Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 416 You laughed too early!
The opinions in the editorial office of "Youth" were quickly unified, and almost everyone, regardless of gender, agreed to allow "Luo Zhi" and "Zhou Yingying" to have further contact.

In their opinion, if this novel is to be exciting and moving, "Luo Zhi" must break through the "shell" formed by a large amount of "homogeneous information".

And "Zhou Yingying" is undoubtedly the opportunity.

"Don't you think it's vulgar to write novels like this?" A voice came faintly from the corner.

Everyone looked and saw it was Lan Ting.

Lan Ting saw that everyone was silent, so she stood up and said, "Through a chance encounter, an accident, or a love affair, can Luo Zhi get out of his own "information fence"?
I think this routine is a bit cliché. Even if Zhang Chao continues to write according to this option, I am afraid it will be difficult to jump out of it. "

Lan Ting's words also won the agreement of some people.

At this time, Ma Boyong suddenly laughed and said, "Why not just accept the system's recommendation of 'Liu Ying'? 'Luo Zhi' constantly rejects those opportunities for change that would also tempt the readers. Doesn't this better reflect the theme of this novel?"

Ma Boyong's words gave everyone a chill.

How cruel must one be to make the protagonist keep rejecting the opportunity to change his life...

After all, the editorial office is full of literary young people with a romantic temperament.

One choice is to move towards popular literature, and the other choice is to move towards serious literature... The two sides argued for several rounds, and neither could convince the other; there were also a few wavering factions in the middle, which made things even more confusing.

Ma Boyong's head hurt from the noise, so he had to say, "Vote! Each person gets an A4 paper, write Arabic numerals, fold it and throw it in my drawer."

Everyone then shut up and quickly voted for their favorite story development options according to Ma Boyong's instructions.

There were only about ten responses in total, and the results were quickly counted - surprisingly, those who chose "help Zhou Yingying" accounted for an overwhelming majority.

Lan Ting pouted and said unhappily: "I knew it..."

Since voting is anonymous, it is unknown who the "traitor" is.

Ma Bo said lazily, "If you have no objection, I will send him an email?"

……

When Zhang Chao received the email, he was in a teahouse not far from his home, sipping a cup of Tieguanyin tea slowly.

The phone made a "ding dong" sound. He picked it up and browsed the contents, and couldn't help but smile.

The choice made by the editors of Youth did not surprise him, and could even be said to be exactly what he wanted - it was not that he could not write [Option 2], but that [Option 1] was recognized by the majority and was more in line with his judgment of human nature.

If a complete novel were given to editors for evaluation, they might not agree with this plot development;

But now that they were personally involved, their inner fantasies could not help but stir - not to mention that Zhang Chao had laid enough groundwork before, and "Luo Zhi" had already won their potential sympathy.

This is the trap behind "choice" - in most cases, the options have been screened and processed before they are presented to you.

The final result seems to be determined by free will, but in fact it is still the result of the induction of the planner.

"What's the good news? You're smiling so happily." asked Zhu Yanling, who was sitting opposite Zhang Chao.

“Oh, it’s an email from a colleague about a new novel.” Zhang Chao did not deliberately conceal it. After all, he had already told her about the decision to publish the new work in “Youth·Grand View”.

Zhu Yanling's expression dimmed for a moment after hearing this, but she immediately perked up and said, "The fourth article was given to Youth Party, so there is still a fifth article. Can the fifth article be given to Huacheng?"

Zhang Chao smiled and said, "Isn't it possible that Huacheng would be missing this piece of mine?"

Zhu Yanling said with a determined look, "It's in short supply! No magazine is short of a novel like yours!"

Zhang Chao shook his head and said, "The fifth article... I have this plan, but I really haven't thought about when to start writing, nor have I thought about what to write.

Isn’t it too early to order an article now? "

Zhu Yanling calculated the time, sighed, and said somewhat sadly: "It seems that I will return empty-handed this time. "Huacheng" will probably become a laughing stock in the literary world..."

Zhang Chao was a little surprised and asked, "Is it that serious?"

