343: Chapter 343 Cannot Write the True Lin Que

The air in the conference room seemed to have been hit with a pause button.

Everyone's gaze was pinned on Lin Que.

Lin Que stood where he was, moving his gaze away from Wang De'an's face and slowly sweeping across the expressions of everyone present.

Principal Jiang Changfeng was full of eagerness, Fei Yuncheng leaned forward slightly, Chairman Lv Songran set down his teacup, and Director Huo Yan nodded with a smile.

Everyone was urging him with silent gazes: "Agree to it."

However, Lin Que spoke, his tone as calm as if he were talking about the nice weather today.

"President Wang, I appreciate your kindness, but I must respectfully decline."

He paused for a beat.

"But I cannot accept this contract."

The previously harmonious atmosphere in the conference room came to an abrupt halt.

Wang De'an's hand holding the teacup froze in mid-air, his gaze fixed tightly on the young man before him, trying to find a trace of a joke on his face.

Principal Jiang Changfeng's previously forward-leaning body stiffened, his lips moving slightly, but no sound came out.

Chairman Lv Songran set down his teacup, the base clicking against the tabletop with a soft sound.

The several city bureau leaders present simultaneously suppressed their smiles, exchanging expressions of astonishment with one another.

No one had expected this seventeen-year-old high school student to give such a response.

Wang De'an was the first to recover.

He furrowed his brows slightly.

Having been a publisher for twenty years, it wasn't as if he hadn't been rejected by authors before.

But being rejected by a seventeen-year-old high school student in front of a room full of official leaders was truly a first.

"Student Lin."

Wang De'an's tone was steady, not angry, just a bit more serious than before.

"Were the terms I just offered not clear, or..."

"President Wang, you were very clear." Lin Que did not avoid his gaze.

"It is precisely because of that that I cannot agree."

Wang De'an did not respond, waiting for him to provide a reason.

Lin Que took half a step forward, his hands hanging naturally at his sides, his posture open and honest.

"Jian Shen is a mountain in the literary world; there is no doubt about that.

"His works allowed New Tide to leap from a local periodical publisher to an industry leader, which is enough to prove the weight of his writing.

"Being able to receive his guidance is an opportunity any newcomer would beg for."

His wording was extremely deliberate.

He first elevated Jian Shen's status to a height that no one could refute.

"However, President Wang."

Lin Que looked directly at Wang De'an.

"If I sign this exclusive contract and debut from day one under the titles of 'Jian Shen's Disciple' and 'Twin Stars,' how will the outside world view me?"

Wang De'an's brows twitched.

"They will say that the reason Lin Que has been able to make it this far is because he has New Tide to lean on, and Jian Shen backing him.

"The success of 'folding beijing' wasn't due to his ability, but because the platform's resources were thrown at it."

Lin Que's voice was not loud, but every word carried a weight that could not be ignored.

"I said in Shanghai, I dare to unsheathe my blade before the highest peak."

Lin Que's voice was not loud, yet it was filled with certainty.

"If I sign this contract today and debut under the title of 'Jian Shen's Disciple,'

"then the outside world will only see the tilt of the platform's resources.

"Hiding in the shadow of a giant, I will only ever be Jian Shen's shadow for the rest of my life, just..."

Lin Que's gaze did not waver, steadily locking onto Wang De'an.

"Unable to write the real Lin Que."

When the last eight words landed, the conference room was so quiet that one could hear the whistle of a PE class on the playground outside the window.

Principal Jiang Changfeng could not sit still.

He stood up from his chair and walked quickly to Lin Que's side.

He placed a hand on his shoulder, his voice lowered, carrying the urgency and worry typical of an elder.

"Lin Que, New Tide Publishing House is not what it used to be. Every day, countless famous authors break their heads trying to get in."

Principal Jiang Changfeng looked back at Wang De'an, then turned back to stare at Lin Que.

"You are still young; don't miss this incredible opportunity because of a moment of impulsiveness. Why don't you think about it again?"

Lin Que turned to look at his principal.

There was not a shred of falseness in Principal Jiang Changfeng's eyes.

It was entirely the most simple heartache and anxiety of an educator for his prized student.

Lin Que shook his head slightly, his tone becoming a bit gentler, but the firmness underneath remained unchanged.

"Principal, please rest assured. I am not being impulsive; I have thought this through very clearly."

His gaze moved over Principal Jiang Changfeng's shoulder and landed back on Wang De'an.

"I respect Jian Shen, and I am grateful for the sincerity of New Tide Publishing House.

"But if I walk the path the senior has already walked, at best, it is just a reproduction, not a creation."

"I am still young; my edge should be honed in the wind and snow, not carved out by others in a greenhouse.

"I want to carve out a path that belongs only to Lin Que."

