Wang De'an, editor-in-chief of "New Tide," has been walking briskly these past few days.
He personally led a team to Bailu Publishing House, the largest publishing house in Jiangsu Province.
The two sides hit it off immediately.
Zhang Ce, president of Egret Publishing House
He's a seasoned veteran who's been in the publishing industry for thirty years.
He was thrilled when he saw that Wang De'an had found him to publish "The Miracles of the Namiya General Store".
"We've finally waited for you, Lao Wang!"
"I've been waiting for this day ever since 'The Reliever' started serialization!"
Therefore, Zhang Ce made the decision on the spot.
It has been designated as the top priority project of the year, and the highest level of publicity and promotional resources have been promised to be provided.
Everything seemed to be developing in the most perfect direction.
Egret Publishing House is incredibly efficient.
Within two days,
All application materials have been neatly submitted to the Jinling Press and Publication Bureau in the provincial capital.
Everyone thought it was just a formality.
A book that shines with the light of humanity and is warm and healing throughout.
For positive works that have even been endorsed by official media, obtaining an ISBN is a piece of cake.
However, a week has passed.
The book number that should have been issued has not been received.
When Wang Dean called, the other party's reply was polite yet distant:
"Editor-in-Chief Wang, the process is under review. Please wait patiently."
Three more days passed, and Wang De'an still hadn't made the call.
Zhang Ce called first.
His tone was more somber than ever before.
"Old Wang, something's happened."
"The book number... has been suspended."
"Postponed? Why?!"
He practically yelled it out.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a weary sigh:
"The bureau's reasons were very vague, saying that the core setting of the work involved some non-materialist concept."
We are currently organizing experts to discuss the social impact...
"Seminar? That's utter bullshit!"
Wang De'an found it absurd and laughable.
Non-materialist ideas?
A book that soothes the soul with stories.
How did this get associated with "non-materialism"?!
This label is practically a death blow to this book!
"Old Wang, calm down."
Zhang Ce comforted him.
"This matter is suspicious, and I've asked around to find out more..."
Wang De'an was extremely anxious and hung up the phone.
He began to utilize the network of contacts he had built up over decades.
The responses they received were all ambiguous.
Someone hinted to him:
"That Editor-in-Chief Fang from Nanjing has a lot of influence."
Some people advised him:
"Old Wang, the literary world is a deep and murky place. Jian Shen is too sharp right now, which is not a good thing. Take it slow, there's no rush."
Wang De'an refused to believe in superstition!
He personally traveled to Nanjing, wanting to ask in person.
Why did Director Zhao Chuliang of the approval department do this?
As a result, he couldn't even get into Zhao Chuliang's office.
"I'm sorry, Editor-in-Chief Wang, Director Zhao is currently attending an important study meeting at the provincial level and will be back in a few days."
The secretary's formulaic smile felt like an ice wall.
All his anger and questions were kept out.
Wang De'an stood in the empty corridor, thinking for a long time.
He finally understood.
This was not an accident at all.
This was a confrontation targeting him, or rather, targeting Jian Shen.
Precision strangulation!
...
The atmosphere in the editorial office of "New Tide" was oppressive.
Xu Lan watched as her editor-in-chief grew increasingly haggard.
Within just a few days, several glaring strands of white hair appeared at his temples.
I felt both sad and guilty.
She felt that she was the one who brought the work to the editor-in-chief.
That's what led him to this undeserved disaster.
In the dead of night, all was quiet.
Xu Lan sat in front of the computer,
Biting her lip, with an incredibly anxious heart,
The predicament of being stuck with the book number was resolved via email.
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