Zhu Yanling glanced at Zhang Chao and said, "It may be more serious than what I said. You have published new works in Harvest, Contemporary, and October, but not our Huacheng.

What do readers think of this? They probably think that Huacheng is out of date... I'm afraid the subscription for next year is not optimistic..."

Zhang Chao laughed when he heard that, and said, "Editor-in-Chief Zhu, we have known each other for such a long time, so stop being pitiful to me! The foundation of Huacheng does not depend on whether there is one more or one less article of mine.
But I'll consider it."

Zhu Yanling stopped complaining at this time and said happily: "Consider it... Then I will take it as your agreement!"

Zhang Chao nodded and confirmed: "Huacheng only wants my fifth novel, right? Okay, then I will answer..."

Zhu Yanling had sharp ears and interrupted immediately, "Wait, wait, wait, wait..." She said a series of words and barely managed to stop Zhang Chao from saying the next word.

She said a little breathlessly: "What do you mean, only? Do you have other plans?"

Zhang Chao said innocently, "Did I say 'only'?"

Zhu Yanling said seriously, "You said it! I'm sure you said it!"

Zhang Chao said: "Oh...then just say it..."

Zhu Yanling was getting anxious, and kept saying, "Stop keeping us in suspense! What on earth are you up to? You're really driving me crazy!"

Zhang Chao stopped joking with Zhu Yanling and said, "I'm thinking that by the end of the year or next year, I'll have published five or six short stories, which will add up to over 100,000 words, which is just enough to compile a collection..."

Zhu Yanling stood up suddenly and almost knocked over the tea table. She asked anxiously, "Collection? Are you planning to compile these short stories into a collection?"

Zhang Chao spread his hands and said, "Isn't this a natural thing..."

Zhu Yanling stared into Zhang Chao's eyes and said seriously, "I hope this collection will be published by our Huacheng Publishing House."

Zhang Chao said with a half-smile, "Oh? Then you don't want the fifth chapter, "Flower City"?"

Zhu Yanling was surprised and said, "This... can only be one of the two?"

Zhang Chao nodded and said, "Of course. We can't favor one over the other! I've just thought of the collection. I heard that CITIC Press has paid more attention to literary books in recent years..."

Zhu Yanling immediately said, "We want the book, the fifth chapter... Well, you can leave it to "Youth School"."

It was a natural decision for Zhu Yanling to make.

How much does a magazine cost? How much does a book cost? Even if Huacheng, which publishes Zhang Chao's new work, sells another 100 million copies, the profit for the magazine will not be as high as selling 30 books.

Besides, which novel of Zhang Chao would only sell 30 copies?

The best-seller status of a certain issue of a magazine is only for that issue, but Zhang Chao’s books are basically “ever-bestsellers” – books that sell well all year round.

She still knows how to calculate the difference between having a full meal and having a full meal.

Zhu Yanling believed that although this decision was made on her own spur of the moment and without consulting her superiors, Xiao Jianguo would definitely be overjoyed!

Zhang Chao didn't say anything more. He smiled and stretched out his hand to Zhu Yanling. The two shook hands.

"It's a deal?"

"A word is settled!"

After leaving the teahouse, Zhu Yanling looked at Zhang Chao's receding back, immediately took out her cell phone and called Xiao Jianguo, suppressing her excitement and saying, "Editor-in-chief, I have good news for you. Zhang Chao did not agree to give his new novel to our Huacheng..."

Xiao Jianguo on the other end of the phone thought there was something wrong with his ears and asked, "What? Can you say it again? What's the good news?"

……

At this moment, Zhang Chao has returned home, turned on his computer, and started writing the latest part of "The Man in the Shell" according to the selection of the editors of "Youth". For him now, it doesn't matter much which publishing house the book is handed over to, and the conditions offered by each publishing house are basically the ceiling in the industry.

For a “pure new work” like “Homeland,” the royalties are basically 25%, and the first print run is no less than 100 million copies;

Since this collection of short stories has been published in a magazine, the royalties are around 20%, and the first print run should be no less than 50 copies.

These are extremely impressive figures among writers all over the world, and only a few can compare with him.

