Identity refreshed randomly, talents maxed out instantly.

Chapter 43 The Zongheng Book Alliance Comes Knocking

The editor-in-chief's office at the end of the line.

Wang Xiang wore a confident smile.

"Mr. Xu, have you thought it through?"

"This contract for top-tier artists is the same as that for other established artists, with a 30/70 split, which is a treatment usually reserved for the top artists in the industry."

"I'm sorry, but I still can't accept it. I can split the subscription revenue 50/50 with the website, but I want to keep the copyright myself," Xu An said.

Seeing how ungrateful this kid was, Wang Xiang's smile gradually faded.

"Mr. Xu, copyright is the bottom line for this website." He suddenly smiled and relented, "How about this, if your next book can achieve the same level of viral success as 'Covering the Sky,' we can discuss the copyright for your next book."

Xu An shook his head and refused.

Ultimately, the talks broke down again, and the two sides parted on bad terms.

Watching Xu An leave, Wang Xiang leaned back in his chair and sneered disdainfully, "He doesn't know what's good for him."

"After writing a book that became a firestorm, he lost sight of who he was."

-

I walked out of the office building where the headquarters of the Endpoint Novel Network was located.

Xu An looked up at the sun in the sky.

One reason he wants to acquire the rights to his next book is that he might one day become a director and want to adapt his novels into films.

Secondly, the way Qidian.com operates is simply too ugly.

He also learned from Guan Hai that the animation and film rights for "Covering the Sky" were sold for a total of 500 million!

Tiangong is a leading domestic animation company with a market value of tens of billions of yuan.

Guangying Media, a leading company in China's film and television industry, has a market value of up to 50 billion yuan.

These two companies that purchase copyrights are always exceptionally generous when it comes to projects they set their sights on.

Of the 500 million, Xu An received only 50 million.

In comparison, the difference is indeed too great.

However, Xu An did not complain about anything. Before he wrote "Covering the Sky", he was just a newcomer. He signed a contract, so he did what he was supposed to do. There was nothing to say about it.

Having achieved fame with his book, Xu An was no novice and realized the importance of copyright. Compared to the subscription fee, copyright was the real money-maker, capable of generating income indefinitely.

It's perfectly normal for someone to want to control the copyright after becoming famous.

Suddenly, my phone rang.

Xu An glanced at it; it was a local, unfamiliar number. He hesitated for a moment before pressing the answer button.

"Hello, are you Mr. Xu An, the author of 'Covering the Sky'?"

A middle-aged man's voice came through the phone.

Xu An took the phone away, glanced at the unfamiliar number on the screen, and then held it to his ear: "May I ask who this is?"

"Hello, I am Hong Bo, the editor-in-chief of Zongheng Book Alliance. I apologize for disturbing you."

The other person was very polite.

"Zongheng Book Alliance?" Xu An frowned slightly. He knew about this novel website; it was once considered one of the two leading novel websites in China, along with Zhidian Novel.

But its glory days are long gone, and it can't compare to the current Endpoint Novel Network at all.

"Yes, Mr. Xu, do you have time now? There's something I'd like to discuss with you in person."

Xu An hesitated for a moment, then said, "Okay."

"Okay, Mr. Xu, is this your WeChat ID? Would you mind adding me?"

"Can."

"I'll send you my location on WeChat later, and we can talk when we meet."

As soon as I hung up the phone, a friend request popped up on WeChat.

After Xu An agreed, the other party sent him a location.

"It seems the editor-in-chief of Zongheng Book Alliance has heard some news." Xu An smiled faintly. Having obtained his contact information, the fact that he was contacted at this time made his meaning very clear.

However, since Wang Xiang has remained tight-lipped, it wouldn't be a bad idea to talk to the editor-in-chief of Zongheng Book Alliance.

Xu An checked his location, hailed a ride-hailing car, and headed towards his destination.

This is a restaurant with a rather chic decor, specializing in afternoon tea.

Hongbo learned that Xu An was on his way and stood at the door waiting.

Upon seeing a ride-hailing car parked on the side of the road and recognizing the young man getting out, he quickly went to greet him.

"Hello, Mr. Xu, I am Hong Bo, the editor-in-chief of Zongheng Book Alliance, who just contacted you."

He extended his hand with a smile on his face.

"Hello, hello, Editor-in-Chief Hong, you've gone to such great lengths, it's making me a little embarrassed," Xu An said.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. I just arrived. Come on, let's go inside and sit down and chat." Hong Bo laughed heartily.

The novel "Covering the Sky" has become so popular that it's no exaggeration to say that everyone in the online literature community knows it, and it has even crossed over into other genres.

Hong Bo had studied "Covering the Sky," and as the editor-in-chief, he was well aware of Xu An's prowess.

The two sat in a secluded spot.

Each person had a cup of coffee and two plates of snacks on the table.

"I wonder what Editor-in-Chief Hong wants to see me about?" Xu An asked knowingly.

Hong Bo didn't mince words and said directly, "Mr. Xu, let me be frank. I heard about your conflict with Endpoint Novels, so I came here specifically to poach you."

"Oh?" Xu An raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. He hadn't expected the editor-in-chief of Zongheng Book Alliance to be so direct.

"I heard it's because you wanted to keep the copyright to your next book, and the two sides couldn't reach an agreement," Hong Bo said.

"Yes." Xu An nodded.

"Mr. Xu, I've always been a straightforward person, so I'll just say it straight." Hong Bo said, then his tone changed: "Come to our Zongheng Book Alliance, and I can make an exception and sign you a contract that's even higher than the one for top authors on Qidian Novel Network, with a 20/80 split! We get 20%, you get 80%."

"And the copyrights too. We only want the adaptation rights to the audiobook, and all the other copyrights are yours."

"Our Zongheng Book Alliance has been constantly reforming. As long as you come, we can create a top-tier title for you in the online literature circle. You will be the only one in the entire Zongheng Book Alliance to receive this title. No matter how many people come after you or how good their achievements are, they will not be able to obtain this title."

"In addition, our Zongheng Book Alliance will utilize the resources of the entire website to promote your book. As long as you come, we will take care of everything for you, so you won't have any worries."

"Mr. Xu, what do you think?"

Hongbo looked at Xu An intently.

It must be said that the editor-in-chief of Zongheng Book Alliance is very bold, and the conditions he offered were top-notch. Most importantly, he relinquished the copyright and gave it all to Xu An.

This is precisely why Xu An's negotiations with the Endpoint Novel Network broke down.

The conditions were indeed excellent, but Xu An did not agree immediately.

Instead, she looked at him with a half-smile, "Editor-in-Chief Hong, the conditions you offered are indeed top-notch and very tempting."

"But aren't you overlooking one thing?"

"The scale of your Zongheng Book Alliance is incomparable to that of Zhidian Novels."

"Endpoint Novels is the industry leader, and it has far more resources than you do."

"You want me to switch jobs, but your readership is just too small..."