Chapter 122: The Editor’s Thoughts
Speaking of which… who was this Shion?
Chen Xi had only mentioned this newcomer; their true abilities remained unknown. The only remarkable detail was that they had blocked Chen Xi. How audacious.
Usually, authors desperately sought opportunities from editors, but here, the author had blocked the editor. The tables had turned.
“I’m curious, Sister Chen, why did they block you?”
“I just asked them to revise the ending, and they refused, then blocked me.”
“Hmm…”
Zhao Yuyan understood the unknown author’s actions. To a writer, every word was precious; who would willingly delete or alter their work? Authors usually resisted editorial revisions.
“I don’t know who they are. I’m trying to find their contact information.”
“Sister Chen, can you send me their manuscript? I want to see what caught your attention.”
“…Aren’t you on a deadline?”
“It’s fine, I’ll finish it quickly! Just send it to me!”
“Alright, but if you miss your deadline, I’ll lock you in a hotel room without internet access until you’re done.”
“Okay, okay! Send it!”
She wanted to know what kind of work could make Chen Xi actively seek out an author. Chen Xi was notoriously difficult to please. So far, the only authors at Wenqing who had piqued her interest were Zhao Yuyan herself and Luo Nan, who had jumped ship to Qidian.
Zhao Yuyan received the “Ballad of the Enchantress” document and opened it. At first glance, it seemed unremarkable, a cliché-ridden story with a predictable plot, the first ten thousand words being mostly filler. Even the male protagonist’s time travel lacked excitement.
It wasn’t until the female protagonist, Xu Anqi, appeared that she felt compelled to continue reading.
And then, drawn in by the author’s delicate prose and the heartwarming atmosphere, she became engrossed, caring only about the two protagonists, oblivious to the Variants, the government, everything else. She just wanted to bask in their romance.
By the end, she wanted to throw her computer across the room.
“Damn it! Shit! Fuck! Which bastard wrote this?! I’m going to kill them! This is so depressing!”
Zhao Yuyan was livid. She didn’t enjoy angst or sad endings. Her own books were usually comedies, devoid of tragedy.
This book had started with such a lighthearted tone, with no indication of a dystopian setting. Why did the tone shift so drastically towards the end, becoming so melancholic? Why did the protagonists have to separate? And why make it so heartbreaking, as if they would never see each other again?
This kind of love, separated by circumstance, wasn’t love! It was pretentious!
“Sister Chen! Who is this author? I’m going to hunt them down! Why would they do this? The female protagonist is so innocent! They were in love, and now she’s gone! Is she dead?!”
“Hehe…”
Chen Xi chuckled from behind her computer screen. Serves you right for wanting to read it.
However, a novel that evoked such strong emotions was, in a way, successful.
Still, the ending wasn’t suitable for commercial fiction and might negatively impact readers’ moods. It had so many commercial elements, why ruin it with such a depressing ending? Was the author some middle-aged man with literary pretensions?
Chen Xi pictured Shion in her mind: a man in his thirties or forties, unshaven, wearing a trench coat, buying beer at a convenience store with a few coins in his pocket, taking a drag of his cigarette, another story forming in his mind.
If only she knew Shion was actually a petite, adorable girl. What would her reaction be?
“So, I’m trying to contact them. If you have their contact information, let me know. Alright, I’ll let you get back to writing, Air.”
“…”
Zhao Yuyan felt frustrated. Why did she have to be subjected to such emotional turmoil? This Shion was despicable. She never read angst, yet she had made an exception this time, and now she felt utterly dejected. In this mood, she couldn’t possibly write anything cheerful. What was she going to do?
It was all Shion’s fault!
Zhao Yuyan mentally cursed the unknown author countless times.
The editorial department was busy reviewing manuscripts for the New Talent Awards, selecting the finalists. Making it to the finals was an achievement in itself, but winning was a different matter. The number of awards was limited; not everyone could win.
However, winning paved the way for a smoother debut.
“Chief Editor, what should we do about this novel? We’re at our wit’s end. I contacted the author, but they refused to revise the ending and blocked me.”
