Chapter Thirty-Nine: Joy Turns to Sorrow

Wei Xiyue did not know how he made it out of the teahouse. He glanced back at the lush second floor, let out a long sigh, and left with unwilling steps.

What had seemed a sure victory had suddenly reversed itself, leaving Wei Xiyue feeling as though this were the classic case of joy turning into sorrow.

He was deeply unwilling to accept it, but what could unwillingness do? The backgrounds of those young men were not something their publishing house could afford to offend.

And aside from the two he already knew, the third seemed to hold even higher standing than Wang Ximing and Deng Cheng. With that in mind, he dared not utter a word of opposition.

What he could not understand was why Zhou Xuan knew such people.

Back in the hotel lobby, Yan Ling of Zhongzhou Publishing came up with a bright smile and asked, “So? How did it go?”

Wei Xiyue’s face twisted with regret. “Ah... it’s over. This time I really was wrong.”

If he had known earlier that Zhou Xuan had such powerful connections, why would they at Xiling have caused so many complications? They should have just made money honestly. In any case, the northern side was nothing to worry about, and A History of the Ming Dynasty was certain to soar. In that case, with the publishing rights to all eight volumes of the Ming Dynasty series in hand, Xiling Publishing would one day become a first-tier publishing house in Huaxia.

But now it had all been ruined by Wei Xiyue. Even though he had only made the suggestion, the company would surely settle accounts with him. He might even lose his post as editor-in-chief. Had he known, why would he have done it in the first place?

Seeing Yan Ling standing there, Wei Xiyue felt nothing but disgust. If she had not stirred things up and sown discord yesterday, he would never have resolved to use those underhanded methods against Zhou Xuan.

Yan Ling saw the regret on Wei Xiyue’s face, the look of unwillingness there, and then that sudden icy expression toward her. Instantly, she sensed that something was terribly wrong, and could not imagine what had happened in just one hour.

“What exactly happened, Wei Xiyue?” she asked cautiously.

“What happened? You’re still asking me what happened!” Wei Xiyue shouted in shame and anger. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have made an enemy of Zhou Xuan. Now everything is ruined. It’s all your fault.”

“What do you mean it’s my fault? Explain yourself,” Yan Ling asked anxiously.

Wei Xiyue went over to the sofa in the lobby and said with a miserable face, “When Zhou Xuan asked me to come today, it was nothing like we imagined. He called me over only to inform me that the publication of A History of the Ming Dynasty had nothing more to do with Xiling after the second volume. And Shan Zha Tree Love would not go to us either. On top of that, we’d have to help eliminate the negative impact surrounding the Ming Dynasty.”

Yan Ling was instantly incredulous. “How can that be? And you just agreed to it?”

“I’ll tell you how he could. It was because of his two friends: one is the son of the provincial organization minister, and another is the son of the chairman of Blue Sky Group. And the fiercest of all is a young man from a powerful Beijing family. Your Zhongzhou Publishing would dare to go against Zhou Xuan? At any rate, our Xiling Publishing would not.”

“How could that be? He’s just a middle school student from some small county. How could he possibly know people like that?”

“You’re asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?”

“...Sigh.”

On the second floor of the riverside teahouse, Zhou Xuan thanked Jiang Yun and the others. “Thanks to Brother Jiang, Brother Wang, and Brother Deng Cheng for helping me. If you hadn’t been there, who knows what conditions Wei Xiyue might have tried to force on me?”

Jiang Yun waved a hand. “Nothing worth mentioning. Some novels can be suppressed and manipulated in secret, and then sell hardly any copies. But I believe yours, the Ming Dynasty one, is definitely not among them. The public’s eyes are sharp. It’s bound to become a huge hit. And it’s already sold hundreds of thousands of copies. No amount of smearing in those newspapers can compare with word of mouth and the readers’ enthusiasm.”

“Exactly! Zhou Xuan, your Ming Dynasty book is really amazing. In just over ten days, it’s already sold hundreds of thousands of copies. I’m going to buy one later and take a look. You know, I hardly ever read books.” Deng Cheng moved his chair closer and continued eagerly, “If Zhang Yimou really is going to make your novel into a film, could you say something to him for me? Let me play a small part in it.”

Zhou Xuan made no attempt at modesty. “Of course I know the potential of the Ming Dynasty, or I wouldn’t have signed that wager with Xiling. But this time, Xiling knew full well about Director Zhang’s news and still tried to hide it from me, hoping to trick me out of the film and television rights. That really leaves me a little chilled.”

At Deng Cheng’s words, Zhou Xuan could not help thinking of the future heartthrob Wang Shicong. With the glory of Wanda behind him, he could play any role he wanted. Did he really need to flatter me, the original author of the novel, like this?

Blue Sky Group may have held a leading position in real estate in the southwest, but on a national scale it did not even rank among the top hundred. After all, the real estate boom had not yet arrived, and in the industry itself, the more developed coastal regions were far ahead. Their real estate firms were not something the current Blue Sky Group could compare with.

“I can point you toward a path. In the future, if you want to play a part in that film, the director will give you face. Want to know what it is?” Zhou Xuan said to Deng Cheng with a grin.

Deng Cheng was naturally interested in that, and even Jiang Yun and Wang Ximing listened carefully to what Zhou Xuan was about to say.

“Blue Sky mainly does residential communities now, and some commercial developments as well. But commercial projects lack distinction, and they also lack reputation and word of mouth. Think about it: if Blue Sky were to have its own commercial properties in major cities across the country, and each project included hotels, office towers, shopping malls, residences, property management, and more, covering nearly every part of the real estate industry, what kind of scene would that create? At Blue Sky Plaza, you’d have a one-stop experience for eating, drinking, and entertainment. You could watch movies, shop, dine—everything you could want. One Blue Sky Plaza, one city center.”

“One Blue Sky Plaza, one city center—that sounds really powerful,” Deng Cheng repeated, his eyes shining after hearing Zhou Xuan’s words.

“Good! Zhou Xuan, I never expected your insight into the real estate industry to be so profound. I really don’t know what to say. I think it won’t be long before Deng Cheng’s old man comes looking for you. He’ll definitely be very interested in this business model of yours,” Jiang Yun praised.

“Haha, I’m just talking casually. If Uncle Deng does come, I’ll be sure to welcome him with the utmost hospitality,” Zhou Xuan said with a smile.

“Hey, Zhou Xuan, you still haven’t said how opening a plaza would make those directors give me face?” Deng Cheng was still fixated on the earlier question.

Zhou Xuan could not help but laugh. “Build a film circuit on the back of your commercial property, and later you can also move into other commercial plazas. If your circuit becomes one of the top circuits in the country, would those film companies and directors still not give you face?”

“Damn, Zhou Xuan, you’re brilliant! This time I’m convinced. No, I have to talk this over properly with my dad. My dream of making movies...”

“Tsk, I think you just want to use the opportunity to go after those beautiful starlets!”

“Haha!”

At that, everyone burst into laughter.