Chapter 166

This notebook was written by Shen Cui, and no one wanted it to be liked by others more than her.

After receiving so much negativity, Shen Cui naturally felt a bit disheartened.

While feeling disheartened, Shen Cui also analyzed the situation.

When she was in modern times, novels were divided into male and female categories, and the female market had already been developed.

She read female-oriented novels and also created them from this perspective.

However, in this era, although notebooks were common, those who could recognize words, control the family’s finances, and buy notebooks to read were mostly men.

As for writing notebooks, it was almost unheard of for women—women in this era generally had low levels of education.

Even girls from wealthy families like Sun Ruowei, who were well-educated and had read many books since childhood, were confined to their homes all day with limited exposure.

If they were asked to write notebooks, they would probably be influenced by the male-oriented notebooks on the market and write similar stories.

Moreover, families with stricter rules than ordinary families would not allow their daughters to do such unconventional things.

The overall market for female-oriented notebooks had not yet been developed.

The current bookstores were not worried about business, and they could make a lot of money by sticking to the old ways. Who would be willing to take this risk?

Shen Cui could make the suggested modifications, but she wasn’t very willing in her heart—after all, the finances of the academy were not as tight as before, and she wasn’t so short of money.

Changing it to conform to the rules set by men would make the notebook boring.

She had been agonizing over this for the past few days, and today, coincidentally, Cui Wuniang brought Sun Ruowei to visit.

“Really good? Not just out of kindness?” Shen Cui asked seriously.

Both Cui Wunuang and Sun Ruowei nodded in unison.

Cui Wuniang said earnestly, “Our kindness is one thing, but what you thought before is indeed correct. If your notebook wasn’t good, I would also blindly praise it and be willing to help you publish it. But this time, it’s true. I really think it’s good, something that others don’t have. Don’t pay attention to what others at other bookstores say. Who says story have to be written according to the rules set by men? Anyway, as the head of the Cui family’s bookstore, I approve.”

Sun Ruowei added, “If it’s published, I’ll call on all my sisters to buy it together. Everyone’s family is strict, and we’re not allowed to read romantic things usually. But this notebook is refreshing and clean, without those flirtatious things, so the elders at home probably won’t say anything.”

With their approval, Shen Cui swept away her previous discouragement and nodded, “Okay, let’s publish it.”

Later, Cui Wuniang familiarized Shen Cui with the publishing process.

Currently, there are two types of publishing.

One is printing with movable type, which is more expensive and sells for a higher price.

The other is to hire someone to copy it by hand, which has lower costs and a lower selling price.

In general, if it is a large-scale distribution and the costs of printing with movable type can be spread out, bookstores will choose the former.

If they are not confident that it will sell well, they will choose the latter.

After the introduction, Cui Wuniang said, “I’m just letting you know about these. You don’t need to worry about them. Let’s talk about how to split the profits.”

There are also two ways to split profits. One is for the author to sell the notebook to the bookstore outright and receive a sum of money.

The other is a profit-sharing model. You won’t receive money upfront, but if it sells well, the profit could easily multiply.

“I suggest you choose the latter,” Cui Wuniang was really confident in this notebook.

Shen Cui accepted her suggestion and agreed to use the profit-sharing model, splitting the profits fifty-fifty.

Mrs. Cui didn’t hesitate and had A Yao bring pen and ink.

They signed the contract on the spot.

At this point, Sun Ruowei mentioned, “There’s one more thing. When the Author writes a story, He/She needs a Signature name and Title of the Story.”

Shen Cui nodded in agreement and said, “I’ve thought of one called ‘Fragrant Grass Traveler.’ I don’t know if it’s suitable. If it’s not, I’ll listen to Cui Wuniang suggestion.”

Mrs. Cui said, “That’s great. ‘Fragrant Grass’ corresponds to your name ‘Cuiwei,’ so it’s very suitable! Actually, I think the most suitable would be ‘Cuiwei,’ but it seems a bit inappropriate for the head of a school to write notebooks. When you write another book about teaching and educating in the future, you can use that.”

Then they discussed the other details.

Cui Wuniang asked Shen Cui’s opinion very seriously.

Shen Cui didn’t know much about the current publications, so she made some other suggestions.

For example, when she bought books in modern times, she sometimes bought them simply because the cover was attractive and suited her taste.

There were also many girls who had ideas like hers.

So, an exquisite layout would definitely be a plus.

“In addition, you can invite someone to draw some illustrations, make them into flower papers, bookmarks, and so on…”

She wanted to say ‘merchandise,’ but changed it to another word at the last moment, “like those matching products.”

“This is simple. We have a dedicated person at the bookstore to help with the illustrations for the notebooks, and flower papers and bookmarks are also sold in the bookstore.” Cui Wuniang said, “Also, about the ending, I think you should change it a bit, without changing the plot, just change the wording.”

Shen Cui immediately understood, “You mean change it to an open ending, and if it sells well, we can release a sequel?”

Talking to smart people is easy. Cui Wuniang nodded, indicating that was her meaning.

The three of them discussed together, and by lunchtime, they were still discussing while eating.

Since Mrs. Cui also wanted to familiarize Sun Ruowei with their business, she explained many processes in detail to her.

Sun Ruowei did not show any impatience and even helped with many things—after all, she was the target customer for this notebook, so her opinions were very valuable.

When Shen Cui came back to her senses, it was already dusk outside.

