Rebirth 04: Starting from Taking an Unconventional Approach

"Teacher Wild Grass, this isn't just a notebook, it's a mine, an oil field, a rich mine you've accumulated over the years, something others can't buy even with money. Aren't you worried about not being able to write anything after signing the contract? Look, this notebook contains dozens of stories, enough for you to write for several years."

Wild Grass cleared his throat. "I... I always thought these were just random thoughts. Sometimes when I couldn't sleep at night, something would pop into my head, so I'd get up and jot it down. After jotting it down, I'd feel a little better. But I never thought these things could... could..." His voice trembled, and he didn't finish his sentence.

Han Fei took out two thousand yuan from the drawer and placed it on the table in front of Ye Cao along with the notebook.

Wild Grass stared at the stack of banknotes in surprise for a long time, then looked up at Han Fei and stared for even longer: "President Han, this..."

"Teacher Wild Grass," Han Fei said, "this is the advance payment from the publisher, which you deserve. There are over five thousand paying users, and each of them spent ten yuan just to read your stories. There are dozens of similar stories in your notebook. Have you ever thought about how many people would read them if you could write them all down? But right now, if you're still tying steel bars on a construction site, so tired that you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow every day, how can you have the energy to write? Take this money first, I hope it can help relieve some of your pressure so you can focus on writing your next story."

Wild Grass stared blankly for a moment, as if unaware of where he was, then his face fell. He quickly covered it with his hands.

"President Han," Wild Grass muttered between his fingers, "I've lived for fifty years, and this is the first time anyone... has treated me like this." He let out a sob that was somewhere between laughter and tears: "Me... someone like me, can I even make a living like this?"

"Teacher Wild Grass, don't say that," Han Fei said. "What do you mean by 'someone like you'? You're a genius at writing stories that can make tens of thousands of people tremble."

"President Han, I can't accept this money! This...this is too much! I only kept a few messy accounts, how could it be worth so much money?" Wild Grass pushed the money back. "Do you think I can write all of these dozens of things? I...I can't. 'Living as a Widow' is because Liu Chunmei keeps swirling in my mind. As for the others, I just jotted down the topics. If I were to write them down piece by piece, I...my ink in my belly would have dried up long ago. I'm afraid I'll let you down with this money, and even more afraid of ruining the reputation you've given me."

Han Fei looked at the wild grass. The expression on the farmer's face was one of poignant sincerity and unguarded honesty, which told Han Fei that this person could be trusted.

"Teacher Wild Grass, this money is the royalties from 'Living a Widow'. Since you brought us revenue, it's only right that we share it with you, and you'll feel perfectly justified in taking it. You just said you were worried about not being able to write enough and that you were letting me down. So let's not sign those contracts that require submitting many articles a year. I'll make you a custom-made contract."

"Customized contract?"

"Yes, the guaranteed minimum and revenue sharing will be the same as the current Level 1 contract, but there are no restrictions on the number of submissions or deadlines. You can start writing whenever you feel like it. Write when you feel inspired, and rest when you don't. Look at Old Wang at the construction site; maybe the next piece will come out. Nobody's forcing you; it's up to you. This contract isn't a servitude agreement; it won't put pressure on you. It's just a protective shield. Otherwise, what if your reputation as a 'wild grass' (a term used to describe someone who writes unrelated articles) becomes famous, and someone tries to sell your work without paying you? This contract is like law; it's there to help you with your legal battles. And once you sign the contract, you'll be a full-fledged contracted author with Qingniao. From now on, no one will look down on you in any setting."

"Then...then isn't that basically supporting me? President Han, I can't accept something for nothing. I may be poor, but I never take anything for free. How am I supposed to hold my head up after this?"

Han Fei shook his head, revealing an asymmetrical smile: "Teacher Wild Grass, those who readily sign are doing so because they're used to it. You're not used to it because you take it seriously, and this sense of awe is precisely what I value most. I'm not supporting you; I'm investing in you. The story in your notebook is my asset. Now that the asset is still buried in the ground, it's only natural for me to spend some money to hire the best miner to dig it out."

Han Fei lit a cigarette and offered one to Ye Cao: "I'll find an editor to work with you specifically, someone who can help you clarify the structure and polish the story. Also, whatever ideas you have, or if you want to talk to someone about the characters in your script, just contact the editor. You can come to the publishing house or have the editor come to you; you can talk in the shed or by the river, however you like. I want all readers and authors to know that Qingniao not only has a pen like Lao Huai, but also a living encyclopedia like you, Ye Cao."

Wild Grass exhaled a puff of smoke, placed her right index finger to her lips, and gazed sadly into the sky. "President Han, in my entire life... no one has ever said anything like this to me. From now on, my life belongs to Bluebird."

Han Fei choked on the smoke.

"President Han, when is that editor you mentioned coming? I want to talk to him about that old bachelor right now. The grass on his grave is all overgrown, and I'm feeling really down." Wild Grass smiled, but two tears streamed down her face, one after the other, tumbling and curving down her cheeks before disappearing into her beard.

"I'll arrange it right away." Han Fei glanced at the cigarette glow, considering which editor would be best suited to work with Wild Grass. Lu Hai? Although he was enthusiastic and the team's engine, his personality was too boisterous, and he already had enough to handle; his energy was limited, and he might not be able to calmly work with Wild Grass. Zhou Tao? Han Fei didn't know him very well. Mei Jie and Chen Jianguo were more traditional and probably wouldn't be as perceptive of Wild Grass's style. Sun Yue? Hmm, Sun Yue! She was introverted and wouldn't be pushy; Wild Grass needed an editor who could listen patiently and wouldn't be condescending. Moreover, she had already brought three signed authors, indicating she had the ability to discover and nurture writers.

Wild Grass took out a handkerchief, blew her nose with a loud, trumpet-like sound, and then downed the rest of her tea in one gulp. "President Han, how about we sign the contract first?"

"Okay." Han Fei nodded and took out a Level 1 contract from the drawer. "Teacher Wild Grass, let's use this Level 1 contract template. The benefits are the best: a guaranteed 80 RMB per thousand words, plus a 5% commission. I'll revise a few clauses for you."

Han Fei didn't need to wait for Ye Cao's reply to know the outcome. He had already seen the gratitude in Ye Cao's eyes and knew that he had won the author's trust.