Ai put her suitcase and bag on the bed and threw a glance over her new bedroom where she would be staying for a month. The ivory painted walls were well matched with the furniture and curtains. Even though it was an unused room, there wasn't a speck of dust anywhere. She opened the window and a gust of chilly winter air made her slightly shudder.
She breathed in a mouthful of air and exhaled. Thinking back to last night, she felt puzzled.
I don't usually talk so much. But it felt so easy with Jun. I wonder why?
It was something novel for Ai to find someone like Jun who shared this passion with her. She touched her chest and recalled how fast it was beating during their furious and excited debates.
She went back and picked the book - Love Amongst Chaos for whom Jun had signed on an empty check.
She chuckled.
So silly.
Her gaze softened, and she brushed her palm along the book's front cover.
It was a good Christmas because of you, Jun.
She stayed quiet for a while as she let the last night sink in.
Even when I dated Yating in my past life, we never…shared such moments together.
Being the Chief Editor was a demanding job in Dream High and as such, his schedule was filled up to the brim with publishing deadlines. Yating loved books too. But during their dates, he preferred not to talk about books as he worked among tons of stories and drafts for the entire day.
Dream High…
The light in her eyes flickered. Her thoughts were interrupted by her phone ringing with a call.
She smiled. "Xing Bi."
"Ai! How are you? Did you find any hotel room to stay in?" She worriedly asked.
"I didn't. All rooms were booked."
"Then where are you staying? Is it at Guiying's?"
"No."
"Then where?"
Ai wondered how to tell she was staying in a man's condo who she just met at the library a few weeks ago.
Living with a man she didn't know much about…
She will kill me.
"...The librarian Mrs. Quan Su. She is a very sweet librarian who runs Beijing's public library. I got acquainted with her since I visit the library everyday. So, she offered me her home to live in."
"Oh. Ai, are you sure she is trustworthy?" There was a hint of suspicion in her voice.
"Yes, yes. Don't worry about me. She is really kind."
Ai heard a soft sigh. "Okay, if you say so. Anyway I called to check in on your living arrangements. Take this time to rest too, okay? Don't keep thinking about your story all the time. A break is also equally important. We will talk more about it when I am back."
"Xing Bi!" Ai quickly stopped her from hanging up.
"Yeah?"
Ai lowered her head and fiddled with her fingers. "What do you think about…Sky Publishing?"
"Sky Publishing? Our rival, right?"
"Yes."
"Well, all I know is they are currently focussing on webnovels and webcomics. They are booming in that category. There is a rumor that they want to open up for traditional books too. But the President is really strict. He has rejected all drafts up until now," she exhaled. "It's hard pleasing Chen Yunru."
"Oh."
"Ai, are you thinking of switching companies?"
Silence.
Xing Bi gently asked, "Is it related to the incident that happened during Cai Guiying's book signing event?"
"No, Xing Bi. It isn't related to that. But…I have my own reasons because of which I cannot work in Dream High anymore."
Xing Bi said nothing.
"I understand, Ai. I suppose I always expected this to happen. Dream High is currently focussing all its resources and promotions for Cai Guiying, which is good but…I want to see you flourish, Ai. Your stories hit right at the hearts and if you just perfect the romantic chemistry between your leads, you will be a star. I believe in you. That's why I want to see you up there. At the summit."
Ai's eyes stung with tears. Xing Bi was always someone who had tremendously cared for Ai in her past life. Even when she was at her lowest point in her writing career, her editor had never given up on her.
Until the very end, Xing Bi fought for Ai's rights and against the bias that Dream High showed towards Guiying. She tried her best to convince the management to give Ai equal chances as Guiying and all the resources to develop her. Even Yating did. But in the end, it was all about who was popular at that moment, and it was only Guiying.
It ended badly for Xing Bi. Because Ai's performance dwindled, Xing Bi lost her credibility as a good editor too, and she was told to resign as a new resource replaced her.
Over the next five years, she switched between different publishing companies but could barely fare well. Then a month before Ai died from falling off the terrace, Xing Bi had lost her life in an accident and was found that she had been drinking and driving.
The employees at Dream High surmised that she was going through a rough depression after getting kicked out and became a heavy drinker after her career failed miserably. In the end, she died because of alcohol.
Ai clenched her fist as tears filled her eyes.
I made Xing Bi suffer. She did her best to save my career, but her career got ruined because of me. In the end, she died.
But not this time. I will leave Dream High, and Xing Bi's job and reputation won't take any hit.
Her gaze blazed in determination to join Sky at any cost. To save Xing Bi's career and life, to keep distance from Yating and Guiying and at the same time become the best writer…
To make this happen, she had to join Sky at all costs!
Xing Bi laughed. "Come on, Ai! Why are you so quiet as if somebody just died? It's okay. I am not mad at you. In fact, I am proud of you. You should think what's best for you as a writer. You should have a platform that recognizes your talent. Sky is definitely more liberal. I know I shouldn't say this because I work in Dream High, but it's the truth."
"...I don't want my editor to change. If I go to Sky Publishing, there won't be you," her voice was downcast.
She didn't want to ask Xing Bi to give up on her job for her.
"Aiyaaa, my Ai is so cute!" Xing Bi chuckled. "So what if I am not there? You will do great even if it's any other editor. Whether it's me or someone else, they will simply fall in love with you haha!"
Ai tried to smile.
"So! Have you thought about any story to pitch to Sky?" She eagerly asked.
Ai pursed her lips. "Not yet. I am trying, but I am not getting any ideas."
Xing Bi gave it a thought. "Well…instead of trying for a long novel, why not give it a shot with a short story? That way, you won't be bogged down by a complex plot, and this way is better to know what Sky is looking for. If they reject one, you can write another. Short stories are relatively simpler to write because you have to make only one point in the whole story."
Ai's eyes sparkled.
As Jun passed from beside Ai's room, he heard her suddenly say, "This is for the best. I will pitch a short story draft to Sky Publishing."
He paused in his steps and turned to face her room's door. He tilted his head as he remembered her saying that day she was looking to become a writer.
Ai wants to come to Sky?