Section 19 knows you want money

  That day, I was in my room brainstorming new ad ideas when my mom called. We chatted and caught up, and I thought to myself that it's true what they say - absence makes the heart grow fonder. My mom seemed to be missing me too. As we talked, our conversation turned more serious, and without thinking, I said, "Mom, you must be missing me a lot, right? Otherwise, I'll just move back home." My mom was probably still shaken from the previous phone call, because as soon as she heard this, she slammed the phone down on the floor. I heard a loud crash and my heart sank. What kind of old lady is this?! I was just casually saying that I might move back home - it's not like I said I killed three or four people and wanted to hide out at home for a few months! Is that really necessary? I hung up the phone, feeling pretty unhappy. Later, my mom probably realized she overreacted, because she called me twice to explain herself, saying that she didn't mean it that way and that of course, she'd welcome me back if I wanted to return. In my heart, I was screaming about how fake people can be these days - for a moment there, I almost said, "Fine, I'll come back."

  The phone rang for the third time. I thought this old lady really didn't finish yet, so I answered and said, Mom, I know, you don't mean that.

  Then I heard Liu editor's voice on the phone, he chuckled and said, Lin Lan, not seeing you for a few months, why are you calling everyone mom?

  I said, oh, Editor Liu, hello, I just had a quarrel with my mom, what can I do for you?

  Nothing much, just telling you that book we published has some problems with the estimate.

  What's wrong? You can really help me, she is my own sister.

  Lin Lan, have you seen hers? This kind of thing is written better by junior high school students. I know you want to help her, but you can't deceive me into thinking she's your sister. You're surnamed Lin and she's surnamed Yao, this sisterhood is really close. If you really want to publish it, I can give you a personal favor, but the royalties and print run, I can only offer 5% and 5,000 copies at most.

  I thought about how I was going to explain this to Gu Xiao Bei in my heart.

  After hanging up the phone, I sat on the sofa and thought about this issue. In the end, I decided to help Yao San myself by adding some money to increase the copyright fee to 8%, which is just a few thousand yuan, and consider it as my debt to Gu Xiao Bei.

  So I called Yao Shanshan and told her directly that there might be some problems with the book, but I will try my best to deal with it.

  On the other end of the phone, Yao said calmly and leisurely to me, "If it's not going to work out, then forget it. I didn't have much hope in you anyway." Then she actually hung up on me.

  Who did I provoke? I also hung up the phone fiercely. I decided not to care about this matter anymore. I owe Gu Xiaobei, not you Yao Sansan, and since you didn't marry him, why should you enjoy his benefits?

  Three minutes after I hung up the phone, Gu Xiaobei's call came in. Yao Sansan reported it really quickly.

  Gu Xiaobei said on the phone, Lin Lan, I know you want money, name a price, as long as it's not too outrageous, I'll pay for it, and you help her get this book published.

  I felt a chill in my heart when I heard that, Gu Xiaobei. We've been together for six years, two thousand one hundred and ninety days. Don't you understand what kind of person I am? Would I ask you for those few broken coins?

  Although I told myself not to cry, why did I still cry when I didn't do anything wrong? My tears just flowed out uncontrollably. I don't know what Yao Shanshan said in front of Gu Xiaobei, but it's heart-wrenching for me to think about the past - whenever anyone said something bad about me in front of Gu Xiaobei, he would immediately jump up and argue with them. But that Gu Xiaobei from my memories is now nowhere to be found, his voice, appearance, and smile scattered all over the world.

  I listened to Gu Xiao Bei finish speaking, then wiped away my tears and pretended to be very calm and composed, but actually I was extremely sad inside. "Gu Xiao Bei," I said, "so for the past six years, in your eyes, I, Lin Lan, have been this kind of person."

  Then I shouted loudly into the microphone: Gu Xiaobei, you must rush to the coffee shop on the first floor of my company within five minutes. If you're late for one minute, I'll kill you!