But I've Already Refused!

Geng Zhi watched Feng Bo transition from polite and courteous to putting on airs, feeling annoyed but unable to intervene.

He had been in the industry for three years and knew that many authors had temperaments. Feng Bo's attitude was likely to anger "Seven-Inch Blade" and lead to unpredictable consequences.

However, when Feng Bo uttered, "You really are a high school student," Geng Zhi felt as if he had been struck by lightning, too shocked to speak.

Many details in his mind finally connected, allowing him to understand why Feng Bo had snatched his author and why Sister Xu had seen through it at a glance.

There was a saying in the industry: Editors make authors, and authors make editors.

A thousand-mile horse is hard to find, and a discerning patron is equally rare.

The birth of many great writers was accompanied by the emergence of patrons who recognized their talent.

The several star editors Geng Zhi knew had experience in "guiding and mentoring" numerous outstanding authors.

When they were in group discussions, some editors would proudly boast, "When I first met XXX, his writing was still very raw. It was I who gave him confidence, guidance, and help, and we achieved success together."

Listen to that, listen to that! "I guided a great writer!" Doesn't that elevate their status instantly?

This kind of low-key bragging was the aspiration of every junior editor.

Every ambitious editor hoped to find a young dragon in its infancy, and after careful cultivation, they could ascend to greatness together.

Feng Bo was undoubtedly ambitious, but his experience was too shallow. If he were truly given an excellent author now, could he cultivate them?

But a high school student was different!

When Geng Zhi received the manuscript for "Latent," the author's pen name was Seven-Inch Blade, but the contact address was Li Ye from Retake Class One at Qingshui County Second High School.

At the time, Geng Zhi subconsciously assumed that this Li Ye was a teacher at the Second High School.

But now he understood that if the person were a teacher, they wouldn't have specified a class.

However, Geng Zhi hadn't expected that it might not be the case that no one else realized Seven-Inch Blade could be a student.

For example, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Lu, Feng Bo, and Sister Xu.

To cultivate a student with immense potential and climb the ladder on their shoulders seemed like a shortcut to success.

Feng Bo quickly grabbed paper and pen, asking questions to Seven-Inch Blade on the other end of the phone while writing rapidly.

"We need to verify some things now. Your real name is Li Ye, correct? How old are you this year? Is this novel 'Latent' your sole work?"

"This novel of yours still has significant issues. We need you to bring the complete manuscript here. Only after our guidance and strict revisions will it be possible for normal publication."

A voice came from the other end of the phone, "Then, if your publishing house intends to guide my manuscript revisions, who will be the guide?"

Feng Bo's eyes flickered, and he softened his tone. "The company has decided that I will be your contact for now. I am a graduate of XX University and have sufficient literary foundation."

"."

"How will my royalties be calculated?"

"My dear student, why are you only thinking about royalties? Literature is noble and rigorous. You still need to learn a lot. Hello? Hello, hello?"

[As expected of a university student, I'm impressed. He completely messed up a good opportunity.]

Geng Zhi looked at Feng Bo, who had suddenly become impatient, and felt like laughing.

Listening to Feng Bo's precise and probing questions, it was clear that the other person's meticulous thinking and ingenious strategy were far superior to his own.

But why was a newcomer who had only been in the industry for a few days in such a hurry?

Don't look at how glorious the star editors are. The excellent authors in their hands were also cultivated through painstaking effort, one by one.

You're not a famous editor, Feng Bo. Did you expect them to bow down to you immediately?

Did you really think that because Seven-Inch Blade was young, you could control him?

"Hello? Hello? Speak, Li Ye, are you still listening?"

Feng Bo's tone was no longer calm. He seemed to realize that his forceful approach might have displeased the high school student on the other end.

Li Ye was indeed displeased.

He had received a letter from the provincial capital today and, filled with anticipation, had gone to the post office to make the call. He thought he would receive a "warm and friendly" greeting and then discuss the amount of royalties.

But after making the call, he felt like he wasn't facing an editor, but a boxing coach who unleashed a barrage of jabs and hooks at him, and then wanted to charge him for private lessons.

Suddenly, Li Ye lost all interest in continuing the conversation.

Li Ye coldly asked into the phone, "I'm here, Editor Feng, right? I have a question I'd like to confirm."

Feng Bo on the other end pondered for a moment and said, "Yes, our publishing house highly respects authors. You can raise any difficulties you have."

Li Ye asked, "At the end of my submission, I noted that if your company was interested in publishing, you should mail back a contact phone number. So why are you now unsure if my novel can be published?"

Feng Bo in the provincial capital was displeased.

You're a high school student, what's with this attitude? Don't you know humility?

So he said unhappily, "Student Li Ye, I think you've misunderstood our intention. The reason we mailed back a phone number was to give you an opportunity to revise and publish, not to say that it would definitely be published."

