Old Feng in my family may be getting on in years, but my son-in-law is in the prime of his life.

Mrs. Feng, Gu Xueqing, didn’t linger long in the office and soon made her way back to Liu Xinwu’s office. Seeing Old Wang and Old Liu both deeply engrossed at their desks, she didn’t disturb them. Instead, she paced back and forth in the corridor, waiting anxiously.

“Old Liu, so?!” At last, when Liu Xinwu inside had finished reading, Mrs. Feng could no longer contain herself. She rushed in, asking impatiently.

Old Wang, who was still absorbed in his reading, was startled back to the present and looked up at Liu Xinwu across from him.

“Old Wang, how’s yours?” Liu Xinwu didn’t answer Gu Xueqing’s question immediately, but instead turned to ask Wang Shimin.

“It’s excellent!” Wang Shimin replied concisely, though he hadn’t finished reading and still felt reluctant to put it down. Nevertheless, he passed it over for Old Liu to take a look, while he, in turn, took the short story from Old Liu to see what it was about.

Judging by the quality of this novella, and seeing how anxious Gu Xueqing was—clearly having higher hopes for the short story in Old Liu’s hands—it could only be even better.

But to Wang’s surprise, after passing his novella over, Old Liu, having finished with the short story, simply flipped it over and pressed it under his hand, not letting Wang see it!

What was that supposed to mean?!

Wang Shimin’s outstretched hand froze in midair. What was Old Liu up to? Was he really not going to let him see it? Was he guarding it as if even a cat shouldn’t steal a glance?

“Old Liu, let’s talk about this manuscript first, shall we?” Mrs. Feng, Gu Xueqing, couldn’t possibly wait for Liu Xinwu to read another novella. She promptly pressed down on the novella and said, “There are two manuscripts, but we were only promised one! Old Liu, if you think this short story isn’t good enough, I’ll just send it back.”

“But personally, I still favor this short story. If you dare to publish it, it’ll be an absolute bomb, even bigger than anything Li Qingquan has ever launched!”

Damn! If you put it that way, Wang Shimin’s sense of loss only deepened. What kind of phenomenal manuscript was this, that Old Liu wouldn’t even let him have a peek?

Outside, several editors—Cao Aiqin among them—who had caught wind of the commotion, were similarly shocked upon hearing this. If it’s even bigger than the literary “bomb” from Yanjing Literature this time, then it must top even “The Horseman.” Who on earth is this “Old Xu,” author of “The Horseman”? How is it that every manuscript from him is more extraordinary than the last?

No wonder Gu Xueqing had come in this morning practically strutting with pride and confidence.

“Teacher Gu, is this really a new work by ‘Old Xu,’ the author of ‘The Horseman’? The style is so different!” Liu Xinwu tried to compose himself, repeatedly reminding himself to stay calm. He had originally intended to read the novella first and take his time.

But with Teacher Gu urging him on, Liu Xinwu had no choice but to speak: First, this manuscript is truly, truly remarkable. Just as Teacher Gu said, it’s an even bigger event than anything Li Qingquan has ever published. Second, this piece is incredibly bold—bolder even than “Class Teacher,” which he published at the start of the year—so much so that Liu Xinwu needed to take a moment to process it. And is this really a new work by the author of “The Horseman”?

The style couldn’t be more different. Liu Xinwu seriously doubted whether Teacher Gu had dug up some long-hidden manuscript of her husband, Old Feng, and passed it off as someone else’s.

Otherwise, could a newcomer like “Old Xu,” author of “The Horseman,” truly have the experience and skill to write something so bold and profound?

“Old Liu, don’t worry about whether it’s by the author of ‘The Horseman.’ I already said I can’t guarantee that. I just want to know: will you take this short story or not?”

“Don’t let the author’s warning come true: even if they give us the manuscript, we may not have the guts to publish it!”

Gu Xueqing pressed on, even goading Liu Xinwu at the end.

“Old Liu, why not let me take a look too? Is this manuscript really that good? Isn’t Teacher Gu exaggerating a bit? If Li Qingquan dares to put a newcomer on the front page, why can’t we at October? Are we really too timid to publish even one manuscript?” Old Wang was itching with curiosity. What kind of mystery were these leaders playing? If they were unsure, couldn’t they at least let him have a look?

“Don’t rush, Old Wang!” Liu Xinwu waved his hand. Even with Wang’s urging, he still refused to hand it over.

“I…” Wang Shimin was understandably anxious.

But seeing the solemn expression on Liu Xinwu’s face, Wang seemed to realize something—was it possible that he really couldn’t see this manuscript?

“Teacher Gu, I need to study this piece, maybe get someone else to take a look first!” Uncertain, Liu Xinwu dared not make a decision on the spot.

“But this novella is interesting too. Why not let us at October have it as well?” The short story still made Liu Xinwu nervous, but after a quick look at the novella, he found it to be good, and the subject matter wasn’t too sensitive. It could definitely be published in the next issue.

“Then we’ll keep the novella? I’ll return the short story! The author said so—Yanjing Literature gets one, and only one!” Of course, Mrs. Feng wanted both, but she wasn’t unreasonable or greedy. Her son-in-law had already promised Yanjing Literature the novella; it wouldn’t be fair to make things difficult for him.