In this case, Zhang Chao no longer had the same interest as before in gambling or auctioning. Since Zhu Yanling had already found BJ in Guangzhou, there was nothing wrong with him giving the collection to her.

No matter who it is given to, we will fully respect his opinions and organize the best editing, art, binding design, printing and marketing team to run this book.

In this regard, the capabilities of several major domestic companies are not much different.

As for handing the book over to "Chaoxi Culture" for self-publishing... leaving aside the restrictions on book number qualifications, Zhang Chao had no interest in engaging in the traditional capital-intensive business of book publishing.

After all, just getting a magazine issue number was a lot of work back then.

It’s just that Zhang Chao hasn’t thought of a name for the collection yet…

Two days later, Ma Boyong received another email from Zhang Chao in his mailbox. It was the second part of "The Man in the Shell", which would be continued according to everyone's voting results.

This time, Ma Boyong did not enjoy it alone, but typed it out immediately and sent it to everyone.

Everyone opened it and saw that Zhang Chao was indeed straightforward. He used delicate writing to describe how "Luo Zhi" helped "Zhou Yingying" move her luggage.

【Luo Zhi sighed, turned to Zhou Yingying, and nodded. Refusing to help at this time would be too inhumane. After all, there is a video saying "helping others is helping yourself."

Luo Zhi put down his briefcase and walked towards the huge cardboard box.

"Thank you so much!" Zhou Yingying cheered and jumped after him. "I moved all day today, and this big thing is all I have left. It's heavy and clumsy, and I can't move it by myself."

Luo Zhi calculated in his mind: help for ten minutes, then go home, take a shower, lie on the bed, send a message to Liu Ying, and then plan the next date. He needed to review tonight's performance and see what needs to be improved.

He walked to the box and tried to lift it. It was indeed not light. In order to avoid damaging it, he asked, "What's in it?"

"Well, some memories." Zhou Yingying's voice suddenly softened, like snow that had just melted. "Mainly some things I particularly like, and I can't bear to throw them away."

Luo Zhi frowned slightly. According to "Life Organizer Nana", "letting go" is the principle that young people should follow. He often receives articles on "minimalist life" on his phone, telling him how to reduce items to the most necessary level. In his own room, there is almost nothing extra except a top-of-the-line computer, a workbench, a bed, and a few sets of clothes.

"Come, I'll open the door first, and you just help me carry it in." Zhou Yingying had already walked quickly to her door and took out the key from the pocket of her jeans shorts.

Luo Zhi picked up the box with great effort and followed her into Room 1702. When the door opened, he was somewhat shocked by the scene in front of him - it was more like an exhibition hall with explosive colors than an apartment. There were several carpets of different patterns on the floor, movie posters, travel photos and hand-painted postcards on the walls, pillows of various shapes piled on the sofa, and several pots of succulents on the coffee table, as well as several small ceramic ornaments that looked to be handmade.

"Just put it over here." Zhou Yingying led him through the colorful maze and pointed to the large closet in the bedroom. "Put it on top of that closet."

Luo Zhi walked carefully among the clutter, fearing that he might step on something. An article he had read before appeared in his mind: "Home Environment Affects Thinking: Tidy Space Fosters Logical Thinking". According to the article, such a messy environment will lead to equally messy thinking.

...]

Zhang Chao's description made several female editors very angry. They all cursed: "What kind of nonsense is this Luo Zhi's head filled with? What about 'minimalism' and 'letting go'?

These all sound good, but in real life, there is nothing here or there, and I can’t even cook a decent meal. I’m being lectured every minute.”

“You deserve to be single!”

"Yes, you deserve it!"

No matter how educated women are, once they get together and chat for a while, they will immediately start talking about family matters.

The other male editors could only shake their heads helplessly. In this room, they were definitely the disadvantaged group.

"Hey, you guys think the name 'Luo Zhi' is a homophone, right?"

"You said, 'retarded'?"

"Yeah! Why didn't I think of that! You know what, he really looks like her!"

"Only half of his brain is his own. The other half is filled with a hard drive full of Internet information!"

"Only half a pill? Are you so optimistic?"

"That's not right. 'Luo' and 'Ruo' are pronounced differently, right?"

