Chapter 56: Arriving at the Daughter Kingdom

A soul‑piercing question! Which author doesn't want to sell high‑price publishing rights or copyrights? The problem is that the current copyright price is set there; the TV adaptation rights for *Ordinary World* are only 680 yuan.

If you want to realize the dream of getting rich through copyrights, you'll have to wait at least until the early next century.

This old fellow keeps mentioning the same old thing over and over.

"Policies and the like aren't something a simple commoner like me should worry about, and besides, worrying wouldn't help."

Xu Yuexin simply pretended to be clueless all the way, and after saying that he turned and walked away.

He only knew that the other party was a Hong Kong businessman, probably had some connections upstairs, and knew nothing else.

To be safe, he wouldn't discuss current affairs with a person of unknown background.

If a real conversation were to happen, they'd wait until they got familiar, provided they have a chance to meet again.

Watching Xu Yuexin leave, the elder let out a sigh.

"What a thoughtful young man."

He muttered with a hint of dissatisfaction, "Why are you so guarded…"

Xu Yuexin ignored him further and hurried into Gongti.

The performance had already ended, and Xu Yuexin didn't see Qiao Qiao in the audience seats, guessing she had gone backstage to look for her sister.

Xu Yuexin stepped onto the stage, pushed open the backstage door, and saw the Cultural Troupe performers inside removing makeup and putting away props.

The scene was filled with youthful, beautiful young women, each with graceful figures and pleasant voices.

At the dressing table, Qiao Qiao was helping her sister, who was seated, remove makeup, unaware that anyone had entered.

Meanwhile, some of the other female Cultural Troupe members noticed the tall, handsome Xu Yuexin, their gazes lingering on him, their thoughts drawn to him.

Xu Yuexin was about to call Qiao Qiao when a Cultural Troupe member, barely eighteen and strikingly pretty, rushed up to him: "Comrade, is there any place near Gongti that sells makeup remover? I'm out of the one I have."

With her demonstration, several more girls came up to chat.

"Comrade, hello, may I ask where the water station is? I've been looking for ages and can't find it."

"May I ask your name? Do you know how to get to Tuanjie Lake from here?"

"Your shirt looks really nice; where did you buy it?"

The flower‑like young women stepped forward eagerly, and Xu Yuexin felt a bit overwhelmed.

"I'm not staff here; I'm looking for someone."

Xu Yuexin quickly explained, bypassed them, and walked toward the Chen Family sisters, "Qiao Qiao, have you finished removing your makeup?"

Qiao Qiao and Chen Yixue turned together to look at him. Chen Yixue, seeing so many colleagues crowding around Xu Yuexin, instantly grew cold‑faced.

"All of them have performed at Gongti countless times, and today they can't even find the water station? Did they leave their brains at home?"

Chen Yixue scolded irritably, her lightly made‑up face exuding authority without anger, "If you really want to find a partner, go look elsewhere; don't look for my brother‑in‑law."

Qiao Qiao also hurried to Xu Yuexin, grabbed his arm to assert her claim: "At first, but her light makeup comes off without trouble."

"Once it's done, let's go home together."

The enthusiastic young women who had been flirting earlier wilted like frost‑bitten eggplants in an instant.

It was hard enough to meet a tall, exceptionally handsome young man, who turned out to be the brother‑in‑law of the troupe's ice‑queen.

Xu Yuexin and Qiao Qiao walked behind Chen Yixue, letting her continue removing makeup.

"Fortunately we noticed in time earlier."

Qiao Qiao hummed, deliberately glancing at Xu Yuexin from the corner of her eye, "Otherwise you would have made a mistake."

"Don't speak nonsense; I called out to you right away."

Xu Yuexin defended his innocence, "Besides, none of them are as good looking as you."

Qiao Qiao was overjoyed by Xu Yuexin's praise.

"I love hearing that."

"Even if I'm not around later, you must hold the fort, understand?"

Qiao Qiao suppressed a smile, trying to look serious as she said.

After a while, Chen Yixue finished removing her makeup; her beautiful, aloof face reflected in the mirror like a lotus emerging from water.

