"Yeah, what do you think I came looking for you for?"
"But… why?"
"Why?"
Huang Yifan looked puzzled. "Do I need a reason to ask you for a photo?"
"Yeah… I think there should be one."
"Let me think… Well, since we're deskmates, I figured we should take one together. A photo would be a nice keepsake. Otherwise, what if I don't remember you in the future?"
"Ugh, men are all the same. Give it a few years, and they don't even remember their classmates."
"How'd this become a dig at men? Do you think… ten years from now, you'll still recognize me?"
"I will."
Zhang Huiping replied with complete certainty.
"Uh…"
Hearing her resolute tone, Huang Yifan's heart trembled slightly, as if he had sensed something.
But it seemed Zhang Huiping also realized the deeper meaning behind her own words. A faint blush spread across her face as she glanced at him and said, "Then let's go take that photo… just in case one day you forget me."
The two got up and hurried back to the campus of Tieshikou Middle School.
By this time, most of Class 2 had already finished their photos, and the photographer was packing up to leave.
Just then, the two of them arrived. "Excuse me, sir. We had something to take care of earlier. Would you mind taking one last picture for us?"
"No problem. Where do you want it?"
"Under the phoenix tree, just over there."
Huang Yifan pointed toward the tree in the schoolyard. "Come on, Zhang Huiping, let's go."
"Mm."
She gave a small nod and followed him over.
"Right here's good."
He picked a decent spot and stood under the tree. He thought about striking a pose but felt it was too forced. Then he considered gently holding her left hand, but knowing how shy she was, he decided against it. In the end, he simply stood still and gave Zhang Huiping a warm look, trying to ease her nervousness.
Zhang Huiping, on the other hand, was a bundle of nerves. It was her first time taking a photo with Huang Yifan, part nervous, part scared. Instinctively, she wanted to take a step back. But when she saw the warmth in his gaze, a wave of calm washed over her.
It pushed back the darkness and fear, giving her a sudden burst of courage.
She stepped forward, slightly raised her left hand, and gently grasped the corner of Huang Yifan's shirt. With a bashful but genuine smile, she faced the camera.
'Click', the moment froze in time.
…
The class photo, the graduation certificate, it all signaled the end of Huang Yifan's middle school days.
No graduation party, no tearful goodbyes.
Middle schoolers didn't think that deeply. They had no idea this could be the last time they'd ever see some of their friends.
Huang Yifan wasn't a sentimental guy. After hugging most of his classmates, he simply went home.
As usual, he logged into TT. The moment he came online, a friend request popped up.
When he clicked it, it read: Editor Lin Hao from Midnight Talk.
He accepted.
Soon after, Lin Hao messaged him.
"Liangcha has officially resigned. I'll be your new editor. From now on, send your drafts to my email."
"No problem."
Though he was a bit surprised Liangcha had quit, he nodded in agreement.
"Alright, let's talk about publishing the 'Strange Tales' collection. Liangcha mentioned before he left that you were considering releasing it as a complete volume. We had a meeting at Midnight Talk and agreed to go ahead with the publication. The editorial team has decided to offer a buyout, 200.000 yuan for full rights. What do you think?"
"200.000?"
Huang Yifan was a bit surprised and sent a question mark.
"Mr. Fanchen, no need to be shocked. 'Strange Tales' is indeed worth that amount. And don't worry, even if we end up losing money on the publication, we'll still pay you the full 200.000."
That was kind of funny; this guy clearly thought Huang Yifan was amazed by how high the price was.
What a joke.
A timeless classic like 'Strange Tales', which had lasted for centuries, was only worth 200.000?
Still, he didn't feel like explaining. "Didn't we already agree on a royalties-based contract?"
"Mr. Fanchen, you might not be familiar with how the publishing market works. Let me explain. These days, things aren't great. Most books struggle to sell 5.000 copies. Selling 30.000 would already make it a bestseller. 'Strange Tales' isn't a novel; it's a short story collection with no continuity. We expect the readership to be limited. So, to be safe, and to avoid any potential losses for you, our editorial board decided to compensate you upfront with 200.000."
"No worries. I'd still prefer a royalties-based contract. I think it's the better option."
"Mr. Fanchen, we've already told you the market is bad. With a royalties contract, you might not even earn 10.000."
"Then why are you willing to pay me 200.000 upfront?"
By this point, Huang Yifan sensed something was off.
Thinking back to Liangcha's strange remarks before he left, he started to understand.
"As I said, it's compensation. Your 'Strange Tales' brought huge value to Midnight Talk, but since we're just a magazine, we couldn't pay you much per story. With this publishing deal, we want to make it up to you."
"How generous of your magazine. Unfortunately, I don't like accepting favors from others. Let's stick with royalties."
"You're really not listening, are you? Just think it over, we're doing this for your own good."
"No need to think. I won't accept a buyout. Only royalties."
"You, "
"Alright, I'll tell you the truth. In recent years, we've only done buyout deals for publishing."
"So you're saying 'Strange Tales' can only be published if I accept a buyout?"
"That's right."
"Okay, then I'll find another publisher."
"No, you can't. 'Strange Tales' must be published through us. Otherwise, you'll be in breach of contract."
"Breach of contract? That's strange, I never signed one with you."
"It's not strange at all. Midnight Talk has a standing policy: any work serialized in the magazine cannot be published elsewhere within three years. Even if there's no contract, since your stories were published in our magazine, the rule applies. So Mr. Fanchen, please reconsider. 200.000 is no small amount."
"Sorry. Still not accepting."
At this point, the conversation had hit a dead end.
Huang Yifan hadn't expected such a small magazine to be this shady.
No wonder that paranormal forum was always full of fights, one day it's author versus author, the next it's authors against magazines, and the day after that, the magazines are suing authors. And then there were the stories about Zhang Yun falling out with Suspense World.
It was frustrating, but not surprising.
The world was already a dark place.
Even the literary world was no exception.
"Mr. Fanchen, if you refuse, it'll only hurt you. Don't think you can find another publisher. With this dispute hanging over you, no other press will dare touch 'Strange Tales'. Unless, of course, you're willing to wait three years."
"Sure. Then I'll wait three years to publish it."
His tone didn't waver at all as he calmly responded to Lin Hao.
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