Xiao Liran considered for a moment and then told him truthfully, "Your little white rabbit's manuscript has failed again and needs to be revised."
“I know,” Lin Zhaojiang said in a low voice. “So what exactly are your standards for publishing books? Also, I saw a… very strange description, and I don’t know what it is.”
Xiao Liran didn't know what he meant by "strange descriptions." As the boss, she couldn't possibly read every book. Sometimes she would only check a small portion, and if there were no problems, she would move on to the next step.
"What description?" she asked, puzzled. "Nobody told me about it! Have you read her manuscript? Do you also find it strange?"
"I……"
Lin Zhaojiang hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
After all, that past was Song Wan's wound, a scar that was difficult for him to heal.
Although Xiao Liran knew about Song Wan's difficult past, she didn't know the specific details, and Lin Zhaojiang didn't want to explain it to her too clearly.
"Never mind, it's nothing," he said softly. "Maybe I just lack artistic talent and can't appreciate literary works. But I know Wanwan revised it many times; today is the second time I've seen her staying up all night revising the manuscript!"
"I see..." Xiao Liran said thoughtfully, "Sigh, but even after so many revisions, her manuscript still didn't pass the test."
"Why?"
"I have no right to comment on such professional issues," Xiao Liran admitted. "Lin Na is Song Wan's editor after all, so her opinion is very important. But personally, I don't think there's anything seriously wrong with Song Wan's book. As I've said before, it's impossible for her book to make the bestseller list, but it's still very likely to gather a small group of die-hard fans!"
"So...does she want to continue making changes?"
Xiao Liran sighed, "That's why I called you—how much do you really know about your sister? She's worked for several publishing companies before and achieved some success. Was this her work style before? So... a perfectionist, insisting that every single punctuation mark be changed to her satisfaction?"
"Zhaojiang, if that's the case, then my progress might be too late. I've already contacted multiple channels and agreed on a publication date; I'm just waiting for the book to be released!"
Lin Zhaojiang fell into deep thought.
Xiao Liran's question stumped him. Although Lin Na was his sister, he had never paid attention to this person in the family.
Or rather, Lin Na was completely unremarkable in the Lin family.
She had an innocent-looking appearance and was usually honest and unassuming. At the family banquet, while the other younger members tried to curry favor with their elders, she kept her distance.
What secret thoughts could someone like that possibly have?
Yet it was precisely this kind of person who gave Lin Zhaojiang an indescribable sense of unease.
He couldn't help but think back to that time when Lin Na brought up the matter of Song Huai meeting her...
So, is she really "honest"?
Lin Zhaojiang narrowed his eyes, hung up Xiao Liran's call, and then called his assistant.
"Mr. Lin, what are your instructions?"
"I asked you to keep an eye on Song Huai last time, any progress?"
The assistant thought for a moment, "Not at the moment. He's been quite well-behaved lately, except for going gambling and drinking as usual, he hasn't done anything out of line."
"Has he met Lina?"
"Just that one time."
Lin Zhaojiang nodded and ordered in a deep voice, "Add two more people and continue to keep an eye on things."
"Mr. Lin," the assistant asked, puzzled, "is there something wrong with Song Huai that we haven't noticed?"
"It might not be him who has the problem, but Lin Na." However, before there is conclusive evidence, Lin Zhaojiang cannot jump to conclusions. "Just do as I say, and tell me as soon as you have any news!"
*
The next day, Song Wan arrived at the publishing company and handed the revised manuscript to Lin Na, feeling slightly uneasy.
Linna glanced at it and praised, "Much better than last time, keep up the good work!"
"Really?" Song Wan looked at her with wide eyes.
During this period, she was exhausted from revising the manuscript and almost suffered a nervous breakdown. Moreover, the fact that each manuscript failed to pass the review greatly discouraged her.
This time, Linna actually said she was better than last time, and she could hardly believe her ears.
"Really...really?" Song Wan was still a little uneasy. "Do you think it'll work?"
"There are still some minor details that need polishing." Lin Na smiled and showed her a few books on the computer.
Song Wan recognized these names; they were all frequent visitors to the bestseller lists.
“They are all writers I made famous when I was an editor.” Linna looked at her. “They were all unknown before, but later became very famous… So, you have to trust my judgment. Heh, to brag a little, my market sense is very keen. Just tell me how to revise it, and you’ll be fine!”
"Um!"
“However…” Linna frowned again, then smiled helplessly, “None of the writers I’ve mentored before have revised their work so many times as you have.”
Song Wan's expression changed slightly.
This was in the office, with other colleagues around, and the environment was very quiet. Linna spoke very clearly.
As Song Wan stood there, she felt like everyone's gaze was piercing her like thorns.
She was somewhat embarrassed, nervously clutching the hem of her clothes with both hands.
"It's alright, it's alright!" Lin Na comforted her again, "Maybe good things come to those who wait. After so much polishing, your book will definitely achieve great results!"
Song Wan gave an awkward twitch of her lips, made an excuse that she wanted to go back and catch up on some sleep, and turned to go downstairs.
Instead of going home, she went to the coffee shop downstairs and ordered an iced Americano.
The bitter taste seeped into her tongue, and her mood seemed to worsen.
Just as Song Wan was about to ask the waiter for some sugar cubes, she heard some familiar voices from the next table. She looked closely and realized they were several other writers' agents from the company, chatting and laughing about something.
"Does our company have any big events planned recently?"
"It seems not... My amazing friend is preparing a new book. What about you?"
"I need to take a break for a while and gather some inspiration. So I'm pretty free these days!"
"Linna is never idle; she's busy from morning till night."
"Yeah! Who told her to end up with such an author? I heard it was President Xiao who forced him on her?"
Song Wan's heart skipped a beat, and she held her breath to listen carefully.
"That can't be right... Song Wan's big backer is Lin Zhaojiang, who is also Lin Na's brother. If she doesn't become Song Wan's editor, who will?"
"It's so great to have a sugar daddy!" someone laughed. "I heard that Lin Na used to work at another publishing company and mentored several top-tier authors, all of whom are bestselling authors! But here, just one Song Wan is enough to give her a hard time. She's revised the manuscript so many times and it still hasn't been approved!"
"Don't say that," another person said in a low voice. "They're still family after all. Lin Na will still have to call Song Wan 'sister-in-law' in the end!"
The group laughed and joked, but Song Wan's heart felt like it had been bruised and battered by a stone.
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