Chapter 23: New Work and Broken Spear

Late at night, in an apartment in Beijing, Wei Jin was sitting in front of his computer, his fingers tapping rapidly on the keyboard. From time to time, he would pick up the cigarette at his side and take a deep drag. The entire study was filled with swirling smoke; typing was truly too dull, even if one was just copying.

Ceng Li, having just finished a shower, walked in wrapped in a bathrobe. Smelling the smoke in the room, she frowned, walked toward the window, and opened it. "Why are you smoking so much?"

"You know, creation requires inspiration."

Wei Jin spouted nonsense. This was what he called creation, though he was merely a porter of words. Of course, it wasn't entirely a lie; even when plagiarizing, one still had to make some modifications.

"What are you writing?"

Ceng Li walked over while drying her hair. "A youth novel."

Wei Jin answered without turning his head.

"Why have you started writing a youth novel? Are you not writing wuxia anymore?"

Ceng Li was a bit curious. His first wuxia novel had been a hit; logically, he should have continued to delve deeper into that path.

"It's not that I'm not writing it, I'm just taking a break to write this youth novel. I plan to adapt it into a movie."

Wei Jin then laid out the set of "viewership codes" he had told Miss Cai.

"So you want to wait for the novel to become famous first, and then shoot the movie?"

Ceng Li also knew that Wei Jin had been preparing his first commercial film, but she hadn't expected it to be a youth film.

"That's not all. In a couple of days, I'll write a song with the same title. I intend to convert book fans and music fans into movie fans, maximizing the development of the potential viewing audience, and strive to become famous in one battle with my first commercial film."

Wei Jin said with a hint of self-satisfaction.

"Actually, you don't have to be in such a hurry. You're still young."

Ceng Li felt a bit of heartache for her boyfriend.

Hearing this, Wei Jin stopped his work, stood up, and hugged the beauty.

"It's not that I'm in a hurry; I'm afraid that if I become famous too late, I won't be able to protect you."

"You don't need to sacrifice so much for me. I've never been with you because of these things."

Ceng Li was touched and wanted to say something more, but Wei Jin pressed his finger against her fragrant lips.

"Between you and me, there's no need to say these things. I will help you fulfill your dreams step by step."

Ceng Li stopped talking and simply offered her lips. Wei Jin responded passionately. Before long, the bathrobe slipped off, and the room was filled with spring splendor.

Time arrived in May, and Wei Jin's new book, *Those Years, We Chased After That Girl*, was officially released.

When he first received the news that Wei Jin was starting a new book, Shen Haobo was quite satisfied. He hadn't stopped writing just because he won the Berlin Silver Bear Award; he was a qualified author.

But the moment he got the manuscript, Shen Haobo was a bit dumbfounded. What happened to the "wuxia master of the post-Jin Yong era"?

I've already taken off my pants, and this is what you show me?

However, after finishing the manuscript, Shen Haobo had to admit that Wei Jin still had some skills. The youth literature was written with a sense of nostalgic era and a sense of freshness that could easily resonate with readers, without the various pains and affectations found in the youth novels on the market.

Since the total word count of the book wasn't high—just over a hundred thousand characters—*Those Years* was released as a single volume, priced at 20 per copy.

This time, Shen Haobo gave a 12% copyright share directly, very readily.

In fact, since the two began collaborating, they had been getting along quite happily. Mainly, Wei Jin had never thought about making a fortune through copyright fees; previously, for the subsequent volumes of *Sword Snow Stride*, Wei Jin hadn't thought about increasing his share either.

Not bothering with the subsequent sales of the novel, Wei Jin wrote the song with the same title. He was currently considering who to have sing it.

Huang Bai definitely wouldn't work; his voice was a bit thick and couldn't sing out that feeling. After much thought, Wei Jin thought of someone, a legendary joker—Li Jian—and asked Huang Bai to act as a go-between.

As a popular singer, Huang Bai had his own connections in the music circle. After much maneuvering, he finally made contact, but Li Jian had not replied.

Unexpectedly, three days later, Huang Bai brought some not-so-good news: Li Jian felt that what Wei Jin had written before were all "spit-take songs" (pop fluff), felt they weren't on the same path, and was unwilling to cooperate.

Wei Jin almost spat out a mouthful of old blood. "Spit-take songs"? What's wrong with "spit-take songs"? They make money; it's not shameful. He immediately sent an invitation to meet through Huang Bai, and finally, he wasn't rejected.

Today was the day the two sides were to meet. Huang Bai and Wei Jin arrived at the recording studio early, and Li Jian was recording a song.

The two found a place to sit and rest. Before long, Li Jian came out of the booth to greet them.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Li Jian raised a question:

"President Wei, I'm curious, why did you think of finding me to record a new song?"

"It's simple. I've heard your songs, and your timbre and technique perfectly match my imagination for this song."

Wei Jin stated his purpose directly and expressed his recognition of Li Jian.

"Hmm... can I take a look first?"

Seeing that Wei Jin respected him so much, Li Jian was no longer resistant and said he would look at it first.

Wei Jin handed the lyrics and music score he had prepared to Li Jian.

After taking them, Li Jian read them quietly, humming a few lines from time to time, and immediately discovered that this song was very different from Wei Jin's previous works.

"The song is written very well, especially the lyrics. I take back what I said before; you don't only write 'spit-take songs'."

Li Jian was a person with the temperament of a scholar. At this time, he hadn't been solo for long and couldn't be considered famous, but relying on his own songwriting and composing, it was really hard for ordinary people to catch his eye.

"So, our cooperation?"

"No problem. Also, what is the creative background of this song? I'd like to know more about the stories behind the scenes."

Li Jian asked. Because he was a creator himself and rarely sang other people's songs, he didn't know if he could accurately express the emotions Wei Jin wanted, hence the question.

"It's like this: I've written a new novel with the same title as the song. You can take a look at it first."

As he spoke, Wei Jin handed the hardcover novel to Li Jian.

"Alright, I'll read the novel first, and we'll record officially in a week."

Li Jian was also a decisive person and set the time immediately.

Subsequently, the two reached an agreement on some details: the copyright belonged to Wei Jin, and Li Jian enjoyed the performance rights.

After reaching the cooperation, Wei Jin tried to extend an olive branch again, but unfortunately, it was politely declined by Li Jian. He still hoped to engage in independent creation, but he immediately added that if there were good works, he would be willing to sing them.

Seeing that the main goal was achieved, Wei Jin didn't dwell on it too much. The two exchanged phone numbers and then took their leave.

On the way out, Huang Bai wanted to say something but hesitated. Wei Jin, of course, knew what he wanted to say: "This song isn't suitable for you to sing, don't overthink it."

In late May, bad news arrived. According to media reports, the National Sports Lottery Center would abandon the opportunity to host betting on the 2004 European Championship.

Hearing this news was like a bolt from the blue; Wei Jin's enterprise had collapsed halfway through, and for a moment, he was completely disoriented. Fortunately, Wei Jin was in the habit of considering defeat before victory, so the contingency plans he had prepared could still be put to use.

As a fledgling author writing a book for the first time, I humbly beg for your collections, follows, catch-up reads, and recommendations. Thank you all. As a fledgling author writing a book for the first time, I humbly beg for your collections, follows, catch-up reads, and recommendations. Thank you all.

(End of this chapter)