Chapter 24

After the fairy tale ended, Tang Nan's expression was extremely vivid, for what he was about to do next was to reply to his ultimate big boss, informing him that the author he had arranged to meet wanted the magazine to apologize for the statement made the day before, and to do so sincerely and formally.

What kind of person was Lu Yichou? He had dealt with and was currently dealing with many big-name authors, and the best-selling authors he had coached could form an enhanced company. To make a decision to have the magazine apologize because of a little-known author's words—wasn't that a joke?

Tang Nan was momentarily at a loss, finding it extremely difficult. As he was trying hard to think of the right words to report Gu Yongsheng's request to President Lu in a smooth and tactful manner, President Lu's secretary suddenly called, and Tang Nan had a sudden idea.

"Hello, Secretary Cui."

"Editor-in-Chief Tang, I'm sorry to disturb you. I'm calling to confirm President Lu's schedule. He said you were going to arrange for someone to meet him, President Lu..."

Tang Nan interrupted at the right moment: "I was just about to report to President Lu. I just finished talking to the author," Tang Nan's tone became hesitant, "There's been an issue. The author's former editor, the one named Mi Hu, had some misunderstandings with the magazine. The public relations department of the original company issued a statement in the magazine's name, and the author is very unhappy. He wants to stand up for the editor who discovered him and have the magazine apologize to the editor. Otherwise..."

The appropriate pause, precise wording, and vivid tone showcased the professional quality and workplace wisdom of an experienced editor.

"Does he mean that if the magazine doesn't apologize, he won't cooperate?" Secretary Cui's tone became somewhat unfriendly, as he had dealt with many big-name authors on behalf of President Lu, some of whom were eccentric and temperamental.

Tang Nan replied, "He didn't say it outright, but that's probably the case. In fact, those statements by Mi Hu were indeed the author's own intentions. The timing was unfortunate, and many things happened at once."

Secretary Cui, a man of many talents, quickly caught the implications in Tang Nan's words. Mi Hu was indeed wronged by his former company, and this apology was due. However, with the magazine now being a bestseller, the situation had become complicated. Secretary Cui paused habitually and said, "Let's consult President Lu and let him decide."

"Alright, then I'll trouble you, Secretary Cui."

After hanging up, Tang Nan let out a deep breath. The best outcome was to report the matter without having to face President Lu directly.

Secretary Cui, however, had no such worries. As President Lu's confidant, he had reported all kinds of thorny problems, and compared to those, this one was trivial.

...

By the time Liu Jingtong and Mi Hu finished their barbecue, it was already nine o'clock at night. But at this hour, the night market was just getting lively, the streets filled with smoke and the sounds of people, not a bit cold or quiet.

Liu Jingtong and Mi Hu walked side by side down the brightly lit street, chatting casually. Liu Jingtong occasionally turned his head to look at the traffic on the crossroads, as he needed to hail a taxi to go home.

"Why don't you stay at my place tonight?" Mi Hu suggested openly.

Hearing this, the college student's soul within Liu Jingtong immediately awoke, and his eyes began to sparkle with mischief.

Mi Hu slapped his shoulder and scolded, "I mean the sofa, don't look at me so lowly."

Liu Jingtong couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm moving out in a few days, so let's make the most of it."

"Make the most of it?" Liu Jingtong's smile grew wider.

Mi Hu, both amused and exasperated, said, "Can you stop laughing so evilly? You're so young, how can your head be filled with so much filth?"

"Just kidding, I'm very honored to sleep on your sofa. By the way, do you need help when you move?"

"No need. I'll sell everything except some important items, and my mom will come over."

Liu Jingtong called home to explain the situation, and his parents naturally agreed; they weren't worried about their son coming home so late.

What was supposed to be a penitent visit ended up with him being invited to sleep on the sofa, an outcome that couldn't have been more ideal.

When they entered the room, the atmosphere was slightly awkward. After all, they were a man and a woman, it was late, and they would be sleeping in the same room.

Liu Jingtong stopped joking and sat down on the sofa obediently. Mi Hu took a blanket from the cabinet and gave it to him, then threw a pillow onto the sofa, said goodnight, and went back to her room, closing the door with a loud thud.

Using a girl's blanket and pillow for the first time, Liu Jingtong felt a bit strange, and he couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed for his own bedding, especially the one in his college dorm room, which, in comparison, was unbearable.

Barbecue was delicious while eating, but it had some side effects afterward, like thirst and a sore throat, and a heavy, spicy stomach. Liu Jingtong got up to drink a glass of water, sat on the sofa for a while, quietly looked around the room, and then went to sleep contentedly.

