Chapter 56: What Each of the Three Cares About

Mikami Ai took out a thermos, then took two cups from the tea tray that had already become part of the club.

After pouring hot tea into both cups, she used the cup that came with her own thermos.

"You still keep this habit?" Miyase Yaeko picked up the cup closer to Qingshan Li.

Qingshan Li said: "That is"

"It's tea her mother brews for her by hand every day, supposedly drinking it during puberty has special effects that can keep one's appearance youthful for a long time. Since she herself didn't want to drink it, I drank it with her for three years."

"I mean, that cup is mine."

"It doesn't matter."

It was too late to matter anyway; Miyase Yaeko had already drunk it.

She said: "As for cups you've used, as long as they've been washed, I won't have the worry that 'I might get sick myself.'"

Qingshan Li had already felt uncomfortable about someone using his own cup, and now he felt even more uncomfortable.

"You're worried I'll harm you, so you deliberately took a cup far from your own?" Mikami Ai said with a smile while taking a sip.

Putting down her cup, she continued: "Alright, the agenda meeting officially begins. First, the publisher's name."

"There are benefits to having three people; we can vote to decide." Qingshan Li said, "I vote for 'Interesting'."

"I propose that Qingshan only be responsible for writing books and sharing royalties, and have no decision-making power over other matters." Miyase Yaeko said.

"I agree." Mikami Ai laughed and raised her hand.

"Hey, is that for real?" Qingshan Li gave a wry smile.

Of course it was a joke.

After careful discussion, the three finally decided the publisher's name would be 'AAA'.

The three 'A's came from Mikami Ai's 'Ai', Miyase Yaeko's 'Yaeko', and Qingshan Li's 'Aoyama' respectively.

There was also the wish for an A-grade publisher, to only write A books, and to become an A person.

"I still think 'Interesting' is more interesting." Qingshan Li said, "Making the world more interesting—isn't that a better meaning?"

"Next agenda item." Mikami Ai sipped her tea, the effect similar to a judge striking a gavel.

Miyase Yaeko crossed her legs, leaning back in her chair, holding the agenda list in her left hand and resting her chin on her right hand, she read the text on the list in a low voice: "Directly release the library edition."

"I've collected Japanese mystery novels that have sold over a million copies, studying their binding designs." Mikami Ai said.

For a novel to be a bestseller, the most important thing is that the content moves readers, though binding design is also very important.

Many—no, quite a lot of readers, especially female readers, will choose to buy a book because its cover and binding look good.

Males tend to favor the book title, book title?

"Um, let me interject," Qingshan Li spoke without much confidence, "I haven't thought of a book title yet."

Mikami Ai said indifferently: "It's not too late to decide the book title after the novel is completed."

"I've already finished it, in my head."

"How is it?" One could tell Mikami Ai cared a bit.

Because she wouldn't interfere with the content, including the book title, she would leave it to Qingshan Li to decide himself.

Thinking about it this way, was her hesitation and caring a bit rude?

She completely didn't trust Qingshan Li's naming ability.

"No ques—" suddenly pausing, Qingshan Li changed his phrasing, "I·think·there's no problem."

"After all, it's a novel based on me as the prototype." Mikami Ai nodded in agreement.

One didn't know which point she agreed with.

"A second novel based on me as the prototype?" Miyase Yaeko looked at Qingshan Li.

"Hard to say, inspiration decides."

It depended on which book's material degree was completed first.

"Look at me," Miyase Yaeko pointed at her own face, "face, lips, chest, waist, legs."

Under her school skirt, she wore black stockings, the extremely high-end kind, whose texture looked definitely good at a glance.

【Love Daily Life - Mikami Ai, Miyase Yaeko: 80%】

"Inspiration came!" Qingshan Li clenched his fist.

Miyase Yaeko laughed: "You can look at me however you want from now on, peeping is fine too."

Material collection was the best.

"If you keep going off-topic like this, Classmate Aoyama, when will you ever get your first royalty?" Mikami Ai asked.

"Regarding binding, I have two ideas: one, simple colors but not plain, representing the colors of the male and female leads, and the composition of their relationship;"

"two, we can spend a bit more money to have a famous writer write a recommendation blurb; things not suitable for the cover can be put on the book band."

"Also," Qingshan Li added, "I've already thought of the name just now, 'God's Masterpiece 1: Detective A'. Japanese people like humility, such an arrogant name will surely draw criticism, and there will definitely be some who like this book; the louder both sides argue, the more people will know about this book."

