Chapter 131: Debt and Gratitude

It was a fine Saturday.

The sky was azure, and the plants swayed in May's refreshing breeze.

The gate stood open; after saying "Excuse me," Mikami Ai walked straight in.

In the courtyard, Qingshan Li wore gloves and set up stakes for the cucumbers and tomatoes in the vegetable garden.

"Go in and sit." Qingshan Li did not stop working, twisting the hemp rope into an "8"—one loop for the vine, the other for the stake.

"Need pest control?" Mikami Ai asked.

"Of course."

Mikami Ai took out a spray from her bag and sprayed it at Qingshan Li.

"What are you doing?!" Suddenly enveloped in mist, Qingshan Li instinctively dodged, fearing he might trample his beloved vegetable seedlings.

"Don't know if it works on beetles." Mikami Ai muttered, putting away the bottle.

"What is it? Perfume?" Qingshan Li asked her, looking wary, as if he had a wife with a keen sense of smell at home.

"Sunscreen spray."

"." Qingshan Li did not know whether he should thank her.

"No need to thank me." Mikami Ai knew what he was thinking, or perhaps was just teasing, "It wasn't sprayed on you, so it probably has little effect, and I didn't spray it to help you with sunscreen."

"You treat me like an insect?"

"Beetles belong to the class Insecta and are typical insects."

Sick.

"Please come in." Qingshan Li said.

Mikami Ai entered the house, and Qingshan Li continued working; before his sense of smell adapted, a faint fragrance lingered around his nose.

Although treated like an insect, Qingshan Li still received a reminder that he should pay attention to sun protection.

Not because he feared tanning, but because he worried about heatstroke and sunburn.

When city folks pay attention to sun protection, genuine farmers have long learned to work before the sun comes out.

If they need to work in the fields during the day, they wear straw hats and wrap their bodies tightly.

A young lady like Mikami Ai would use a trustworthy sunscreen spray; he'd ask her what brand it was later.

Wait.

What if it's especially expensive?

Or just finish the farm work before sunrise.

By the time he finished his random thoughts, Qingshan Li had already finished the work.

He packed up, walked home, washed his hands, and came to the living room.

Ono Mika and Ono Mizuki looked excited; they seemed to already know the sales figures.

"How many sold?" he asked curiously.

"Guess!" Ono Mizuki's eyes sparkled.

You, yesterday you had the nerve to say Mikami Ai wasn't a good person?

"Two hundred million." Qingshan Li said.

"You—" Because Mikami Ai was present, Ono Mizuki held back.

She pursed her lips, blinking her eyes as she stared at him.

Mikami Ai raised her teacup, bringing it to her lips as she smiled lightly.

"First print 600,000 copies, all sold out, reprint 1 million copies!" Ono Mika said excitedly.

According to their investigation last night, this was enough to top the "First Day Sales Chart."

"600,000 copies, how much pure profit?" Qingshan Li sat down and asked Mikami Ai.

Mikami Ai put down her teacup: "About one hundred million for 100,000 copies."

600,000 is 600 million.

This is just the first day.

And only in Japan, not globally.

The Ono Sisters, who originally didn't care, now felt a bit of regret, thinking they should have stopped Qingshan Li's outright sale.

Qingshan Li suddenly clapped, a calm smile on his face.

"Great." He said.

The reluctance in the Ono Sisters' hearts disappeared, and they smiled knowingly.

Qingshan Li had no regrets; money could be earned again, but no amount of money could buy Ono Mika's band experience over the past half month.

"According to predictions."

Qingshan Li interrupted Mikami Ai, confirming: "Can it make you and Miyase Yaeko profit from this deal?"

Mikami Ai nodded.

"That's enough; you don't need to tell me exactly how much you can earn." Qingshan Li also worried he couldn't help but feel jealous.

Obviously, he gave up an opportunity to achieve wealth freedom through royalties.

"By the way." Mikami Ai said, "This time I came to your home not only to tell you the sales figures and eat, but also there is a matter that needs to be discussed with you."

"What matter?" Qingshan Li asked.

"I have an aunt who is a producer; she has taken a liking to 'Detective A' and plans to adapt it into a TV drama. What do you think?"

"I have one; I hope the female lead is..."

"I won't act in a TV drama." Mikami Ai interrupted him.

"."

Ono Mika picked up her tea, Ono Mizuki picked up her biscuits, and after both put in considerable effort, they successfully suppressed their laughter.

Qingshan Li pressed his tongue against the left side of his mouth.

"Then I have no ideas," he answered after a while.

"Also," Mikami Ai continued, "do you want royalties or a share of the profits?"

Qingshan Li looked at the Ono Sisters: "We sell all the messy copyrights for the TV drama, movie, manga, anime, etc., to her and Miyase Yaeko—how about it?"

"Why?" Ono Mizuki asked, puzzled.

"Is it to repay their kindness?" Ono Mika asked.

