He couldn't believe it!
Chen Nan truly hadn't expected it.
Wu Ning Shi saw such a strong reaction to her book.
But then she reconsidered.
Wasn't this also within reason?
She was already at the age where women are said to be like wolves.
Not to mention her husband was gravely ill and bedridden.
It was easy to infer.
She must be lacking the nourishment of love.
Lacking someone to confide in.
Just then.
Wu Ning Shi quickly closed Chen Nan's draft manuscript, her eyes showing a hint of panic, and her tone a touch of urgency: "Young Master Chen, I've only taken a cursory glance at your friend's story."
"Regrettably, it doesn't meet our printing standards?"
This completely stumped Chen Nan.
He looked at her curiously: "Is there something wrong with this story?"
He hadn't expected that a printing press on the verge of bankruptcy would be so strict.
Wu Ning Shi took a sip of water, trying to calm her emotions: "The story is a good story, but the way it's expressed, and the writing method, are too direct."
Chen Nan countered: "May I understand your 'directness' as the writing style being too shallow?"
Wu Ning Shi gave an awkward smile: "You can understand it that way."
Chen Nan: "Let me ask you a question, what do you read for?"
Wu Ning Shi: "To wander into another world."
Chen Nan smiled: "Then, did you enter another world with this book?"
A blush appeared on Wu Ning Shi's face.
Though she remained silent.
Her expression perfectly answered Chen Nan's question.
Chen Nan continued: "Words are merely a simple vessel, nothing more."
"In my opinion, anything that allows one to enter the world of the book more quickly."
"Is good writing."
"It is a good book."
The host had read many books from the underworld.
All of them were written in classical Chinese.
But Bai Lao Shi, whom he wrote about, used vernacular.
It wasn't that he couldn't write in classical Chinese.
But classical Chinese was far less easy to understand than vernacular.
Wu Ning Shi fell into thought.
The Wu printing house had printed many books.
But they were all in classical Chinese.
They had never printed anything in vernacular before.
But one thing was undeniable.
Chen Nan was right, vernacular could indeed transport one into the world constructed by the words in an instant.
"Setting aside the words themselves, the world you've constructed in this book, along with the story, is vastly different from what's mainstream on the market."
"I skimmed through some of it just now, and this story you've written could fill two volumes."
"And, this story isn't finished yet, is it?"
Chen Nan cleared his throat and emphasized: "This book was written by my friend."
Wu Ning Shi looked embarrassed.
Inventing a friend?
Chen Nan said: "According to my friend, this entire story can be published as about six books, and the later plots will become increasingly exciting."
Wu Ning Shi: "A story split into six books will be criticized by readers, and no one will buy it."
Chen Nan shrugged: "I won't deny what you're saying, but have you considered that everything has two sides?"
"As you say, this story will indeed face criticism."
"But it might also become a hit."
"Because everyone who reads it will eagerly await the subsequent parts."
"This way, the sales of the later volumes are bound to be good."
"It might even surpass the sales of Master Lan's works."
No author can guarantee sustained popularity.
Even Master Lan's works might not sell as well as his previous novels upon release.
But Bai Lao Shi was different.
Chen Nan believed that once this book opened the market, it would make a lot of money later on.
Wu Ning Shi sighed softly: "What you say makes sense, but the risk is too great."
Chen Nan gradually lost patience and said impatiently: "Just tell me whether you like the story or not. If you don't, I'll go elsewhere."
With that, he got up to leave.
"Young Master Chen, please wait!" Wu Ning Shi hurriedly stood up, but because she had been so engrossed in reading, her body was weak. As soon as she stood up, she cried out and stumbled towards the ground.
Chen Nan reacted quickly, reaching out and embracing her slender waist, preventing her from falling.
In that instant.
The wonderful sensation directly touched his most tender spot.
At the same time, the perfume from Wu Ning Shi's body wafted into his nostrils.
It smelled very good.
It made him feel pleasant.
Their eyes met.
Wu Ning Shi felt as if countless deer were leaping in her heart.
She was very close to Chen Nan.
She could even smell his masculine scent.
Especially his incredibly handsome face.
For her, it was unbearable.
Having lived for so many years.
She had never been held in a man's arms before.
Although she was already married to the Wu family.
Her husband on their wedding night...
Because he had drunk too much,
He had fallen into a latrine before they could consummate their marriage.
After being pulled out, he was barely alive.
Although he was saved by a doctor.
He had become completely incapacitated.
Paralyzed in bed, unable to care for himself.
And she relied on the books printed by the printing house to sustain her mental fatigue and inner loneliness and coldness.
Now, unexpectedly stumbling and being held by Chen Nan, she even felt this was fate arranged by heaven.
However.
She did not let herself be consumed by impure thoughts.
She quickly pulled away from Chen Nan's embrace, her face flustered, and tidied her hair and clothes: "Young Master Chen, your friend's book indeed carries significant risks."
"But what you've said also makes a lot of sense. I'm willing to take a risk and cooperate with you this time."
"In the past, our printing house and authors shared profits on a four-six basis, with the author taking sixty percent and the printing house forty percent."
"But this time, we will take sixty percent."
A vernacular novel.
And an unfinished story at that.
Such books had never appeared on the market.
It required bearing a lot of risk.
Chen Nan suddenly asked: "Is your husband very ill?"
Wu Ning Shi looked taken aback.
We're discussing business here.
Why are you bringing up my husband?
"Could it be that Young Master Chen knows my husband?" Wu Ning Shi's beautiful eyes were full of curiosity.
Chen Nan: "No, I just want to know, is he close to dying?" He gave Wu Ning Shi a knowing look.
"Young Master Chen, I hope you can be more respectful." Wu Ning Shi was furious. Firstly, Chen Nan's question about her husband's imminent death angered her.
Because her fate would be dire if her husband died.
Secondly.
She disliked Chen Nan's frivolous demeanor.
A smile played on Chen Nan's lips: "If your husband is close to dying, then I can give you a fifty-fifty split. Otherwise, it's still me six, you four. Right, if it's for your sake, I can concede one percent of the profit."
"You... What do you mean by that?" Wu Ning Shi's heart was in turmoil. Was her charm worth that much?
Chen Nan raised an eyebrow, revealing a meaningful smile: "I'm already writing adult novels, don't you understand what I mean?"
In the past, he didn't understand Cao Cao's joy.
But now.
He understood!
Cao Cao's joy was unimaginable for ordinary people!
Of course!
In his previous life, Chen Nan was a gentleman, and even if he was a scoundrel, he had his limits.
But the current Chen Nan, having merged with the host's memories, although his original intentions remained, he now wanted to be like Cao Cao.
These minor flaws were perfectly acceptable.
Weren't they?