boyutpedia Chapter 441 Sister, It's My Turn to Take Care of You
Chapter 441 Sister, It's My Turn to Take Care of You
[System, in which year was the royalty system reinstated?]
[In response to the host, it was passed in September 1990 and implemented the following June.]
"Uncle Wang, I remember when our country was first established, the royalty system was modeled after the Russian system, which implemented a dual-track system of royalties and payment for manuscripts. But to be honest, I don't think this royalty system is very reasonable. Look at many writers now, they rely on a few hundred or a thousand yuan in royalties to make a living, and they are having a very hard time. In my opinion, it should be based on the book's price, and for each book sold, the author should receive a certain percentage of the money. That would be more reasonable."
Harvest magazine holds an extremely high position in the domestic literary field. Its original purpose was not to make a profit, but to build a high-quality platform for avant-garde writers to showcase their ideas and become an important medium connecting writers and the public.
Zhuang Chaoying's question truly hits the nail on the head regarding royalties in the current literary world.
Upon hearing this question, Wang Yougui was about to instinctively reach for a cigarette when Yu Hua, like a clever little devil, immediately handed him one.
Yu Hua was incredibly envious when he saw the thick envelope in Zhuang Chaoying's hand containing the royalties.
As for himself, besides the monthly salary of 170 yuan after the general adjustment, plus a subsidy of 12.5 yuan, the few hundred yuan in royalties he earned from writing short stories on a regular basis was just a drop in the bucket for his life and not enough to do anything.
Yu Hua's greatest hobbies in life are smoking, drinking, and writing novels.
Moreover, he was particularly keen on going out to collect folk materials and participating in various literary exchange meetings with like-minded friends.
However, the expenses incurred each time they went out meant that their meager household expenses were far from enough to support them.
So when he heard Zhuang Chaoying talk about the royalty system, he immediately perked up, listened very attentively, and kept nodding: "I think Brother Zhuang's idea is very correct. With our current salary, it's really not enough to make ends meet."
As he spoke, he even offered Chairman Wang a cigarette.
Wang Yougui rolled his eyes at Yu Hua, thinking to himself: Right, right, my ass, how could this be something I can decide?
But despite saying that, he really liked Yu Hua's outgoing and friendly nature.
Compared to Yu Hua, Xiao Zhuang is already a mature and prolific writer. The two of them going together this time can take care of each other and exchange some creative ideas and experiences. Yu Hua does not yet have a particularly famous novel, and still needs to polish it.
After thinking for a moment, Wang Yougui looked at the two of them.
"Xiao Zhuang, I still have high hopes for your writing. How about this, you can talk to the Shanghai Literature and Art Publishing House next time. After all, anything is possible with effort. This is just a suggestion; you can decide for yourself how to proceed."
At this moment, Yu Hua handed him another cigarette.
Zhuang Chaoying waved her hand. "I don't smoke."
Yu Hua wasn't embarrassed and casually put the cigarette in his mouth.
"Smoking and drinking are sources of inspiration, Brother Zhuang, don't you ever run out of inspiration?"
Zhuang Chaoying chuckled inwardly. How could he not have any inspiration? But with all the movies he had watched over the years, and the system as a cheat code, he had access to resources from multiple countries, so his inspiration was practically inexhaustible.
However, he simply said, "Yes, when I lack inspiration, I do something else for a while to change my perspective and find inspiration."
Wang Yougui glanced at his watch. "Oh, it's already twelve o'clock. Come with me to the cafeteria for lunch. Leave your luggage in my room. Did you bring your lunchboxes?"
Zhuang Chaoying quickly replied, "I brought it."
In those days, a lunchbox was an essential item for eating, and you had to take it with you wherever you went.
Wang Yougui walked ahead. "They're having braised pork today! If you're late, there won't even be any soup left!"
Holding her lunchbox, Zhuang Chaoying followed Wang Yougui toward the cafeteria, still pondering Wang Shu's earlier words, "It's all up to human effort."
The more he thought about it, the more sense it made. Next time he went to the publishing house, he would bring his manuscript directly to discuss the matter. Maybe he could actually negotiate the royalty system and secure more reasonable royalties for himself and other writers.
It's also possible that by the time his next work is published, Wang Shuo in Kyoto will have already made a fuss about the royalties.
.....
She had just met with Xiaoting in the Chinese Department dormitory at Fudan University, asking her to call Tu Nan and Wan Shu out so she could treat them to a meal.
As she walked back to her dormitory, she suddenly remembered that she had chosen to stay in Shanghai instead of going home for the Spring Festival this year, all in the hope of securing a precious government-sponsored spot for studying abroad.
It was close to the Chinese New Year when Xiaojun called.
On the other end of the phone, Xiao Jun excitedly exclaimed, "Sis, Brother Tu Nan and Sister Wan Shu got married! They held their wedding at Wang Si Restaurant, and it was such a lively affair!"
Upon hearing this news, a faint sense of melancholy appeared on Wu Shanshan's face, a melancholy that even she herself did not notice.
Xiao Jun continued, saying that he wanted to take advantage of the holiday to visit her in Shanghai.
I rushed to Shanghai on the third day of the Lunar New Year to visit my sister, and brought her some glutinous rice balls, snacks, and stir-fried cured meat from my hometown.
In this vast city, Wu Shanshan knows that the only person who cares about her now is her younger brother.
This concern, like an invisible force, constantly urged her to work harder.
Wu Shanshan led Xiao Jun around the streets and alleys of Shanghai.
I bought him a coat, and time flew by unnoticed. Soon it was afternoon, and it was time to take Xiaojun to the train station.
Standing at the entrance of the train station, Wu Shanshan watched Xiao Jun walk in and his figure gradually disappear into the crowd.
Just as Wu Shanshan turned to leave, she suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"sister!"
She quickly turned her head and saw Xiaojun running back.
The siblings hugged each other tightly, a thousand words unspoken in that embrace.
"Sister, I'm here for you. You can go ahead and pursue your dreams without worry. I know you're determined to study abroad and go as far as you can."
Sister, your monthly allowance isn't much, so please don't send me money anymore.
In another year and a half, I'll graduate, then I'll be able to get a job and start earning money. Sister, you don't need to work so hard. I'm a man now; it'll be my turn to take care of you from now on.
"sister........"