As for keeping the novella and returning the short story, this was just Mrs. Feng’s way of goading Liu Xinwu again. She could tell he was reluctant to return the short story—he wouldn’t even let Old Wang have a look—so how could he possibly give it up?

“Agreed or not, we can always negotiate with the author! Remember how, back in the day, we’d fight tooth and nail to get a piece from Old Qian and the others?” Liu Xinwu gave a wry smile and continued, “How about this, Teacher Gu: go talk to the author. We at October will pay the top rate, seven yuan per thousand characters. I don’t believe Li Qingquan has that kind of boldness!”

“Seven yuan per thousand?!” Gu Xueqing rolled her eyes, mocking Liu Xinwu. “Li Qingquan already paid the author of ‘The Horseman’ seven yuan per thousand for that piece. We have no price advantage!”

“And the author already said our October doesn’t have the capacity; as a monthly magazine, we can’t take both pieces. Yanjing Literature promised him three consecutive front-page features before New Year’s!”

“What?!” Liu Xinwu had thought himself bold and generous, offering a newcomer the top rate and mocking Li Qingquan for being stingy. Who would’ve thought Li Qingquan had already paid seven yuan per thousand for the first piece by the author of “The Horseman”?

Not only that, but three consecutive front-page features before New Year’s! How could he compete?

This only made it clearer how precious and hard-won these two manuscripts really were.

“Besides, Old Liu, have you considered the length of this novella?”

“The author said this is only half done—it’s expected to be over two hundred thousand words!”

“So tell me, Old Liu, what’s our budget per issue at October?”

Gu Xueqing pressed him with sharp logic.

“Two hundred thousand words?! Is this still a novella? The author wants novella or short story rates for a full-length novel—isn’t that a bit much?” Liu Xinwu’s face twitched uncontrollably—this massive novella was something October simply couldn’t afford.

Over two hundred thousand words! The entire word count of an issue of October, with all its content combined, might not even reach that. Their budget per issue was also capped at around two hundred thousand words. To publish this novella, they’d have to devote an entire special issue to it!

It was just too much.

“Over two hundred thousand words?!” Wang Shimin was equally stunned, but ventured, “The length isn’t really an issue—we could always serialize it over five or six issues.”

“Old Wang, do you think the author would agree? He didn’t even want to give us two issues’ worth of time, and you want five or six for a serialization?”

Old Wang was left speechless by this retort.

“So, Teacher Gu, you favor the short story and want to return the novella?” Liu Xinwu was tempted to agree with Old Wang: they could serialize it over several issues, and October could offer three front-page features too.

But the author wouldn’t wait, making the decision a tough one.

“If you want to publish both in this issue, I don’t think the author would object!” Gu Xueqing suggested.

Hiss!

Liu Xinwu sucked in a sharp breath. Why not just say outright that they should devote a whole special issue to this author? And she still insisted the manuscript wasn’t by her husband, Old Feng. If that were true, he’d write his own name backward.

“Teacher Gu, leave both manuscripts with me. I’ll look them over and think it through!” Liu Xinwu loved both pieces—he wanted them both. If forced to choose, like Teacher Gu, he’d definitely pick the short story. But the short story was so sensitive that he’d have to consult higher-ups before deciding.

“All right then, Old Liu, make it quick. The author is waiting for our answer!” Of course, he was hesitant. Gu Xueqing couldn’t understand what he was so worried about. Where was the courage he showed when publishing “Class Teacher”? Where was the boldness to claim he’d surpass Li Qingquan?

The manuscripts were right here, the opportunity was right here—was Old Liu up to the task or not?

“Teacher Gu, are you sure these aren’t Old Feng’s?” As Gu Xueqing reached the door, Liu Xinwu couldn’t resist asking again, “If they really are Old Feng’s, next issue we’ll feature both in October, with an exclusive interview. How about it?”

“Old Feng is past his prime—no matter what, he can’t produce another bombshell! Give Old Xu the interview; he’ll be the real sensation!” Her husband may be getting old, but her son-in-law was in his prime!

With this self-deprecating remark, Mrs. Feng left the office, leaving Liu Xinwu to ponder.

“Could this really be a new work from ‘Old Xu,’ the author of ‘The Horseman’?” Liu Xinwu was deeply moved. Old Feng truly was past his prime—an exclusive issue for him wouldn’t draw many readers. Meanwhile, Li Qingquan had just printed an extra hundred thousand copies!

So, if both pieces were indeed by Old Xu, the author of “The Horseman,” why shouldn’t October give him an exclusive feature? It would be a sensation. If so, Li Qingquan would be so angry he’d cough up blood!

“Old Wang, I need to talk to the higher-ups. Keep an eye on things here with Teacher Gu.” Fired up, Liu Xinwu couldn’t sit still. He gathered the manuscripts, packed them into his briefcase, and hurried out.

“Old Liu, is this manuscript really that sensational? You need to alert the higher-ups?” Wang Shimin was left gaping. What kind of bombshell had Teacher Gu brought them? Or was it a ticking time bomb?

“I’ll tell you when I get back! Anyway, Teacher Gu is right—if both are by ‘Old Xu,’ we’ll give him a feature and launch a real bombshell—let Li Qingquan eat his heart out!”

Actually, regardless of whether these were by Old Xu, the first priority was to get approval for the short story. That had to be cleared by the higher-ups.

With that, Liu Xinwu hurried out, not even stopping to notify the editorial department.