Chapter 25: Launching Tonight (Seeking Support for the New Book)

“There’s a movie theme song, and the company has decided you’ll be the one to sing it.” Xu Li delivered the news directly.

She feared that if she delayed even a second, the child before her would break down completely.

“I’ll sing it!”

An Chu Xia was dazed, unable to react for a moment.

The company hadn’t given up on her?

Soon, An Chu Xia covered her face, sobbing. Her weary, delicate features curved into a smile, and the light returned to her eyes.

Where there is hope, there is light.

Ever since “Melancholy” claimed the top spot, and the gap between it and “Yearning for Love”—now in second place—kept widening, she had grown anxious.

In April, the company poured nearly all its resources into her, only for the number one spot to be snatched away by someone else in a twist of fate.

Her situation was far more precarious than that of the usual abandoned rookie singers.

So An Chu Xia was afraid.

She feared not only being discarded, but even angering the higher-ups, leading to her being sidelined indefinitely.

This month, Brilliant Entertainment had invested heavily in her.

Now, Xu Li told her that not only would the company not shelve her, but they continued to support her, giving her more resources.

The rollercoaster of emotions left An Chu Xia’s heart soaring and plunging.

Xu Li, seasoned and calm, comforted her, “Xia Xia, trust the company. You have real talent, just a bit of bad luck, running into someone as unreasonable as He Luoluo.”

With her spirits restored, An Chu Xia’s smile bloomed like a flower. Though her short hair remained disheveled, she possessed a beauty born of surviving hardship.

“The director of this film is Dao Qi,” Xu Li continued. “You should know Director Dao Qi—every movie he’s made has been a critical sensation, all outstanding.”

“It’s a youth campus romance. Though the investment isn’t large, the cast is made up of rising talents, all professionally trained with impressive acting skills.”

Xu Li spoke confidently, “I can say, this movie is destined to be a hit, and its reputation will be solid.”

An Chu Xia was shaken, amazed, her upturned lashes trembling.

Such resources were not something a newcomer like her could expect, especially one who had stumbled.

Did the company value her this highly?

“Sister Li, I promise I won’t let the company down, nor will I disappoint you,” An Chu Xia said with a smile.

Perhaps giving her the chance to sing the theme song would cause dissatisfaction among other artists in the company, even some seniors who had once supported her.

Yet An Chu Xia accepted the task confidently, believing in her abilities.

As long as she didn’t run into someone as unscrupulous as He Luoluo again.

April slipped by quietly, and May arrived.

He Luoluo’s “Melancholy” vanished from the rookie charts.

A new round of rookie chart battles was about to begin.

Though “Melancholy” disappeared from the rookie list, it still held fifth place on the download charts.

Ahead of it were only king and queen singers.

……

Official New Literary Talent Chart.

“Battle Through the Heavens” unsurprisingly, like its close companion, soared to the first place, trouncing the competition.

And at the end, it stomped them hard.

As May began, “Battle Through the Heavens” also disappeared from the rookie chart, wearing the crown of April’s rookie king and charging into the reading chart.

Hundred Reads Literature.

Fantasy Editing Team.

Editor Liu Da was now basking in glory within the editorial department, his reputation at its peak.

In an instant, he went from a near-dismissed junior editor to a national treasure of the fantasy team.

At this moment, aside from Wang Ke and Sun Yang, every editor felt a surge of pride and rejuvenation.

Though none could match Liu Da’s exuberance, the happiness was written across their faces.

Rookie king, at last, it was Hundred Reads’ turn.

“Good man, you were quiet for so long—then suddenly made a splash.” The plump editor, delighted for his friend, couldn’t resist teasing.

The female editor leaned in, agreeing, “The master has basically pioneered a new genre. This month’s rookie chart will see many authors imitating and referencing his style.”

Whether he could be surpassed would require time to tell.

The middle-aged editor sighed, “For the master to become a legend was only a matter of time. Old Liu, when you reach the master’s section, don’t forget us.”

If an author achieves legendary status, their editor rises with them, moving from the regular group to the master editor team.

Master editors only handle top authors, no longer scouting for newcomers.

“No, no, I won’t.” Liu Da, unused to such attention, was a bit embarrassed. “The master still has a long way to go. He’s only won the rookie king, nothing more, nothing more.”

Good grief.

Everyone turned away, unable to bear his humblebrag.

Rookie king, ‘only.’

Old Liu, you’re getting a bit carried away… The plump editor sighed, wondering why he couldn’t latch onto a rising star himself.

Seeing everyone ignoring him, Liu Da scratched his head, thinking he hadn’t said anything wrong.

The master indeed had a long road ahead; rookie king was but a beginning, just a small step.

Liu Da adjusted his dark-rimmed glasses and began reviewing manuscripts—another round of rookie chart battles was about to start.

The fantasy chief editor parted ways with the urban chief editor at the elevator, both smiling broadly, agreeing to watch a movie after work.

Something the fantasy chief editor hadn’t managed, Hundred Reads’ fantasy chief editor finished for him.

He arrived at Liu Da’s workspace, his plump face overflowing with joy, eyes nearly squinting into flowers.

“Liu Da, you can set aside the rookie work for now and focus on the master. Make sure to serve him well. If other platforms poach him, I won’t forgive you,” the chief editor warned sternly.

The master was the only rookie king Hundred Reads had produced recently. If he defected to Yidian Books, what would other rookie authors think?

They’d only assume Hundred Reads treated newcomers poorly, whether it was recommendations or benefits.

If you never produced a rookie king, it could be blamed on the authors’ abilities. But if you did, and he left, it would reflect poorly on Hundred Reads.

Who would dare to start a book here in the future?

It could be said that the master was now the face of Hundred Reads in the rookie area.

Liu Da was stunned at first, then delighted. “Rest assured, Chief. I’ll serve the master as if he were my own father. I won’t let anyone take advantage.”

To serve just one author exclusively—this was a privilege reserved for editors in the master section.

Liu Da was overjoyed.

Other editors looked up, sending Liu Da looks of envy and congratulations.

If I had signed the master, I could’ve… Wang Ke turned away, feeling dissatisfied.

Of course, his grievance was with Liu Da, not the master.

The chief editor finished speaking, then strode into his office, his general’s belly leading the way, cheerfully choosing which film to watch after work.

It was his first solo date with the goddess, and he intended to treat it with utmost care.

The urban female chief editor was famous throughout the editorial department, renowned for her beauty, rivaling some internet celebrities.

With his workload greatly reduced, Liu Da was a bit idle.

He walked over to his friend’s workspace, poked his head in, “Yo, reviewing manuscripts?”

The plump editor looked up, eyes blazing. If he could, he’d kick Liu Da out.

So annoying.

“Days without work are so plain and dull,” Liu Da sighed under his friend’s murderous glare, quickly returning to his own workspace, afraid his friend might not hold back and beat him.

“Ding—”

It was Liu Da’s notification for “Battle Through the Heavens” going live.

“Battle Through the Heavens” had been serialized for a month and was ready to launch.

Liu Da thought for a moment, then messaged Li He, “Master, you’re going live tonight.”

Li He, busy revising chapter plots, quickly replied, “Twenty chapters tonight.”

Then, without looking up, he continued editing.

Revising chapter content was a tedious job.

He had to mimic “Battle Through the Heavens’” style, ensure the plot was coherent, and not tarnish his reputation.

Li He had been busy for three days, waiting for this day—when “Battle Through the Heavens” would go live.

Finally.

It was time.

Li He licked his lips.

“Dear readers, here I come.”