diymy 7: Submitting the manuscript
7: Submitting the manuscript
It's good to be young; even without much rest for three days and three nights, Han Wen was able to persevere.
Of course, he wasn't feeling well. His eyes were dry, and he felt dizzy and lightheaded, as if he were about to float away.
After checking all the manuscripts on hand and finishing the binding, Han Wen finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Everything went smoothly and perfectly; he could finally give an explanation to Cao Guilin.
Zhou Ning came to the store every day. In these three days, she witnessed firsthand how hard Han Wen worked, how persistent he was, and how desperate he was.
To be honest, I was very surprised, shocked, heartbroken, and saddened. In fact, I even felt emotionally broken and desperate in the end.
She couldn't understand what could possibly drive Han Wen, an 18-year-old boy even younger than herself, to such a reckless act.
Unfortunately, she couldn't type, so she could only help Hanwen from the sidelines.
I helped him pour water, helped him organize his manuscripts, tried to cook, and went out to buy things.
Zhou Ning had never done these things before in his life.
However, when she tried it with her heart, she found that it wasn't too difficult, and it was actually quite interesting.
When Han Wen went upstairs to rest, she sat quietly by the bed watching him.
After Han Wen fell asleep completely, she couldn't help but gently stroke his forehead and face.
She was smiling, but suddenly felt like crying, her heart aching.
"How can someone so smart, so hardworking, and so dedicated be so bad at studying?" She couldn't understand it. "Studying is the easiest thing, isn't it? It's really strange."
Han Wen was preoccupied with something on his mind and couldn't sleep soundly. He woke up before the time he had agreed to meet Cao Guilin.
"Why are you awake? Why aren't you sleeping anymore?" Zhou Ning asked with concern.
"The important business is urgent and cannot be delayed." Han Wen glanced at the small mechanical alarm clock on the bedside table and realized that it was indeed still early.
However, he got up directly, replied, and went downstairs: "I'm going to call Teacher Cao and ask about the situation."
"Okay, go ahead. I'll keep an eye on the shop, it'll be fine." Zhou Ning nodded.
Han Wen didn't stand on ceremony with Zhou Ning. He strode downstairs, ran straight to a public phone booth, and asked the operator to help him call Cao Guilin.
"Who is it?" Cao Guilin asked on the phone.
"Hello, Teacher Cao, I'm Han Wen, the one who helped you print the manuscript. Your manuscript has been completely printed. Would you like to come and pick it up yourself, or should I deliver it to you?" Han Wen introduced himself first, and then stated his purpose.
"Hanwen, oh, I was waiting for your call. By the way, is the manuscript really printed? No other problems?" Cao Guilin asked happily and with concern.
"Teacher Cao, this is your manuscript. I printed it very carefully, and there will absolutely be no problems. You'll see when you receive the manuscript." Han Wen nodded.
"I still have some things to take care of right now, so I don't have time to come to your place to pick up the manuscript."
"Okay, you send the manuscript to the 'October' magazine office first, and then wait for me there." Cao Guilin thought for a moment before saying, "I'll go directly to the magazine office later, and then we can meet there."
"Okay, Teacher Cao, I understand. I'll send the manuscript over right now." Han Wen couldn't have been happier and agreed immediately.
After ending the call, Han Wen paid the phone bill and ran back to the store.
"Sister Ning, could you lend me your bicycle for a moment? I need to take my manuscript to the magazine right now," Han Wen said as soon as he entered the store.
"The magazine, which magazine? Do you know where it is? Do you know how to get there?" Zhou Ning took out his bicycle keys, handed them to Han Wen, and asked.
"The October magazine office, I just asked Teacher Cao, it's not far from here, it's located on the North Third Ring Road."
"It only takes half an hour to ride there by bike," Han Wen replied, taking the bike keys.
Seeing that Han Wen really knew the location, Zhou Ning felt relieved. However, she still added, "Be careful riding your bike on the road, and don't get into any accidents. Come back when you're done, I'll be waiting for you at the shop."
"Okay." Han Wen nodded, put away Cao Guilin's manuscript, and rode his bicycle toward the magazine office.
In less than half an hour, Han Wen arrived outside the office of the October magazine.
He was unfamiliar with the magazine's operations and didn't know any of the editors. Having no other option, he could only wait for Cao Guilin while sitting on his bicycle.
About ten minutes later, a taxi stopped outside the magazine office. The door opened, and Cao Guilin got out.
Han Wen was looking at the manuscript in his hand while keeping an eye on his surroundings. As soon as he saw Cao Guilin, he jumped off his bicycle.
Cao Guilin also spotted Han Wen at a glance. Seeing that he was reading his manuscript so seriously, she was pleased and her impression of him improved a lot.
"Hello, Teacher Cao. This is your manuscript, I've brought it." Han Wen greeted her as he handed her the manuscript, saying, "Please check it and see if there are any mistakes or omissions."
Cao Guilin nodded, took the manuscript from Han Wen, and began to read it.
A few minutes later, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
Because when Hanwen was printing the manuscript, he not only corrected the typos, but also corrected some other minor errors, making the whole manuscript look more perfect.
"Good, Hanwen, I really have to thank you this time." He nodded. "It's too hot outside, come inside with me and sit for a while. I'll pay you after I hand the manuscript over to the editor."
"Teacher Cao, you're too kind. It's my honor to serve you." Han Wen smiled and nodded. "I hope there will be another opportunity next time. Please don't forget me."
"I can't forget you, I have a deep impression of you." Cao Guilin smiled and walked towards the magazine office with Han Wen.
Because the appointment was made in advance, Cao Guilin easily found the editor she was looking for.
A young man under thirty years old named Gu Jianping, a master of literature from Peking University, has just joined the October magazine this year.
"Teacher Cao, you've arrived." Gu Jianping was very happy and polite to see Cao Guilin.
"Xiao Gu, this is the full manuscript of 'Going Abroad.' Take a look. Someone has already revised and corrected it for me."
If there are any areas that need modification or polishing, just let me know and I'll arrange for someone to do it immediately.
"It's not that I don't want to do it myself, but I'm just too busy. I'll be going abroad soon, and I really don't have the time or energy," Cao Guilin explained, sighing. "The distance between abroad and China is too far. Flying is too expensive, making a phone call is inconvenient, and writing a letter is too slow."
The royalties for this book are only four or five thousand yuan, it's really not worth all this trouble for me.
"Teacher Cao, you're right, I understand." Gu Jianping nodded. "Please sit down, I'll get you some water."
"Teacher Gu, you and Teacher Cao can talk about business first. I'll go get you some water." Han Wen said, and went to find a water bottle and cups.
"I dare not accept the title of 'teacher.' If you'd like, please call me Editor Gu or Senior Brother Gu." Gu Jianping was somewhat surprised, assuming that Han Wen was Cao Guilin's student or relative, so he politely replied, "Then I'll trouble you."
"Senior Brother Gu, you're welcome." Han Wen shook his head.
"His name is Han Wen, the small business owner of a typing shop in Zhongguancun. He was the one who typed this article for me."
He not only made detailed revisions and corrections to my manuscript, but also did some appropriate polishing.” Cao Guilin explained, “He’s a very talented, intelligent, and hardworking young man.”
He printed my manuscript in just three days, which I could hardly believe.
He came to deliver a manuscript, and I had a good impression of him, so I brought him in. It's so hot outside; I let him come in and rest for a bit.