Though the review section was flooded with criticism, what troubled the editors at Iron Army Network was that *Bright Sword*'s performance didn't decline—it actually rose. The more it was criticized, the hotter its sales became!
"Boss, did Qiyue pull some strings?" a new editor grumbled indignantly. "A bunch of people said they'd drop the book, so why are so many still subscribing? That doesn't make sense!"
Lingyun Jueding, the deputy editor-in-chief of Iron Army Network, was indeed a balding middle-aged man. He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses but said nothing.
But a senior editor nearby couldn't help but speak up: "Yuanwan, what nonsense are you talking? Do you think Qiyue can manipulate big data like that? Are they just stuffing money into subscription numbers?"
That was impossible!
"The fiercer the criticism, the more it shows readers' love for *Bright Sword*!" Lingyun Jueding sighed. "It's like those tragic dramas—the more they make people cry, the bigger the market."
He took the mouse, clicked open the tipping section, and pointed at the projection for his subordinates. "Look, even though he killed off a supporting character, plenty of people are still supporting him, even splashing out big money to demand he rewrite the previous chapters."
The biggest spender was *Bright Sword*'s top gold盟主, with the ID "Bugle Call Me to Report." He dropped a massive tip of 50 million book coins (equivalent to 500,000 yuan), just for a red-letter comment: "There's another 50 million, Yang Yi. Bring back Xiuqin and the Monk, and it's yours! If you don't, one day I'll send a hundred Teddy dogs to your house."
(PS: The Teddy dog meme comes from the review section. Some readers said if Xiaohan abandoned this book, they'd send him a Teddy dog... Doraemon is scared~)
This ID was no stranger to the Iron Army Network editors, and they knew his real identity: a real estate tycoon, a former soldier who started from scratch after retiring and built a fortune worth hundreds of millions. He'd spent no less than five million on Iron Army Network before, making him a "big fish" they had to handle with care.
Yet now he'd jumped to another platform, throwing money at an author there without hesitation. The Iron Army Network editors' hearts were breaking.
"I think we should poach Yang Yi, no matter the cost!" After a long silence in the meeting room, one editor spoke up. "Whatever Qiyue offers him, we'll offer better, plus a signing bonus!"
"But the problem is, we don't even know where he is. How can we poach him?" another editor countered. "If we could, we'd have done it already!"
"How about we talk to the Military Arts department again?"
"Yeah, if they helped, wouldn't this be settled?"
Lingyun Jueding listened to the noisy chatter in the meeting room, his brow furrowed. He smiled bitterly to himself: "Too naive!"
The Military Arts folks weren't so easy to command. Besides, relations between Iron Army Network and Military Arts had been tense lately. With traditional media in decline, Military Arts was struggling year by year, while Iron Army Network showed better growth potential. That had rubbed the old brother the wrong way, and every meeting between their leaders was laced with tension.
"Ahem, I think we don't need to go through Military Arts..." A timid voice caught Lingyun Jueding's ear.
His eyes lit up, and he pointed at the speaker: "Yuanwan, you have a good idea? Spit it out!"
It was that brash new editor. Seeing the deputy editor-in-chief call on him, he gathered his courage, stood up, and said loudly: "We can ask a friendly publishing house to approach Qiyue about publishing *Soldier Assault* in print. For something that important, Qiyue would have to reveal the author's info, right? If our publishing house can contact the author, then our chance comes!"
Right!
Lingyun Jueding slapped his bald head and laughed heartily. "Yuanwan, that's a great idea! Excellent, excellent! Do it. Hey, you, arrange it..."
Yang Yi had no clue about the schemes the Iron Army Network editors were cooking up.
As for his new book being criticized and causing an uproar, Yang Yi had been informed by his editor Qiangzi, but he didn't bother checking the review section or revising the manuscript.
Hmph, a 500,000-yuan tip wasn't enough to make him change the original plot.
Why should it? In his past life, Yang Yi earned millions for a single mission. 500,000 wasn't enough to buy him off.
Besides, even more money wouldn't work—Yang Yi was a man of principle!
But what was he up to?
...
Today, Yang Yi didn't open his shop. Instead, he brought Xixi to the bank.
Of course, Yang Yi didn't have Conan's luck—just withdrawing money, the bank was calm and uneventful, with no bizarre robberies or hostage situations.
Since he'd made an appointment, the VIP client manager led Yang Yi and the little girl into a private room, thoughtfully setting out a plate of candy and cookies for Xixi.
"Thank you, Auntie!" Xixi snuggled in her dad's arms, speaking sweetly.
"Call me Sister—calling me Auntie makes me sound old!" The manager, dressed in a suit and pencil skirt, was only a few years younger than Yang Yi, but women naturally hate being called "Auntie"!
Back to business, the manager confirmed seriously: "Mr. Yang, you want to withdraw one million in cash, correct?"
"That's right," Yang Yi nodded.
"But carrying one million in cash is inconvenient and unsafe!" Sure enough, banks everywhere are the same—she tried hard to keep the money. "Why not keep it in the bank? We have a convenient wealth management product. Your money can be deposited and withdrawn anytime, with interest higher than a current account, calculated daily!"
But Yang Yi was firm. Seizing a pause in her pitch, he stated his stance: "No, I need cash."
The manager tried her best, but Yang Yi insisted on withdrawing. Finally, she had the security guard bring the money up, and Yang Yi had prepared a travel bag for it.
Watching Yang Yi stack bundles of cash into the bag, the manager's heart ached. She couldn't help saying, "Mr. Yang, carrying so much money on the street isn't safe!"
Yang Yi smiled faintly, looking at her calmly. "Is that so? Thanks for the reminder. Come on, Xixi!"
The little girl reluctantly glanced at the untouched candy on the plate, but obediently hopped off her chair and ran over to grab her dad's free left hand.
"Goodbye, Auntie," Xixi said sweetly.
The manager's mouth twitched, but she forced a smile.
Just as he'd casually carried two million to buy a car without a second thought, Yang Yi now strolled out with the bag of cash, calm as if he and his daughter were heading off on a trip with luggage. No one gave him a second glance.
Yang Yi almost hoped for trouble, but no reckless robber showed up. So he tossed the money into the back seat of his Bawang and drove off with Xixi.