Chapter 20

Tong Yan is quite efficient in handling matters; in less than an hour, he returned to the Five Flavors Bookshop with a freshly issued bank card. At this moment, Zhang Xiao was sitting in front of the computer.

"What are you doing?" Tong Yan asked.

Zhang Xiao, while typing on the keyboard and moving the mouse, replied without turning his head, "You're about to sign a contract, but the popularity of your book isn't very high yet. The best it's done on the New Book Potential Chart is tenth place, and it just got pushed down by the books behind it. I'm going to give you a boost." (Note: The top ten new books on the weekly potential chart appear on the homepage.)

Actually, this performance was already quite good. "The Little Soldier's Wild History" had fewer words than the other books ahead of it, which had been published for a longer time. Some were new books by established authors, while others had the advantage of being recommended. It was hard to compete with them. However, as a friend, Zhang Xiao was not willing to accept this and was determined to compete with the authors ahead.

On the homepage of Qidian, besides the strong recommendation chart and the Three Rivers Pavilion recommendations, there were several automatic charts. As long as the data was high enough, the books would automatically appear on the charts, which functioned like recommendation slots, allowing more readers to see them. They were all on the right side of the homepage: the "Weekly Reader Clicks Chart," the "Weekly Reader Recommendations Chart," and the "New Book Potential Weekly Chart," which were all re-ranked weekly.

It was difficult to get on the clicks and recommendations charts, as the books on them were all popular and had clicks and recommendations that were several times higher than "The Little Soldier's Wild History." As a newcomer, Tong Yan only had a chance on the new book potential chart at the bottom of the page.

Tong Yan was curious about how Zhang Xiao was helping him. It turned out that this guy was using his "I Am Arrogant" account to promote "The Little Soldier's Wild History" in the book review section and the forum of "The Little Soldier's Legend," claiming that this book was even better than "The Little Soldier's Legend" and even copied the web address over.

In the past, some readers had promoted "The Wild History" in the territory of "The Little Soldier's Legend," but it was just a casual mention. Zhang Xiao's arrogance was unprecedented. Tong Yan could foresee that his book review section would soon be flooded with criticism.

"You're stirring up trouble for me!" Tong Yan said helplessly, as even he, the author, didn't have the confidence to say that "The Wild History" was better than "The Legend."

"I'm boosting your popularity. Only when more people know about your book can you find true loyal fans. Even if there's some controversy at first, it doesn't matter as long as you ignore them. I've also read your book, and although it's not very long, it's really good. It's not as good as 'The Little Soldier's Legend,' but it's not far off. I'm just doing some advertising. If the ad isn't exaggerated, how can it attract people?" Zhang Xiao had a set of theories. "I've also joined a few reader QQ groups and will promote you there. You'll definitely become popular!"

Tong Yan was very grateful for Zhang Xiao's enthusiasm. They had only known each other for a few days, at most as like-minded friends, but Zhang Xiao was treating his affairs as his own. This kid was worth befriending.

With the bank card number, the contract negotiations could continue. Tong Yan logged back into QQ and contacted his signing editor.

Xiao Mai, under the watchful eyes of his colleagues, filled in Tong Yan's ID number, bank card number, and contact address and method on the electronic contract. He then pointed to the key digits in the ID number, "19890208XXXX," and said proudly, "I didn't lie to you, a 16-year-old boy!"

On this end, Tong Yan downloaded the electronic contract with his personal information, checked it, and if there were no issues, he could print it. There were two copies, and he had to sign and date them in the required blank spaces and attach two copies of his ID card. Then he would mail the two contracts to the Qidian Content Management Department via EMS. Qidian would stamp both copies, keep one, and mail the other back to the party B, Tong Yan.

Only after this would the entire signing process be complete.

After downloading the contract that needed to be printed, Zhang Xiao offered his MP3 to store the files. They found a nearby printing shop, and after spending about 20 yuan, Tong Yan completed the printing. After spending another 20 yuan, he completed the mailing task.

In one day, Tong Yan spent over 50 yuan, which was not a small amount for him, who was usually frugal. He could only pray that he would earn it back soon. After all, he wrote not just for the thrill but primarily to make money.

After a busy half-day, the signing process was finally completed. Liu Ming and his brother invited Zhang Xiao to stay for dinner to thank him.

Zhang Xiao was not at all shy. Although the dishes were simple, he and the Liu brothers enjoyed the meal, and the conversation at the table was lively, mainly about Tong Yan's novel writing. The only downer was that Liu Ming, considering him a minor, did not let him drink alcohol. Otherwise, everything was great.

Before leaving, Zhang Xiao repeatedly instructed Tong Yan, "I'll apply to be the deputy moderator of your book review section. You must agree. I'll be following you from now on!"

Although it seemed a bit strange to have a junior high school student as his deputy moderator, Tong Yan had no reason to refuse. This guy was too loyal, and he couldn't be picky. From now on, they would be in the same boat.

After seeing Zhang Xiao off, Tong Yan was also ready to leave. At this moment, he remembered that his signing editor had given him the QQ number of his responsible editor, Watermelon, and told him to add her after finishing the contract. If he had any issues, he could contact her, and only her. Tong Yan then understood the role of the signing editor, who was only responsible for the contract and nothing else. The editor named Watermelon would be the one truly sharing his ups and downs.

Adding the editor's QQ number required verification. Tong Yan wrote his pen name and the title of his work, clicked send, and then logged off without waiting for a response. It was already late, and he imagined that Shan Shan at home must be waiting anxiously.

On the other end of the internet, the young Qidian editor Watermelon finally received the friend request from Shopkeeper. She was already at home but immediately accepted it and eagerly wanted to chat with the 16-year-old online writer.

"Shopkeeper, are you really only 16 years old? What grade are you in?"

"Hey, are you there?"

"Are you not there?"

Watermelon, full of enthusiasm, saw that Shopkeeper's icon was gray. How could he log off so quickly? Hmph, she had planned to give him a recommendation next week, but now...

After a brief internal struggle, Watermelon left a message, "I'll arrange a recommendation for you next week. Keep updating, and if you can update twice a day, that would be best."

Liu Ming, passing by behind Tong Yan, glanced at the message on QQ and said, "Thank goodness it's next week. If it were the week after, you'd be starting school."

Liu Ming's words made Tong Yan shudder, "Ah, it's already time to start school?" In recent days, he had been so engrossed in his novel writing that he had almost forgotten about the start of school, and he also remembered his summer homework.

Previously, if Tong Yan had been intentionally avoiding the topic of the start of school, now he had to face it.

"Brother, what do you think? Should you temporarily put writing aside, or continue writing while going to school? If it's the latter, do you have any good ideas?" Liu Ming did not give Tong Yan the option of giving up his studies to focus on writing. If Tong Yan dared to think that way, Liu Ming would discipline him. His uncle and aunt worked hard to support the two siblings' education, and it was not easy for them.

Tong Yan lowered his head, feeling the raised F and J keys on the keyboard, and said firmly, "I don't want to put it aside, and I can't put it aside."

[PS: I can't put it aside either, so White Buddha is back. Please recommend and follow!]