Chapter 55 Suffering Together

Chapter 55 Suffering Together

"Business looks good," a fellow student said curiously, approaching and reading the promotional slogan on the notice, "A peerless beauty."

The words "peerless beauty" immediately stirred the hearts of the students who had come with Duan Yunlang.

*Ahem*, they were all teenagers in their late teens or early twenties— who wouldn't want to read a story about a peerless beauty? If this peerless beauty happened to be a ghost or a demon, it would be even more intriguing.

More than a dozen students immediately rushed into Qingsong Bookstore.

"Respected customers, please watch your step and pay one by one." Liu Zhou deftly handed out books and collected money, his face beaming.

Little Shitou, though young, was quick-witted and didn’t get flustered even when busy.

Occasionally, the two clerks exchanged glances, both thinking: The owner was right; one clerk couldn't handle this alone.

Manager Hu watched the bustling bookstore, feeling both excited and worried.

He was thrilled that the first day of sales for the new book far exceeded his expectations, but he was also concerned about how well it would sell in the long run, which depended on the initial buyers' reactions.

When the bookstore closed at night, Manager Hu finished counting the number of copies of *Painted Skin* sold and reported the good news to Xin You.

"Not bad," Xin You nodded calmly, pulling out a manuscript from her sleeve and handing it over.

"This is—" Manager Hu's eyes lit up as he flipped through it, "the second half of *Painted Skin*?"

"Yes, please take a look and see if it meets the standards of the first half."

In fact, Manager Hu couldn't wait to start reading.

He had been itching with anticipation these days, even dreaming one night that he became Wang Sheng, peering through the window of a study. Unfortunately, before he could see what was inside, he woke up.

At that moment, he realized deeply: What was the most painful thing for someone who loved reading stories? It was having an excellent story that wasn't finished!

Xin You observed various expressions on Manager Hu’s face: fear, shock, and amazement. She never thought the old manager could have such a rich range of expressions.

Seeing Manager Hu reach the last page, Xin You asked, "What do you think? Does it maintain the quality of the first half?"

Manager Hu slammed the table, "Not just maintain it! The second half is terrifying and intricate, with an unconventional ending that is both captivating and cautionary. It’s a masterpiece!"

Such high praise made Xin You smile. "Since you think it’s good, let’s arrange for printing."

"Now?" Manager Hu was taken aback.

"It takes time to print a book. Starting now will allow us to release the second half after the first part has sold sufficiently."

Manager Hu hesitated, "The timing is indeed appropriate—"

"If there’s any problem, we can discuss it."

"I’m just a bit worried about our finances. Waiting until the first part sells enough to cover costs might be safer."

Xin You smiled gently, "Do you lack confidence in *Painted Skin*?"

Manager Hu actually had great confidence in *Painted Skin*, but given the bookstore’s long period of quietness, he had to be cautious and not take too big a step.

Understanding Manager Hu’s mindset, Xin You smiled, "Please proceed with the arrangements. Don’t worry about the money; I have it covered."

Steady progress was fine, but she needed to quickly change the deserted state of Qingsong Bookstore. More visitors meant a higher chance of finding the owner of *The Peony Pavilion*.

Thinking of the blood-stained copy of *The Peony Pavilion*, Xin You’s expression darkened.

She came to the capital alone, not to make a fortune in business, but to find her mother’s killer.

Xin You’s words reassured Manager Hu, "If there’s no financial issue, I’ll arrange it immediately."

In a dormitory room at the Imperial Academy, four students, including Duan Yunlang, each held a copy of *Painted Skin* and casually flipped through them, passing the time before lights out.

Unfortunately, the Imperial Academy was strictly managed. Although they bought the book during the day, they could only read it at this time, lest they be caught by their teachers and punished for reading non-academic material.

Initially, the four chatted intermittently, but gradually, silence fell.

After some time, the bell signaling lights out rang, and the boy with phoenix eyes cursed, "Damn, I haven’t finished yet!"

Another echoed, "Neither have I!"

Duan Yunlang, who had reached the end, felt even worse, "Aaaah, the story isn’t finished!"

Outside, the patrolling official’s voice called, "Lights out, no loud talking!"

One by one, the lights in the dormitories went out. All the students who had read *Painted Skin* couldn’t sleep.

"Meng Fei, don’t read by the window; we’ll all get punished if you’re caught."

Meng Fei, the boy with phoenix eyes, remained glued to the book, "Just a little more, let me finish it using the light."

Duan Yunlang stared at the ceiling, sighing heavily, "I can’t sleep. I really want to know what happens next."

"Exactly, who can tell me what Wang Sheng saw?"

Meng Fei suddenly remembered, "Yunlang, as the owner, your cousin must know what happens next, right?"

"My cousin isn’t Mr. Songling."

"But since she’s publishing Mr. Songling’s stories, she must have asked him. Could you resist asking if you were halfway through?"

Duan Yunlang shook his head.

Of course not; he wished he could ask his cousin right now!

So the next day, when it was time to leave the Imperial Academy, Duan Yunlang, bearing the high hopes of his classmates, ran to the Qingsong Bookstore.

"Second Cousin, do you want to know what happens next?" Xin You refused outright, "I can't tell you."

If it weren't for the fact that they were of different genders, Duan Yunlang would have thrown himself at Xin You: "Cousin, please, can't you see me suffering, unable to eat or sleep?"

Xin You remained unmoved: "No way. There's no such thing as an impenetrable wall. If Second Cousin learns about the second half, will he not tell his classmates? And might they not tell others? Word would spread, and how could we sell the second half then? Other bookstores might even take advantage and print it first, leaving me with huge losses."

Duan Yunlang, upon hearing this, slapped his forehead: "It's all my fault for being too eager to know what happens next; I wasn't thinking straight."

Xin You smiled: "Don't worry, Second Cousin, the second part will be out soon."

Back at the Imperial Academy, Duan Yunlang shrugged, indicating he had learned nothing.

His classmates understood immediately.

Indeed, they couldn't harm the bookstore's business.

"No," Meng Fei rubbed his chin, "it's unfair for only us to suffer. Let's share 'Painted Skin' with other classmates so everyone can suffer together."

Duan Yunlang quickly reminded: "But don't let them read the whole first part; just two chapters. If they want more, they'll have to buy it from my cousin's bookstore."

The classmates all gave him a look of disdain.

Really trying to drum up business for his cousin!

But it must be said, Meng Fei and Duan Yunlang's combined strategy worked wonders. That night, many classmates couldn't sleep, and the next day, the threshold of the Qingsong Bookstore nearly broke under the feet of the Imperial Academy students.