ROBEPTQ chapter 34

The Japanese translator, who had been contacted earlier, promptly provided feedback on the translated manuscript. The quality of the translation from an amateur translator on the forum was actually quite poor, filled with mistakes and omissions. Hongtu used this as leverage and rejected the amateur translator’s request for payment.

On the other hand, according to standard practices, publishing companies should settle payments with translators approximately three months after the release of a new book. However, within two months of the book’s release, Hongtu had not yet paid the translator. This conveniently saved them some expenses.

The online controversy had mostly subsided, and the chief editor did not want to pursue the translator’s responsibility any further. With this, the matter came to a close.

After resolving the issue, the chief editor called Bai Sijun to the office to inquire about the progress of Mei Yuchen’s new book. Bai Sijun calculated the time; the three-month deadline given by the chief editor was about to expire. Although he knew he wouldn’t be fired, the thought of Mei Yuchen writing a “mindless romance novel” made him feel uneasy.

“So, his new book is already 80% complete?” the chief editor asked.

“Yes, only the ending is left,” Bai Sijun replied.

“What kind of story is it?” the chief editor inquired further.

Bai Sijun explained the core plot of the romance game and the recurring victimization without delving into the extensive romantic process. As a precaution, he added, “This novel has a somewhat different style from his previous works. It might need some careful planning during promotion.”

“Promotion is a matter for later,” the chief editor said. “If he can write it, that’s already a relief.”

“True…” Bai Sijun replied uncertainly.

“By the way,” the chief editor changed the topic, “do you have any thoughts on the Japanese Literature Series?”

Bai Sijun was momentarily surprised. “Me?”

The Japanese Literature Series was a series Hongtu planned to focus on in the coming years. Japan, being a country with the most Nobel Prize winners in Asia, had a significant influence on literature in China.

According to the Berne Convention, authors of literary works have copyright during their lifetime and for fifty years after their death. Conversely, when an author has been deceased for more than fifty years, the copyright of their works becomes open to the world, and any publishing house can release them.

Currently, many Japanese authors’ copyrights were about to expire, including some well-known ones. Various domestic publishing houses were eagerly anticipating this, and Hongtu, which regularly imported Japanese books, naturally wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

“Your performance since the beginning of the year has been evident to everyone,” the chief editor paused. “I want to assign this series to you.”

Bai Sijun was dazed by this huge opportunity, taking a moment to process what had just happened.

“If you can’t handle it…”

“I can!” Bai Sijun hastily interrupted the chief editor.

Joking aside, this was a rare opportunity. Only a fool would refuse. Bai Sijun didn’t know why the chief editor suddenly decided to be generous and burden him with such a responsibility. Perhaps, after being duped twice, the chief editor thought it was time to treat him better.

Leaving the chief editor’s office, Bai Sijun was still somewhat in a daze. He unintentionally collided with someone standing by the office door.

“Teacher Qi?” Bai Sijun was surprised. “What are you doing here?”

Qi Yun shook the gift-wrapped box in his hand and replied, “I went on a business trip to X city a few days ago and brought back some lychees from there.”

After giving the lychees to the chief editor, they would likely be shared with everyone, meaning Bai Sijun would also get to enjoy them. He smiled politely, saying, “Teacher Qi, that’s very thoughtful of you.”

Qi Yun blinked and said, “It’s just courtesy.”

Nodding in acknowledgment, Bai Sijun, with a somewhat strange feeling in his heart, continued, “Okay, Teacher Qi, please go in. I have work to attend to.”

“Wait, Editor Bai,” Qi Yun stopped Bai Sijun, “when do you have time? Let’s have a meal together. I want to congratulate you on getting a good project.”

Suddenly, Bai Sijun felt a strange sensation in his heart. He realized that Qi Yun had probably overheard his conversation with the chief editor in the office.

If one had to say, this had an element of eavesdropping, so Bai Sijun couldn’t help but feel a bit uncomfortable subconsciously.

However, on second thought, Qi Yun’s demeanor was very calm. Besides, he hadn’t intentionally eavesdropped; he had genuinely come to see the chief editor about something. Bai Sijun had no reason to mind.

Suppressing the strange feeling in his heart, he politely smiled and said, “Thank you, Teacher Qi. Let’s make plans when we have time.”

The Literature Series was a challenging project for Bai Sijun. It was a significant challenge.

Firstly, before China joined the copyright convention, many self-translated pirated copies circulated in the country. Although these copies were dated, they were mostly translated by famous translators from the last century. If any disputes arose, it wouldn’t be as easy to handle as with the forum’s amateur translator. Therefore, Bai Sijun had to be cautious.

Secondly, finding translators was not a casual task. Currently, book translation was usually done by editors posting trial translation messages in translation circles. Translators would then sign up for a trial translation of five pages, and the editor would choose the best translator among all the trials to sign a translation contract.

However, for well-known books, this method couldn’t be applied. Editors had to reach out to renowned translators, who often demanded high fees and took their time.

Finally, even after receiving the final translated manuscript, since the original work’s copyright was open, there would inevitably be competition in the market. Therefore, a lot of effort had to be put into artistic design and later promotion.

Bai Sijun planned to work on this with Liang Ru; after all, handling such an important series alone would be quite challenging.

He and Liang Ru held a small meeting, giving a brief overview of the series content. He thought Liang Ru would be as enthusiastic as he was, but unexpectedly, Liang Ru sighed mysteriously, saying, “Bai ge, you seem like a workaholic lately.”

Bai Sijun closed his notebook and replied casually, “I’ve always been a workaholic.”

Liang Ru raised her index finger and gestured, making a clicking sound. “Hmm,” she said, “that’s not right. You used to take breaks on your phone after working for a while. Now, it feels like you’ve dedicated your whole life to work.”

Bai Sijun pursed his lips. “You’re overthinking it.”

Liang Ru tapped her chin with her thumb and index finger, raising her eyebrows. “Did you have a fight with Boss Mei?”

How did this woman know everything?

Bai Sijun gave a speechless smile, replying, “No, I’ll visit him during the May Day holiday.”

Bai Sijun had already planned it out. If Mei Yuchen focused on writing, he would spend all three days of the May Day holiday with him. If he continued to be distracted by various things, Bai Sijun would maintain his distance.

Calculating the time, from the last time they parted ways to their next meeting, there were about ten days. Bai Sijun left Mei Yuchen hanging for this long, hoping the usually stubborn Mei Yuchen would become a bit more obedient.