"Men, only money and women in their eyes." Miyase Yaeko lifted her teacup and took a light sip, laughing softly.

Mikami Ai's lips also curved up slightly.

"The novel's perspective alternates between the male and female leads; in terms of content, we must also reflect this point."

The novel was progressing very smoothly.

As lunch break was about to end, Qingshan Li asked: "At the earliest, how long until I can get my first royalty?"

"After publication, probably three to six months. You're different from ordinary authors, so it might be faster by one month, about two months." Mikami Ai answered.

Still have to eat overnight curry for two more months?

This is calculated starting from after the book is published.

"I can expedite publication; even so, it still takes one to two months." Miyase Yaeko said.

That is four to eight months?

"Need money urgently?" Mikami Ai sized up Qingshan Li's expression. "I don't have any spare money either, to invest in setting up a publisher."

Judging by her posture, she probably suspected Qingshan Li owed money, or had some major matter like needing medical treatment.

"I want to buy a house near the school," Qingshan Li explained. "I don't like apartments; I want a detached house with a yard, a yard big enough to plant something;"

"Three people living there, with a closet and a parking space;"

"Similar to Minano Shinnosuke's home, but just a little bit better than his."

"In Minato Ward, houses like that are basically all over four hundred million yen," Miyase Yaeko estimated.

"Four hundred million," Mikami Ai fell into thought.

"Can you come up with it? The publisher thing can wait," Qingshan Li said, leaning his upper body slightly closer over the desktop.

Mikami Ai asked: "Are you renting? Is the rent about to expire?"

"No, I just simply want to live somewhere better."

【Love Daily Life - Mikami Ai, Miyase Yaeko: 81%】

Mikami Ai hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping.

At this moment, she regarded Qingshan Li as a hedonist—borrowing ten thousand yen, now rushing to buy a house; if not for relying on a bit of innate writing talent, he would be completely a scoundrel.

She fell silent for a moment.

"Suit yourself, I have no money to give you," she said.

"Sorry, even though the royalties split is already high, I'm still pushing my luck," Qingshan Li said.

No matter what, he wanted to get the money as soon as possible.

"If it really doesn't work," Qingshan Li said after careful thought, speaking slowly, "my share can be bought out."

"Bought out?" Mikami Ai looked at him.

"I'll offer five hundred million," Miyase Yaeko said.

Qingshan Li and Mikami Ai made eye contact: "Do you want to buy? I'll sell to you first."

"Is there something wrong with your head?" Mikami Ai suddenly spoke rudely.

She was a bit puzzled, even a bit angry, continuing: "Can't wait four months?"

"Yes," Qingshan Li said without hesitation.

Just need to wait four months; at the level of Detective A, Qingshan Li will have a steady stream of income.

The Japanese market, the overseas market—just relying on one book, achieving wealth freedom is very possible.

But to him, money doesn't matter at all.

If the Ono Sisters found out about this—of course they wouldn't let them know, they would also scold him; after all, they don't know that Qingshan Li can write as many A Books as he wants to write.

Four months is too long!

By October in the second half of the year, after the Cultural Festival, the absolute majority of senior year students will retire from clubs and start serious exam preparation.

This semester is already the last time Ono Mika enjoys school life!

Waiting another four months, even if he could earn another billion, he would choose to give it up.

"I'll give you a house you want, one of my own properties, worth... definitely over six hundred million, specifics unclear," Miyase Yaeko quoted again.

A house...

If possible, Qingshan Li wanted money more.

But even with money, buying it himself, he might not be able to get such a house.

"Really don't want it?" Qingshan Li asked Mikami Ai.

"No need," Mikami Ai couldn't be bothered to look at him, lifting her teacup to drink.

"Add some cash, and my share goes to you," Qingshan Li said to Miyase Yaeko.

"How much?" Miyase Yaeko didn't quote a price, instead smiling and asking.

Despicable.

How much would be good, Qingshan Li fell into conflict.

He raised one finger.

"One million?" Miyase Yaeko asked.

"One... hundred million?" He had wanted to say 'ten million,' but the words on his lips, Qingshan Li uncontrollably changed what he said.

"You can move in this week, but only after I get all the novels and confirm the quality will I formally transfer ownership to you."

"What about the money?"

Thank you Cross-Dream Dimension, Everything Like Flame, 17 That Year, Li Mi for the donations!

Thank you everyone for reading, donations, and voting!

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(Chapter End)