Chapter 33: June Issue, On Sale!

Under Xu Yuexin's stunned gaze, Gao Junchi continued to speak at length.

"This guy isn't tall, he's many years older than me, and has been writing for several years."

"He made a good amount of money from that novel, but still not as much as my salary, hehe."

"Anyone who wants a signature, just tell me, I'll get it for you."

The attention of old classmates made Gao Junchi feel very proud; by the end, his voice had risen a few notches.

Xu Yuexin was displeased.

He bragged, yet somehow shrank his own height in the process.

Moreover, he seems to have a tendency to use his author name to swagger and deceive?

Next to them, Wang Youle noticed Xu Yuexin's displeasure, thought for a moment, then nudged him with his elbow: "Old Xu, you're also a writer; do you know Chunfeng?"

No wonder he's a longtime childhood friend; at the crucial moment he instinctively came through with a assist.

Xu Yuexin sighed, and in an unhurried tone said: "I've met Chunfeng once; he's fairly tall, about the same size as us."

"As for how much he earned, I didn't ask. Anyway, the novel 'High Mountain' definitely uses the top Manuscript Payment rate—7 yuan per thousand characters. The whole book is 90,000 characters; you can do the math."

When he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the private room changed.

Everyone generally felt that Xu Yuexin, as a fellow writer, sounded more credible. In the face of his clarification, Gao Junchi's words seemed untenable.

"7 yuan per thousand characters comes to a little over 600 yuan in Manuscript Payment; how could Old Gao possibly earn more than Chunfeng?"

"That's right, I just calculated. Old Gao just started working, usually as a Level 9 Clerk, 30 yuan per month. Even if you count 16 months of salary per year, that's 480 yuan, still 100–200 yuan less than Chunfeng."

"I heard Gao Junchi is also just a Temporary Worker... a Regular Employee Position isn't that easy to get."

Although no one wanted to point out Gao Junchi's flaws to his face, they inevitably whispered among themselves.

Amid the murmurs of old classmates, Gao Junchi's face gradually reddened, and he couldn't sit still.

He wanted to show his face before the classmates, but didn't expect a fellow writer to step up and set the record straight.

Under the many questioning gazes, Gao Junchi felt his face burn hot.

"Um, you eat first. My place is far away, and I have to work tomorrow."

He sheepishly stood up, said that, and fled the private room without looking back.

None of the old classmates stopped him; You Peiling muttered after he left, "He's really funny."

Everyone's attention shifted to Xu Yuexin.

"Old Xu became a writer? That's great, it's much more leisurely than a regular job."

"Old Xu, I also want to quit and write novels; can you teach me?"

"Could you ask Chunfeng for a signature for me?"

Facing the eager classmates, Xu Yuexin quickly declined.

"I'm just starting to learn writing myself, I can't teach you yet."

"As for the signature, I already said I've only met Chunfeng once; I'm not close to him, hehe."

If I actually sign for them and my handwriting gets recognized, what then? Would we still be able to get along happily afterward?

In front of old classmates, I must firmly hide my true identity!

…

After the gathering ended, You Peiling escorted everyone to the door one by one, and finally came to Xu Yuexin's side.

"I'm really happy to have been with you all today."

You Peiling stared into Xu Yuexin's eyes, her voice slightly tipsy, "Remember to keep in touch. That way I can tell others I have a writer friend."

"Also, I'm on Thursday Rest Cycle; the other days I'm at the bookstore. If you want to buy books later, come find me."

Today, with Gao Junchi's contrast, You Peiling felt Xu Yuexin was increasingly mature and steady, far superior to most peers.

"Hmm, I've noted your bookstore's location."

Xu Yuexin took You Peiling's words as simple classmates' camaraderie and smiled in agreement.

These days, having a sales clerk friend can be very convenient. If others can't get certain goods, she can find them for you. With especially good relations, you can even enjoy the Internal Price.

You Peiling, she's really thoughtful.

On the way home, Xu Yuexin kept muttering.

Wang Youle was still immersed in Gao Junchi's embarrassment, his face constantly excited.

"Old Xu, you're awesome today, you made Old Gao look like a fool."

Wang Youle cracked his fist, chuckling, "I've been wanting to deal with that brat for a while."

"What? Do you have a grudge against him?"

Xu Yuexin asked in confusion; in his memory, Wang Youle and Gao Junchi had never had a conflict.

"Don't even bring it up. My dad was previously sent down to work in a coal mine; his father is a team leader, and clearly knows I'm classmates with his son, yet he still gave my dad a hard time."

Wang Youle, with an annoyed expression, said, "Sooner or later I'll make that grandson understand what 'the heavens are high and the earth is thick' means."

So there was that backstory.

Xu Yuexin understood, realizing Wang Youle's hatred toward Gao Junchi.

Adding insult to injury is the most hateful. The son enjoys the shelter his father provides, so he must bear the grudges between others and his own parents.

"Don't worry, in the future society will become increasingly intolerant of people like them."

Xu Yuexin comforted his childhood friend, aligning his stance toward Gao Junchi.

…

After the class reunion, Xu Yuexin kept writing and reading daily, preparing for the College Entrance Exam.

When he has free time, he wanders Shichahai Park and Beihai Park, checks out flea markets, trying to snag a treasure like the 'Southern Mountain Old Manuscript' he found last time.

Good luck didn't happen again; Xu Yuexin went several times but never found anything truly valuable.

Whether there are jujubes or not, keep swinging the two rods; when there's time, go to the Scrap Collection Station to take a look.

These days many treasures that are now publicly known were originally sold as junk.

Xu Yuexin thought.

…

"People's Literature June Issue is out, come take a look, have a look!"

"There's a novel up there called The Horse Herder, and its content is especially brilliant!"

Spring passed, summer came; early June, at the newsstand near Chen Qiaoqiao's home, a sole proprietorship was shouting energetically, drawing passersby to stop.

Chen Qiaoqiao was walking home with her mother, and after hearing the voice she stopped in her tracks.

"Mom, wait for me. I'm going to buy a magazine."

Chen Qiaoqiao, brimming with interest, said, and hurried toward the newsstand.

(End of chapter)