117 An Uninvited Guest, Nan Gongxue’s Reckless Initiative

In terms of pricing, the People's Literature Publishing House was indeed generous. Even for the starting rate of "lianhuanhua" (pocket-sized picture books), they offered seven yuan per page, with room for increases later on.

Without hesitation, Cheng Xuemin chose the familiar classic *Journey to the West*. It consisted of three volumes—upper, middle, and lower—totaling 198 pages, which he planned to take home and illustrate at his leisure. Old Pan had only required him to submit the draft for the first volume, which was just over seventy pages, within a month.

Seventy pages in a month meant averaging two pages a day, which was frankly an insult to Cheng Xuemin’s drawing speed. If he could manage to finish and submit all three volumes within the month, the royalties would be substantial. At seven yuan per page, 198 pages would net him 1,386 yuan—the thought alone was delightful.

So, it really was true: only volume could fill one's pockets! Feng Jiayou’s little nest egg of over 5,000 yuan had once seemed unreachable, but now that he crunched the numbers, it wasn't so hard to catch up after all. Once he finished this *Journey to the West* project and the sixty illustrations he had promised Li Qingquan at *Beijing Literature*, he would be nearly two thousand yuan richer. Added to the six or seven hundred yuan already in his own savings, it wasn't impossible to overtake Feng Jiayou before the New Year if he put in the effort.

After checking in with Old Pan, Cheng Xuemin went to visit Zhang Guangnian at *People’s Literature* magazine.

"It’s a record-breaker! A record-breaker! You’ve arrived at the perfect time, Xuemin. Let me tell you, the first-day sales of this issue of *People’s Literature*, just in the Beijing area alone, have shattered all our records!"

Old Zhang was in high spirits today. Seeing Cheng Xuemin walk into his office, he roared with irrepressible excitement. The magazine had hit the shelves yesterday, and in Beijing alone, sales had reached 100,000 copies. That didn't even account for the rest of the country, where most shipments were likely still in transit.

Sales of 100,000 copies in Beijing alone—what did that mean? It was a smash hit! The printing house was already running in shifts, working overtime to urgently print more copies.

"Congratulations, Teacher Zhang. I was just here to deliver a manuscript to Teacher Pan and stopped by to say hello," Cheng Xuemin said with a nod, inwardly stunned by the figures. It was insane! Last month, *Beijing Literature* had sold 50,000 copies in a week, and Li Qingquan had been ecstatic. He hadn't expected *People’s Literature* to be even more ferocious, breaking 100,000 in Beijing on the very first day.

Cheng Xuemin couldn't even imagine how massive the success of this issue would be once it was fully distributed nationwide and had a month to circulate. Of course, he also understood why it was such a hit—it likely had something to do with the political propaganda directives. Even so, the sales figures were terrifyingly high. Unfortunately, there was no concept of copyright royalties in the country yet; no matter how well the magazine sold, it made no difference to him as the author. His pay was capped at seven yuan per thousand words.

"Delivering a manuscript to Old Pan? You’re so fast, have you finished another major work?" Zhang Guangnian asked, then realizing what he had said, he exclaimed in surprise.

"It’s not an article. Teacher Pan needed a few illustrations for a standalone book, so I drew them while I was at it and just handed them in," Cheng Xuemin explained.

"Illustrations? You know how to draw?" Zhang Guangnian was dumbfounded. He knew the boy was a brilliant writer—he’d heard that *The Herdsman* was being adapted into a film, and the script was written by this same kid. And it was written well, too; even a critic as sharp as Xie Jin from Shanghai had praised it. Now this? Could the kid also draw his own illustrations for standalone books?

"I know a little bit," Cheng Xuemin replied with modest embarrassment.

"A little bit? Did Old Pan approve them?" Zhang Guangnian’s mouth twitched as he asked a rather foolish question. If Old Pan hadn't approved, would the boy be in such a good mood to come over and chat?

"He barely managed to pass them!"

Damn! So they *had* been approved. Old Pan was notoriously strict in the art editing department; if he had accepted the work, it meant the boy’s drawings were top-tier. This guy was a real talent—a jack-of-all-trades!

Zhang Guangnian proceeded to lecture Cheng Xuemin, emphasizing that illustration was merely a side path and that writing articles was the real priority. He urged him to focus on his new manuscript and treat drawing as a casual hobby, warning him not to get too absorbed in it. He also reminded him to notify him immediately if he had any new manuscripts. Cheng Xuemin politely brushed it off and left the office.

He had checked the time before leaving; Feng Jiayou’s classes would end at 4:30 PM, so he had to hurry back to pick her up. Beijing University was in the final stages of exam prep, with finals coming up in two weeks, and the students scurrying across campus were moving noticeably faster.

"Hey, Loess... classmate!"

As he passed the university library, a woman’s voice called out to him. At first, he didn't realize who she was talking to. Since when was he "Classmate Loess"?

