Chapter 47: Does the Magazine Expense Qualify for Reimbursement?

Ren Rongrong didn’t immediately react. This renowned writer from Beiping wouldn’t ordinarily contribute to a magazine like Children’s Literature, which wasn’t particularly literary in nature.

Opening the recommendation letter, Ren Rongrong continued reading:

“Greetings to the editors of Children’s Literature magazine. I am Li Yousi, author of The Falling Leaves Return to Their Roots. This submission stems from a personal feeling: children in our country are too emotionally repressed. I have always believed that courage to express love is not a Western concept; I think our students need to learn this way of expression too!”

“…”

“The illustrations come from my friend Zhang Li, a skillful and thoughtful young lady… There are three pieces in total, all created through our collaboration.”

—

After roughly finishing the letter, Ren Rongrong felt like she had stumbled upon a rare find. Although Li Yousi didn’t seem very famous in the field of children’s literature, works by bestselling authors were rarely available to others, usually monopolized by veteran editors.

“All right, I’ve read through the letter and have a general understanding of the situation. Now, let me take a look at the story. Comrade Zhang, you can take a break for now; I’ll give you an answer in half an hour.”

Zhang Li nodded somewhat blankly. Glancing again at the bustling editorial office, she felt a bit out of place and picked up a magazine casually to read.

…

The story “Guess How Much I Love You” was very simple, with Li Yousi having slightly expanded it. The gist went:

[As night falls, the little russet rabbit should be going to bed, but it clings tightly to the big chestnut rabbit’s long ear, seriously saying, “Guess how much I love you.”

The big rabbit responds gently, “Oh, I couldn’t possibly guess.”

The little rabbit stretches out its arms as wide as it can, saying, “I love you this much.”

The big rabbit’s arms are even longer; it spreads them wide and says, “I love you this much.”

The little rabbit looks on, thinking: That really is a lot.]

The story was pure and simple to the extreme.

Yet since its publication in 1994, it has been translated into over 50 languages, distributed in more than 100 countries and regions worldwide, with cumulative sales exceeding 30 million copies, consistently ranking among the best-selling children’s books internationally.

In China alone, the simplified Chinese edition sold over a million copies.

From sales alone, this story was already one of the great children’s picture books of the twenty-first century.

Ren Rongrong valued mainly the novel’s prose — it explained and observed “love” from a child’s perspective. The language was plain, at least accessible and engaging for children.

Undoubtedly, it was a highly successful story.

She then picked up Zhang Li’s illustrations and smiled, asking, “Comrade, did you draw these yourself?”

—

Zhang Li hurriedly put down the book, then nodded, “Yes, but Comrade Yousi guided me in making them.”

Hearing the form of address, Ren Rongrong smiled faintly, sensing a special relationship. “You really have a deft hand! Even our magazine’s artists aren’t necessarily as good as your drawings!”

Zhang Li blushed shyly. “If it weren’t for Comrade Yousi’s suggestions, I wouldn’t have thought of such vivid scenes.”

But inside, she was overjoyed. Li Yousi praised her because they were friendly friends; the editor’s compliment meant her artwork was genuinely excellent.

“So, Comrade, what about submitting this work?”

Ren Rongrong smiled, “You both have everything ready, so there shouldn’t be any problems. It will be published next month, and we’ll send稿费 (payment) to both you and Comrade Li!”

Li Yousi naturally received the highest payment; Zhang Li’s was modest, more of a friendly gesture.

Ren Rongrong continued, “Comrade Zhang Li, would you be interested in submitting more illustrations to our magazine? There are a few stories recently without accompanying artwork!”

Zhang Li’s skill was indeed genuine. Her images were lively and adorable, with soft, harmonious colors—perhaps due to her careful nature.

Zhang Li pursed her lips. Her ambition, like that of Sister Bao, ignited again. Li Yousi had told her that a single illustration could earn as much as thirty yuan in稿费.

Since she wasn’t busy now, why not earn some extra income? It might help her become a wealthy woman sooner.

“All right, I’ll give it a try.”

Ren Rongrong turned back, picking up photocopies of three stories and handed them to Zhang Li. “Usually one short story needs one to three illustrations. How many we accept depends on the quality of your artwork.”

“I understand, Comrade. Any other requirements?” Zhang Li took the three golden bricks in hand.

“Hmm, for this story, try to use bright colors…”

…

After chatting a long while, Ren Rongrong saw her off.

—

At the same time, in the editorial department of Beiping Literature magazine.

The magazine’s holiday was even shorter than that of the Cultural Troupe — only three days during the New Year.

Work was busy; after the holiday, they had to continue preparing the next monthly issue.

—

At the end of February, when they returned to work, Zhou Yanru glanced into the room where letters were collected and found the piles stacked very high. She stamped her foot.

“Xiao Zhang, what are all these letters? Are they submissions? Why hasn’t anyone sorted and sent them out?”

Xiao Zhang immediately walked over to the elderly woman’s side and looked in the direction of her voice, noticing two or three sacks of letters at the door.

Having just finished the New Year’s holiday, Xiao Zhang hadn’t expected so much work had piled up. He quickly explained, “No, these aren’t submissions; they’re letters from readers addressed to Comrade Li Yousi!”

Zhou Yanru was surprised. She walked over and randomly picked two letters, not reading the content but checking the sender and recipient — indeed, they were readers’ letters.

“All three piles are readers’ letters?”

“Yes, accumulated since December. I thought they’d be sorted after the New Year, but they just kept piling up,” Xiao Zhang scratched his head awkwardly.

“Hm… In a couple of days, send these letters to Comrade Yousi. Also, write him a reminder letter for his manuscript.”

Leaving that instruction, Zhou Yanru departed. Though old, she was efficient.

Back at her desk, she picked up a pen and wrote a five-hundred-word urging letter.

After sealing it, she stood and handed the letter to Xiao Zhang. “Help me send this along with the readers’ letters to the Cultural Troupe, Comrade Zhang.”

“All right, teacher.”

Xiao Zhang was efficient and immediately followed the instructions.

Pausing briefly, he asked, “Who covers the postage? The magazine?”

Previously, letters were sent directly to the author’s home in Beiping; this was the first time sending something so far. Xiao Zhang was still a poor newcomer.

Zhou Yanru smiled helplessly. “Of course the magazine pays! Just get reimbursement from accounting afterward.”

“All right, I’ll take care of it.” Xiao Zhang took the letter and the three sacks of readers’ letters to the magazine entrance.

…