Chapter 39: Bestselling Reprint

Usually practicing a song takes two months.

Chen Yixue, surprised, exclaimed, "From 'High Mountain' to 'The Horse Herder', how long did it take you?"

"And every piece is a popular masterpiece. The topics of our Cultural Troupe's daily chats have already been taken over by your novels."

As she spoke, Zhou Zhifeng carried the dishes to the table.

Four dishes and a soup, two meat and two vegetarian, a lavish spread for these days, and a newly opened bottle of first vintage on the table.

"Eat, pick up your chopsticks. Xiao Xu, please don't be overly polite."

Chen Shi lifted his chopsticks and called out,

Qiao Qiao poured a bowl of soup for Xu Yuexin.

"I have to earn money to support my family."

Xu Yuexin took the soup from his girlfriend's hand and said candidly, "If I earn a bit more, Qiao Qiao will live more comfortably in the future."

The literary dream is a must, but when it comes to money, you still have to set it aside a bit.

Each Manuscript Payment he receives is the greatest motivation for Xu Yuexin to move forward.

The Xu Family were very pleased with his words.

"Look, they think of you in every way."

Chen Shi smiled and taught Qiao Qiao, "You should be more caring and considerate toward Xiao Xu in the future."

"He is busy with his writing, so you need to consider some of his daily matters for him."

"Got it, Dad, I've always been good to him. New brother, don't you think so?"

After speaking, Qiao Qiao hurriedly tapped Xu Yuexin with her hand, indicating he should clear his name.

What else could Xu Yuexin say? Of course, he gave a triple affirmation.

Moreover, Qiao Qiao is indeed thoughtful and treats him well.

"Hmm, Uncle and Aunt, rest assured, Qiao Qiao has always taken good care of me."

Xu Yuexin said seriously, "Having someone like her makes me very content."

At this moment, Zhou Zhifeng, who had rarely spoken to Xu Yuexin, also spoke up.

"Money? You earned another manuscript payment?"

Zhou Zhifeng's eyes lit up.

She doesn't understand other topics, but when it comes to money she gets excited.

Chen Yixue looked at her mother with displeasure, thinking her behavior was unbecoming.

"Hehe, just a small amount, not worth mentioning."

Xu Yuexin said lightly.

He has no good impression of this mother‑in‑law, so there's no need to be honest with her.

"Mom, today's tomato and egg soup is bland."

Qiao Qiao quickly changed the subject to prevent her mother from probing further, "Put it back on the stove and cook it again."

"Bland? That can't be…"

Zhou Zhifeng was baffled; the salt was added just as usual.

A moment later, Zhou Zhifeng brought the reheated tomato and egg soup back, and at the table Xu Yuexin and Chen Shi were already discussing the most crucial part of the marriage.

When to marry Qiao Qiao.

"I plan to register for the College Entrance Exam; after the exam ends, I'll marry her."

Xu Yuexin said, having prepared for this.

"I heard this year's College Entrance Exam is held in early July, a bit earlier than last year."

Qiao Qiao added from the side.

Zhou Zhifeng glanced at her silent daughter and wondered whether he could get into Yanda.

"That's still a month…"

Chen Shi fell into thought, and after a short while nodded, "I think that timing is fine."

"Which university do you plan to apply to?"

"I'm taking the Yanjing University entrance, the same school as Qiao Qiao."

Xu Yuexin said without hesitation.

As a member of the transmigrants, if you are to take an exam, aim for the best; choose between Yanda and Qinghua.

Between the two, Yanda is closer to his future wife, so it's the obvious choice.

"Alright, wish you swift success."

Chen Shi raised his glass and encouraged,

"I accept your good wishes."

Xu Yuexin clinked glasses with his father‑in‑law, and both drank in one gulp.

After the meal, Xu Yuexin and Qiao Qiao, along with Da Yizi and the father‑in‑law, chatted, and finally said goodbye to them.

Qiao Qiao had a class in the afternoon, and left home together with him.

Outside the apartment building, the sun shone brightly, the sky was clear for miles, and the wind was pleasantly cool. Xu Yuexin held Qiao Qiao's fresh jade‑like hand, feeling unusually elated.

Today's first visit was a great success, and the outcome was perfect.

