The Price Is Really Not Low

"No, no, I didn't!"

Ding Suiwan would not admit that she had double standards.

She felt that Chen Siwen was looking for trouble for no reason!

She clearly had the same attitude towards Xiao Ran, okay? At most, it was just a little better!

***

Xiao Ran and Zhou You left the school. After walking for a distance, Zhou You turned off the fork in the road.

After all, the two of them did not live together.

After parting ways with him, Xiao Ran rode his bicycle to the entrance of the Internet cafe.

Then he went upstairs.

Feng Yao was still taking care of the Internet cafe today.

However, unlike yesterday, she was wearing a pink dress.

She even specially dressed up. She was already a young girl, but her skin was even more delicate after applying some light foundation.

She was actually comparable to Ding Suiwan.

Seeing that Xiao Ran was here, she smiled at him warmly.

"You're here again. You haven't even eaten at this hour, right?"

To be honest, she wouldn't have bothered to ask if it was anyone else.

What did it have to do with her?

However, she couldn't help but care about Xiao Ran.

This person was Xiao Ran. That was different.

After all, liking good looks were not exclusive to boys, and it was the same for girls. Xiao Ran was indeed very handsome.

He was not the kind of dazzling handsomeness, but the kind of enduring good looks. The more she looked at him, the more handsome he became.

It was mainly because his skin was good.

Most of the adolescent boys and girls would have acne or oily skin.

However, Xiao Ran did not have this problem at all.

Not only did he not have acne, but he also did not produce oil. In addition, his skin was fair, making him look sunny and clean.

Such boys were usually very likable.

"Yeah, two hours."

After saying that, Xiao Ran took out four yuan from his pocket and placed it on the bar.

"You still have to eat on time. After all, your health is your capital for revolution. Otherwise, not to mention the college entrance examination, it will be difficult to even play games. It will not be worth it."

Feng Yao couldn't help but remind him.

Only then did she make a simple note in her notebook.

"Go to the third row. That seat is better. The air conditioner is stronger there," she said with a smile.

Xiao Ran glanced over. It was indeed a good seat.

He smiled and nodded, thanking her.

Then, he walked over and turned on the computer skillfully.

After logging into QQ, he clicked on Word and prepared to continue writing.

However, as soon as he opened the document, he saw the QQ icon at the bottom corner of the computer flashing.

When he clicked on it, Xiao Ran realized that it was actually someone called Annie.

The avatar was a stuffed teddy bear.

What interested him was not this profile picture, but the introduction she sent.

Annie: [Hello, I'm Annie, the editor of Banyan Tree Hole. I'm very interested in your "Candle in the Tomb". I hope we can talk further. I look forward to your reply.]

Xiao Ran pursed his lips, his eyes filled with surprise.

Indeed, he did not choose the wrong book. "Candle in the Tomb's" recoil was indeed different.

It was only 35,000 words. He did not expect an editor to contact him.

And it was the famous Annie!

Everyone in this industry knew Annie's name.

Why?

Because she was not only an editor, but also a very influential author!

Many of her books were adapted into movies in later generations.

Xiao Ran decisively clicked "pass".

There was a feeling in his heart. Money! Is! Here!

On the other hand, Annie had been glaring at him all morning, but there was no response. She had already gotten off work and was about to eat.

Unexpectedly, just as she was about to leave her desk, her QQ suddenly rang.

She clicked on it and saw that it was a message from Xiao Ran.

It was just one simple word. Hello.

But it was enough to make Angie excited.

She hurriedly sat down and quickly typed a line of words on the keyboard.

Annie: [Hello, nice to meet you.]

Then, she picked up the red phone on the table and called Chief Editor Yang's office.

As soon as the call was picked up, she said anxiously, "Chief Editor, the author of 'Candle in the Tomb' has been contacted!"

Chief Editor Yang had already rushed her a few times this morning.