His voice dropped half a tone.

"That is the best tribute to Jian Shen."

The conference room fell into silence once again.

Chairman Lv Songran rested his hand holding the teacup on the table.

Watching the stubbornness in this seventeen-year-old boy that even nine oxen couldn't pull back, he wanted to say something, but ultimately did not speak.

Director Huo Yan and Director Hu Wenbin exchanged a complex look.

From an administrative perspective, a high school student publicly rejecting the olive branch of a top-tier publishing house—

If this got out, it would be hard to define.

But from another perspective, the intent and scope of these words had long surpassed the cognitive level expected of a high school student.

Everyone was waiting for Wang De'an's reaction.

Wang De'an, having been rejected in public, was silent for a full five seconds.

Then, a hearty, resounding laugh burst from his chest.

"Good! A good 'Unable to write the real Lin Que'!"

There was not a shred of annoyance in the gaze he fixed on Lin Que.

There was only the fervor that an old publisher would only reveal when encountering a truly good talent.

"This is the edge that someone capable of writing 'folding beijing' should have!"

Wang De'an clapped his hands forcefully twice, the sound echoing in the conference room.

"Today's words prove that my judgment was not wrong."

The tense atmosphere in the entire conference room quickly dissipated amidst this laughter.

Principal Jiang Changfeng let out a sigh of relief, quietly withdrawing the hand he had placed on Lin Que's shoulder.

Wang De'an restrained his laughter, hands tucked into his suit pockets, tilting his head to size up Lin Que for three seconds.

"Fine, you won't sign this exclusive, and I understand and respect that."

He pulled his hand out of his pocket and held up one finger.

"But a businessman has a businessman's brain.

"You don't want to be a so-called appendage, and New Tide doesn't have to tie you down.

"How about I propose an alternative for you to listen to?"

President Wang's tone switched from appreciation to the precise channel of business negotiation.

Lin Que nodded slightly.

"Let's sign a single-book cooperation agreement.

"Every time you release a new work in the future, as long as you choose to cooperate with New Tide,"

"we will provide top-tier promotional resources and full-channel distribution support, without interfering with a single word of your creative freedom."

"The copyright of the work belongs to you; New Tide will only serve as your supporting platform and partner."

He stared at Lin Que.

"No signing a contract of indenture, just making friends.

"You have no reason to decline this condition, right?"

Principal Jiang Changfeng nearly blurted out "Agree to it" from the side, but swallowed it back down hard.

Chairman Lv Songran's teacup paused at his lips, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the two.

Lin Que looked at Wang De'an.

This proposal meant he retained complete creative autonomy and freedom of identity.

Without being tied to an exclusive, there would be no systemic risk of his identity being exposed.

And New Tide's promotional strength was evident to all; single-book cooperation would be nothing but beneficial for the subsequent layout of the "Lin Que" entity.

Lin Que extended his right hand.

"Since President Wang is so generous, then this junior will respectfully accept."

Two hands clasped together in the center of the conference room.

Wang De'an gripped it tightly; his palms were rough and thick, calloused from years of flipping through manuscripts.

"From now on, New Tide is your home base. If you need anything, come directly to me; don't be a stranger."

"For the road ahead, I ask for your guidance, President Wang."

"Hahaha! I can't claim to offer guidance."

Wang De'an let go of his hand, stepped back, and shook his head with a smile.

"Someone who can make the China Writers Association hold an emergency meeting overnight to issue an S-level reprint order is probably not someone that a businessman like me can offer guidance to.

"I'll just wait for your future works to be placed on New Tide's bookshelves, so I can bask in some reflected glory."

A single sentence made the whole room laugh.

The tense atmosphere relaxed completely.

Director Huo Yan watched this scene, a trace of admiration appearing in her eyes.

For a high school student to reach a cooperation agreement with a top-tier publishing house on equal footing, this character was truly rare.

She spoke at the right moment, guiding the topic back on track:

"Since the publishing matter has had a satisfactory conclusion, our city must also add fuel to the fire.

"Lin Que, yesterday afternoon,"

"the Municipal Education Bureau received the verification letter for the recommendation qualification sent by Qingbei University."

Her voice, every word, was thrown with great weight.

"Obtaining a recommendation to Qingbei University is not only your personal honor,"

"but it is also the most significant event with the highest value in our Jiangcheng education circles in the last decade."

Principal Jiang Changfeng and Fei Yuncheng straightened their backs simultaneously.

Although they had long known the result, hearing it formally spoken from the mouth of the Director of Education, this sense of ceremony still made the hearts of the two educators surge.

Director Huo Yan turned to look at Director Hu Wenbin beside her.

"Director Hu, why don't you tell Lin Que about the specific arrangements for the next steps, so this child has an idea of what to expect."