Chapter 1342: It's meant to make people cry; that's what love is!!!

In the night-time Yamasakura Garden, Akina was lying half-reclined on the sofa, looking a bit helpless, with her husband on one side and her daughter on the other.

Because Akina said she felt fetal movement, Naoki Nagayama was gently stroking her increasingly prominent belly with his hand, saying to little Xia Hua on the other side:

"Hua-chan, you were in Mommy's belly like this before... now your little brother is inside too. Can you feel your little brother moving?!"

The little one had a serious look in her eyes, stretched out her small hand to feel it, but only felt her mother's smooth skin. She pressed her ear against Akina's belly wanting to hear clearly, but couldn't feel anything either...

"No..."

"That's because your little brother doesn't have enough strength yet... In a while, you'll be able to feel him kicking you!"

"......"

Akina was speechless and pinched Naoki Nagayama's arm hard.

"Naoki-san, what nonsense are you talking about!"

"How am I talking nonsense!" Naoki Nagayama argued with justification. "Didn't you kick me when Hua-chan was in your belly before?!"

"???"

Little Xia Hua looked shocked. When did I kick Daddy?!

Old man, new account, don't mess around!

Naoki Nagayama looked at his daughter and said:

"Hua-chan, you don't remember... but it doesn't matter, Daddy remembers it all. We agreed that after you were born, I'd spank your butt to get even!"

"!!!"

The little one immediately covered her backside. She had already learned what spanking meant when she was being disciplined!

"Can't spank!!"

"Hehe... that won't do. You kicked my face back then, it hurt a lot!"

"I didn't!"

"You did!"

"Didn't!"

"Did!"

"......"

Watching this father and daughter bickering with each other as if they were using each other as a city wall, Akina only felt it was a bit absurd... How did her steady Naoki-san turn into such a childish big boy!

When Naoki Nagayama made a move to reach for little Xia Hua, and the little one was about to cry, Akina decisively intervened:

"Alright! Naoki-san... how can you think of spanking Hua-chan!! Are you still a good daddy or not?!"

"........"

Naoki Nagayama was stunned and blurted out,

"Akina, didn't you say back then that you'd wait for Hua-chan to come out and give her a good beating?!"

"!!!" (ΩДΩ)

Hearing this, little Xia Hua's heart collapsed!!!

She was finally made to cry by this couple... Then Naoki Nagayama was dragged by Akina to apologize to her, and also made a promise never to spank her butt again, along with a series of unequal conditions like eating cake tomorrow...

After much effort to coax her, the little one started playing with her toys again~

And under Akina's fierce glare, Naoki Nagayama awkwardly changed the subject:

"By the way, Akina... I told Kijima-kun that after *Full House* starts preparation, the female lead will be Yukiko Okada..."

"Kijima-kun?"

"He's the director with the gold Rolex, in charge of filming *Full House*!"

"Ah... Yes!" Akina smiled. "Arigato..."

"It's nothing, mainly because Yukiko-chan's own image is very suitable..."

Naoki Nagayama leaned back on the soft sofa, talking about the new Monday 9 PM drama to be filmed.

And just at this moment, the phone nearby suddenly rang, making little Xia Hua excitedly rush to the side of the phone... She was very curious about this phone that could hear other people talking, and every time the phone rang, she wanted to answer it herself.

"Moshi moshi..."

Holding the little one in his arms, Naoki Nagayama answered the phone.

"This is Yamasakura Garden..."

"Naoki-san!"

A familiar voice came from the receiver.

"It's me, Kuniharu Morikawa!"

"Ah... Morikawa-san... long time no see..."

Hearing it was an old friend, Naoki Nagayama's tone became relaxed.

"Is everything alright lately?"

"Thanks to you, everything is fine... What has Naoki-san been busy with lately?"

"I've just been busy with the editing work for the new film..."

After a few pleasantries, Kuniharu Morikawa didn't mean to delay at all and stated his purpose directly.

"Calling so late today, I wanted to confirm with Naoki-san... the publication time for *I'm Sorry, I Love You*..."

"It's a new year again... It's time for Naoki-san's new novel to meet everyone!"

The manuscript for the novel *I'm Sorry, I Love You* had long been proofread by Kuniharu Morikawa, but because of Naoki Nagayama's request, the publication and sales time had been dragged until this year...

Now all the preliminary processes were ready, and just waiting for Naoki Nagayama to speak, the printing machines could be started directly!

"Ah, this novel!"

Naoki Nagayama had almost forgotten that he still had a novel.

"Alright, it can be sold!"

Hearing the desired answer, Kuniharu Morikawa was immediately excited:

"Hahaha, that's great... Naoki-san, I'll prepare the contract tomorrow... and send it directly to the Tree Friends building!"

