Crazy, this was totally crazy. Jie Jie had hung up on Justin Wang just like that. She grabbed her now lukewarm coffee and drank it all in one big gulp.
"I must still be asleep right now!"
This was absolutely impossible. She put her attention back to NovelsOnline and began to read her system messages in newfound curiosity.
"Is it possible that Mari played a joke on me? How could that story, out of all my novels, make a revenue of one Million? Crazy. This Justin Wang must have been crazy. He didn't even sound like a professional. I have to find out what is going on here..."
If Justin Wang had heard that, he would surely develop minor depressions. NovelsOnline was just a small site, he was the owner and manager and coder all in one. He had loved to read fanfiction when he was young. Back then, there were not many ways to exchange fanfictions of their favourite series between the fans. There were some sites, of course, but he never felt comfortable there. He liked to write fanfiction, but he lacked the talent, so people were rather belittling him instead of showing appreciation for his works. He wasn't outgoing and somewhat shy, so he never went out to any gatherings in real life. Justin Wang stayed home all day chatting with friends online. Filtered through the keyboard and far away from prying eyes, he felt much more comfortable. He made some friends who had similar hobbies and who also lacked talent. They decided to fuck the world and created a site where they could just write whatever they wanted to. A site with people for no talent but a passion - any kind of passion.
At first, NovelsOnline was a place where the talentless gathered. No one took them earnestly, but they had their fair share of fun together, dreaming of the impossible. The beginning of NovelsOnline was the best time of his life. But those carefree times ended when young people grew up. School became college, college became work and work became family. The time they had to fool around was soon replaced by social obligations. The original team became less and less until Justin Wang was all alone. He was the only one remaining out of that original group of creators. Since he was so deeply engrossed with the site, he spent all his free time managing it, trying to vie for new users, raking in new contributors and finding young new talents that would help him keep the site alive. The lion's share was left for to him to work out.
He no longer had the time to write fictions, when the original coder left their team. Justin began to learn how to code to keep the site running and up to date - if he did that himself, he wouldn't have to pay someone else to do it. He devoted all of his time and energy. Luckily, hard work prevails. What began as pure obstinacy turned into a working business. He had to make some changes, or else the site would have been closed a long time ago. Now, the site contained a healthy dose of fanfiction, original works and contracted works. All stories were posted online for readers to read for free. If a work or an author showed exceptional skills, the reader was welcome to back them up with some money, called Blessings (formerly called Worships *cough*). Not many authors were able to make a living from this, but most of them wrote for fun anyway.
Although Justin Wang was his own boss now, running a mediocre online business, he was still a shy man inside and outside. He seldom came into contact with his authors and even less with the fans. Like a phantom, very few had ever met outside of his home. Even after all those years, he never viewed himself as anything different than a man who was looking for a small place for himself in life.
For a man like Michael Yang, it was effortless to brainwash a gullible man like Justin Wang. Seemingly throwing away one Million Dollars was the first step. It always depended on making a big entrance, an unforgettable first impression. Next was to show dominance, which was easy since Justin Wang had never had a dominant bone in his body. President Yang's decisive behaviour just steamrolled him into submission. Being complete opposites of each other, Michael Yang seemed to be the kind of man Justin Wang had always dreamed of to become... so just one phone call, and he began to worship that stranger who sounded like he would own the world. If he had asked for it, Justin Wang would have just given him the whole site. Now he was a reverend follower of a man he only knew as Mr. Yun Yang.
As President Yang's new lackey, he did as ordered. Even delivering those insane conditions, something he had never demanded of his contracted authors before. He was ready to overthrow all of his former conscience, forgetting the roots of his own site.
He was now watching his phone and felt perplexed that someone was declining that generous offer of one Million. Personally, he had never seen such a life-changing amount of money before.
Justin Wang redialed Miss Jie's number.
When she didn't pick up, he called again.
And again.
And again.
He was a shy one, but his stubbornness was quite mentionable. If not for that, how could he keep NovelsOnline alive all on his own for those years?
"WHAT!" Finally, an angry voice answered the phone.
"Miss Jie!" Justin Wang sobbed "Who would have thought that the connection was this bad when the two of us were in such a serious conversation! We really are unfortunate. Thank God it managed to go through now!"
"..."
Liar! You called me at least a dozen times! I had already put you on vibration and still, I couldn't ignore you anymore, and now you dare call this kind of harassment 'bad connection'? By all those missed calls, I can see very well how good the connection is! If the telephone connection had ears and feelings, it would also curse you, you thick-faced man!
"Miss Jie, about the contract, if there is something not to your liking, I will make sure to bring across the message. I am sure we can make things out."
After finally getting through, Justin Wang was so heartfelt relieved that he even forgot his own nervousness, neither stammering nor wandering off in topic, in case she hung up on him again.
