Chapter 69: Urging for Manuscripts and Book Reviews

In the Spring Festival of '82, the statutory holiday was only three days. Enterprises and institutions went to work on the fourth day, while schools were a little later.

For Li Ye, who was used to small long holidays, he was certainly extremely unaccustomed to this, so he agreed with Hu Man and the others in advance that they would start reviewing normally on the sixth day.

Even so, Li Ye felt that he was already a model of diligence for a transmigrator.

Hu Man and the others also figured out Li Ye's temper. Even if they went to the Second Grain Store to review, they wouldn't arrive until the sun was high, and they guaranteed not to disturb Li Ye. If they had questions, they would hold them in.

However, things went against their wishes. On the morning of the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Li Ye hadn't even crawled out of his small heated brick bed and was pondering where to go to hang out with Li Dayong today, when Watching Wen Leyu ran over in a hurry to knock on the door.

"It's not even nine o'clock yet? What's the rush?"

"Look quickly, a telegram."

Li Ye hurriedly took the telegram and read it carefully.

【Progress has been made, the return trip may be postponed... Please send the subsequent manuscript to Room 306, Guangming Hotel, xx Road, Beijing as soon as possible.】

Li Ye read it carefully twice, confirmed that there was no hidden meaning, and looked at Watching Wen Leyu: "It should be good news."

Watching Wen Leyu nodded vigorously, her nose souring: "It's good news."

Li Ye smiled: "If it's good news, why are you sniffing? Hurry up and help me copy the manuscript, otherwise what will I mail?"

Li Ye had the habit of keeping the original manuscript of his novel, so whether it was the Blue Sea Publishing House or Teacher Ke, they all took copied manuscripts.

During the New Year, although he was lazy, he still wrote ten or twenty thousand words, and copying them would take most of the day.

But fortunately, Hu Man and the others followed him today. Five people copied ten or twenty thousand words, and the speed was much faster.

Before noon, Li Ye went to the post office to mail the manuscript, and Watching Wen Leyu finally breathed a sigh of relief and was no longer so anxious.

But just one day later, the next morning, Teacher Ke's second telegram arrived.

【Supplementary materials have been mailed, please pay attention to receiving and organize and use them as soon as possible.】

"Supplementary materials?"

Li Ye was very puzzled. When he rewrote *The Beacon Fire Fenghuo Taobing*, he showed the outline to Teacher Ke.

After many discussions and revisions, the two had basically perfected the novel's outline and plot context. At this time, adding supplementary materials was not a good thing for an author.

Sure enough, just the afternoon of the day after the telegram arrived, a thick package arrived in Li Ye's hands.

【Is this the speed of JD Express?】

Li Ye felt something was wrong. It was less than 500 kilometers from Beijing to Qingshui County, but the parcel delivery in '82 would take three to five days to be considered fast.

But this package actually took less than 36 hours.

Confirmed, this was a package sent by a big shot.

Opening the package, the first thing was a letter from Teacher Ke.

The letter told Li Ye that some of the prototypes of the characters in the novel had supplemented many details of the battles and life at that time, and asked Li Ye to integrate them into the subsequent manuscripts as much as possible after screening.

Teacher Ke's letter was written with sincere words, as if she were not talking to a high school student, but discussing with an equal writer.

But Li Ye only read it once and understood Teacher Ke's meaning—urge for updates, urge for updates, update as soon as possible according to the requirements.

Li Ye put down the letter and began to flip through the "materials" one by one.

Then he sat there motionless for most of the day, like a clay sculpture.

Watching Wen Leyu, who was beside him, was a bit scared and pushed him hard.

"What's wrong, Li Ye? Is there something wrong?"

"The concubine... nothing, nothing."

Li Ye reacted and smiled at Watching Wen Leyu to reassure her.

But at this moment, he really wanted to shout: "The concubine can't do it!"

These were not supplementary materials at all; these were intense review posts from big-shot readers!

【Author Comrade, hello, I have some opinions to tell you... Your critical description of that person surnamed Yang is not profound enough. Let me tell you, on xx year xx month, he... You must write it clearly to vent our anger.】

【Author Comrade, can you tell me, who told you that he, Gao Yidao, is the number one in bayonet fighting in the whole regiment?】

In front of me, see if he dares to brag like that. You must write me in. I am from the First Company, Second Platoon, xxx. Remember to give me a nice nickname!】

【Author Comrade, I want to criticize you. How can you only show us half a book? When will the second half arrive? The doctor criticized me for not sleeping on time.】

This is not urging for updates; this is urging for his life!

They couldn't wait to see the remaining manuscripts tomorrow, but there were still more than a million words left! How do you want Li Ye to write it?

Li Ye sighed to the sky: "The money for custom-made articles is really not that easy to earn!"

This is like writing an online novel, where a gold-medal reader suddenly jumps out and asks the author to change a story line or modify a character setting.

Although the author's brain cells will burn out by the hundreds of millions, there is always a way to make subtle adjustments.

But you have several big-shot readers making requests—this one wants the protagonist to go east, that one wants the protagonist to go west,

This one wants the righteous side to go to heaven, that one wants the villain to go to hell, then... how can it be changed!

Li Ye threw the "supplementary materials" away and picked up the manuscript paper to write furiously.

He didn't intend to change it, at least not recently. He would first write 100,000 words according to the draft in his mind and mail it out.

