Chapter 42: Speaking of Monsters Seeing Ghosts

The reason why Teacher Ke suddenly changed her mind and refused to have her name credited on Li Ye’s "Lurking" was that Wen Leyu had given her a draft of a new novel the night before.

When Wen Leyu first wanted to learn to write novels from Li Ye, Li Ye chose a "collaborative creation" model for real-time teaching, asking Wen Leyu to provide the story background and character materials for the new novel. Naturally, the materials were provided by Teacher Ke, and on the very day she provided them, she began to write herself. She wanted to test her own abilities to see if she could write a novel as good as "Lurking."

Teacher Ke had her own pride and was no novice in literary writing. She believed that with "Lurking" as a reference, she could surely produce something of substance. Her writing process went quite smoothly; after all, she was a college student from the 1960s who had previously published literary works, so her command of language was beyond question. Moreover, many of the character prototypes in the materials she prepared were based on stories she had heard from the elders in her family; putting them into words was merely a matter of dramatization.

As she wrote, Teacher Ke became more confident. She soon crafted an opening that looked promising. After reading it over several times, she felt quite proud and intended to show it to Li Ye in a few days to "learn from each other." After all, it was a collaborative creation, so both sides had to contribute.

Regrettably, before Teacher Ke could show her draft to Li Ye, Wen Leyu brought her Li Ye’s manuscript. After reading it, Teacher Ke sat up for the entire night, just as she had when she first saw the manuscript for "Lurking."

Comparisons are odious. With the same character materials and the same story background, the resulting works were two completely different things. If one had to make a comparison, Teacher Ke’s story was like a pot of poorly seasoned vegetable stew—bland and barely enough to stave off hunger. Li Ye’s story, however, was a masterfully stir-fried feast, rich in color, aroma, taste, and substance. The missing seasonings and culinary techniques were the "private stock" Li Ye had added himself. Teacher Ke’s story was merely a "ledger novel"—beautiful in prose but pale in plot—while Li Ye’s story was a true literary work with a compelling narrative.

When the sky outside began to brighten, Teacher Ke laughed at herself. She now understood how naive and arrogant her earlier request for a joint byline had been. Li Ye did not need her help at all; in fact, her interference would only hinder him. Although Teacher Ke had been truly desperate at the time—clinging to even a straw—was that really a valid excuse?

Looking at the manuscript in her hand, she could feel that Li Ye was genuinely trying to help her. This novel, tentatively titled "The Deserter in the Flames of War," was a "high-end custom piece" that perfectly aligned with her intentions. Although it was only an opening, the warriors who shed their blood for the light were depicted by Li Ye with such vivid techniques that they left a deep impression on the reader. This was crucial. Once the book was finished, if she showed it to the right people, her long-forgotten husband would surely be remembered again. Li Ye had never asked her what she needed, yet he had precisely given her what she craved most.

Sincerity is mutual. Teacher Ke immediately decided to apologize to Li Ye. By showing her previously published works to Dong Yuejin and admitting her own shortcomings, she was indirectly elevating Li Ye’s literary stature. After all, Li Ye was still young and easily looked down upon.

In front of Li Ye’s family, admitting her own limitations did not feel shameful to Teacher Ke; it felt entirely appropriate. She had watched her daughter’s transformation and knew that something might develop between her and Li Ye in the future. She certainly didn't want his parents to have any cause for gossip.

"I’d like to propose a toast to you both, congratulations on raising such a fine son and grandson." Teacher Ke picked up her glass and toasted Li Zhongfa and Li Kaijian formally.

"Not at all, not at all. The child is still young; we still have to rely on you, Teacher Ke, to guide him!" Li Zhongfa and Li Kaijian were also socially adept; they were not stiff, and the atmosphere in the private room became warm and lively. Because of Teacher Ke’s intervention, everyone automatically filled in the gaps regarding their questions. Li Ye was still young, and his ability to write a spy thriller like "Lurking" seemed slightly unconvincing. But now, with Teacher Ke "endorsing" him, this flaw was inadvertently covered up—everyone assumed that Teacher Ke had provided many of the stories as a foundation for Li Ye.

A while later, Li Ye noticed Dong Yuejin’s face turning red and breaking into a sweat. Knowing his alcohol tolerance was average, he realized that if he got drunk, they wouldn't be able to discuss business. Discussing business at a dinner table is best done between "tipsy" and "drunk," because once someone is drunk, their words no longer count, and when they are sober, they might not say anything.

Li Ye seized an opportunity and asked, "Editor Dong, now that you’ve come, has the publishing house mentioned anything about the payment?"

Dong Yuejin was well-prepared and said confidently, "Of course. The quality of your novel is quite good, Student Li Ye. I managed to secure a payment rate of 5 yuan per thousand words for you. For a new author, that is already quite high."

"5 yuan?" Li Ye was clearly disappointed. The national standard was 3 to 10 yuan per thousand words. 5 yuan for a newcomer’s first book didn't seem low, but for a book like "Lurking," it wasn't exactly high either. Li Ye pondered for a few seconds and asked again, "Editor Dong, what about the royalty rate? What percentage?"