When he turned his head and saw Gong Xue standing tall on the library steps, he was taken aback. He rode his bicycle over, rested a foot on the steps, and asked, "Classmate Gong Xue, were you calling me?"

"Hehe, I still don't know your real name! I almost slipped up and called you by your pen name just now!" Gong Xue’s long hair was tossed by the cold wind as she skipped down toward him, giggling.

"Fine, then just call me Classmate Loess from now on!" Cheng Xuemin laughed. If his article *Loess Plateau* had been titled *Black Soil Plateau*, he would have become Gong Xue’s "Black Soil." Was he supposed to be "Black Soil" and she "White Cloud"?

"You’re being so insincere. I’ve been here at Beijing University for a while, and we’re practically old acquaintances; can’t you even tell me your name?" Gong Xue pouted, giving him a playful, slightly naive look.

"Names are just labels. Besides, you came up with 'Loess' yourself, so let's make that my exclusive nickname for you," Cheng Xuemin said. He really didn't dare let her know his real name was Cheng Xuemin. If she found out, she might not have many connections at the main campus as a correspondence student, but the name "Cheng Xuemin"—the real name of the author of *The Herdsman*—was already so famous at Beijing University that she would instantly realize who he was. That would be trouble! His pen name "Loess" was only known to her, and he knew it was only a matter of time before she couldn't help but let it slip.

"Fine, have it your way then! But it’s settled: 'Loess' is my exclusive nickname for you!" Gong Xue, though initially indignant, was satisfied once she heard it was an "exclusive" name and didn't press him further.

"Definitely, definitely. As long as you keep my 'Loess Plateau' pen name a secret, it’s all yours," Cheng Xuemin said, emphasizing the need for secrecy.

"Hehe, don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I’m very good at keeping secrets!" Gong Xue said triumphantly.

*Good at keeping secrets?* Cheng Xuemin didn't dare speculate further. He asked, "Why are you still here? Didn't you only have classes in the morning?" He recalled from their last chat that she only had correspondence courses on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings. It was almost 4:00 PM; didn't she need to get back to the General Political Department?

"I was waiting here specifically for you!" Gong Xue said, suddenly looking shy.

"Waiting for me?" Cheng Xuemin was puzzled.

"Classmate Loess, I don't have to work tomorrow. If you’re free this evening, would you like to go see a movie with me? They’re showing a Japanese film at the university auditorium tonight called *Manhunt*." As she spoke, she lowered her head, fidgeting with her hem, not daring to look at him.

"Huh?" Cheng Xuemin was stunned. Was she actually asking him on a date? The sudden invitation left him completely bewildered. What was going on? With Gong Xue in the south and Zhu Lin in the north—one asking him to a movie, the other desperately hoping to play Li Xiuzhi in his film—he felt overwhelmed. *Ladies, please don't do this! I’m a married man! If Feng Jiayou finds out, she’ll make me kneel on a washboard until it breaks.*

"Gong Xue, I’ve actually already seen *Manhunt*," Cheng Xuemin said, politely declining. As a married man, he had no business going to the movies with a young woman.

"Oh, you’ve seen it?" Her face fell. "I see. Well, I’ll be going then. I won't bother you anymore, Classmate Loess!"

Gong Xue had wanted to say she hadn't seen it and they could watch it together, but she was sharp enough to realize he was politely turning her down. Embarrassed, she muttered a soft goodbye and scurried away.

*Was that really necessary?* Cheng Xuemin watched her rush to her bike and pedal away in a panic. He had only met her a few times; he hadn't left that deep of an impression on her, other than being the author of *Loess Plateau*. Why would she invite him to a movie?

He decided not to dwell on it. He needed to pick up Feng Jiayou and clear things up with Gong Xue later—tell her he wasn't "Classmate Loess," but Cheng Xuemin, a man with a wife! He shouldn't let a young woman pine for him when he was already spoken for.

After picking up Feng Jiayou, they stopped at Quanjude on the way home to buy a roast duck and some chicken frames for soup, finally fulfilling a promise to their niece and nephew. They also made a quick stop at the pigeon market to buy two pounds of meat and some vegetables.

When they got home, they arrived just as his mother-in-law was returning from work. She couldn't help but nag them about being spendthrifts, complaining that they didn't know how to save money despite earning royalties. But the nagging soon stopped once they sat down to the feast, leaving everyone with greasy lips and big smiles.

His mother-in-law even brought back the proof copy of the *October* magazine issue. She mentioned it had been submitted for review that morning and approved by Old Wu, with the official publication set for Monday. She had accompanied the submission and beamed as she recounted how Old Wu had praised her for her high ideological awareness and for having such a capable son-in-law.

The next day was Sunday, and everyone was home resting. Cheng Xuemin thought he could finally settle down to write and draw in peace, but an unexpected visitor arrived, leaving him completely flabbergasted. Even Feng Jiayou and her mother were stunned. When the visitor stated their purpose, Cheng Xuemin felt his legs give way, and he nearly collapsed to his knees right then and there.