Chapter 38: But I Have Already Refused!

Geng Zhi watched as Feng Bo shifted from courteous to condescending. Though annoyed, he couldn't bring himself to intervene. Having been in the industry for three years, he knew well that many authors were temperamental; Feng Bo’s attitude would likely irritate "Seven-Inch Blade" and lead to unpredictable consequences.

However, when Feng Bo remarked, "You really are just a high schooler," Geng Zhi felt as if he had been struck by lightning, rendered speechless by the sudden realization. The puzzle pieces in his mind finally clicked into place, explaining why Feng Bo had tried to poach his author and why Sister Xu had seen through the situation at a glance.

There is a common saying in the industry: editors make authors, and authors make editors. A fine steed is hard to find, but so is a great judge of horses. The birth of many great writers is accompanied by the debut of an editor with a keen eye for talent. The gold-tier editors Geng Zhi knew all boasted resumes of "guiding and promoting" multiple outstanding writers. During office gatherings, some editors would boast smugly: "When I first met so-and-so, their writing was still very raw; it was I who gave them confidence, guidance, and help... we made each other."

Listen to that—I've mentored a great writer! Doesn't that elevate one's status instantly? This form of humble-bragging is the desire of every junior editor. Every ambitious editor hopes to encounter a young dragon, to nurture it with care and ascend to the clouds together. Feng Bo was undoubtedly ambitious, but his experience was too shallow. If a truly excellent author were handed to him now... could he actually handle the mentorship?

But a high schooler—that was different! When Geng Zhi received the manuscript for *Lurking*, the author's pen name was Seven-Inch Blade, but the contact address was Li Ye, Class 1, Repeaters, Qingshui County No. 2 High School. At the time, Geng Zhi subconsciously assumed Li Ye was a teacher at the school. Only now did he realize that if the person were a teacher, they wouldn't have specified a class. He hadn't realized that others might have deduced that Seven-Inch Blade could be a student. People like Deputy Editor-in-Chief Lu, Feng Bo, and Sister Xu.

Mentoring a student with immense potential and using their shoulders as a stepping stone to climb the career ladder—no matter how you looked at it, it was a golden opportunity served on a silver platter.

Feng Bo quickly grabbed paper and pen, firing questions at Seven-Inch Blade on the other end of the line while scribbling furiously. "We must verify a few things. Your real name is Li Ye, correct? How old are you? Is this *Lurking* a work you completed entirely on your own?..."

"Your novel still has significant issues. We need you to bring the full manuscript here. Only after our guidance and strict revisions will it be ready for publication..."

A voice came from the other end: "May I ask, if your publishing house intends to guide me in revising the manuscript, who exactly will be doing the guiding?"

Feng Bo’s eyes flickered. He softened his tone and said, "The house has decided that I will be your primary contact for now. I am a graduate of XX University and have sufficient literary foundation..."

"..."

"How is my royalty calculated?"

"You student, why are you only thinking about money? Literature is noble and rigorous; you still have a lot to learn... Hello? Are you still there? Hello? Hello?..."

*[No wonder he's a college graduate. Impressive, truly impressive... he just ruined a perfectly good piece of business.]* Geng Zhi looked at the suddenly agitated Feng Bo and felt an urge to laugh. Listening to Feng Bo’s precise, probing questions, it was clear the man’s cunning and strategy far exceeded his own. But why was a newcomer who hadn't been in the industry for more than a few days so impatient? Don't just stare at the glory of gold-tier editors; the authors in their hands were nurtured through one-on-one, heart-and-soul dedication. You, Feng Bo, are no famous editor—do you really expect people to bow down to you immediately?

Do you really think that just because Seven-Inch Blade is young, you can manipulate him?

"Hello? Hello? Speak up, Li Ye, are you still listening?"

Feng Bo’s tone was no longer steady. He seemed to realize that his overbearing approach might have ruffled the high schooler's feathers.

Li Ye was indeed displeased. He had received the letter from the provincial capital today and, filled with anticipation, had gone to the post office to make the call. He had expected a "warm and friendly" greeting, followed by a discussion about his royalties. Instead, upon connecting, he felt he wasn't dealing with an editor, but a boxing coach who had unleashed a flurry of jabs, crosses, and hooks, and then tried to charge him for private coaching.

In an instant, Li Ye lost all interest in continuing the conversation.

Li Ye asked coldly into the receiver, "I'm here. Editor Feng, right? I have one question I'd like to confirm."

Feng Bo paused for a moment before saying, "Go ahead. Our publishing house respects authors very much. If you have any difficulties, you can bring them up."

Li Ye asked, "At the end of my submission, I specified that if your side was interested in publishing, you should send me a contact number. So, why are you now acting unsure about whether my novel can be published?"

