Chapter 113: Must Keep Manipulating the Sister‑in‑Law!

He can't be deceiving himself, can he?

A famous writer like him, even if married, would certainly not worry about lacking girls who like him.

Why would he say such things to himself?

Zhu Chen thought it over, and in the end shook her head.

"I'm seven years older than you; why must you keep staring at me?"

Zhu Chen sighed, "I am very grateful for everything you've done for me; from now on I will strive to repay your kindness."

"We can become forever friends."

"Seven years older? That's just right."

Xu Yuexin said sincerely, "You don't understand; women at this age have the most charm."

?? Zhu Chen was once again at a loss.

She is 28 this year, an age that in the public eye is considered one to worry about not being married yet.

Xu Yuexin insists that this age is the most charming? He would say anything to win me over.

Zhu Chen simply doesn't believe it, just as she doesn't believe Xu Yuexin's assertion that she is worthy.

"Don't talk nonsense."

Zhu Chen, at a loss, said, "From now on, don't tell me this kind of nonsense."

"I still consider you my best friend."

Beyond morality, Zhu Chen now also has some practical considerations in her heart.

Xu Yuexin, young and full of vigor, was momentarily attracted to her.

Even if she set everything aside and truly be with Xu Yuexin, what then? When the time comes and Xu Yuexin tosses his hands aside, what then for her? Therefore she absolutely cannot agree to him; taking another step forward would be not only a minefield but also an abyss.

Zhu Chen kept admonishing herself, saying.

Xu Yuexin was not surprised by Zhu Chen's reaction.

As a woman in this era with a respectable job and an excellent family background, she could not be taken over the moment a battle cry sounded.

Today was only to make her understand his attitude.

As long as she knows his intention, it's fine if he later turns his back on her.

"Just being friends won't do."

Xu Yuexin lightly pinched Zhu Chen's cheek and said, "It's getting late; I have to go to class."

Zhu Chen's face flushed from the pinch, and she said nothing.

Leaving Zhu Chen's house, Xu Yuexin walked to school.

During the time he taught Zhu Chen English, Xu Yuexin either walked or took a vehicle; he never rode a motorcycle.

A Harley that large would be extremely eye‑catching; the longer it lasted, the easier it would be for people to spot something amiss.

On the way to school, Xu Yuexin stopped deliberately in front of a newsstand and asked the old man selling newspapers whether the October Magazine issue was out.

"October Magazine? Just arrived," the old man said.

The old man took out a copy and said, "Two mao."

Xu Yuexin took the magazine and pulled out two Steel Coins from his wallet.

Just after leaving the newsstand, he immediately opened October Magazine and checked the table of contents.

Hey, the first page was Wukong Legend.

Publishing a work in a national magazine—what kind of experience is that? Hmm, the answer is very pleasant.

Even though it wasn't his first publication, Xu Yuexin's mood remained extremely high.

A full 240,000 characters; this was his longest space occupied in a magazine.

Now readers can have a satisfying read.

I just don't know whether Zhu Chen reads October Magazine; if she does, that would be great.

Then I could conquer her once with words.

……

Once Wukong Legend was published, it created a huge impact among readers.

Everyone, seeing this kind of classic‑interpretation literary form for the first time, felt very fresh.

Combined with the novel's own brilliant content, its spread became very fast.

Wang Chaoyin, as an industry insider, bought a copy the moment October Magazine was released and read the novel Wukong Legend.

"Xiao Xu is quite imaginative,"

After finishing Wukong Legend, Wang Chaoyin placed the magazine on his desk, smiled, and muttered to himself.

In his view, Wukong Legend is an extremely successful work; both its conception and plot are first‑rate.

The kind that leaves readers lingering in after‑taste forever.

"Wang Team Leader, the author on your side has run away."

After a while, another editor, seeing Wukong Legend and the pen name Chunfeng, joked with him.

"Not run, not run; Great Ming 1566 is currently being serialized."

