Chapter 165: This is conditional

Hearing the two words "sign contract," Akiwara Yuto, who was resting with his eyes closed, stood up.

He thought he would have to go through a lot of trouble and bargain with the other party, but he didn't expect this female editor-in-chief surnamed Dacheng to decide to sign so quickly.

Akiwara Yuto was a bit hesitant, but still took the contract handed over by the other party and began to read carefully.

The contract conditions were no problem, basically consistent with the requirements he reported to *April Youth* before. As for the distribution rights of the single volume and film and television versions, they were also in his own hands and had nothing to do with the Keibunsha.

After checking twice, Akiwara Yuto signed his name and stamped it with his special seal.

He raised his head, looked at Dacheng Lixiang sitting opposite, and handed the document back.

"For the subsequent 4 issues of manuscripts, Editor Awazu can come to my house to collect them regularly every week. As for other publicity, I will trouble your editorial department."

Dacheng Lixiang smiled and said: "Master Akiwara, I've troubled you this time. As for publicity, we will also arrange subsequent work here."

After saying this, the two exchanged pleasantries again before ending the conversation.

And Akiwara Yuto also left the Science and Education Center accompanied by Awazu Hideki.

After Akiwara Yuto left, Dacheng Lixiang organized the manuscript into the file bag.

She took the manuscript, left the floor where *April Youth* was located, and took the elevator to the 10th floor. On this floor, there was an executive director specifically responsible for magazine business.

Unlike the multi-layered management system of the Full-Spread Society, the Science and Education Center didn't have many levels, but was composed of multiple rooms and departments.

Under such a system, the freedom of department heads or editors-in-chief would often be greater, and they could make arrangements for a magazine or journal in many aspects.

Although flexible, this system also had a big drawback, which was that because the levels of different departments were the same, disputes between departments would often arise in order to obtain publicity budgets, etc.

In order to arrange funds more efficiently, the Science and Education Center increased the power in the hands of the executive director.

Dacheng Lixiang took the document, walked to the door of an office, and knocked on the door.

After hearing the "please come in" sound, she pushed the door and walked in.

At the desk behind the door sat a middle-aged man who looked to be in his 50s.

"Editor-in-Chief Dacheng, you're here. Please sit down and talk slowly."

The middle-aged man smiled and said after seeing Dacheng Lixiang.

He stood up at the same time, gestured for Dacheng Lixiang to sit on the sofa on the other side, and called his assistant to pour two cups of tea.

Dacheng Lixiang sat down, took the tea, expressed her gratitude, and continued.

"Executive Director Sanqiao, I am here this time for the next step plan of *April Youth*, and I want to report to you."

The middle-aged man sat on the sofa opposite, nodded, and signaled her to continue.

Dacheng Lixiang said seriously: "Due to the matchmaking of Editor Awazu, we have established a cooperative relationship with Master Akiwara and will publish the first issue of his work next Monday."

The middle-aged man showed a kind smile.

"Editor-in-Chief Dacheng, you have already submitted the project proposal regarding the next step plan of the editorial department before, so please state your purpose for coming today?"

Dacheng Lixiang nodded and responded: "Executive Director Sanqiao, in order to better promote Master Akiwara's work, we hope to additionally allocate a budget to increase the layout of newspapers."

The middle-aged man frowned.

"Editor-in-Chief Dacheng, I remember that an additional budget of more than 20 million yen per week has already been added for this aspect. Judging from the quantity, there are currently about 3 layouts of publicity. Should these funds be enough?"

"Executive Director Sanqiao, this was the previous situation. Currently, the other three major publishing houses are further increasing publicity. If we maintain the original situation, subsequent sales may further decline."

Dacheng Lixiang shook her head and said in a sincere tone: "So I hope you can increase our publicity budget."

"How much is needed?"

"Just add another 30 million yen. As for the specific publicity plan, we will communicate with colleagues in the Public Relations Department."

Hearing this request, the middle-aged man frowned and began to think.

Should he agree to Dacheng Lixiang's request?

Regarding *April Youth*, there are two different opinions in the Board of Directors.

One faction is the young and strong faction, which believes that business in this area should be contracted and changed to a semi-monthly or monthly magazine to avoid unnecessary capital investment.

As for the extra budget, it should be placed on more promising businesses such as manga.

The other faction is the traditional faction, which believes that since the other three major publishing houses have corresponding magazines, the business of *April Youth* should also be maintained.

After all, in the previous period, *April Youth* also brought considerable cash flow, it was just that it started to go downhill in the last three months.

So, if he makes a choice rashly, will he be regarded as a thorn in the side by some young and strong factions?

This could have a certain impact on his career.

Speaking of which, if *April Youth* can really turn the tide, it seems he will also have a certain amount of credit.

The middle-aged man thought hard for half a day without reaching a result.

Dacheng Lixiang looked at this Executive Director Sanqiao, feeling a bit nervous in her heart.

She firmly believes that Akiwara Yuto's work is enough to attract everyone's attention.

But if the budget funds are not in place, the final effect might still be limited.

This is not consistent with her own plan.

The middle-aged man sighed, "Editor-in-Chief Dacheng, is it necessary to do this?"

In his view, Dacheng Lixiang, as the editor-in-chief of *April Youth*, has very extensive connections. Even if *April Youth* is changed to a semi-monthly magazine, she can be transferred to other good positions.

So he really doesn't understand this risky move of the other party.

Once it fails, the other party might also have to bear quite a bit of responsibility.

Dacheng Lixiang replied: "*April Youth* is like my child, it's hard for me to abandon it. So, I beg you!"

After saying this, she stood up and bowed deeply.

Facing her bow, the middle-aged man was silent for a while before answering.

"Editor-in-Chief Dacheng, I know. I agree to your request. In these two days, I will submit the budget table to the finance department."

Hearing these words, Dacheng Lixiang raised her head in surprise, "Thank you very much, Executive Director Sanqiao."

But to her surprise, the middle-aged man said another sentence, "Editor-in-Chief Dacheng, this budget has corresponding conditions, please be prepared."

"Conditions?" Dacheng Lixiang was a bit puzzled for a moment, but she thought for a moment and still nodded in agreement, "Please tell me in detail."

"If funds are always allocated to you unconditionally, not only will other editorial departments have opinions, but even relevant members of the Board of Directors will not approve. So, I hope *April Youth* can achieve results as soon as possible!"

The middle-aged man said seriously.

This decision of his has his own plans in it.

If the subsequent sales of *April Youth* are indeed not good, then he can naturally stop allocating budgets.

In this way, not only can Dacheng Lixiang not say anything, but neither side of the Board of Directors will have any opinions.

Conversely, if the sales of *April Youth* rise, he can take quite a bit of credit and doesn't have to worry about what others say.

Dacheng Lixiang was a bit puzzled, "Executive Director Sanqiao, how long is your 'as soon as possible'?"

The middle-aged man responded: "Three weeks. If there is no significant increase in sales within three weeks, I will reduce the budget to the original level. Please be prepared for this, Editor-in-Chief Dacheng."

Is this time a bit too short?

Dacheng Lixiang hesitated, but she immediately realized that if she didn't accept this condition, this Executive Director Sanqiao would probably not agree to her request at all.

She gritted her teeth and quickly made a decision.

"Executive Director Sanqiao, your request, *April Youth* has no problem!"

She lowered her head and saw the manuscript in her hand, her confidence in her heart increased quite a bit.

Master Akiwara, whether *April Youth* can turn the tide depends on your work! ===== CHAPTER 166 =====