Chapter 133: The Era
Initially, the editorial department resisted Yu Linna’s request to publish two novels simultaneously. Even as the Gold Award winner, there was no precedent for such a thing. They considered Chen Xi’s offer of publishing five books of any genre, novels or short stories, within three years, with the caveat of not all short stories, a significant concession. Shion, however, was pushing it with another novel.
Yes, they initially refused.
Chen Xi, calmly, asked them to read the manuscript before making a judgment.
They began reading, their initial displeasure gradually fading, replaced by thoughtful expressions as they finished.
“As you all know, we once lost a promising author: Luo Nan. If we had signed her, things might have been different, and Wenqing wouldn’t be in its current predicament. Now, we have another opportunity, and I don’t want to miss it. Please allow Shion-sensei to publish both novels.”
“But there’s no precedent…”
“As long as the author is talented and can bring profit to Wenqing, precedents and rules shouldn’t matter. What we need is talent.”
She finally persuaded them.
The initial opposition within Wenqing gradually diminished. After all, an author capable of bringing them significant profit had the right to be demanding. Even as a newcomer, Shion had already written a second novel, while Zhao Yuyan’s second novel was still nowhere in sight.
Their only concern was that serializing two novels simultaneously might strain Shion’s energy, affecting the quality of their work.
But she was the Gold Award winner, and Wenqing hadn’t had consecutive newcomer champions in a long time. Coupled with the impact of the Luo Nan incident, they didn’t want to lose another promising author.
If Shion went to Qidian, it would be a devastating loss. Qidian was the leading publishing platform in the country, offering better terms. If Shion joined them, Wenqing’s already dwindling pool of new authors would shrink further.
The publication was approved, with the first edition scheduled for April. But first, they needed to find an illustrator, a task Chen Xi had already begun, confident of finding someone suitable within a few days. A good novel needed good illustrations.
“Shion-sensei, I’m looking for an illustrator for you. I should find someone within a couple of days. In the meantime, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
Having been unblocked, Chen Xi could finally communicate with Yu Linna on QQ, keeping track of her progress and, if necessary, reminding her of deadlines.
“Yes, what is it?”
“Considering your appearance and age, I’d like to use that for marketing, like we did with Air.”
“…You mean… package me as an idol author?”
Though Chen Xi hadn’t explicitly stated it, Yu Linna understood her intentions.
She was indeed attractive, her appearance striking. Though petite and lacking a curvy figure, she was still young, only eighteen, even younger than Zhao Yuyan when she won the award.
Marketing her as a young, talented author would be a good publicity stunt, commercially beneficial. Many would buy her novels out of curiosity, generating profit.
Zhao Yuyan had been marketed similarly, as a talented young writer. Initially, many bought her books out of curiosity, but gradually, they became genuine fans of her work. Her fans had nicknamed her “Miss Air,” a title befitting her beauty.
Clearly, Chen Xi wanted to do the same with Yu Linna.
“Sister Chen, I refuse.”
“What? Refuse? Why?!”
Chen Xi was taken aback. Why would she refuse such a beneficial offer?
And Yu Linna was even more attractive than Zhao Yuyan. If not her, then who?
Wasting such a beautiful face seemed illogical.
“Sister Chen, you might think I’m being childish, but I don’t want people to think I’m just a pretty face.”
“But it doesn’t matter! Air faced similar doubts initially, but she proved herself with her talent!”
“No, I don’t want to do it. I don’t want people to look at me and see only a pretty face, nothing more.”
During her time at Chenghe, she had been constantly praised for her looks, while her hard work, her efforts, were ignored. She knew she lacked acting skills, that she was just a pretty face, nothing more.
And it was that pretty face that had led her to be manipulated and betrayed by Nangong Ying.
She had once believed her beauty was her weapon, only to realize it was also her weakness.
She refused to use her appearance as a marketing tool. She would prove herself with her talent. She would reveal her appearance only after earning recognition for her work.
