101 No, Old Liu, are you all not dropping the atomic bomb in October anymore? (Please vote)

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Wow! Zhang Guangnian from People’s Literature, who had been casually observing nearby without much interest, suddenly sprang up from the sofa the moment Old Wu mentioned that October Literary Magazine was no good and suggested publishing the piece in People’s Literature instead. He hurriedly jumped in to express his enthusiasm: “Old Wu, Old Wu, we at People’s Literature have been working overtime all night. We can have a sample issue ready by tonight and will deliver it to you first thing tomorrow morning for review. We absolutely will publish it by the morning after tomorrow!”

Such good fortune! Zhang Guangnian’s excited expression was beyond words. Wasn’t this like a great pie suddenly falling from the sky and landing right on his head?

“And regarding the author compensation for Comrade Xueming, I will make sure to remit the payment to Old Liu first thing when I get back!”

It was only a small payment, after all. Could People’s Literature not afford it? He would definitely send it to Old Liu immediately!

“Old Zhang, please don’t poach manuscripts like this! I, I… we at October Literary Magazine… well… I’ll just comply with the organizational arrangements!”

Originally, Liu Xinwu wanted to contest this, arguing that October’s influence was nowhere near that of People’s Literature. But on reflection, there was no comparison.

Still, Old Wu wouldn’t play tricks like this. Author Old Xu of The Shepherd, whom October had painstakingly recruited, had already agreed to publish with them. To suddenly switch the piece to People’s Literature at the last moment? That was unfair!

Liu Xinwu felt helpless. How could he explain this to Teacher Gu and all the staff at October? How could he possibly justify it? Should he say he came to the meeting only to throw all the family’s nukes away?

Seeing Old Wu’s serious expression, which clearly wasn’t a joke, Liu Xinwu dared not be reckless. He could only stand at attention and accept the arrangement reluctantly.

What choice did he have? Old Wu wasn’t consulting them; he was issuing direct instructions to October and People’s Literature.

“Xiao Liu, I know your dedication!” Old Wu nodded approvingly, then added, “Go back and work hard to raise October’s influence!”

“After the New Year!”

“After the spring starts, Xiao Liu, submit your application to convert October from a bimonthly to a monthly publication. The key is to boost its influence. Put in an extra effort, okay?”

Poaching one manuscript from Liu Xinwu’s October required some form of compensation from the senior leadership.

Converting from bimonthly to monthly was Old Wu’s verbal compensation for now.

Whether it could really happen after the New Year depended on results and influence.

“All right, all right! With your encouragement, Old Leader, I will definitely do my best to manage Teacher Gu’s morale and provide solid logistical support for Comrade Xueming!”

Hearing Old Wu’s promise, Liu Xinwu’s previously ashen face suddenly brightened, and he kept assuring everyone.

“Good! That’s the spirit! Xiao Cheng’s logistical support must be solid!”

Old Wu nodded, then suddenly remembered to ask, “What’s the story with Teacher Gu?”

He couldn’t tell! Old Wu was also quite a gossip lover, and since Liu Xinwu had deliberately mentioned Teacher Gu, Old Wu couldn’t help but inquire.

“Well…” Liu Xinwu wanted to explain, but Ding Ling, overhearing and amused, quickly chimed in, “Old Wu, you really hit Teacher Gu’s soft spot this time. It won’t be easy for Xueming to explain it at home!”

Ding Ling was genuinely surprised. She hadn’t expected Old Wu to pull such a stunt, and she found it hilarious.

“Well then, Ding Ling, tell us—what’s the soft spot? Why will Xiao Cheng have trouble explaining this?”

Old Wu was confused by their back-and-forth. It was curious—why would switching the manuscript to People’s Literature affect Teacher Gu? And who was this Teacher Gu anyway?

“Xueming, why don’t you explain it to Old Wu yourself?”

Ding Ling wasn’t afraid of stirring the pot and directly told Cheng Xueming to speak to Old Wu.