Wang Chaoyin said calmly, while pondering the publication of Wukong Legend.

Such an excellent work, once printed as a standalone volume, will surely be popular.

He must act quickly, lest October Magazine rush ahead and print the book first.

Thinking of this, Wang Chaoyin got up, walked to the People's Literature telephone room, and dialed Xu Yuexin's home number.

The call, however, could not be connected.

Perhaps he is not at home?

Wang Chaoyin thought, intending to call a few more times later.

Consequently, for several days in a row, no one answered the phone at Xu Yuexin's home.

"Sss, where did this person go?"

After another failed connection, Wang Chaoyin set the handset down and said anxiously,

He was about to place a big order, but didn't expect to be unable to reach the person.

This really is the kind where whatever you fear shows up.

If normally Xu Yuexin might be away because he lives on campus, then why is no one answering this weekend?

And even if he's not at home, there should be someone else there, right?

Wang Chaoyin racked his brain without solution, and finally decided to contact Xu Yuexin through Chen Jiangong.

Chen Jiangong's home also had a phone, and he gave Wang Chaoyin the number.

When the call connected, Wang Chaoyin impatiently asked about Xu Yuexin's whereabouts.

"Hey, Little Chen, do you know where Xiao Xu went? I can't get a hold of him."

"Old Xu? He's been fine lately, attending classes as he should, mostly staying home, what's up?"

"What? He's at home? That's really strange."

"Why don't you come to the school to find him? As long as it's class time, he's there."

"Alright, he has class tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, he has class."

"I'll go to your school in the morning."

Having learned Xu Yuexin's whereabouts, Wang Chaoyin finally let out a sigh of relief.

He could finally meet him to discuss the printing matter.

The next morning, Wang Chaoyin crouched at the school gate, finally waiting for Xu Yuexin.

"Wang Team Leader, I heard from Old Chen that you were looking for me."

Xu Yuexin stepped forward and greeted him, "Sorry, I haven't been home these past two days, didn't answer the phone." He has been staying at his big aunt's place recently, and didn't know Wang Chaoyin was looking for him until Chen Jiangong relayed it yesterday.

Wang Chaoyin waved his hand.

"No problem. This time I'm looking for you mainly to discuss the publication of Wukong Legend."

"Hehe, Wang Team Leader, you're swift."

"In any line of work you have to be the first to act. You haven't signed a Publishing Contract with October Magazine yet, have you?"

"No, shall we find a place to talk?"

"Aren't you going to class? How about we talk after class?"

"My second period is the only one with class; the first period is free."

"Alright, let's go to the tea house across the street."

Hearing that Xu Yuexin now has time, Wang Chaoyin felt very pleased.

He had been worrying whether something he overlooked in his interactions with Xu Yuexin caused resentment, leading him to deliberately ignore the calls.

After that conversation, Wang Chaoyin's worries vanished, leaving only the upcoming publishing cooperation in his mind.

After sitting in the tea house, Wang Chaoyin ordered two cups of Biluochun tea and sat with Xu Yuexin at a window‑side table.

Since they're talking about publishing, they naturally started with the book.

"Wukong Legend just came out, and I've read it several times."

"It's a good book, with fresh ideas, the kind young people especially love."

Before the tea arrived, Wang Chaoyin affirmed, "Interpreting a classic novel like this is still pioneering in the country."

"I'm certain that once this book is published, it will be outstanding in effect and sales."

"Do you have any publishing plans in the near future?"

"What kind of publishing method?"

Xu Yuexin asked with a smile.

"A 10% royalty on the print run, how about that? I'll add a point for you."

"Pricing at 0.8 yuan per copy, and for the first run print 150,000 copies, what do you think?"

Wang Chaoyin and Xu Yuexin discussed.

"The print run is too small, double it."

Xu Yuexin held up two fingers and said, "Believe me, after last year's economic growth and universal wage increases, our readers' purchasing power has risen a lot."

"There are also some people who used to be reluctant to buy books, and now they will go buy books to read."

