A hundred flavors of life

Chapter 1256 Teaching Su Mingcheng a Lesson! (Please Subscribe!)
At a teahouse, the editor of the supplement section of the Suzhou Daily warmly shook hands with Hua Shier:

"Teacher Su, I didn't expect you to be so young yet so elegant. Your novel is so well-written, it's practically our Chinese version of Indiana Jones, pioneering the genre of adventure novels in China!"

Hua Shier gestured for them to proceed, then ordered a pot of Biluochun tea, a dish of smoked green beans, and a dish of dried radish for the other person. He then smiled and said:

"I didn't hear what you just said clearly. Could you please repeat it a few more times, starting with 'youthful and elegant'? I'd love to hear that!"

The editor burst into laughter; "Professor Su, you're so funny!"

Hua Twelve smiled faintly:
"So, my manuscript was approved?"

The editor quickly replied, "It has to be approved! If your manuscript isn't approved, whose is?"

Hua Twelve got straight to the point and started talking about money:
"Then how is the payment for the manuscript calculated?"

When the topic of payment for articles came up, the editor cleared his throat:
"Well, as you know, Professor Su, although your novel is an adventure story, the element of tomb raiding is quite sensitive!"

Although this is a "but," those in the industry know that this guy is going to withhold payment for his work.

But Hua Twelve didn't play by the rules. He said casually:

"So you're going to give me more money?"

Luckily, the editor hadn't had his tea yet, otherwise he would have sprayed this guy in the face. His comprehension skills were certainly not lacking. He gave an awkward smile.
"Ms. Su is joking. What our editor-in-chief means is that the Guo family now advocates for a diverse range of literary works. Although your work has some sensitive subject matter, it's not impossible to publish. As long as you can negotiate a lower fee, our editor-in-chief will help you withstand the pressure."

Hua Shier interrupted directly: "So, how much royalties can you give me?"

"Fifty yuan for every thousand words!"

The editor of the supplement section of the Gusu Daily was a little embarrassed to reveal this price.

Hua Twelve picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said with a smile:
"You may not know this, but I submitted this novel to your newspaper and Suzhou Magazine at the same time, and they offered me 100 yuan per thousand words!"

When the editor heard "Suzhou Magazine," he raised an eyebrow, and upon hearing the high price of one hundred yuan, he immediately retorted:
"Impossible, I know them, they only pay the maximum fee."

Before he could finish speaking, Hua Shier interrupted:
"Eighty-five yuan!"

"The other party also told me that the usual fee is 65 yuan per thousand words, the better fee is 75 yuan per thousand words, and only established writers can offer 85 yuan per thousand words!"

The editor was confused: "So, this hundred yuan?"

Hua Shier smiled:

"It's quite a coincidence. If you know anything about this, you'll know that Suzhou Magazine is currently looking for local supernatural tales. After reading my manuscript, they felt that my novel was a perfect fit, and even a masterpiece of this genre, so they were willing to offer me a high price of one hundred yuan per thousand words!"

"However, I feel that Suzhou Magazine is a weekly publication, unlike yours which is a daily publication. So as long as your payment is about the same, I would still prefer to cooperate with your newspaper. But it seems that your sincerity is really limited. You don't even have the bottom line of 65 yuan per thousand words. So I have to apologize."

The editor immediately tensed up. Such a good piece of work, if it became a huge hit, would definitely be in high demand and newspaper sales would soar. If another newspaper got it, it would be a loss for their own newspaper.

He quickly said, "Mr. Su, could you please wait a moment? I'll make a call and try to persuade my editor-in-chief again. I hope you will give me this opportunity!"

As Hua Shier said, he prefers daily publications, hoping to finish publishing his novels as soon as possible, gain fame quickly, and then publish his second work.

Well, he's already thought of a name for the second book: Harry Potter. He'll have Gu Yi write it, since he won't have any trouble writing in English.

Seeing that the editor was quite perceptive, he immediately nodded and said:

"Okay, but I hope it won't be too different from what I expect!"

The editor hurriedly went downstairs to find a public phone, and returned more than ten minutes later, sweating profusely.

"Teacher Su, our editor-in-chief said that if you can maintain this level of quality, our newspaper is willing to pay 100 yuan per thousand words!"

Hua Shier nodded in satisfaction; "Then there's no problem!"

The editor brought the contract, revised the payment, and Hua Shier signed it on the spot, under the pen name: Mei Changsu!

Plum blossoms symbolize nobility and resilience. Longevity is a characteristic of Hua Twelve. Su is Su Daqiang; isn't this name just about him?

The editor not only brought a contract, but also money; he paid on the spot after signing the contract.

"Teacher Su, your 50,000-word submission earned you 4440 yuan after tax. I'll round it up for you to 4500 yuan!"

After receiving the money, Hua Shier took out a 100,000-word manuscript from his bag and handed it to the editor. He then left his address, saying that he would send the manuscript fee home after they finished reviewing it.

After the editor left, Hua Shier spent the whole day listening to Pingtan (a type of storytelling and ballad singing in Suzhou dialect) at the teahouse, and it was already evening when he got home.

