Chapter 51: Young Master Feng’s Confession — Mom, Please Listen to My Explanation! (Please Keep Reading)

October Magazine Editorial Office!

“Teacher Gu, are you certain you can arrange a face-to-face meeting with Cha Jianying, the author of 'The Horseman'?”

In Editor-in-Chief Liu Xinwu’s office, he could hardly contain his excitement upon hearing feedback from Feng’s mother, Gu Xueqing. After asking once, he pressed further, “Teacher Gu, are you sure this author Lao Xu is really Jia You’s classmate, Cha Jianying?”

“Old Liu, it should be Cha Jianying! Look at this issue of Yanjing Literature—the front page headline is a student work from Yanjing University! My little debt collector has agreed this time, she’ll help October get in touch with her classmate for us.”

Feng’s mother wasn't wrong; her debt collector had already mentioned that Cha Jianying’s piece made it into this issue of Yanjing Literature, even unintentionally revealing it was the headline. At first, she tried to deny it, but yesterday when asked to help solicit the manuscript, she didn’t argue and readily agreed. So how could it be wrong?

“Alright! Teacher Gu, do your best. Jia You is October’s own child, and her classmate is just as much ours. We must win her back!”

Liu Xinwu clenched his fists. As long as it was confirmed that the author Lao Xu was indeed Jia You’s classmate Cha Jianying, things would be much easier. With Jia You as the linchpin, Liu Xinwu was confident he could bring her back.

“Old Liu, I’ll do my best, but I can’t make promises. After all, we missed it this time—it was Yanjing Literature who discovered her!” Gu Xueqing wasn’t as confident as Liu Xinwu and didn’t dare be so sure. She’d have to wait for her debt collector’s feedback.

“That’s true!” Liu Xinwu nodded, acknowledging their mistake. The opportunity was given to October first, but they failed to seize it.

Ring-ring!

At that moment, the office phone rang. Liu Xinwu answered, “Hello, this is October, who are you looking for?”

“Old Liu! It’s Li Qingquan. Our Yanjing Literature is out today—have you read it yet?”

“Already read it, right?”

“I’m calling to ask what you think about our headline! Honestly, we took a big risk putting a new author on the front page, so I wanted to call and see what you think. Old Liu, you’re a renowned critic in the field—help an old friend out and give some feedback!”

Instantly, Liu Xinwu’s face darkened. What was Li Qingquan thinking?

Yes, Yanjing Literature’s headline this issue was excellent—he was envious, even regretful. But the magazine had only been out for how long? Half a day at most?

Li Qingquan was already calling, eager to show off and gloat. Wasn’t that a bit too much?

“Go on, Old Li, keep being proud! You’ve only been out for half a day and you’re already planning a celebration?”

Liu Xinwu retorted, annoyed.

---

“Ha, Old Liu! I can’t say if we’ll celebrate, but what I really want you to know is—we’ve already printed an extra fifty thousand copies!”

“What? Fifty thousand more? Old Li, are you crazy?” Liu Xinwu had planned to retort further, but he was stunned by the print numbers.

“No choice! In just half a day, all our distribution points in Yanjing sold out. If we don’t hurry, by tomorrow afternoon, the doors of Yanjing Literature will be besieged by enthusiastic readers!”

“What?! Yanshi University sold out again? Alright, you heard it, Old Liu! I won’t say more—just a hardworking fate, I have to rush to the print shop. Fifty thousand might not be enough; we may need another fifty thousand!”

“By the way, I’ll treat you to dinner soon! Old Liu, you’re such a good man!”

Beep, beep, beep—

Liu Xinwu was so furious he couldn’t speak. If not for his professionalism, he would have cursed Li Qingquan down the line: “Good man, my ass! Don’t you dare act coy after getting the upper hand—I’ll ruin you!”

“Old Liu, was that Li Qingquan from Yanjing Literature? What was he bragging about?” Gu Xueqing could vaguely hear Li Qingquan’s triumphant laughter from the phone.

“He called me a good man and promised to treat me to dinner! Oh, and he said their issue is being reprinted—up to a hundred thousand copies. He’s rushing to the print shop, or tomorrow morning their doors will be mobbed by readers!”