"Swallowing a sales volume of 300,000 copies is absolutely no problem."

300,000 copies…

Wang Chaoyin was initially shocked, but after calming down he admitted that Xu Yuexin made a lot of sense.

Since last year, the People's Literature magazine's circulation has been steadily climbing, breaking records each month.

As Xu Yuexin said, once income rises, everyone's spiritual and cultural needs and purchasing power rise as well.

A first‑print quantity of 300,000 copies sounds exaggerated, but it's absolutely feasible in practice!

"Your analysis is very reasonable."

"Just print 300,000 copies."

Wang Chaoyin nodded in agreement, "You'll become the author with the largest first‑print quantity since the founding of People's Literature."

"Shall we go sign the contract at noon?"

"No problem, I have no class in the afternoon."

Xu Yuexin said.

That afternoon, Xu Yuexin rushed to Chaonei 166 and signed the Publishing Contract for Wukong Legend in the reception room of People's Literature.

With a print run of 300,000 copies at 0.8 yuan each, that's 240,000 yuan; multiplied by a 10% manuscript payment, Xu Yuexin's net amount is 24,000.

This is the largest sum he has earned from People's Literature! Xu Yuexin went with his Shoulder Bag, and when he left he didn't even dare to sling the bag over his shoulder, lest the heavy cash tear it.

Back at Unity Lake, Xu Yuexin set his Shoulder Bag on the table and sat in the chair, brimming with heroic spirit.

24,000 yuan… Hmm, I must be the highest‑earning author in the country.

Chen Yixue was sitting on the sofa flipping through sheet music when she glanced over here and caught sight of stacks of cash in the Shoulder Bag.

"Why is the bag full of money?"

Chen Yixue glanced briefly and asked, "Earned from writing books?"

By her estimate, the money in the Shoulder Bag should be about ten thousand!

"Hmm, I just published another book."

"Made twenty‑four thousand."

Xu Yuexin replied lightly, trying to appear more profound in front of Da Yizi.

"Oh, I see."

Chen Yixue nodded and continued to look down at the sheet music.

Xu Yuexin felt a bit annoyed: shouldn't she gasp in amazement and loudly praise him in admiration? And that's it?

"It's twenty‑four thousand."

Xu Yuexin pretended to mention it casually.

"Hmm, I heard you, I heard you."

Chen Yixue looked up at Xu Yuexin, her tone still flat, showing no sign of the anticipation Xu Yuexin expected.

Xu Yuexin pursed his lips and walked over to sit beside Da Yizi.

As soon as Xu Yuexin was displeased, Chen Yixue smiled inwardly.

Chen Yixue was doing it on purpose; she wanted to see how long Xu Yuexin could hold back.

Because she always thought Xu Yuexin was pretending to be deep, and if she could succeed, it would kill his aura.

To her surprise, Xu Yuexin stayed silent, later went to the bedroom, fetched a book and read it, showing no sign of wanting to show off.

Chen Yixue thought Xu Yuexin was upset, so she set the sheet music aside and looked at him: "What book did you write?"

"Earned that much in one go."

"Just usual, don't disturb me while I'm reading."

Xu Yuexin stared fixedly at the book, as if Da Yizi were just air.

He had long realized that Da Yizi was purely intentional; her aim was to make him lose his composure.

Heh, he must let her remember just how calm a man he is!

Only by staying steady can he continue to manipulate Da Yizi in the future! Seeing Xu Yuexin's reaction, Chen Yixue still thought he was pretending to be deep.

She had to call him out to make it work.

Chen Yixue said resolutely.

"What book are you reading, huh?"

On the surface, Chen Yixue still asked lightly.

"A book you don't understand."

Xu Yuexin replied bluntly, giving her no face at all.

Da Yizi was completely unhappy.

Isn't this plainly looking down on her? "Come on, you think I'm reading some divine book?"

Chen Yixue snorted and leaned her face closer.

(End of chapter)