He bought some snacks and cooked food that Su Mingyu liked. As soon as he entered Tongde Lane, he saw a figure standing at his door from afar. It was Su Mingcheng.

When Su Mingcheng saw Hua Shier, his expression was somewhat embarrassed, but he still took the initiative to greet him:
"Dad, you're back!"

Hua Shier responded expressionlessly, seemingly unwilling to engage.

Su Mingcheng quickly smiled apologetically:
"Dad, you must be tired. Come on, let me help you carry your things. Wow, you bought so many delicious things! These are all things I like to eat!"

Hua Shier was so angry at the kid's shamelessness that he laughed.
"Get lost! Who said it was for you? I bought it for Mingyu!"

That's what I said, but I still handed over what I was holding to the other person to carry.

Zhao Meilan is Zhao Meilan, and Su Mingcheng is Su Mingcheng. In the original story, although the three children of the Su family each had their own flaws in personality, it must be said that they were all good to Su Daqiang.

So Hua Shier didn't intend to sever ties with this kid, especially since the system had the task of teaching several children.

Su Mingcheng, that rascal, got too big for his britches. Seeing that Hua Shier had handed him the things, he knew his father's anger had subsided, and immediately complained:

"Dad, you have to do something about Su Mingyu. I knocked on the door for ages, but when she heard it was me, she wouldn't open it. Do you think she's a good sister?"

Hua Shier ignored him, walked to her front door, and knocked:
"Mingyu, it's me, open the door!"

Su Mingyu was inside the door. As soon as she heard her father's voice, she quickly opened the door.

Seeing Su Mingcheng enter with Hua Shier, Su Mingyu was extremely displeased:
"What are you here for?"

Su Mingcheng's face turned black with anger:
"What do you mean, 'What am I doing here?' Get this straight, this is my house! Su Mingyu, why didn't you open the door for me earlier?"

Su Mingyu stiffened her neck; "I'm afraid you'll hit women!"

"I"

Su Mingcheng was about to get angry when his old wounds were reopened, but then he felt a murderous gaze sweep over him and immediately cowered. He knew that if he got into a fight with Su Mingyu as soon as he got back, he would definitely get a beating from his father.

Hua Shier walked into the room and sat down. Su Mingyu brought him the tea she had prepared.

Su Mingcheng blinked, somewhat puzzled. When did Su Mingyu learn to flatter?

Hua Twelve asked Su Mingcheng:
"Didn't you say I divorced your mother and you were going to live with her? Are you back to get some things or what? If you're going to get things, hurry up and get them, then leave quickly so Mingyu and I can have dinner!"

Su Mingcheng placed the cooked food and snacks in the kitchen, then came over to massage Hua Shier's shoulders:

"Dad, I've realized I really miss you. Can I come back and live here?"

Hua Twelve said irritably:
"Stop giving me that crap. What really happened? If you don't tell the truth, I'll throw you out the gate, you believe me?"

Seeing that he could no longer hide the truth, Su Mingcheng finally told the truth:
“Dad, you have no idea how disgusting my uncle and aunt are. Do you know how much my mom helped them? But now that my mom is divorced from you, they kicked us out. Aren't they heartless and ungrateful?” Seeing that Hua Shier didn't speak, Su Mingcheng gave an awkward smile.
"Mom has the nurses' dormitory to stay in, but I have nowhere to live, so I want to come home to live. You can't abandon me, can you?"

Hua nodded:
"You're still a member of the Su family, so you can come back to live here, but you have to follow my rules. You're not allowed to bully Mingyu anymore. Also, you and Mingyu will take turns cooking and cleaning the house every day. You have to wash your own clothes and not pile them up, or they'll smell bad and attract flies!"

Su Mingcheng's eyes darted around:
"Dad, I'm a boy and I don't know how to do laundry. How about Mingyu helps me?"

Hua Shier snorted; "No way! Either agree or get out of here, or sit down and eat!"

Su Mingcheng couldn't stand this insult, so he turned and left.

"I'll go pick up the bowls!"

Su Mingyu thought Su Mingcheng was going to leave home in a fit of anger, but she didn't expect him to be so cowardly, so she immediately burst out laughing.

After dinner, Hua Shier called Su Mingyu over and handed over the 150,000 yuan that Zhao Meilan had compensated, as well as the manuscript fee she had received that day.
"Mingyu, from now on you'll be in charge of the household accounts. Keep this 150,000 yuan safe. This 4,000 yuan is Dad's royalties, so you can keep that too. Household expenses will come from here. Just remember to keep track of the accounts!"

Su Mingyu never expected her father to entrust her with such an important matter. Her hands trembled slightly as she held the bankbook, and a warm feeling she had never experienced before welled up in her heart.

For the first time, she truly felt that she was needed in this family.

He nodded emphatically immediately:

"Dad, don't worry, I will definitely keep a record of every single expense!"

Su Mingcheng was envious, but he first asked about the royalties. When he heard that his father had actually made money writing novels after quitting his job, earning more than four thousand yuan in just a few days, he was speechless. "Is this my dad, Su Daqiang?"

