It took a long time for Melvin to come back to his senses.

He felt that his spirit was still a little trance, so he took several sips of coffee again, and took a paper from the side to wipe the coffee stains on the computer and table, and his heart finally calmed down.

Such an incredible ending!

Or rather.

Such a short story actually subverted his thinking three times in a row.

First time: He didn't expect his wife to sell her beautiful long hair and buy gifts for her husband.

The second time, he didn't expect his husband to buy a set of hair combs to comb his wife's hair, and at this moment his wife's long hair was no longer there.

The third and last time, she never dreamed that her husband would also sell his beloved watch.

In other words, this poor couple, they invariably gave each other their most precious things in exchange for the gifts that each other most desired.

However, when they exchange gifts, they find that the other party has lost their precious belongings, making the gifts meaningless.

This kind of ending is so absurd and so shocking.

Even in Melvin's opinion, it was so cruel to the couple to a certain extent.

But in addition to emotion.

The pure love between the two protagonists is on paper again. Although the two are poor, they have a selfless dedication to love. Although they have lost the things they love, they have gained items that are a hundred or a thousand times more precious than gifts in the world, and that is priceless love.

"This ......"

"This story ......"

Melvin took a deep breath and read it from cover to cover.

This time, even if he knew the ending, he still had a tremor in his heart when he finished reading the whole story.

"The reversal of genius."

Melvin knows that short storytellers are good at making an unexpected reversal at the end.

But he thought that Xilou was not good at this.

Because the example of "A Bowl of Clear Soup Soba" proves that Xilou is good at taking the emotional route.

He thought that "Maggie's Gift" was the same type, in fact, this story was indeed a warm and touching plot, but he didn't expect that this time the West Building not only embedded emotions in the story, but also added reversals.

This is equivalent to the West Building, which this time combines the two essences of the short story.

The mental impact caused by this is really huge enough.

So big that he, the editor-in-chief of "Shuge", is almost sluggish.

Melvin shook his head: "West Building, what a West Building......"

He originally thought that he had overestimated Xilou enough before, but the other party's ability to write short stories was still above his estimate.

I just made waves in the short story world with "A Bowl of Clear Soup Soba", and here comes another "Magi's Gift".

"Editor-in-chief, a meeting is over."

An assistant came in to remind Melvin.

Melvin nodded, turned off the screen, and went to the meeting.

The main purpose of the meeting was to determine the short story of the June issue and plan the content of the June event.

This time, the editors-in-chief were very excited.

Because compared to the situation in May, when there were no famous authors, the short story masters in June became crowded.

So they don't need to worry about not having the first work at all, and they are now worrying about which work is the most convincing to put on the first seat.

"I think Mr. Henry's work is the best."

"I insist that David's Air Conditioning would be the best fit for the June issue."

"Where did you put Mars? He is a top short story writer who is as famous as Nolan. ”

"Huh! Who isn't a celebrity this time? ”

“……”

The quarrel was fierce.

No one can convince anyone.

After all, they are all famous works, and the quality is not much different. Therefore, each editor-in-chief will strive to put the famous person he docks with in the first position.

Until a man stood up and said lightly, "I received a short story from Rick." ”

Connection.

A bearded man sneered: "What about Rick?" He ......"

The bearded man's voice stopped abruptly, and his pupils showed shock.

Others exclaimed.

"Rick?"

"Are you sure?"

"Dalton, you can't tell a lie!"

“……”

Rick!

One of the troika!

A giant of short stories in today's literary world!

Many people believe that the Troika is unlikely to participate in this short event, and even if it does, it will only participate in the anonymous track. But now Dalton says he's received Rick's submission.

Of course, the crowd was surprised.

Even Melvin was taken aback: "Dalton, are you serious? ”

Dalton smiled slightly: "Mr. Melvin, it is indeed true. It was only fifteen minutes ago that I received an email from Mr. Rick, and I received a meeting notice after reading his work, so I haven't had time to report back to you yet. Now, I'm going to send you his work to show you. ”

Ding dong~~~

Soon, everyone received an email alert on their computers.

It's Rick's new work, called "A Piece of Cake".

The story tells that the wife of the family celebrates her birthday, and the husband orders a cake at the cake shop, but he doesn't expect to come back and cut the cake and find a ring inside.

When his wife found out, she thought it was prepared for her, and she cried with joy.

