novelraw Chapter 60: Resignation
Chapter 60: Resignation
“So... she’s really leaving?”
The next day, at Wenxin Press.
Vice President Zhao Fangsheng looked at Shang Tao, still a bit in disbelief.
Shang Tao gave a bitter smile. “Yeah... I contacted Editor Tang yesterday. She insisted on resigning and said she’d be submitting her resignation notice today.”
“……”
Zhao Fangsheng frowned slightly and muttered to himself, “Why... Editor-in-Chief Ding Yilong’s already gone, and I’ve even promised her the Deputy Editor-in-Chief position.”
“Probably disappointed,” Shang Tao said after a moment’s hesitation. “I mean, just look at the whole thing with Ou Congquan—that situation alone was enough of a headache. Being left without support must’ve felt awful. Sure, it all worked out in the end, but the blow to her morale was huge... though I think the real gut punch was still Fate/Zero.”
“It was such an outstanding work, yet it didn’t even get a chance to test-run in the magazine. Even when Ding Yilong was practically out the door, he still refused to admit in the meeting room that Tang Yao had submitted Fate/Zero for serialization... I think even he knew how outrageous what he did was.
I imagine Editor Tang probably doubted herself at one point—especially when Fate/Zero got rejected. That’s likely why she took the chance to pitch it to our New Media Department. She wasn’t willing to let it go and wanted to show it to readers through the Manga Award.”
“And the readers’ response proved... she was right. The problem wasn’t her. Given all that, and thinking back to her time in the Editorial Department—such a popular work, yet the Editor-in-Chief refused to put it in the magazine... If it were me, I’d be crushed too. She didn’t do anything wrong.”
“And she’s... well, young. So it’s only natural for her to be more impulsive and want to quit.”
“……”
Zhao Fangsheng fell silent.
After a long pause, he shook his head slowly, full of regret. “...A genius like her leaving editing is such a loss. Ding Yilong really ruined her.”
Shang Tao thought of Tang Yao’s face and showed the same look of regret. “Yeah.”
“That Ding Yilong! Still so arrogant even on the brink of being kicked out!”
Just hearing Ding Yilong’s name made Zhao Fangsheng’s regret turn into anger. He scowled and asked, “How’s that thing I asked you to do—sending letters to the other editorial departments?”
“They’ve been sent,” Shang Tao nodded. “Most have already responded. They didn’t mention Ding Yilong by name, but it’s obvious they’ve read the emails. A few even started asking me about that ‘Third-Rate Artist’—it’s pretty clear they know Fate/Zero won’t be serialized in our magazine and they’re hoping to poach.”
“And since they’ve read those emails, there’s no way any of them will hire Ding Yilong. He’s done for. No way he’ll land another editorial job.”
“Good.”
Only then did the dark look on Zhao Fangsheng’s face ease up a little.
He honestly hated Ding Yilong now.
Originally, he just wanted to remove him quietly and cleanly. Who would’ve thought—even with one foot out the door, the guy would still say such idiotic things?
Worst of all, he’d driven away the future star editor Zhao had been counting on.
Letting him walk away without payback? Not a chance.
Wipe the slate clean? In your dreams.
“As for Editor Tang... She’s probably too upset to stay right now. Give it some time before reaching out again. Maybe after she cools off, she’ll want to return to editing.”
Zhao Fangsheng sighed. “For now, the top priorities are finding a new chief editor for the men’s editing group and handling that ‘Third-Rate Artist.’”
Shang Tao grew curious. “I can’t help with the former, so let’s skip that. But about the latter... Didn’t you reach out to the ‘Third-Rate Artist’? What happened?”
“No call. Just a text reply saying they don’t want to serialize in any magazines.”
“Oh... Then I guess that ‘Third-Rate Artist’ is pretty sentimental. Just look at the pen name—they were probably unknown before. Tang Yao not only discovered them, she also helped guide them to create something amazing. Now seeing her forced out of editing, they’re lashing out in protest...”
“……”
Zhao Fangsheng stared at Shang Tao.
Shang Tao shut up and gave an awkward chuckle.
After all, he didn’t work in the Content Department. The Manga Award had been a hit, the website was buzzing... Whether Fate/Zero got serialized or not—that was someone else’s problem.
