Chapter 120 Showing Goodwill
There were many things to do early the next morning, so Wang Yueju forgot to ask Gu Siqing for money, so that Gu Siqing, who had been mentally prepared, was still a little disappointed.
At noon after school, she asked Han Zhengping to take her to the post office again to mail the 40,000-word manuscript. The two manuscripts combined totaled nearly 80,000 words. Each issue contained about 5,000 words, and since the China Youth Daily was published weekly, the 80,000 words would be published in about four months.
Summer vacation would begin in four months, and she might be able to go to Kyoto and persuade Comrade Gu Jianguo to buy a house there. If the novel performed well in its serialization, it might even be published, and she could then buy herself another copy.
She was calculating everything in her mind, and after dinner, she was finally called into the room by Comrade Wang Yueju.
"Xiao Si," Wang Yueju said, "you are a little kid..."
"Give."
Before Wang Yueju finished speaking, Gu Siqing took out the money. Wang Yueju was stunned for a moment, then took the money and said, "Don't worry, Mom will remember it for you."
As she spoke, she took out a small notebook and opened it. On the top of the first page were written the words "Gu Sanjing," and below it was written the date and month when she deposited ten yuan. She turned the page and wrote the words "Gu Xiaosi."
Gu Siqing: Can you write your full name?
Watching Wang Yueju counting the money, she said, "I spent 11 on gifts for Zhengping and Erpang."
Wang Yueju hummed and said nothing. Actually, eleven dollars for a gift, let alone between children, is a lot even for adults. Gu Siqing earned the money herself, and she spent it reasonably, so she wouldn't say anything.
In fact, it was because the family was rich that she didn't take the money seriously. If it were in the past, Wang Yueju would definitely have said something.
After paying the money, Gu Siqing continued to slack off during school and write novels after school. Two weeks passed in the blink of an eye, and she received another letter from Yu Jianbai.
The letter said that her novels had received very good feedback from readers, and the editorial department had received many letters from readers, all addressed to her, asking her how to deal with them. She also suggested that it would be best to call him, as they could communicate more easily by phone.
Gu Siqing looked at the phone number above, thought about it and decided to call him.
In this era, readers communicated with authors through letters, unlike later online novels, where readers could comment on sections, chapters, or even entire books, offering whatever they wanted. Of course, authors are especially happy to receive enthusiastic reviews.
If she wants to know what readers are thinking, she must do so through these letters. These letters must be handled in a good way.
There was a public telephone booth not far from the school. I called the number on the letter. The phone rang three times and someone answered, "Hello."
The voice was old yet elegant, and Gu Siqing's impression of Editor Yu suddenly improved. She said, "Hello, I'm Gu Siqing."
Yu Jianbai, on the other end of the phone, wondered if the author of "Whose Childhood Wasn't Troubled" might be quite young, given the straightforward, even childish language. However, that childishness was handled well, serving as the finishing touch to the story.
But what he didn't expect was that the author was so young and the voice was so childish.
"Hello, can I ask how old you are?" Yu Jianbai asked.
"Nine years old, fifth grade," Gu Siqing said directly. Even if she wanted to hide it, she couldn't; he would find out sooner or later.
Yu Jianbai was silent for a while and then laughed, "I never thought that Sticky Bean Curd was a nine-year-old fifth-grade student."
"I just wrote down what's happening around me." Gu Siqing said.
This is also the reason why she chose to write about this topic. She is young, and writing about such a topic will not make her be considered a monster.
"I can see that," Yu Jianbai said, "Student Gu Siqing, you are truly outstanding. There are very few people at your age who can write articles like this. I hope you can cherish this talent of yours."
Yu Jianbai originally wanted to talk directly to Gu Siqing about readers' letters and future cooperation, but after learning that she was only nine years old, he couldn't help but want to give her some advice.
Such a child with literary talent must be well nurtured. Perhaps a great literary figure will emerge from China in the future.
"I know, thank you. Can you mail the readers' letters to me?" Gu Siqing asked.
"That's fine," Yu Jianbai thought for a moment and said, "You're still in school and writing novels after class, so you probably don't have time to read readers' letters. Read those letters when you have time, and put them aside if you don't. Writing a good novel is the greatest reward you can give to your readers."
Gu Siqing knew that he was doing this for her own good, so she said, "Thank you for your advice. I understand."
Seeing how sensible and polite she was, Yu Jianbai had a better impression of her and asked, "How many words do you plan to write in this novel?"
"A little over 100,000."
Seeing that she had a plan, Yu Jianbai thought this number was acceptable and said, "Okay, if the response continues to be good, you can consider publishing it. I will recommend a publishing house to you then."
Gu Siqing quickly thanked him, "Thank you."
Yu Jianbai smiled and said, "As I should. I will also apply for an increase in your royalties. Gu Siqing, keep up with your writing and your studies."
Gu Siqing thought the editor-in-chief was really cute and said with a smile, "Thank you. I will try my best."
"Goodbye then." Yu Jianbai said.
Gu Siqing: "Goodbye."
After hanging up the phone, Gu Siqing went to school, but Yu Jianbai sat there for a moment, stunned. He was considering whether to spread the news that "Nian Dou Bao" was only nine years old. Undoubtedly, if he did, "Whose Childhood Wasn't Troubled" would attract more attention, and their newspaper sales would also increase.
But, it hurts Zhongyong!
We have to take this as a warning.
After much thought, he decided not to publicize it, and it would be best if he asked Gu Siqing not to publicize it either. Thinking of this, he immediately wrote to Gu Siqing again.
What he didn't know was that the content of his phone call with Gu Siqing was overheard by someone, Yu Yang, who was almost sent to the logistics department. After listening to the call, Yu Yang went to Xia Yuan's office.
Xia Yuan was also the editor-in-chief of the China Youth Daily. She had a powerful background; her brother was said to be a leader in a certain department, and her father was even more influential. She simply arrived late at the newspaper; if she had arrived earlier, the editor-in-chief position might have been hers.
Last time, Xia Yuan spoke up for him and saved him from being punished to work in logistics. He decided to cling to Xia Yuan. So after listening to the content of the call, he went to Xia Yuan's office and told her what Yu Jianbai had said to Gu Siqing.
Whether it is useful or not, it is his way of showing goodwill.
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