Jie Jie sighed. She sounded angry, but actually, she voluntarily picked up the phone this time. She had taken the time she was ignoring his calls to made sure that this was no hoax. Of course, there was no telling whether or not the man on the phone was really Justin Wang or if he really called to make a contract with her, but she had checked the imprint of the website and a man called Justin Wang was really on the list of administration. The heck, he was actually the owner of the site.
Also, her story receiving 1 Million Blessings was true. It was sent by a person with the nickname 'Yun'. As bland as his username was, his title was way too flashy. It was 'Emperor of Heaven'. What an overkill! Was this some kind of fantasy RPG? Weren't people ashamed to wear such a title in broad daylight?? Ahhh... just seeing that account, she felt the secondhand embarrassment surging up.
A person throwing away money like that must be some wealthy family's kid who doesn't know a penny's worth. She felt angry on behalf of the people who worked hard for their money - almost forgetting the fact that she was the one who benefitted the most this time.
That's why she decided to pick up the phone.
"Mr. Wang" She said loud and clear "I refuse the cooperation."
Justin Wang felt like his intestines received a hit.
"W---what? Miss Jie, are you joking? This isn't funny... this is an actual offer Mr. Yun is making you."
"So what? If it's an offer, I have the right to refuse."
"We are talking about one Million Dollars, Miss Jie, one Million Dollars!" Just talking about that amount of money made him nervous. Was there truly a person in this world who could refuse one Million Dollars?
Jie Jie thought about it. One Million Dollars was indeed an unimaginable amount of money to her right now. But somehow this doesn't seem right to her. She didn't even saw the contract to tell that the terms were bullshit. Someone who made such claims couldn't have proper intentions in mind. If she were any short on money or had not just successfully published a book, she would have jumped on the occasion and accepted this slavery contract. But thank God she was in a position to be able to say no unhindered.
"The answer is no. Mr. Wang, please communicate my decision clearly with the sponsor. Tell this guy called Yun that I am thankful for the offer, but I am not writing it for the money. I ask you humbly to send back that money to its owner or spend it elsewhere."
Her heart beat like crazy just now even though her voice seemed calm. She was acting all high and mighty, but when she asked him to send that money back, she felt like crying. So much money! A Million Dollars was no laughing matter! But this deal was so shady! Too shady! Nowadays you can't be careful enough.
Her newest book was just within reach, so she put her free hand on it to calm down. When her heart slowed down, she felt the adrenaline rushing in, giving her the exciting sensation of turning down an unimaginable amount of money — what a novel feeling.
"Miss Jie, please tell me why, so I can explain it clearly to Mr. Yun."
"To be honest, this offer is truly flattering, but as the saying goes, nothing in life comes for free. This Mr. Yun has never revealed himself as a fan before, and suddenly he sends me a Million Dollars? All of this doesn't sound right, even you can tell, can't you?
If the other side has such excessive wishes, I have no other way but to return the money. I know myself, I am unable to fulfil even half the conditions..."
"I am sure we can negotiate those conditions!" Justin Wang was really out of wits.
"Also, Mr. Wang, I write this story for fun."
"..."
As much as he was shocked, at that moment, he could tell that the other person was not lying to him. It was a hilarious reason, but he couldn't stop his heart from racing against his chest.
"Miss Jieeee..." His voice was cracking with emotion which made Jie Jie panicking.
"Mr. Wang, I am so sorry if I have created trouble for you, please accept my sincere apologies!" She has always been weak against crying people.
"MISS JIE! I ADMIRE YOU!" He cried into the phone.
"Eh?"
EEEHHHHHHH??!!
Her words have reminded him of his past, of his long lost ambitions, the dreams and hopes he had with his friends. He couldn't stop tearing up. He suddenly felt a strong connection to her, his admiration for her finally surpassed his fear and worship towards Michael Yang and he completely took Jie Jie's side.
"Miss Jie, I am so moved, you are such an admirable person, to reject the power of money to achieve your dreams. You are a true paragon of life, such a strong passion! With your talent, unlike mine, I hope you will freely spread your wings one day! A person with your talents really must go forth her own way and shouldn't be restricted! What is money, it's not even edible! Miss Jie, don't worry, I fully support your decision!"
What's that? Suddenly that shy guy exploded in a wave of emotions. Jie Jie was rendered speechless. What about dreams? When did she even mention a dream? She just casually said that she was writing for fun. I was meant half as a joke, ok? She did write her online novel just for fun, but that truly shouldn't be taken as the main reason. Why was this man so gullible!!! Did she accidentally poke a soft spot? Ahhhh, she felt bad now misleading him. And dude, you cannot eat money, but you can buy lot's of yummy stuff, ok? Money isn't bad, but people are! Don't just go around trusting what people tell you!