Chapter 460: 456. Preparing for a forced purchase? (Seeking subscriptions, monthly tickets!)

Nakamura Senkawa had a good plan, but what he didn't expect was that Zhang Xiaotao's impression of him hadn't been very good from the start; he just hadn't shown it.

Nakamura Chitian had been wanting to chat more with Zhang Ran to build some rapport, preparing for the upcoming copyright acquisition of the Calabash Brothers.

But clearly, Zhang Ran had no interest in chatting with him much, only responding perfunctorily.

This made Nakamura Chitian feel somewhat stifled, but he couldn't lose his temper and had to endure it.

Nakamura Senkawa also noticed a thing or two, and after thinking for a moment, he slowly steered the topic toward the Calabash Brothers.

"Taotao, didn't you say you have a gourd from the Calabash Brothers? Could you let me see it?" Nakamura Senkawa asked, feigning curiosity.

Although Zhang Xiaotao didn't like Nakamura Senkawa very much, this gourd had always been his treasure, and he felt a little excited upon hearing this.

"Okay, I'll show it to you. Let me tell you, my gourd is truly a treasure; I don't show it to just anyone." Zhang Xiaotao said this offhandedly, but Nakamura Senkawa took it seriously, truly believing that Zhang Xiaotao considered him a friend.

Nakamura Senkawa was clever and possessed insights into human affairs far beyond his years.

But he had one flaw: he looked down on his peers, and even looked down on some adults, such as his father, though he masked it very well.

Therefore, subconsciously, he didn't think much of Zhang Xiaotao, and naturally, he wouldn't bother to analyze Zhang Xiaotao's expressions and words.

When Zhang Xiaotao displayed his treasure gourd, Nakamura Senkawa was truly captivated.

It was indeed quite marvelous, and he felt tempted once again.

Nakamura Senkawa discovered that this Zhang Xiaotao's home really had quite a few good things: the copyright to the Calabash Brothers, flowers and plants with an extremely pleasant fragrance, and now, a gourd he was very interested in had appeared.

Nakamura Senkawa began to take an interest in Zhang Xiaotao; of course, the main thing was that he wanted to get all these good things into his own hands.

In his view, this shouldn't be a difficult task.

So, slowly, he began to guide the topic deeper. In his plan, as long as the copyright transaction for the Calabash Brothers was completed, he could take advantage of the situation to demand the purchase of this Treasure Gourd.

"Grandpa Zhang, my family owns a manga company and an animation company. I am very interested in the story of the Calabash Brothers. Do you think you could sell this story to me? Thank you!" Nakamura Senkawa said, bowing again, appearing very polite.

But Zhang Ran's reaction once again exceeded Nakamura Senkawa's expectations. In his mind, even if Zhang Ran wasn't excited, he should at least show a look of interest.

After all, having a story written by one's own child noticed by a company and potentially published was an incredibly huge attraction for many people.

Yet Zhang Ran wore a look that was half-smile, half-serious, as if he had seen through his intentions.

Only then did Zhang Ran understand what this guy's true purpose was; it turned out to be for his family's Calabash Brothers copyright.

This guy really had a good eye, and the animation of the Calabash Brothers would indeed attract many children, and even some adults.

Although the story of the Calabash Brothers had been processed by a few children and was no longer the same as the original version, the general outline was still provided by Zhang Ran.

Therefore, some elements still carried quite a bit of adult thinking.

"Sorry, we aren't selling this." Zhang Ran refused directly. What was this guy thinking?

Nakamura Senkawa was stunned, then quickly said, "Grandpa Zhang, I really like this story. I believe the price I offer will not disappoint you."

"And I can guarantee that this story will definitely be made into a manga, and even an animation. By then, Taotao and the others will become famous because of it."

As he spoke, he looked at Zhang Xiaotao, believing that Zhang Xiaotao would surely be tempted by this.

Indeed, just as he thought, Zhang Xiaotao was very tempted. If his own creation could be known by many people, that was the dream of many children.

But clearly, Nakamura Senkawa had misunderstood something again.

Although Zhang Xiaotao was tempted, he knew this wasn't just his; it belonged to him, the Auston brothers, and Susu, so he wouldn't make the decision on his own.

Zhang Ran said with a calm expression, "No need, thank you for your kind intentions, young student."

"Mr. Zhang, why don't you take a look at the contract?" Nakamura Chitian hurriedly handed over a contract, perhaps thinking it was because Zhang Ran didn't know how much money was involved.

Perhaps in Zhang Ran's view, a child like Nakamura Senkawa could only offer a price of a few hundred or at most a few thousand, which was why he had refused so flatly.

Zhang Ran thought for a moment and took the contract; he wanted to see what these two guys were actually up to.

However, after Zhang Ran looked at it, the expression on his face became increasingly inscrutable.

"Heh, you want the creative rights for Erwa, Sanwa, and Six?" Zhang Ran asked with a seemingly cheerful smile.

Nakamura Senkawa hurriedly said, "Yes, I also want to participate in it. I really like this story, and I hope Grandpa Zhang can grant my wish."

"Twenty thousand? That's not a small amount." Zhang Ran looked at the contract again and said.

As soon as these words were spoken, a look of joy appeared in Nakamura Senkawa's eyes, but then he heard Zhang Ran toss the contract aside and say, "But it's not needed. Erwa, Sanwa, and Six will all have their own people to write them; you are not suitable."

Zhang Ran was being tactful; in fact, in Zhang Ran's view, Nakamura Senkawa was simply unworthy.

Nakamura Senkawa was stunned. Zhang Ran had just refused like that?

Nakamura Chitian looked at the young master; he knew the young master had been arrogant since childhood and would find ways to get whatever he wanted.

And he also understood that it was best not to discourage the young master, so he spoke up, "Mr. Zhang, as far as I know, your family seems to have started a game company, right?"

He had learned this from Nakamura Senkawa; after all, since they were just ordinary people, he couldn't be bothered to investigate anything.

Zhang Ran said with a half-smile, "Yes, so what?"

"Our young master's family also has a game company. You must have heard of the Wuhe Group; our Nakamura family is the largest shareholder. If you sell the Calabash Brothers copyright to us, we will consider cooperating with you on the gaming side. This should be a very good thing for you," Nakamura Chitian said.

Zhang Ran's expression turned cold. "So your meaning is that if I don't sell it to you, you're going to suppress our company? Are you preparing to force a purchase?"

Nakamura Chitian hurriedly said, "That is not what we meant; we only want cooperation."

Although he said that, the implied meaning in Nakamura Chitian's tone was exactly that. He believed Zhang Ran could hear it, and would make a wise choice.