Novice authors often prioritize storytelling. Even if their writing skills are weak, they can still create compelling plots. As they get older, their writing skills improve, but their storytelling often falls short of that of a Virgo.
Chu Xiang's writing skills are not particularly refined, but they possess the fresh talent of a newcomer.
The businesswoman's parents were murdered by villains. To avenge them, she went to Italy to study with the help of her parents' old friends. Later, she returned to the port city and started her own clothing company.
The businesswoman's reunion with her childhood sweetheart, Pete Lee, leaves her confused and struggling. With the help of her mentor, Ferdinand, she eventually finds her way forward, helps her company overcome difficulties, fulfills her wish to avenge her parents, and ultimately brings Pete Lee and his parents to court.
The story is quite convoluted, interspersed with elements of smuggling into the port city, fleeing to Italy, and a love triangle with Peter Leferdinand. It's both melodramatic and inspiring, making it highly watchable.
Stories popular in the 1980s were often melodramatic and entangled. Chu Xiang's story incorporates all the popular elements. The main plot of a woman starting a clothing company is enough to be written as a career growth story.
Except for the last chapter, Chu Yu liked it quite a bit.
"Chu Xiang, I don't quite understand why a businesswoman who has gone through so much and worked so hard to become the CEO of a company would want to return to the family for the sake of her children and become the woman behind Ferdinand after marrying him?"
Chu Yu's words startled Chu Xiang, who pondered in bewilderment.
Isn't this exactly how people judge women? A woman who can be presentable in public and capable in the kitchen, who can earn money and be a boss outside the home, and who can take care of her husband and children at home—a happy family is a woman's ultimate destination.
"Sister, you earn so much money and have such a good man like Brother Dai. In the future, won't you get married, have children, and settle down with your family?"
Chu Yu shook her head without hesitation, “Who says a woman’s destiny is to return to the family? Even marriage is not a necessary path for a woman. We can get married and have children, but we cannot lose ourselves for our children. Go grab a man on the street and ask him if he is willing to sacrifice his career for his family. Men will never agree, yet they take it for granted that women should make sacrifices.”
This was the first time anyone had said such a thing to Chu Xiang, and the young Chu Xiang fell into deep thought.
She is young, and her thinking still has a long way to go.
"Chu Xiang, young girls are at an age where they love to dream. After reading your book, they might think that it's only natural for women to give up their careers for men and children. Literature can influence a generation, so can't a strong businesswoman have a different ending?"
Chu Xiang seemed to understand. She felt ashamed of her own thoughts. Her sister was right. The businesswoman had gone through many hardships and was reborn from the ashes, but in the end, she became Ferdinand's woman behind the scenes, and all her connections were used by Ferdinand. Was that fair?
Ferdinand truly loved the female lead, so why didn't he make sacrifices for her and remain the man behind her?
"Sister, I understand. How about I change careers like this? The female lead's company is thriving and has surpassed Ferdinand's company. Ferdinand stayed home as a stay-at-home dad for two years to take care of the children. After the female lead's company stabilizes, she can bring the children to work at the company so that Ferdinand can focus on developing his career. The family can understand and support each other."
Chu Yu smiled. Sacrifice is not love; fulfillment is. A man's love for a woman is not for her after she has been broken and humiliated.
Chu Xiang spent more than an hour rewriting the ending. She felt that the book was elevated after changing the ending. Thinking that her writing could influence girls' choice of partners, she became even more serious.
They checked the document again to make sure it contained no feudal dross before stopping.
Chu Yu originally wanted to help her, but Chu Xiang refused, saying, "Sister, let me try submitting my work myself first. If it doesn't get accepted, then you can help me make connections."
Chu Yu agreed, and Chu Xiang organized the manuscript, intending to put it in an envelope and send it over. However, the envelope was not big enough, and the manuscript was heavy. Considering that the publishing house was not far away, Chu Xiang simply went there herself.
Deyang Publishing House is located near Baode Button Factory. Chu Xiang waited for a while in front of the publishing house with her bicycle. She saw Luo Yue riding her bicycle from afar and waved to her.
"Luo Yue".
Luo Yue, wearing a red knitted hat, smiled at her and said, "Chu Xiang, my dad came over early this morning. Let's go in."
Luo Yue is Chu Xiang's deskmate. Luo Yue likes Shu Family Roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) and goes to the roujiamo shop every day. After eating, she goes to Chu Xiang's room to read. The two have a good relationship.
Due to her busy schedule at German Middle School, Chu Xiang's novel writing was intermittent. It was only after Luo Yue accidentally saw it and became interested in following the story, urging her to update every day, that Chu Xiang was able to persevere.
Luo Changgeng's office was on the second floor. Luo Yue ran up and knocked on the door.
"dad."
Luo Yue's father, Luo Changgeng, is the president of Deyang Publishing House.
Publishing houses are often considered low-profit organizations; Deyang Publishing House primarily publishes university textbooks and government documents, so it's naturally not profitable. While there are supposedly government grants, these are decided on a whim; books are sent out, but the money is delayed indefinitely.
Luo Changgeng used to jokingly refer to his government office as a "clean" or "ineffective" department, but now it's not even that anymore, as it suffers losses every year.
At the beginning of this year, Luo Changgeng was criticized by name at the conference. He was anxious and angry, and decided to reform the system after returning.
In recent years, major publishing houses have started publishing popular novels, and Deyang Publishing House also has an ISBN. However, Deyang lacks writing talent, and the city's Writers Association has very few members.
Luo Changgeng was struggling to find quality manuscripts and was at his wits' end.
Last weekend, I grumbled a bit during dinner. My daughter, Luo Yue, overheard me and said that her classmate's novel was so good that she couldn't eat or sleep, and she insisted that he help her classmate revise the manuscript.
Luo Changgeng would never take a high school student seriously. But Luo Yue was a persistent pest, nagging him for days. Even when Luo Changgeng was asleep, Luo Yue would blow into his ear. Forced into a corner, Luo Changgeng had no choice but to agree to help her deskmate proofread the manuscript.
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