**Chapter 61: Waiting for the Wind**

"Any changes in the sales data for *Twilight*, Ned?"

It was a little after four in the afternoon the next day. Felix stood in front of the large windows of the Greenwood Publishing office, looking at the setting sun with a slightly hoarse voice as he asked.

Standing in front of his desk was a man in his thirties with brown hair, wearing a suit and glasses, giving off an intellectual air. This was Felix's assistant, Ned Hudders.

Ned shook his head. "No, I just called all the stores. Not only the 18 bookstores under our publishing house, but other stores haven't seen any change in *Twilight*'s sales either. As of four o'clock today, we've sold over 1,600 copies—slightly better than yesterday, but it's just a normal increase."

"No change?"

Felix frowned tightly, clearly disappointed. Yesterday, Luca had confidently assured him that there would be a change in *Twilight*'s sales today.

He trusted Luca.

In the days they'd worked together, Luca had shown himself to be stable, intelligent, with sharp insight. He wasn't someone who made careless promises.

Had Luca missed the mark this time?

"Boss, the printing factory just called. They've prepared the paper for the third batch of 50,000 copies. Should we proceed with printing?"

Ned spoke up again.

Felix thought for a moment. "Go ahead."

*Bang!*

Before they could continue, the office door was kicked open.

Old Schwarz, leaning on his cane, stormed in with a furious expression. "Mason! Yesterday we agreed to scale back *Twilight*'s distribution. Why didn't you follow through?"

Felix frowned, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes. He waved his hand, and Ned quietly closed the door and left the room.

"Schwarz, although *Twilight*'s sales have been turbulent this week, the overall trend is upward. We sold 1,200 copies the day before yesterday, 1,500 yesterday, and 1,600 today. Isn't that an improvement?"

"Sixteen hundred? Ha!"

Old Schwarz threw his head back and laughed, his scraggly beard trembling with every chuckle.

"Mason, don't forget your position. You're the general manager of Greenwood Publishing. Is it really worth your time to care about a small project selling just over a thousand copies a day?"

Schwarz waved his cane, raising his voice in question.

Felix spread his hands. "Even if it's a small project, it's performing better than most of our current ones, isn't it?"

Despite *Twilight*'s modest sales, it had sold over 20,000 copies in a week, which was better than most of their other projects. That spoke more to the poor state of the company than to *Twilight*'s success. Otherwise, a general manager like Felix wouldn't have paid attention to such a small project.

"Hmph!"

Old Schwarz knew the state of the publishing house all too well. He stomped his cane in frustration. "The reason the company is in such dire straits is because of your incompetence! In the year you've been running this place, all you've done is implement one chaotic reform after another. Look at the mess you've made! Are you satisfied?"

Felix sighed helplessly. The company's situation wasn't his fault.

When he took over, it was already in deep trouble, burdened with issues that were nearly impossible to resolve.

He had been forced to make drastic changes, laying off many veteran editors, trimming redundant departments, and cutting unnecessary expenses.

Only then had the company's financial situation started to improve.

The reforms had made a difference, but they'd angered some shareholders, leaving him under a great deal of pressure.

Felix sighed again. "Schwarz, Luca made a promise yesterday that the sales of *Twilight* would pick up by tomorrow at the latest. I trust him."

"Luca?!"

Old Schwarz gasped in frustration, displeased. "Don't mention that kid to me. All he does is spout nonsense about the 'internet age' and the 'decline of brick-and-mortar businesses,' or about this 'Internet of Things.' Who knows where he reads these sci-fi ideas, but he treats them like gospel. And you, Mason—"

Schwarz pointed his cane at Felix. "I know you helped Luca publish *Twilight* as a favor, and I didn't object. Selling the first batch of 10,000 copies was already impressive. But now you want to print another 50,000? What are you going to do with the 30,000 that won't sell?"

As he spoke, Schwarz's eyes fell on a contract on the desk. It was for the printing of another 50,000 copies of *Twilight*, already signed by Felix in the bottom right corner.

At the sight of it, Schwarz's expression darkened.

"Mason, are you out of your mind? The second batch of 50,000 copies hasn't even sold out, and now you're printing another 50,000? Have you lost it?!"

"Schwarz, calm down!"

Felix worried that the old man might have a heart attack. He gently placed his hands on Schwarz's shoulders, trying to calm him.

"Let go!"

Schwarz swung his cane forcefully.

Had Felix not dodged in time, it would've hit his arm.

"Mason, are you out of your mind?" Schwarz's beard quivered with anger as he glared at Felix. "What exactly are you trying to do? Are you trying to bankrupt the publishing house?"

Felix shook his head, pulling out a report. "Schwarz, calm down. Based on our market survey of 500 readers, 85% of those who read *Twilight* said they were pleasantly surprised and very satisfied with it. The feedback on the novel has been overwhelmingly positive."

He continued, "Considering the sales trend over the past few days, our marketing team unanimously agrees that *Twilight* has a lot of potential. Even printing another 100,000 copies wouldn't be a risk."

"Bullshit!"

Schwarz cursed loudly. "I don't care about your market research. I'm telling you, this plan isn't going forward, and there's no reason to keep backing this project."

"Schwarz, you can't—"

"Hmph!"

Schwarz waved his hand dismissively, glaring at Felix. "Also, tomorrow I'll be calling a board meeting. Mason, you've clearly lost the ability to lead. I don't think you're fit to be the general manager anymore."

"Schwarz—"

"Hmph!"

Schwarz ignored Felix's protest, turned, and began walking out of the office.

*Bang!*

Suddenly, the office door was thrown open again.

Both Felix and Schwarz froze in surprise. Was the general manager's office open to anyone now?

"Boss, good news!"

Ned, who had just left, ran back in, breathless, his face filled with shock and excitement.

"What's going on, Ned?"

Felix asked, bewildered.

"Hmph, Mason, look at your people—just as rude and uncouth as you!"

Schwarz grumbled, leaning on his cane, ready to leave.

"Boss, just now, 22 bookstores in Manhattan called, urgently requesting 1,000 more copies of *Twilight* each. Their shelves are empty, and there are lines of people waiting to place orders."

"What?!"

Both Felix and the departing Schwarz stood there, stunned.

Twenty-two stores, 1,000 copies each, and lines of customers waiting?

(End of Chapter)