Chapter 319: Chapter 298 The Murder of Roger Ackroyd_1
With the company affairs taken care of by her two apprentices, Lin Yuan found herself with quite a bit of free time on her hands.
After some thought, she finalized “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” and handed it to Jin Mu, instructing him to contact Silver Blue Books.
“You really wrote a mystery novel?”
Jin Mu was somewhat taken aback as he looked at the document for “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” that Lin Yuan had sent him.
He remembered that Lin Yuan had casually mentioned that mystery novels were popular during their discussion on what genres were leading the book market.
To his surprise, his boss had indeed produced a mystery novel.
Just because this genre was popular?
Although it seemed like a strong enough reason at first, Jin Mu couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
Yet, considering Lin Yuan’s track record of going under three different pseudonyms, each excelling in a different field, he couldn’t find a reason to doubt her.
“Can I take a look at it later?”
As a fan of mystery, Jin Mu believed he had a say in this.
“You can.”
Lin Yuan responded.
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Smiling, Jin Mu didn’t rush to read. Instead, he called “YangFeng”.
“Chu Kuang has a new book?!”
“YangFeng” received Jin Mu’s call during his office hours.
His enthusiasm surged at the news, culminating in an excited shout within the office.
“A new book by Chu Kuang?”
The announcement was like magic, silencing the entire Fantasy Department at Silver Blue Books.
Everyone quietly paused their work to look at “YangFeng”.
Ever since the closure of “Ghost Blowing the Lantern”, the Fantasy Department at Silver Blue Books had been looking forward to Chu Kuang’s new book.
Everyone excitedly speculated about the genre Chu Kuang would tackle next.
There were all sorts of guesses.
It was known that Chu Kuang never wrote two novels of the same genre. He was a consummate pioneer!
“What genre is it this time?”
“YangFeng” swallowed, attempting to ask the question nonchalantly. It was the one thing everyone had their minds on.
Having been Chu Kuang’s editor for so long, “YangFeng” felt prepared for any genre that Chu Kuang might have chosen.
No matter what, he wouldn’t be surprised by the genre of the new book this time.
“After all, I’ve been trained for so long.”
“YangFeng” thought proudly to himself.
Jin Mu’s voice was oddly hesitant, “A mystery novel.”
“…”
“YangFeng” turned from confident to stunned. He asked for confirmation, ”
“It’s really a mystery novel?”
Jin Mu firmly answered, “Yes.”
“YangFeng” felt dizzy, his demeanor crumbling, a hint of disappointment on his face, “A mystery novel…”
He had mentally prepared himself for any genre Chu Kuang might choose. It would’ve still been normal.
But when he found out the genre of Chu Kuang’s new book, “YangFeng” couldn’t help but lose composure.
Not only was “YangFeng” thrown off guard, the entire Fantasy Department was left dumbfounded.
Don’t get us wrong.
We’re not doubting.
The pure issue is, the Mystery Department handles mystery novels.
Indeed, if “Ghost Blowing the Lantern” could barely be categorized under fantasy literature, then a mystery novel was undoubtedly out of its league.
This was a distinct category.
The company has a dedicated mystery novel department.
The genre of Chu Kuang’s new book was not related to the Fantasy Department.
“Alright, I will have someone from the Mystery Department get in touch with you.” “YangFeng”‘s voice carried a heavy sense of loss.
“Alright, the novel has been sent. Please check.”
“Understood.”
After he hung up, the department fell into silence.
After a while, someone asked, “He really wants to write a mystery?”
“YangFeng” nodded reluctantly.
Everyone’s mood had become somewhat melancholic.
Then Ol’ Xiong came out, his face wearing an excited smile, “I think I heard you all discussing Chu Kuang’s new book. Is it ready?”
“Yes.”
“YangFeng replied, “It’s a mystery.”
The smile on Ol’ Xiong’s face disappeared instantly: “Mystery?”
YangFeng shrugged his shoulders.
