Chapter 117: Not What You Think

10:00 AM, Mantanshe Headquarters, Proofreading Department.

Asano Aiko sat at her desk proofreading manuscripts as usual.

The work of the Proofreading Department is very boring, but at the same time, the staff must ensure that there is not a single mistake. Otherwise, once the book is published, the errors will be displayed in the eyes of tens of thousands of readers.

Asano Aiko outlined the errors she found with a red pen, scanned them again, and then closed the manuscript.

She stood up, preparing to take the manuscript to Mantanshe's sebas library.

The sebas library belongs to Mantanshe, but its work function is different from the "New Novel" and "Tokyo Literature and Art" editorial departments. It is a department specifically used to issue stand-alone books and does not publish corresponding magazines.

And according to the work arrangement, after Asano Aiko hands the proofread manuscript to the editor of the sebas library, the other party still needs to let the relevant writer read it once and modify the corresponding writing problems.

Asano Aiko hugged the document and walked towards the elevator. But just as she was about to leave, she heard a whisper from the desk on the right.

She subconsciously took a look and found that two newly hired female employees were whispering to each other.

She didn't care and was about to leave, but she heard some words that made her very concerned.

"Hey, do you know? The new editor-in-chief of 'New Novel' has submitted a transfer application."

"Eh, really? I remember the previous editor-in-chief didn't resign long ago, and now they are changing people again?"

"Yeah, the signature writers have all left, and now there are no works that can be taken out. It is said that besides the magazine sales not being good, the sales of the stand-alone books they recently issued are also declining."

"It's really a pity. At this rate, it might change from a weekly to a semi-monthly or monthly magazine."

Hearing this discussion about "New Novel," Asano Aiko's mood was a bit complicated. After all, she had worked in "New Novel" for so many years, so she still had some feelings.

Just as she was about to continue taking steps, they started discussing again.

"Do you know about the accident at the Mantanshe Literature Award before?"

"I know, didn't it make a big noise? There were rumors at the time, wasn't it related to Editor-in-Chief Wujing of 'Tokyo Literature and Art'?"

"No, that's just a rumor. It is said that it was for other reasons."

Asano Aiko's heart became even more confused. Rumor? Other reasons? What exactly was it?

She couldn't help but pretend to lower her head to organize the documents, then pricked up her ears and continued to listen.

"Recently there is a new saying that the author named Akiwara Yuto became arrogant after being reported by book reviewers and took the initiative to terminate the cooperation with Mantanshe. So, the higher-ups awarded the Gold Prize to others."

"Eh, really? Then that can't blame others."

"Yeah, relying on the Mantanshe platform to become famous, but as soon as he became famous, he wanted to leave. Isn't this a traitor?"

The two were still discussing, but Asano Aiko couldn't listen anymore. Her heart was already surging with stormy waves. In an instant, anger, dissatisfaction, doubt, and many other emotions were mixed together.

"Slap."

She walked up and slapped the document heavily on the desk between the two talking female employees, "Xiaoshan, Daocun, it's not off-duty time now, right? Please don't discuss irrelevant things."

The two female employees who were talking were startled. Looking up, they saw Asano Aiko, who was frowning and looking very serious.

The two immediately stood up and bowed to apologize: "Senior Asano, I'm sorry."

Asano Aiko had worked at Mantanshe for nearly 4 years, and they were just newly hired employees, so their rank was a level lower than the other party.

And she was indeed discussing other topics during work hours, which could be considered as being at fault first. If she didn't apologize, it might make others think she didn't respect the seniority of seniors and juniors.

The female employee named Daocun took a peek at Asano Aiko and felt it was a bit incredible.

In her impression, this Senior Asano had always been quiet, and her attitude was usually amiable. As far as she knew, the other party didn't have the habit of scolding juniors like other seniors.

But now, the other party was like a different person.

Could it be that she just said something she shouldn't have?

Asano Aiko saw the two apologizing and felt a sense of helplessness.

She could let these two juniors not discuss this topic, but she couldn't let everyone do so.

After saying this, she picked up the manuscript on the table and turned to walk towards the elevator again. When Xiaoshan and Daocun were confused, she said a sentence from afar in a firm tone.

"Mr. Akiwara's character is definitely not what you imagine!"

……

Leaving the office and walking into the elevator, Asano Aiko pressed the button for the 16th floor.

As the elevator door closed and started slowly, she sighed and began to think about other problems.

When working in the "New Novel" editorial department, her ideal was to help "New Novel" successfully reach the top with Akiwara Yuto and become the NO. 1 in the literary magazine world.

But this ideal became the past after the results of the Mantanshe Literature Award were announced.

Since then, Wujing Hangping's conversation, the sudden transfer of Juchi Tai, rumors of the mastermind behind the scenes, and other events happened one after another.

As a result, now, rumors of Akiwara Yuto's arrogance have spread again.

She vaguely felt that a mastermind seemed to be manipulating everything.

At this time, the elevator arrived at the 16th floor. Asano Aiko walked quickly to the sebas library, handed the manuscript to the docking editor, briefly explained the relevant problems, and then left.

Immediately after, she returned to her workstation, looked at the phone in front of her, and fell into hesitation.

Not long ago, after she thought she was a burden, she intended not to contact Akiwara Yuto anymore. After all, if she cooperated again, she didn't think she could help the other party with anything.

Since making this decision, she had broken contact with Akiwara Yuto, and hadn't made a single phone call in the past three months.

Only in the quiet of the night would she take out the poem Akiwara Yuto wrote for her and read it softly under the moonlight.

So is it appropriate to contact Akiwara now?

Hesitating for a while, she still picked up the receiver and dialed according to the number in her memory.

She must inform Akiwara Yuto of these rumors at Mantanshe. After all, no matter what, she had to let the other party be prepared to deal with it.

If the reputation of arrogance spreads, even if Akiwara Yuto goes to other publishing houses, he will encounter certain criticism, and it is more likely to cause his literary path to encounter setbacks.

It is a matter of great importance, so don't hesitate anymore. As for her own little thoughts, let's put them aside first.

After dialing the number, Asano Aiko waited for a while and heard the receiver being picked up.

Immediately after, a familiar male voice came over: "Hello, I am Akiwara Yuto."

Asano Aiko suppressed the thoughts and feelings in her heart and continued: "Akiwara, I am Asano. Are you free tonight? There is a very important thing I want to tell you." ===== CHAPTER 118 =====