Hearing this, he immediately became excited. "Wait, I'll be right there!"

After hanging up, he strode out of the office.

He walked too quickly and bumped into someone. However, when the other party saw that it was Chief Editor Yang, he hurriedly apologized.

"I'm sorry, Chief Editor Yang. I didn't see you."

Chief Editor Yang waved his hand.

Then, he walked towards Annie's office.

After he left, the person he bumped into rubbed his shoulder.

He cursed in his heart. Yang really had eyes focused at the sky.

If not for the fact that he was the chief editor, he would really ask him why he did not look when he walked!

He should apologize to him properly!

Xiao Ran, who was sitting in the Internet cafe, looked at Annie's message.

His brows twitched.

He replied decisively: [Hello, I saw your friend request. What do you want to talk to me about?]

Actually, she had already said in the friend request that she wanted to talk to him about "Candle in the Tomb".

Therefore, there was no need for him to show off.

If he was too aloof, it would easily give people a feeling that he was not easy to approach.

After all, he was a mature old writer. Be it with his readers or editors, he would say what kind of person he was!

Xiao Ran had a thorough understanding of this aspect. He was practically pinching her with his hand!

At this moment, Chief Editor Yang had already arrived at Annie's office. He was standing by Annie's table and carefully looking at the dialog box on the computer.

He licked his lips. "Be direct. Tell him to come. The treatment will be better!"

Hearing this, Annie hurriedly typed a line of words on the computer: [It's like this. I hope you can join our Banyan Tree Hole!]

After all, web novels had just become popular these days. In the eyes of most people, of course, publishing houses had a better future.

This was like the difference between the local armed forces and the regular army.

Without a doubt, they were much more professional than the Internet!

Compared to the anxiety and excitement of the two big editors,

Xiao Ran was much calmer.

He was not in a hurry to reply. Instead, he clicked on Tieba and took a look at the latest update of his book.

As expected, this book that only had tens of thousands of words, had already gained a lot of traffic.

In just one night, there were more than 100 new comments.

This was the year 2000.

This number of comments was something that only very powerful authors could do in 2023.

Seeing that Xiao Ran did not reply, Chief Editor Yang was a little anxious.

After all, this author was a very capable author.

Moreover, he had a faint feeling that other publishers would definitely think of a way to contact him.

If he was poached by others, it would definitely be his loss!

Not only Editor Yang, but even Annie realized this.

She glanced at Editor Yang, who was standing at the side, uncertainly. "What should we do?"

"Bid, 20 for 1,000 words!"

Annie nodded and typed a line of words on the keyboard.

Annie: "Hello, we really want to work with you sincerely. Regarding the treatment, my idea is for you to sign the book with us. What do you think about the price of 20 yuan per 1,000 words?"

20 yuan for 1,000 words!

In the era before prices rose, 20 yuan per 1,000 words was equivalent to 150 yuan per 1,000 words or even 160 yuan.

This price was not low!

One had to know that many authors Xiao Ran knew in his previous life were still earning 20 or 30 yuan per 1,000 words.

A great writer's minimum was only 200 yuan per 1,000 words.

This price was indeed very sincere.

Unfortunately, Xiao Ran was not prepared to agree.

After all, this was "Candle in the Tomb"!

The subsequent adaptations of movies and television dramas were also popular.

It was impossible to take these without a few million yuan.

Xiao Ran: [Thank you for your suggestion. I'll think about it again.]

With that, he exited the chat interface and continued to write.

He had no choice. Who asked him to have limited time?

He only had an hour and a half for lunch.

He had to reach school before two o'clock. It was already 12:20 pm.

Time was money to him.

Looking at Xiao Ran's reply, Annie's expression froze.

To be honest, the price she offered was already very good among newbies.

20 yuan for 1,000 words. It had to be known that many authors were paid five yuan for 1,000 words!

But Xiao Ran actually rejected her tactfully?

What did that mean?

How much more did he want?