Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
At the same time, on the Internet.
Heaven Xiao logged into QQ early in the morning. He waited until 9am, when the editors were at work, then immediately sent the chief editor, Wen Song, a message.
Heaven Xiao: “Wen Song, are you there?”
Wen Song: “Yes, why?”
Heaven Xiao: “I saw a newbie’s novel yesterday and I like its title and book number. Can I get them?”
Wen Song: “Huh? A title of someone else’s novel? A newbie? Which novel is it? It has a good number?”
Heaven Xiao: “It’s called ‘Battle Through the Heavens.’ The book number is 1688888. Isn’t that awesome? That’s why I want to buy it. Can I do that?”
Wen Song: “The title and book number are indeed impressive, but normally, we can only get the title at least a year after the novel has been published. It’s a bit more complicated with a new novel, since the author’s still working on it, after all. He might stop updating the novel if he finds out that the title has been changed.”
Heaven Xiao: “I’ve considered this as well, so my idea is to contact the author and buy the title and book number from him. What do you think?”
Wen Song: “It’ll be fine if he agrees. Remember to sign a title transfer agreement with him, in case something happens.”
Heaven Xiao: “Got it.”
…
Wang Hao uploaded the new chapter onto the website, then did the same old thing — he sent promo messages to every QQ group.
In the middle of promoting, he suddenly heard the beep of an incoming notification. Someone had sent him a friend request.
“Who’s that?” Wang Hao had a look out of curiosity. “Heaven Xiao? The miserable guru I met at the job fair the other day?”
Wang Hao accepted the request and asked, “Hi, is everything alright?”
Heaven Xiao: “Hi, I’m Heaven Xiao, an author from Fengyun. I accidentally saw the title and book number of your work, and it just so happens that I still haven’t decided on the title for my new novel. So, I want to buy your title and book number. Of course, I’ll offer you a large compensation.”
What the f*ck? What’s this about?!
He wants to buy the title and book number of “Battle Through the Heavens”?
Can you even afford it, brother?
Sunday Wang: “I’m sorry. They’re not for sale.”
Heaven Xiao: “I’ll offer you 5000 yuan. What do you think? I’ve had a look at your novel. There’s only 6000 words, so 5000 yuan is almost like one yuan per word. It’s a fair price. Deal?”
Five thousand yuan?! To buy the title and book number of “Battle Through the Heavens”?!
Even if you offer me five million, I’m not selling!
I might think about it if you gave me fifty million, though…
Sunday Wang: “I really can’t sell them. I spent a lot of time on the title, and the book number is incredible. No! Never!”
Heaven Xiao: “Never say never. How about I give you 10,000 yuan? What do you think? It’s just a new novel. You can simply change the title and rewrite the beginning, then publish it again. Or I can inform the editor on your behalf once you’ve come up with another title, and I’ll ask them to directly change it for you, okay? 10,000 yuan! If you agree, we’ll sign a transfer agreement, and the money will be all yours.”
Ten thousand yuan… Seriously?
Sunday Wang: “No, I’m not selling, no matter how much you pay me!”
Seeing Wang Hao’s message, Heaven Xiao paused for a moment, then finally showed his fangs!
Heaven Xiao: “You assh*le! I just don’t want you to waste such a good title. I offered you 10,000 yuan because I thought highly of you. Believe it or not, you may not even earn 10,000 yuan after you finish writing the novel! This is a generous deal. Don’t be so shameless!”
F*ck! You think I’m scared of you?
Sunday Wang: “I really don’t believe it. You’re talking as if I’ve never seen money in my whole life!”
F*ck, it’s “Battle Through the Heavens”! The No.1 fantasy novel in the previous world! Are you actually telling me that I can’t earn 10,000 yuan with this novel?
Heaven Xiao: “You have guts, huh? We’ll see! ‘Battle Through the Heavens,’ right? Not selling, right? I’ll call my new novel ‘Fight Through the Heavens.’ People might say your title is plagiarized, so beware! Let’s see how far your career can go! F*ck you!”
Damn, you think I’m scared?! You can steal the title, but can you steal the content too?
Sunday Wang: “I’m not worried about that. Goodbye!”
F*ck, what’s so great about a guru? You think I’m scared of you?! I have to screenshot this conversation so that he can’t accuse me of being the copycat!
“F*ck, such an arrogant newbie!” After failing to get the title and book number, Heaven Xiao grabbed his keyboard and threw it down furiously!
“Crack!” The buttons on the keyboard spun and flew out like broken pieces of glass to scatter all over the floor.
He really loved this novel’s title “Battle Through the Heavens,” and he particularly liked the book number, 1688888!
If his new novel had a book number like that, it would be as glamorous as a Rolls-Royce with a CA88888 license plate!
But the assh*le refuses to sell it! F*ck, letting such a rubbish novel use such a good number is like putting a CA88888 license plate on an old, ordinary car. It’s a total waste!
“He f*cking pisses me off! F*ck!” Heaven Xiao was so angry that he had to take a few deep breaths before he finally calmed down. He then connected a new keyboard to the computer and sent Wen Song a message.
Heaven Xiao: “I couldn’t get the title and book number. The newbie doesn’t want to sell them. F*ck!”
Wen Song: “Huh? He rejected you?”
Heaven Xiao: “Hm, I offered him 10,000 yuan, but he rejected me. F*ck, that assh*le took such a nice title and book number. I’m so pissed off.”
Wen Song: “So, what are you going to do? We can’t change anything if the author disagrees. It’ll cause conflict.”
Heaven Xiao: “I’ll name my new novel ‘Fight Through the Heavens.’ F*ck, this title sounds okay, but it just lacks a bit of vigor.”
Wen Song: “It’s pretty good. Go create your new novel, then. I’ll let you pass the review.”
Heaven Xiao: “Alright, I’m on it.”
While Heaven Xiao was creating a new novel on the website, Wen Song sat in his office, touched his chin, and wondered, “A newbie refused to sell the title and book number for 10,000 yuan? He’s really level-headed. That isn’t a small amount. Hm, let’s check out his novel.”
Wen Song’s thoughts were simple.
Heaven Xiao was a guru, and he was one of the website’s most important assets. Wen Song had to keep him happy. If the newbie did come up with something unsatisfactory, he as an editor could try to persuade him. If not, he could arrange two recommendations for the newbie as extra compensation on top of the 10,000 yuan from Heaven Xiao. Then, everyone would be pleased.
But if this newbie had written a good novel…
Needless to say, Wen Song would immediately offer him a contract!