Large quantity and satisfaction is a big trick for writers. Under the condition of liver-exploding and update-exploding, even the most picky readers will feel sorry for the writer and try not to pick faults.

However, Li Ye was writing the novel with undivided attention, but Watching Wen Leyu took those supplementary materials and read them carefully.

As she read, her face changed, her little face wrinkled like a steamed bun, and her eyes kept glancing at Li Ye.

Li Ye didn't stop his pen and asked casually: "What's wrong?"

Watching Wen Leyu said: "Is it... too difficult?"

Li Ye shook his head: "It's not difficult! I'm used to it."

Watching Wen Leyu: "........"

Watching Wen Leyu naturally didn't know that when Li Ye wrote online novels in his previous life, he was often sprayed into autism by readers, and over time, he practiced high-defense and high-endurance skills.

Change what can be changed; for what can't be changed, you spray, and I'll take it.

Li Ye's train of thought was smooth, and he wrote four or five thousand words in one breath until his wrists were slightly sore before stopping.

Watching Wen Leyu copied it afterward and helped him tidy up the manuscript, slowly and listlessly.

Li Ye felt something was wrong and asked Watching Wen Leyu: "Are you in a bad mood?"

Watching Wen Leyu's little head nodded twice, her little mouth pouted, and her face was full of grievances.

Li Ye asked warmly: "Can you tell me?"

Watching Wen Leyu looked at Li Ye and pondered for a long time.

"Actually, Shi Cheng... is my grandfather."

"Hmm."

Li Ye gave a light hmm and didn't ask much.

He had long guessed that the prototype of Shi Cheng had a very close relationship with Watching Wen Leyu and Teacher Ke.

Watching Wen Leyu said again: "My grandfather passed away a few years ago."

Alright! No wonder he was forgotten. The sect leader had passed away, so the big senior brother was naturally a bit lacking.

"Hmm?"

Li Ye suddenly realized something was wrong.

He sat up straight, looked into Watching Wen Leyu's eyes, and after a moment, he understood.

Isn't this the feeling of those girls on the opposite side when they introduced their family situation to him during blind dates in his previous life?

"My father and brother are in the North Angling Mountains... I haven't seen them for many years."

"But my father writes to me every month... We are far apart, but our family affection is getting stronger and stronger..."

Watching Wen Leyu spoke very verbosely, but also very seriously.

Li Ye understood that until this moment, this little girl had finally opened her heart to him.

Before this, she had used a shell of indifference to wrap herself tightly.

If it weren't for Li Ye, this monster, who was against the heavens, poking through this membrane bit by bit, she wouldn't know how long she would have closed herself off.

Watching Wen Leyu pointed to those supplementary materials and said faintly: "Some of these people I have seen, some I have heard of, they are all of my grandfather's generation..."

"Their tempers are all very stubborn, and they are very strong. None of them will submit to the other. If you say one thing bad about them, they will make trouble..."

"It's okay, I'm not afraid of trouble. I've seen readers who are even more difficult." Li Ye smiled and reassured Watching Wen Leyu.

Watching Wen Leyu looked at Li Ye and said with a guilty conscience: "My meaning is, this *The Beacon Fire Fenghuo Taobing*, maybe... possibly... cannot be published."

"Cannot be published?"

Li Ye was stunned, and then he understood. It was indeed very troublesome to involve so many people and so many opinions.

Watching Wen Leyu nodded: "If it can't be published, you won't get the manuscript fee."

"Sigh?"

Li Ye didn't expect Watching Wen Leyu to give him such a turn. She was introducing her family before, so how did she turn to the manuscript fee later?

Does it matter if we have money or not?

Why does she look so guilty, like a lioness shouting "million-yuan bride price"?

Li Ye said generously: "If I can't get the manuscript fee, then I can't get it! You have to know that writing a novel doesn't necessarily mean making money."

"Many times, failure is just a trial before success."

Watching Wen Leyu's little face was full of grievances again: "But if you can't get the manuscript fee, I won't have the proofreading fee! What should I do about my meal money?"

Li Ye was dumbfounded.

Everyone ate in the small warehouse of the Second Grain Store, and Li Ye charged a symbolic fee of one dime per meal.

Because there was a proofreading fee deposited with Li Ye, Watching Wen Leyu had always been eating and drinking for free with confidence.

It wasn't that Li Ye didn't give her the money, but she refused to take it no matter what.

Li Ye had always felt that this girl was someone who regarded money as dirt. She wouldn't take money without a name or status.

As for eating, that was a matter of course. Even short-term workers for the landlord are provided with meals, let alone a small proofreader?

But now, what kind of thinking is this?

Is your money mine, and my money yours?

No, it seems like... active effort... earning a long-term meal ticket?

Li Ye's heart moved, and he whispered to Watching Wen Leyu: "If you are willing, I can provide your meals... until the end of time."

The autumn water in Watching Wen Leyu's big eyes seemed to suddenly freeze.

And then, surging waves rose.

She slowly retreated, like a vigilant little deer, and then suddenly turned and ran away.

Listening to the sound of footsteps fading away, Li Ye's heart beat wildly, not living up to his expectations.

Does this count as a confession?

Does it?

That certainly doesn't count! Otherwise, wouldn't it be embarrassing to death? ===== CHAPTER 70 =====