Don't be surprised.
Although 'Youth Literature' represents the voice of young people in the country, it isn't limited to publishing purely academic articles. In addition to scholarly perspectives, it also features literary criticism, social issues, pure literature, historical knowledge, interviews with renowned figures, global commentary… a wide range of topics. As long as it involves thoughtful insight or intellectual content, it may appear in 'Youth Literature'.
However, due to its high standards, not just any writer can get published there. Although this article on zhiguai fiction had a promotional aspect, its academic value was quite high. It also served an educational purpose regarding zhiguai fiction and offered meaningful insights. Moreover, the author of the article was no ordinary writer. His name was Shen Junru, a well-known literary critic in Huaguo.
Putting aside the quality of the article itself, just the name Shen Junru was enough for 'Youth Literature' to publish it without hesitation.
As expected, once the article was released, 'A Chinese Ghost Story' exploded in popularity.
The novel had already been performing well, but with Shen Junru's recommendation, it instantly became a dark horse in the publishing world.
That very week, the first print run of 50.000 copies sold out. Due to insufficient preparation, another urgent print run of 100.000 copies was ordered. Unexpectedly, within a week, those 100.000 copies also sold out. A third print run of 300.000 copies followed, which only slightly eased the overwhelming demand.
As 'A Chinese Ghost Story' soared in sales, a wave of reviews quickly followed.
"'A Chinese Ghost Story' is the best supernatural novel I've ever read."
"Finally, a supernatural novel that isn't about horror or suspense. Thumbs up."
"I feel so bad for Hongye, turning white-haired overnight."
"Zhuge Liuyun is hilarious. Too bad he's just a supporting character."
"I don't agree with Shen Junru. The romance in 'A Chinese Ghost Story' is the real highlight."
"I just want to know, does Nie Xiaoqian love Ning Caichen or the Seven Nights Holy Lord?"
"Of course, Ning Caichen. The Blue Demon's Tear even glowed for him."
"Nonsense. The Seven Nights Holy Lord is her destined lover across seven lifetimes. He's the one she truly loves."
"Why does this feel so messy? Clearly, Hongye and Ning Caichen are the best match."
"You're all wrong. Nie Xiaoqian actually loves Yan Hongye. Zhuge Liuyun and the Seven Nights Holy Lord are the perfect pair."
"You above, that's disgusting."
"After reading 'A Chinese Ghost Story', why do I feel like the righteous path is getting more and more unbearable?"
"Exactly! What Xuanxin Zhengzong? Total nonsense. Only Yan Chixia and Sima Sanniang feel like true righteous cultivators. The rest are all hypocrites. The demonic Yin-Yue Dynasty values loyalty and emotion far more. Whether it's the previous Holy Lord, the Six Paths Demon Lord, or the even more charismatic Seven Nights, they completely outshine the so-called righteous path."
"Totally agree. But I just want to know, is this Fanchen the same one who wrote 'Strange Tales'? Damn, this 'A Chinese Ghost Story' is even better than 'Strange Tales'."
Comments flooded in, and praise poured like a tide.
Riding this wave of acclaim, 'A Chinese Ghost Story' saw yet another surge in sales.
So far, total sales have reached 400.000 copies, surpassing Zhang Yun's 'Evil Ghosts Run Rampant', which sold 300.000 copies, and completely crushing other works in the same genre. Even the third print run of 300.000 copies was running low, and New Moon Publishing had already announced plans for a fourth printing. Industry insiders predicted that total annual sales would exceed 700.000 copies, breaking the record for supernatural fiction.
...
"Fanchen, you win. I admit defeat. You're incredible, seriously incredible."
On TT Messenger, Zhang Yun sent several messages in a row to Huang Yifan.
"What's going on?"
Ever since Zhang Yun added Huang Yifan on TT and made that bet with him, the two had gotten to know each other.
At first, Huang Yifan didn't think much of Zhang Yun, assuming he was like those so-called experts trying to suppress him. But after interacting with him, he realized Zhang Yun was actually quite likable. Although he wanted to compete, it was purely for the sake of competition, with no ulterior motives.
Because of that, the two had become something like casual friends.
Not particularly close, nor deeply bonded, but Huang Yifan found Zhang Yun to be straightforward and genuine. Of course, he was a bit proud, but that was normal for a writer.
"What's going on? You don't know?"
"Know what?"
"Damn, you haven't been paying attention to your own 'A Chinese Ghost Story'?"
"Oh, you mean that? I already handed it over for publication. What about it?"
"You seriously don't care about our bet at all, do you? Still, I've got to hand it to you. Your 'A Chinese Ghost Story' has already sold 400.000 copies. It completely crushed my 'Evil Ghosts Run Rampant'. This really hurts, you know? Your sales have stepped all over me, a so-called master of supernatural fiction. What kind of world is this?"
"Oh, that? It's only 400.000 copies. That's not that impressive, is it?"
Huang Yifan didn't seem impressed.
"Only 400.000? You think that's little?"
"Is it a lot? Don't the news always report authors selling a million or two million copies? Mine's only 400.000. nowhere near that."
"You… you… You're seriously going to piss me off. Do you even know who those authors are? The ones selling millions are the absolute top-tier writers. There aren't many of them in the whole country. You think just any writer can sell that much? If that were the case, writing would be way too easy. And don't forget, we write supernatural fiction. It's a niche genre. Selling 400.000 copies is already insanely impressive. What more do you want?"
"Alright, alright, you're right. Should I laugh triumphantly three times now? Hahaha, hahaha, hahaha."
"So fake. I'm done talking to you. The more I talk to you, the more my confidence takes a hit. No, I need a rematch. Next time, I'm also writing a fake supernatural novel disguised as one."
"Sure, sure. I'll be looking forward to it."
After ending the chat with Zhang Yun, Huang Yifan sent a message to Hongdou, the editor at New Moon Publishing.
"Hongdou, I heard my 'A Chinese Ghost Story' is selling pretty well?"
Not long after, he got a reply.
"Yeah, I messaged you a few days ago. Didn't you see it?"
"Uh… did you?"
Huang Yifan checked his message history and realized she really had.
"Alright, sorry. I've been busy these past few days, probably overlooked it."
"No worries. Your 'A Chinese Ghost Story' is really well written. It's already sold 400.000 copies. I'm preparing to apply for a major promotion from the company. As for your royalties, since settlements with bookstores take time, you'll receive them in about three months. If you need money urgently, I can apply to get you an advance of 50.000 yuan."
"No rush on the royalties. You can handle it as usual. I just wanted to check how the book was doing."
"That's about it. Oh, by the way, are you close with Shen Junru?"
"Who's Shen Junru?"
"You don't know him?"
"No."
"Seriously? A famous literary critic, and you don't know him?"
"Well… I wasn't really in the writing world before."
"Alright, I believe you. But that's strange. If you don't know him, why did he recommend your book in 'Youth Literature'?"
"He recommended my 'A Chinese Ghost Story'?"
"Yeah, in the latest issue. Shen Junru strongly recommended it. Your novel was already on the verge of breaking out, and with his push, it exploded instantly. It hasn't even been out that long, and it's already sold 400.000 copies."
"Thanks for letting me know."
Huang Yifan wrote down the name Shen Junru as a note and continued typing on his keyboard.
In two days, 'The School Belle's Bodyguard' would be released. This Master Shen Junru would have to wait for now. Time was tight, and he needed to build up more chapters.
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