Chapter 6

Wu Shulan has been feeling very frustrated lately. One reason is that her romantic life is not going well, and the other is that her work is also not smooth. The work situation is still manageable, after all, she had already realized that this job would be difficult when she took over the small newspaper from her grandfather.

Not only is the funding insufficient, but the management is also lacking, and the employees' work attitude is lax, with a low sensitivity to news. However, in her view, as long as she replaces the staff, it should be fine.

But when it comes to her romantic life... she can't understand what nerve her mother has gotten wrong, always harboring the idea of making her a phoenix. Her mother constantly tries to introduce her to rich second-generation heirs.

Seeing those seemingly gentle and refined "tall, rich, and handsome" men, who are actually corrupt behind the scenes, makes her feel disgusted. If they were truly capable, it would be one thing, but can truly capable people casually sell their feelings?

Even if they do, shouldn't they at least get a good price? Besides her appearance, what else does she have that others would covet? If it's just because of her looks, she would find it even more ridiculous. Hong Kong might lack many things, but it never lacks beautiful women.

What she wants is romance and love, not those interests. Although the Wu family is not a super-rich family, it can still be considered a third-tier family.

Is it necessary to fawn over those uneducated guys?

However, her mother won't let her off. She has already moved to two different places, but her "all-powerful" mother still managed to find her, which is really annoying.

Just as she had just escaped her mother's intermittent "harassment," Wu Shulan ran out of a coffee shop, and as soon as she stepped out, she bumped into someone.

"Ah!"

Two soft cries, followed by a flurry of papers. One of the figures bent down to pick up the papers, afraid that a gust of wind would blow them away.

Wu Shulan was momentarily stunned, secretly admiring the woman's appearance and demeanor, and also bent down to help pick up the papers. However, after picking up a few, she was stunned again.

"Hey! Can you give them back to me?"

Zhao Yazhi frowned, feeling somewhat annoyed. She thought to herself: How can this person be like this! No manners at all, just because she's pretty, she can be so rude?

"Ah! Oh! Sorry!" Wu Shulan handed the papers over and smiled, saying, "Hello! My name is Wu Shulan, and I am the general manager of the Urban Entertainment News."

"Urban Entertainment News!?"

Zhao Yazhi repeated, as she hadn't heard of it.

"You might not have heard of it, as it's just a little-known small newspaper. There are at least eighty to a hundred such small newspapers in Hong Kong, so don't worry too much about it." Wu Shulan smiled and said, "But I have confidence that its name will soon be known throughout Hong Kong!"

"Oh, I wish you success soon!"

Zhao Yazhi smiled slightly, leaving a blessing and then wanting to leave.

"Miss, please wait a moment!" Wu Shulan called out to Zhao Yazhi, puzzled, "Have we met before? You seem very familiar!"

"Hello! My name is Zhao Yazhi!" Zhao Yazhi said.

"Zhao Yazhi... Zhao... Have you participated in the Miss Hong Kong pageant?"

"Yes!"

"I see! By the way, Miss Zhao, can we sit down and talk?"

"Talk about what?" Zhao Yazhi asked, puzzled.

Wu Shulan pointed to the stack of manuscripts in Zhao Yazhi's hand and smiled, "About this!"

Zhao Yazhi was slightly stunned and then laughed, "Does your Urban Entertainment News also serialize novels?"

"We do publish, but they are not very famous." Wu Shulan smiled and said, "Can I take a look at your manuscript? If it's good, I can invite you to submit it to the Urban Entertainment News on behalf of the newspaper!"

Zhao Yazhi thought for a moment and then handed over the manuscript. Wu Shulan then pulled Zhao Yazhi out of the coffee shop and found another coffee shop to sit down.

Zhao Yazhi was puzzled but didn't ask much, just waiting quietly.

Originally, she was planning to go to the Ming Pao, but since there was this opportunity, she decided to take a look first. If it didn't meet her satisfaction, she would consider another newspaper.

Actually, she was somewhat reluctant to sell to the Urban Entertainment News, as it was little-known. Even if they paid more, it wouldn't help Wu Cheng's reputation much. Writing novels is all about reputation; once you have it, your future works won't be ignored.

That's why she thought of the Ming Pao first, not other newspapers.

Although Wu Shulan studied abroad, she grew up in Hong Kong and has a good appreciation for novels. Although this novel is not a traditional martial arts novel, she thinks the story is quite well-told. However, using this novel to boost the reputation of the Urban Entertainment News seems a bit presumptuous.

"Miss Zhao, the copyright of this novel..."

"The copyright cannot be sold. If you want it, you can only get the serialization rights. However, I'm not looking down on your Urban Entertainment News, but your sales..."

"Miss Zhao, don't rush to refuse. The sales of the Ming Pao were built up by Mr. Cha's novels one by one. Although this novel is not a martial arts novel, it is still well-written. You can try serializing it." Wu Shulan smiled confidently and said, "Although Mr. Wu Cheng is a newcomer, I can offer him double the new author's rate. If his novel boosts the newspaper's sales, I can continue to increase his pay. What do you think?"

