Chapter 164: Caring for the Elder Sister‑in‑Law

A few days later, Xu Yuexin, carrying the manuscript of *Norwegian Wood*, rode his motorcycle to the long‑unvisited Chaonei No. 166 Courtyard.

Compared with when he lived in Haiding District, the distance from Guogongfu to Chaonei No. 166 Courtyard is much shorter; both are near the East Second Ring in Dongcheng District.

Xu Yuexin rode a Harley motorcycle and arrived at the place in just five minutes.

Chaonei No. 166 is undergoing minor repairs; the original red‑brick courtyard wall has been replaced with granite, giving it a more refined feel.

A row of scaffolding lines the façade of the small western‑style building, and workers are repairing the exterior.

Xu Yuexin parked his motorcycle under the shed, entered the building with the manuscript in hand, and went upstairs to the editorial department.

Inside the editorial department, the young editors were either buried in manuscript reviews or chatting about business.

Among the crowd, Xu Yuexin recognized several familiar faces, but he saw no sign of Wang Chaoyin.

"Comrade, hello, may I ask where Wang Team Leader has gone?"

Xu Yuexin walked up to an editor near the doorway and asked him.

"He is now Deputy Editor-in-Chief; go to the adjacent Deputy Editor-in-Chief's office to find him."

"He is right inside."

"Alright, thanks."

Xu Yuexin turned, left the editorial department, and knocked on the door of the next office.

Heh, how nice—promoted.

As Xu Yuexin knocked, he thought to himself that he was happy for Wang Chaoyin.

"Please come in."

Wang Chaoyin's voice came from inside the room.

Xu Yuexin pushed the door open and saw Wang Chaoyin pouring water into a teacup.

Seeing him, Wang Chaoyin immediately smiled, so delighted that he almost couldn't hold the water bottle steady.

"Hey, careful."

Xu Yuexin, quick‑eyed and swift‑handed, stepped forward to steady the water bottle that was about to slip.

"It's been a long time since I last saw you."

Wang Chaoyin laughed a bit embarrassed, "I was a little excited at the moment."

"Have you been busy studying lately?"

"Yes, the study tasks are a bit heavy."

Xu Yuexin said cheerfully, without mentioning his trips to Xiangjiang or Japan, "I just heard you were promoted to Deputy Editor-in-Chief; I'm here to congratulate you."

"May you continue to achieve great success in the future."

"Thank you for the blessings; regardless of the position I hold, my primary task is to serve you authors well."

"By the way, what are you holding in your hand?"

"It's a manuscript I wrote in my spare time; I brought it today hoping to discuss publishing with you."

After speaking, Xu Yuexin handed the *Norwegian Wood* manuscript to Wang Chaoyin.

"Alright, I'll take a look first…"

Wang Chaoyin took the manuscript, sat on the sofa, and began reading.

Xu Yuexin sat beside him, waiting for him to finish and give feedback.

205,000 words is not a small reading load.

Even as a senior editor who can read ten lines at a glance, Wang Chaoyin still needs some time to finish.

Xu Yuexin was not in a hurry either, just sitting there waiting.

After a long while, Wang Chaoyin finally set the manuscript down, nodded at Xu Yuexin and said, "It's a romance work, right? I think the plot is quite good and very fresh."

"It's a work worth publishing."

"Do you have any thoughts on the subsequent publishing?"

"I plan to raise the print run a bit, and also adjust the royalty split for the print‑run payment."

"By how much should the print run increase?"

"Print one million copies first."

Xu Yuexin lifted a finger and said, "If sales are booming, we'll add more prints later."

"One million copies…"

Wang Chaoyin hesitated a bit.

In the past two years, none of the books published by People's Literature have had such a large first‑print run.

"Frankly, can the market absorb that many copies? Feel free to share any ideas you have."

"Honestly, I'm mainly worried that the print run is too large, exceeding the market's capacity."

"I believe it can be sold out easily."

Xu Yuexin, confident, said, "The romance audience is broad, ranging from middle‑school students to married young men and women who can all become readers."

"Its market is far broader than that of serious literature."

Hearing Xu Yuexin's view, Wang Chaoyin fell into thought, and after a moment displayed a bright smile.

"Alright, since you're so confident, I'll trust your judgment."

"Then let's print it at one million copies!"

"And regarding the print‑run royalty, what's your idea…"

"I hope to implement a tiered royalty structure for the print run."

"The first print of one million copies will have a certain split ratio; when additional prints are made, the ratio will increase a bit."

"And keep increasing until it reaches the cap."

I understand; it means the better the book sells, the higher the share the author receives, right?

Let me think about it.

