Chapter 230: Lustful

At 7 PM, Akiwara Yuto sat in a car driven by a bodyguard and arrived at a club in Ginza.

After letting the bodyguard wait downstairs, Akiwara Yuto followed a hostess to the room designated by Hehe Xintai.

The hostess pushed open the door, signaling Akiwara Yuto to walk in, and Akiwara looked around as he walked—this was far different from the clubs he had been to before; the environment was as luxurious as a five-star hotel.

In the center of this room, Hehe Xintai was wearing a kimono, chatting on the sofa with a slightly chubby man wearing a deep red suit.

Beside the two, there were also two beautiful hostesses helping to pour wine.

After seeing Akiwara Yuto, the two stood up, and Hehe Xintai introduced with a smile, "Akiwara, this is Mr. Zhida Daxi, the executive director of the 'Chishi Shimbun'."

The slightly chubby man named Zhida Daxi also bowed with a smile, "Nice to meet you, I am Zhida Daxi, please take care of me."

Seeing the other party's sincere attitude, Akiwara Yuto also immediately returned the bow and introduced himself. In this process, he couldn't help but look at the other party.

This Zhida-san was about 40 years old, his figure was a bit chubby, and he had a round face. When he smiled, his eyes were completely squinted, looking a bit like a comedian.

But for some reason, although the other party smiled very kindly, Akiwara Yuto always felt that the smile was very "fake," having a feeling of seeing Takei Kohei.

Akiwara Yuto subconsciously became vigilant, but he immediately thought that he was no longer the unknown writer he once was.

And this time it was introduced by Hehe Xintai, and the other party had something to ask of him.

So no matter from which angle, he didn't need to be so guarded against this person.

He relaxed his mind, exchanged a few polite words with a smile, and then sat on the sofa together under Hehe Xintai's greeting.

Zhida Daxi originally wanted to call the mama-san to arrange another hostess, but Hehe Xintai was familiar with Akiwara Yuto's temperament and directly waved his hand to decline for him.

Akiwara Yuto took the wine glass handed by a hostess, took a sip, and then asked: "Executive Director Zhida, may I ask if you have any special matter for inviting me here this time?"

In the previous phone call, Hehe Xintai only said that someone entrusted him to help introduce, without saying specifically what the matter was.

Seeing that it was time to get to the point, Zhida Daxi also put down the hand he had placed on the hostess's shoulder and said politely: "Teacher Akiwara, may I ask how much you know about our 'Chishi Shimbun'?"

Akiwara Yuto had a deep understanding of the publishing industry, but his understanding of newspapers was only average.

After thinking for a while, he said: "Sorry, I only know that your publication has a large circulation, but I don't have a deep understanding of the specific situation."

Zhida Daxi was stunned. He thought that as a writer, Akiwara Yuto should have a deep understanding of his newspaper, but he didn't expect to get this reply.

Seeing his embarrassment, Hehe Xintai took the initiative to take over the topic, "Teacher Akiwara is busy with creation and doesn't care much about the outside world usually. Let's do this, I will explain..."

In his introduction, Akiwara Yuto finally understood the specific situation of this "Chishi Shimbun."

As one of the largest newspaper publishing countries in the world, Japan occupies 4 of the world's top 10 newspapers.

And the "Chishi Shimbun" where Zhida Daxi works happens to be in the 4th position, with a circulation of 1.6 million copies daily.

The other three before him are "Yomiuri Shimbun," "Asahi Shimbun," and "Nihon Keizai Shimbun."

Akiwara Yuto couldn't help but feel slightly surprised. Looking at it this way, this Zhida-san, as the executive director of "Chishi Shimbun," has an unusual status.

It is estimated that even some politicians have to be respectful in front of him.

Akiwara Yuto took the initiative to pour a glass of wine for the other party—this is the Japanese etiquette of toasting, expressing respect for the other party, and it can also be considered as making up for his previous "impoliteness."

Zhida Daxi is also a "human essence," drank it in one gulp, and then took the initiative to pour a glass of wine for Akiwara.

He came here today after all to ask for help, so there is no need to put on the airs of a newspaper executive.

In his view, Akiwara Yuto can achieve such great success at a young age; after a few years, who knows where he will go.

Since that is the case, it is better to do the face work well and leave a good impression on the other party.

Hehe Xintai finished explaining the situation, coughed, and reminded Zhida Daxi, "Executive Director Zhida, I have finished, you should talk to Teacher Akiwara in detail about the specific situation."

