A Literary Life Starting from the First Year of High School

December 2nd, Friday, 9:00 AM.

Shanghai Children's Publishing House, Editor-in-Chief's Office.

Zhou Mingyuan had just brewed a cup of tea and hadn't even brought it to his lips when there was a knock on the door. Wu Xuan, the director of the distribution department, pushed the door open and came in.

Wu Xuan placed the folder on the table and, without waiting for Zhou Mingyuan to open it, said directly, "President Zhou, the first printing of 12,000 copies has sold out completely."

Zhou Mingyuan paused, his hand holding the teacup still. "All of them?"

"All of them." Wu Xuan counted on his fingers. "Xinhua Bookstore's system ran out of stock yesterday afternoon, and the last batch from private channels was sold out this morning. Online bookstores put up an 'out of stock' sign last night. In just the last two days, we've received no fewer than fifty calls urging us to restock. There are seven or eight bookstores in Shanghai alone saying that their shelves are empty and customers have come several times without being able to buy anything."

Zhou Mingyuan put down his teacup, opened the folder, and saw the numbers clearly: total print run 12000, inventory 0, and more than 2300 orders pending shipment. He ran his finger across the paper, as if to confirm that these numbers were not an illusion.

What about the additional 20,000 copies?

"They're already on their way. The first batch was shipped from the printing plant yesterday afternoon and will arrive at the Shanghai warehouse this morning. The second batch will arrive tomorrow. We arranged logistics overnight to prioritize restocking the stores with the most severe shortages. But Mr. Zhou, even 20,000 copies probably won't last long."

Zhou Mingyuan tapped his fingers twice on the armrest. He had been the editor-in-chief for over twenty years and had handled thousands of books, including many bestsellers, but the speed at which a debut novel by a new author sold out its first print run within a week was truly rare.

"How many more do you think can be sold?"

Wu Xuan thought for a moment: "The end of the year is the peak season. Many parents buy books as gifts for their children. In addition, the book's reputation is spreading. People are posting reviews online, and there are more and more people discussing it on forums. I estimate that at least 40,000 copies will be sold before the end of the year."

"Then print another 30,000. Contact the printing plant this afternoon and ask them to expedite the scheduling."

"Okay." Wu Xuan made a note in the folder, but didn't leave immediately. He hesitated for a moment, "Mr. Zhou, there's something else."

"explain."

"Several bookstores have asked me if the author can hold a book signing. Readers have also asked a lot, saying they want to meet this sixteen-year-old writer. The manager of the Xinhua Bookstore on Nanjing Road called me personally yesterday to say that they are willing to cooperate and that the time and venue are negotiable."

Zhou Mingyuan had considered the book signing event before, but Lin Shubai is still a student and has to attend classes every day, which is inconvenient in terms of time. However, given the current popularity, holding one would definitely give it another boost.

"Mr. Zhou, now is the best time. The book is selling fast, readers are very interested, and the author is a hot topic—a high school student, a first-prize winner in the national essay competition, and his book will be published in People's Literature soon. With all these things combined, you won't have to worry about finding a lot of people for the book signing," Wu Xuan continued to persuade from the side.

Zhou Mingyuan was silent for a few seconds, then nodded: "Okay, please contact Xinhua Bookstore for me. We'll tentatively schedule it for next Saturday afternoon. I'll go talk to the author."

Wu Xuan turned and left. Zhou Mingyuan picked up his teacup, took a sip, picked up his phone, glanced at the time, found Lin Shubai's number, and dialed it.

I answered the phone after it rang twice; it was during break time.

"Teacher Zhou?"

"Kobayashi, I have some news for you. The first printing of 12,000 copies has sold out."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Lin Shubai's voice came through: "Sold out?"

"They're all sold out. Many bookstores have already run out of stock. The extra 20,000 copies will be shipped out in the next few days, which should be enough." Zhou Mingyuan paused, "I have something to tell you. Next Saturday afternoon, at the Xinhua Bookstore on Nanjing Road, I'm going to hold a book signing for you. What do you think?"

Lin Shubai hesitated for a moment: "I've never signed one."

"Don't be nervous. It's just about signing autographs for the readers and meeting everyone. I've seen your handwriting; it's neat and tidy, which is enough. The main thing is for the readers to see who you are. Sixteen years old, a high school freshman, and you've written a book like this. That's more important than the autographs. The signing is scheduled for next Saturday at 2 PM. Tell your parents, and I'll arrange for someone to coordinate the details with you beforehand."

"...Okay, thank you, Teacher Zhou."