"What is the new author's rate at your newspaper?"

"Twenty yuan per thousand words!"

This price is decent for a newcomer. Writing three thousand words a day would earn sixty yuan, which is higher than the average clerk's income. For someone like Wu Cheng, who can write ten to twenty thousand words in the morning, he could earn two to three hundred yuan in the morning and five to six hundred yuan a day. A month's earnings would be much higher than her salary.

However, thinking about writing three to four thousand words a day, she was worried about whether Wu Cheng's hands could handle it.

For an ordinary person, it might be too much, but Wu Cheng can handle it.

Now, with double the new author's rate, which is forty yuan per thousand words, Wu Cheng earned eight hundred yuan in half a day yesterday...

Zhao Yazhi thought for a moment and said, "Give me your contact information! I'll go back and discuss it with the original author. If he agrees, I'll contact you!"

"Sure, Miss Zhao, give me your contact information too!"

...

That evening, at the dinner table, Zhao Yazhi asked Wu Cheng, who was eating, "Xiao Cheng, I didn't go to the Ming Pao today..."

"Oh, it's fine! Take your time!"

"No, let me finish!" Seeing Wu Cheng interrupt her, she gave him a scolding look, "It's like this, today..." She recounted what happened at noon and concluded, "I can't make this decision. Although I still think going to the Ming Pao would be better for your reputation, the Urban Entertainment News offers a very attractive pay."

"Urban Entertainment News? I've never heard of this newspaper."

"A small newspaper!"

"Wu Shulan... you said the manager of the Urban Entertainment News is named Wu Shulan?"

"Yes, what's the matter?"

"Can a young woman like that be trusted?"

"From her manner of speaking, she doesn't seem to be lying. Why don't I check again tomorrow?"

"That's not necessary. Give me her contact information, and I'll talk to her tomorrow!"

"You? Talk to her yourself?"

"Does Sister Zhao not trust me?"

"Can't trust you!" Zhao Yazhi rolled her eyes and said, "How can you, a child, handle such matters? What if you get scammed?"

Wu Cheng thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright! Then Sister Zhao, you represent me and sign the contract with her tomorrow! Forty yuan per thousand words, let's see if it can boost the sales of the Urban Entertainment News."

After a pause, Wu Cheng added, "How about this, when Sister Zhao signs the contract with her, add an additional clause: for every ten thousand copies increase in sales during the serialization of 'Return to Ming,' the pay will increase... let's say one hundred yuan per thousand words. What do you think?"

"You really dare to ask! Hehe..." Zhao Yazhi laughed lightly, "Alright! Since you're so confident, I'll propose it and see if she agrees!"

"This isn't confidence, it's being prepared for the future, just in case!"

"Fine, you have so many ideas!"

...

The next morning, Zhao Yazhi brought a lawyer to the office of the Urban Entertainment News to sign the contract with Wu Shulan. Regarding the additional clause Zhao Yazhi proposed, Wu Shulan was speechless, thinking that this author named Wu Cheng was a bit overconfident and greedy.

However, thinking about the additional clause, Wu Shulan felt it wasn't a bad idea. For every ten thousand copies increase in sales, the newspaper's revenue would definitely double. Compared to the cost, it would be like a drop in the bucket. She really hoped this novel had such magic power!

After signing, Zhao Yazhi gave Wu Shulan eight thousand words of the manuscript of 'Return to Ming' and received 3,200 yuan in pay. She couldn't help but marvel at how smart Wu Cheng was. He had only been in Hong Kong for a few days and had already earned what a regular employee would earn in two to three months.

When Wu Cheng received the pay, he couldn't help but laugh and jump, hugging Zhao Yazhi's neck and hanging on her, excitedly kissing her on the cheek.

This moment left both of them stunned.

However, Zhao Yazhi quickly came to her senses, tapping his forehead and laughing, "Get down quickly, my waist is about to break! You can earn money on your own, but you still act like a child!"

Sliding off her, Wu Cheng rubbed his head and laughed, "Hehe... Sister Zhao, let's go shopping! Go shopping, eat good food, watch a movie..."

"No way!" Zhao Yazhi scolded, "Save the money, and use it for school tuition. If you have money, you'll just spend it recklessly. You're still so young, and you want to learn bad habits?"

"Sister Zhao, I feel like you're becoming more and more like my mom!"

"Huh? Are you saying I'm old!?" The goddess put her hands on her hips, on the verge of an outburst.

"No, how could I! Sister Zhao is young and beautiful, unmatched by anyone! I think, throughout history, there are only four people who can match Sister Zhao!"

"Oh? Really? Who are they? Tell me!"

"Xi Shi, Wang Zhaojun, Diao Chan, and Yang Yuhuan!"

"Ha, you little monkey, your mouth is so sweet, you pass! Sister Zhao will cook for you!"

...

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