Chapter 229: The Current Situation of Old Friends

Akiwara Yuto's move this time was largely inseparable from the "death threat letter" he had received earlier; he could not forget the densely packed "die" characters on the letter paper.

So while moving, he also had Asano Aiko specifically responsible for the interface with the detective agency, searching for information on all possible suspects.

The next morning at ten o'clock, the Sixcup cafe in Akasaka, Minato Ward.

Akiwara Yuto and Asano Aiko sat face-to-face in a corner seat, while the two bodyguards sat at another seat nearby.

Asano Aiko ordered coffee, took out a document from her briefcase, and handed it to Akiwara Yuto.

"These materials are a summary of the latest news found by these detective agencies."

Akiwara Yuto took the materials, flipped through them simply, and placed them on the table.

"Asano, I won't look at them; you tell me roughly."

Asano Aiko heard this request, and her expression became serious. "Akiwara, looking at it now, the situation is..."

According to her words, Akiwara Yuto began to gradually understand the current situation of some of his old friends.

Asano Aiko first talked about Kihara Daigo. After he changed from the general manager of Mantanshe to a printing factory employee, he divorced his original wife and cut off contact with his daughter.

However, Kihara Daigo still had some savings, so he remarried and settled down in Hokkaido.

His new wife was a widow with a daughter, with a mediocre appearance and no fixed job, but her advantage was that her personality was gentle. The two lived a very plain life, but they were still doing quite well.

Akiwara Yuto thought for a while and felt that since Kihara Daigo had remarried and settled down, it was unlikely he would write any threat letters. At that age, the other party didn't look like someone who could do anything either.

Asano Aiko then mentioned Takei Kohei.

The other party was now working together with Kikuchi Tai in the Shikoku region. According to an investigation by a detective agency, the conflict between the two was quite deep, and they had even erupted into conflict in the office, almost leading to a brawl.

The final result was that under the request of their superior, Takei Kohei bowed his head and apologized. After all, in terms of position, he was now just Kikuchi Tai's "subordinate."

Akiwara Yuto laughed out loud. Besides himself, he estimated that the person with the deepest resentment toward Takei Kohei was Kikuchi Tai, because he was the one whose handle was held tightly by Takei Kohei, even falling to the point where his whole family moved to Shikoku.

However, at this point, these handles were of no use, so the conflict erupted directly.

After finishing this, Asano Aiko talked about Kadowaki Yuzhen.

After the sales of "New" plummeted, Kadowaki Yuzhen was once transferred to "Tokyo Literature" by Mantanshe.

But because he was often mocked as a "stolen writer" inside, the other party left Mantanshe and joined a monthly magazine with a monthly circulation of about 70,000 copies.

But because the monthly magazine had fewer pages, his income was only one-fourth of what it was during his weekly days.

To make a living, Kadowaki Yuzhen went to a cram school to serve as a national language teacher, helping students preparing for the college entrance examination with tutoring. Now his income is quite good.

According to a report from a detective agency, Kadowaki Yuzhen seemed to regret what happened back then and often went to the shrine to worship on Sundays.

Hearing this content, Akiwara Yuto sighed.

Kadowaki Yuzhen indeed had talent; after all, before he went to "New," he had always been the signature writer. But perhaps because he was too utilitarian, he didn't create any decent works later.

If a writer doesn't put his mind on his works but instead on various intrigues and interpersonal relationships, he often ends up being indistinguishable from the crowd.

After sighing about the impermanence of the world, Akiwara Yuto made a judgment: "The possibility of the three of them writing letters is not high."

People won't do anything extreme unless they are driven to a certain point. The other three either have families or jobs, and it is unlikely they would risk everything.

He thought for a while and asked: "What about Da Guan Zhenghe?"

Asano Aiko hesitated for a while, then answered: "Sorry, there is currently no news about the other party."

"No news?!"

Akiwara Yuto frowned with dissatisfaction. He had searched five detective agencies that were relatively well-known in the industry; how could there be no news at all?

After all, as long as one is a person, one will have a fixed place of residence or interpersonal relationships.

Asano Aiko saw this and spoke again: "Akiwara, according to the investigation by the Murano Detective Agency, Da Guan Zhenghe's parents have already cut off relations with him, and he didn't have any friends to begin with."