He knew Naoki Nagayama was busy with editing, not at home during the day, and it wasn't convenient to come over at night, so he planned to send it directly to the Tree Friends building!

"This... this is too much trouble... Morikawa-san can just mail it over..."

"That won't do!" Kuniharu Morikawa shook his head repeatedly. "Delivering it to Naoki-san's hands personally, this is Shogakukan's sincerity!"

"Naoki-san doesn't need to worry... I'll send it to Tree Friends tomorrow morning!"

"This... alright then!"

Naoki Nagayama nodded.

"Then see you tomorrow!"

"Yes..."

After hanging up the phone, Naoki Nagayama handed the receiver to little Xia Hua, who had been reaching for it, letting her listen to it for fun.

And Akina, who was on the side, asked curiously:

"Naoki-san's novel is going to be published? Is it that *I'm Sorry, I Love You*?"

"Yeah... it's already been held back for a year, Morikawa-san's side probably couldn't wait anymore!"

"Tsk tsk tsk..."

"What's wrong?"

Hearing his wife's tsking sound, Naoki Nagayama was a bit surprised.

"Does Akina think there's a problem?"

"No..." Akina shook her head. "But I'm very worried about how many girls will break down and cry after reading this novel..."

Back then, both Akina and Momoe Yamaguchi had read this novel and cried until their eyes were red, which was even reported by the media!

Naoki Nagayama secretly laughed... Melodramas, he still had many, many more here...

When the time comes, cancer, leukemia, getting hit by a car, amnesia, betrayal... all kinds of melodramatic elements will be used, letting Japanese readers thoroughly understand the pain of unrequited love!

The night passed without incident~

The next day.

When Kuniharu Morikawa left home, he changed into a freshly washed suit and then hurried to Shogakukan.

"Quick... Furuya."

He called his assistant, Yuya Furuya.

"Go quickly and make Naoki-san's publishing contract! Then stamp our seal on it... we'll send it to Tree Friends together later!"

Yuya Furuya's eyes lit up after hearing this:

"Oh? Naoki-san agreed to publish it?!"

"Yeah... he agreed!"

When saying this, Kuniharu Morikawa only felt his mood was refreshed... Heaven knows what a test it was to have an excellent manuscript in his hands but not be able to share it with others, not be able to discuss the plot with anyone...

"Truly worthy of being Morikawa-san!" Yuya Furuya also laughed. "You actually persuaded Naoki-san all at once!"

"What are you talking about? I didn't persuade him, it's just that the time reached Naoki-san's deadline..."

Publishing one novel a year was a rule set by Naoki Nagayama. Since the time had been reached, and everyone was an old friend, there was nothing to drag out.

"Alright, I'll go make the contract right away!"

"Hmm... I'll talk to Editor-in-Chief Matsui, and then contact the printing plant to start work!"

Kuniharu Morikawa was full of vitality, feeling full of energy.

"We must push *I'm Sorry, I Love You* out before Valentine's Day in February!"

"Ah? This... this novel will make people cry, right?!"

Yuya Furuya was a bit surprised.

"Releasing it during Valentine's Day... will it make couples..."

"This is love!!!" Kuniharu Morikawa's eyes were sharp. "What makes people cry is love!!"

"......."

Yuya Furuya felt something was wrong, but looking at his excited senior, he couldn't think of how to refute it for a moment.

He even felt a bit eager to try... When he read the manuscript of this novel, he couldn't help but shed tears, and those couples should also taste the bitterness of love!

In the end, he could only run out to perfect the contract... Naoki Nagayama's contract was already the top-tier contract customized by Shogakukan, almost no changes were needed...

And after Kuniharu Morikawa reported it to the Editor-in-Chief, the process of stamping and so on went smoothly.

Soon, the two of them carried their briefcases and took a taxi to the Tree Friends building in Ikebukuro!

"This is Tree Friends!"

Standing in front of this 7-story office building, Kuniharu Morikawa looked left and right at the lanes on both sides, always feeling a sense of being watched.

"Yeah..."

The younger Yuya Furuya clearly knew more about Ikebukuro.

"I heard that like major TV stations and large agencies, there are always paparazzi lurking around Tree Friends... just wanting to take photos of artists like Shizuka Kudo... perhaps even Naoki-san..."

"Is that so?!"

"Of course... Tree Friends can now be considered a top-tier agency in the entertainment industry, and the famous artists it possesses are among the best in the industry!"

Yuya Furuya said while entering the main entrance of the office building with Kuniharu Morikawa.

"Welcome to Tree Friends Group!"

Xing Jiahua, standing at the front desk, bowed slightly.

