Zhang Yun made a show of getting up to leave, and Wei Heming quickly gave a forced smile. "Master Zhang, everything's negotiable, everything's negotiable."
"Master Zhang, inviting you to publish early in 'Suspense World' was a last resort. But as you know, it's not easy for a niche magazine to turn a profit. Besides, if your manuscript fee increases again, it might lead other writers to follow suit.
The previous rate of 3.500 yuan per thousand words was already approved after I repeatedly petitioned the company. So this time, let me take the liberty to raise it to 3.600 per thousand. How does that sound?"
Right now, Wei Heming was practically ready to slap himself.
Damn it. Just a moment ago, he'd been mocking San Yue, and now this Zhang Yun pulls a mid-negotiation price hike on him.
He used to think Zhang Yun was all right, but now it seemed this guy wasn't any better, just another schemer like San Yue.
Still, no matter how much Wei Heming cursed Zhang Yun in his heart, he had no choice but to keep smiling.
He could push San Yue around, but not Zhang Yun, not so easily.
Especially now, when 'Suspense World' needed Zhang Yun.
"Chief Wei, I can see you're not serious. In that case, we have nothing more to talk about."
Zhang Yun stood up again, and Wei Heming had no choice but to force another smile and pull him back down.
"Master Zhang, Brother Zhang, let's talk this through. How about 3,700 per thousand?"
"Chief Wei, adding just one or two hundred, what do you take me for, someone selling cabbage on the street?"
"Okay then, Master Zhang, name your price."
Wei Heming was bleeding inside.
Hell, even a few hundred isn't cabbage change. That's some damn expensive cabbage.
Do you know how many authors can't even get that much?
Let alone now, when we're just talking about raising your rate.
"Five thousand."
Zhang Yun held up five fingers. "Any less, and it's a no."
"What? Five thousand?"
"Master Zhang, that's outrageous!"
Wei Heming nearly lost it.
What the hell does he think this is, a bank, just naming whatever price he wants?
Five thousand per thousand words? Damn it, I could hire a top-tier mainstream author for that.
But even if he thought it, he absolutely couldn't say it out loud.
"In my opinion, if 'Suspense World' could offer San Yue 2.000 per thousand, then I should be worth at least two and a half times that. Five thousand per thousand is more than fair, isn't it?"
"Master Zhang, let me think about it."
"Sure, but I'll tell you this, I don't have much time. I'm heading out soon. And I'm guessing 'Suspense World' doesn't have much time either. Miss this issue, and you'll have to wait for the next. I don't know… if you wait a few more issues, maybe your circulation will drop to 180.000."
"…Fine. Master Zhang, we'll accept your price."
Gritting his teeth, Wei Heming agreed to Zhang Yun's demand of 5.000 per thousand characters.
"Chief Wei, you're a straightforward man."
Seeing him agree, Zhang Yun smiled with satisfaction. "That's exactly the kind of attitude I like. In that case, let's draft a supplementary contract."
"Sure, sure, that's no problem at all."
Watching Zhang Yun pull out a contract from his bag, Wei Heming cursed silently again.
Clearly, this guy had it all planned from the start.
Both sides reviewed the supplementary agreement, confirmed everything, and signed their names.
"Well then, Chief Wei, I'll head back. Don't worry, since your company was generous enough to offer me 5.000 per thousand, I guarantee my new book, 'When Evil Reigns', will be well worth the investment. I'm sure it'll be a pleasant surprise for your next issue."
"I'm looking forward to it as well," Wei Heming replied.
"Hold on, Master Zhang. Just a moment."
As Zhang Yun was about to leave, 'Suspense World' usually silent deputy editor Zhu Shi finally spoke.
"Mr. Zhu, please speak."
Zhang Yun still held a lot of respect for Zhu Shi.
Not because Zhu Shi was the deputy editor, but because he was also an author.
In fact, Zhu Shi was more senior in the horror genre. When Zhang Yun first debuted, he'd even sought Zhu Shi's advice on how to write horror fiction. While he couldn't say that Zhu Shi was responsible for his success, Zhang Yun still felt grateful to someone who had once guided him.
Even so, Zhang Yun had his own thoughts. Gratitude is one thing, business is another. When it came to asking for money, he wouldn't hold back.
So as Zhu Shi opened his mouth, Zhang Yun had already prepared a response.
Even if Zhu Shi tried to guilt-trip him with past mentorship, Zhang Yun was ready with a deflection.
But it seemed he was wrong, Zhu Shi didn't mention the fee at all. Instead, he said:
"Zhang Yun, I wonder, have you read 'Midnight Talk' magazine lately?"
"'Midnight Talk'?"
Zhang Yun was confused. "That magazine isn't what it used to be. To be honest, I haven't looked at it in a year. Rumor was they were about to go under."
"A centipede doesn't die easily. And it seems 'Midnight Talk' may have gained a powerful new writer."
"Who?"
"Fan Chen."
"Fan Chen?"
Zhang Yun frowned. "Mr. Zhu, is that just some pen name of a veteran? I haven't heard of it."
"Neither have I, probably a new author."
"A newcomer?"
Zhang Yun laughed. "Mr. Zhu, why should I care about a newcomer?"
"A random newcomer wouldn't matter," Zhu Shi replied. "But a 'genius' newcomer, that's worth paying attention to. I suggest you check out his recent work, 'Strange Tales'."
"Strange Tales?"
Zhang Yun looked skeptical. "Well, since you're recommending it, I'll take a look when I get back. I'm curious to see what kind of writing earns such high praise from Mr. Zhu."
…
"This Zhang Yun is getting more arrogant by the day," Wei Heming muttered bitterly after Zhang Yun left. "One day, he'll end up just like San Yue."
But Deputy Editor Zhu Shi shook his head. "Unlikely."
"Zhang Yun may be arrogant, but he's calculated, different from San Yue's impulsive pride. That kind of personality probably won't reach true greatness either, but still…"
"Fine, you're right. But why didn't you speak up earlier? Five thousand per thousand words today, what's next, six thousand? At this rate, 'Suspense World' will go broke even without any competitors. Didn't you once mentor Zhang Yun? If you'd stepped in, maybe he would've backed off a little."
"No use."
Zhu Shi shook his head. "You don't understand Zhang Yun. Don't let his respectful act fool you; deep down, he probably doesn't think much of me at all. Let's drop it. The guy's gotten where he is with a mix of strategy, hard work, and a bit of talent. Whether I advised him or not doesn't matter. What I do think, Wei, is that maybe we should try to poach that newcomer."
"You mean Fan Chen?"
"Yes."
"I've been thinking the same. The problem is, no one seems to know who this guy is. Most authors haven't even heard of him, and we don't have any contact info."
"Heh, Wei, you're being short-sighted. So what if we can't find him? What about 'Midnight Talk'? You really think their editors don't have his contact information?"
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