"Are you hungry? Let's go out and get something to eat together."

Considering that Da Yizi had just performed on stage and must be exhausted, Xu Yuexin asked, "I'm a bit hungry; let's have a bowl of noodles."

Chen Yixue said, and together with Xu Yuexin and Qiao Qiao, walked out of the backstage area straight toward the Gongti exit.

The tribute performance received unanimous praise from both the audience and the troupe, so Chen Yixue was in high spirits.

She paid for the noodles. After leaving the noodle shop, she suggested a stroll at Wangfujing; once there, she spent 30 yuan on a silk quilt and gave it to Xu Yuexin and Qiao Qiao.

"It's hot in summer; a silk quilt keeps you cool and comfortable."

Chen Yixue slipped the delicate smooth quilt into Xu Yuexin's hands, saying, "Consider this a small token of my goodwill; don't feel obliged."

After enjoying Da Yizi's voice, he also cashed in her gold coins—pretty good at all.

Xu Yuexin thought, and after receiving the silk quilt, expressed his thanks: "Your gift this time truly carries great courtesy and deep sentiment."

"If you ever need me in the future, just say so; I won't refuse."

"Alright, from now on I'll rely on you, great writer, for more help."

Chen Yixue smiled gently, "Qiao Qiao, you should live well with him from now on."

"We're doing great, aren't we?"

In the cool summer breeze, Qiao Qiao coquettishly hugged Xu Yuexin's arm, her expression sweet and happy.

"Exactly, it couldn't be better."

Xu Yuexin lifted a hand, indulgently patting Qiao Qiao's crown, and once again tangled her hair as she protested.

So nice.

Seeing this scene, Chen Yixue's heart literally melted; the once‑ice‑cold, frozen heart began to thaw.

Da Yizi, what's going on? Xu Yuexin noticed that just now, when he was being affectionate with Chen Qiaoqiao, Chen Yixue's usually cold eyes seemed a little stirred.

Forget it, I don't want to think so much; it's best not to guess Da Yizi's thoughts.

After shopping at Wangfujing, Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiaoqiao escorted Chen Yixue home, then took the blanket and continued by car back to Wudaokou.

After getting off, Xu Yuexin didn't go straight home; instead, he led Chen Qiaoqiao to the Dianbao Fang to see if there was any Telegram for him.

He had just discussed the Contract amendment with Wang Chaoyin, and perhaps People's Literature will respond especially quickly, able to give an answer today.

"Xu Yuexin, is it…"

Inside the Dianbao Fang, the telegraph operator searched for Xu Yuexin for a while, then shook his head, "There's nothing for you here."

"Alright, thank you for the trouble."

Xu Yuexin wasn't surprised either, planning to come back tomorrow.

……

The next afternoon, Xu Yuexin went to the Dianbao Fang alone, and this time he found a Telegram from People's Literature.

"Contract arrived."

Seeing the Telegram, Xu Yuexin realized it must be news about the Contract amendment, telling him to go there immediately.

Should he go right now? Xu Yuexin took the Telegram and began to weigh the decision alone.

People's Literature's reply could take countless forms. If the outcome matches his expectations, it would of course be a cause for universal joy.

Conversely, if their answer is unsatisfactory, further negotiations will be needed after arriving.

It's best to think it over carefully for a night, fully anticipate various scenarios, and after preparing a contingency plan, then go.

Besides, it's already late, and after going there he can't be sure when he'll be able to return.

Going a day later carries no real risk.

As Wang Chaoyin said, People's Literature will conduct a solemn discussion on the Contract amendment. Even if he goes tomorrow, they couldn't change the outcome in a single night as if it were a child's play.

Xu Yuexin concluded, saying.

After returning home and finishing his meal, he sat at his desk and began writing his manuscript.

……

"Pat—."

Until the deep, quiet night, Xu Yuexin set down his Parker Gold Pen, capped it, and began to contemplate the situations he might encounter during his upcoming interview with Wang Chaoyin.

(End of chapter)