An hour had passed.
Su Yu and Mailin had enjoyed a pleasant conversation.
Glancing at his watch, Su Yu realized that in another two hours, the "Singer of Love Songs" program would begin. He stood up to bid farewell to the father and daughter.
"Mr. Jiangnan, meeting you in China has been the highlight of my trip," Mailin extended his hand.
Su Yu shook his hand, replying, "It is my honor to become friends with Teacher Mailin."
"Mr. Jiangnan, I have a proposal. I wonder if you'd be interested…" Mailin said, looking a bit sheepish.
Su Yu chuckled inwardly.
He had noticed Mailin's hesitant demeanor earlier.
Now, as they were about to part, Mailin was finally getting to the main point. Su Yu admired his composure.
"Teacher Mailin, please do tell," he guessed what it might be.
"Ahem… I would like the English translation rights for 'A Complete Collection of Fairy Tales'," Mailin stated softly. Seeing no change in Su Yu's expression, he continued, "This is undoubtedly a classic work. I want to let the whole world see these wonderful stories. Moreover, if it's published by my company, I believe it won't tarnish Mr. Jiangnan's work."
He had read through the "A Complete Collection of Fairy Tales" over the past couple of days. He felt that such excellent fairy tales should not only be published in China but seen by the entire world.
This was why he had insisted on meeting Jiangnan.
However, this foreigner was somewhat reserved, only bringing it up now.
Su Yu fell into silence.
He was contemplating the feasibility of the matter.
With Mailin, a master of fairy tales, promoting "A Complete Collection of Fairy Tales," the effect would undoubtedly be excellent.
Furthermore, translation rights were more than just publishing rights; the translator's name would appear alongside the author's on the book.
However, he wanted to clarify whether it would be a profit-sharing or a buyout agreement, as there was a significant difference between the two.
Mailin watched Su Yu quietly, his mind racing.
Life's pursuits were ultimately fame and fortune. Mailin sought fame; he desired a translator's credit for the book. If it became a classic, he would gain considerable renown.
Similarly, he felt he and Su Yu had gotten along very well, and from their conversation, he could tell Su Yu wasn't short on money.
Therefore, he believed that the talented young man who could write these fairy tales shared the same aspirations.
Seeking fame!
So why wasn't the other party moved by his desire to make this book a classic?
Seeing Su Yu deep in thought, Mailin began to feel anxious.
He continued, "While I know that a genius like Mr. Jiangnan likely doesn't care much about money, I still want to say that if Mr. Jiangnan is willing to grant me the translation rights, I can sign a profit-sharing contract with you. Our company will only take forty percent for printing and operational costs, and the rest will go to Mr. Jiangnan. That's a considerable sum."
Indeed.
If this book were promoted worldwide, coupled with Mailin's reputation in the fairy tale circle, it would undoubtedly be immensely profitable.
Su Yu had initially expected to receive at most thirty percent after deducting printing and operational costs.
He was surprised to receive sixty percent. A faint, almost imperceptible smile curved his lips. "Since Teacher Mailin is interested, please proceed to Xinghui to sign the contract."
All his current works' copyright operations were handled by Xinghui. Since Xinghui had become his own company, with a professional team managing his copyrights, it saved him a lot of trouble.
"Ah?" Mailin blinked in surprise, then disbelief. "R-really? Is that… really okay!"
The sudden shift left him momentarily stunned.
He had even thought Jiangnan intended to translate it into English himself and publish it abroad.
After all, in that case, only his own name would appear on the entire work.
But he hadn't expected Jiangnan to agree so readily!
"Yes, yes. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. The specific details can be discussed with Xinghui."
Su Yu checked the time.
It was almost time.
He needed to decide who to play games with later… no, who to collaborate on a song with.
"Alright, alright! No problem!" Mailin eagerly rubbed his hands together, his excited demeanor far from that of a master.
Su Yu nodded and prepared to leave.
However, he remembered to bid farewell to the aloof foreign lady. "Goodbye, Miss Mina."
"We'll meet again soon." To his surprise, a faint smile appeared on her usually cold and elegant face.
She actually smiled?
Su Yu inwardly jested.
He didn't think much of her words. His goodbye was merely a polite parting. Without further delay, he left the private room.
"It seems Mina has quite a good impression of this Jiangnan," Mailin said with a smile to his daughter after Su Yu had left.
He rarely saw his daughter smile at a young man.
Mina glanced at him and said faintly, "What are you trying to say?"
Mailin replied, "If you have feelings for him, I won't object to you two…"
Mina interrupted him, "I think you still don't know his true identity, do you?"
Mailin blinked. "China's most popular author and screenwriter, Jiangnan? I've known that for a long time."
Mina sneered, "That's all you know?"
Mailin frowned, "What else is there?"
Mina remained silent, instead handing her phone to Mailin.
Upon receiving it, Mailin froze as he saw the personal information on the screen.
Su Yu, 20 years old, stage name: Tingyu.
God of Songs in the Chinese music scene, God of Composition in the Chinese music scene.
Debuted at eighteen…
This was the biographical information from a British online encyclopedia.
The photo of Su Yu on the page made Mailin incredibly incredulous.
The subsequent achievements in the music industry made Mailin gasp!
Although he wasn't familiar with the Chinese music scene, he could understand the title of "Number One figure in the Chinese music scene." He was deified for his singing and deified for his songwriting.
And such high achievements in literature.
What kind of monster was this?
"His achievements in China's music scene are even greater than in literature!" Mailin exclaimed.
"That's right. He is also my opponent in this 'Music King of the Era' competition," Mina nodded, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.
When she first saw Su Yu, she found him somewhat familiar. After interacting with him, she suddenly remembered. After verifying, she fully understood how formidable this young man was.
"Isn't that even better? So young and so talented…" Mailin's breathing quickened. If his daughter were to be with this Su Yu, it would be the best outcome.
Mina's smile faded. "He has a girlfriend, or rather, a fiancée. And there's a ten-year age gap between us. If you say such things again, I'll get angry."
Mailin was instantly filled with disappointment.
He didn't place too much importance on the age difference, as his daughter was so beautiful. But if Su Yu had a fiancée, there was nothing that could be done.
"However, his identity as a singer is not as well-received in other countries as his identity as Jiangnan. In fact, many peers consider him an enemy," Mina murmured, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly.
What an interesting man…