Only now did Cheng Xueming, recovering from shock, have the same “wow” moment flash through his mind: Why the sudden switch to People’s Literature?

If Old Liu hadn’t mentioned his mother-in-law, Cheng Xueming would have been completely caught off guard. Old Wu’s unorthodox move was truly surprising!

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But when Liu Xinwu mentioned his mother-in-law, Cheng Xueming’s head really ached—this was a disaster!

How could he explain this at home? They had agreed to submit the manuscript to his mother-in-law’s magazine, October, but Old Wu had intervened and switched it to People’s Literature. How was he supposed to handle that?

Both his mother-in-law and Old Liu highly prized that manuscript.

At the symposium two days ago, Old Liu had fiercely reclaimed the spotlight, just waiting for October to publish and unleash their “nuclear bomb” to dazzle everyone.

But now the “nuke” was going to People’s Literature?

“Xueming, speak up!” Ding Ling saw Cheng Xueming still zoned out and prodded him again.

“Oh! Oh!” Cheng Xueming quickly responded, “Old Wu, Teacher Gu is my mother-in-law and the chief editor of October, basically my editor-in-chief!”

“Yes! Teacher Gu is October’s chief editor and Xueming’s editor-in-chief!” Liu Xinwu quickly added, hoping that since Cheng Xueming couldn’t explain this to his mother-in-law, they might return the manuscript to October.

“She was the female comrade who came with us last time!”

“This manuscript… Teacher Gu values it very much!”

“What?! That female comrade who came last time is your mother-in-law?”

Old Wu was dumbfounded upon hearing Cheng Xueming’s words. So he had effectively stolen the manuscript from this young comrade’s mother-in-law?

No wonder Cheng Xueming was shocked and hadn’t recovered for so long.

This was troublesome!

“Old Wu, that’s Xueming’s mother-in-law! Teacher Gu has been holding on to this manuscript from start to finish!”

“You’re now giving it straight to Old Zhang? Xueming and I can’t explain this to her!”

Liu Xinwu resorted to playing the victim, knowing this trick well. After all, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

“You, Xiao Liu!”

Mao Lao, who had been quietly observing, saw Old Wu glance at him and knew it was his turn to speak. He smiled patronizingly at Liu Xinwu: “We won’t make things difficult for you. When you get back, just tell Teacher Gu that this is the unanimous decision of me and Old Wu!”

“If she really has any feelings about it, she can come find me, this old fellow!”

As a leading figure in the literary world, Mao Lao’s words carried tremendous weight.

Today, the senior leadership had issued special instructions for their cultural front. They couldn’t let one mother-in-law’s feelings disrupt a major cultural matter.

Besides, as an important member of the cultural front, Mao Lao believed Teacher Gu would understand and not cause trouble for her son-in-law over a manuscript.

“Ah?! No, no, no! Mao Lao, Old Wu, we at October fully accept the organizational arrangements without complaints or bad feelings!”

Liu Xinwu realized he had overstepped. Mao Lao’s words were serious. He turned pale and quickly affirmed, then fell silent.

Zhang Guangnian, standing nearby, was inwardly delighted beyond measure.

“Good!”

Suddenly, the brief silence in the office was broken by Old Ba’s enthusiastic approval.

“Old Ba, do you also think Xueming’s manuscript is well written?”

All eyes turned back to Old Ba. Old Wu squinted and smiled: “Old Ba, you really are sharp! You got this manuscript so fast?”

“Got it! With this piece leading the charge, we’ll know exactly how to storm the front lines!”

Old Ba nodded repeatedly. This manuscript perfectly embodied the core theme of the recent meeting.

Old Wu was firing the first shot with this piece.

His insight was truly sharp—fast, ruthless, and precise!

“Since Old Ba approves, it’s settled!” Old Wu nodded and looked at Zhang Guangnian. “Old Zhang, get the sample issue ready as soon as possible. Let’s make that first shot a good one!”

