"What kind of theme would it be?" Hu Da probed tentatively. "Is it about a modern person going back to the past? Or some other kind of special advantage?"
Yang Yi shook his head. "Neither. The theme is very traditional—a story about an ordinary regiment commander!"
Hu Da felt a bit disappointed but also relieved.
From *Soldiers Assault* before, it was clear that Yang Yi was more familiar with writing traditional themes. If Yang Yi were to write web fiction, he might not necessarily produce a story equally excellent!
Moreover, the reason Hu Da valued Yang Yi so much was precisely because Yang Yi could write outstanding traditional military fiction! There were plenty of military fiction writers in the web novel genre on Qiyue Chinese, and many of them were excellent too!
But only Yang Yi could help Qiyue Chinese attract more netizens from Tiexue Net!
Hu Da said half-flatteringly and half-seriously, "I believe with your writing skills, Yang Yi, it will definitely be brilliant!"
Yang Yi gave a faint smile but didn't respond. After a moment, he brought over two cups of freshly brewed coffee. "Mandheling. You're in luck—I just finished roasting a batch of green beans the day before yesterday. These few days are the best time to brew and drink them; the flavor is at its peak!"
In this world, this type of coffee bean wasn't called Mandheling, but Yang Yi still preferred that name. He had spent a long time searching through old stock at the supplier's before finding two cans of Sumatra Mandheling. It seemed people in this world didn't treasure it, allowing Yang Yi to buy it at a low price.
When he brought it back the day before yesterday, Yang Yi had even let loose, dancing with Xixi as if he'd found gold!
He knew that before Blue Mountain coffee emerged in his past life, Mandheling was the pinnacle of coffee! But in this world, Blue Mountain coffee was famous, while Mandheling had become a low-end product few cared about—because its beans were ugly!
Yet Yang Yi knew that the uglier the Sumatra Mandheling coffee beans, the better, richer, and smoother the taste!
Still, using Mandheling to entertain these two felt like a waste of a fine thing!
"A bit bitter!" Qiangzi took a sip and frowned. "Can I add some sugar?"
Yang Yi wordlessly handed over the sugar jar.
Beside him, Hu Da looked on eagerly. "Pass it to me after you're done. I need some too."
Yang Yi's heart ached as he recalled their earlier conversation.
"Do you two usually drink coffee?"
"Yeah, we drink it often at work."
That's why Yang Yi had thought to share the Mandheling with them...
Damn it. If only he'd asked one more question: "Is it instant coffee you usually drink?"
The answer was now painfully obvious...
Regret was useless, so Yang Yi let it go and continued the previous topic.
Too lazy to beat around the bush with Hu Da, he asked directly, "Qiangzi mentioned earlier that you want me to keep publishing my new book on Qiyue. So, what terms can you offer?"
Hu Da's heart tightened—he knew this would be tricky!
Most authors on Qiyue were homebodies who, when negotiating contracts with the site, usually didn't know how to fight for better benefits.
Of course, Qiyue had the strength and backbone to say no to demanding authors.
Only a few long-established authors, well-versed in the unspoken rules of the web novel world and with access to Qiyue's competitors, had the leverage to make Qiyue back down.
But Yang Yi was a new author. Before coming, Hu Da had been confident he could persuade Yang Yi effortlessly!
Now, however, things looked different.
First, Yang Yi wasn't a homebody author. He seemed older and had a grown daughter. Hu Da couldn't fool him with lofty ideals.
Second, Yang Yi had his own business. Judging by this coffee shop, the man wasn't short on money! So if Hu Da offered too little, Yang Yi would dismiss it out of hand...
Even if Yang Yi stopped writing novels, he wouldn't starve! So why would he insist on publishing on their site?
But Hu Da wasn't ready to give up. He smiled and said, "Qiyue has the widest user coverage, and we can offer you the best promotional results! I'm sure you felt the impact of the recommendation slots we gave *Soldiers Assault* through Qiangzi!"
"Yet Qiyue's readers don't seem to like my book." Yang Yi's face showed no emotion.
"Well, well, their views will change over time!" Hu Da said awkwardly. "The readers who like you are still the majority."
"Many readers think I should go to Tiexue Net, where I'd have better prospects," Yang Yi said.
Of course, Yang Yi wouldn't choose Tiexue Net. He didn't want to write military fiction forever. Military novels were just a stepping stone to cover his tracks. In his past life, he hadn't liked military fiction either—aside from these two books, nothing else fit his literary tastes.
Yang Yi planned to transition after finishing his next book, *Bright Sword*! So Qiyue, as a comprehensive platform, suited his development better.
Left with no choice, Hu Da began negotiating terms with Yang Yi, starting with the sales split. Qiangzi, not good with words, had no chance to interject.
Yang Yi wanted a higher sales split, but it was tough. Starting from Hu Da's offer of 55%, they haggled over every percentage point.
"Seventy percent is absolutely impossible! We still have to pay the Copyright Association a 10% cut!" Hu Da fumed. "And we need to give you half-year and year-end bonuses. The site can't go without eating!"
Web literature was an emerging industry, with copyright protection far more difficult, so the Copyright Association's commission was relatively high.
In the end, Yang Yi accepted Hu Da's final offer of a 60% sales split and a 70% tip split (tips weren't subject to the Copyright Association's cut), but Hu Da was forced to accept one of Yang Yi's conditions.
"For all my works, including *Soldiers Assault* and all future works, I have veto power over the transfer of rights like physical publication and film/TV rights. And the site's cut for these non-electronic publication rights is reduced to 5%! You can provide suggestions or channels, but the decision is mine," Yang Yi said. "This must be written into the contract!"
After exhausting much of his energy in the earlier negotiations, Hu Da thought it over briefly. He didn't see any loopholes. After all, film and TV adaptations of web novels were still very rare. That's why their previous cut had been so low. Yang Yi's proposed 5% was acceptable.
As for physical publication, that was a big deal—many web novels sold well in print.
But Yang Yi only had a few books. Hu Da figured a smaller cut wouldn't hurt much. And as long as the site still had a share of the rights, what did it matter which publisher handled it?
Besides, Hu Da's main goal this time was to keep Yang Yi on Qiyue, using his works to compete with Tiexue Net for readers...
Since those goals were met, these seemingly minor copyright issues seemed worth conceding.
"Here's to a pleasant collaboration!" Watching Yang Yi sign the revised electronic contract, Hu Da smiled and extended his right hand.
Yang Yi narrowed his eyes, gripping the other's hand firmly, and said calmly, "Pleasant collaboration!"
In truth, Yang Yi was overjoyed. He felt that those two cups of Mandheling had been well worth it—not a waste at all!