Chapter 273: The Theme of This Book Is Betrayal

At nine in the morning, the four translator-authors arrived at Tàngbō Literature Publishing House and were warmly received.

After the warm welcome ceremony, Tàngbō's staff seated the four authors together in one reception room.

Then they handed each of them market sales reports and comparisons of positive and negative reviews.

This deeply comforted the four distant visitors, for Tàngbō Literature had truly delivered on its promise of "fairness and impartiality" and "readers come first."

Looking at the data, Joanina ranked first in the European region.

The renowned author Wood was first in the Americas, while Wu Jinyuan from Shicheng's Lijia Po was first in Asia.

However, the runners-up in all three regions also had strong numbers, with reader reviews varying widely.

"Ladies and gentlemen, these are the results compiled by several authoritative media outlets, so this year's first prize has three winners: Mr. Wood, Ms. Joanina, and Ms. Wu Jinyuan, each receiving a $20, 00 cash award."

"But we now need the three translators to continue translating three versions for global release,

so if any of you are interested, please wait a moment—we will discuss formal cooperation terms with you."

Upon hearing Pei Wencong's announcement, the four authors displayed varied expressions: some delighted, some calm, others frowning in thought.

Joanina and Lu Jingyao were both thrilled, for Joanina had had no confidence at all—she never imagined she'd come out on top.

The $20, 00 prize could finally lift Joanina out of her financial hardship.

And if they signed a cooperation agreement afterward, she'd gain another income stream—that would truly change her fate.

Jeff, second in the Americas, felt discouraged, but since Wood wasn't present, he still held some hope.

Wu Jinyuan from Asia was the most composed; while waiting, she even picked up the magazines and newspapers the publisher had prepared for her.

"Hey, are you Joanina Wals?"

Joanina was quietly rejoicing when someone suddenly spoke to her.

Joanina looked at the middle-aged man with thinning hair and replied politely but stiffly: "Yes, sir. May I ask who you are?"

The middle-aged man looked at Joanina and said: "I'm Gidba. I wrote you a letter—you should remember it, right?"

Joanina's heart skipped a beat, and her face darkened instantly.

Because Gidba was the one who had written her that scathing letter, accusing her of "destroying an epic" by turning historical fantasy into a female-led story.

"So you received my letter, then?" Gidba smiled. "But why didn't you reply? As an author, you shouldn't lack basic courtesy!"

"I—I don't agree with your opinion. I think—"

"What do you think? That a woman is the whole story? So many critiques have already pointed out your errors—how do you dare keep writing?"

"My results are excellent—"

"That's just because your biased writing style attracted low-emotional female readers' votes. Such works are doomed to vanish."

Joanina's stammering immediately alerted Lu Jingyao.

From the documents beside her, Lu Jingyao learned that Gidba was second in Europe—Joanina's most direct competitor.

Lu Jingyao grabbed Joanina's hand and said to Gidba: "Sir, could you please keep some distance from Ms. Joanina?"

Gidba replied coldly: "Who are you?"

Lu Jingyao answered just as coldly: "I'm Ms. Joanina's assistant. You're already disturbing her—mind your words."

Gidba chuckled: "Madam, we're just having a normal exchange between authors. Why are you so tense?"

"Oh… Ms. Joanina, why is your face so pale? I've only said a few words and already upset you? Your emotions are so unstable?"

"Excuse me, please step aside."

Lu Jingyao pulled Joanina's arm and stood up, walking past Gidba out of the reception room.

Outside, Joanina nervously said: "Lu, I'm fine. If we leave now, we might lose the translation rights. I don't want more pay—I just love translating that book."

Lu Jingyao walked on as she replied: "No, we're going straight to the organizers to negotiate the translation contract.

They put all four authors together to pressure us into lowering our demands—this tactic has a precedent in our country."

Lu Jingyao pulled Joanina to the very back of Tàngbō Literature Publishing House—according to Chinese office layout tradition, the innermost office belongs to the boss.

Amin blocked their path: "Ladies, how may I assist you?"

Lu Jingyao said: "Ms. Joanina wishes to discuss translation rights with you. We don't want to compete with the others maliciously—we'd prefer direct, sincere talks."

Amin stared at the imposing Lu Jingyao, then called Pei Wencong and received an immediate reply.

"Come in! Our boss is happy to speak with Ms. Joanina."

Amin opened the office door and gestured for Joanina to enter; Lu Jingyao followed right behind.

Inside Pei Wencong's office sat three people: Pei Wencong himself, the lawyer Luo Runbo, and Li Ye.

Li Ye was surprised—he'd arrived early and had been discussing offshore company registration and speculative forex trading with Luo Runbo.

He'd planned to make the four translators wait, to teach them "if you won't do it, someone else will."

But Joanina, his top pick, had stormed in directly—so he'd drop the act and lay it all out.

Giving Joanina full copyright was out of the question—he had to secure majority operational rights.

Later, Chinese xianxia and fantasy novels would need to be exported too—he had to find a viable path.

Cultural infiltration—we must do it too!

But Li Ye never expected Lu Jingyao to follow Joanina.

【How did these two end up together? Strange.】

Yet Li Ye's surprise paled next to Lu Jingyao's shock.

She froze the moment she stepped in.

Just moments ago, she'd been confident, ready to haggle with Pei Wencong—now her mind went blank, utterly lost.

【How is Li Ye here? And why does he seem even more powerful than Boss Pei?】

The way Li Ye sat casually on the sofa, one might easily believe he was Pei Wencong's boss.