“I want to prove myself with my writing. I want people to focus on my novels, not my looks.”
Chen Xi couldn’t argue with her.
Yu Linna was surprisingly stubborn; no one could sway her. Since she had made up her mind, Chen Xi had no choice but to accept it.
“Alright, I respect your decision.”
She had hoped to use Yu Linna’s appearance for publicity, but it seemed that plan wouldn’t work. She could only hope the novel would sell well.
After all, Ballad of the Enchantress wasn’t likely to appeal to a mass audience.
With that settled, the only remaining issue was the illustrations, which they would resolve soon. Wenqing’s New Talent Awards had concluded, the winner announced via livestream, but since Shion hadn’t attended, no one knew what they looked like.
Following Chen Xi’s instructions, Yu Linna created a Weibo account, using the name “Shion,” with the tags: Official VIP Verified, Wenqing Author, Gold Award Winner.
Her first post was an announcement for her upcoming novel:
“Hello, everyone, I’m Shion~ Ballad of the Enchantress will be officially released in April. It’s a novel you won’t want to miss. Please support it~”
Since her book hadn’t been released yet, her popularity wasn’t high, but as the Gold Award winner, she attracted the attention of readers, her follower count gradually increasing. Everyone was curious about the champion’s work.
After posting, Yu Linna leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling. She seemed relaxed, yet also burdened. Life had been a constant struggle for survival, for basic necessities. She had never known stability.
Now, overnight, she had become an author, a Gold Award winner.
It felt like a cruel joke.
Her life story was a legend, a tale of perseverance. From poverty to struggling in the entertainment industry, facing exploitation and contemplating suicide, to being rescued by Ye Zhiyun, finding temporary stability, then rekindling her dream and finally winning the grand prize.
When the award was announced, she had assumed she would win at most an honorable mention, so she hadn’t attended, choosing instead to focus on writing her new novel, Zixuan and the Paper Airplane.
She had underestimated herself. She hadn’t expected to win the Gold Award, securing a publishing contract and a prize of three million yuan.
More than the award, she valued the money. Three million! Having lived in poverty, she should have been ecstatic, and she was grateful for this hard-earned success, cherishing it more than anyone.
She was finally a success.
“Hey, Linna, I heard you won an award for your novel? Congratulations! So, Little Angel’s bestie on Bilibili is a famous author now, huh? Hehe~ Not bad.”
“Jiangning… let’s celebrate! I’ll invite Zhiyun and Wenqian too.”
“Sure! Let’s celebrate your debut as a great author! You choose the place.”
“Okay, it’s on me.”
“You’re paying? …Are you sure? I have money; I can pay.”
“No, I’m paying. I have three million. I’m paying.”
“…Alright, if you insist.”
Fang Jiangning chuckled on the other end of the line.
Yu Linna, the queen of freeloading, offering to pay for a meal? It was unheard of. But today, she was paying, celebrating her three-million-yuan prize. Though the amount itself wasn’t significant, the gesture, to Fang Jiangning, held a deeper meaning.
For Yu Linna, the frugal penny-pincher, to offer to pay meant these people were more important to her than money.
The thought made Fang Jiangning smile.
After so many failures and setbacks, Yu Linna had finally found her path.
Meanwhile, Zhao Yuyan, having returned home from the awards ceremony to play games, learned from Chen Xi that the winner was Yu Linna, her surprise evident.
“Her? Wow! I didn’t expect that. She won just like me! That’s great! As expected of my junior.”
“She’s already written two novels. You, as her senior, should step up your game. When are you going to finish Volume Four of The Rich Man’s Game?”
“Well… I actually have a new short story planned. It’s about a rich girl and a wealthy guy flirting with each other.”
“Alright, alright. Just hurry up and write. I’m waiting for Volume Four.”
Getting Zhao Yuyan to finish her novel seemed like a long shot; she was the queen of procrastination.
But having two Gold Award winners under her wing was something to be proud of.
A new era was coming, and no one knew who would reign supreme.
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