Upon finishing "The Death of a Civil Servant," You Rong couldn't help but think about the author. Once the author's identity was revealed, he was determined to recruit the person due to their formidable writing skills.
To his surprise, the author turned out to be Chu Kuang, the one whom the tribe had snatched from under his nose! This unexpected revelation left You Rong wide-eyed and feeling as if his home had been burgled.
However, being the editor-in-chief of "Interesting Reads" magazine, You Rong quickly regained control of his emotions: "I must bring him back."
Deep within, You Rong made a silent vow.
Chu Kuang had already gained recognition in the realm of short stories, transitioning from a newcomer to a rising star. He was a genius writer beginning to reveal his brilliance.
Yet, such a talented writer was not only sought after by You Rong but also by major publishing houses in Qin Prefecture. The competition in this industry was fierce, and Chu Kuang easily attracted interest from various quarters.
However...
These publishing houses probably didn't have Chu Kuang's contact information at the moment. The tribe had found Chu Kuang by leveraging the platform's advantages. Tribe accounts were linked to phone numbers, and contacting Chu Kuang was as simple as dialing the number he left behind.
You Rong believed that Tribe Literature, if not foolish, wouldn't disclose Chu Kuang's information.
Unfortunately, secrets have a way of leaking.
Industry permeation and abundant information channels meant that larger publishing houses would eventually locate Chu Kuang. In this situation, all You Rong could do was accept the idea that this matter might take some time.
Looking at the current circumstances, Tribe Literature was probably the only contender against Silver Blue Library for Chu Kuang.
This brought a slight sense of consolation to You Rong.
Meanwhile, at Silver Blue Library, within the Young Adult Fiction Department, discussions about Chu Kuang were underway.
The Young Adult Fiction Department focused on longer works, leaving the short stories to the adjacent magazine department, "Interesting Reads." Nevertheless, Chu Kuang, as one of Silver Blue Library's bestselling authors in the Young Adult Fiction Department, naturally drew attention from the editors.
Chu Kuang winning the first prize in short stories at Tribe Literature immediately sparked extensive discussions within the department.
"I didn't expect Chu Kuang to be so skilled in writing short stories!"
"Being adept at both short stories and young adult fiction novels, his creative talent is outstanding, isn't it?"
"No wonder the short story department wants to snatch him from us. With Chu Kuang's skill in short stories, it's indeed worth a competition."
"I heard even our chief editor praised Chu Kuang's short stories highly."
"..."
Mid-discussion, an editor expressed concern: "Is Chu Kuang going to focus solely on short stories in the future, abandoning fantasy themes?"
This worry was not unfounded.
Chu Kuang was one of the Young Adult Fiction Department's bestselling authors, a valuable asset to the entire fantasy department.
"Unlikely."
One editor shook their head uncertainly: "After all, how much money can a few short stories bring? Writing short stories won't be as profitable as youth fantasy novels."
"Profit?"
Yang Feng, the editor responsible for Chu Kuang, suddenly raised his head, his tone lacking patience: "Do you think Chu Kuang cares about money?"
"..."
After Yang Feng's words, the entire department fell silent, evidently conceding to Yang Feng's statement.
Yes.
Chu Kuang wasn't interested in money.
He had no desire for it.
This is a universally acknowledged fact within the entire fantasy department: if Chu Kuang truly liked money, he wouldn't easily conclude "Tennis Prince."
Because even fools know that, for best-selling novels, the longer you write, the more you earn in royalties!
Once these novels conclude, royalties experience a cliff-like drop within a few months!
But two weeks ago.
Chu Kuang sent the May manuscript of "Tennis Prince," cleanly concluding the novel.
Yes.
Tomorrow is May 1st, and "Tennis Prince" will officially release its final chapter. The promotional material from the relevant department has already been rolled out—Chu Kuang indeed didn't write a single extra word!
The entire "Tennis Prince," he almost strictly followed the initial outline he provided, concluding this highly popular novel with just around a million words.
Decisive to the point that even the editors in the department felt heartache, wishing Chu Kuang would continue writing!
You must know, given the current sales momentum of this novel, every additional word written is a considerable amount of money!
To speak bluntly.
If Chu Kuang was willing to continue "Tennis Prince," even if he wildly filled it with content, causing a significant drop in the quality of the later parts, many readers would still accept it.
Because many readers have formed the habit of reading it.
Unless he starts feeding garbage into the story, readers won't easily abandon the book. At most, they'll grumble a bit, curse the author a little, and then hesitantly continue to pay.
This is the experience of editors who have worked for many years.
Chu Kuang himself must surely understand this point.
But Chu Kuang is just that willful. Knowing that his work can still make money, he still decisively concluded the book without hesitation.
Such a person, how could he possibly like money?
After a long while.
Only one editor in the department sighed and said, "This is Chu Kuang's literary character, not aiming to make money through creation. Such authors are actually very worthy of respect."
"Yes."
"In the age of the commercialization of literature, authors' original intentions for creation are undoubtedly rooted in dreams. But if their novels don't make money, how many are willing to work for love?"
"Haven't encountered such an author in many years."
"Most writers wouldn't willingly conclude a very profitable novel. Even if they run out of the outline, they will always find ways to expand their story. In comparison, authors like Chu Kuang, who decisively conclude bestsellers, are too few."
"..."
Yang Feng sighed.
He indeed admired Chu Kuang.
In an era where most authors choose to follow the trend and write mainstream topics like otherworldly adventures, Chu Kuang chose sports competitions, an extremely niche theme.
Just this pioneering spirit alone already earned Yang Feng's great admiration.
But admiration aside.
At the same time, Yang Feng was also very troubled.
Because Chu Kuang concluding "Tennis Prince" is a considerable loss for the Silver Blue Library. Otherwise, the chief editor wouldn't have specially instructed Chu Kuang to expand the outline and make the story longer...
However, Chu Kuang didn't heed the advice.
Yang Feng couldn't help but recall the first time he dealt with Chu Kuang. At that time, he thought that the other party was just a newcomer, not fearing the tiger when the calf was newly born.
One day!
The other party would feel the fear of being dominated by the small black room and witness how terrifying the editor's pressure to update can be.
But now.
Chu Kuang hadn't experienced his terror. He was an author who never delayed his manuscripts, but instead, Yang Feng himself had witnessed Chu Kuang's terror.
The guy really treats money as if it were dirt.
In this regard, Yang Feng could only shake his head helplessly, smiling bitterly as he commented, "He's really too willful!"
The next day.
May 1st.