Wang Chaoyin fell into contemplation and said.

Since the state issued a regulation last year officially allowing authors to receive print‑run manuscript payments, more and more authors at People's Literature are able to enjoy revenue sharing from book sales.

However, everyone receives the print‑run manuscript payment according to a fixed percentage stipulated in the contract, and no one has proposed a tiered percentage yet.

So it's a bit difficult to handle.

Of course, we also have to consider Xu Yuexin's particular situation; he is a literary newcomer whose works become bestsellers the moment he puts pen to paper.

Wang Chaoyin thought to himself and decided to ask Xu Yuexin first.

"What tiered percentage are you planning to use for the revenue share?"

"For the first print run of one million copies, the share will be 10%."

"For each additional million copies printed thereafter, the share increases by 2% until it caps at 18%."

Xu Yuexin, calm and unhurried, presented the already prepared plan and said.

"18%?"

Wang Chaoyin was startled by that percentage.

If the revenue share follows this percentage, the Magazine Office's profit margin will be severely compressed, amounting to only a marginal sale.

No, we have to persuade Xu Yuexin to lower it.

After doing the calculations, Wang Chaoyin decided and said.

Xu Yuexin saw Wang Chaoyin's intention and cut in before he could speak.

"Lao Wang, I know you think the 18% share is a bit high."

"But have you considered that my book needs to sell five million copies to reach that percentage."

"What that means is that the shelves of major bookstores will be filled with 'Norwegian Wood'. It means the books published by People's Literature will saturate the entire distribution channel."

"Other publishers will be completely beaten by you in the channel competition."

Xu Yuexin, employing his market‑economic thinking, spoke with reason and evidence.

In the early reform and opening period, the supply of various goods had not yet become abundant and remained a seller's market.

Put simply, as long as something can be produced, there will always be buyers.

Moreover, logistics and transportation were not as developed as in later times, so the battle for channels became the key factor when various merchants fought fiercely.

Using the book publishing industry as an example, whoever can occupy the shelves of bookstores nationwide becomes the industry's leader. The channels themselves are also interdependent. If 'Norwegian Wood' truly reaches the astonishing sales of five million copies as Xu Yuexin says, it means major bookstores will maintain a cooperative relationship with People's Literature for a long period, and such a long‑term partnership is hard to break once established.

"The channel, huh…"

Beside Xu Yuexin, Wang Chaoyin listened attentively to what he said and couldn't help falling into thought again.

Wang Chaoyin had originally decided to politely decline Xu Yuexin's high share proposal.

But when he heard the benefits Xu Yuexin described, he wavered again.

Currently, various publishers have vaguely developed a product consciousness, beginning to value the distribution volume of their books in bookstores and other end channels.

If one day 'Norwegian Wood' truly attains an 18% share, that would mean its distribution volume reaches a terrifying scale.

People's Literature will thus become the king of channels! And when publishers negotiate with channels about shelf placement and sales, they certainly won't discuss only a single book at a time.

At that point, the office can fully leverage its channel advantage to double the earnings on other books.

Having thought this far, Wang Chaoyin has already changed his mind.

"Regarding the revenue‑share method you requested, I personally support it."

In the morning light filtering through the window, Wang Chaoyin solemnly and cautiously said, "However, for such a big matter, I must report to Chief Editor comrade."

"Please wait here for a moment."

"Alright, no rush."

Xu Yuexin nodded and said.

After speaking, Wang Chaoyin took the manuscript of 'Norwegian Wood', hurried out of the office, and went to the Writers Association to find Zhang Guangnian (Zhang Lao).

The Chief Editor of People's Literature is still concurrently held by Zhang Guangnian. He sometimes works at the Magazine Office, and sometimes, like today, stays at the Writers Association to handle his duties.

Fortunately, People's Literature is not far from the national Writers Association, so Wang Chaoyin walked there in a short while.

After he explained the situation to Zhang Guangnian, Zhang Guangnian gestured grandly and said, "I think we can agree to Xiao Xu comrade's request."

"A higher share can motivate authors to create more good works."

"I think so too, which is why I came to seek your instruction."

"Oh, next time you encounter a similar matter, you can discuss it with the other editorial committee comrades, no need to report every single thing to me."

"That can't be, Zhang Lao, you are the Chief Editor of the Magazine Office; we still can't do without your oversight."

"Oversight is oversight. Aside from principle‑level major matters, I still want to hand over other affairs to you young people."

"The higher‑ups emphasized building a solid cadre ladder. We elders dare to let go and delegate power; you youngsters also need to dare to venture and fight."

Zhang Guangnian said with confidence, "I think this Xiao Xu comrade is quite good—bold, often generating new ideas, and daring to act on them."