Not his department, so he could afford to joke.
“Don’t act like it’s none of your business. You work for this publishing house too. Losing Fate/Zero is a blow to the whole magazine... And don’t forget—”
Zhao Fangsheng narrowed his eyes at Shang Tao. “Fate/Zero debuted at the Manga Award. And not long ago, I asked you to post that teaser hinting that Fate/Zero would soon start serialization...”
“……”
Shang Tao’s eyes widened slowly—then he suddenly panicked and fumbled for his phone.
Oh crap.
Sh*t!
His department did post that teaser... If the manga doesn’t actually go into serialization...
No way... Is the New Media Department gonna take the hit for this too??
He instinctively started texting his team, telling them to delete the old post!
Zhao Fangsheng was just about to say something when—
His phone rang.
Distracted, he glanced at the screen and paused for a moment... then picked up: “Hello, Mr. Ou? Yes, this is Zhao Fangsheng. About Editor Tang’s resignation...”
…
Early that morning.
Tang Yao completed her final task at Wenxin Press—sending letters to all the mangaka she managed, informing them of her resignation. Then she officially submitted her notice and left.
Kang Ming left too.
But with the men’s editorial team currently headless, their departure didn’t cause much of a stir internally.
Most editors just assumed they were out running errands.
Downstairs.
Kang Ming carried his personal items, looked back at the Wenxin building, and murmured, “Can’t believe I’m leaving a week after starting...”
“Feeling uneasy?”
Tang Yao walked ahead, asking casually.
“A little.”
Kang Ming looked at her back, backpack slung on her shoulders. After a moment of hesitation, he lied, “Just feels like I didn’t do anything valuable at Wenxin. Spent the whole time sorting and tallying reader surveys...”
Well, maybe not totally useless... At the very least, he met Tang Yao.
If not for this job at Wenxin, Kang Ming was sure—he’d never have had the chance to meet someone like her.
Still, he was too embarrassed to say that out loud.
And honestly, it might not even be a good thing...
He hadn’t felt it yesterday, but after handing in his resignation, a wave of anxiety hit. Mostly fear of failure.
He’d always dreamed of joining a game company, but got rejected over and over.
Now Tang Yao had invited him to help start her game studio... What if they failed?
All his past rejections only added to his worry and doubt.
“You’re not uneasy because you ‘didn’t do anything,’ are you?”
At that moment, Tang Yao spoke again: “You’re scared, aren’t you? About making a change? Scared you’ll screw up?”
Kang Ming froze, then gave a sheepish smile. “How’d you know...”
Tang Yao looked ahead and replied softly, “Because I’m scared too. I mean, if I stayed, I could’ve become Deputy Editor-in-Chief. That thought crossed my mind twice just while riding the elevator down.”
Kang Ming blinked. “No way...”
He hadn’t imagined Tang Yao would feel the same. That’s why he didn’t dare admit it earlier.
In his eyes, Tang Yao didn’t seem like someone who’d be troubled by such things. Maybe he had her on too high a pedestal—practically saw her as sacred.
Tang Yao chuckled. “Why not? Change always brings uncertainty. I’m human too. And I owe Li... a friend... a huge favor for helping me with this game. I’m super anxious right now.
But anxiety is normal. I’m not trying to suppress it—I accept it.
Of course, I’m not saying all this to try and cheer you up. I don’t think I have that kind of power, like a few words could magically calm you down.
I just want you to know... I feel the same. So don’t let anxiety turn into fear. Don’t start doubting yourself. Forget about all those times you got rejected by game companies. That’s in the past. You’ve already landed the job now, haven’t you?”
Kang Ming: “……”
“As your boss, I can’t promise much, but I can promise I won’t short you on pay.”
Tang Yao turned to smile brightly at him. “Relax. If I invited you to join, it means I believe in your skills. As for those past rejections... Maybe it was your hairline’s fault? I mean, if you go totally bald someday, it will affect your image.”
“……”
Hearing that, Kang Ming instinctively rubbed his embarrassingly high hairline, both amused and exasperated.
Still... most of his anxiety really had disappeared.
As for getting paid on time—
He wasn’t sure yet.
But one thing he was sure of:This new boss of his was genuinely kind.
...Just not the best with words.