You Don't Believe It? I Believe It!

"Could you please give me a receipt? Also, could you tell me how to get to County Second High School here in Qingshui County?"

Geng Zhi handed the money to the guesthouse cashier, took back his letter of introduction, and then asked for directions.

That noon, he had suddenly received "good news." After comprehensive research by the department, it was decided that he would be the one to liaise with "Seven-Inch Blade" and finalize the publication of "Latent" as soon as possible.

Geng Zhi was seething with anger, almost exploding on the spot.

This is basically asking me to clean up Feng Bo's mess. Whoever made it should clean it up themselves.

But in the end, Geng Zhi swallowed his anger.

He was very optimistic about the book "Latent" and was eager to try again.

However, Feng Bo had played a trick and hadn't clearly told Geng Zhi about calling Principal Chang.

So Geng Zhi didn't know that someone from a publishing house had already come looking for Li Ye. After arriving in Qingshui County, he decided to settle in first and claim some travel expenses.

Back then, there was no way to "buy invoices" for business trips; it was just about earning travel expenses.

If Geng Zhi departed today, it counted as one day. Tomorrow would be at least another day. Although the travel expenses for two days weren't much, it was enough for his family to eat meat twice or to upgrade his smoking habits for the month.

But at this moment, Geng Zhi caught sight of a middle-aged man wearing glasses exiting the guesthouse and then taking off at a run.

What's wrong with this guy? Is he being chased by a dog?

"Here's your invoice. County Second High School is to the left when you exit, about half a mile away."

The guesthouse attendant handed Geng Zhi the invoice and pointed the way.

Geng Zhi looked and realized it was the same guy who seemed to be running from a dog.

A thought struck him, and a sense of unease washed over him for no apparent reason.

It's still early anyway, why don't I go check out County Second High School first?

Geng Zhi casually walked out the door and headed towards County Second High School.

Qingshui County was located in a plain area, with long, straight streets. Geng Zhi could see Dong Yuejin from a distance, panting with every step because he had run himself out of breath.

Geng Zhi looked around, very confused.

There's no dog chasing him here!

But the next moment, Geng Zhi saw Dong Yuejin glance back at him and then sprint off again.

Is he looking at me?

Geng Zhi subconsciously guessed this possibility and unconsciously quickened his pace.

Geng Zhi was much younger than Dong Yuejin, and Dong Yuejin ahead was already out of breath. He couldn't shake Geng Zhi off.

As Dong Yuejin entered County Second High School, Geng Zhi still hadn't figured it out. But when the gatekeeper, Old Liu Tou, stopped him, he knew something was wrong.

"What do you want? Who are you looking for?"

"I'm from Dahe Publishing House, looking for Li Ye."

"Another one from a publishing house? Are you with that person from before?"

"..."

"Holy crap~~"

When Dong Yuejin arrived at Retake Class One, gasping for air with his mouth agape, Li Ye and the others were lining up with their enamel mugs, ready to go to the cafeteria for meals, crowding the corridor outside the classroom.

Dong Yuejin pushed his way against the crowd, reaching Li Ye. He swallowed and said, "Li Ye, I've already requested it from the department, and your royalties can be increased to 8 yuan per thousand characters."

Li Ye was slightly surprised. It had been 5 yuan just a few hours ago, and now it was suddenly 8 yuan. Something must have happened in between.

Otherwise, with the office efficiency and rigid thinking of the 1980s, such a situation would absolutely not occur.

Since you're in a hurry, I'm not.

Li Ye smiled gently, "Editor Dong, let's not rush. Let's eat first, and then we can talk slowly, okay?"

No way!

Dong Yuejin directly took a contract with a seal from his bag, pulled out a pen, and handed it to Li Ye. He began to persuade Li Ye like a devil tempting a lamb.

"Li Ye, believe me, no one will offer a higher price. Your book has nearly 300,000 characters. If you sign this contract, you can receive 2,400 yuan in royalties within two days."

"Whoa~~"

"My goodness, 2,400 yuan!"

"What did Li Ye write to get so much money? Is he... going to make a mistake?"

"If making a mistake gets you 2,400, show me how to do it."

The students crowded in the corridor were in an uproar. They all craned their necks to look at Li Ye, who was in the center, feeling like they were looking at a shining money tree.

In the early 1980s, 2,400 yuan could build several large tiled houses, buy more than a dozen bicycles, or marry dozens of wives.

For an ordinary worker earning thirty to forty yuan a month, it would take many years to save 2,400 yuan.

Dong Yuejin stated this figure on the spot precisely to stir up the shock of the surrounding classmates and use that momentum to overwhelm Li Ye.

In this day and age, if a young man hears about such a large sum of money, he'd be practically seeing stars and obediently fall in line.

Of course, to be fair, for Li Ye, a new author, a price of 8 yuan per thousand characters was indeed not low. It was only because Dahe Publishing House intervened that Dong Yuejin was forced to resort to such a petty tactic.

