Title: Childish Ghost
Translator: Xiaoxi
Editor: Bamboozled?
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The style change was too fast. Under the light Chu Li watched as Xiao Niao’s face changed from white to green, within her heart she was even feeling refreshed.
At this time Lao Miao was still repeatedly scrutinising the contract in his hand, determining whether it was Zhou Chuan’s signature and not Chu Li’s forgery. Raising his head to look at Chu Li, then looking at Yu Yao: it was evident that every move could only be made after much deliberation. At this moment in time he didn’t know how to deal with the situation.
Yu Yao’s facial expression changed quite quickly, within a moment when she came to she blinked as she said: “You took it down? [Book of the God Luohe]? You got it ah, when did this happen, why didn’t you tell us—”
If it wasn’t because you guys were arguing like ducks, I was preparing to talk about it next week.
Who knew that there would be this scene this morning.
Chu Li had a look at Lao Miao, biting her lower lip: “This has been done for nearly twenty days, the contract has been at Zhou Chuan Laoshi’s place. It was only last night that he told me that he would sign it, and that I could go collect it today, that’s why I went over this morning….”
Lao Miao had a look at the date of the contract, the place where the date was supposed to be was empty. Perhaps it would have been filled in when they sealed the deal at Yuan Yue Publishing. Lao Miao glanced at Chu Li then closed the contract without saying a word.
Yu Yao: “Zhou Chuan got up so early?”
“…..” Thinking of the Crayon Shin Chan 1 Cartoon shapes and stuff, here is the anime: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crayon_Shin-chan (Thanks Bamboozled? >~< , Chu Li chewed her lower lip before widening her eyes to bullshit. “I was only getting the contract, I even brought him breakfast.”
Yu Yao heard the words and seemed to be satisfied as she nodded making an “En” sound like an old Buddhist before glancing at Chu Li: “Someone who can handle things. Good, since you have taken down the contract with Zhou Chuan, this merit is quite big. Not only will I keep you, I will try my best to help you get a raise….”
Chu Li’s eyes lit up, the stone in her heart finally came to rest. Within her heart she was glad that there was still someone who could talk normally, immediately sweeping away the gloom.
“Really? Thank you Editor in Chief!”
Yu Yao’s voice was neither loud nor soft, it just happened to be loud enough for the entire office to hear. Xiao Niao was a little confused by the change in atmosphere, when she heard what was said the smile on her face completely disappeared. Raising her head she looked at Lao Miao seemingly at a loss, Lao Miao at that moment was about to explode, Yu Yao pretended to not see the fiery gaze that Lao Miao fixed upon her….. Her eyes flickered as she stretched her neck: “Since the contract has been signed, we should start working on this project. Xiao Niao go print the whole text on an A3 sized piece of paper and have it bound—”
At this moment, Lao Miao who was standing to the side brain dead seemed to come back to life.
He put the contract down, and quickly followed up on what Yu Yao was saying next: “While you’re at it do the first edit, about 400 thousand characters, by next Friday give it to me so I can do the second edit….this book is very important, it is the most important product for this year’s [Yue Guang]. You are a new editor, you should summon up the energy of 120 thousand percent and take up this responsibility.”
After hearing this Xiao Niao turned away to go print—
The smile returning to her face.
The editing process for one book is typically done three times:
The first edit was the quickest, it is a quick scan to find out the wrong words or sentences, then make markings in red handwriting. This job is the most suited to newcomers who have just entered the magazine publishing department;
The second edit had the most work, it was checking and correcting any mistakes that were missed while proofreading and amending the text. The second revision needed the most time, the process was the most complex. It involved the use of further annotations with a ballpoint pen alongside the original red pen markings. This job is usually assigned to a senior editor to do;
The third was done when the second edit is completed, the print out used during the proofreading will be returned to the first editor who does the final check. The last check still needs to check for any omissions, usually any markings will be made with lead pencil…..
After the third edit, the printed booklet would be sent to the Editor in Chief of the publishing house to go over; entering the final examination.