He then said with dissatisfaction:
"Dad, why shouldn't I be allowed to manage the money? Su Mingyu is a girl, and I'm your son!

Hua Twelve asked with a smile:

"What's wrong with girls? Are you sexist?"

Influenced by Zhao Meilan, Su Mingcheng actually thought so too, but he quickly stopped himself before he could say it. He dared not talk nonsense when his mother wasn't around. He still vividly remembered the time he hit Su Mingyu and was whipped by his father until he was covered in zebra stripes.

He quickly said, "I'm not sexist, but please don't be sexist either. Why should our family's money be given to Mingyu and not to me? Are you worried about me or what?"

Hua Shier nodded and smiled:
"Sigh, I just don't trust you. You don't seem very smart at all!"

Su Mingcheng immediately objected:

"Who is it? If you say I'm bad at studying, I'll accept it, but how am I not smart? My teachers all praise me for being smart, saying that I just don't use my intelligence for studying, otherwise my grades would definitely be fine!"

Hua Shier chuckled and asked, "Are you sure you can manage money with an IQ like that?"

"What's so difficult about that? Who do you think you are!"

Su Mingcheng felt a sense of crisis upon his return, as he felt that his importance in the family was about to be replaced by Su Mingyu.

Therefore, he believed he had to fight for it this time, and once he had control of the finances, his father would no longer be able to ignore him.

Hua Shier nodded: "Okay, I'll think about it and we'll talk about it later!"

As he spoke, he stood up and greeted Su Mingcheng:
"Come on, let's go for a walk with Dad. A hundred steps after a meal will help you live to ninety-nine!"

Hua Shier immediately took Su Mingcheng out of the house, left Tongdeli, walked two streets, and arrived at the door of a KTV.

Looking into this KTV from the outside, you can see rows of tall, slender people sitting on both sides.

"Come on, Dad will take you inside to sing karaoke and relax!"

Hua Shier pulled Su Mingcheng inside, and the next moment, a group of beautiful women came to greet them. He greeted them with a smile:
"Let's get a private room and a few girls to accompany us for drinks, but no girls in stockings!"

Su Mingcheng was stunned. His father was traumatized by the divorce and wanted to completely let loose.

Inside the private room, Hua Shier sat on either side of two brightly dressed young girls, while Su Mingcheng was surrounded by four others whose white, fluffy legs made it impossible for him to think.

Hua Shier picked up the microphone and sang:

"An eighteen-year-old girl is like a flower, a beautiful flower."

After singing several songs, Hua Shier patted the two beautiful women beside him:
"Go sing with my son. If you keep him entertained, you'll get a hefty tip. Let me tell you a secret, he's still a virgin. Come on, pull your bra straps down a bit, and lift your skirt up a little."

He stood up as he spoke:
"I'm going to the restroom, you guys keep singing!"

Seeing that Hua Shier was about to leave, Su Mingcheng quickly called out:
"dad"

Just as he was about to get up, several women held him down:
"Hey bro, where are you going? Let's keep singing!"

Su Mingcheng froze instantly, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet.

After leaving the KTV, Hua Shier found a public phone nearby and dialed 110:
"Hello, is this Uncle Hat? I need to call the police. I saw a minor enter."

Shortly after, several police cars raided the KTV, taking away several female escorts and Su Mingcheng.

An hour later, Jin Hua 12 picked up Su Mingcheng from the police station:
"Dad, they don't believe anything I say!"

Hua Shier smiled enigmatically: "You mean the karaoke bar I took you to?"

Su Mingcheng immediately patted his chest:

"Do you think I, your son, am such an unfaithful person? I told them I went by myself, but they just wouldn't believe me!"

After Su Mingcheng finished speaking, he asked in confusion:

"By the way, Dad, where did you go? You were walking for so long. Did you see the police car and run away before it was ready?"

Hua Twelve said with a smile:

"Me? I went to call the police!"

Under Su Mingcheng's incredulous gaze, Hua Shier patted him on the shoulder:

"Son, this is the first life lesson your dad is teaching you: don't easily trust others. How about that? Surprised? Unexpected? How does it feel to be betrayed by your dad?"

"Besides, with your IQ, you can forget about managing the accounts. Look, if I took Mingyu to a place like that, she definitely wouldn't go. Are you blinded by those long legs?"

After Hua Shier finished speaking, he couldn't help but burst into laughter. Su Mingcheng felt as if his father had grown two horns on his head, making him look like a demon.

It wasn't just because of the accounting that Hua Shier was involved; it was when Su Mingcheng praised his intelligence that he suddenly remembered the incident in the original story where the kid was swindled out of 300,000 yuan.

So Hua Shier had a sudden inspiration and gave his son a lesson in advance.

The two walked and talked. Just as they turned a corner, a van sped up from behind and came to a stop right in front of them.

As soon as the car door opened, a woman dressed somewhat provocatively pointed at Hua Twelve:
"Young man, he's the one who called the police!"

　Thanks to 08a, Demon Tiger, Three Watches and Book10096 for their donations, and thanks to the brothers who voted for monthly tickets and recommendations. Thank you very much.

　　(End of this chapter)