Li Ye listened silently to Feng Bo's reply and asked word by word, "You just need to tell me whether it will be published or not."

Feng Bo also got angry and said loudly, "I've already said it several times. Your book must undergo further review and revision by us. I hope you will correct your attitude."

"Then forget it! Please return my submission to me."

"What did you say?"

"Slap~"

Li Ye hung up the phone directly.

Within a few days, he had encountered two requests for "guidance."

But this Feng Bo was completely different from Teacher Ke.

When Teacher Ke made her request, she was tactful, subtle, and even a bit humble.

Li Ye could still not forget the ashamed look in Teacher Ke's eyes.

After experiencing many years of hardship, self-reliance and self-respect were perhaps the last valuable things in Teacher Ke's heart.

What's more, when Teacher Ke learned that Li Ye was deliberately avoiding sensitive issues, she immediately gave up the idea of "guidance." It was Li Ye who proactively offered his help.

Based on Li Ye's extensive experience in his previous life, he could foresee that Teacher Ke would definitely compensate him adequately after receiving his help.

But what about this Feng Bo now?

Listen to that tone, look at that attitude. Who the hell do you think you're PUA-ing?

Am I begging you?

Trying to step on my shoulders to become famous?

Get lost!

Li Ye cheerfully hung up the phone, while Feng Bo in the provincial capital was dumbfounded.

He kept saying "hello, hello, hello" into the phone for a long time before realizing that he had "seemingly" messed things up.

It was like playing the stock market. You see your stock price soaring, you hold on, hold on, don't sell, don't sell... and then it hits the daily limit down.

The game was over.

The current phones didn't have caller ID, so he didn't know the number to call back!

"Heh~"

Geng Zhi, who had been full of anger just moments ago, was now relieved. He stopped arguing, glanced at Feng Bo, whose brows were furrowed like a mountain range, let out a soft laugh, and turned to leave.

Ten minutes later, through the careful spreading of rumors by Geng Zhi, Sister Xu, and others, the story of Feng Bo wanting to guide Seven-Inch Blade's writing and being hung up on by the other party spread throughout the entire publishing house.

Then, Feng Bo was "dragged" into his office by Deputy Editor-in-Chief Lu and given some private "care."

After coming out, Feng Bo adjusted his emotions and dialed the number to Qingshui County again.

"Hello, is this Qingshui County Second Middle School? I'm looking for Li Ye from Retake Class One. Li Ye isn't here?

Then please tell him that we've decided to publish his work and ask him to come to the provincial capital immediately to discuss publishing matters."

"."

Principal Chang of Qingshui County Second Middle School hung up the phone and looked at Teacher Luo in front of him, asking again, "Our school only has one Li Ye?"

Teacher Luo confirmed, "That's right, only one. And I've investigated, that kid has been acting very mysterious lately, seems like he's writing."

"It shouldn't be 'seems like'," Principal Chang waved his hand, "We must get to the bottom of this. If it's true, then we must provide the necessary support."

"Remember, everything should be based on the child's wishes, and we should provide all the convenient conditions."

"Okay, I understand, Principal."

Li Ye, who was full of anger, went out for a walk. As soon as he returned and entered the classroom, he was met with the collective gaze of fifty-one pairs of eyes.

A student at the door immediately ran out of the classroom towards Teacher Luo's office, shouting, "Li Ye's back!" The report could be heard from dozens of meters away.

Teacher Luo rushed over with great speed, walked onto the podium, and lectured with a beaming smile.

"Our class's student, Li Ye, has been diligently studying and focusing on his creation, and has reached an agreement with the provincial capital's Dahe Publishing House for publication. Let us congratulate student Li Ye."

Teacher Luo led the applause, prompting a group of stunned students to join in.

Li Dayong, who was the first to react, clapped his hands until they were red.

A long time later, Teacher Luo on the podium stopped the incessant applause and then said to Li Ye, "Li Ye, how about coming up and sharing some of your thoughts with everyone?"

Li Ye's face showed some embarrassment. He stood up and asked, "Teacher Luo, how did you know Dahe Publishing House agreed to publish my novel?"

Teacher Luo replied, "Dahe Publishing House called our school just now and explicitly stated that they agreed to publish your novel and asked you to bring the complete manuscript to the provincial capital as soon as possible!"

"."

"It's a novel? My brother is a writer, my brother is a writer."

Li Dayong was genuinely happy and deliberately shouted to some people in the front row to show off.

But Li Ye smiled and said, "Well... Teacher Luo, a few hours ago, I already rejected Dahe Publishing House's offer to publish."

"."

Everyone was stunned, even Wen Leyu, who knew the situation best, was dumbfounded.

Thank you to the book friend "20211029110351113" for the reward, thank you to the book friend "20230819222620083" for the reward, thank you, thank you!