Chapter 173

Knowing that Chief Editor Luo wanted to discuss “Loyal Dog,” Shi Tingyu smiled without responding.

Chief Editor Luo genuinely enjoyed being with Lijian and played with him for quite a while before feeling satisfied.

Feeling that their time here was almost up, Chief Editor Luo finally got to the point.

“Teacher Shi, the main reason I came this time is to discuss the re-edition of the first two parts of ‘Loyal Dog’ and the creation of the third part.”

“I don’t know if Teacher Shi has encountered any difficulties. If there’s anything I can help with, please don’t hesitate to let me know. We’ll definitely help if we can.”

“If it’s a matter of royalties, we can discuss that further.”

Luo Shucheng was very humble in his approach. Just these two parts of “Loyal Dog” had earned their publishing house a considerable profit. Now that Shi Tingyu’s name wasn’t unknown anymore, asking for higher royalties was understandable.

Shi Tingyu thought for a moment and said, “To be honest, Chief Editor Luo, ‘Loyal Dog’ was just a creation I did in my spare time. My main focus in the future might be on oil painting. So, I hadn’t planned to continue drawing comic strips.”

Luo Shucheng was a bit surprised. It wasn’t that there were no artists doing oil paintings now; it was just a unique situation, and those skilled in oil painting hadn’t surfaced in a long time.

He hadn’t expected Shi Tingyu’s career plan to be like this.

But he didn’t want to give up trying. “Readers really love ‘Zhuifeng’ from ‘Loyal Dog’. The editorial department has received numerous letters from readers, and they are all eagerly awaiting the continuation of the ‘Loyal Dog’ series.”

Initially, Shi Tingyu was worried about letters from readers causing trouble in the barracks.

So she had the publishing house keep them safe and helped them reply to some letters of thanks.

She hadn’t expected there would be so many letters from readers now.

Shi Tingyu thought for a moment and said, “There’s no problem with the re-edition. However, as for continuing the creation, I’ll need to think about it.”

Luo Shucheng also didn’t expect to convince her in one go, so he first finalized the re-edition.

He took out the re-edition documents from his briefcase.

Both parts of “Loyal Dog” needed to be reprinted this time, with a print run of 100,000 copies each. They had raised the royalty rate for the re-edition from 10% to 12%.

The re-edition fee for 100,000 copies was 7,000 each, totaling 14,000.

Lu Weiguo murmured quietly on the side.

This really felt like making money lying down. After completing a comic strip, there were still subsequent profits.

He calculated that if his wife reprinted this part once, it would be nearly six years’ worth of his salary.

No wonder his wife wanted to stop creating. The speed of earning money was indeed too eye-catching.

But fortunately, everyone knew that his wife earned money by publishing books, and no one suspected where their money came from.

No wonder she was so calm when the rumors came out.

After signing the re-edition contract, Luo Shucheng’s heart relaxed a lot.

“Teacher Shi, it’s getting late. I’ll go back first. I’ll bother you again in a few days, and by then, please tell me your decision.”

“Readers really love Zhuifeng. I hope Teacher Shi will consider it more.”

Shi Tingyu said, “Okay, I will think about it carefully.”

She then asked, “Chief Editor Luo, where are you staying these two days? Let my husband send you back.”

Since he had come from afar, she wanted to ensure everything was well arranged.

Luo Shucheng quickly declined.

“No need to trouble you. I’m staying at the guesthouse here. It’s not far, and my unit has provided an introduction letter.”

He could tell that Shi Tingyu’s husband, the comrade, seemed injured. He didn’t want to trouble anyone, and besides, the place wasn’t far.

Seeing his insistence, Shi Tingyu didn’t insist further. If she, a female comrade, went to send someone to the guesthouse, it might lead to unnecessary gossip. She didn’t want Lu Weiguo to go there either.

His injury was not fake.

Before leaving the hospital gate, Luo Shucheng specifically greeted Lijian, and Lijian treated him well.

Luo Shucheng said, “If I come back in a few days, I’ll bring you something delicious.”

Lijian barked happily, looking forward to it.

From its eyes, Luo Shucheng seemed to see its emotions and once again marveled at Lijian’s intelligence.

Lu Weiguo and Shi Tingyu escorted Luo Shucheng out of the family courtyard before returning.

On the way, Lu Weiguo asked, “Wife, what do you think? If you don’t want to continue creating, just reject it when the first one arrives. If you’re embarrassed, I can tell Chief Editor Luo.”

His wife had a bit of social anxiety in front of outsiders.

This term was something she had told him about, and he found it surprisingly useful.

Shi Tingyu smiled, “Although I don’t like socializing and small talk, I’m not someone who doesn’t know how to refuse. You can rest assured.”

She had social anxiety, but if it wasn’t voluntary, she would never force herself.

Back at home, Shi Tingyu sat in the courtyard, absent-mindedly stroking Lijian.

Initially, she didn’t want to continue creating “Loyal Dog” for fear of earning too much money and drawing too much attention.

But now it was June of ’76, and by October, the West China faction would step down, marking the end of the decade-long movement.

She could agree to continue creating now. She thought that by the time the third part was published, it would be close to October. As long as the publication date was pushed back a bit, there shouldn’t be a problem.

Initially, painting “Loyal Dog” was secondary to finding something to do.

She hadn’t expected “Loyal Dog” to be so popular.

She thought “Loyal Dog” might be her only comic series in her lifetime.

At this moment, she even whimsically thought that her comic could become a rare collection in later generations because of her painting career, which was also invaluable.

She dared to guarantee that her drawing style was absolutely genuine.

The price of an oil painting could be quite high, and her comic might really soar in value.

After October 1, she would slowly resume her oil painting work, arrange to have children, and quit her job at the school.

Thinking about it, Shi Tingyu decided that it would be good to release another part of “Loyal Dog.”

Timing was just right.

With this decision made, Shi Tingyu told Lu Weiguo about it.

Lu Weiguo listened to everything his wife said, as long as it didn’t tire her out.

Seeing how easy-going he was, Shi Tingyu couldn’t help but smile and say, “You really go along with everything I say.”

Lu Weiguo just smiled.

Why wouldn’t he listen to such a good wife?

Shi Tingyu turned around, cupped his face in her hands, and said, “Weiguo, by the end of the year, let’s have a child, okay?”

Lu Weiguo’s eyes trembled. He reached out and held her hand. After a few hesitations, he figured out how to say it, “Wife, didn’t we agree to wait until I get promoted before having a child?”

They had agreed earlier that they wouldn’t rush to have a child. Once he was promoted and the number of missions reduced, he could take better care of her when she got pregnant.

He didn’t know if he would get promoted in the second half of the year, so he couldn’t give her a definite answer.