Chapter 6

"Snowflakes flying over the Tianshan, seven swords coming from the west."

Liu Jingting was referring to his second novel plan—*Seven Swords Descend from Tianshan*.

Mi Hu listened with a sense of longing and said, "To be honest, I came to tell you that we've decided to serialize your *Dragon and Tiger Battle in Jinghua* as a major feature. Additionally, I want to discuss future cooperation with you."

"I like being free and don't like being bound by contracts. If you want to cooperate, I can sign the book with you, but not myself."

"Alright!" Mi Hu agreed straightforwardly. This outcome was most acceptable to the company, as signing a new author always carries risks. Mi Hu was confident in Liu Jingting, but others might not share the same view. "A contract editor will contact you about the signing details. When that happens—"

Liu Jingting interrupted, "You can help me with the contract. I'm still young this year, I don't even have an ID card, and I have the high school entrance exam coming up. By the way, don't you go to school?"

Mi Hu smiled carelessly, "I'm in my second year of high school, but I took a year off. The magazine is in a special period, and I want to do something for it. Oh, about the contract issue, your parents can act on your behalf. I, I just met you."

"You're my editor, so you can temporarily act as my agent. When there's money, we'll share it."

"Ah!" Mi Hu looked at Liu Jingting in disbelief.

Liu Jingting laughed heartily and said, "I trust you, Sister Mi Hu. If you trust me too, let me focus on writing, and together we can achieve great things."

A gentle spring breeze blew, and the sun was pleasant. In the pavilion, Mi Hu looked at the smiling Liu Jingting and saw sincerity and trust in his eyes. The girl's latent maternal instincts surged, and she felt a strong desire to clear the way for this younger brother. She blurted out, "Alright, I'll handle the contract and make sure you don't lose out."

"Don't let the company lose out either, and don't let yourself lose out," Liu Jingting said innocently. "Thank you, Mi Hu."

"It's no big deal. By the way, I noticed your last submission was handwritten. Do you know how to type on a computer?"

Liu Jingting scratched the back of his head and laughed, "I'm planning to buy a laptop with my稿费."

"You don't need to. I'll give you one." Mi Hu quickly took on the role of an agent and said generously.

"How can I accept that?"

"Since I'm your agent, isn't it okay to give you a computer?"

Liu Jingting laughed, "I guess so. When I get my稿费, I'll buy you a new one."

"Alright, see you next time. Can you show me the outline of your new story then?"

"Sure, no problem."

"Then let's end it here for today," Mi Hu said casually, waving her hand. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Liu Jingting smiled and said goodbye, a thought suddenly popping into his mind: "The best friendship is formed at the first meeting." This was Liu Jingting's intuitive feeling about Mi Hu, reminiscent of Jia Baoyu's first meeting with Lin Daiyu, "I have seen this sister before." He just didn't know if Mi Hu felt the same way about him.

The confused Mi Hu signed an author without any contract or agreement and even became an agent by accident. This was the most unconventional signing in her editorial career. However, when the news reached Zhou Daoran's ears, the situation took a sharp turn.

"Ridiculous, truly ridiculous. Mi Hu, are you called Mi Hu or Mi Hu (confused)?"

"Yes, it was his own request. He seemed very sincere, so I agreed without thinking."

Zhou Daoran was speechless. "You know you were confused. Do you know we live in a society governed by law? Do you know the importance of contractual spirit? Your verbal promise, if you handle the contract and something goes wrong, who will be responsible? If it ends up in court, our company will be accused of defrauding a minor."

At this point, Mi Hu regained her composure and realized that agreeing to sign the contract for Liu Jingting was too far-fetched. However, at the time, the charm of a spontaneous connection completely took over. The scene, combined with the phrase "A gentleman's word is as heavy as a mountain," perfectly matched the aesthetic of these imaginative teenagers, leaving no room for contractual spirit.

"I'll talk to him again when I get the outline and have his parents sign it. I'm sorry for the trouble, Chief Editor." Mi Hu said timidly.

Zhou Daoran, seeing the pitiful and beautiful girl, softened his heart. "New book outline? He mentioned a new book outline?"

Mi Hu nodded quickly.

"Okay, can you confirm it's his own work?"

"Absolutely, 100% his own work." Mi Hu said confidently.

"Good. Also, my criticism was from the company's perspective and for your own good. It's commendable that you can build a good relationship with an author so quickly. Don't take it to heart."

"I won't, Chief Editor." Mi Hu smiled. "I'll go back to work now."

"Alright, the magazine is about to be released today. Pay attention to the reactions and keep the forum discussions active. Pay special attention to *Dragon and Tiger Battle in Jinghua*. Go ahead."

...

