NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11
Chapter 11
The first week for Su Fei was still very hopeful, eagerly anticipating a response from the newspaper. Su Fei thought maybe she could get lucky. But as the days passed, there was no news at all. As far as she knew, typically within a week, there would be some information telling her whether her submission was accepted or not.
But now Su Fei’s manuscript seemed to have vanished like a bun thrown to a dog. Su Fei actually felt a bit disheartened. She continued to diligently study all the articles in the newspaper, finding them to be very formal and proper.
As a freelance online writer, Su Fei enjoyed reading classical literature, but she had never written such formal articles.
The manuscript Su Fei sent was a description of some rural scenery and her vague admiration for Ningning. It was clearly a woman’s admiration for another man, with a hint of joy and shyness.
After reading all the articles that could be published in the newspaper, they were all of a similar format, full of praise.
Ningning, seeing Su Fei’s incredulous expression, quickly asked her to send out other articles she had written. After all, maybe one of them would be accepted. Since she had already written so many and had stamps, “Send these out, don’t keep them all in one place. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You need to cast your net wide to catch fish.”
Su Fei suddenly realized why she hadn’t thought of it before. She must be less agile than before. She immediately felt excited. “I’ll definitely try more times. Since the money has already been wasted, as long as one article gets accepted, I can make it back.”
Seeing Su Fei full of energy, Ningning knew he had managed to reassure her. So he encouraged her even more, “You must write seriously. If you make money, I’ll take your salary, but those fees from the articles will belong to your little treasury. I won’t touch them!”
Su Fei looked at Ningning in disbelief, unable to believe such a generous offer. “Really? You really, only want my salary, not the fees? You better not go back on your word!”
Ningning chuckled, “Of course not. It’s all for you to keep in your little treasury, alright? But from now on, your monthly pocket money will only be fifty cents.”
Su Fei was a bit slow to react. Hearing Ningning say only fifty cents, she wondered what she could buy with that. Ah…
Ningning said with conviction, “You don’t smoke or drink, and we provide for your food and shelter at home. I’ll even make you new clothes! With this fifty cents, I don’t think you can spend it all.”
Su Fei clutched her pockets, realizing she only had a few coins inside. Su Fei felt like even a child had more money than her. She realized she might not be at ease without tens of thousands of dollars in her hands.
“Just think about it. With the fees, you’ll have all the money you need. During your free time, don’t go out after work; just stay at home and write articles with all your heart.” Ningning felt that recently, the informed women and men seemed a bit restless, as if they had been working here for many years and had resigned themselves to their fate. They no longer believed in the policies here, and now they could only endure it.
“Oh! I’ll definitely earn some fees. I want to buy a bicycle.” Su Fei’s eyes gleamed with excitement, then she asked Ningning, “What do you want? I’ll buy you something with the fees.”
Ningning, seeing that there was still no progress, was already calculating how to spend the money. It was naive, but indeed, she couldn’t keep the money in her hands. If she were cheated out of it, it would be as easy as saying a word.
“Well, I want to buy a house in the city and maybe a car.” Ningning said indifferently, because he knew that these things might not be accomplished in this lifetime.
But Ningning didn’t expect Su Fei to take his words to heart. Until one day, when she really made so many wishes come true for him.
Su Fei heard Ningning’s big wishes and realized that her bicycle was nothing compared to that. In order to fulfill Ningning’s wishes, she should strive harder. “Okay, I’ll start writing now, and work hard!”
Ningning patted Su Fei’s shoulder suddenly and said sternly, “You can write later. Now you need to help make dinner and prepare for the upcoming New Year, like making meatballs and such.”
Su Fei immediately forced a smile, thinking she should have run away earlier; now it was too late.
“Is anyone here? Is this Su Fei’s house? Come and get your mail, as well as your remittance slip.” The postal worker shouted loudly outside while riding a bicycle.
“Someone seems to be calling me outside. Did you hear that?” Su Fei touched her ear, as if she had heard the remittance slip.
“I heard it too, it’s real!” Ningning exclaimed in surprise, and the two looked at each other, quickly putting down what they were doing and running outside.
Because it was winter, there weren’t many people outside. Otherwise, it would have caused a commotion!