Chapter 208

In the meeting room.

Novel editor Gao Qiaojun was sitting opposite an author wearing glasses.

He had been reviewing the suspense mystery novel manuscript brought by the other party for nearly two hours.

However, no matter from which angle he examined it, this work could only be described as "mediocre".

In the era of paper media decades ago, perhaps it still had a place.

But in the current era of information explosion and readers' lack of patience, such a suspense story lacking grip is hard to stir up the slightest splash.

Today's readers have extremely picky tastes; if the plot isn't sharp enough and the hook isn't sharp enough, even the chance of being glanced at is minimal.

Let alone those masterpieces with exquisite conception, interlocking, and reversals that make one's scalp tingle; those are the ones that can truly explode across the internet!

And this manuscript in front of him... he flipped through it repeatedly and couldn't find any shining points worth praising.

Let it pass?

I'm afraid he would be called to the editor-in-chief's office to be severely criticized in the next second.

Gao Qiaojun's personality was already mild and cowardly; knowing that the manuscript had absolutely no possibility of passing, he could only squeeze out the most tactful wording possible.

"Your novel... the plot is solid, and it's clear you put in the effort. But the overall style might not... match the submission direction of our publishing house recently."

The man with glasses understood the subtext instantly.

He pushed his glasses hard, and his volume rose sharply.

"Brilliant reversal! Perfect closed loop! You actually dare to reject my excellent novel?!"

He was so excited that his fingers were trembling slightly.

"My plot setting is at a crushing level in the market!"

"Even other publishing houses would be fighting to sign this book!"

"You, an editor, actually refuse? You simply have no eyes!"

"No wonder you've been a small editor for so many years; you don't even have the most basic appreciation ability!!"

Gao Qiaojun was overwhelmed by this head-on scolding, could only force a smile, and opened his mouth stutteringly, but couldn't make a decent sound.

Seeing him silent, the man with glasses became even more arrogant, his scolding becoming sharper and harsher, attracting other editors and authors talking in the meeting room to look over.

It wasn't until he was dry-mouthed from scolding that he snatched back the manuscript and slammed the door and left.

"If this place doesn't keep me, there's a place for me elsewhere!"

"Wait until my book becomes a hit, you idiot, just wait to regret it!!!"

Gao Qiaojun looked at the back disappearing behind the door, let out a long, silent sigh of relief, his lips moved a few times, and he muttered almost habitually: "Go... go slowly..."

At this time, the intern editor Xin Yuan Xiangzhi next door had just finished a smooth interview.

He successfully signed an author with great potential, neatly put the contract documents into his leather briefcase, and stood up to send the other party to the door thoughtfully.

Turning back, he happened to see Gao Qiaojun's appearance of being scolded and still saying "go slowly" in a low voice.

Xin Yuan couldn't help but complain in a low voice:

"Senior Gao Qiao! You are an editor! How can you be scolded by an author like this without refuting a word?"

"The manuscript is already rejected, if it were me, I would definitely have retorted! How can I suffer this kind of humiliation!"

Gao Qiaojun scratched his somewhat sparse hairline and squeezed out a bitter smile.

"Haha... just, just being said a few words, it's no big deal."

His submissive and peace-loving appearance made Xin Yuan Xiangzhi, who had just graduated from university and was full of blood, shake his head repeatedly, but he was helpless.

Xin Yuan remembered that he had an appointment at a Western restaurant downstairs later, and the author was a high school student named Yamaguchi Botai—who was considered his distant cousin.

The level of the previous submissions was indeed average, but after his guidance and sorting, today's manuscript should be readable.

After signing and submitting to the editorial department, I think the publishing process can be started.

Being relatives, he had done his best to help to this extent.

Xin Yuan Xiangzhi picked up the suit jacket and briefcase on the back of the chair and said goodbye:

"Senior Gao Qiao, you have an appointment later, right? Then I'll go first."