Ol’ Xiong stood there dumbstruck for a few seconds, then waved his hand saying,
“What type of book Chu Kuang wants to write is his freedom, send me the manuscript, I will visit the mystery department.”
“Alright.”
Five minutes later, Ol’ Xiong arrived at the mystery department.
Mystery, being as popular a genre as fantasy, having its own department was no surprise.
But the Mystery Department at Silver Blue Books has always been lukewarm.
In terms of performance, it couldn’t come close to the Fantasy Department. The Fantasy Department was Silver Blue’s biggest money maker!
So, Ol’ Xiong held the mystery department in contempt. It was a small department after all.
But today, this small department had snatched away Chu Kuang.
Alright, then.
Perhaps ‘snatched away’ was not the right term, after all, it was Chu Kuang’s personal choice, and everyone belonged to the same company. Regardless with whom Chu Kuang shared his profits with, it all belonged to Silver Blue Books…
“Brother Xiong.”
The editor-in-chief of the Mystery Department, Cao Dezhi, seemed surprised to see Ol’ Xiong in the department, “What brings you here?” he asked.
“Chu Kuang’s new book is a mystery.” Ol’ Xiong grumbled: “According to the company rules, your department is responsible for connecting with him.”
“Chu Kuang?”
Cao Dezhi was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed!
Chu Kuang was very well known at Silver Blue Books, he was their money tree!
He couldn’t believe that this money tree wanted to write a mystery novel. Naturally, Cao Dezhi was over the moon about this!
While he was not sure how good Chu Kuang’s mystery novel would turn out to be, nor had he heard before that Chu Kuang would write such a genre, but as long as Chu Kuang was willing to write-
Regardless of the genre, there would be readers who would buy it!
This is the influence of a GOAT-level author!
At Chu Kuang’s current level of fame, whatever genre he chose to write, the sales wouldn’t be too bad because his reputation had already been established!
Right now, what the Mystery Department needed most was sales!
Thinking of this, Cao Dezhi totally understood why Ol’ Xiong looked so unpleasant, he chuckled lightly and said,
“Brother Xiong, my condolences.”
One of the top authors from the Fantasy Department has come to write mystery, probably causing the editors in the Fantasy Department to collectively go into shutdown mode, while he had unexpectedly hit the jackpot!
“Go to hell.”
Ol’ Xiong retorted, not in a good mood: “Once Chu Kuang is done playing around with mystery, he’ll come back. By leaving him in your mystery department, you’re wasting talent.”
“Brother Xiong…”
Cao Dezhi said, feeling glum: “There’s no need to belittle our Mystery Department like that.”
Ol’ Xiong scoffed: “Belittling, huh? Among the top five companies in the publishing industry, our Mystery Department at Silver Blue Books is the worst. I guess Dezhi is more aware of this than I am.”
Cao Dezhi suddenly forced out a bitter smile.
What Ol’ Xiong said was a fact.
The author’s strength in the Mystery Department of Silver Blue Books, was grossly mismatched with Silver Blue’s overall standing. It was barely at the same level as the mystery departments of some second-rate publishing houses…
“Alright.”
O’l Xiong waved his hand: “I have sent the book to your email. Remember to check it. I have relayed the message. Get in touch with Chu Kuang’s agent later.”
“Alright.”
Cao Dezhi nodded.
After Ol’ Xiong’s departure, Cao Dezhi thought to himself: “I hope Mr. Chu Kuang can give me a pleasant surprise…”
The Mystery Department was in some serious trouble.
If department performance didn’t improve, he guessed that the Editor-in-Chief would probably replace him. Therefore, Dezhi had been quite worried about it.
However, Chu Kuang writing a mystery novel brought a ray of hope to Dezhi!
At least…
The sales performance of the Mystery Department was guaranteed to some extent!
Chu Kuang was really a good man who brought aid in times of trouble!
With this hope in mind, Cao Dezhi returned to his office, opened his email, and started reading the novel titled “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd”.