Liu Xinwu, succinct yet bitter, relayed Li Qingquan’s boast to Gu Xueqing.

“Isn’t Li Qingquan being too much? Is he deliberately mocking October?” Gu Xueqing was stunned and angry.

“We missed our chance, so it’s no wonder he’s proud!” Liu Xinwu shook his head. “Listen, after work, let’s bring Old Wang and meet this Lao Xu, the Horseman’s author, together with you. If we win her over, it’ll be Li Qingquan’s turn to be stunned!”

Li Qingquan might be showing off, but they could strike back—steal his people, and see who laughs last. To ensure success, Liu Xinwu, the chief editor himself, planned to personally lead the recruitment.

“Alright! I’ll leave work early, buy some groceries and cook!”

Gu Xueqing nodded, understanding Liu Xinwu was determined not to let Li Qingquan hog the spotlight.

But despite all the planning, things took an unexpected turn.

“Teacher Gu, there’s something I’m not sure if I should say.”

That afternoon, Editor Xiao Yang, responsible for initial review, spoke up.

“Xiao Yang, just speak your mind. We’re all in the editorial department—if you’re unsure about a manuscript, as initial review editor you should bring it up!” Gu Xueqing set down her pen, her tone gentle—quite different from how she treated her debt collector.

“It’s like this! This morning, Teacher Gu, you mentioned Yanjing Literature’s headline was written by Cha Jianying from Yanda’s Chinese Department.”

“But I found that ‘That Grove of White Birches’ was actually written by her!” Xiao Yang gathered his courage. “I reviewed the manuscript—Cha Jianying submitted under the pen name ‘Zhaxi Duo.’”

“However, this ‘That Grove of White Birches’ is much better than her original draft!”

Xiao Yang emphasized that the original was rejected for being poor; this revision was much improved.

“Yes, yes! Teacher Gu, now that Xiao Yang mentions it, I remember! That’s why the manuscript seemed familiar—I’d seen it before. After cross-review with Xiao Yang, we rejected it!”

Another initial review editor quickly chimed in.

“So, the Horseman’s Lao Xu is actually someone else—not Cha Jianying?”

Feng’s mother, Gu Xueqing, was so furious she nearly exploded. This morning, she had confidently assured Liu Xinwu that Lao Xu was her debt collector’s classmate Cha Jianying.

Liu Xinwu was already planning to bring Old Wang and meet Cha Jianying in person for the manuscript. Now, it turned out to be a huge mix-up!

Was her debt collector really born to torment her? How dare she lie?

Unable to contain her anger, Gu Xueqing packed her things with a stormy face and left the editorial department, heading home to confront her debt collector. What had she done to deserve this? Why deceive her, making her a laughingstock at work?

“Uh?! Where’s Teacher Gu?”

Liu Xinwu wanted to consult with Teacher Gu and Section Chief Wang, but didn’t see Gu Xueqing anywhere.

“Old Liu, here’s what happened…”

---

Meanwhile, Cheng Xueming and Feng Jiayou were on their way home, and Jiayou finally learned what her husband had written for her mother.

“Xueming, I think what you wrote is excellent! Why do you say my mother might not dare to use it?”

Jiayou marveled at her husband’s speed—he’d written fifteen or sixteen thousand words in just one day.

She’d assumed it was just a playful exercise, not expecting much. But after reading it straight through, she had only one word: brilliant!

“If you think it’s good, just hand it to Mom and see what she says.”

Cheng Xueming’s intention was that the manuscript for his mother-in-law should be even better than ‘The Horseman’ for Yanjing Literature.

That way, if his mother-in-law saw through him later, at least he’d have some room to maneuver.

Of all the short stories he could pay homage to, he chose this one, though he wasn’t sure if his mother-in-law would dare use it.

“What’s there not to use! Mom will be thrilled!”

Jiayou was optimistic, returning home with anticipation. Before she even entered, she shouted:

“Mom, I didn’t let you down—I got Jianying’s manuscript for you! It’s another outstanding piece… Mom, why are you holding a feather duster?”

…