Boss Chang led Jing Li into the inner hall of the bookstore.
The bookstore looked a bit shabby from the outside, but it was quite interesting inside. A square courtyard connected to a two-story building, and the warm winter sun shone through the patio, illuminating the house brightly.
It’s not rich, but it’s still warm.
Jing Li looked around and asked, "Hey, Boss Chang, isn't your brother here?"
"He... he's not here." Boss Chang's face was a little stiff when he mentioned this, and he quickly turned his back to get the teapot, as if he wanted to cover up something. "A few days ago, I asked someone to find him a job. He went out with others to do business and deliver goods. He is not in the city now."
Jing Li nodded: "Is that so."
This was not the first time Jing Li came here, so he knew something about Boss Chang's situation.
Boss Chang is a man in his forties this year, thin in build, wearing an ordinary coarse cloth gown, with a shrewd look that comes from being in the business world for many years.
However, this man has never married and had children. He has only one younger brother at home. Unfortunately, his younger brother has no future and always likes to hang out in brothels, casinos and restaurants. Boss Chang rarely worried about him in the past.
As for the reason why he remembered that man, it was naturally because every time Jing Li came over, that man stared at him with lustful eyes.
It's better not to be here.
Boss Chang poured Jing Li a cup of tea: "Sir, please have some tea."
"Boss Chang, you don't have to be so polite to me." Jing Li took the teacup and said.
"Sir, you are a big celebrity now. I dare not offend you." Boss Chang glanced at the snacks Jing Li placed on the table and said with a smile, "Walnut cakes from Zhenweizhai? I think you still remember my preference."
Mr. Chang's bookstore is so big that he naturally has no shortage of money for snacks. However, Jing Li would bring him some gifts every time he came, as a way to build a good relationship.
But if it was two years ago, Jing Li would definitely not understand this.
However, Jing Li has been following Qin Zhao for these years and has been intentionally learning how to treat people and behave in society. Now he knows very well how to deal with these things.
He doesn't like it very much, but he's still trying hard to learn it.
After all, he didn't want to be a stupid fish who could only be protected by Qin Zhao.
"Mr. Chang, you're welcome." Jing Li was not used to such small talk, so he quickly changed the subject and pointed to the book "Dream Talk Notes" on the table, "How is the book selling recently?"
The book "Dream Talk" is completely different from the popular storybooks nowadays.
The most popular scripts on the market are either about monsters and demons, or about resentful lovers in the boudoir, or they are full of romantic stories that are disgusting to read.
This book, from the perspective of a girl named Shuang'er, tells the story of her and her husband's sweet and loving rural life, in which they respect each other like guests.
At this age when Shuang'er is not taken seriously, the stories in it are so beautiful that they seem to transcend reality, half true and half false, like a dream but not a dream, which actually fits the name of "Dream Talk".
As for how much of the story here is true and how much is false, Boss Chang is not sure.
"It's selling very well." Boss Chang couldn't stop laughing when he mentioned this, and said truthfully, "Since the reprint last year, this is the only copy left in the store. I heard that the ones we sent to other bookstores are also selling well."
Even Boss Chang didn't expect this scene.
When he first received the manuscript of Dream Talk, he actually did not think highly of it. The story was not outstanding, and in this era when vernacular drama was popular, it could be said to be somewhat bland and ordinary.
But the author's writing is delicate and realistic, and the whole article is told in a leisurely and leisurely manner, which has a unique flavor.
Boss Chang rarely reads this kind of story, and he was so absorbed in it that by the time he finished reading all the manuscripts, it was already dark.
From then on, he decided to publish this storybook.
This decision was somewhat impulsive. After all, the manuscript was not popular and the author was an unknown person, so it was not certain whether it could be sold.
Therefore, the first edition of "Dream Talk" was printed in very small quantities.
When it was first sold, this book did not attract many people.
But those who had read the story were full of praise for it. As word of mouth spread, it actually set off a small wave of enthusiasm, and its sales volume was close to those of the most popular vernacular plays on the market.
Mr. Chang had run a bookstore for many years, so he naturally would not miss this business opportunity and immediately reprinted the storybook.
Now that the initial enthusiasm has faded, bookshops still occasionally receive letters from readers urging them to publish the second volume as soon as possible.
Jing Li raised his lips proudly and asked impatiently: "What about the second volume..."
