Chapter 42

It's still the Sheltered Harbor Teahouse.

Perhaps because of the name "Sheltered Harbor," which originally means a shelter from strong winds and waves, Yang Linfei once again met Mai Xiaoyu here.

Unlike his spirited demeanor last time, today's Yang Linfei looked very dejected, exuding endless sorrow.

120,000 copies sold...

He used tea instead of alcohol, trying to drown his sorrows.

Pouring and drinking by himself, a pot of Tieguanyin was soon empty.

"Are you not afraid of getting drunk from drinking so much tea?" Mai Xiaoyu asked.

Can you get drunk from this stuff?

I guess that's why I feel a bit dizzy.

"Better to be drunk, then you won't have to worry anymore."

"But you still have to face reality when you wake up."

Uh...

Yang Linfei put down his teacup and looked at Mai Xiaoyu in surprise: "Are you really 22 years old this year?"

"Can we talk about something more meaningful?"

Meaningful?

What does that mean?

At the current rate, it won't be long before "Soaring Youth" is forced to suspend publication, and Soaring Publishing House will be on the brink of closing.

What's the point of talking about meaning?

Slap!

A thick stack of drawings was thrown in front of Yang Linfei.

"Boys Over Flowers," Volume 2, Chapter 7, 170 pages.

What does this mean?

Yang Linfei looked puzzled.

"Raise the price. Starting from the next issue, 'Soaring Youth' will increase from 8 yuan to 10 yuan," Mai Xiaoyu said calmly.

The Chinese comic market is in a state of revival, and most comic magazines are priced at 10 yuan, adopting a low-price strategy to capture market share and profit through advertising fees.

"Soaring Youth" has lower sales, and to maintain its readership and attract more readers, it is priced at only 8 yuan.

Yang Linfei looked speechless at Mai Xiaoyu.

There's no denying that "Boys Over Flowers" has a fresh art style, excellent drawing skills, and very engaging content.

Although sales declined last issue, according to the feedback from the survey, over 90% of readers voted for "Boys Over Flowers." The survey also showed a significant increase in female readers, almost unanimously supporting "Boys Over Flowers."

Under normal circumstances, "Boys Over Flowers" would definitely receive high attention and be cultivated into a flagship work of the comic publishing house.

However, the current public opinion is overwhelmingly critical, with "Boys Over Flowers" and its author Mai Zǐ facing intense scrutiny. Soaring Publishing House, as the publisher, also cannot escape being criticized and despised, which is a stark contrast to the heated online discussions about "Boys Over Flowers" and "Naruto" a while ago.

Yang Linfei had summarized the reasons, ultimately attributing them to two points.

First, Ai Man Culture, backed by the Qintian Group and in collaboration with Japan's Kodansha, has become the leader in the Chinese comic industry, an authority and an expert. The uninformed public tends to follow the expert's opinion.

Second, the heated discussions about "Boys Over Flowers" and "Naruto" were not about the comics themselves but a byproduct of the debate over whether there was a conspiracy in the "Manga Love" newcomer competition. It might have been a trap set by Ai Man Culture after learning that the manuscripts of the two comics were lost.

Using the two comics to divert netizens' attention and create a false impression of popularity, the actual number of supporters was not high, mostly curious onlookers.

Curiosity is hard to sustain. Under the strong attack of experts and professors, it's a miracle if they don't turn into haters.

You're actually suggesting I raise the price...

Are you crazy?

Don't you know the sales are only 120,000 copies?

Another price increase... sales will drop below 100,000 copies, and the advertising contract will be automatically terminated. "Soaring Youth" will have no choice but to suspend publication!

"The next issue has already been printed, and there's no time to adjust the price."

"How many copies?"

"150,000."

"Not enough. Print an additional 350,000 copies and set the price at 10 yuan."

This doesn't follow the rules...

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but Yang Linfei suddenly thought of something: "Mr. Mai, is there any news from Japan?"

Mai Xiaoyu smiled.

Recently, the media and the internet have been filled with insults and defamation against him. Under the deliberate guidance of certain people, it has escalated to personal attacks, which has made him extremely angry. Several times, he almost couldn't resist and wanted to turn into a professional troll, using words to retaliate against those who insulted him.

Considering that doing so would be meaningless, he temporarily endured it and contacted Shueisha, urging them to start the serialization of "Naruto" as soon as possible.

The Japanese are quite shameless. As soon as he urged them, Shueisha immediately sent someone, ostensibly to collect the manuscript, but mainly hoping he would cooperate and record another segment... a fluent Japanese recording.

With the professional skills of a con artist, he instantly understood the grand plan Shueisha was plotting. After receiving the 300,000 to 400,000 yuan in manuscript fees, he happily agreed.

He had endured for several days, and it was time to strike back!

"The next Monday, 'Weekly Shonen Jump' will officially start serializing 'Naruto.' Next Monday, they will launch a large-scale promotional campaign."

Yang Linfei slapped his forehead, regretting his decision: "Why did I rush? I should have listened to you and waited for Shueisha to make the first move. I could have piggybacked on their success!"

"There are pros and cons."

Chinese people love plot twists. The more twists, the more exciting, and the more they enjoy it. Especially when a small character takes down a giant, like a hero slaying a dragon. Not only do Chinese people enjoy it, but foreigners do too.

At that time, Mai Xiaoyu and his "Boys Over Flowers" will inevitably experience a strong rebound. As for those experts and professors...

When the world slanders me, insults me, ridicules me, belittles me, despises me, harms me, and deceives me, how should I deal with it?

I will beat him, beat him, beat him, beat him, beat him, beat him, and beat him for years to see if he dares to provoke me again!

Mai Xiaoyu's news was like a strong heart stimulant, instantly reviving Yang Linfei.

He gulped down the tea, and the cold tea that had lost its bitterness now had a sweet taste.

"Mr. Mai, thank you so much. Without this news, I wouldn't have been able to sleep tonight."

Sincere gratitude cannot be expressed in just a few words.

So, Yang Linfei warmly invited Mai Xiaoyu to his home for a meal, saying that his daughter Yang Mi is a loyal fan and would love to meet him. Recently, due to the online defamation of Mai Zǐ and "Boys Over Flowers," Yang Mi has been very upset and often argues with people online.

"My identity is only known to you. Without my permission, you must not tell anyone."

"Even Yang Mi?"

"Of course."

He's a strange person.

He doesn't want to be famous.

Is it because of Shueisha's request?

Yang Linfei guessed right only half the time.

There is a reason from Shueisha, but there is also a personal reason for Mai Xiaoyu—he is a con artist who prefers to keep a low profile and doesn't care about fame.

However, Yang Linfei also put his mind at ease, no longer worrying that Mai Xiaoyu chose Soaring Publishing House to get close to his daughter Yang Mi.

It sounds ridiculous, but as a parent, when it comes to children, one can't help but be overly cautious.

"Mr. Mai, what do I need to do next?"

"Prepare a large number of internet trolls and be ready for battle!"

Bullying me?

It will come at a heavy cost!

PS: I recommend the new book "The Earth Walker in the Apocalypse" by Bao Jugu, a seasoned author.

Synopsis: In the brutal apocalypse, zombies roam, and survivors kill each other for resources. The world becomes extremely dangerous.

But he possesses a powerful ability from the "List of Gods." He can control the earth and move freely through it.

Thus, the cowardly survival style in the apocalypse is born.

With his god-like escape ability, see how he struggles to survive in the apocalypse, building the safest underground kingdom and becoming the ruler.

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