Chapter 173 Don’t be jealous
Xu Hongwen and Xue Yuanming had no idea that "Whose Childhood Is Not Troubled" would sell so well. Even though the book was quite popular when it was serialized in newspapers, it was, after all, a niche publication suitable only for elementary school students.
The sales volume of over 200,000 really gave them a big surprise. After deducting the costs and royalties paid to Gu Siqing, their publishing house earned nearly 200,000.
Two hundred thousand! They had never seen so much money before, but now it was right in front of them.
The frustration I felt when my book was pulled from the shelves at Kyoto Bookstore has completely faded. Xia Yuan, you're so powerful in Kyoto, how can you extend your influence to the entire country?
Thinking about how Xia Yuan's daughter only received a little over 3,000 yuan in royalties for her book, they both felt even more relieved. They then discussed and decided to spread the news that the author of "Whose Childhood Wasn't Troubled" had received over 60,000 yuan in royalties.
This would not only piss off Xia Yuan, but more importantly, it would promote their publishing house. Although their focus was on publishing foreign classics, they could also publish quality domestic books.
Who can resist money?
Although they were both newcomers to Kyoto's cultural scene, they had some connections. They invited a few friends for a drink, and word quickly spread. And then the incident became a sensation.
Although many writers are aloof, and some even think that talking about money is an insult to culture, deep down, who doesn't like money? If you say you don't like it, then don't be jealous when others earn over 60,000 yuan in royalties while you only get over 3,000 yuan.
This weekend, Xia Yuan returned to her parents' home with her two daughters. She came almost every weekend, and although Xia's daughter-in-law Feng Hailan was annoyed by her sister-in-law's frequent visits to her parents' home and her behavior of sitting there like a big boss waiting to be served, she didn't say anything.
Who made the old lady pamper this girl?
Xia Yuan and her two daughters were sitting in the living room of the Xia family, chatting with Old Lady Xia. Feng Hailan came over with a plate of cut fruit. She placed the plate on the coffee table and said:
"I heard there's an author named Bao who published a book and earned over 60,000 yuan in royalties. Xia Yuan, why didn't you ask for royalties from Hanhan's book?"
Xia Yuan reached for her apple, but paused when she heard her words. This was the first time she had heard of this. But before she could react, Shao Yunhan asked sharply, "How much? How much did you say?"
"Hanhan, watch your attitude when you speak." Old Mrs. Xia said with a cold face.
Feng Hailan smiled and waved her hands to show she didn't care. On the surface, she couldn't stand being on the same level as a child. But in her heart, she complained: This is the little prodigy that people say is there, but in fact, he is not as good as an ordinary child.
"More than 60,000," Feng Hailan said with a smile. "My sister-in-law told me that. She even lamented that Hanhan didn't ask for royalties for her book. She might even get more than that author named Bao."
"Is it really more than 60,000?" Xia Yuan's eldest daughter Shao Yunlu asked with a gossipy look on her face, looking a bit like an auntie in the vegetable market.
Seeing her expression, Ma Hailan raised the corners of her lips slightly, with a hint of sarcasm. These are the two daughters raised by Xia Yuan. How great!
Xia Yuan gently pulled Xia Yunlu, and Xia Yunlu realized that she had "lost her composure" again and quickly sat up straight.
"Hanhan's book was published by a state-owned publishing house," Xia Yuan forced a smile on her face and continued, "The author you mentioned should be called Nian Dou Bao, and her book was published by a private publishing house."
"Don't worry about which publisher it is. As long as you can get so much royalties and the manuals sell well." Old Mrs. Xia took a sip of tea and asked, "What's the name of the book?"
Feng Hailan sat down next to Old Lady Xia and said, "I heard it's called 'Whose Childhood Wasn't Troubled'. The author is about the same age as Hanhan, and he's also a child prodigy. I'm just surprised I haven't seen this book in Kyoto."
"Really? Is the child from Kyoto?" asked Old Lady Xia.
Feng Hailan smiled and replied, "I don't know. People are talking about her pen name. Her real name and family situation are unknown. I guess she doesn't want to become famous too early."
After hearing her words, Old Lady Xia sighed inwardly, then looked at Xia Yuan and said, "Although Hanhan is talented in literature, you still need to teach her more in the future and not let her be burdened by fame."
Xia Yuan forced a smile on her face. "I know. Actually, I didn't want Hanhan to become famous too early."
Old Lady Xia nodded and told Shao Yunlu and Shao Yunhan to go play nearby. She said to Xia Yuan, "I understand your thoughts, but when you chose Shao Yuhe, you should have thought that your child's status could not be compared with the children in the compound."
Xia Yuan clenched her fists and said, "As long as the child is good, he will marry well."
"You're confused!" Old Lady Xia scolded Xia Yuan, "What's a good marriage? What's a bad marriage? Does marrying into a wealthy family mean you've married well?"
"Isn't it?" Xia Yuan said, "I am an example. I married low, so I am not living well now."
"Why are you not living a good life? You are good at your job, Shao Heyu has a good temper, looks and work, and the two children will be good kids after you teach them. What else are you not satisfied with?" Old Mrs. Xia was really disappointed with her daughter.
"You're my biological mother, why can't you understand my pain?" Xia Yuan pointed angrily outside and said, "Su Nianzhen and I grew up together. She's so arrogant to me now, isn't it because she married a good man?"
"You choose your own man," said Mrs. Xia.
"I regret it now. I can't let my daughters follow my path. They must marry well."
After hearing her words, Old Lady Xia leaned back on the sofa exhausted. After a moment's rest, she said, "Don't even think about Ye Chi and the third son of the Zhang family. I've inquired about it, and both of them have found partners."
"Who?" Xia Yuan asked in surprise.
She knew her eldest daughter wasn't a good match for Ye Chi, but the second-generation heir of the Zhang family was certainly an option. Although her daughter said she was afraid of Zhang Zijun, she'd inquired and learned that Zhang Zijun was just a bit muddle-headed, nothing serious wrong with him. So lately, she'd been going back to her parents' house, hoping to get the old lady to go to the Zhang family to get some information.
But how did the second generation of the Zhang family suddenly have a partner? And how did Ye Chi also have a partner? She had no idea.
"I don't know either. The Ye family and the Zhang family's attitude towards the outside world is that they are very satisfied with Ye Chi and Zhang Zijun's relationships." Old Mrs. Xia was also quite puzzled. How come they suddenly both have partners?
Xia Yuan had been dealt a heavy blow today, and she was completely bewildered when she left the Xia family. Why hadn't she been able to do anything right lately? Why was everyone against her?
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