Chapter 192 My Favorite Story: Selling Newspapers

Half a year is neither short nor long. It's not enough for a wealthy family to prepare a dowry, but it's enough for a moderately famous author to be temporarily forgotten.

"Newspapers for sale, newspapers for sale, the Fiction Daily, A Little Fish is writing a new story about studying abroad."

The newsboy waved his newspaper and called out enthusiastically. A middle-aged man passing by heard the words "studying abroad" and stopped in his tracks, intrigued.

Do you have any newspapers about studying abroad?

The man asked with interest, "The policy on overseas students brought about by the Boxer Indemnity is always brought up every year because of the quota issue. It hasn't changed much in the Republic of China era. It's a classic topic. But the tabloids only talk about old things. The occasional novelty is obviously fake and unfounded. This is the first time I've heard a newspaper write about overseas study with such certainty."

"It's not about studying abroad; it's a novel written by the author, Little Fish, about studying abroad."

The newsboy was startled by these words and quickly shook his head in denial: "Playing on the edge is one thing, but to actually make such a boast about providing genuine information about studying abroad would mean I can forget about selling newspapers in this area once people find out. The masthead is indeed generous with the money, but it's not enough to buy out my steady stream of income."

The man lost interest as soon as he heard it was a novel. He was convinced that the story was just another fabricated tale by a penniless writer for a pittance. He turned to leave, but the newsboy, anxious that he was losing the deal, blurted out all the words from the masthead that she had memorized.

"The books written by Xiaoyu are very good. She has written many stories before, such as Ding Xian Biography, Miao Youjin in The Story of Getting Rich, Mei Hua'er in The Story of Swapping Babies, Zhang Xiu Returning to the Ming Dynasty, Doctor Yang Shunxin, and Shangguan Jieyou from Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio last year. They are all written by her!"

The newsboy finished speaking in a stammering manner, praising herself inwardly for her good memory—she could memorize such a long passage after reading it only three times. If she could study, she would definitely be successful in the future.

"Was Zhang Xiu's story also written by a little fish?"

The man stopped again, somewhat incredulous. He mostly read serious books, only occasionally reading novels in the newspapers for entertainment. He would follow the stories that interested him, but he wouldn't look at the author's name. "Back to the Ming Dynasty" was one of his favorite stories. And now the author who wrote the story he liked had started a new one?!

"Yes, Zhang Erya and Zhang Xiu, the one who eventually became empress. Of all the books, this is my favorite. Sir, why don't you buy a newspaper? I guarantee you won't regret reading this new book."

The newsboy chattered away, and Little Fish wrote stories in plain language, which even those who couldn't read more than two or three characters could understand. Even though more and more people were writing in plain language these past two years, Little Fish's daily novels were still the best-selling. It was only recently that Little Fish stopped writing, otherwise there would be no such newspapers.

Those who say newsboys fought over their newspapers have no idea what a scene it was when the Novel Daily was delivered half a year ago. Compared to that time, it's just children playing house now!

"Give me a copy of the Novel Daily."

The newsboy's persuasive words paid off; the man was genuinely moved by her words and name, and pulled out two copper coins to buy a newspaper. Seeing that this tactic was effective, the newsboy, when selling newspapers, shouted out the name of a small fish at the top of his lungs, reciting the works and protagonists in one breath without pausing, praising one or more books based on the customer's expression, highlighting the idea of ​​finding a niche:

"Sister, you have such good taste! My favorite book is Ding Xian's Biography. Buy a copy of Novel Daily and check out Xiaoyu's new book."

"Auntie, you're right. Mei Hua'er is a strong woman. My favorite book is 'Swap the Dolls.' I'll buy a newspaper and check out the author's new story. It's also by a woman, and it's about an international student."

"Dr. Yang is a doctor with a kind heart. I love this book the most. I've learned a lot from it. This author's new book is about international students, and there are many interesting things about it. Would you like a copy, sir?"

"I haven't read Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, but I especially like Shangguan Jieyou's 'Changing Fate.' Madam, you seem to be a cultured person. Take a look at Xiaoyu's new book, the story of three women going abroad to make their way in the world. It's very interesting."

...

Newsboys sing whatever song they're on, and most people actually fall for that—the author, Xiaoyu, writes tirelessly, producing a wide variety of works that appeal to men, women, young and old alike. After reading so many books, you can always find one or a few that you remember, and you don't mind spending a few coins when you hear that a new book has been released.

The newspapers in the newsboy's hands gradually decreased from a large stack to just a few copies, and then she sold them all. Carrying a heavy bag of money, the newsboy's eyes lit up, and she ran towards the front of the newspapers: it wasn't too late yet, and if she worked hard, she could sell another round of newspapers. As the saying goes in the book on getting rich, this kind of business that anyone can make money in is all about who is more diligent. She had to seize the opportunity!

When soliciting customers, if a customer liked one of Xiaoyu's works, the newsboy would say that it was also her favorite. But this was just to make a living. Her real favorite story was Miao Youjin's "Getting Rich". However, she only liked the first half of the book. She stopped liking it after the business grew. There was no particular reason. Mainly, she was poor and couldn't stand seeing a wealthy life.