But the husband knew that it was not his own ring, and it was most likely the cake shop that made a mistake. But if he tells the truth, his wife will definitely be depressed and make a mess of his otherwise happy birthday. But if you don't explain it, if the cake shop knows about it, your reputation will stink.

After half a while, the husband secretly explained the truth to the cake shop, and asked the other party not to take back the cake, promising to buy another identical ring tomorrow and return it. The cake shop also thought it was mistaken. But in the end, it turned out that the ring was secretly stuffed into the cake by their son, just to surprise his mother.

So in the end, a piece of cake reaped the love of the son, the virtue of the husband, and the joy of the wife. Everyone was happy.

After reading the story, the conference room was full of exclamations.

"The great god made a move, it is extraordinary!"

"It's a troika, it's a good story."

"Wow, it's still Rick's usual taste."

"After reading Rick's work, I have already been convinced, and I am willing to give up the first seat."

“……”

Everyone was full of praise.

And unanimously passed: to give the first work of the June semi-annual magazine to "A Piece of Cake", what are you kidding, this is Rick's new work, who else can snatch his first seat?

Dalton also smiled and said: "Editor-in-chief, whose work is sitting in the first seat now, no one should have any objections, right?" It is a great honor for us to be able to contribute to Mr. Rick, and this short story is good enough, I think that when the semi-annual issue is released in June, it will definitely cause a great sensation in the short story world. There is a high probability that the winner of this short story contest will be Mr. Rick. ”

At the same time.

Melvin also finished reading Rick's new work.

He nodded secretly, the strength of the troika is undoubted, and this work is indeed very good.

The text and plot are remarkable.

It's just that......

Melvin's work appeared in front of his eyes, and he looked at everyone and said, "Everyone, the West Building has also submitted articles to us." Why don't you take a look at his work and then discuss it? ”

Everyone was subconsciously stunned.

West Building!

This name has already been thunderous in the Library, because the West Building has saved the sales of their May issue of the Library to a certain extent, so everyone has a good feeling when they hear the name of the West Building.

Just, what does editor-in-chief mean?

Why should they make a decision after watching the new work in the West Building?

No, the editor-in-chief wants to give favors to the West Building, and give up the position of the first seat of the June issue to the West Building.

It's really possible!

But!

It's going to offend Rick!

Everyone was anxious when they thought of this possibility.

"Editor-in-chief, please think again!"

"Although the West Building did us a great favor last time, we can repay him in the future. But don't offend Mr. Rick! ”

"Yes, Mr. Rick is a great man of literature and has countless readers. We offended him, and the consequences were unimaginable. ”

"We can put the work of the West Building on the second page, and I think the West Building will understand. Even if the editor-in-chief puts his work in the first position, it is estimated that the West Building will not be able to afford it. ”

"If readers see the West Building sitting in the first seat, and Rick is subservient to it, it will definitely explode."

"Although the last work in the West Building is very good, compared to Rick, it is still too far behind in all aspects."

There was a lot of talking.

Very excited.

Melvin smiled slightly: "Don't worry, I didn't say that I would give up the first one to the West Building, right?" You can first read the works in the West Building and then discuss them. ”

As he spoke, he forwarded the email sent by Wang Mo to everyone.

Now everyone is even more confused.

Only no one questioned it anymore, but opened the email sent by Melvin and began to read the work of the West Building.

At first, everyone was still whispering.

But after a while, the conference room fell silent.

Only the occasional mouse click of the editors-in-chief can be heard.

A few more minutes passed.

The editor-in-chief, who was watching quickly, suddenly let out a low exclamation.

Then, one after another exclamations rang out, filling the conference room.

Especially Dalton, who was full of confidence at the beginning, also widened his eyes at the moment, and his face was full of shock.

"Oh my God, this reversal."

"I didn't expect it at all!"

"It's incredible."

"I really didn't expect that the West Building would be so handy in writing reversals."

"It's so subtle, and it's an eye-opener for me to end the story."

“……”

Even the reading of Rick, one of the troikas, did not shock the editors.

Until almost twenty minutes later.

The conference room was calm again.

It's just that at this moment, everyone's eyes are very different from just now.

Melvin didn't speak, but looked at the crowd with a smile.

Finally...... An editor-in-chief stood up: "This ...... Is it really Mr. Westwing's new work? ”

Melvin: "Absolutely. ”

The editor-in-chief took a deep breath: "If that's the case, and I'll say something that offends Mr. Rick, I think 'The Gift of the Magi' is better than 'A Piece of Cake.'" Of course, this is my own perception. ”

The voice fell.

