Bowen's days became a blur of anticipation and routine. At the office, he performed his tasks with precision, careful not to draw unnecessary attention. Outside work, his thoughts were consumed by the imminent release of his novel. But life moved on, and with it came interactions that began to shape his budding confidence.
"Fang Bowen, are you daydreaming again?"
Manager Chen's voice snapped Bowen out of his thoughts. He looked up from his desk to see the stout, red-faced man glaring at him.
"No, sir. Just reviewing the files," Bowen replied calmly, keeping his tone even.
Manager Chen squinted at him, suspicious but too lazy to press further. "Don't slack off. And fix the formatting on those invoices before the end of the day."
"Yes, sir," Bowen said, forcing a polite smile.
As Chen walked away, Zhang Lin leaned over from her desk, her tone light but teasing. "You've been surprisingly patient with him lately. What's your secret?"
Bowen shrugged, his lips curving into a small smile. "I guess I've learned not to let it bother me. Life's too short to waste on negativity."
She tilted her head, her expression curious. "You've really changed, you know that? There's this… spark about you."
Bowen flushed slightly, grateful for the compliment but unsure how to respond. "Thanks. I'm just trying to stay focused."
"Well, whatever it is, it suits you," she said with a grin before returning to her work.
The warmth of her words lingered with Bowen throughout the day.
That evening, after dinner, Bowen met up with Mr. Guo, the young publisher from Jinhui Publishing. They had arranged a meeting to discuss the marketing and launch strategy for Bowen's novel.
"Mr. Fang," Guo greeted him warmly, gesturing for Bowen to sit in a small, cluttered office. "Good to see you again. Your manuscript is officially in production, and we're planning the release next month."
"Next month?" Bowen repeated, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.
"Yes, we want to strike while the content is fresh," Guo explained, his glasses glinting in the dim light. "This story has potential, but it's still from an unknown author. We'll need to start with modest expectations."
"I understand," Bowen said, nodding. "But what about promoting it? Won't we need a bigger push?"
Guo smiled faintly. "You're eager, which is good. We'll do what we can with the budget we have. A few advertisements in local newspapers, some posters in bookstores. But the best promotion is word of mouth. If people love the book, it'll spread on its own."
Bowen hesitated, then asked, "Do you really believe it will succeed?"
Guo leaned back in his chair, studying Bowen carefully. "I do. It's a strong story. But success in this industry doesn't happen overnight. Be patient, Mr. Fang. The hardest part is over—you've created something worth sharing with the world. Now, let the world decide."
As Bowen walked home that night, Liang's voice echoed in his mind. He waited eagerly for sleep, yearning to share the latest developments with his mentor.
In the dreamscape, Liang stood under a soft green mist, his usual composed demeanor in place.
"How did it go with the publisher?" Liang asked.
"They're releasing it next month," Bowen replied. "They're optimistic, but they're keeping the marketing small since I'm new."
Liang nodded thoughtfully. "That's expected. As a first-time author, you'll need to prove your worth. But don't let the scale of the launch discourage you. Focus on the story—it will speak for itself."
"I know," Bowen said, determination filling his voice. "But what if it doesn't? What if no one buys it?"
Liang smiled faintly. "Fear of failure is natural. But remember, failure is just a stepping stone to success. Even if this book doesn't take off, you've already taken a step most people never dare to. And I'm here to make sure you don't stop."
The weight of Liang's words sank in, steadying Bowen's nerves. "I won't stop. I'll keep going."
"Good," Liang said. "Now, let's talk about the next step. While you wait for the book's release, start thinking about your next story. One success isn't enough—you need to build a legacy."
Bowen nodded. "I'll do that. But first, I want to see this one succeed."
Liang's smirk returned. "Fair enough. One thing at a time."
In the days that followed, Bowen found himself engaging more with his colleagues, particularly Zhang Lin.
"Fang Bowen," she said one afternoon as they walked to a nearby café during their lunch break. "What's been keeping you so busy lately? You seem like you're always in a hurry after work."
Bowen hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I've been working on something outside of the office. A personal project."
Her eyes lit up with curiosity. "A project? What kind?"
He scratched the back of his head, feeling shy. "It's… a book."
"A book?" she echoed, clearly surprised. "I didn't know you were a writer."
"I'm not," Bowen admitted, laughing nervously. "At least, not yet. It's my first attempt."
"That's amazing," Zhang Lin said, her admiration evident. "What's it about?"
"It's a thriller," Bowen explained, carefully avoiding specifics. "A young lawyer uncovers a dark secret about the firm he works for and has to outsmart everyone to survive."
"That sounds incredible," she said with genuine enthusiasm. "I'd love to read it someday."
Bowen's heart swelled at her words, and for the first time, he felt confident sharing his dream. "You will. I promise."
Finally, the day arrived when Bowen received the first printed copies of his book. The cover gleamed under the lights of the publishing house, the title prominently displayed in bold letters.
Holding the book in his hands, Bowen felt a surge of pride and disbelief. This was real. He had created something tangible, something that could change his life.
"Congratulations," Guo said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You've taken your first step as an author. Now, let's see how the world responds."
Bowen nodded, his grip on the book tightening. "Thank you. For believing in me."
Guo smiled. "Don't thank me yet. Save that for when this becomes a bestseller."
As Bowen left the office, clutching the book to his chest, he couldn't help but feel that his journey was only just beginning.
That night, he fell asleep with the book beside him, the jade amulet resting on top. In his dreams, Liang's voice greeted him once more.
"Well done, Fang Bowen," Liang said, his tone warm with approval. "You've planted the seed. Now let's see how high it grows."
Bowen smiled, his confidence renewed. "I won't stop, Liang. I'll make sure this book is just the beginning."
"Good," Liang said. "Because the world is waiting for you."