Chapter 535 - Could It Be That He Also Has An Insufferable Past? (1/2)
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Wei Muran could not fully grasp the purpose behind this but sent the message according to what was said.
After a long while, they finally received a reply, “I’ll consider it.”
“We can’t be too anxious. He’s very cautious and may sense that something is amiss. Fortunately, his editor was also very attentive towards him and was also very anxious when requesting him to attend the events, so he’s suspicious this time.” Qi Youxuan then continued, “Tell him that the movie studio has contacted the website and hopes to communicate directly with the author as soon as possible, and that he needs to consider it quickly.”
Qi Youxuan thought for a moment then said, “There have been fewer movies with this subject matter recently. Moreover, the National Radio and Television Administration has more restrictions on the subject matter for movies. It’s difficult to find a subject matter that will smoothly obtain approval and won’t be delayed for years before it can be released. This book is an opportunity as it meets all the criteria.”
Wei Muran typed and sent the messages over as Qi Youxuan spoke.
Someone tapped her on the shoulder. Wei Muran turned and saw Yang Shaozhan giving her another ‘OK’ sign.
Wei Muran nodded. Qi Youxuan unconsciously drummed his fingers rapidly on the backrest of the chair and said, “Tell him that our website has previously contacted you numerous times in order to promote you but you declined every time. To be honest with you, you’re not the only choice as we’re also negotiating for the movie rights for two other books. The movie studio is also very interested in one of them. The website will give priority to the author easiest to work with. They’ll need the author’s cooperation for future promotional activities. Honestly, we don’t have high hopes. Even if you come in person to discuss and sign the contract, is there any guarantee that you’ll cooperate during future promotional events? I feel that the opportunity will go to those that seize it. Don’t waste this chance.”
Wei Muran typed and sent exactly what was said.
This time Mei Shiyu’s reply was quicker.
“I accept. When can I come to discuss it?” replied Mei Shiyu.
Wei Muran looked at Qi Youquan.
Qi Youxuan stared at the chat window and drummed his fingers unconsciously on the back of the chair.
“The day after tomorrow,” said Qi Youxuan after deliberating for a moment. “Tell him it’s the day after tomorrow. The movie studio said that if they can’t make it on the day after tomorrow, then they’ll have to arrange it in the next month. They have some time available the day after tomorrow. We can’t ask him to come immediately; he’ll be suspicious. If we delay too long, he might change his mind. The day after tomorrow is a safe time.
Wei Muran nodded and replied with the words, [The day after tomorrow.]
The other party replied promptly with [OK], then the avatar turned grey.
Wei Muran closed the chat window before exiting QQ.
Yang Shaozhan then said, “The other party’s IP address is shown to be in Jinshi City when I was on QQ but when I checked, Song Pengfei is in B City.”
Yang Shaozhan pulled up Song Pengfei’s information, showing that he was from Shenzhen City. Similar to most non-Beijing natives who find their way to Beijing, he came to B City and lived a hard life. At first, he lived in a very remote place and was sharing a house in a house with others. It took an hour and a half to travel to work every day.
He moved within the Fifth Ring Road two years ago and rented an apartment on his own. The information discovered by Yang Shaozhan was clearly shown, including his rental agreement, address of his previous residence, current residence, the company he works for, and even his workplace number. Even his social security card number was displayed.
Song Pengfei’s cell phone number was also out in the open.
Zhao Yiyang called the front desk of Song Pengfei’s workplace and asked if Song Pengfei was there. The front desk said he was but before the call was transferred, Zhao Yiyang hung up.
“If Mei Shiyu is in Jinshi City right now, then Song Pengfei can’t be Mei Shiyu,” said Zhao Yiyang.
“Is it possible that it’s a fake IP address? Isn’t there some software to mask IP addresses?” asked Xing Jiadong.
Yang Shaozhan shook his head. “The other party isn’t using any.”