There was a lot of discussion.

"I think so too."

"Although I'm a fan of Mr. Rick, this time it's really the West Building's work that is better."

"Maggie's Gift won."

“……”

In the end, Dalton also shook his head and sighed: "I admit that 'Maggie's Gift' is indeed better. I will not look at the author with colored glasses. To win is to win. As for Rick's side now, I'll explain it to him. ”

This result was expected by Melvin.

Compared with the blandness and warmth of "A Bowl of Clear Soup Soba", "Maggie's Gift" has a much stronger sense of impact, and it is reasonable that it can capture the hearts of the editors-in-chief.

He nodded: "Good! It seems that everyone is unified. In this case, the first block of the June semi-annual magazine is determined to use the works of the West Building. As for Mr. Rick, Mr. Dalton, you should talk to him. I think Mr. Dalton will understand. ”

"Good!"

Dalton nodded.

Although he was very excited that Rick, one of the troikas, could submit his article.

But in the Book Pavilion, and even in the entire short story world, quality is paramount at all times.

If "A Piece of Cake" is forcibly put in the first position, it will be a disaster after the semi-annual publication of "Shuge" is released.

End of meeting.

Dalton immediately contacted Rick.

……

On a manor in Western Europe, Rick, who is in his fifties, is in a good mood.

As one of the troika of the short story industry today, Rick has already won all the highest awards in the literary world, and he was not going to participate in this short story event, but he happened to be inspired by himself, so he submitted it to the book pavilion.

"Well, it's not bad to take this opportunity to spend five million dollars."

Rick said in his heart.

Five million dollars is not a small amount even for him.

And you can also consolidate your fame in the event.

With a good name and a suitable new work, Rick certainly won't miss this opportunity.

As for whether you can get the first place?

Are you kidding!

With his prowess at short stories, as long as Louis and Elvis don't participate in the event, who can be his opponent?

And with what he knew about those two old guys, the other party wouldn't have participated at all.

In this way, although "A Piece of Cake" is not his most proud work, it is still easy to win a small June short event.

Just as he was humming a song, the bell rang.

It's Dalton!

Connect with the editor-in-chief of Shuge who submits his own manuscripts.

Rick answered the phone and said with a smile, "Hey! Good morning, Mr. Dalton! ”

"Good morning, Mr. Rick."

Dalton hesitated for a moment before he spoke, "Mr. Rick, something...... I may need to tell you a little bit about it. ”

Rick raised an eyebrow: "Something about my work?" ”

The other party is the only one to find him for this matter.

Otherwise, can you find him to go to the bar?

Dalton: "Yes. ”

Rick: "Tell me, are you having any trouble?" I can already tell that something isn't quite right with you. ”

Dalton: "That's right, at our magazine conference today, your work was not listed as the first one, you ......"

Saying that, he was ready for Rick to lash out.

One of the troika!

Short story king!

It's a great shame that his own work can't even go up to the first seat of "Book Pavilion".

Only, after listening to his words.

Rick was not angry, but was silent for a while before he said, "Is Louis or Elvis also contributing?" ”

Dalton: "No. ”

Rick: "Whose work is that better than me?" ”

Dalton: "West Building." ”

Rick: "The Fairy Tale King West Tower? The last time I wrote "A Bowl of Clear Soup Soba", the West Building? ”

Dalton: "Exactly. ”

Rick was silent again, he had seen "A Bowl of Clear Soup Soba" in the West Building, and knew that this work was excellent.

But just a work is nothing, and there are a lot of short stories of the same level. And the West Building may be such a masterpiece for the rest of his life.

But he didn't expect that only a month had passed, and the West Building actually came up with a second work and grabbed his first position.

"Excuse me, can I see his new work?"

It was half a ring before Rick spoke.

Dalton said, "Yes. ”

With that, he sent "Maggie's Gift" to Rick.

Rick walked into the study, opened the mail, and began to read the story.

Half an hour later.

He dialed Dalton's phone again: "Mr. Dalton, I've finished the story. ”

"That?"

Dalton's heart tightened.

Rick smiled slightly: "Your decision is right, my work is indeed inferior to the West Building." "The Gift of the Magi" sat on the first seat, and I was convinced. So, so be it...... Publish it as you want. ”

"Okay."

Dalton was overjoyed.

This result was beyond his expectations.

He had thought that Rick, even if he didn't get angry, would retract his work and wait for the next time it was published. After all, it's a shame that the work of the troika can't even get up to the first seat.