Feng Bo, over in the provincial capital, was annoyed. *You’re a high schooler—what kind of attitude is that? Don't you know how to be humble?*

So, he replied quite sharply, "Student Li Ye, I think you have misunderstood our intent. The reason we sent you our phone number was to give you an opportunity to revise for publication; we never said it would definitely be published."

Li Ye listened to Feng Bo’s reply in silence, then asked word by word, "You only need to tell me: are you publishing it, or not?"

Feng Bo lost his temper, shouting, "I have already said several times that your book must undergo further review and revision by us. I hope you will adopt a proper attitude..."

"Then forget it! Please return my manuscript to me."

"What did you say?"

*Click.*

Li Ye hung up the phone. Within a few days, he had encountered two requests for "guidance." But this Feng Bo was a completely different story from Teacher Ke. When Teacher Ke made a request, it was delicate, implicit, and even... humble. Li Ye still couldn't forget the look of shame in Teacher Ke’s eyes. After enduring years of hardships, self-respect and dignity were perhaps the last precious things left in Teacher Ke’s heart. Furthermore, when Teacher Ke realized that Li Ye had intentionally avoided sensitive issues, he immediately abandoned the idea of "guidance." It was Li Ye who had proactively offered help in return. Based on his experience from his past life, Li Ye knew that Teacher Ke would surely provide enough compensation once he received the help.

But this Feng Bo? Listen to that tone, look at that air of superiority... who the hell are you trying to PUA? Am I begging you for anything? Want to use my shoulders to get famous? Get lost!

...

Li Ye hung up the phone quite decisively, but Feng Bo, back in the provincial capital, was left stunned. He said "hello" into the receiver for a long time before realizing he had "seemingly" botched the whole thing.

It was like playing the stock market: watching your holdings soar, holding on, holding on, not selling, not selling... and then it hits the limit down. Game over.

In this day and age, there was no caller ID on phones. Even if he wanted to call back, he didn't have the number!

"Hah."

Geng Zhi, who had been furious just moments ago, felt satisfied. He stopped arguing, took one look at Feng Bo, whose brow was furrowed into a deep frown, gave a light laugh, and walked away.

Ten minutes later, thanks to the careful spreading of the news by Geng Zhi, Sister Xu, and others, the rumor that Feng Bo had tried to "guide" Seven-Inch Blade only to get hung up on had circulated throughout the entire publishing house. Soon after, Feng Bo was dragged into the office by Deputy Editor-in-Chief Lu for a private "heart-to-heart."

When he came out, Feng Bo adjusted his demeanor and dialed the number for Qingshui County again.

"Hello, is this Qingshui County No. 2 High School? I'm looking for Li Ye from the Repeaters Class 1... Li Ye is not there? Please tell him we have decided to publish his work and ask him to come to the provincial capital immediately to discuss the publication details."

"..."

Principal Chang of Qingshui No. 2 High School hung up the phone, looked at Teacher Luo in front of him, and asked again, "Does our school only have one student named Li Ye?"

Teacher Luo replied affirmatively, "That's right, just one. And I've investigated; that kid has indeed been... acting very secretive lately, apparently writing something."

"It can't be 'apparently,'" Principal Chang waved his hand. "We must get to the bottom of this. If it's true, we must provide all the support he needs. Remember, everything should be based on the child's wishes; give him all the convenience and support possible."

"Understood, Principal."

...

Li Ye, still fuming, had taken a walk outside. As soon as he returned and stepped into the classroom, he was met with the collective gaze of fifty-one pairs of eyes. A student at the door bolted out of the classroom and ran toward Teacher Luo’s office; the report that "Li Ye is back" could be heard from dozens of meters away.

Teacher Luo hurried over with swift steps, climbed onto the podium, and began to speak with a face full of joy.

"Our classmate Li Ye has been studying diligently and focusing on his creative writing... he has already reached an agreement with the Dahe Publishing House in the provincial capital regarding publication... let us congratulate classmate Li Ye."

Teacher Luo led the applause, prompting a group of stunned students to clap along. Li Dayong, having finally caught up with what was happening, clapped so hard his palms turned red.

After a long while, Teacher Luo finally stopped the applause and said to Li Ye, "Li Ye, would you like to come up and share a few thoughts with everyone?"

Li Ye looked a bit awkward. He stood up and asked, "Teacher Luo, how did you know Dahe Publishing House agreed to publish my novel?"

Teacher Luo said, "Dahe Publishing House just called our school. They explicitly stated that they agreed to publish your novel and want you to bring the full manuscript to the provincial capital as soon as possible!"

"..."

"It’s actually a novel? My brother is a writer! My brother is a writer!" Li Dayong was genuinely happy, intentionally shouting and showing off to those in the front row.

But Li Ye just smiled and said, "Well... Teacher Luo, a few hours ago, I already rejected the publication offer from Dahe Publishing House."

"..."

Everyone was stunned, even Wen Leyu, who knew the most about the situation, was left speechless.