And at this moment in time, Lao Miao didn’t wait for Yu Yao to assign and subsequently assigned who would do the proofreading. Chu Li probably didn’t have time to react to what happened—
After thinking, she sneakily looked down at her phone, only then did she realise that at some point A’Xiang had sent her a message. It said:
[A’Xiang: The person in charge of proofreading is usually the editor of the book. If this job is given to them, then from now until the company lists, publicity, and sales as well as the results will have nothing to do with you.]
Chu Li “…….”
Chu Li at that time nearly threw out the phrase “Fuck Nima” 2 Phonetially sounds the same as ni ma which is your mum…so trying to say Fuck Your mum which is really insulting.
Good thing A’Xiang told her, otherwise she would have helped someone else sew their trousseau without knowing.
Her hard earned work in securing the book!
She promised to help Zhou Chuan work hard in selling the book!
She swore!
These people actually directly made their own plans?!
What the fuck?!
First of all I was tricked by the two and that’s fine and all but this regards my own self, it regards Zhou Chuan, it regards the promise that Chu Li gave Zhou Chuan, Chu Li cannot just sit by and do nothing! Courage surged up from her chest that was full of rage. Chu Li didn’t bother with Lao Miao, she directly turned towards Yu Yao, it was like she had grasped her last life saving straw, stiffly smiling—
When she opened her mouth, the hoarse voice also had some suppressed fury: “What about me then? Editor in Chief, that contract was from me running to Zhou Chuan’s house everyday for twenty days, it can’t be that after using me to get it signed it has nothing to do with me anymore…..”
Yu Yao: “Then…..”
“What else then?” Without waiting for Yu Yao’s to finish speaking Lao Miao was the first to interrupt, “Chu Li you don’t need to be anxious, I still have Nian Nian’s [Hua Li] which is urgently needing an editor I wanted to give that to you…..”
Chu Li thought for a moment: “Then why don’t you let Xiao Niao do [Hua Li]? I just want to do the book that I signed.”
Lao Miao pretended to be surprised while he widened his eyes: “Aiya Chu Li, are you dissatisfied by my arrangements? —Aiyo, it seems that this book was signed between Zhou Chuan and [Yue Guang], not your own person right? Chu Li, if you’re acting like this it’s boring, you signed the contract while getting through the probation period smoothly, the whole editorial department is happy for you. Now everyone needs to work hard on the rest of the work, what are you unhappy about, unless that old fogey Zhou Chuan pointed his finger at you being the Main Editor?”
Chu Li: “…….”
Ok.
How dare you crush people in the lower levels with your superiority, are you that awesome?
Looking at Lao Miao in amazement, Chu Li clenched her fist.
Fingernails dug into the palm of her hand.
She shook her head with a slight smile: “That’s not the case.”
Lao Miao rolled his eyes: “Then isn’t that it?”
As he spoke he twisted his head, walking away with his nose in the air. Chu Li watched his receding back, while thinking deeply she also sat down in her own seat. After considering for a moment she said: “Doesn’t matter, I just don’t agree, both of us are newcomers that Lao Miao is taking, even if it wasn’t me who took down the contract the first and third edit should have my involvement too, why is it only Xiao Niao ah?”
Lao Miao let out a laugh: “What’s the use of you agreeing or not? What is the difference between editing [Hua Li] and [Book of the God Luohe]? Unless you look down on Nian Nian?”
Chu Li: “…..”
Chu Li violently slapped down the computer mouse, Lao Miao paused for a moment—-
The office was immediately so quiet no one dared to breathe.
Yu Yao eye’s scanned around every person, a moment later in a conciliatory tone she said: “Ok Ok, what are you arguing for, Chu Li say a little less, Lao Miao stop being so sarcastic—”
Lao Miao: “Eyyy, I’m being sarcastic? As an old time editor I still should let a new person teach me a lesson? At this moment in time Nian Nian and all them are the same, Zhou Chuan has always been with me….”
Yu Yao sneered: “Wait wait, how is it the same as Nian Nian and all of the others, Zhou Chuan shouldn’t be the writer that you are currently taking care of right? If he has something he can come find me to discuss.”
After being rebuked by Yu Yao, Lao Miao’s face was a little stiff, becoming silent.