"And because they were worried about being retaliated against by him, his parents moved to the countryside very quickly, leaving him alone in Adachi Ward. After losing his ghostwriting job, Da Guan Zhenghe also had no money to pay rent and was forced to move out of his existing residence."

"Before leaving, he tried to seek help from He Tian Xin, but he was driven away before he even entered the door."

Akiwara Yuto closed his eyes and thought for a while, feeling more and more that he might be the person who sent the threat letter.

Unemployed, no fixed residence, no interpersonal relationships—it is very normal for such a person to do anything.

But it's also hard to say; it could also be a reader who is dissatisfied with the plot of the work.

In any case, he should pay more attention.

Akiwara Yuto sighed and said to Asano Aiko: "Asano, when you go out recently, remember to stay with Ms. Zhongli."

He hired two bodyguards, a man and a woman. The man was named Hatanaka Shu, and the woman was named Nakazato Mutsumi. Both had undergone long-term bodyguard training at a security company.

The male bodyguard often accompanied him when going out and participating in various activities, while the female bodyguard was assigned to Asano Aiko, after all, the latter often had to represent Akiwara Yuto to handle some commercial matters.

As for Satake Maki, she now took over some basic proofreading and editing work and rarely attended public activities. Even if she had to go out, she was often with Akiwara Yuto.

Asano Aiko felt a warmth in her heart and smiled: "Akiwara, I know, don't worry."

The two skipped this topic and talked about other aspects.

After docking some recent work, Akiwara Yuto took the initiative to pay the bill and left with the bodyguard named Hatanaka Shu. Asano Aiko watched his background, and a trace of gentleness appeared in her eyes.

After a short walk of 15 minutes, Akiwara Yuto said goodbye to Hatanaka Shu downstairs and returned home.

He changed his shoes in the entryway and walked straight toward the study.

The area of his study was about 15 tsubo, and against the wall were high bookshelves, filled with books and materials collected by Akiwara Yuto.

And in the middle of the room was a desk made of black walnut wood. Behind the desk was a transparent floor-to-ceiling window, where one could see the vast Tokyo Bay.

Akiwara Yuto stood in front of the window and looked for a while, then sat at the desk and began to think about the next step of the plan.

Looking at it now, with the support of royalties, he no longer had to worry about money, so he didn't have to deliberately pursue writing some commercial works.

After all, although commercial works are bestsellers, they often bring some negative evaluations.

Like "Furuhata Ninzaburo," although some readers like it very much, the reasoning method still cannot compare with some classic works.

So many book reviewers still think his level has dropped, and it is quite different from his previous works.

However, stopping the serialization is also impossible. After all, the "Furuhata Ninzaburo" series television show is currently in the limelight, and there is no need to give up a cash cow for nothing.

So currently, he just needs to maintain the status quo.

After the 40-plus episodes of serialization from his past life end, he can just sell the relevant copyrights of this work for a good price; perhaps he can talk to the Kejiaoguan side.

Besides this point, what is most useful to him is fame and connections.

In terms of fame, there is nothing better than winning an award.

For him, what is most useful currently is the Uemura Prize and the Mystery Writers of Japan Award.

The Uemura Prize is currently manipulated by the radical faction behind He Tian Xin; if he wants to win the prize, he still has to wait to see if the Ministry of Education has any willingness to reform.

Even if there is a move to reform, he estimates that the group of radicals won't easily compromise and vote for him.

However, he heard that there are also great differences within them; perhaps he can utilize that?

Information is still insufficient; he should ask Chairman Hehe again later.

As for the Mystery Writers of Japan Award, he heard that the factional configuration among the judges is very similar to the newcomer award, and the association is still constantly reforming the review rules.

As long as he brings out excellent works, the hope of winning is still very great!

As for the point of connections, does he have any way to go further?

In this awards incident, He Tian Xin could easily find a group of "public intellectuals" to slander and besiege him. If it weren't for the help of "April Youth," he estimated that it would have been much more troublesome for him to turn things around.

This proves the importance of connections!

Since that is the case, he should get to know more people, preferably those who have ability in the public opinion circle.

In that case, if anything else is exposed, he can also quickly use the other party's channels to defend himself.

But how should he get to know such people, and how should he form a consistent relationship?

While Akiwara Yuto was thinking with a frown, the phone on the table rang. Akiwara Yuto picked up the receiver and soon heard the voice of Hehe Xintai.

"Akiwara-san, there is one thing I hope you can help with." ===== CHAPTER 230 =====