Saturday.
The New Tide magazine.
A low-pressure atmosphere filled the air.
Xu Lan was carrying a stack of documents, and she walked on tiptoe.
They were afraid of making even the slightest sound that might disturb the "big shot" in the editor-in-chief's office.
The office door was ajar.
A middle-aged man was sitting inside.
He was dressed in a suit and tie, and his hair was slicked back and polished.
Fu Bencai,
The editor-in-chief of "Su Yin" magazine and a rising star of the Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles.
At that moment, he was sitting with his legs crossed.
Holding a cup of Pu'er tea treasured by Wang De'an, he smacked his lips.
"Old Wang, I'm not trying to be mean, but..."
He put down his teacup only after paying the principal.
"This tea doesn't have enough aged flavor. Come to my place another day, and I'll give you two cakes of truly fine tea."
Wang De'an sat opposite him, a polite smile on his face, a cigarette case in his hand.
"Editor-in-Chief Fu, you didn't come all this way just to invite me for tea, did you?"
"Of course not."
Fu Ben smiled.
He took a contract out of his briefcase and pushed it in front of Wang De'an.
"I came here specifically to appreciate talent."
"Jian Shen is a rare and exceptional author."
A book like *The Miracles of the Namiya General Store* would be a waste of its potential if it were published in your magazine, *New Tide*.
Fu Bencai tapped the table, making an aggressive sound.
"Our publication, *Suyin*, has the best distribution channels in the entire province, as well as recommendations from the Federation of Literary and Art Circles."
I can even help him secure various literary awards. Entrusting him to me is also a way of taking responsibility for him.
Wang De'an didn't even glance at the contract.
"Editor-in-Chief Fu, I already said that on the phone last time."
Wang De'an lit a cigarette, and as the smoke swirled around him, his eyes gradually hardened.
"I already replied to you. Professor Jian Shen is unwilling."
"You don't want to?"
Fu Bencai scoffed.
"Old Wang, we're all getting on in years, let's not play these kinds of games."
Is it really that he's unwilling, or is it because you didn't offer him the right terms?
Or is it you, Wang De'an, deliberately suppressing people for your own selfish reasons?
Fu Bencai paused, then changed his tone.
"Old Wang, sentimentality is worthless in the face of resources."
Fu Ben leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.
"The list of key support projects for the province next year will be finalized soon."
There are spots available for "Su Yin" magazine, but for "New Tide" magazine...
As you know, print media is currently experiencing a downturn.
Whether many magazines can survive until next spring depends on the sentence above.
Sacrificing the livelihoods of the entire company for one author—is that all the vision you have?
A blatant threat.
Xu Lan, standing outside the door, felt her blood boil.
I wanted to rush in and smash the documents in my hand onto that greasy face.
Wang De'an fell silent.
He smoked, puffing on and on.
Fu Bencai looked at him without saying a word, assuming he was scared.
A smug smile appeared on his face.
Those who understand the times are wise.
"Old Wang, give me Jian Shen's contact information, and this deal will be done."
Wang Dean stubbed out his cigarette.
He looked up at Fu Bencai and suddenly smiled.
"Editor-in-Chief Fu, do you know what Professor Jian Shen once said to me?"
"What?"
He said, "If you want to cooperate, you must first learn to speak like a human being."
Fu Bencai's smile froze on his face, and his complexion instantly turned pale:
"What did you say?!"
"I said, you can't understand human language."
Wang De'an stood up.
Although he was not as tall as Fu Bencai, he was in no way inferior in terms of presence.
"This is 'New Tide,' not your 'Su Yin.'"
Don't try to intimidate me with your bureaucratic style.
“Professor Kenshin is right here, but he doesn’t want to see you.”
Wang De'an pointed to his chest.
"Because he thinks you're not good enough for him."
"you!"
Fu Bencai was so angry that he was trembling all over, and he pointed at Wang De'an's nose.
"Fine! Fine, Wang De'an! You won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences!"
You just wait! Let's see how long your lousy magazine can last!
After saying that, he grabbed his briefcase and stormed out of the office in a fit of rage.
As he passed by Xu Lan, he glared at her fiercely.
Xu Lan met his gaze, a standard professional fake smile on her face.
He turned sideways and opened the door, making an exaggerated "please" gesture.
"Editor-in-Chief Fu, please be careful of the slippery ground."
Fu Bencai snorted coldly and straightened his tie, which had been askew from anger.
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