"What are you thanking me for? I'll only do it for you if your book sells well. If it doesn't sell, I won't do it even if you treat me to dinner."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Mingyuan picked up the internal phone on the table and dialed Wu Xuan's number: "Old Wu, the book signing event has been arranged with the author. It's next Saturday at 2 pm at the Xinhua Bookstore on Nanjing Road. You design the posters, print them, and send them to the store. Also, communicate with the bookstore in advance about the venue setup so there won't be any chaos."

"Received. Mr. Zhou, there's one more thing—the online bookstore asked if we could do a pre-sale of signed copies? Like, the author signs a batch of books and puts them online for sale."

Zhou Mingyuan thought for a moment: "Let's finish this book signing first, and then have Xiaolin sign a lot of books and sell them online."

In the afternoon, the news reached the school.

Lin Shubai learned from Zhong Rong that "the news had spread."

In 2010, with the full rollout of 3G networks, smartphones began to vie for market share. Apple's June launch event attracted a lot of attention, truly achieving the goal of "If you can see the future, why not worship it?" And coincidentally, one of Lin Shu-bai's classmates, a wealthy woman, was among the first to buy one.

During the first break in the afternoon, Zhong Rong handed her phone to Lin Shubai. Lin Shubai took the phone and glanced at it. It was a book forum with a post titled "Charlotte's Web Book Signing Event: Meet the Sixteen-Year-Old Genius Author Next Saturday." There were already more than twenty replies.

He scrolled down and saw the first reply: "Really? The author is only sixteen?", the second: "I bought this book, my child loves it, I definitely want to go to the book signing," and the third: "Xinhua Bookstore on Nanjing Road? It's not far from my house, I'll go check it out." Someone also posted a picture of the poster released by the publisher; although the resolution was low, the three characters "Lin Shubai" were still legible.

Zhong Rong asked, "Lin Shubai, is this you?"

"It's me." Lin Shubai handed the phone back to her.

"Are you really going to hold a book signing? At the Xinhua Bookstore on Nanjing Road?"

"Yes, next Saturday at 2 PM."

Zhong Rong put her phone away, scrolled through the screen a few times, then looked up again: "Someone downstairs said they want to go as a group, so you'll have to save some spots for our classmates."

Lin Shubai smiled and said, "No need to stay, you'll be welcome when you arrive."

Zhong Rong's eyes lit up: "Then I'll go! I'll buy ten copies so you can sign them and give them to our relatives. My cousin especially loves your books. Last time I showed her 'Charlotte's Web,' she wouldn't let go of it."

"it is good."

Zhong Rong returned to her seat with satisfaction and continued scrolling through her phone. Several girls nearby gathered around and started chattering amongst themselves.

Su Wan leaned over from the side; she had been listening the whole time but hadn't interrupted.

"I heard that Zhong Rong's phone cost several thousand yuan."

"Yes, it's from Apple."

"You want to buy it too?"

Lin Shubai glanced at the Nokia in his drawer. The screen had a few scratches, but it was still fully functional. Compared to the one in Zhong Rong's hand, it really looked like something from the last century. Of course, he knew how smartphones would change the world in the next few years, but what excited him wasn't the one in front of him. He knew there would be a phone that was truly worth getting next year.

"We'll see. The current one still works, and I'd like to wait for next year's model."

"Wait until next year? What kind of phone?"

You'll find out then.

Su Wan glanced at him but didn't ask any further questions.

Liu Yang, who was in the front row, leaned over. He had been copying his English homework, but his ears were perked up the whole time, and he had heard everything.

"What are you talking about? The book signing?" Liu Yang put down his pen and turned around.

"right."

"I'll definitely go! My mom said she'll buy ten copies and have you sign them one by one. By the way, could you write a few more words on the title page? Just write 'To my best friend Liu Yang'."

Su Wan rolled her eyes. "Is your skin made of a city wall?"

"That's all I ask for."

"Don't you already have a signed copy? The sample copy."

"I keep that one for myself and don't let anyone see it. The ones my mom bought are gifts, so they're different. Gifts have to be signed, and they have to have my name on them to make them seem valuable. Just imagine, when my relatives get the book, they open it and see 'Gifted to Liu Yang,' and they'll know that the book was written by my brother, and that we're very close."

Lin Shubai looked at him: "I've never understood your logic."

"You don't need to understand, just do it."

During the last self-study period in the afternoon, Lin Shubai was writing "Four Generations Under One Roof". He had already written nearly 30,000 words. The progress was not fast, but it was steady.

Lin Shubai finished his math test and then took out the manuscript of "Four Generations Under One Roof" from his drawer. He had already written nearly 30,000 words. The progress was not fast, but it was steady. He wrote more than 2,000 words every day and wrote more on weekends. At this rate, he would have no problem finishing the first draft before the winter break.

