Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 80 Senior Brother Steps Out
The reason is actually very simple. The book "Flowers Falling in Dreams..." that Chunfeng Publishing House previously published for Xiao Si was sued for infringement this year. Although the verdict has not yet come out, judging from the current court offensive and defensive process, it is likely to be unfavorable to Xiao Si and Chunfeng Publishing House in the end.

Once the infringement is found to be established, Chunfeng Press will not only have to stop publishing and selling the book, but will also be jointly liable for the infringement with Xiao Si. This means that the previous profits will have to be returned, and even more will have to be paid. Part of Chunfeng Press's funds have already been frozen.

Although this would not cause any serious damage to Chunfeng Society, it was the greatest humiliation the society had ever experienced in its decades of existence.

In order to recover its losses and reputation, Chunfeng Publishing House has now sent out its best and brightest to look for authors to book books. One of the most important targets is Zhang Chao.

Zhang Chao thought about it for a moment. Currently, both of his books were published by Huacheng Publishing House, which offered very generous conditions and a pleasant cooperation. However, it was also important for an author to open up channels to other publishing houses and maintain the possibility of multiple choices.

He still had a good impression of Chunfeng Publishing House and Shan Yingqi. At present, this lawsuit has little to do with the publishing house. After all, it is impossible for an editor to read all the books on the market, so this point depends entirely on the author's own ethics.

It is no exaggeration to say that Chunfeng Society suffered an unexpected disaster this time.

Zhang Chao stood up, went into the room and took out the beginning of "Dwelling Narrowness", handed it to Shan Yingqi, and said, "This is the part that has been written, take a look. It's not my style to charge money without showing the goods. Besides, I can't guarantee that every book I write will be a bestseller."

Although Shan Yingqi said that he could set the conditions, Zhang Chao had no intention of taking advantage of someone's illness to kill him. As long as they cooperated, they should not trip each other up.

Shan Yingqi gratefully took the manuscript and began to read it carefully. In less than half an hour, Shan Yingqi finished turning the last page and breathed a sigh of relief. When she heard Quan Yongxian introduce this book "Dwelling Narrowness", she knew that it was not a youth novel like Zhang Chao's many works, but had a heavy sense of realism.

She was not afraid that Zhang Chao could not handle such a subject, but she was worried that Zhang Chao would write a pure literary work like "Young Babylon", which would not sell well. But after reading it, she was relieved. This time Zhang Chao still took the route of popular novels, and the relationships between several groups of characters and the story lines were very interesting. Combined with the social hot spot of the rapid rise in housing prices in big cities in recent years, it has the potential to become a bestseller - no, a blockbuster book.

Shan Yingqi smiled and said, "The book is fine. Now I just want to know when you can finish it."

Half an hour later, Zhang Chao sent Shan Yingqi out the door and into the elevator. Shan Yingqi said, "I will send you the contract as soon as possible after I go back. I will come back after I confirm that it is correct."

Zhang Chao smiled and said, "No need to bother. Let's meet at the Shanghai Book Fair. I'm sure your publishing house will also set up a stall, right?"

Shan Yingqi said: "Okay, then we'll see you at the Shanghai Book Fair!"

After seeing Shan Yingqi off, Zhang Chao turned around and walked home. He met an old man who looked energetic, bald, with only a circle of hair left behind. Zhang Chao felt that he looked familiar, so he nodded and said, "Hello, professor." If you meet someone over 40 in this building, it's always right to call him professor, regardless of whether you know him or not.

The old man suddenly asked, "Are you the freshman who bought Lao Zhao's house? The one who writes novels?"

Zhang Chao answered obediently, "Yes, it's me. It's mainly for convenience in writing. I'm afraid it would be a bit noisy if I live in the dormitory."

The old man nodded, said nothing more, and left when the elevator arrived. Zhang Chao waited until the elevator door closed before leaving.

When Zhang Chao got home, he slapped his thigh. He remembered that this was Professor Yan Jiayan, the former head of the Chinese Department of Yan University and an authority on modern literature. He should have retired long ago, but he was still supervising doctoral students.

I hope I wasn't being rude just now...

August 8 was the registration day for freshmen at Yanda University. Zhang Chao got up early, washed, changed into clean and decent clothes, took his registration card, and went straight to the Chinese Department of Yanda University.

Because he started from the teachers' residential area of ​​Yenching University, he crossed the overpass on Zhongguancun North Street, walked north, entered the east gate of Yenching University, and then followed the signs to arrive at the building complex of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature.

When I got there, I saw that although there were banners and slogans welcoming the new students, it was so deserted. There were only a few new students who seemed to be visiting instead of registering. Fortunately, there were student volunteers welcoming the new students. I went up to ask them and found out that the new students all registered in the gymnasium.

The senior student who was volunteering asked in confusion, “Are you really a freshman?”

All the other freshmen came in through the main gate, dragging their luggage, accompanied by their parents, sitting in the shuttle bus, and being led by volunteers. He was the only one who came from the teachers' residential area with his paws drooping to report in. Zhang Chao hurried to the gymnasium, which was indeed packed with people, all of whom were beaming with joy. Each department and college had its own stall to receive new students.

However, before Zhang Chao found the Chinese Department's booth, a volunteer came over and stuffed a vest and a hat into his arms, saying, "Come and help quickly, we don't have enough manpower."

Zhang Chao: "..."

The volunteer urged, "Why are you standing there? You're so tall, go to the door and help carry the luggage."

Zhang Chao said helplessly: "Senior, I'm a freshman."

The volunteer was full of doubts: "..."

Zhang Chao took out his registration card and said, "Look... the Chinese department..."

After the misunderstanding was resolved, the volunteer apologized repeatedly and led Zhang Chao to the Chinese Department's welcome booth.

Before Zhang Chao could even get to the teacher in charge, he was stopped by a girl named "Xin". Her full name was Cheng Xin, and she was in the Chinese Department in 03. She was in the research group last time. But she was a freshman at that time, and now she is a sophomore.

Cheng Xin said in surprise: "I said you would come today, and you really came."

Zhang Chao smiled and said, "Hello, Senior Sister. I never thought I could come to Yanda to study."

Cheng Xin said: "You must join our Zhengming Society!"

At this time, a black shadow covered the two of them. A boy wearing a volunteer vest stared at Zhang Chao unkindly and said in a muffled voice: "It's my junior... My name is Yang Ming, and I'm from the Information Science Class of 03."

Zhang Chao also knew the man looked familiar, and quickly said, "Hi, Senior Yang!"

Cheng Xin asked, "Where's your luggage? Do you need help moving it to the dormitory?"

Yang Ming said: "I think you are tall and strong, so you shouldn't need it."

Cheng Xin rolled her eyes and said, "Is this a question of whether or not you can move it? This is a question of attitude as a senior."

Zhang Chao said awkwardly, "Really, no need. I'm a commuter student, I live nearby, and I didn't bring any luggage."

Cheng Xin: “……?”

Yang Ming: “……?”

Zhang Chao took the opportunity to quickly take the registration card and handed it to the teacher in charge. The teacher looked at his name and looked up and said, "Oh, you are Zhang Chao. You are different from other freshmen. You are assigned by Lu Academy to study in the third year, so you can go directly to the Academic Affairs Office with your registration card, and the teachers there will help you with the formalities. However, you still have to do the freshman physical examination and military training with the freshmen."

Then he said to Yang Ming who was still in a daze: "Take Zhang Chao to the Academic Affairs Office."

Cheng Xin looked at Zhang Chao, then at Yang Ming, and muttered to himself, "Junior year? Doesn't that mean I'm a senior right after I entered school?"

(End of this chapter)