But Li Ye was someone who had seen "big money" before, how could he be easily swayed?

He shook his head and pointed to the students around him, "Editor Dong, look around. This isn't exactly a place for a serious discussion, is it?"

"I..."

Dong Yuejin wished he could grab Li Ye right then and there, drag him by the finger, and like forcing Yang Bailao to sign a contract for indentured servitude, get the contract signed.

But looking at Li Ye's harmless smile, Dong Yuejin felt a deep sense of powerlessness.

This kid is slippery. No, he's a shrewd businessman.

"Excuse me, who... is student Li Ye?"

Geng Zhi appeared at the end of the corridor. His gaze swept over the densely packed students and landed precisely on the contract in Dong Yuejin's hand.

More than ten arms pointed at Li Ye in unison, and the enthusiastic students collectively identified him, "He's Li Ye!"

Geng Zhi squeezed through, glanced at Dong Yuejin, and extended his palm. "Hello, student Li Ye. I'm Geng Zhi from Dahe Publishing House, and I'm in charge of your novel's publication."

"Another publisher? How rare."

The surrounding students stopped going for their meals and crowded outside the classroom to watch the spectacle. They had never even heard of a situation where two publishing houses were fighting over a student, let alone seen it.

Li Ye asked Geng Zhi curiously, "Didn't Feng Bo from your publishing house contact me?"

Geng Zhi felt a pang of annoyance but still explained, "Feng Bo just happened to pick up the phone. In reality, I've been responsible from the very beginning."

"Oh, oh, oh," Li Ye said cheerfully, smiling, "Then let's eat first. My treat, and we can talk slowly, okay!"

Half an hour later, at the mutton soup restaurant outside the school, the three of them sat in silence, neither speaking.

The scene of competition Li Ye had expected didn't materialize. Dong Yuejin and Geng Zhi, perhaps due to a telepathic connection, had suddenly formed a tacit understanding and were engaging Li Ye in a "cold standoff."

But Li Ye, having lived two lives, how could he not see through their little trick?

He slurped down his mutton soup, bid them farewell, and prepared to leave.

"You guys eat slowly. I'm going to class. If you have anything, you can find me separately, or we can talk together."

Geng Zhi immediately lost his composure. Judging by how Dong Yuejin had bolted earlier, he was absolutely certain that Dong Yuejin would approach Li Ye alone.

Since empty promises cost nothing, Geng Zhi spoke expansively, "Student Li Ye, could you let me see the manuscript first? Please rest assured, Dahe Publishing House has first-class strength and can offer the most favorable terms."

Li Ye scratched his head and said humbly, "My manuscript has just been finished. I still feel there are some areas that need improvement. I'll find some senior professionals to look at it, and after they confirm the final version, I'll ask for your guidance!"

"..."

You want to find someone to look at it? You want to submit it to other publishing houses, don't you?

Geng Zhi ground his teeth in frustration, while Dong Yuejin shook his head helplessly.

There were many publishing houses in the country. While they might not offer higher terms, they would definitely complicate matters.

Give up? Wouldn't that be handing over an advantage to someone else?

Dong Yuejin exhaled a breath of frustration and stated firmly, "10 yuan per thousand characters. This is the sincerity of Blue Sea Publishing House."

Geng Zhi looked at Dong Yuejin in surprise, as if seeing a tragic warrior in that moment.

Li Ye blinked and asked, "What about print run royalties?"

You still want print run royalties?

Geng Zhi's eyes widened as he looked at Li Ye, suddenly feeling that letting Feng Bo handle Li Ye would have been a perfect match.

Dong Yuejin smiled and said, "Regarding print run royalties, I can't answer you immediately.

However, we've recently established connections with several literary media outlets in Hong Kong and can recommend your novel there.

The royalties there are very high. If they take a liking to it, not only thousands, but tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of yuan are possible."

"Tch~, do you even believe that?"

Geng Zhi scoffed and turned his face away.

It was true that Island City, due to its eighty percent share of the province's export volume, had easier connections with the outside world. But how much integrity did those connections have?

Moreover, how could a novel like "Latent," with its obvious political undertones, be favored by Hong Kong media?

Not only Geng Zhi didn't believe it, but Dong Yuejin himself didn't believe it either.

But to their surprise, that cunning little rogue actually seemed to believe it.

Li Ye's eyes instantly lit up with a cunning gleam.

Damn, there's this kind of amazing connection? You should have said so earlier!

A novel like "Latent" definitely wouldn't work.

But I have "A Step into the Past"!

What about "Grave Robbers' Chronicles" or "Ghost Blows Out the Light"? What genre do you want?

If all else fails, there are also all sorts of angsty romance novels for the female readership. Aunt Qiong Yao, let's have a friendly exchange!

Five percent for every ten thousand copies. In '90, it increased to eight.

Thanks to the book friend "Fish Cat" for the reward, thank you, great benefactor!