Zhida Daxi nodded and took over the conversation, "It's like this, Teacher Akiwara, I hope you can conduct a column serialization in the cultural section of 'Chishi Shimbun'."

Akiwara Yuto was not surprised; the matter he could ask the other party to help with was probably just this.

But he was still a bit puzzled, so he asked: "Executive Director Zhida, why look for me?"

In the whole of Japan, the number of mystery writers is definitely not small, and the Mystery Writers of Japan Association alone has hundreds of members.

And from the perspective of qualifications, his debut age is not long, and he hasn't had a single work win the Uemura Prize.

Compared with some veteran writers, his foundation is indeed a bit shallow.

Zhida Daxi smiled and said: "That's because I am a fan of the 'Furuhata Ninzaburo' series!"

With the great popularity of the "Furuhata Ninzaburo" series, more and more middle-aged men and women have become fans of this show, and he is naturally no exception.

In Zhida Daxi's view, just by putting out the name of the author of the new work of the "Furuhata Ninzaburo" series, it is estimated that many loyal readers will pay for it.

Besides this, Akiwara Yuto has been at the forefront of public opinion since his debut, and his name is very topical.

Akiwara Yuto felt a bit speechless hearing this explanation, while Hehe Xintai on the side smiled: "Akiwara, isn't this a good thing?"

Akiwara Yuto was just about to say something, but found that Hehe Xintai gave him a meaningful look.

He felt a bit confused in his heart, thought for a while, and said seriously: "Executive Director Zhida, I am very honored to be invited by you, but I want to consider it first, can I reply to you later?"

Zhida Daxi didn't show any disappointment, laughed heartily: "Teacher Akiwara, of course no problem, as long as you decide, just call me immediately."

After he finished this sentence, he tacitly didn't mention this topic again, but hugged his female companion and chatted about romantic affairs.

Hehe Xintai also seemed to be an old hand, chatting with him very happily.

As for Akiwara Yuto, although he was not interested and pretended to "listen," he still had his eyes opened.

As a newspaper executive, Zhida Daxi often gathers with dignitaries, and at the gatherings, he brings some female artists in the public eye to spend the night, among whom is a pure female artist considered by the outside world.

As for Hehe Xintai, although he is old and has a wife, he still has the interest of "Cao Aman," preferring mature women of older age.

Relying on the accumulated fame, he often spends the night with female fans in love hotels.

While refreshing his lower limit, Akiwara Yuto thought of the "lustful" culture in Japanese culture.

From Japan's earliest history book "Kojiki," the poetry collection "Manyoshu," and the folk "The Tale of Genji," all are advocating for love between men and women.

Even Haruki Murakami's "Norwegian Wood" describes the "bed" affairs between men and women in great length.

The three chatted until the early morning, and then ended this gathering. Akiwara Yuto originally wanted to ask Hehe Xintai the meaning of his "look," but didn't expect the other party to leave directly while hugging that beautiful hostess.

After Akiwara Yuto sighed, he reunited with the bodyguard and sat in the car returning.

Looking at the bustling night view flowing backward outside the car window, Akiwara Yuto thought about this matter today.

Cooperation with Zhida Daxi is naturally not a big problem. After all, as the executive director of "Chishi Shimbun," the other party is exactly the "connection" in the public opinion circle he most wants to make friends with.

But what Akiwara Yuto is worried about is that the relationship between himself and the other party may not necessarily reach the same consistent relationship as "April Youth."

First is the volume. As a literary journal, "April Youth" has maintained a circulation of 300,000 copies, which is not easy, and it was achieved with his help.

But the circulation of "Chishi Shimbun" is 1.6 million copies, which is 5 times that of the former, and it is published every day.

Even if he opens a serialization, the greatest possibility is one episode per week.

In addition, it is the target group. The readers targeted by "April Youth" are mainly those interested in literature or mystery literature. His works can just arouse their interest.

But looking at the people who read newspapers, what proportion of them are interested in mystery?

Looking at it this way, it is estimated that it will be difficult to bring about a surge in sales, right?!

Akiwara Yuto frowned and thought.

If his "help" cannot bring any substantial benefits to "Chishi Shimbun."

Then what is the use of his favor? He can't just put a classic article from his past life on it, and end up just making a few ripples, right!? ===== CHAPTER 231 =====