Chapter 38: But I Already Refused!

Geng Zhi watched Feng Bo shift from courteous to haughty, furious inside but unable to stop him.

He had been in the industry three years and knew many authors had tempers; Feng Bo’s attitude might provoke “Seven-Inch Blade Edge” and cause unpredictable consequences.

But when Feng Bo said, “You’re really a high school student,” Geng Zhi felt as if struck by lightning, stunned into silence.

Many details in his mind suddenly connected, revealing why Feng Bo had snatched his author and why Sister Xu had seen through it at a glance.

There’s a saying in the industry—editors make authors, and authors make editors.

A thousand-mile horse is rare; so is a connoisseur.

Many great writers emerged alongside discerning mentors who spotted their potential.

The few gold-star editors Geng Zhi knew all had experience guiding and nurturing multiple outstanding authors.

During group discussions, some editors would proudly boast: “When I first met XXX, his writing was still crude—I gave him confidence, guidance, and support... we accomplished each other.”

Listen, listen—I’ve mentored a great writer! Doesn’t that instantly elevate my status?

This quiet bragging was every junior editor’s dream.

Every ambitious editor hoped to find a young dragon, nurture it carefully, and climb the clouds together.

Feng Bo was undoubtedly ambitious, but his experience was too shallow—could he even mentor an outstanding author if one were handed to him now?

But a high school student? That was different.

When Geng Zhi received the manuscript of “Infiltration,” the author’s pen name was “Seven-Inch Blade Edge,” but the contact address listed was Class 1, Retake, No. 2 High School, Qingshui County, Li Ye.

At the time, Geng Zhi had assumed Li Ye was a teacher at No. 2 High School.

But now he realized—if the author were a teacher, he wouldn’t have specified the class.

Yet Geng Zhi hadn’t considered that others might have realized “Seven-Inch Blade Edge” could be a student.

Like Deputy Chief Editor Lv, like Feng Bo, like Sister Xu.

Mentoring a student with immense potential, using the student’s shoulders to climb upward—it looked like a free ride to the clouds.

Feng Bo snatched paper and pen, questioning the caller on the phone while scribbling furiously.

“We need to verify some facts—your real name is Li Ye, correct? How old are you? Is ‘Infiltration’ entirely your own work?”

“Your novel has serious flaws—we need you to bring the full manuscript here, undergo our guidance, and make strict revisions before it can be published...”

The voice on the other end asked: “If your publishing house intends to guide me in revising the manuscript, who will be guiding me?”

Feng Bo’s eyes flickered, and he softened his tone: “The press has decided—I’ll be your contact. I’m a graduate of XX University, with sufficient literary foundation...”

“..........”

“How much will my royalty be?”

“You, student, why only think of royalties? Literature is noble, rigorous—you still need to learn much... Hello? Speak... Hello?”

【No wonder he’s a college grad—impressive, impressive... ruined a perfect opportunity.】

Geng Zhi watched Feng Bo suddenly grow agitated and almost laughed.

Listening to Feng Bo’s precise, probing questions, it was clear the other man’s thoughtfulness and strategy far surpassed Geng Zhi’s.

But you’ve only been in the industry a few days—why rush so badly?

Don’t just envy the gold-star editors’ glory; their outstanding authors were nurtured one by one with care.

You’re no famous editor—do you really expect someone to bow down to you?

Do you really think a young “Seven-Inch Blade Edge” is easy to manipulate?

“Hello? Hello? Are you still there, Li Ye?”

Feng Bo’s tone had lost its composure—he realized he’d pushed too hard and might have upset the high school student.

Li Ye was indeed upset.

Today he received a letter from the provincial capital, eagerly went to the post office to call, expecting a warm, friendly greeting and a discussion about royalties.

But after connecting, he felt he was talking not to an editor, but a boxing coach delivering jab, cross, and hook after jab, cross, and hook—and trying to charge him private lessons.

Instantly, Li Ye lost all interest in continuing the conversation.

Li Ye coldly asked into the receiver: “I’m here. You’re Editor Feng, right? I have a question to confirm.”

Feng Bo paused, then said: “Of course. Our press deeply respects authors—state your concerns.”

Li Ye asked: “At the end of my submission, I clearly wrote that if your press wished to publish, you’d mail me a contact number—so why are you now uncertain whether my novel will be published?”

Feng Bo in the provincial capital was annoyed.

You’re a high school student—what kind of attitude is this? Don’t you know humility?

