Chapter 57: Unexpected Joy

In the ideal case, of course both requirements are satisfied at the same time. Then there's nothing more to say—just happily sign the contract.

The most likely scenario is that People's Literature only agrees to either the Non-exclusive Publishing Rights or the One Print One Sign, but not both.

If so, I'll temporarily stop submitting to them, write for another publisher first, and wait for them to seek a compromise.

The other minor clauses don't matter; they won't materially affect my interests, so agreeing is fine, but disagreeing is also acceptable.

Xu Yuexin was pondering, until Chen Qiaoqiao brought over a bowl of mung bean soup.

"I made this for you, drink up quickly."

Chen Qiaoqiao said softly, taking a pristine handkerchief from her pocket and handing it to Xu Yuexin.

Xu Yuexin took the handkerchief, wiped the sweat from his forehead, lifted the mung bean soup and gulped it down.

Facing the summer heat, sheer endurance won't cut it; I'll have to buy an electric fan tomorrow.

"Really tasty."

After setting the bowl down, Xu Yuexin wiped his mouth and said.

"I added rock sugar inside."

Chen Qiaoqiao brought a chair, sat beside him and said, "Are you mulling over the novel's plot? You've been thinking for so long."

"Exactly, I'm pondering what description to use to convey the feelings between the male and female protagonists."

Xu Yuexin wore a solemn expression, as if he were speaking seriously.

"So, have you reached a conclusion?"

Chen Qiaoqiao asked curiously, wanting to join his plot brainstorming.

Xu Yuexin nodded, "There's a hint of an outline, but it requires deep thought and vigorous practice to obtain a satisfactory direction."

After speaking, he pulled Chen Qiaoqiao into his arms, and his large hand began to act indecently on her youthful, graceful body.

"Eh? What are you…"

Chen Qiaoqiao's cheeks flushed red as she struggled to free herself, but Xu Yuexin's strong embrace rendered it futile.

Soon, under Xu Yuexin's assault, Chen Qiaoqiao lost strength and could only limpily lean into his chest.

"Hmm… weren't we studying writing? Why now…"

Chen Qiaoqiao panted lightly, asking weakly.

"Weren't we just putting it into practice?"

Xu Yuexin coaxed Chen Qiaoqiao, his large hand continuing its assault, his gaze shifting to the bed, "Come, lie on the bed for a while."

Chen Qiaoqiao shook her head with difficulty, "No."

Even though she didn't know what lying down could accomplish, she figured it couldn't be a good thing.

Since their marriage, Xu Yuexin hasn't been short of new tricks on Chen Qiaoqiao, and she has grown wary of them.

"You lie down for a bit, I promise I won't do anything else."

Xu Yuexin swore solemnly, even loosening his hold on Chen Qiaoqiao to show sincerity.

"Then… you said you'd keep your word."

Chen Qiaoqiao, half believing, half doubting, obediently lay on the bed.

Soon, she regretted it.

"Weren't we supposed to…"

Facing Xu Yuexin's assault from behind, Chen Qiaoqiao felt duped again; under the relentless attack she felt both ashamed and frantic, gasping incoherently, "Hmph… big liar, big… um… big Bad Guy!"

Another night that lasted until dawn.

……

"Bad Guy, big Bad Guy."

In the early hours, Chen Qiaoqiao lay beside Xu Yuexin, lightly patting him and teasing, "All day long, you just keep deceiving me."

Recalling what just happened, her face flushed hot; she truly didn't know where Xu Yuexin learned those things. "You said you'd think deeply and practice vigorously."

Xu Yuexin gently stroked her snow‑white leg exposed from the silk blanket and said leisurely, "How can that be called a lie?"

"Just spouting twisted logic."

Chen Qiaoqiao gave him a cold stare, wrapped the blanket and turned her back to him.

Xu Yuexin shifted toward Chen Qiaoqiao, wrapped her through the blanket, and whispered in her ear, "Don't you kind of like it too?"

"I saw you just now…"

"Ah, never mind."

Chen Qiaoqiao stuck out her jade arm, shyly nudged Xu Yuexin and said, "I won't let you get away with it again."

"Fine, fine, not saying."

Xu Yuexin laughed, lifted the blanket, dove in and held Chen Qiaoqiao tightly, "Sleep!"

The next morning, Xu Yuexin left a note on the table for Chen Qiaoqiao, telling her he had business at People's Literature; if she got up late and missed breakfast, she could eat out.

The note listed six yuan and five liang of grain coupons.

Newly married, Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiaoqiao were inseparable each day, and hadn't yet found time to discuss money matters.

They could only postpone it for later.

Xu Yuexin rode his bicycle to People's Literature, parked it in the courtyard, and went upstairs to find Wang Chaoyin.

Wang Chaoyin was reviewing manuscripts in the editing room; when he saw Xu Yuexin, his eyes lit up, and he picked up four newly drafted contracts, saying, "Come, Old Xu, let's go to the reception room for a chat."

He had originally worried that Xu Yuexin was negotiating the contract with the Magazine Office, while privately already contacting other publications.

Now that Xu Yuexin came the next day, it indicated that, for now, the risk of him leaving was still low.

"Is the research at the office finished?"

On the way to the reception room, Xu Yuexin asked Wang Chaoyin.

"Hmm, that's quite a hassle."

Wang Chaoyin specifically emphasized, "Come inside and I'll tell you."

After stepping into the reception room, Wang Chaoyin closed the door, took out a new Contract and placed it before Xu Yuexin: "According to your request, the publishing rights are explicitly non‑exclusive; each future reprint will require a new Contract."

Xu Yuexin let out a long sigh.

Exceeded expectations! Both of his two core demands are fully satisfied.

People's Literature, we can manage! "As for removing the overseas publishing rights, the society hasn't approved it. Because we are currently limited to domestic, but as the country's opening accelerates, we will definitely expand overseas in the future."

"We hope you can understand."

"Moreover, your work's publishing rights have already been changed to non‑exclusive. If the day comes when we actually publish overseas and you're not satisfied with our conditions, you can go find someone else, right?"

Wang Chaoyin said sincerely, hoping to persuade Xu Yuexin.

What he said was flawless.

Xu Yuexin had already considered this point last night and found Wang Chaoyin's words acceptable.

Originally he put forward so many conditions in order to, as Mr. Lu Xun said, tear off the roof to achieve the purpose of opening a window.

Now the window is open, and it's very large and bright; at this point he really doesn't need to actually tear off the roof.

"Look, today I brought four Contracts in total."

Here Wang Chaoyin, seeing Xu Yuexin still silent, thought he was dissatisfied, and immediately pointed at the contracts on the table, saying, "Two are Publishing Contracts for the works collection belonging to The Horse Herder, and two are for High Mountain."

Isn't "The Flower Wreath Under High Mountain" already under a contract?

Xu Yuexin was stunned for a moment, then quickly recovered.

Could it be... People's Literature wants to re‑sign with me? I never made that request.

(End of Chapter)