Not long after, his phone buzzed with a text message. He picked it up and opened it to see a message from Mi Hu: "Sleep well, don't overthink it."

Liu Jingtong thought for a moment and smiled, replying, "Mi Hu, thank you."

Words spoken could instantly affect one's mood. Whether it was the generous gift of a computer and a phone, or the post to clear his name, he owed Mi Hu a thank you.

"You're welcome, you can help me watch the door."

"You know what I'm thanking you for."

"Don't mention the computer and phone. The computer was one I used, and the phone only costs a few hundred yuan and can't even connect to the internet. Besides, I have ulterior motives. I think you'll become famous in the future, and I want to keep you close. It's a kind of investment (smiley face). You wouldn't be so stupid as to think I'm some rich second generation who gives out phones and computers to everyone, right?"

"If I thank you, I thank everything. Saying more would be too obvious. You invested in me, and ended up investing in yourself. What a selfless investment!"

"Haha, I admit I have a good impression of you and like you, but you're still young. When you agreed to be my boyfriend, you said it was your first love and asked for guidance, didn't you also see me as a big sister in your heart? What guidance is there in real love?"

"I was just joking... and human emotions are hard to explain. We met at the right time, in the right place, and didn't dislike each other, so it was natural to become partners. But I still want to say, thank you, my partner—goodnight."

After a moment, Mi Hu replied, "Goodnight, partner!"

After saying goodnight, they both lay awake, staring at the ceiling, sighing lightly from time to time, and tossing and turning. Their partnership was about to end, and they wondered how they would face the world in the future.

...

Walking out of the foggy forest, feeling extremely thirsty, he looked around for water. Suddenly, his face felt cool, as if it was raining. He raised his head and opened his eyes to see a girl with a radiant smile, placing her freshly washed hands above his head, letting the water drip onto his face. It was just a dream.

"So early," Liu Jingtong rubbed his eyes and asked, looking at the mischievous Mi Hu.

Mi Hu held her phone in her other hand, waving it in front of him, and said, "I didn't expect you, a newcomer in the literary world, to have such influence."

Liu Jingtong took the phone and looked closely. A new apology statement from "The Great River" appeared, with the title: "A Sincerely and Formally Apologetic Letter to Editor Mi Hu!"

The letter first outlined the events, then summarized Mi Hu's past achievements, and finally expressed sincere apologies to Mi Hu. The line "The editor who posted the previous statement was a real temporary worker" made Liu Jingtong chuckle, and he developed a good impression of Qianhong.

At the end of the apology statement, there was a serious promise to the public: "The doors of 'The Great River' will always be open to Mi Hu, and we welcome her to return at any time!"

"Qianhong is an interesting company," Liu Jingtong said, very satisfied, as he returned the phone to Mi Hu. "A hundred flowers bloom, a thousand reds and purples—what a good omen!"

"There's another meaning: Qianhong, sign and you'll become famous."

"It seems so. Last night, I was boasting to Tang Nan, and I was so nervous, afraid that he would send people to beat me up after school. Can you help me talk to him? If he's willing, I'd be very happy to meet with him."

Mi Hu was naturally happy to help and said with a smile, "No problem, leave it to me."

In the gradually warming morning of May, after having breakfast, Liu Jingtong and Mi Hu finally said goodbye. Their relationship had been sudden, but at this moment of farewell, there was a promising development. Before getting into the car, Liu Jingtong smiled and said to Mi Hu, "You'll still be the first reader of 'Seven Swords Descend from Mount Tian' and the stories that follow."

Mi Hu also smiled and replied, "Of course."

There was no sadness, as they still acknowledged the existence of their relationship and knew that this was a temporary farewell with a definite future reunion.

...

Back to the night before, when Lu Yichou heard Secretary Cui's report, he was not angry. Instead, he laughed heartily. In his view, an author who could defend his editor so much was very rare.

The relationship between authors and editors could be traced back to the beginning of the industry. The common saying was that both sides should respect each other and benefit mutually, but in reality, this could only be maintained on the surface. The complex entanglements were deeply felt by Lu Yichou, who had been in the publishing industry for many years.

Therefore, this incident did not anger this industry giant; instead, it increased his interest in Liu Jingtong. Without much hesitation, he immediately decided to apologize to Editor Mi Hu and even personally participated in writing the apology statement. The humorous remark that made Liu Jingtong feel good about Qianhong was written by the leader of Qianhong.

Not long after the apology statement was released, Tang Nan called to inform him of Liu Jingtong's willingness to meet. Lu Yichou was not surprised and specially canceled several engagements, habitually changed into leather shoes and a suit, and personally drove his black Cadillac to meet the young author.

At this moment, no one knew that the curtain of a great era in the publishing world had quietly been lifted.