Feeling satisfied, Xu Yuexin recalled two lines of poetry to express his current mood.

"The hometown's little cabin, chopsticks, a jar of clear water, and countless days ahead, countless farewells,

illuminated by you…"

Qiao Qiao realized he was reciting poetry and chose to listen quietly.

"What name do you want to give this poem?"

When Xu Yuexin finished reciting, Qiao Qiao scratched the palm of his hand and said.

"Just call it 'The Bride', written for you."

Xu Yuexin thought for a moment, then said, his tone very affectionate.

Qiao Qiao's pretty face flushed, and she pressed her cheek against his shoulder without saying a word.

Silence was louder than sound at that moment! On their way to the Dispatch Point for a taxi, the two passed a newsstand.

Qiao Qiao's sharp eyes immediately noticed that the newsstand was selling the independently published 'The Wreath Under the High Mountain'.

"Look, they're selling your book."

"Let's buy a copy as a souvenir."

Excited, Qiao Qiao tugged Xu Yuexin's hand, jogged to the front of the stall, and said, "Give me a copy of 'High Mountain'."

After more than a month of widespread circulation, everyone has tacitly accepted 'High Mountain' as the code name for the novel; mentioning that name brings nothing else to mind.

"Three jiao each."

The elderly lady at the newsstand handed the book to Qiao Qiao, smiling, and said, "You're lucky; this is the last copy."

Xu Yuexin suddenly remembered something.

"Madam, may I ask how long it took from stocking this book to selling it out?"

Xu Yuexin, very concerned about his book's bestseller status, asked politely and friendly.

"Less than two hours. It was stocked before lunch, and it's sold out now."

The old lady reflected on the sales speed, her aged face full of emotion, "In many years, I've never seen a book sell this fast."

"Alright, I wish you prosperous business."

Xu Yuexin was very satisfied with the result, smiled, and walked away together with Qiao Qiao.

……

At this moment, inside the People's Literature reception room.

Wang Chaoyin was discussing the book sales with the publishing officials.

"Wang Group Leader, all 30,000 copies of 'The Wreath Under the High Mountain' have been distributed to Xinhua Shudian and newsstands across the region."

Zhang Chuzhang of the publishing department, his tone unable to hide excitement, said, "Based on current feedback from various places, sales are exceptionally booming. Take Xinhua Shudian in Cheng Baqu as an example; the book 'The Wreath Under the High Mountain' sold out within 24 hours of stocking, with no exception."

"I never expected it to sell so well."

"Regarding this, my thought is…"

After finishing, Zhang Chuzhang, who is in charge of publishing, looked at Wang Chaoyin tentatively and said.

"Speak plainly. Discuss behind closed doors, no need to beat around the bush."

Hearing the good news, Wang Chaoyin urged excitedly.

"Then I'll speak plainly now."

"I think we can definitely proceed with a reprint. The only issue is that a reprint would again involve royalty matters."

Zhang Chuzhang said hesitantly, "The higher-ups have not yet issued explicit regulations on this, should we discuss it with Comrade Wang Meng?"

"After all, it was with his support that we boldly adopted the royalty model and paid the author the Manuscript Payment."

Wang Chaoyin fell into thought after listening.

From a prudent standpoint, when reprinting 'The Wreath Under the High Mountain', we indeed should consult the old friend.

However, would that make us look like a timid old woman, lacking a sense of responsibility and initiative? That night, Wang Meng had encouraged him to throw caution to the wind and act boldly, and at the critical moment he perhaps shouldn't have flinched…

After repeated consideration, Wang Chaoyin finally came up with a plan.

"Since we've already done the first step, we need not fear the fifteenth."

Wang Chaoyin said calmly and decisively, "Comrade Wang Meng is currently in a meeting; I heard the agenda is long, and I cannot reach him."

"The two of us will first agree on the reprint quantity; later I will contact the author for a meeting and pay him the royalties."

"When I later see Comrade Wang Meng, I will mention this and ensure he is informed."

"Still, Wang Group Leader is bolder."

Zhang Chuzhang laughed heartily, gave a thumbs‑up, and said, "I think this reprint number is appropriate; what do you think…"

Finishing, he held up his fingers, indicating eighty thousand copies.

(End of chapter)