Chapter 77: Questioning and Transfer Order

Mantanshe Headquarters, 14th Floor.

Asano Aiko walked hurriedly in the corridor, preparing to return to the editorial department. She had too many questions to figure out!

At the award ceremony just now, after learning that Akiwara Yuto did not win the Jin Shang, her first reaction was surprise, followed by disbelief.

Why, as a member of the editorial department, was she not only not greeted, but also didn't hear any wind?

She first tried to find Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi, trying to ask him to clarify everything, but to her surprise, she didn't see the other party after looking around.

However, from the mouths of colleagues, she learned that Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi was in the editorial department today because of something, so she hurried back to the editorial department, not even caring about Akiwara Yuto.

Walking into the editorial department, Asano Aiko saw the chandelier in the editor-in-chief's office lit. She walked to the door, knocked lightly, and soon heard a male voice "Please come in."

She pushed the door open and saw Kikuchi Tai sitting behind the desk smoking.

Kikuchi Tai pinched out the cigarette in his hand into the ashtray and asked: "Asano, it's so late, is there anything?"

Asano Aiko took a deep breath, calmed her emotions, then bowed and asked: "Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi, can you tell me the reason for Teacher Akiwara's award?"

Seeing that Kikuchi Tai didn't answer, Asano Aiko couldn't care about estimating the superior and subordinate, and said urgently: "Our *New Novel* can sell so well today, Teacher Akiwara is the greatest contributor. You should be the clearest about this point."

"So, why? Please explain to me, otherwise I really have no way to face Teacher Akiwara's trust again," her voice was a bit choked, but she continued to say, "Please!"

As a subordinate, saying this is already a bit over the line, but if she can't figure out the truth of the matter, she really doesn't know how to face Akiwara.

In her view, she failed the other party's trust!

Hearing Asano Aiko's questioning, Kikuchi Tai fell into silence.

In his view, he was the biggest victim of this award event.

Because of this operation, he lost the trust of the writer who could create the most value for *New Novel*, and the other party might not publish articles in *New Novel* in the future. At the same time, even his subordinates were questioning him at this moment.

However, because of Takei Kohei's threat, he had to follow these arrangements, otherwise, he would face the separation of his wife and children and imprisonment.

Thinking of this, he raised his head, looked at Asano Aiko who was waiting for his reply, avoided this topic: "Asano, today's matter is more complex, it is not convenient to disclose, please help me apologize to Teacher Akiwara."

"What is the reason for the apology?" Asano Aiko didn't get the reply she wanted and continued to ask.

Seeing Asano Aiko not giving up, Kikuchi Tai was a bit impatient and said impolitely: "Pay attention to your identity, Editor Asano."

Hearing this reprimand, Asano Aiko found that she had overstepped, and could only bow and apologize. While bending over, she bit her lip, revealing an unwilling expression.

Kikuchi Tai sighed and then said to her: "There is something that was originally going to be announced to you next week, so let me tell you now?"

Asano Aiko listened to Kikuchi Tai continue to talk in confusion.

"Editor Asano, according to the requirements of the personnel department, because the proofreading department is short of manpower recently, please report to the proofreading department before next Monday."

"So please pack your things well and take them over. In addition, the work on Teacher Akiwara's side will be arranged for others to be responsible for later."

Hearing this content, Asano Aiko was unbelievable for a while. She suspected that Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi was joking with her, but in the current situation, it was not the time to joke at all.

She looked at Kikuchi Tai a few times and found that the expression on his face was very serious, proving the authenticity of this notice.

She was silent for a while and then asked: "Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi, can you tell me the reason?"

Kikuchi Tai didn't answer this question. He stood up, walked around Asano Aiko, and walked out. When he left the door, he stopped, "If there is nothing else, go home early after work."

He paused and continued: "During this period of time, thank you for your trouble."

After saying this, he left without looking back.

To be honest, Kikuchi Tai's own mood was also very complex. He had always treated Asano Aiko as a tool to use, for example, he didn't value the other party's work before, but after finding that the other party had utilization value, he wooed her even more.

But he also knew the other party's trust in him. So when he heard her questioning him like this, he couldn't help but have a trace of guilt.

However, this trace of guilt soon disappeared without a trace. After all, compared with his own interests, nothing counts.

What's more, Asano Aiko will be a person in the proofreading department in the future, and it is estimated that even the chance of meeting will be pitifully small.

As the footsteps gradually went away, Asano Aiko knew that Kikuchi Tai had left the editorial department. She lowered her head and held back her emotions.

Even if she can't serve as Akiwara Yuto's responsible editor in the future, she must figure out the real reason for today's award ceremony before leaving.

However, who should she ask?

Leaving the editor-in-chief's office, she returned to her workstation outside, took out a cardboard box, and started packing things, distinguishing between work items and her own personal items.

Thinking that she was about to leave this office, for a time, her heart was full of mixed feelings.

While she was packing, a "thump, thump, thump" sound of footsteps sounded, and soon it spread to the editorial department from far to near.

Asano Aiko looked up and found that it was Takei Kohei, the deputy editor-in-chief of *Tokyo Literature*.

She couldn't help but be confused. Wasn't the other party at the award ceremony scene at the hotel just now? Why would he appear in the *New Novel* editorial department now?

However, what is the other party doing in the *New Novel* editorial department so late?

Takei Kohei walked into the editorial department, looked around, and found that the lights in the editor-in-chief's office were off, and only the lights here at Asano Aiko were still on.

Takei Kohei frowned and walked over to ask: "Editor Asano, where is Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi now?"

The award ceremony tonight was a bit big, and it happened in public, so a scapegoat must be needed to take responsibility, so that the general manager can have a statement to his superiors and the outside world.

Besides, the identity of this scapegoat cannot be too low, and it must be someone related to the announcement of the award.

He naturally thought of Kikuchi Tai. After all, he is both the editor-in-chief of *New Novel* and the recommender for the Jin Shang entry, and his identity can be said to be just right.

He is not worried that the other party will not comply. After all, the photos are in his own hands. If the other party doesn't want to go to prison, he can only honestly listen to his instructions.

As for whether it violates the promise he made to the other party before, he doesn't care about these at all.

Asano Aiko didn't know Takei Kohei's intention and could only answer regularly: "Editor-in-Chief Kikuchi just left."

Takei Kohei frowned, it seems he can only go to his house. He looked up and saw the red eyes of Asano Aiko, guessing that Kikuchi Tai had already conveyed the transfer order to Asano Aiko.

However, since Asano Aiko is here, he can just implement his next plan.

Thinking of this, he showed a "politician-style

"Editor Asano, do you have a moment? I'd like to have a brief chat with you about Master Akiwara..."