This is the purpose of Jing Li coming here.
But when Boss Chang heard this, he looked a little embarrassed.
He sat in front of Jing Li, his fingers unconsciously playing with the teacup in front of him.
Boss Chang has been running a bookstore in this city for more than two decades. He has seen many authors of all kinds, but he is the only one like the young man next to him.
Calling him a teenager may not be appropriate.
The man looked very young, about 20 years old, with a pretty face, making it hard to tell if he was a man or a girl. He didn't look like a scholar, his eyes were clear and bright, his spirit was bright, and his temperament was quite simple.
He doesn't look like a scholar, but more like a young master who grew up in a honey pot.
If he had not read it in advance, he would never have believed that the new vernacular novel with a strong sense of life and delicate and gentle writing style was actually written by this person.
Thinking of this, Boss Chang sighed silently and said, "Mr. Zhaoli, you are a brilliant writer. It is my honor to cooperate with you."
Upon hearing his words, Jing Li's heart skipped a beat.
He had heard this a lot before.
The stories in this "Dream Talk Notes" were originally some of his daily life trivia that he recorded sporadically. After moving to the capital, they were in financial difficulties, so Jing Li wanted to sort out these stories and make them into a storybook to earn some money.
He was not famous, and his stories were not in line with the trend. Before Mr. Chang accepted his manuscript, it had been rejected by seven or eight bookstores.
The first sentence of all rejection statements is always: "Sir, your writing is brilliant. I am honored to have the opportunity to work with you. It's a pity that..."
… is just outrageous.
Jing Li was a little impatient, and waited for the other party to finish speaking before interrupting, "Boss Chang, you just said that the first volume sold very well."
In fact, the fee Jing Li earned from writing the first volume of Dream Talk was not that much.
He was a rookie, and it was a stroke of luck that someone was willing to accept his manuscripts, so he naturally did not dare to ask for too much. The manuscript of the first volume of "Dream Talk" was bought out by the bookstore, and only five taels of silver were paid to Jingli.
According to Jing Li, the first edition and reprint of "Dream Talk" have been printed nearly a thousand copies. After deducting the cost, each book can make a profit of three cents. By this calculation, Boss Chang has made a lot of money from him.
After all, not every newcomer's book can earn so much money.
Jing Li: "Besides, didn't we agree before that the second volume would be split between you and me? You received the manuscript a long time ago."
The success of the first volume was beyond their expectations. Logically, if they continued to cooperate in publishing the second volume, the profit would only be higher than the first. This was also the reason why Boss Chang proposed to Jing Li to change the manuscript to profit sharing.
Jing Li had already handed over the manuscript of the second volume to Boss Chang years ago. According to the timing, it should be published soon.
Is this person regretting it now
At this time, manuscripts were submitted in handwriting, and there was no such thing as backup.
Jing Li was also worried about the safety of the manuscript at first, but this bookstore had some fame in the city, and with government supervision, Jing Li felt at ease to submit his manuscript.
Judging from their interactions over the past few months, although Boss Chang is a bit slick, he is very honest in his business dealings and is definitely not the kind of person who would go back on his word at the last minute.
By doing this, he is clearly refusing to take advantage of a ready-made business.
Jing Li suddenly remembered the packed books he had seen outside and asked, "Are you moving them away?"
"I..." Boss Chang paused strangely for a moment and sighed, "Let me tell you the truth. My mother is alone in my hometown. She had a serious illness a few years ago. I plan to go back to my hometown, so I may have to close the store for a while."
Jing Li blinked.
Just because of this
Boss Chang said, "This story is very popular right now. It's better for you to publish it somewhere else than to keep it with me. I'm doing this for Mr. Xi's sake."
That's not wrong.
Now Jing Li already has a book on hand and has achieved some results, so he is not worried about not being able to submit his manuscript. But if he changes to another publisher at this critical juncture, the price will definitely be lowered again and again.
No matter how you think about it, it's not as cost-effective as continuing to publish here.
Jing Li pursed his lips, a little depressed: "Have you been gone for a long time?"
The young man had handsome features, and his whisper was so pitiful that it made people's hearts melt.
Boss Chang looked at him and sighed secretly in his heart.
He didn't know much about this "Mr. Zhaoli", but he already had some rough guesses in his mind.
