A New Work and a Setback

Late at night, in a residential complex in Beijing, Wei Jin sat at his computer, his fingers flying over the keyboard. Every so often, he picked up the cigarette beside him and took a deep drag, filling the study with smoke. Writing was truly tedious, even when all you had to do was copy the words.

Fresh from her bath, Zeng Li walked in wearing a bathrobe. She smelled the smoke, frowned, and went over to open the window.

"Why are you smoking so much?"

"You know, creativity needs inspiration."

Wei Jin was talking nonsense. Could what he was doing even be called creating? He was just a porter moving words around. Then again, it wasn't entirely a lie. Even when plagiarizing, he still had to make some changes.

"What are you writing?"

Zeng Li walked over, drying her hair.

"A youth novel."

Wei Jin answered without turning around.

"Why did you start writing a youth novel? Aren't you writing wuxia anymore?"

Zeng Li was curious. His first wuxia novel had sold well, so by rights he should have continued cultivating that field.

"I didn't say I was quitting wuxia. I'm just taking some time to write this youth novel. I'm planning to adapt it into a movie."

He then explained the same formula for winning viewers that he had told Miss Cai.

"So you want to wait until the novel becomes famous before making the movie?"

Zeng Li knew Wei Jin had been preparing for his first commercial film, but she hadn't expected it to be a youth film.

"Not just that. In a couple of days, I'll write a song with the same title. I plan to turn all the book fans and music fans into moviegoers, tap into the potential audience as much as possible, and become famous in one battle with my first commercial film."

Wei Jin sounded rather pleased with himself.

"Actually, you don't have to be in such a hurry. You're still young."

Zeng Li's heart ached a little for her boyfriend.

Hearing that, Wei Jin stopped working, stood up, and wrapped his arms around the beauty.

"I'm not in a hurry. I'm afraid I'll become famous too late and won't be able to shield you from the wind and waves."

"You don't have to do so much for me. I was never with you because of any of that..."

Zeng Li was touched and wanted to say more, but Wei Jin pressed a finger to her fragrant lips.

"There's no need for such words between us. I'll help you fulfill your dreams, step by step."

Zeng Li said no more and offered him her lips. Wei Jin responded passionately. Before long, her bathrobe slipped off, and spring filled the room.

By May, Wei Jin's new book, "You Are the Apple of My Eye," had officially gone on sale.

When Shen Haobo first heard that Wei Jin was writing a new book, he was quite pleased. Wei Jin hadn't put down his pen after winning a Silver Bear Award in Berlin. He was a proper author.

But the moment Shen Haobo received the manuscript, he was dumbfounded. What had happened to the promised "wuxia grandmaster of the post-Jin Yong era"?

I've already taken off my pants, and this is what you show me?

After reading the manuscript, however, Shen Haobo had to admit that Wei Jin had a few tricks up his sleeve. His youth literature captured a sense of nostalgia for an era and a sense of freshness that could resonate strongly with readers, without all the pain and affected melodrama found in other youth novels on the market.

Since the book was short, only a little over a hundred thousand characters, "You Are the Apple of My Eye" was released as a single volume, priced at 20 yuan a copy.

This time, Shen Haobo readily offered a 12 percent royalty.

In fact, the two had gotten along fairly well throughout their partnership, mainly because Wei Jin had never intended to make his fortune from royalties. He hadn't sought a higher share for the later volumes of "Snowstrider," either.

Leaving the novel's subsequent sales alone, Wei Jin wrote the song of the same name. He was still considering whom to ask to sing it.

Huang Bai was out of the question. His voice was a little too deep to bring out the right feeling.

After turning it over in his mind, Wei Jin thought of someone: Li Jian, a legendary master of quips. He asked Huang Bai to make the introduction.

As a popular singer, Huang Bai had connections of his own in the music industry. After going through twists and turns, he finally got in touch, but Li Jian didn't reply.

A few days later, Huang Bai brought back a reply that wasn't quite a reply. Li Jian wanted to meet Wei Jin, talk about the inspiration behind the song, and look at the lyrics and score before deciding whether to sing it.

Wei Jin had no objection. A partnership depended on both sides being willing.

On the day of the meeting, Huang Bai and Wei Jin arrived at the recording studio early. Li Jian was recording a song.

The two found somewhere to sit and rest. Before long, Li Jian came out of the booth to greet them.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Li Jian asked a question.

"Manager Wei, I'm curious. Why did you think of asking me to record your new song?"

"Simple. I've heard your songs, and your tone and technique are exactly what I imagined for this one."

Wei Jin stated his purpose plainly and expressed his approval of Li Jian.

"Hmm... could I take a look first?"

Seeing Wei Jin's pleasant attitude, Li Jian said he would look at it before deciding.

"Of course."

Wei Jin nodded and handed over the lyrics and score he had prepared in advance.

Li Jian took them and read through them quietly, humming a line or two from time to time. He soon discovered that the song was very different from Wei Jin's previous works.

"It's a very well-written song, especially the lyrics. To be honest, I was afraid it would be that kind of song, hehe..."

Li Jian was hinting at something. He had a bit of a scholarly temperament. He had only recently gone solo and, though he was hardly famous, he wrote his own lyrics and music, so ordinary people had a hard time earning his regard.

"Then, about our collaboration?"

"No problem. Also, what's the background behind this song? I'd like to know more about the story behind it."

Li Jian asked because he was a songwriter himself and rarely sang other people's songs. He didn't know whether he could accurately express the feelings Wei Jin wanted.

"Well, I've written a new novel with the same title as the song. You can read it first."

As he spoke, Wei Jin handed Li Jian a hardcover copy of the novel.

"All right. I'll read the novel first, and we'll record the song in a week."

Li Jian was a man of swift and decisive action, and he settled on a date then and there.

The two then agreed on the details. Wei Jin would retain the copyright, while Li Jian would have the right to perform the song.

After reaching the agreement, Wei Jin tried extending another olive branch, but Li Jian politely declined. He still hoped to create independently, though he added that he would be willing to sing any good songs Wei Jin had.

Having achieved his main objective, Wei Jin didn't dwell on it. The two exchanged phone numbers and said their goodbyes.

On the way out, Huang Bai looked as though he wanted to say something but stopped himself. Wei Jin naturally knew what it was.

"This song isn't suited to your voice. Don't overthink it..."

In late May, grim news arrived. According to media reports, the national sports lottery center would give up the opportunity to offer betting on the 2004 UEFA European Championship.

The news struck Wei Jin like a bolt from a clear blue sky. His venture had collapsed halfway through, and for a time his thoughts were in complete disarray. Fortunately, he was in the habit of considering defeat before victory, and the backup plan he had prepared could still be put to use.