He is now writing about Qi Ruixuan's inner struggle after the fall of Beiping. Lao She's writing style is simple, restrained, and unsentimental, but every word is like a nail driven into people's hearts.

His phone vibrated in the drawer. He took it out and saw a text message from Zhou Mingyuan: "The poster design is finished. I'll send you an MMS to take a look."

Lin Shubai opened the MMS. The image loaded for a few seconds. The poster was vertical, featuring the cover of "Charlotte's Web"—a gray spider hanging on its web, a pink pig looking up, and a large line of text in the middle: "Author Lin Shubai's Book Signing Event for 'Charlotte's Web'". Below that were the time, location, and a smaller line of text: "Meet the sixteen-year-old genius writer face-to-face".

He handed his phone to Su Wan, who glanced at it and smiled, "This poster is pretty good, not bad at all, a genius writer."

"It was written by the publisher; it has nothing to do with me."

"You really are." Su Wan handed the phone back to him.

As school was about to let out, Liu Yang turned around from the front row and asked, "Shubai, what time is the book signing?"

"Two o'clock in the afternoon."

"I'll be there at 1 a.m., I'll save you a spot."

"What position are you occupying? That's for me to sign, not for you."

"I'll save you a spot in line. If the line gets long, I'll stand at the front and help keep things in order."

Su Wan chimed in from the side, "If you stand in front, people will think you're here for a book signing."

"That's fine, I don't mind."

The school bell rang, and the three of them walked out of the classroom. The corridor was crowded with people. Liu Yang walked in front, clearing the way, shouting loudly, "Make way, make way," like a police car clearing the way.

Su Wan and Lin Shubai walked towards the bus stop.

"How much of your 'Four Generations Under One Roof' did you write today?" Su Wan asked casually.

"Over two thousand words, the progress is not bad."

"Don't you get tired of writing so much every day?"

"Writing isn't tiring for me, it's..." Lin Shubai thought for a moment, "It's more like a habit, and I actually quite enjoy it." Lin Shubai was indeed telling the truth. He had written so many online novels in his previous life that writing had truly become a habit.

When they arrived home, Wang Xiulan was busy in the kitchen, while Lin Jianguo sat on the sofa watching TV with the remote control in his hand.

Wang Xiulan poked her head out from the kitchen. "You're back? Did your editor call again about the book signing?" Lin Shubai had already told his parents at noon, but Wang Xiulan clearly wanted to know more details.

"I sent a text message saying the poster design is ready."

"show me."

Lin Shubai took out his phone, opened the MMS message, and handed it over.

Wang Xiulan wiped her hands, took the phone, looked at it for a few seconds, and nodded: "Well done. What are you wearing on Saturday? That light blue shirt from last time was nice, paired with that dark coat. By the way, did you clean those white canvas shoes?"

"It's been processed, don't worry."

"Also, have you practiced your signature? Don't make it look terrible later."

Lin Shubai took out a draft paper from his bag and showed her his practiced signature. Wang Xiulan glanced at it and said, "If you circle the character 'Bai,' how will anyone recognize it?"

"That's how authors sign their books."

"Then practice more, so that your writing doesn't turn out differently later."

Lin Jianguo stood up from the sofa and leaned over to take a look at the poster: "Is this 'genius writer' talking about my son?"

"I'm talking about your son." Wang Xiulan returned the phone.

Lin Jianguo nodded. "Then I have to go next Saturday."

"Of course you have to go. It's your son's book signing. How could you not go?" Wang Xiulan turned and went back to the kitchen. "I'll go cook. You two, don't block my way."

That evening, Lin Shubai sat at his desk and continued practicing his signature. He wrote it more than a dozen times and found a smooth way to write it—two seconds to write the character "Lin" in a continuous stroke, two seconds to write the simplified character "Shu", and one second to write the circle of the character "Bai". He could write a signature in five seconds, which was twice as fast as he had at the beginning.

He wrote it several more times, making sure that the shape was roughly the same each time, then put the draft paper aside, took out the manuscript paper for "Four Generations Under One Roof", and continued writing.

He put down his pen and tidied up the manuscript paper when he finished writing at eleven o'clock.

He turned off the desk lamp, lay down on the bed, and the scene of the autograph session flashed through his mind. Then he thought of the phone in Zhong Rong's hand. As a time traveler, he knew that although the 2010 iPhone 4 was amazing, what really excited him was the iPhone 4S, which would be released next year, or the product that would redefine the mobile phone. No rush, he could wait. He turned over and slowly fell asleep.