So he snapped: “Student Li Ye, I think you’ve misunderstood. We mailed you the number to give you a chance to revise and resubmit—not to promise publication.”

Li Ye listened silently, then asked slowly: “Just tell me—will you publish it, or won’t you?”

Feng Bo’s temper flared: “I’ve said it several times—your book must be reviewed and revised further. I hope you’ll adjust your attitude...”

“Then forget it. Return my submission.”

“What did you say?”

“Pam~”

Li Ye hung up the phone.

Within days, he’d encountered two “guidance” requests.

But Feng Bo was nothing like Teacher Ke.

When Teacher Ke made his request, he was gentle, subtle—even somewhat... humble.

Li Ye still remembered the shame in Teacher Ke’s eyes.

After years of hardship, self-reliance and self-respect might be Teacher Ke’s last precious treasures.

More importantly, when Teacher Ke learned Li Ye deliberately avoided sensitive topics, he immediately abandoned the idea of “guidance”—Li Ye had to actively offer help.

Based on Li Ye’s lifetime of reading people, he could foresee that after receiving his help, Teacher Ke would repay him adequately.

But what about this Feng Bo?

Listen to that tone, look at that arrogance—who the hell are you trying to gaslight?

Did I beg you?

Think you can step on my shoulders to become famous?

Get lost.

Li Ye hung up cleanly; Feng Bo in the provincial capital was stunned.

He kept saying “Hello? Hello?” into the receiver before realizing he’d probably messed things up.

It was like trading stocks—watching your shares surge, holding, holding, not selling, not selling... then hitting the daily limit down.

Game over.

Modern phones had no caller ID—he couldn’t even redial.

“Heh~”

Geng Zhi, who had been furious moments ago, now relaxed. He stopped arguing, glanced at Feng Bo’s furrowed brow, chuckled softly, and walked away.

Ten minutes later, through careful whispers from Geng Zhi, Sister Xu, and others, the rumor spread through the entire press: Feng Bo tried to guide “Seven-Inch Blade Edge,” and the author hung up on him.

Soon after, Deputy Chief Editor Lv summoned Feng Bo into his office for a private lecture.

When he emerged, Feng Bo composed himself and redialed the number to Qingshui County.

“Hello, is this No. 2 High School in Qingshui County? I’d like to speak with Li Ye from Retake Class 1... Li Ye isn’t there?

Then please tell him—we’ve decided to publish his work. He must come to the provincial capital immediately to discuss publication.”

“..................”

Principal Chang of Qingshui No. 2 High School hung up, turned to Teacher Luo, and asked again: “We only have one Li Ye in this school?”

Teacher Luo confirmed: “Yes, only one. I’ve checked—he’s been acting strangely lately, seems to be writing.”

“Not ‘seems,’” Principal Chang waved his hand. “We must find out for sure. If true, we must fully support him.”

“Remember—everything must follow the boy’s wishes. Give him every possible convenience...”

“Understood, Principal.”

Li Ye, still fuming, wandered outside, then walked into class to find fifty-one pairs of eyes fixed on him.

A student by the door bolted out, sprinting toward Teacher Luo’s office—his shout of “Li Ye’s back!” carried over dozens of meters.

Teacher Luo arrived in a rush, stepped onto the podium, and beamed as he addressed the class.

“Our student Li Ye has worked hard and devoted himself to writing—he’s reached a publishing agreement with Dahe Publishing House in the provincial capital. Let’s congratulate Li Ye.”

Teacher Luo clapped first, prompting a group of stunned classmates to follow suit.

Li Dayong, now fully awake, clapped until his palms turned red.

After a long while, Teacher Luo finally stopped the applause and turned to Li Ye: “Li Ye, come up and share your thoughts with everyone?”

Li Ye looked embarrassed, stood up, and asked: “Teacher Luo, how do you know Dahe Publishing House agreed to publish my novel?”

Teacher Luo said: “Just now, Dahe Publishing House called our school—they clearly confirmed they’ll publish your novel and asked you to bring the full manuscript to the provincial capital as soon as possible.”

“..........”

“It’s a novel? My brother’s a writer. My brother’s a writer.”

Li Dayong was genuinely thrilled and loudly announced it to the students in front.

But Li Ye smiled and said: “Actually... Teacher Luo, a few hours ago, I already declined Dahe Publishing House’s offer.”

“..........”

Everyone froze—even Wen Leyu, who knew the most, was stunned.