A Yao came in from outside to change their tea. Seeing her looking outside, she said, “The Master and the young masters have all returned. I heard that the Headmaster , Madam and Miss Sun is discussing something, so I specially didn’t come over.”

At this time in the classroom, everyone was fully focused on their homework, except for Cui Fei, who kept glancing outside.

Yesterday, Shen Cui had told everyone that Mrs. Cui and Sun Ruowei would be visiting today.

Cui Fei thought he wouldn’t be back from school until evening, so he probably wouldn’t see them.

When he came back and heard that they hadn’t left yet, he subconsciously thought that they were staying until this time to see him.

But he had been back for quite a while, and Cui Wuniang and Sun Ruowei hadn’t come over.

Cui Fei couldn’t help but worry.

Fortunately, although Cui Wuniang and Sun Ruowei were excited about publishing the notebook together, they hadn’t completely forgotten about him.

Soon, after they finished discussing all the processes, Shen Cui sent A Yao to call Cui Fei over.

From Sun Ruowei’s words, Cui Fei could sense her admiration for Shen Cui.

But this wasn’t surprising at all. Among them at the academy, everyone treated Shen Cui as their elder.

Last time Cui Fei and Sun Ruowei met was during the New Year when they were strolling in the garden.

Now, after several months, Cui Fei didn’t know how to start a conversation with her again.

Fortunately, Sun Ruowei brought it up, saying, “Fei Ge, why do you look like you’ve lost some weight again? Is studying too hard?”

Cui Fei nodded, “I used to be too fat, but under the guidance of the Headmaster, I lose some weight every month. I shouldn’t lose any more weight in the future.”

Sun Ruowei then said relievedly, “Being too overweight is bad for your health, but being too thin is also not good. I was just thinking of advising you, but since the Headmaster is helping you regulate, there’s no need for me to say more.”

After leaving the homeroom teacher’s office, the two of them went to the dormitory to pack their things.

However, halfway there, they ran into a girl from their class.

From her few words, Cui Fei sensed her affection for Shen Cui.

But there was nothing unusual about it. Among them in the academy, everyone treated Shen Cui as their elder.

“Yesterday, the headmaster mentioned that Sister would bring you as a guest today. I thought you would only stay for half the morning at most, so I didn’t expect to see you. Otherwise, I would have brought you something from outside.”

Sun Ruowei covered her mouth and laughed, “Didn’t you send me many things before?”

After the wedding date was set, the Cui family had already sent betrothal gifts to the Sun family.

Afterwards, if Cui Wu Niang saw something good, she would have someone send it over again.

Cui Fei felt happy seeing her smile and laughed along, “Those were gifts from Sister. I haven’t given you anything yet, I’m afraid of giving the wrong thing since I don’t know your preferences.”

Sun Ruowei said she wouldn’t mind, “I’m not that picky, and if it’s from you, I’ll definitely like it.”

Cui Fei blushed again, and Sun Ruowei couldn’t help but giggle at his reaction.

The two of them talked for less than half an hour. It was getting late, and Cui Wu Niang had to send Sun Ruowei back to the Sun family before dark.

Cui Fei followed behind them, accompanying them and Shen Cui to see them off at the academy gate.

Cui Wu Niang let Sun Ruowei get on the carriage first.

Then, seeing Cui Fei’s dazed look, she couldn’t help but pat him on the shoulder, reminding him, “You’ll be married in half a year! There’s no need to stand here like a ‘waiting-for-wife stone’.”

Cui Fei felt embarrassed again, “What is Sister saying? I just wanted to see you off.”

In another family, if the elder sister saw her brother, whom she had raised with great effort, not yet married, and he only had his future wife in his heart and eyes, the elder sister might be somewhat unhappy.

But Cui Wu Niang was different.

Seeing this, she became even happier, knowing that their life after marriage would be beautiful!

So, she didn’t say anything more to Cui Fei and looked at Shen Cui, saying, “I’m leaving my silly little brother to you. Take care of him for me.”

Shen Cui also smiled and said, “I can vouch for Afu. He usually focuses all his energy on his studies. Today is just an exception.”

This was absolutely true.

Since their engagement was settled, Cui Fei had become even more diligent than before.

So it was no wonder that after seeing him lose some weight, Old Master Cui immediately arranged his marriage, realizing that Cui Fei lacked a strong sense of gain and loss.

He wanted to give him some motivation.

Cui Wu Niang nodded with a smile, waved goodbye to them, and also got on the carriage.

After this separation, Shen Cui and Cui Wu Niang resumed their pen pal relationship.

It wasn’t until early summer that Cui Wu Niang personally came again.

This time, she came to deliver sample books.

The beautifully bound, engraved hard-brush books were packaged in pomegranate-red hard paper boxes with illustrated belly bands, bearing the title ‘A Sword Sharpened Over Three Years, Fangcao Guest’s Latest Work: A Story for All Women’.

Inside the box, there was also a set of flower paper and a set of bookmarks. The book itself, whether in paper or layout, exuded exquisite craftsmanship.

A set was priced at two taels of silver, and Cui Wu Niang had printed a hundred copies for trial sales.

“How is it? Are you still satisfied?”

Shen Cui naturally exclaimed his satisfaction, but looking at the words on the belly band, she felt a bit embarrassed.

She had indeed told Cui Wu Niang before that she had been working on this book for three years, but in reality, for at least two and a half years, she had been catching up on her cultural studies.

This book had actually been written for less than three months in total.