Chapter 116: A Request

Time quickly reached Monday of the next week. Akiwara Yuto got up early, went to a nearby internet cafe, opened the forum, and entered the content of the fourth issue of "Death of a Mystery Novelist."

The story of this issue is as follows:

After receiving the envelope with the word "Murderer" written on it, the female caregiver was panicked and immediately found the eldest grandson who knew the truth. After reading the contents of the letter, the latter learned that there was also a hemodialysis report, which might be evidence exposing the caregiver's crime.

After weighing the pros and cons, the eldest grandson took the caregiver to the hospital where the deceased's latest blood data was kept, preparing to destroy the evidence.

But the two were surprised to find that the office where the documents were kept had been burned to the ground by a fire. This meant that the document containing the blood data was likely in the hands of the sender.

The eldest grandson considered it and believed that the other party couldn't have done useless work, so he reminded the caregiver to check her text messages and mailbox. Under his prompt, the caregiver indeed found an email in her mailbox.

In the email, the other party demanded that the caregiver arrive at a certain place in Adachi Ward within half an hour to conduct a transaction. But just at this time, the detective showed up.

After a chase, the caregiver and the eldest grandson were successfully intercepted by the detective. Just when the caregiver thought she couldn't escape the law, the detective told her that the person he came to arrest was the eldest grandson.

Through the detective's words, the caregiver learned the reason: that day when she was climbing the outdoor ladder, she was seen by her great-grandmother, who suffered from dementia, and the other party took her for the eldest grandson. Therefore, the eldest grandson was taken as a suspect by the detective and brought back to the police station.

After the caregiver was cleared of suspicion, she felt relieved but still decided to continue to the transaction location in Adachi Ward.

But when she arrived at the scene, she found a corpse. She looked closely, and the other party was the mystery novelist's butler.

At this time, the butler suddenly opened his eyes, said in a weak voice that the report was still there, and then fainted.

Under the condemnation of her conscience, the caregiver finally decided to call the police and an ambulance. Immediately after, the butler was sent to the hospital for emergency treatment. On the other side, the detective also learned the truth through the eldest grandson's mouth.

After confirming the facts, the three of them and two accompanying police officers returned to the mystery novelist's home to explain the cause and effect of all this to other relatives.

Arriving home, the caregiver remembered the place where the butler had always hidden things, so she searched, and indeed found the mystery novelist's blood report. Although this would be used as criminal evidence, she still handed it directly to the detective.

After the detective got the report document, he didn't read it out immediately. Instead, he first explained the facts he had learned to the other family members.

But just when others started to curse the caregiver in dirty dialects, the detective looked at the document and then said, "She is innocent!"

……

After the upload ended, Akiwara Yuto left the internet cafe and went to a nearby train station. After 50 minutes, he arrived at Anjiu Bookstore and walked up the "creaking" stairs to the second-floor office.

"Good morning, everyone." Akiwara Yuto pushed the door open, greeted Anjiu Jin Gangyi and others who were working in the office, and then asked, "President Anjiu, are you free now? Is it convenient to talk alone?"

Anjiu Jin Gangyi was a bit puzzled but still stood up, greeted others, and left with Akiwara Yuto.

The two walked to a nearby coffee shop, sat down, and ordered two black coffees.

"Mr. Akiwara, is there anything?" Anjiu Jin Gangyi asked tentatively.

He didn't know the intention of Akiwara Yuto's visit this time. After all, according to past practice, it was usually him who invited, and the other party would come to the door.

So, was it that Akiwara Yuto was dissatisfied with the existing cooperation terms and wanted to change or breach the contract?

Akiwara Yuto didn't know Anjiu Jin Gangyi's complex psychology but said seriously, "President Anjiu, I want to ask you for a request."

Anjiu Jin Gangyi's expression didn't change, but he felt nervous in his heart, "Mr. Akiwara, please go ahead?"

Akiwara Yuto continued, "As an old man in the publishing industry, you should have quite a few connections, right? I want to ask, do you know anyone in the literary criticism circle?"

Hearing this request, Anjiu Jin Gangyi found it wasn't the thing he had thought of. He breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "I do, but they are just casual acquaintances."

Anjiu Jin Gangyi picked up his coffee and took a sip, "Mr. Akiwara, do you mean to contact a book reviewer to promote 'The Devotion of Suspect X'?"

Akiwara Yuto nodded, "President Anjiu, that is exactly what I mean."

"It's not very appropriate." Anjiu Jin Gangyi hesitated and explained, "As of now, the book's sales are still rising steadily. If there are no accidents, it can be reprinted in about 2 months. At that time, there is a relatively high probability that it will attract the attention of book reviewers."

He paused and added, "Instead, if we go to the door rashly now, it might not be very appropriate."

He had actually said this very tactfully. After all, although it was publicly acknowledged that there were many book reviewers who took money to do things, the media where the book reviewers were located were often also cooperating with large publishing houses.

Like a small publishing house like Anjiu Bookstore, if they go to the door rashly without a way, they will often encounter more harsh requirements, and might even be written a bad review.

So the safest way should still be to wait for the market to ferment on its own, and when the book's sales go up, book reviewers will naturally pay attention.

Akiwara Yuto actually understood this truth, but after reading the magazine data statistics of the four major publishing houses before, he had always had a sense of anxiety in his heart.

After all, no matter what, if it could be reported a little earlier, it would be one step closer to a big sale.

In his view, the effect of getting a book review might be more effective than holding a dozen signing events with a thousand people.

Akiwara Yuto was silent for a while, then organized his language and said, "President Anjiu, I probably understand what you mean, but I still hope you can find a book reviewer. After all, the better it sells, the greater our benefits will be."

Seeing Anjiu Jin Gangyi still hesitating, Akiwara Yuto said, "As for the cost of opening up the relationship, it can be deducted from the sales funds belonging to me first. In this way, it shouldn't harm the interests of Anjiu Bookstore."

Akiwara Yuto saw it very clearly. Anjiu Jin Gangyi, as the president of a small publishing house, wanted to persuade a book reviewer, which undoubtedly required paying a favor and a price, many of which could not be calculated simply by money.

So he had to compensate at least in terms of cost to further convince the other party.

Anjiu Jin Gangyi's expression became solemn and said, "Mr. Akiwara, let me consider it."

If he went to ask a book reviewer, he indeed needed to open up some relationships, but Akiwara Yuto had already promised the expenses required to open up the relationship, so he didn't need to worry.

And the earlier the book reviewer published a book review, the earlier "Suspect X" could enter the eyes of the public and gain attention. Once it sold better, Anjiu Bookstore could get more benefits.

Come to think of it, if he refused Akiwara Yuto's request, it would be bad if the other party refused to cooperate again when reprinting. After all, the amount of liquidated damages, compared to the funds recouped from the first printing, could only be considered a fraction.

After weighing it for more than ten minutes, Anjiu Jin Gangyi sighed and replied, "Mr. Akiwara, I understand. I will find an acquaintance in these few days and then contact a book reviewer."

Akiwara Yuto showed a satisfied expression upon hearing this promise…… ===== CHAPTER 117 =====