After finishing his conversation with Xueliu, several editors from other platforms who had previously expressed interest also contacted Huang Yifan with buyout offers for his new book.
Among them, editors from Lianheng and Tianying both offered around 100 yuan per thousand words.
Naturally, Huang Yifan declined.
Not because he found the price too low, but because he had no intention of switching platforms.
"The Number One White Under Heaven, you're finally online."
Just then, Wuyue messaged him.
"Sorry, I've been dealing with some health issues, so I wasn't online."
"Was it serious? Over here at Lingdian, we've actually purchased personal insurance for all our signed authors."
"Whoa, there's something like that?"
"Yep! All signed authors at Lingdian get personal insurance."
"Sounds pretty great. Still alive though, so I won't need it just yet."
"That's good to hear. We were pretty worried about you. So, got any plans for a new book?"
"I do, but I'm planning to take a break first. Not starting anything right away."
"That's totally understandable. Health comes first. By the way, I wanted to talk to you about your next book. First, we owe you an apology. 'How a Bad Guy Is Made' could've done well at Lingdian, but due to policy issues, we had to take it down. That said, the editorial team held a meeting. The editor-in-chief and the chief editor of Lingdian both really value your work and think your style is very unique. So, we're planning to pre-sign your next book. That means no matter what your next book is about, we'll sign it. And not just with a royalty split like last time, it'll be a buyout contract."
"Heh, buyouts are really trendy these days."
Huang Yifan chuckled.
In the past, all authors worked under royalty-split contracts. Those had pros and cons. The good part was that when a book did well, both author and platform earned a share. But the downside was the lack of guarantees; intense competition meant some authors didn't earn a cent even after years of writing.
"It's the way things are going. Lingdian has to keep up with the times too," Wuyue replied with a smile emoji.
"By the way, The Number One White Under Heaven, I've said enough. Our editor-in-chief wants to speak with you. His name's 567."
"Alright."
A while later, someone with the TT handle 567 sent a friend request to Huang Yifan.
Huang Yifan had heard of him long ago.
In the Feilong forums, three editors were considered the industry's most renowned.
One was Xueliu from Huanyue, another was Chaidai from Lianheng, and the third was Lingdian's 567.
Xueliu was famous for bringing capital into Huanyue, earning a reputation as the industry's top editor.
Chaidai of Lianheng had once been one of the first famous web authors before transitioning into editing. As one of the earliest to enter the field, he had extensive industry connections, maintaining close relationships with platinum and super platinum authors alike.
As for 567 from Lingdian, his strength lay in shaping the theory behind web literature.
His guides for new authors, insights on writing, and his 'Ten Realms of Web Fiction' opened a theoretical path for aspiring writers, inspiring many to begin writing web novels. In the web novel world, 567 was widely respected as a mentor or even a god-tier teacher.
Huang Yifan had been deeply impressed after reading 567's web novel theories on Feilong.
He happily accepted the friend request.
"Hello, The Number One White Under Heaven, I'm 567, chief editor at Lingdian. Your name is a bit long, so like everyone else, I'll just call you Brother White."
"Haha, Chief Editor, I'm technically working for Lingdian. You calling me Brother White feels like too much honor."
Already having a good impression of 567, Huang Yifan enjoyed chatting with him.
"That's not accurate. We're collaborators. Lingdian is the platform, and you're the author. We're equals."
"I like that, I also appreciate the sense of fairness at Lingdian."
Huang Yifan was pleased with 567's answer. Even though true equality might not exist in this world, Lingdian had done a decent job of embodying it.
That's why so many new authors chose to start at Lingdian.
"Thanks for supporting Lingdian."
"By the way, Brother White, Wuyue mentioned the contract for your new book?"
"Yeah, he said Lingdian wants to buy it out."
"That's right. Go ahead and name your price."
"So straightforward?"
Huang Yifan was a bit stunned.
Before this, whether it was Huanyue, Lianheng, or Tianying, they had all made their own offers.
This was the first time someone had asked 'him' to set the price.
"Haha, 567, Lingdian must be loaded. Are you letting me name the price? I might go wild."
"I doubt it. You've probably already received offers from other platforms and have a sense of your value."
"You're sharp. Yes, they did offer me prices, and not low ones, either."
"Thought so, based on Huanyue and Lianheng's personalities, they were definitely trying to poach you. But from what you're saying, you didn't accept? Was it because their offers were too low? If so, go ahead, name your price. Lingdian might not be as big as Huanyue, but we've always been more generous to authors, especially promising ones."
"Forget it. I'll let you quote me a price, since you came to me about the book."
"Sure."
After a moment, 567 sent over a number.
"300 yuan per thousand words."
"Whoa…"
The number surprised even Huang Yifan.
At that rate, if he wrote 10.000 words a day, he'd make over a million yuan a year.
One million, enough to be considered wealthy.
All he had to do was work hard, and he could earn it.
There was no denying, this price exceeded his expectations.
It was also three times higher than what Huanyue and Lianheng had offered.
A bit incredulous, Huang Yifan asked, "567, do you know how much Huanyue and Lianheng offered me?"
"I haven't spoken to them directly, but I'd guess about 100 per thousand, maybe 150 at most."
"Then why is your offer double theirs?"
"That's not surprising. They only saw that 'How a Bad Guy Is Made' was popular; they didn't understand 'why' it was popular. They didn't see your potential. If you'd written a fantasy novel instead of an urban one, something easier to adapt, I would've offered you 800 per thousand. Even 1000 wouldn't be out of the question."
"At this price, I really have no reason to say no."
After the initial shock, Huang Yifan calmed down.
He knew his current skill level didn't warrant a rate of 300 per thousand.
But with all the literary treasures from his past life in his mind, he wasn't about to limit himself to a number.
After a slight sigh, he shook his head.
"It's just too bad. I can't accept that price."
"You're turning it down?"
"No way."
567 was floored.
"Did another site offer more?"
From his experience, no platform besides Lingdian would offer such a high rate.
Even the 300 he quoted took enormous effort and top-level approval.
Giving a rate like that to a 1-star author seemed absurd.
And yet, even with that high of an offer, Huang Yifan refused.
What was this guy thinking?
Was he secretly rich and didn't need the money?
He didn't seem like the type.
Rich kids usually didn't go into web fiction. If they did, they wouldn't write about life's hardships; they'd be out living them.
"Nope."
"Then why refuse?"
"Simple! I don't want a buyout. I only want a royalty split."
Huang Yifan answered honestly.
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