"Fourteen-year-old prodigy Liu Jingting, a fairy tale *Mangmang and Titi* sparked a nationwide discussion. Recently, under the pen name 'Gu Yongsheng,' he created a new martial arts masterpiece *Dragon and Tiger Battle in Jinghua*, which will be a major feature in *Great Jianghu*. After the Cobra, see the unique world of a young prodigy."

This simple advertisement post appeared on the "Jianghu People Forum" and within five minutes, there were over two hundred replies, ranging from criticism to praise, but mostly teasing:

"Does a middle school student know what the 'jianghu' is? Can they set up intricate plots? I doubt it."

"The Cobra was very interesting. Looking forward to Liu's new work."

"Liu Jingting, your mom is calling you home to write fairy tales."

"The OP's ID looks familiar. Are you an editor from *Great Jianghu*?"

"The OP is Tang Nan, confirmed."

...

An hour later, there were nearly two thousand replies. Mi Hu used her main account to post: "I've read the manuscript. I believe it won't disappoint. It's a new form of martial arts story, worth looking forward to."

With the post "Mi Hu appears," the thread went off-topic.

"Does Mi Hu have a boyfriend?"

"What year was Mi Hu born?"

"Mi Hu, I love your *Stay Birds*."

...

The following replies were either flattery or teasing from writers, or messages from newbies seeking to submit. The topic eventually shifted to the state of youth literature two years ago, then to the debate between Xue Muliang and Han Shuo, and the competition between *Ding Novel* and *Great Jianghu*.

Mi Hu, sitting in front of the screen, rubbed her temples. Tang Nan walked over and said, "Mi Hu, congratulations on successfully derailing the thread."

Mi Hu looked at Tang Nan sheepishly and said, "Purely accidental. I'll try to get it back on track."

"No need. The post is already stickied, and the advertising effect has been achieved. Let them chat."

The March issue of *Great Jianghu* was finally released. The editorial office was quiet, with everyone sitting in front of their computers, waiting for reactions. After all, this was a critical moment for the magazine's survival, and the tension was even more intense than usual.

The first post on the forum was about *Dragon and Tiger Battle in Jinghua*: "The new major feature *Dragon and Tiger Battle in Jinghua* in *Great Jianghu* is so mature. Is it really the work of a middle school student?"

As the editor of the book, Mi Hu immediately replied, "I am the editor of this book, Mi Hu. After seeing the manuscript, I personally met the author Gu Yongsheng. I can guarantee with my personal integrity that the author is indeed a fourteen-year-old middle school student and the author of *Mangmang and Titi*."

"Oh, it's Mi Hu. I believe you. The story is great, looking forward to the next chapters."

"Someone is hyping *Dragon and Tiger*!" Tang Nan called out.

"Someone is recommending the book on Renren!" another female editor called out.

"Check the martial arts forum, someone wrote a long review."

...

Six hours after the release of *Great Jianghu*, information about *Dragon and Tiger Battle in Jinghua* appeared on forums, Baidu Tieba, Weibo, and social networking sites. Although the book didn't receive universal praise, this small-scale discussion wave lifted the spirits of the editorial team, which had been low after the previous releases.

"Everyone, let's go to Amber Hotpot City tonight. I'll treat you all," Zhou Daoran said with a beaming face, drawing a chorus of cheers.

At 7 PM, the entire *Great Jianghu* editorial team set out. The last time the chief editor treated them was for the new book of Beige Tang, which sold over 500,000 copies, about ten months ago.

"Hey, President Xu," Zhou Daoran had just sat down when he received a call from the chairman. He waved to everyone to quiet down. "I'm at Amber City, treating the editors to dinner. Yes, yes, thank you, President Xu. We'll work harder. Yes, goodbye."

Zhou Daoran hung up, put his phone in his pocket, and looked around calmly. "Why are you all looking at me? Nothing to worry about. The chairman personally called to praise us. No need to be surprised." He then picked up the menu to order food.

"Chief Editor, you're holding the menu upside down," Mi Hu whispered.

Zhou Daoran glared at Mi Hu and said, "I know I'm holding it wrong." He paused and continued, "I'm just too happy right now." The table erupted in laughter.

After the hotpot, Mi Hu returned to her rental apartment, took an apple from the fridge, poured a glass of orange juice, and opened her white laptop.

She habitually went to the magazine's official website, then opened the "Jianghu People Forum." The homepage had about a dozen posts about *Dragon and Tiger Battle in Jinghua*, with various analyses and speculations. One post by the ID "Shopkeeper" titled "Major Inside Scoop, *Great Jianghu* Internal Operations, Genius Teenager's Lie Exposed" was prominently displayed at the top of the forum.