"As editors, you also need to possess this spirit."

"Alright, thank you for your guidance, Zhang Lao."

Wang Chaoyin laughed, "According to your request, I will strive to be daring and adventurous."

"That's right, roads are forged by fighting."

Zhang Guangnian smiled.

A moment later, Wang Chaoyin returned from the Writers Association to People's Literature and reported the final result to Xu Yuexin.

"Senior Zhang has agreed to your request; we will implement the tiered share from 10% up to 18%."

Wang Chaoyin exclaimed excitedly, "Shall we draft a contract together?"

"Alright, just revise it based on the original Contract."

Xu Yuexin said.

Xu Yuexin and Wang Chaoyin went to the desk together, watched him remove a previous Publishing Contract, and then began revising the key sections together.

Soon, a new Contract emerged, and Wang Chaoyin took it to the Magazine Office's printer.

These days the printing method is still traditional movable‑type printing, not like later times when a computer can edit documents and send them straight to a printer.

Xu Yuexin waited a while longer in the Deputy Editor-in-Chief's office until Wang Chaoyin returned with the freshly printed Contract, and the two signed it together.

The first‑edition price of *Norwegian Wood* is 6 cents per volume; at a 10 % rate, the Manuscript Payment for a print run of one million copies is 60,000 yuan.

After signing the Contract and stamping it, Xu Yuexin and Wang Chaoyin went together to the Finance Department to collect the money.

The Finance Department completed its procedures and handed a full 6,000 Great Unity notes to Xu Yuexin.

This time the money was too much; Xu Yuexin's Shoulder Bag could no longer hold it.

Seeing this, Wang Chaoyin gave him a cloth bag so he could pack all the money.

He went downstairs, got in the car, and headed home! Xu Yuexin carried the full sixty‑thousand yuan back to Guogongfu, dropped the money inside the door, and happily fell asleep.

In the afternoon, Chen Qiaoqiao returned from school after submitting her research report and was pulled by him to go shopping.

"I heard electric blankets are now on the market; let's buy one to take home."

Hearing that they were going out, Chen Qiaoqiao immediately suggested.

"Okay, I'll buy one for your sister too."

Xu Yuexin said.

He constantly keeps Da Yizi's warmth in his heart.

At present, the electric blanket is a novel gadget.

Xu Yuexin and his wife rode a bike to Wangfujing's Beijing Department Store; when they went upstairs they found a long queue in front of the electric‑blanket counter.

The two waited in line for a while before they managed to buy two electric blankets.

The electric blankets were a bit bulky; the trunk could only fit one, and the other had to be carried in Chen Qiaoqiao's arms.

After his wife was seated, Xu Yuexin started his Harley motorcycle and headed toward the hibernating Lake Unity.

Soon, the motorcycle entered Er Huan Lu, and Xu Yuexin accelerated.

For every chance to meet Da Yizi, he cherishes it, arriving a moment early rather than a moment late.

Before long, the two arrived at their destination.

Xu Yuexin and his wife carried one electric blanket up the stairs.

When they knocked, Chen Yixue was playing piano inside, and melodious music drifted out.

"Coming…"

Chen Yixue's voice came from inside, then the piano stopped abruptly.

"Is this a mattress?"

"I have one here."

Chen Yixue didn't recognize the electric blanket at first; after a brief inspection she said.

"This is an electric blanket; plug it in and it heats up."

Xu Yuexin entered the room and introduced to Da Yizi, "Let me demonstrate for you."

After speaking, he led his wife and Da Yizi into the master bedroom, spread out the electric blanket, and plugged it in.

After a moment, Xu Yuexin's hand brushed the electric blanket, then he looked at Da Yizi: "Feel it—does it feel warm?"

Da Yizi reached out, touched the blanket, and indeed found it warm.

"This really is a good thing."

"No need to worry about the bed getting cold."

Da Yizi said happily.

The city doesn't start heating until mid‑November, and before that the weather is already very cold.

Not to mention that her upstairs and next door are unoccupied, so the heating is shared away, and on especially cold days even turning on the heat may not be enough.

This electric blanket is truly a lifesaver for Da Yizi.

"You keep chatting, I'll go cook."

After trying the electric blanket, Chen Qiaoqiao said to Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue.

It's dinnertime now; let's eat at sister's place!

Seeing her sister head to the kitchen, Chen Yixue also walked toward the doorway.

At this moment Xu Yuexin grabbed Da Yizi's hand and raised his eyebrows at her.

"What are you trying to do?"

Da Yizi withdrew her hand, asking warily.

(End of Chapter)