Commercial Films in Novels

Two hours later, at Gorilla's home.

"Chaucer, do you have Li Congxin's contact number? If so, give it to me right now!"

Gorilla, who had been sprawled on the sofa in a Ge You Slouch, watching a basketball league broadcast with great relish, froze at the words, then a smug grin spread across his face: "Dad, have you already finished reading that kid's manuscript, and now you're planning to chew him out for wasting your precious time?"

"No!" The middle-aged man shook his head. "I want to discuss publishing with him."

Gorilla was taken aback. Logically, with the preconceived impression he'd had, even if Li Congxin's book was decent enough, Old Cook would only see its flaws. Now, seeing his father so serious, could it be: "Is that kid's book really that good?"

Old Cook shook his head again, then, under his son's puzzled gaze, explained: "A truly good book can be read a hundred times without boredom, and each time you gain new insights. This Doupo Cangqiong doesn't achieve that. I've only read it twice just now, and that's purely out of professional duty; otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered with a second read."

"Then why are you..."

Facing Gorilla's question, Old Cook waved a hand to stop him from continuing: "Though I don't want to reread his book from the start a second time, I desperately want to see what comes next!"

"You know?" At this point, Old Cook's face could no longer hide his barely contained excitement: "In all my years as an editor at the publishing house, I've reviewed countless manuscripts, but such a strong sense of anticipation is something I've never felt before. This is the first time, the first!"

"Oh, and you know what? In this book, I see an enormous business opportunity!"

"I can assert that if Clark's Doupo Cangqiong keeps up this pace, though it won't have anything to do with literary awards, its sales will absolutely be a hundred times, even a thousand times, those of award-winning works!"

Gorilla blinked: "Like art films versus commercial movies?"

"Exactly that!" Old Cook couldn't contain his excitement. "That analogy is spot on. This Doupo Cangqiong is the commercial movie of novels! This is an opportunity, and I have to seize it tightly! If I had done what I said earlier and thrown this manuscript in his face, I'd probably become a laughingstock in the industry in no time, and my career would be completely ruined!"

"So, Chaucer." Old Cook looked seriously at Gorilla. "Try to get along with Clark. From what you've told me, this whole thing started with you, didn't it?"

After hearing Old Cook's words, Gorilla could only say helplessly: "I'll try. I think the school directory has his contact number. Wait here, I'll go find it."

Watching Gorilla turn and head to his room to look for the directory, a sudden flash of inspiration struck Old Cook. He seemed to think of something and quickly flipped through his phone's contacts, soon finding a number and dialing it immediately.

"Hey! Is this Eddie, the reporter covering Chinatown? It's Cook. I've got something to ask you..."

In a Western restaurant not far from Martha's Gym, Li Congxin and Marcus sat across from each other after ordering.

Marcus broke the silence first: "Sorry, Clark. I messed up both things you asked me to do. I didn't expect you and Cook's son to have such a big conflict at school. But this isn't your fault. After that guy gets back to me tomorrow, I'll try reaching out to other friends for you."

"Thanks a lot, Uncle Marcus." Li Congxin smiled sincerely.

But the more he did so, the more Marcus felt he'd let the kid down: "As for learning martial arts, I really don't have any leads. All my friends who've studied it are basically colleagues from the police station. And since you don't want to be a cop, well..."

"Gong shami, wo qing qing, ti ding de xian lü..."

A ringtone suddenly sounded. Li Congxin gave Marcus an apologetic smile and answered the call: "Hello! ... Oh, it's Uncle Cook! Hi!"

Hearing it was Cook on the line, Marcus perked up, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

Then he heard Li Congxin continue into the phone: "Backup drafts? I've got about six hundred thousand words on hand right now... Thirty thousand words per volume, one volume a month? No problem! I wrote all these drafts in a month, so the follow-up pace is definitely manageable. Okay, we'll discuss the contract in person... I'm free all summer... Tomorrow morning, right? No problem!"

While talking on the phone, Li Congxin didn't forget to make a funny face at Marcus across from him, then flashed an "OK" gesture.

Seeing this, Marcus felt relieved, but then noticed Li Congxin suddenly pause, his eyes lighting up as he said: "That's great! ... Then I'll thank Uncle Cook in advance here. Okay... As you said, we'll talk more when we meet tomorrow morning. Bye!"

Hanging up, Li Congxin couldn't hide his excitement: "Uncle Marcus, Uncle Cook not only agreed to help publish Doupo Cangqiong, but also connected me with a reporter friend in Chinatown who recommended the best martial arts school in the area."

"Right now, there are three martial arts schools in Chinatown. On the surface, they all teach different things, but it's hard to tell which is better. However, one of them has a senior master with a high status in the martial arts world who occasionally gives pointers to students he takes a liking to. That's an advantage the other two don't have."

"And Uncle Cook recommended that very school!"

"All my problems are solved in one go!" At this point, Li Congxin chuckled. "Actually, this is all thanks to you, Uncle Marcus. If you hadn't introduced me to Uncle Cook, how could things have gone so smoothly?"

"Cut it out!" Marcus scolded with a laugh. "I know Cook well. With his 'no gain, no action' attitude, if your book was just average, the most he'd do out of respect for us is submit your manuscript for review and follow the standard procedure. That's his limit."

"But now, he's not only proactively seeking to publish with you but also going out of his way to help you find martial arts lessons, acting like he's afraid you'll slip away."

"The only reasonable explanation I can think of is that your book showed him a huge business opportunity. My influence has little to do with it."

Li Congxin was about to exchange a few more pleasantries and some mutual flattery when he heard a familiar text notification sound.

Picking up his phone and glancing at it, Li Congxin smiled: "The address has been sent over. Nalan Martial Arts School. I'll go check it out after we finish eating."

"I'll drive you."