This young man was so handsome, and his writing was gentle and delicate, most likely he was a twin, and most likely he was married. He was dressed quite ordinary, and he always came alone, and he never revealed where he lived or his real name, obviously not wanting others to know his identity.
It seems that there is only one possibility.
This young girl should have a good family background, but she was married to a husband who did not love her and was not valued in her husband's family.
Only in this way can it be explained that this young man is so innocent and noble, but dares not reveal his identity, and needs the royalties from writing to supplement his life.
As for the kind of life the boy described in the book, in Boss Chang's opinion, it was more like the boy's wishful fantasy.
Precisely because it was a fantasy, the boy named it "Dream Talk".
Boss Chang thought of a lot of things in an instant, and his eyes changed when he looked at Jing Li.
Jing Li was thinking about how to persuade Boss Chang to change his mind: "?"
"Well, I'll help you one last time." Boss Chang sighed heavily and said, "I've already reviewed the manuscript of the second volume. This time we'll just print 2,500 copies and you'll take 30% of the profit. How about that?"
Jing Li was stunned for a moment.
"Two thousand five hundred copies... 30% profit..." Jing Li calculated in a low voice.
"A total of 22500 taels." Boss Chang said, "Based on the sales volume of the first volume, it is most appropriate to print this much for the first edition. Any more may be risky."
Boss Chang paused for a moment and added: "If it sells well in the future, we can print more and split the profits 70% to 30%."
Jing Li asked blankly: "But aren't you going back to your hometown?"
Boss Chang avoided Jing Li's sight and said quickly, "I will do it this afternoon. The first batch of books can be printed within three days. It's still in time."
Seeing that Boss Chang didn't look like he was joking, Jing Li finally breathed a sigh of relief: "That's great!"
Boss Chang nodded and said, "Come to my bookstore again in three days and I will return the manuscript to you."
Jing Li: "Okay."
The young man did not try to hide his joy. Boss Chang felt pity for him when he saw his innocent look. He pushed the cakes on the table back and said, "Also, take these cakes back and eat them. You don't have to spend money on them anymore."
"Ah?" Jing Li blinked, "No need, these are bought for you."
"Take it back. Even if you don't eat it yourself, you can use it to honor your husband's family and your parents-in-law."
Jing Li was even more confused: "Respect my husband's family..."
Boss Chang remembered that the young man's books were full of fantasies about husbands doting on their wives after marriage, and guessed that this man probably didn't know how to obey his husband, so he said earnestly, "This is what a wife or concubine should do."
Boss Chang couldn't bear to hurt the boy, so he said cryptically, "Think about it, you've been away for so long, your husband will definitely ask you where you've been when you get home. If you say you went out to buy cakes for him, he'll be happy."
"If he's happy, won't he love you even more?"
Jing Li: “…”
It seems to make some sense.
"Young man..." Boss Chang shook his head and sighed, "Remember to speak softly and coax your husband more in front of him, so that he can love you more..."
Jing Li was taught a lesson on husband and wife by Boss Chang, a bachelor for a lifetime. By the time Jing Li came to his senses, he had already left the bookstore in a daze, carrying the cakes.
He had indeed been out for too long this time. When he walked to the door of his house, he saw someone standing at the door looking out.
Who else could it be but Qin Zhao.
Jing Li was instantly furious, and before Qin Zhao could come over to hug him, he angrily asked, "Why are you standing outside in the wind?"
Qin Zhao paused and said helplessly, "I just wanted to see you come back. You just came out for a while. If you don't believe me, ask Ah Qi."
Jing Li naturally didn't believe it.
He is no longer the fish that could be easily fooled a year ago.
Jing Li wanted to argue with Qin Zhao, but suddenly he remembered what Boss Chang had said, and his voice softened: "Then you... you are not allowed to do this again."
"Okay." Qin Zhao smiled and took the things from Jing Li's hand. "What do you want to buy?"
Jing Li hummed: "Walnut cake."
The man added: "I bought it especially for you."
"Really?" Qin Zhao raised his eyebrows slightly.
Jing Li said seriously: "Really."
"Okay, if you mean it, it's true." Qin Zhao took Jing Li's hand and walked inside, but his smile faded. "But rules are rules. Bribing me is useless. You are not allowed to eat cakes before lunch, so that you won't eat well."
Jing Li: “…”
I would love him more or something like that... It turned out to be a lie.
Being cheated.