...

Under the lavish spending policy of Novel Daily, the newsboys came up with all sorts of tricks to boost sales. In just a few days, a little fish that had disappeared for half a year became known to everyone again. And the cash cow that needed fame to grow quickly responded - the sales of Novel Daily, which was becoming increasingly weak, began to rise!

Newspaper sales figures are a symbol of strength. As the sales of the Novel Daily continued to rise, the editorial department's frustration of the past six months vanished. Everyone appeared at various editors' gatherings like peacocks displaying their plumage, and no matter what they talked about, they could always bring up the topic of "How did you know that a little fish has started writing a book again?"

Other editors: ...

So annoying!

How could such a good author like Xiaoyu end up in the hands of these people!

No one cared about the editors' frustration at being flaunted. After a difficult writing rebuilding process, Yao Xiaoyu finally got back into work mode, not only submitting her manuscripts on time every week but also saving some to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.

With a manuscript in hand, she felt less anxious and more confident. Coupled with good food and sleep, Yao Xiaoyu quickly recovered from her haggard state. While shopping, she encountered a lecherous man who was trying to take advantage of her. She delivered a powerful punch, breaking his nose. This was not a big deal, but when Pi Kangxiu found out, he felt like the sky had fallen!

"I won't let him get away with this!"

Pi Xiukang gritted his teeth and said, then looked at Yao Xiaoyu's swollen hand, tears welling up in his eyes. It was only because men and women shouldn't touch each other, otherwise he really could have hugged Yao Xiaoyu's arm and howled—that groper only had his limbs and nose broken, he would have given Yao Xiaoyu a whole week off!

That's a whole week, seven days, eighty-four hours, one hundred and sixty-eight hours!

"Isn't it a bit too much?"

Yao Xiaoyu wasn't scared by the groping, but she was quite helpless because of Pi Kangxiu. She had only rested for half a year, so why couldn't she understand the editor's thought process?

"Of course! We have to skip two issues of the newspaper a week!"

Pi Kangxiu retorted loudly. He was usually quite calm, but the importance of a small fish was too great for him to ignore.

When Yao Xiaoyu first resumed updating, she was still a little unaccustomed to it. She originally planned to tell Pi Kangxiu to reduce the word count of the manuscript or extend the submission period. However, at the same time, Pi Kangxiu also suggested that Yao Xiaoyu increase the update frequency. The two argued for a long time and finally compromised, agreeing to continue submitting 10,000 words per week and publishing the manuscript twice a week.

"Don't take this lightly. It's only because that bastard has already learned his lesson that I'm doing this. Otherwise, if I told everyone why you stopped updating, and there are still intact bones in that person's body three days later, I'd change my surname to yours!"

Pi Kangxiu was afraid of scaring Yao Xiaoyu, so he deliberately downplayed the consequences. Among the readers of "A Little Fish," there are quite a few powerful figures who can move mountains with a mere breath from above. Even without the higher-ups taking action, the actions of those who want to curry favor are enough to give that bastard a hard time.

The Huangpu River is very deep; human life is worthless these days.

"No, Yao Kangxiu doesn't sound very nice."

Yao Xiaoyu joked that she didn't take Pi Kangxiu's words seriously. Modern readers are quite restrained in their emotions when they are separated by the internet. Yao Xiaoyu had never met a truly fanatical fan. But considering that Pi Kangxiu was willing to say such exaggerated things for the sake of the manuscript in her hand, Yao Xiaoyu had no intention of making trouble for him.

"Xiaoxiao, go to the study and bring me the bag from my drawer."

Pi Kangxiu grasped the key words and suddenly looked up at Yao Xiaoyu. Yao Xiaoyu was lost in the sadness of having part of her long vacation cut off and did not receive the signal Pi Kangxiu was sending with his eyes. When Yao Xiaoyu was writing, she always took a short break after finishing a story. There was no such rule in this era, so Yao Xiaoyu was used to suffering first and then enjoying the temporary relief after finishing.

The word count difference between finishing the manuscript and submitting it is Yao Xiaoyu's vacation time. Writing in traditional Chinese characters is time-consuming and laborious, and Yao Xiaoyu's stockpile of manuscripts is limited... She has really sacrificed too much for the editor!

The study wasn't far away, and Tao Xiaoxiao quickly returned with a brown paper bag. Yao Xiaoyu pulled out a stack of manuscripts from it with a heavy heart. Her hands trembled as she handed it over, but then she tried to take it back. Seeing that things were not going well, Pi Kangxiu suddenly leaned forward and pulled the manuscripts away, quickly transferring them to her.

Give it to me!

Pi Kangxiu quickly flipped through the manuscript, and after confirming that it was a follow-up story, he didn't dare to stay any longer. He made up an excuse and ran away with the manuscript, afraid that Yao Xiaoyu would regret it and make him face the storm of being unable to update the story—the Wutong Courtyard was full of Yao Xiaoyu's people, and even if he risked everything, he couldn't fight ten against one!