When Wang Yin called again to urge Xia Liang to update her novel, Xia Liang seized the opportunity to bring up the issue of royalties. She knew that her novel had brought a turnaround to the magazine, which was previously in dire straits, and revitalized it. Therefore, she believed she deserved a more reasonable share of the royalties to reflect the value of her work and her contribution to the magazine.
Wang Yin shared the same thought. He clearly understood that the current publishing market was fiercely competitive, with magazines springing up like mushrooms after rain, each launching a variety of eye-catching works and authors. If he couldn't offer Xia Liang reasonable compensation and retain this highly promising and popular author, his magazine was likely to be eliminated in the fierce competition. At the same time, he also understood that only by providing authors with greater financial rewards could he stimulate their creative enthusiasm, bringing higher-quality works and more sustainable development momentum to the magazine.
Without hesitation, Wang Yin immediately expressed his willingness to renegotiate the royalty sharing with Xia Liang. He proposed a more attractive profit-sharing ratio, taking into account Xia Liang's current market value while also leaving room for her future development. He also promised to provide Xia Liang with more resources and support, such as increased publicity and promotion efforts, and organizing reader meet-and-greets, to help her further expand her influence and popularity.
Xia Liang was satisfied with Wang Yin's proposal; she knew it was a win-win situation. With a more reasonable revenue sharing, she could focus more on her writing and bring more excellent works to readers; while the magazine could leverage her work to solidify its market position, attract more readers and authors, and achieve sustainable development. Therefore, both parties reached a new cooperation agreement, joining hands to embrace a brighter future.
When Wang Yin negotiated the royalty sharing with Xia Liang, he explained the magazine's cost structure and profit distribution to her in detail. He told Xia Liang that each magazine sold for five yuan, of which printing costs were about two yuan and forty cents. This was the most basic expense in producing the magazine, including the cost of paper, ink, and the use of printing equipment. In addition, one yuan would be left as a commission for the distributors to incentivize them to actively sell the magazine and expand market coverage.
This leaves the magazine with only 1.6 yuan in profit. Wang Yin stated that he was willing to take 0.2 yuan from this 1.6 yuan as Xia Liang's royalties, meaning Xia Liang would receive 0.2 yuan for every magazine sold. This profit-sharing ratio reflects both the significant contribution of Xia Liang's work to the magazine's sales and takes into account the magazine's operating costs and profit margins.
At the same time, Wang Yin emphasized that in addition to the revenue sharing calculated per issue, Xia Liang's royalties would be settled separately. This means that Xia Liang can not only receive a continuous income based on the magazine's sales volume, but also receive a fixed royalty from the magazine based on her output and the quality of her work. This dual-income model undoubtedly provides Xia Liang with more stable financial security and fully motivates her creative enthusiasm.
Xia Liang agreed to Wang Yin's proposal, understanding it was a fair and reasonable collaboration. The magazine, while ensuring its own profits, also provided her with sufficient respect and support. With this foundation of cooperation, Xia Liang could focus more on her writing, bringing more excellent literary works to readers, while also injecting new vitality into the magazine's continued development.
A week later, Xia Liang received 20,000 yuan in royalties from the magazine and deposited it into her bank account. Overjoyed, she went to the bank and withdrew the money. Holding the heavy stack of cash in her hand, Xia Liang felt that her hard work had finally paid off, and her heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment and happiness.
After leaving the bank, Xia Liang headed straight for the market. She weaved through the bustling crowd to the seafood stall, where she carefully selected a fresh fish. The fish swam happily in the water, its scales shimmering in the sunlight, looking incredibly tempting. Xia Liang imagined her grandparents' satisfied expressions as they ate the fish, and a smile involuntarily crept onto her face. Next, she went to the poultry section and chose a chicken that had already been butchered. The chicken meat was a beautiful reddish-brown, firm and tender—clearly a high-quality ingredient. Xia Liang planned to cook a delicious dinner for her grandparents when she got home, using this tasty meal to express her gratitude.
On her way home, Xia Liang kept recalling the hardworking figures of her grandparents. She knew that her achievements today were inseparable from their silent support and selfless dedication. Her grandfather left early and returned late every day, carrying bricks and cement at the construction site, his hands covered in calluses; her grandmother took care of the household chores, prepared delicious meals for her, and also went to the vegetable garden to plant vegetables and feed the chickens. With their sweat and hard work, they created a peaceful environment for Xia Liang to study and write.
Xia Liang gripped the money in her hand, secretly resolving to continue working hard and repay her grandparents' kindness in raising her with more excellent works, so that they could live a happier and healthier life. At the same time, she also hoped to contribute more positive energy to society through her efforts, inspiring more people to pursue their dreams and bravely face life's difficulties and challenges.
Back home, Xia Liang put down the ingredients she was holding and began to get busy. She first placed the fish and chicken in the kitchen sink, turned on the tap, and carefully washed them. The flowing water washed away the slime from the fish and the blood from the chicken, seemingly washing away the fatigue and stress in Xia Liang's heart as well. As she washed the vegetables, she reminisced about the past of this small courtyard.
This small courtyard was rented, but for Xia Liang, it was filled with warm memories. Her family lived here when her parents were alive. Back then, Xia Liang went to school in the county town with her parents, while her grandparents worked hard in the countryside, farming to support the family. Every weekend or holiday, Xia Liang would return to the countryside to reunite with her grandparents and enjoy the simple yet loving rural life.
After her parents passed away, Grandpa once considered transferring Xia Liang back to a school in the countryside, where they would find a familiar environment and kind-hearted villagers. However, a teacher's words made him change his mind. The teacher worried that Xia Liang would need to adapt to a completely new environment and classmates if she transferred back to the countryside, which might negatively impact her studies. After much deliberation, Grandpa finally decided to bring Grandma to the county town to continue living in their small courtyard, working odd jobs while taking care of Xia Liang.
Now, Xia Liang has grown up and is able to provide some financial support to her family through her own efforts. Looking at this small courtyard, her heart is filled with gratitude. It not only holds her childhood memories but is also a testament to her grandparents' selfless dedication and silent support. She secretly resolves to study hard, repay her grandparents' nurturing kindness with excellent grades and more outstanding works, and to ensure they live a happier and healthier life. At the same time, she hopes to use her efforts to make this small courtyard even warmer and more beautiful, a haven of happiness for her family.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com