“We’ll first need to find Song Pengfei at his workplace. I’ll follow up with the application, then Jiadong and I will go to Song Pengfei’s house to investigate. Zhang Ming, take Yiyang with you to detain Song Pengfei at his workplace and bring him back here. Shaozhan, continue to check on Mei Shiyu’s IP address in Jinshi City. It’ll be good if it’s at his house. See if you can find out his real identity and actual location,” ordered Jiang Yuecheng.
Zhang Ming and Zhao Yiyang’s operation went smoothly. When they arrived at Song Pengfei’s workplace and met him, Song Pengfei was confused and totally unaware of what was going on.
When they told Song Pengfei about <Killer of the Heart> after they brought him back, he was puzzled. “What is that book? What is it about? What does it have to do with me?”
Wei Muran showed him a photocopy of the contract. “That is a copy of your identification card, right?”
Song Pengfei’s eyes widened and even retrieved his original identification card, checking each number one at a time.
After a long while, he nodded blankly. “Yes, it’s mine, but what is this? Copyright contract? When did I sign this?”
“This is the author’s electronic contract for the book rights to <Killer of the Heart>,” Wei Muran explained.
Song Pengfei was even more shocked and immediately shook his head, looking very puzzled. “I’ve never written a novel. My composition skills were bad since childhood, and I’ve always been an academic theory person. The work I do for the company I work for is my professional field, which is software engineering. As you know, they’re complaining about people in the IT industry online. It’s really not an exaggeration. We’re really busy and would work all day long and overtime. Where would we find the time to write novels?
Qi Youxuan did not express an opinion and asked, “Do you usually read novels?”
Song Pengfei shook his head. “I used to read when I had free time during my university days but not anymore.”
“Are you usually under a lot of stress during your busy work life?” asked Qi Youxuan.
“Sigh!” Song Pengfei let out a heavy sigh, nodded and said, “It’s really stressful. I was thinking that since it was B CIty, there would be many job opportunities and promising prospects. I was young and aggressive, so thought I’d give it a shot. My family isn’t considered well-off, middle-class, but I can’t be still asking my family for money, even though I have a job. I’m a man. If I ask my family for money, my parents would be the laughing-stock of the people around them.”
“That’s why I rented a place in a remote location when I first got here. The advantage was that it was really affordable; my wages were not high at the time. I was almost depressed. As my wages increased, I gradually moved closer and my living conditions improved a little.”
“The company also knows that we face a lot of work-related stress, so we’d regularly be visited by a psychiatrist.” Song Pengfei was afraid they would overthink thus he quickly waved his hands and said, “It wasn’t a formal consultation. It’s like to advise us on ways to relieve stress. He would make us comfortable and relaxed a little. Of course, he also left us a business card. If we have any questions, we can also contact him privately.”
“A while ago, my family faced some difficulties. My parents invested in a fundraising company— loan-sharking—to earn a higher interest. The operations sadly went south and the owner disappeared, and they lost two hundred thousand yuan. My family is considered middle-class; my parent’s combined pension amounts to about seven thousand yuan but they’re not working full-time anymore. Their bank account balances are decreasing little by little. During that time, they couldn’t help but to find fault with each other and got into arguments often. My mom would come crying to me in secret.”
“I really wanted to help but I just couldn’t; I’m drifting over here. It was considered pretty good that I didn’t have to ask my family for support, but I didn’t have any savings. I was particularly anxious at the time and felt that I wasn’t a filial son. My parents were in trouble but I can’t even help. I felt like I was going crazy. So I secretly went to see the psychologist hired by the company before.”
“What’s the name of that psychiatrist?” Even Xing Jiadong sensed this was bad and asked anxiously.
Song Penfei was a little stunned but still said, “Xu Heyou. However, this was more than a year ago, almost two years. I got better and better at work and went home during the holidays to advise my parents. I even sent money home but my parents didn’t want it and put it in my savings. Anyway, the days are getting better and those unpleasant memories will naturally be forgotten. My mood got better, so I didn’t visit him again. I don’t know how he is now.”