"Mm." Qingshan Li nodded.

A drop of water's kindness, repaid with a gushing spring.

If it weren't for Mikami Ai, *Detective A* would have to go through submission, negotiation, and a series of procedures; although it would likely be published smoothly in the end, it might already be the end of the year, or even next year.

And by then, Ono Mika would have already graduated from high school!

No matter how much money there is, one cannot enjoy the leisure, happiness, and troubles of high school clubs.

Moreover, Mikami Ai had helped him clean up after fights several times.

And Miyase Yaeko—the help she provided needs no elaboration—in the eyes of the Ono Sisters, it was only about helping solve the casino debt.

"I support Li's decision." Ono Mika nodded.

"Your book, you decide." Ono Mizuki said.

"Then I'll sell them to you." Qingshan Li looked at Mikami Ai, "All copyrights, half each, let me think... fifty million each."

"US dollars?"

Qingshan Li waved his hand: "Where would I need that much! Japanese yen is fine."

Mikami Ai gazed at him.

"Too much money will hinder us from becoming excellent; my goal is first place, which is you." Qingshan Li smiled.

Ono Mika felt very relieved.

Ono Mizuki made a silent 'Tsk~' sound, sounding contemptuous, and actually looking down on him, but this contempt and looking down was something she only allowed herself to do.

"I understand." Mikami Ai smiled faintly.

Did she really understand?

Don't misunderstand.

Qingshan Li could only pray in his heart, just as Ono Mizuki acted cute in front of people, he also wanted to maintain his pure image in the hearts of the two sisters.

Some overly ambiguous and revealing topics cannot be said in front of the Ono Sisters.

"I'll call Miyase Yaeko to ask if she's free today; if she is, we can eat together and get things done." Qingshan Li took out his mobile phone.

Miyase Yaeko was free.

Qingshan Li went to the kitchen to prepare lunch: four Japanese dishes, two Chinese dishes, and one Italian dessert.

Originally planning to eat while chatting, but while busy eating, the time spent chatting was also about eating.

"How are you so skilled at cooking?" Miyase Yaeko asked, puzzled.

"You think how many places I've worked at and how many part-time jobs I've done?" Qingshan Li answered.

Through part-time jobs, he indeed learned how to make omurice and takoyaki.

After the meal, everyone drank tea while enjoying apple cinnamon walnut pie.

"Today's cooking was delicious. Thank you for the hospitality." Mikami Ai said.

"Compared to obtaining the copyright of *Detective A*, this meal surprised me more." Miyase Yaeko also said.

Her long hair was tied behind her head, very much possessing Japanese classical beauty.

"When the next book's celebration party comes, I'll invite you to visit again." Qingshan Li promised.

The Ono Sisters were very satisfied with his promise.

The contract was drafted on the spot.

Before Qingshan Li stamped it, Miyase Yaeko confirmed again: "Really only fifty million yen? *White Night Walk*, movie copyright, and it's only a one-time authorization; the asking price is over one hundred million yen, even if you ask for two hundred million, I'm willing."

What Qingshan Li handed over was all copyrights.

Domestic Japanese, overseas, stage plays, games, etc.

Qingshan Li signed.

One hundred million yen was added to his account.

Very good!

Now with two hundred million, then—

"Mihana, as a celebration, let's add ten thousand yen to everyone's pocket money this month." He said.

"Agreed, agreed!" Ono Mizuki also voted.

Pity, the Aoshan Ono Family had never been minority submits to majority, at least when Qingshan Li was the majority, not necessarily.

Basically, whoever had the strongest will, they listened to.

"No." Ono Mika's will was very firm, "Spending money wastes time; that way, there would be less time for studying!"

Qingshan Li was desperate.

Mikami Ai smiled; she finally knew how great a wealth nine thousand yen was for Qingshan Li.

After the two left, she sent Qingshan Li a message.

【Mikami Ai: Clearly have money but don't pay it back, I'm canceling your preferential treatment; starting this month, I'll charge you one-tenth interest every month】

【Mikami Ai: Now you owe me nine thousand nine hundred yen】

【Qingshan Li:?】

【Qingshan Li: I only get five thousand yen in pocket money this month!】

【Mikami Ai: But this month you haven't paid me back a single yen】

【Mikami Ai: I'll give you an opportunity—pay me back three thousand yen now, and I'll waive this month's interest】

Three thousand yen—where would Qingshan Li get that?

【Qingshan Li: Can I pay nine hundred yen?】

【Mikami Ai: Then you still owe me nine thousand yen】

Mikami Ai didn't care about the money; she just wanted Qingshan Li to keep owing her money.

And Miyase Yaeko had her own methods.

Copyrights worth hundreds of millions, even billions of yen, sold to her for fifty million yen—she'd definitely owe a favor afterward, after all, everyone knew she always repaid kindness with kindness.

Chapter End