Yu Yao looked at Chu Li who sat in her own spot with her head lowered without a sound: “Chu Li don’t worry, assigning editors isn’t a thing to be hurried, Zhou Chuan’s book will follow his own person’s arrangements, that way there won’t be any unpleasantness….”
Lao Miao let out a long ‘oh’ sound, eyeing Chu Li, then closing his mouth, just like he wanted to say: “Making it seem like Zhou Chuan will follow your command, who do you think you are, ah?”
………
After that, there were just the daily jobs that needed to be completed, while also having to endure Xiao Niao’s hen-like giggling and Lao Miao’s strange sighs and typing sounds on the keyboard….
Chu Li didn’t know how the day went by, it was a good thing that the next day was a weekend which let her calm down. It would be better than looking at Lao Miao’s sinister face, otherwise she wouldn’t know if she would fall apart and resign on the spot….
When the office area was empty at the end of the day, Chu Li was the last person to leave, board the crowded bus, and the crowded subway. By the time she arrived home it was already nearly eight thirty at night, she then realised that she had forgotten to buy dinner.
Crawling onto the bed, she opened her phone’s QQ app and realised that L Jun was sharing with her how bad the salted crispy chicken that he at last night was, touching around her stomach was still empty Chu Li laughed bitterly then wrote—
[Monkey Invited Water Army: I still haven’t eaten yet, you have something to eat yet you’re complaining.]
[Disappearing L Jun: Then go eat, unless you want me to feed you?]
[Monkey Invited Water Army: Don’t have appetite.]
[Disappearing L Jun: What the fuck is this?]
[Monkey Invited Water Army: Break Up!]
[Disappearing L Jun: Break what up, we’ve only been together for an afternoon and we’re breaking up?!]
Chu Li rolled her eyes, she didn’teven know how many times she had rolled her eyes, opening her phone she was still thinking about ignoring L Jun that good for nothing. At this moment, the other person’s voice call came through, Chu Li hesitated for a second—after knowing each other for so long, due to constantly maintaining an innocent online friend relationship, she never spoke to L Jun over voice call……
She grabbed her phone, pressing on it to listen, she didn’t even have the opportunity to say anything before she heard the other party say “wei”——
The sound was hoarse with a deep magnetism.
It turns out it sounded quite nice.
Chu Li gaped, thinking about what to say, while not knowing what she wanted to say– at this time the other party heard the faint sound of her breathing, knowing this, she honesty stayed near the phone, but she didn’t speak. Therefore he continued to speak: “What’s the matter with you? Did you eat gunpowder?”
The man’s hoarse and warm voice brought with it calm that could completely extinguish one’s anger.
Chu sat on the bed, hugging her knees, she stared at the phone for a while…..at L Jun’s place it sounded too good, after listening for a while it seemed that the sound was a little familiar. After being stressed for a whole day her heart finally settled and relaxed. She raised her brow slightly, then in a slightly husky and slow voice she said: “The probation period is nearly over, that’s why I took out Zhou Chuan’s contract at the publishing company today. I initially thought about taking it out a few day later because I was afraid if I took it down too quickly Lao Miao will be unhappy— he had always didn’t see me as pleasing to the eye….then, when i took this thing out I thought that it was no big issue, Lao Miao would at most be a little displeased, who knew that he arranged all the work for this book he would shove me aside. He actually shoved me aside, is there something wrong ah, this book was the one that I got signed. I was running around in front of Zhou Chuan’s house like a dog everyday to get that contract signed…..”
Zhou Chuan listened to her incoherent complaints quietly, it was only until this moment that he opened his mouth helplessly: “…..Zhou Chuan didn’t treat you like a dog ah, don’t bring him into this.”
“You’re not Zhou Chuan, you know a fart!”
“If you’re so angry then resign ah, pat your bum and leave.”
“The rotten one is Lao Miao, not Yuan Yue Publishing, I’m not a retreating soldier.”