"I am the receptionist Xing Jiahua, may I ask who you two are?"

"We are Kuniharu Morikawa and Yuya Furuya from Shogakukan."

Kuniharu Morikawa said.

"We came here to sign a publishing contract with Naoki Nagayama-sensei... it's already been agreed upon!"

"So it's Shogakukan!"

Xing Jiahua smiled even more enthusiastically.

"Naoki-san already notified us when he came this morning... please follow me..."

Saying this, she led the two to the top-floor office. This was also what Naoki Nagayama had said...

"Please wait a moment, you two."

In the office, Xing Jiahua brewed hot tea for the two.

"I'll go notify Naoki-san right away..."

"Arigato..."

After Xing Jiahua's figure left, Yuya Furuya looked at this luxurious office with some emotion... Although he was a second-generation rich kid, even his family's wealth didn't have such a luxurious office space.

"Tree Friends Group is really rich!"

Only now did he react a bit; it turned out that Naoki Nagayama was already the top-tier rich person in Japan, and the money from publishing might really not be on his mind!

Did he write novels entirely to realize his own writer's dream? Or was it a hobby!

"Yeah... didn't Naoki-san make a huge profit in the stock market before!"

Kuniharu Morikawa had also followed the trend and speculated in stocks. Because of Naoki Nagayama, he put his money into Tree Friends Capital and ended up making a huge profit...

"I'm even thinking about whether to persuade Naoki-san to write a book on stock speculation... that would definitely sell well too!"

"......."

Yuya Furuya was speechless, but this really had a high possibility!

Just when the two were feeling emotional, Naoki Nagayama returned to the office:

"Morikawa-san, Furuya-kun... you've arrived!"

"Naoki-san!" X2

Both stood up to shake hands.

"Was the trip smooth?"

"Yes, very smooth..."

"....."

The beginning was naturally another round of pleasantries. Naoki Nagayama also talked about his work in the editing room downstairs...

"It's all computer software, my head is spinning... In this day and age, wanting to make a good film is really too troublesome!"

"Hahaha, Naoki-san is a capable person doing more work..."

Yuya Furuya said with a smile.

"Judging from previous reports, *Jurassic Park* will definitely be an eye-opener once it's produced!"

"I hope so..."

Naoki Nagayama nodded.

"It's going to be released soon! I'll send you some tickets then! You must come and see it!"

"How could I be so embarrassed..."

"Hahaha..."

In such a relaxed chat, Kuniharu Morikawa took out the contract and handed it to Naoki Nagayama:

"Naoki-san, this is the publishing contract... except for some names, the conditions are the same as the previous one!"

"Ah, good!"

Naoki Nagayama took the contract and looked at the important terms, such as the split and copyright; he didn't look closely at the others.

He took his personal seal directly from the office drawer, signed, and stamped...

Having cooperated with Shogakukan so many times, he believed the other party wouldn't deceive him... and besides, Tree Friends' legal department was not a joke!

"Alright!"

Seeing that Shogakukan had already stamped it, Naoki Nagayama kept his copy.

"Then the subsequent printing and sales will be left to Morikawa-san!"

"Yes, this is my duty!"

Kuniharu Morikawa's face also wore a smile.

"Naoki-san, we plan to release it during Valentine's Day, taking advantage of this special period to let all lovers see this romance novel!!!"

"......."

Releasing a sad story on Valentine's Day?

This... I like it!

Naoki Nagayama actually felt this idea was very good for a moment... At the moment this thought arose, he even felt a bit ashamed...

It turned out he was such a dark-bellied person!

"Ahem ahem... since Morikawa-san thinks it's okay, then let it be!"

"Yes! Then we'll go back and speed up the printing!"

"Hmm hmm..."

Naoki Nagayama nodded.

"By the way... after it's released, please help me handle the fan mail!"

He was afraid someone would send razor blades...

"I might be busy with the production of the new film then, no energy to handle it!"

"Yes!"

Kuniharu Morikawa nodded again.

"I will definitely handle it well!"

"Yeah!"

In such a friendly and harmonious atmosphere, Naoki Nagayama chatted with the two for a while longer, then took them to visit the Tree Friends building, and only sent them off at the very end.

Xing Jiahua at the front desk saw this and asked curiously:

"Who were those two people? Naoki-san actually sent them to the door?!"

"They... are people from Shogakukan, here to communicate with Naoki-san about publishing."

"Ah! Does Naoki-san have a new book again?"

"It seems to be that novel that made Akina and Momoe Yamaguchi cry..."

"That's really something to look forward to!!"

Xing Jiahua was immediately full of longing.

"I'm going to buy it to read as soon as it's published!"

"Hahaha, it must be very moving!!" ===== CHAPTER 1343 =====