"Don't forget, the author Fu Hairen, doesn't distinguish between 'ne (n)' and 'le (l)'!"

"Makes sense!"

Ma Boyong couldn't bear to listen any longer, so he coughed. Then everyone quieted down and continued to look back carefully.

【“No, I can reach it.” Luo Zhi lifted the box above his head and pushed it to the top of the wardrobe as hard as he could. At this moment, a corner of the box hit the ceiling, causing his hand to slip, and the box shook and was about to fall.

"Be careful!" Zhou Yingying screamed and rushed over to help, but was hit by Luo Zhi's unbalanced body. They both fell on the bed, and the box fell and hit the ground with a muffled sound.

"Oh!" Zhou Yingying got up and hurried to check the box. Luo Zhize awkwardly got up from her bed, feeling embarrassed.

"Are you okay?" he asked, noting that the bed was covered in a bright yellow quilt with a cartoon sunflower pattern on it.

"It's okay, it's okay. These are all non-breakable things." Zhou Yingying had already squatted on the ground and opened the box. "Oh, my babies are fine!"

Luo Zhi took a curious look at the contents of the box: a pile of small objects that seemed worthless at first glance - shells, stones, dried flowers, a few badly worn comic books, some handwritten notebooks, a few small pendants that looked handmade, and some awards and certificates, stacked up in a corner.

"What...are these?" Luo Zhi couldn't help but ask, and then he regretted it.

"Hmm?" Zhou Yingying raised her head, her eyes sparkling, "They are all my treasures! This shell was picked up in Qingdao when I was ten years old, this stone was brought down when I climbed Mount Huangshan, this comic book was my favorite in high school, and these notebooks record all my thoughts from college to now..." As she spoke, she gently stroked these things, as if they were priceless treasures.

……

Luo Zhi and she divided the items in the box into several parts, and then put them back little by little. During this process, Zhou Yingying talked endlessly about the stories behind each item - that comic book accompanied her through the tense time before the college entrance examination, that small stone was a commemoration of her climbing the first mountain in her life, and that certificate was just a small community painting competition, but it made her feel the joy of being recognized for the first time...

Luo Zhi found that he listened carefully to every one of her stories and even began to wonder if he had any similar treasures. The answer was no. It seemed that there were only goals and plans in his life, and even his memories were digitized - there were probably thousands of photos stored in the cloud, but he had never looked through them.

Finally, they worked together to place the much lighter box safely on top of the wardrobe.

"Thank you so much!" Zhou Yingying wiped the sweat from her forehead and said with a smile, "Would you like something to drink as a thank you? I have black tea, green tea, coffee, oh, and the fruit tea I just bought!"

Luo Zhi looked at his watch. It was already half past ten. He hadn't sent a message to Liu Ying yet, nor had he reviewed today's date, let alone planned the next date. According to his schedule, he should have finished his shower and was lying in bed.

How many accidents has this happened today? Luo Zhi doesn't like this feeling.

……

Luo Zhi returned to his apartment, closed the door, and looked at this familiar, minimalist, and well-ordered space. He breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had just experienced an adventure in another world.

When I turned on my phone, several new notifications popped up immediately: "How to keep in touch after a first date", "The essential bedtime ritual for efficient men"...

Luo Zhi was lying on the sofa, his finger hovering above the screen, ready to click on the first push notification. But for some reason, his thoughts drifted to the colorful room next door and the girl with shining eyes looking at a pile of worthless items in his eyes.

But this thought was quickly interrupted by another push notification on the phone: "Dating Review: How to Analyze and Improve Your Performance." Luo Zhi clicked on the article and quickly immersed himself in it. 】

Seeing this, no matter whether men or women in the office, they couldn't help but smile, wondering whether they agreed to let "Luo Zhi" help "Zhou Yingying" yesterday.

After all, Luo Zhi is not really a nasty character, unlike Belikov. He is just too tightly wrapped in a huge amount of information, and his thinking has been reshaped too thoroughly.

At this time, a cold voice sounded. It was Shuang Xuetao: "You laughed too early. Keep reading."

(End of this chapter)