“Besides,” Chu Li slammed down her phone, it was like she could beat that person over the phone, “My other colleague told me, as a result I still cannot do any proofreading. As a result this book will have nothing to do with me—how can this be ah. At the time that I signed the contract, I promised Zhou Chuan, I would help him sell his book well, I would help him publicise it well, design a nice cover….now the book has nothing to do with me. If it’s not all done well Zhou Chuan will think that I am just a liar who can draw large cakes….” 3 Drawing big cakes…make things sound pretty to trick someone.
When Chu Li spoke about this point, she felt very wronged, she couldn’t help choking on her voice. “He used to laugh at my magic pen Ma Liang.”
L Jun’s side had the sound of a phone falling onto the floor.
And dog sounds.
….He also has a dog?
Chu Li’s brain had already become a lump of paste as she dazedly made wild assumptions. Raising her hand to rub at her eyes, everything in front of her rapidly became hazy, the teardrops fell down making badabada noises, she really didn’t want to cry, but after listening to L Jun’s concerned and warm voice she just let herself go…..
And it was just like that, she started wailing.
“No way, it’s not such a big issue, why are you crying?”
The man over the found was a little bit hot tempered, after listening some more he frowned. “This thing has already been made certain? This book’s main editor has already been determined? You didn’t resist? Normally you’re super chatty but now you would be fucking happy to be cheated but keep the grievances to yourself quietly? 4 Probably another idiom, basically it would be once in a blue moon before you would accept grievances quietly without resistance.
“It hasn’t been determined yet, I resisted,” Chu Li said, pausing from her crying, these few days of feeling wronged all came out like a waterfall, she continued to sob intermittently, “I disagreed, but Lao Miao is the Deputy Editor in Chief….”
“So what if he is the Deputy Editor in Chief, what sort of say does he have?”
“…..At least more of a say than I do.”
“Does Zhou Chuan have a say in who the main editor is? Yuan Yue Publishing must have eaten something to become so brain dead, not asking him before deciding who the main editor is? How will you cooperate in the future?”
L Jun’s low voice, since he was angry it seemed particularly awe-inspiring…..within these consecutive questions, Chu Li rubbed at her nose, her mind clearing a bit. She became a little less hopeless, lifting her head that was resting on her knees: “That’s not the case, Editor in Chief said that she would ask for Zhou Chuan’s opinion…..”
The person on the other side of the phone paused for a moment, a few seconds later the man’s rage was suppressed, especially confused he asked: “Then please do tell why you are crying?”
“Asking or not asking, would there be a difference, Zhou Chuan would not stand on my side! I didn’t get off easily when fighting for this! My Zhou Chuan ah! Just like this he’s getting taken by a pig! How can I not be anxious!!”
“…..When did it become your Zhou Chuan…..forget it, forget it, how do you know he won’t side with you? If he wasn’t on your side would he sign his book to you ah?”
When L Jun’s words fell, the person on the other side who heard this paused in her sobbing…..he paused just when he assumed Chu Li had been convinced by his powerful statement. At this time he suddenly heard a slight hum on the other side as she directly started to cry brokenly—
“It’s over!!! You son of a bitch what you have said is the absolute opposite, now Zhou Chuan will really not stand on my side!!!”
“…..”
“Your crows mouth, why can’t you shut your mouth! Before I still had a sliver of hope left!” 5 Crows mouth—someone who jinxes things, ie what they say comes true or the opposite
“……………….Fuck your grandpa, what rubbish bin did I pick up a psycho like you from?”
The other party smacked their lips, suddenly ending the voice call.
After a while, Chu Li heard the phone ping—
[Disappearing L Jun: Scram and go eat food! Don’t fool around here!]
Chu Li glared at her phone, letting out a tearful hiccup.
[Monkey Invited Water Army: Pooh. 6 Just a sound
[Disappearing L Jun: Ok, go starve to death then.]
[Monkey Invited Water Army: Breakup!]
[Disappearing L Jun: ….Childish Ghost.
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Xixi theatre:
LM: *Smirking in corner*
XX: *Move to smack LM*
CL: *Cries in corner*
LJ: *pats CL* Don’t worry I *ZC* will save you!!!
CL: Bullshit *smacks him* Don’t jinx me!!!
XX: ???
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