexin stopped his bike, while his mind was on Wukong Legend, a familiar voice came from not far away.

"You're here so quickly."

Liu Xinwu walked out of the small courtyard of the October Magazine office, a bag in his hand.

At present October Magazine has not moved to its new North Third Ring location and is still operating out of the old Small Wooden Building in Chongwen District.

Looking at the wooden building and recalling that the name Chongwen District would later become a thing of history, Xu Yuexin felt a faint sense of nostalgia.

But that feeling was fleeting.

Because Liu Xinwu, who arrived briskly, exuded a vigorous energy and drive.

Someone who dared to publish Class Teacher back in 1977 must have a daring, adventurous spirit, right?

"Aren't you in a hurry to bring the manuscript for me to see?"

Xu Yuexin smiled, opened the motorcycle's rack, and took out the bag containing the manuscript from the back.

"Impressive, you're already on a motorcycle."

Liu Xinwu clicked his tongue at Xu Yuexin's ride and said, "First park the bike, then we'll go up and talk."

"Alright."

Xu Yuexin pushed the motorcycle into the courtyard's parking shed, and together with Liu Xinwu, climbed the squeaky wooden stairs to the second floor.

October Magazine's facilities are far more modest than People's Literature's, with even the reception room furnished only with plain wooden furniture, some tables and chairs still bearing the marks of time.

Yet a series of famous works hanging on the wall starkly contrast with the humble surroundings.

"The Female Soldiers Who Hasten the Troops," "The Reed‑House Family," "Butterfly"…

The novels, displayed in order, silently showcase the magazine's strength.

A mountain is not famed for its height; if it has an immortal, it becomes renowned. A river is not famed for its depth; if it has a dragon, it becomes spiritual!

After sitting down, Liu Xinwu poured good tea for Xu Yuexin, and the two drank tea and began chatting.

Compared with communication over the phone, Xu Yuexin and Liu Xinwu became a bit more familiar when they met in person.

"Xiao Xu, what is the subject of this work?"

"It is a derivative work of Journey to the West, titled Wukong Legend."

Xu Yuexin took out the manuscript, placed it on the mottled lacquered coffee table, and said, "You can take a look."

"Derivative work? Alright, I'll read it respectfully."

Liu Xinwu said with a cheerful smile, his tone very fresh.

These days, terms like derivative or fan‑fiction are still rare; one would have to wait another ten or twenty years before a wave of reinterpretations of classics appears.

After receiving the manuscript, Liu Xinwu held it carefully in his hands and read it attentively.

Because of the nature of his editing profession, he reads very quickly while still managing not to miss any detail.

Whirr—, whirr—, whirr—.

In the reception room, only the sound of pages turning remained for a moment, and the air grew quiet.

Xu Yuexin leaned back in his chair, inhaling the fresh, delicate tea aroma and the scent of wood, and waited calmly for the outcome.

Opposite him, Liu Xinwu's expression changed gradually as he read.

It's really, really new.

The characters in this novel are born from tradition yet reinterpret the four master‑disciple figures led by Sun Wukong.

Moreover, the way of interpretation hits exactly the direction most anticipated by readers.

Between the Battle‑Winning Buddha and the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, which identity do people prefer? Undoubtedly, the latter.

"It's the monkey that beats the heavenly deities with a staff, unrestrained, fearless, and bold! The novel is excellently written!" After finishing the first half, Liu Xinwu gave his assessment, saying.

"It's a good book, hmm, a very good book."

Liu Xinwu set the manuscript down, giving high praise, and said, "To be honest, I never expected Journey to the West could be written like this."

"This is a Sun Wukong different from before."

"Do you plan to publish it all at once, or serialize it?"

He hasn't finished reading the novel, but judging by Xu Yuexin's level and the earlier craftsmanship, Liu Xinwu thinks they can discuss publication matters now.

"Publish it all at once, so readers can enjoy it fully."

Xu Yuexin decided cheerfully.

"Alright, wait here for a moment; I'll finish the latter part first, then hand it to the Chief Editor for review."

"After approval, I'll send you the Manuscript Payment…"

"Fine, no rush."

Liu Xinwu picked up the manuscript, slipped it into his bag, and hurried out of the reception room back to the editorial department.

After finishing the second half of Wukong Legend, he took all the manuscripts to the Chief Editor's office and handed them to Chief Editor Su Yu.

Liu Xinwu and Su Yu are both members of the October Magazine founding team and are very familiar with each other.

"Sister Su, at the last People's Literature award ceremony, a young writer received the top Award."

"You still remember him, right?"

"Remember, why did he submit to the Magazine Office?"

"That's right, these are all his writings. I just finished reviewing them; would you like to take a look now?"

"Okay, I'll look right away."

Su Yu, quite interested, said, and after Liu Xinwu placed all the manuscripts on the table, she picked up the topmost one and began reading it carefully.

"Wukong Legend? Judging by the title, it should be a work related to Journey to the West."

Su Yu read it with great interest.

Soon, Liu Xinwu saw approval on her face.

When Su Yu was halfway through, Liu Xinwu brought her a water bottle and asked, "Would you like a sip of water?"

Su Yu shook her head without replying, her gaze still fixed on the manuscript.

She was already fully immersed in the world Xu Yuexin wove with his words.

The monkey who holds that all sentient beings are equal, the bewildered Tang Monk, the hideous heavenly deities…

Su Yu read through all the content in one go, and only after finishing the last character did she lean back and rub her aching eyes.

"Sister Su, what do you think of this novel?"

Liu Xinwu asked.

"It's a rare masterpiece, with a very novel conception."

"Whether in character portrayal or plot, it differs greatly from Journey to the West yet feels very logical; it reads seamlessly and can be published immediately."

"Then, what about the Manuscript Payment rate?"

Liu Xinwu asked Su Yu.

(End of chapter)