"Royalties?" Dong Yuejin was taken aback. "What royalties?"

Li Ye was also stunned. He thought for a moment and said, "I mean the print-run royalties. Didn't the country restore print-run royalties in 1980?"

Dong Yuejin looked embarrassed. "I really am not sure about that..."

Li Ye frowned. He didn't know if Dong Yuejin was playing dumb or truly ignorant. In his previous life, while reading web novels, he had once stumbled upon information about royalties. Royalties were introduced to this land in the 1920s, and people like Hu Shi lived very comfortably in the capital thanks to them. In 1980, the country had indeed restored the long-interrupted royalty system, setting a standard of 5% for the first ten thousand copies, a rate that later grew even higher. However, Li Ye did not know that although the policy existed, it wasn't truly implemented for authors until much later.

Thinking he might have remembered incorrectly, Li Ye tentatively asked, "Then, Editor Dong, is the 1980 standard for original works 3 to 10 yuan per thousand words, and 2 to 7 yuan for translations?"

Dong Yuejin, now also embarrassed, nodded. "Yes, that’s correct, but regarding the print-run royalties... I will need to verify that with the publishing house..."

So he hadn't misremembered. Li Ye felt uncomfortable, and the smile on his face faded. In truth, Dong Yuejin was in a difficult position. Although "Lurking" was a rare, high-quality work, before it proved its success, it could not bridge the gap in status between the publisher and the author. For a newcomer like Li Ye, Dong Yuejin was already a very kind and tolerant editor. In this era, there were plenty of people like Feng Bo from the Dahe Publishing House.

When Li Zhongfa and Li Kaijian heard this, they were also unhappy. The range was 3 to 10 yuan, and they were offering their grandson only 5, while also cutting off the potential for future earnings? Li Zhongfa laughed heartily and raised his glass: "Come, Editor Dong, let’s have a drink. The child is just being a bit pedantic; don't take it to heart. We aren't writing books just for the money, right?"

Meanwhile, Li Kaijian, a retired scout, took advantage of their drinking to quietly retrieve the manuscript from the table and tuck it securely into his bag. *[They want to buy my son's treasure for a thousand yuan? Is that supposed to be a lot of money?]* Hao Jian's taffy business was surprisingly booming; Jin Peng had reported earlier that the profit share for the latest batch could be as high as three thousand yuan. Thus, the Li family’s perspective on money had changed.

Dong Yuejin, having been plied with drinks by the two men, reached for his bag in a daze, wanting to pull out the contract to finalize the publication with Li Ye, only to find the manuscript he hadn't finished reading was gone. It felt like a power outage in the middle of a TV show. However, this served as a reminder: if he, a senior editor, could be so hooked by this novel, what would happen when ordinary readers saw it? The second half of Li Ye’s manuscript far exceeded his expectations, and he made up his mind. *["Lurking" is a great book, I must secure it!]*

He took out the contract and said with a smile, "We’ve eaten and drank, it’s time to talk business. This is the publication contract from the house for 'Lurking.' Student Li Ye, please take a look..."

"Oh, what's the rush?" Li Kaijian reached out and grabbed Dong Yuejin, acting intimately. "It’s not easy for you to come to Qingshui, Editor Dong. You must let us host you for a few days. We’ll keep drinking tonight..."

Dong Yuejin smacked his lips, knowing things were about to get complicated. However, he was a responsible person and immediately stated, "I can't drink any more; it will delay my work. I will call the publishing house later to report this and try to secure a higher payment. How does that sound?"

Li Kaijian was momentarily stunned, then clapped Dong Yuejin on the shoulder. "Old Dong, you’re a straightforward man. Regardless of the outcome, I’ve made a friend in you."

...

After leaving the restaurant, Dong Yuejin refused further hospitality from Li Kaijian and went to the post office to make a call. The process was not smooth; the publishing house had strong objections, claiming there was "no such precedent." Later, after Dong Yuejin mentioned that "Dahe Publishing House is interested in intervening," the editor-in-chief finally said: "If you are willing to take full responsibility, then do as you please."

This statement carried great weight. If Dong Yuejin insisted on making an exception, his future career would be affected unless "Lurking" became a massive hit. Feeling depressed, Dong Yuejin wandered around the county town twice, the more he thought about it, the more worked up he became. By now, the alcohol was hitting him, and it was nearly five o'clock in the afternoon, so he decided to check into the Qingshui County Guesthouse and think it over carefully before talking to Li Ye again tomorrow.

As he walked into the guesthouse, he saw a young man at the counter, checking in and asking about how to get to the County No. 2 High School, as well as the average age of the students in the repeater class. Dong Yuejin paid attention and caught a glimpse of the introduction letter the person was holding. Although his nearsightedness made it blurry, he could clearly see the word "Publishing House" inside the large red seal.

*[Damn it, I thought I was seeing things.]*

Dong Yuejin felt a jolt, and his drunkenness vanished. He quietly retreated, stepped out of the guesthouse, and bolted toward the County No. 2 High School.