Chapter 3 The Secret of the Little Prince

  "Little guy, this fairy tale story of yours is quite interesting, I think... it's worth publishing."

  Regardless of what others think, at least Lao Lai Li believes that he has a keen sense of judgment when it comes to literary publishing. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to turn the initial three-man "Golden Lai Li Publishing House" into the largest and most renowned one in Baisha City.

  Long-term experience in the publishing industry has told Lao Lai that the roughly translated small part of "The Little Prince" already has value to be published.

  The story is a bit naive, but the language is really concise, so at least it can make some money. If the first print run is 10,000 copies, there's a chance to sell out within two months.

  As he smiled and spoke to Ma Long, Lao Rui Li, a seasoned publisher, thought to himself.

  Even Lai Li, who had been gazing at Ma Long's body, had already thought of a subtitle for "The Little Prince" - the adult world in the eyes of children.

  As for Ma Long, who was originally slightly nervous, his facial features softened as expected by Lai Li.

  "But..." Old Rui Li had been waiting for this moment, and without waiting for Ma Long to speak, he changed the subject again: "Little guy, don't you think that your fairy tale story is a bit too childish? In my professional opinion as a publisher, it's only suitable for children under ten years old to read before bed. So I regret to tell you that this 'Little Prince' is destined to be just a niche book!"

  In fact, this is Lao Lai Li's consistent trick. Every time he gets a publishable manuscript, he always slightly affirms it to give the anxious author some hope, and then suddenly turns his tone to criticize it as almost worthless.

  Then, when those authors became disheartened, it was time for Old Rye to drastically lower the price and seize all the copyrights.

  If it weren't for this method, how could Old Lai Li make the publishing house so prosperous?

  This time, Lao Lai Li felt that his tried-and-true method was going to work once again for him in attracting wealth, because the person standing opposite him, Ma Long, had a look of astonishment on his face.

  Haha, as expected, you're just a little kid, and you've already lost your composure from just a few words?

  Lao Lai Li, who was slightly pleased in his heart, put on a gentle and amiable appearance. He tiptoed to pat the shoulder of Ma Long, whose expression was shocked.

  "Little guy, old Rairy has never deceived any writer. This 'Little Prince' of yours is indeed a small-circulation book. However, I, generous old Rairy, am willing to pay 200 lanters for its copyright! Not for anything else, just to encourage you to continue creating!"

  Lao Lai Li's face was full of sincerity and kindness, as if he were truly a benevolent elder who was promoting the younger generation.

  "Mr. Lyle, you're saying... two hundred rand?"

  Ma Long's expression changed from shock to being on the verge of tears and laughter.

  Is this bald guy trying to be funny?

  It has sold at least 200 million copies worldwide, and is claimed to be the second best-selling book in the world after the Bible.

  Two hundred RMB to buy out the copyright, does it mean you want to spend this little money to buy it outright?

  Heaven, it's like a different world, but this "Little Prince" would be so niche that the price of buying it out would be equivalent to... hmm... a steam locomotive that might break down at any time?

  Involuntarily, Ma Long glanced sideways at the Sword-toothed Leopard Type-III steam locomotive behind the cow-headed youth Aister.

  Then, Ma Long's gaze moved again to the original manuscript of "The Little Prince" tightly held in Lai Li's hand, and he opened his mouth to say: "Mr. Lai Li, actually this original manuscript of 'The Little Prince' hides a very interesting secret."

  "An interesting secret? Little guy, are you sure you're not joking with me?"

  Lao Lai Li was taken aback, this wasn't the answer he wanted, but his curiosity and Ma Long's serious expression made him almost subconsciously hand back the original manuscript of "The Little Prince" to Ma Long at the same time as he spoke.

  Then, Ma Long took back his manuscript and smiled brightly: "You are really clever, Mr. Lai Li, I was indeed joking with you."

  As Ma Long said, the so-called "The Little Prince" manuscript contains very interesting secret words, but just to safely retrieve the original manuscript.

  Two hundred RMB for the complete "Little Prince"?

  Who do you think you are?

  Lao Lai was thoroughly stunned, and it took him a while to realize that he had been outsmarted by a young whippersnapper who hadn't even grown all his hair yet. This was an unprecedented humiliation for him.

  Although he wanted to lose his temper, on this bustling street with so many people watching, the old rascal Li, who considered himself a dignified person, couldn't afford to lose his temper.

  "You don't know what's good for you! You little brat, I guarantee that in the entire White Sand City, no one will ever publish this childish fairy tale of yours!"

  The old rascal Li left behind such a sentence, with bulging veins on his bald forehead, and stormed off.

  When Lao Lai Li walked far away, Aisite, the cow-headed boy who had been silent for half a day, finally reacted and said: "Brother, it's bad! You shouldn't have offended him, what he said is true! Really, no one will publish your work anymore... Ah, no... except Yevonne Bain."

  Aister's dad is in the paper manufacturing business, so it's no surprise that he knows some inside information about the publishing industry in Baisha City.

  It was clear that Ayster's loud voice had once again fallen into the ears of Old Relic, who had already stormed off a distance away, because when Ayster mentioned the name "Eve Naber", Old Relic, who had been walking quickly, clearly stopped in his tracks.

  "Who is Evanna Bayne?"

  Ma Long asked.

  "Is it Emerald Pattern Publishing's Red-Haired Queen Ivana?"

  Aster blinked his round cow eyes in confusion that Marlon wouldn't know the name of Yvonne Bain.

  "Red-haired Queen Evanna...?"

  Malong repeated what Aister said, and then almost without any delay, a figure with fluffy red hair, wearing tight black leather clothes, 20 cm high heels, holding a nine-tailed cat skin whip, "oh ho ho" laughing, the classic strong air queen image emerged in his mind.

  "Let's go, we're going to Jade Stripe Publishing House."

  Ma Long said with an iron face.

  But Auster's response was a weak point at the steam locomotive in the shed.

  Then, three minutes later, Ma Long set out alone, while Aisite stayed in place to continue searching for a way to make the "Saber-toothed Leopard" roar and run again.

  Then, with the manuscript of The Little Prince in hand, Ma Long finally saw the sign of Fei Cui Wen Xiang Publishing House after crossing two busy streets.

  Feicuiwen Publishing House stood opposite the Golden Lai Li Publishing House, which occupied an entire building... with only a relatively shabby and old two-story small building as its storefront.