"Mr. Li, is there a problem?"

Pei Wencong sensed something was off and glanced at Li Ye with a questioning look.

Li Ye waved his hand: "No issue. Let's begin the contract discussion—explain everything clearly."

Pei Wencong nodded, and Luo Runbo brought forward the Chinese-English contract, beginning to explain each clause to Joanina.

Lu Jingyao was stunned.

Since leaving China, she'd seen plenty of foreign wealth and arrogance—but never had she seen a boss casually handing out tens of thousands in prize money treat a Chinese person with such respect.

And this Chinese person was so young.

Joanina quickly motioned Lu Jingyao over to help her review.

Lu Jingyao, dazed, listened to Luo Runbo's explanation and could only find a few points to negotiate—but her arguments felt weak and hollow.

"Madam, although Ms. Joanina holds no operational rights, she retains full copyright. All operational profits will be distributed to her per contract.

Even if operations underperform, she'll receive guaranteed fixed income—and bear no losses."

Lu Jingyao wasn't a professional, her emotions were still reeling, and Tàngbō's contract emphasized a foolproof "guaranteed minimum"—leaving Joanina thoroughly satisfied.

Translating a story she loved, with guaranteed profit—wasn't that enough?

After all, she was just a translator, not the original author—why expect so much leverage?

Yet finally, Joanina whispered a request: "Mr. Pei, may I communicate with the original author?"

Pei Wencong looked at Li Ye.

Lu Jingyao also looked at Li Ye.

At this moment, Lu Jingyao finally understood.

During last year's New Year, Li Zhong had bragged in Qingshui County that his grandson Li Ye had been invited to Hong Kong for cultural exchange.

Now it was clear: Li Ye was here for that exchange—and judging by Pei Wencong's deference, A Song of Ice and Fire was tied to him.

Li Ye looked at Joanina and said in English: "The author isn't available to speak with you now, but if you have questions, tell me—I'll arrange correspondence."

Joanina replied cautiously: "Thank you. I mainly want to know the future plot direction and tone—it would help my translation."

Li Ye smiled: "Use your imagination. Keep your current style. Your translation is excellent. If you must know one direction—it's betrayal."

A Song of Ice and Fire is full of betrayal; Daenerys's final fate stems from betrayal.

But Li Ye's blunt truth struck Lu Jingyao like a thunderclap.

Betrayal.

Last New Year, Wen Leyu had coldly accused Lu Jingyao of betraying Li Ye.

Joanina also fell silent for a long time, then her eyes welled up: "Yes, I guessed that too. I'll write this story well."

Only those who've experienced betrayal truly understand its taste—Joanina's marriage and life had given her the perfect foundation.

With Luo Runbo's help, Joanina began signing.

Pei Wencong exhaled in relief—once the first contract was signed, the rest would be easy. Western copyright awareness was fierce; today's smoothness was unexpected.

Lu Jingyao stared fixedly at Li Ye, then couldn't help asking in Qingshui dialect: "Do you think I betrayed you?"

Li Ye looked at Lu Jingyao and said calmly: "It's all in the past. Forget it."

Lu Jingyao bit her lip and asked again: "This matters to me. I need an answer."

Li Ye replied directly: "Then don't you think it was betrayal?"

Lu Jingyao: "."

Li Ye could let it go—he'd arrived in this world after it had already happened.

But to say "Yes, dumping your boyfriend was right"—he'd never utter those words.

Others may forgive you or ignore it—but you can't demand they declare you "not wrong."

Lu Jingyao's lips were bloodied from biting.

Finally, she gave a hollow smile and asked quietly: "Is A Song of Ice and Fire Master Ke's work?"

When Lu Jingyao first tried translating A Song of Ice and Fire, she felt the grammar and phrasing were strangely familiar; now she understood—it was her teacher's work.

Li Ye frowned and said, "You're asking too many questions. You'd better pretend you don't know me from now on, or other authors will think it's unfair and harm Ms. Jonina."

"."

Lu Jingyao bowed her head in silence for a long time, until Jonina finished signing, took her hand, and pulled her away, before she looked at Li Ye again.

"Fine. We won't know each other from now on."

This time, she finally realized Li Ye was serious.

Because he had already walked far ahead of her.

Lu Jingyao stepped out of Tawang Literature Publishing House, took a deep breath, and felt slightly less burdened—but that faint, searing tear inside her pierced to the bone.

Betrayal. I am a traitor.

Years of trials had hardened Lu Jingyao's spirit, made her stronger—but when Li Ye slapped the word "betrayal" onto her, the pain was beyond any remedy she could muster.

Suddenly, Jonina stood before Lu Jingyao and gently embraced her.

"Forget the past! I once felt exactly as you just did. Now, let's forget those suffocating memories together, all right?"

Lu Jingyao stared at Jonina in shock, speechless.

Jonina smiled and said, "Though I don't understand your language, your eyes betrayed your heart."

Lu Jingyao sighed and said, "I'm sorry I didn't help you just now."

"No, no, no—you already helped me, and I'll need your continued help going forward."

Jonina took Lu Jingyao's hand and said, "I now have a steady income, but I need a real assistant—to care for my child, to manage my life. How about it? Will you take this job?"

Lu Jingyao stared at Jonina for ten seconds, then slowly smiled. "And what's my salary, generous Ms. Jonina?"

"Base pay: three hundred pounds monthly. If you later need an agent, I'll give you ten percent. Lu, believe me—I won't be stingy."

"Deal!"

(End of Chapter)