Chen Xi handed Ballad of the Enchantress to Tang He, the chief editor, the most respected figure in the department. He read through the manuscript several times, his expression calm, but his brow furrowed.
It had been years since something like this had happened.
A single novel causing so much debate was rare.
Commercially, it met the criteria. But it also missed the mark.
Tang He returned the printed manuscript to Chen Xi, pushing up his glasses, a thought forming in his mind.
“A thousand readers, a thousand Hamlets. We can’t speak for the readers; we don’t know if it will be successful, but I believe it’s a good book, a quality work. Because it has its own soul. It’s not written solely to serve the readers; it’s more about expressing the author’s own feelings.”
Having worked in the industry for so many years, Tang He understood what the novel represented. A novel was often a reflection of the author’s inner world. A good novel didn’t cater to others; it made others cater to it.
While Ballad of the Enchantress might not appeal to all readers, it was undoubtedly a well-written piece. Tang He liked it.
He wondered if the author, like the protagonist Ye Han, longed for something unattainable. The emotions depicted were so raw, so real, that readers could feel the author’s sorrow.
Meanwhile, Ye Zhiyun had been at her father’s company for a while, assisting him, networking with the son of their potential business partner. Finally, the deal was finalized, both parties satisfied. Securing a partnership with this Chinese-American designer meant expanding their market, potentially reaching the United States.
That was her father’s goal.
“Dad, the deal is done. Can I go now?”
“Not yet. We’re going to Australia.”
“Why Australia?! I’m not going! I want to go back to my apartment!”
Upon hearing she had to go abroad again, Ye Zhiyun vehemently protested. She wanted to go home and see Yu Linna; nothing else mattered.
“Silly girl, our work isn’t done yet. Australia is our next stop. We have to finish this project before the New Year. I need your help. With you and your brother, I’m confident we can succeed.”
“And after that?”
“We’ll go home for the New Year, of course. My dear daughter, it’s been so long since you’ve had a New Year’s dinner with us. We also need to visit your grandparents.”
“…”
She knew what this meant.
She wouldn’t see Yu Linna until after the New Year. The Ye family always had a large family gathering for the New Year; it was tradition, unbreakable. Yu Linna would be spending it alone.
“Dad…”
She looked at her father pleadingly, a significant compromise for the usually proud Ye Zhiyun.
“It’s not up to me, Zhiyun.”
Her father’s response crushed her hopes.
The family New Year celebration was just that – a family event, not hers alone. Even if she wanted to bring Yu Linna along, it was impossible.
Bringing her as a friend wouldn’t be appropriate.
If only she were a boy…
Yu Linna held the phone to her ear, her expression serious, listening silently to the voice on the other end.
“Nana?”
Ye Zhiyun’s voice was laced with concern.
“It’s okay. You can go. I’ll take care of myself. I’ve been on my own for years. Don’t worry.”
“That’s not the point…”
“Zhiyun, it’s okay. You’ve done enough for me. Really.”
Though she said so, only she knew her true feelings.
Hanging up the phone, Yu Linna stepped away from the window, onto the balcony, into the cold wind, stretching.
“Sigh, another New Year alone…”
She had spent so many New Years alone; this year would be no different. It was no big deal.
Zhiyun had her own responsibilities; she couldn’t always be there for her. Yu Linna understood. She had never blamed her, not once. She knew she was just an outsider.
Zhiyun had done so much for her; how could she continue to burden her?
But…
Living alone in such a large house was lonely.
She hadn’t felt it when she lived in her small apartment; everything had been so carefree. But this large, empty house amplified her solitude.
More importantly, she had grown accustomed to having someone by her side.
Looking up at the sky, her gaze distant, she let the cold wind buffet her face, her cheeks turning red. She didn’t want to go back inside.
She longed to spend the New Year with Zhiyun, but it was just a wishful thought. She knew it was impossible. The difference in their social standing, that invisible barrier, prevented them from being truly together.
She wished she were rich, famous. The thought took root in her mind.
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