Chapter 401 Collector's Edition
Feng Xuemei was truly relieved.
She came out of the bathroom humming "Ode to the Red Plum Blossom" with a happy smile, her hair still damp. She saw Zhang Jianguo sitting in the wicker chair by the window, sighing and smoking.
Seeing her come out, he hurriedly stubbed out his cigarette and threw it out the window, smiling ingratiatingly, "Just one..."
For the first time ever, Feng Xuemei didn't scold him. She walked to the dressing table and picked up the moisturizing lotion and pearl cream that Nan Zhiyi had prepared for her.
Following the steps taught by Nan Zhiyi, first apply toner, then a few drops of facial oil, and finally a thin layer of moisturizer.
My skin immediately felt moisturized and had a faint orchid fragrance.
"Honey, our daughter is still so young..." Zhang Jianguo said hesitantly.
Feng Xuemei continued rubbing her neck in front of the mirror, her voice laced with laughter: "You just can't see things clearly. Look at Zhou Xingzhi, he's got looks and money. At mealtimes, he's always busy putting food on our daughter's plate, even picking out the fish bones perfectly."
She turned to her husband, "He's even considered our retirement and living together in Beijing. How is that any different from hiring a son-in-law to live with us?"
"It's just too good..." Zhang Jianguo sighed heavily, "I'm afraid our daughter won't be able to handle it."
"Nonsense!" Feng Xuemei raised her eyebrows. "Our daughter is a top student from Peking University, and she's beautiful too. Isn't she a perfect match for Zhou Xingzhi?"
Even so, a pang of guilt crossed her mind, but she quickly regained her composure, "He's thirty, and our daughter is twenty-five, the perfect age, more than good enough for him!"
Zhang Jianguo could easily detect the bluff in his wife's tone. He sighed, "When Yueyue was little, she was like a little kitten in my arms. How can she be getting married so soon..."
Feng Xuemei slowed down her movements. The woman in the mirror had graying temples and fine lines around her eyes.
She sighed softly, "Old Zhang, I remember when Zhiyi got married, she was even younger than Yueyue. Now Xiaoman is about to start elementary school."
"Our generation watches the younger generation grow up, and the younger generation will watch their children grow up... Isn't that how life just moves forward, generation after generation?"
Zhang Jianguo stroked his wife's slightly rough hands.
"Yes... it's time to let go."
"Go wash up," Feng Xuemei nudged his shoulder. "Zhou Xingzhi said he'd take us shopping tomorrow to see what hotels to book and what kind of dresses to get..."
Nan Zhiyi originally planned to accompany them to choose a hotel for their engagement, but Editor-in-Chief Lin called early on.
"Zhiyi, the new book has gone to printing. Could you come to the publishing house? We need to discuss the promotion."
Nan Zhiyi twirled the phone cord between her fingers: "Should we arrange an interview or a book signing?"
"They have plans for everything. Several magazines want to do an interview with you, a radio station has invited you to record a book program, and there are also royalty statements..."
"Aunt Feng, Uncle Zhang, there are some things at the publishing house..." Nan Zhiyi explained the situation with a slight apology.
"Business is more important!" Feng Xuemei immediately waved her hand. "We're just taking a stroll. We'll talk to you when we get back this afternoon."
Zhang Yueran also said, "Sister, you just go ahead and do your work. We'll take Xiaoman with us so he can help us with our advice."
Nan Zhiyi first consulted Gu Zhao's opinion: "Son, would you like to go to the publishing house with Mom, or go shopping with Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt?"
Gu Zhao thought for a moment, "I'll go with Mom. I haven't thanked Uncle Lin for the '100,000 Whys' book he gave me last time."
After saying that, he went back to his room and took out a packaged box containing a model of Zheng He's treasure ship that he had assembled, with even the folds of the sails made to look incredibly realistic.
"I can't just accept Uncle Lin's gift without giving him something in return."
Nan Zhiyi patted her son's little face with satisfaction and took him to the publishing house.
After Editor-in-Chief Lin was promoted, his new office was spacious and bright, with a painting of galloping horses by Xu Beihong hanging on the wall and bookshelves piled high with books and manuscripts.
The mahogany desk and chairs are much more impressive than before, and there's even a potted asparagus fern on the windowsill.
"Hello Uncle Lin, this is a treasure ship that I assembled myself, and I'm giving it to you as a gift." Gu Zhao placed the model on the desk.
Editor-in-Chief Lin laughed heartily, "What an exquisite treasure ship! Comrade Gu Zhao's thoughtfulness is far more precious than the books I sent."
He then asked, "Comrade Gu Zhao, do you know how many voyages Zheng He made to the Western Ocean?"
Gu Zhao said earnestly, "Zheng He made seven voyages to the Western Ocean, reaching as far as the east coast of Africa."
Editor-in-Chief Lin looked at Gu Zhao with approval and took down several brand-new popular science books from the bookshelf.
"Perfect timing. You can look through these books from 'Ocean Mysteries' first. I need to talk to your mother about some work."
After Gu Zhao sat down quietly on the sofa to read, Editor-in-Chief Lin poured Nan Zhiyi a cup of Lushan Yunwu tea.
Amidst the fragrant aroma of tea, he took out a sample book and a dark green settlement slip.
"The first print run is 200,000 copies, and the royalty rate is 15%." He pointed to the neat penmanship on the document, "This is the bank settlement statement; just bring the stamp to collect it later."
Nan Zhiyi stroked the sample book cover; the indigo background was sprinkled with silver foil stars, and the gold-stamped title shone slightly.
As you turn the pages, the fresh scent of ink wafts out.
She was still a little worried. "Editor-in-Chief Lin, isn't it too risky to print such a large initial edition after changing the subject matter?"
"An initial print run of 200,000 copies is indeed bold, but after the radio announcement, reader letters poured in like snowflakes. Besides... there are now hundreds of new book clubs opening across the country... your transformative work has come at just the right time."
Nan Zhiyi nodded, "Okay, I will definitely cooperate with the publicity."
Editor-in-Chief Lin took out a schedule clipped together with paperclips from the drawer. The schedule was filled with dense penmanship: "Story magazine wants to do a special interview, Reading magazine wants an article on creative writing, and the radio station's 'Reading and Appreciation' program invites you to record three episodes."
He looked up and adjusted his glasses. "These are all publishers with over a million copies sold. Scheduling them during the summer vacation is perfect; it won't interfere with your plans after school starts."
Nan Zhiyi took the schedule and looked at it carefully. "Thank you for your hard work, Editor-in-Chief Lin."
Editor-in-Chief Lin's eyes gleamed with smugness. "I delegate the other authors' cases to my editors, but I have to personally oversee yours. There's just one more thing..."
"I'd appreciate it if you could sign 500 numbered collector's edition copies. One hundred of them will be given away to a radio station for a raffle, and the rest will be placed in a special section at Xinhua Bookstore."
Nan Zhiyi readily agreed, saying that when she needed an autograph, she would come over with just a phone call and it would only take a day or two to complete.
She then asked, "Could you arrange ten collector's edition copies for me? I'll also give them to my relatives and friends."
Editor-in-Chief Lin laughed, "Comrade Zhiyi, you haven't changed at all over the years. There's no need to be so polite. Just ask, a hundred copies will do!"
Nan Zhiyi smiled and then changed the subject to the interview arrangements.
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