But he didn't expect that Rick didn't get angry, and generously admitted that his work was inferior to the other party, and let his work be inferior to the works in the West Building.

"Mr. Rick, you're really generous."

Dalton sighed.

……

And on the other side.

Rick covered his heart, as if Xi Shi was holding his heart, and his face was full of pain.

Generous!

Be generous to your sister!

Damn, his heart is about to break at this moment.

One of his dignified troikas, he was trampled on the soles of his feet by Xilou, a newcomer who had just entered the short story world. Even the other party's story, the plot is so ingenious, I'm afraid that my most proud work will not be able to take advantage of it in front of it.

It's not that Rick didn't think about retracting his work and not publishing it.

But he couldn't.

Because this matter can't be hidden, the entire senior management of the Book Pavilion knows that he has already submitted, and now he wants the work back. Doesn't this confirm the fact that I am afraid to back down?

He Rick!

You can lose, you can lose.

But don't be timid!

What if you lose?

The most outstanding writer in the entire Blue Star does not dare to say that all his works are the first.

So, losing once is nothing.

But if you are afraid of backing down, then your reputation will really be ruined after it spreads.

One of the dignified troikas, he actually became a turtle with a shrunken head, and I am afraid that he will be laughed at for a lifetime.

"But, it's really painful."

Rick's face was full of depression, and even he knew that more painful days were yet to come, when the June issue of "Shuge" was released, the outside world knew that his work was actually suppressed by the West Building, and that was when public opinion was raging.

"No, you can't leave me alone with such pain and let those two guys laugh on the sidelines."

Rick's dim eyes rolled, and he had an idea.

I thought about it for a while.

He immediately dialed Louis's phone: "Hey, Louis, what are you doing?" ”

Louis's indifferent voice sounded: "Wash your feet." ”

Rick: "You're still in the mood to wash your feet at your age?" You don't support your wife and children anymore? You don't prepare a villa for your son to get married and have children? You don't hurry up to make money? ……”

Louis interrupted him: "Tell me, what the hell is going on?" ”

Rick: "I attended the short event in June. ”

Luis: "And then? ”

Rick: "Don't you think it's been a long time since the three of us had a big fight?" Once? ”

Luis: "Oh? You're writing good short stories, so confident? ”

"A must."

Rick said seriously: "I just ask you if you dare, if anyone can win the championship in this short story contest in June, in addition to the five million prize money, the prize money of the other two will also go to the first place." ”

Louis was still a little lazy, but when he heard this, he suddenly came to his senses.

If all three of them compete in June, there is almost a 90% chance that they will win the top three.

The prize money for the top three places is $9 million!

And Louis's annual royalties for his works are less than $10 million.

This is equivalent to earning almost a year's worth of royalties if he wins first place.

And it can also sit first in the troika.

It's a big gamble!

But it's also exciting enough!

Even he couldn't resist such temptations.

Louis immediately laughed: "Rick, do you really think you have a new work?" Originally, I thought about not participating in the event and giving the opportunity to some little ones. But since you've spoken, what about a bet! If you lose, you'll have to take out your winnings. ”

Rick: "Of course! But I have to say it in advance, you have to be first place to win the prize. ”

"Nonsense!"

Louis said disdainfully: "All three of us shot, can we still let the second person take the first place?" If that's the case, we don't have the face to take the prize. ”

Rick smiled brightly: "Then it's a deal!" ”

Luis: "It's a deal!" ”

Rick: "I've already submitted to the Library. ”

Louis: "In that case, I'll submit the manuscript to "Mohai", and then you can call Elvis and ask him to submit the manuscript to "Literary Elegance". The three of us have a vigorous competition in June! ”

Speaking of this, Louis's chest burst with pride.

Who is afraid of who?

What's more, he felt that his chances of winning were more than eighty percent, because he happened to have a brilliant inspiration a while ago that allowed him to write a very creative short story that could be published as long as he revised it.

So in Luis's opinion, Rick just hit himself on the muzzle.

Nine million dollars in prize money, he smiled!

Rick, on the other hand, was just as smiling brightly.

When he heard Louis agree to his proposal, he felt that his aching heart was much better: "Sure enough, when you are in enough pain, pull a cushion in, and you will feel much better." ”

Well.

A cushion is not enough.

Rick immediately dialed Elvis's phone.

Half an hour later.

Elvis readily agreed.

At this point, the troika was dispatched. (End of chapter)