“Yes, we’ll complete the task!” Zhang Guangnian suddenly stood up, solemn and resolute.

Old Wu nodded again, then smiled at Cheng Xueming: “Xiao Cheng, keep it up. Try to give your mother-in-law another manuscript before her next issue!”

“Yes, Old Wu, I’ll do my best!” Cheng Xueming promised, thinking he really had no other choice.

After exchanging a few more words, night was falling, and Old Wu didn’t invite everyone for dinner. The meeting adjourned.

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“Dad, Teacher Li, you’re still here!?”

As they came out, Cheng Xueming saw Feng’s father and Li Qingquan from Yanjing Literature still waiting and hadn’t left.

He quickly greeted them.

“Xueming, what good news brought you?” Li Qingquan asked eagerly upon seeing them. Then seeing Liu Xinwu’s sour face and Zhang Guangnian’s excited one, he asked puzzledly, “Old Zhang, what’s up with Old Liu? Looks like a sour face. Did Old Wu stop him from releasing the nuke?”

Leaving Liu Xinwu and Cheng Xueming behind definitely had something to do with that nuke.

Old Wu must have been giving instructions on how to handle it.

Seeing Liu Xinwu’s sour expression, Li Qingquan hesitated—did Old Wu really refuse to let him release it?

If so, Li Qingquan’s mood wouldn’t be much better.

But!

One competitor’s loss is another’s gain. If Old Wu stopped Old Liu, Li Qingquan would be quite pleased.

After all, Old Liu had been quite boastful in front of him, especially at the symposium two days ago. Li Qingquan even suspected the event was organized for Liu Xinwu, who stole all the limelight.

“Well…” Zhang Guangnian, after leaving the leadership office, felt a little guilty toward Liu Xinwu. Facing Li Qingquan’s question, he hesitated to say outright that the nuke would definitely be released—but from Old Liu’s October to his People’s Literature instead!

Words caught in his throat, he patted Old Liu on the shoulder to comfort him: “Old Liu, no more words now. I’ll treat you to a meal later!”

“Old Feng, Old Li, I’ve got an urgent task from Old Wu. I must get back quickly to arrange staff and assign work!”

“I won’t say more now. Watch your step on the way. Goodbye!”

“Oh, Xueming, remember to come to People’s Literature tomorrow morning. We’re waiting for you!”

With that, he hurried off, manuscript clutched under his arm, walking with a buoyant air.

Again!

Liu Xinwu, who had been sour-faced, heard Zhang Guangnian being so shameless—getting the benefit and then acting humble, promising to treat him to a meal!

Wasn’t that an old line of Li Qingquan’s? How could it be repeated like that?

He yelled after Zhang Guangnian’s retreating back, “Who cares about your meal! I… I’m not comfortable. I’m leaving!”

He didn’t even bother greeting Feng’s father or Li Qingquan, knowing if Li Qingquan knew he had been poached again, he would gloat with delight.

Better to avoid the scene and leave quietly.

“Xueming, what’s going on here?”

Li Qingquan was thoroughly confused by the two of them, and even Feng’s father asked Cheng Xueming in puzzlement.

“The manuscript went to Teacher Zhang’s People’s Literature. Old Wu and Old Mao feel October’s influence isn’t strong enough and might not make a big enough impact with the first shot.”

Cheng Xueming restrained his smile and answered succinctly.

“What? Your nuke is going to People’s Literature?”

“Old Liu got poached again?”

As expected, Li Qingquan was stunned at first, then laughed heartily, slapping his thigh and jumping up!

No wonder Old Zhang’s invitation to a meal had caused Old Liu to lose it.

“No, Old Liu, wait for me!”

“Old Feng, Xueming, see you later. I have to go calm Old Liu down!”

But seeing his laughing, beaming face, it didn’t look like he was really going to comfort Old Liu.

…