[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment":3,"chapter-tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-110":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Tokyo: You Call This Normal Equipment?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1951674,2739,"Chapter 110","tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-110",110,"\u003Cp>She paused, casting out the bait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or... shall I trade you for a stable, high-quality author? That author has been showing great momentum lately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takahashi Jun hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted between Uda Ayaka and Natsume Chikage in the distance for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the mountain of manuscripts piled on his desk, the prospect of another long, fruitless interview, and then the \"high-quality author\" Uda Ayaka had mentioned...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally nodded, his voice so low it was almost inaudible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you say so... then, alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Uda Ayaka smiled happily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Great, it's a deal then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come with me, let's go explain it to Xia Xia Xia Mujun together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Takahashi Jun felt this maneuver was a bit awkward, the thought of Uda Ayaka promising to transfer a \"capable author\" to him—which might slightly improve his performance—lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This month... perhaps he wouldn't have to be at the bottom again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife and daughter at home would probably be a little happier if they knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, a faint glimmer of joy welled up in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two walked back to Natsume Chikage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uda Ayaka wore a sweet and appropriate smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xia Xia Xia Mujun, Editor Takahashi has some urgent matters to attend to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Would it be alright if I take over as your editor from here on?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takahashi Jun stood to the side, chiming in somewhat awkwardly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes... that is the case.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage was silent for a moment, then calmly shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, since I made an appointment with Editor Takahashi, I don't want to change it casually.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Editor Takahashi truly has urgent business, I can wait here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of astonishment crossed Uda Ayaka's face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He... he might be busy for a long time, you know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you... really sure you want to wait?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage nodded, his tone unwavering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Takahashi Jun was visibly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clearly the first time he had been chosen so explicitly and firmly, and for a moment, he was at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, could you tell me roughly how long I might have to wait?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uda Ayaka immediately signaled Takahashi Jun with her eyes, urging him to quickly find a decent excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takahashi Jun already had a weak presence; now, being watched by both Uda Ayaka and Natsume Chikage, he was even more flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, for some reason, Natsume Chikage’s presence was far stronger than Uda Ayaka’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Uda Ayaka was a capable and beautiful editor, she was completely eclipsed by the boy before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps that was why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soft-natured Takahashi Jun instinctively leaned toward Natsume Chikage’s side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scratched his thinning hair and said with a dry laugh:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... I suddenly remembered, that matter doesn't seem... that urgent after all...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And, after all, Xia Xia Xia Mujun, you made the appointment with me first... making you wait the whole time, it just feels... not quite right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uda Ayaka clicked her tongue internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Takahashi Jun, his stance was far too weak!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had clearly agreed just a moment ago, and now he was changing his mind after just a few words from this boy?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a useless man!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, she didn't give up entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She first flashed an impeccable smile at Takahashi Jun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, so it wasn't an urgent matter after all. It seems I was overthinking it; no help needed then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She then turned to Natsume Chikage, her smile becoming even more radiant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still, meeting is fate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, different editors have different perspectives and focuses on works.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you have any questions about your writing in the future, Xia Xia Xia Mujun, feel free to contact me. My schedule is quite flexible, and I would be happy to answer them for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, she handed over a sleekly designed business card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage thought for a moment, did not refuse, and politely accepted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I shall take my leave, goodbye.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ayaka Uda took her leave with a beaming smile, but the moment she turned to walk away, she shot Takahashi Jun a swift, sharp glare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takahashi Jun could only offer a sheepish, apologetic smile, and only after watching her leave did he let out an imperceptible sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then... Xia Xia Xia Mujun, please come with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll be in your care.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two arrived at the meeting room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same as before, with several groups of editors and authors already whispering or reviewing manuscripts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takahashi Jun found an empty seat and gestured for Natsume Chikage to sit opposite him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xia Xia Xia Mujun, what is the genre of the work you've brought this time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Suspense mystery.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, that is very suitable for our publishing house. Our main focus is on suspense mystery. I assume you knew that when you came to submit, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's good. Please let me take a look at the manuscript.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage handed over the thick kraft paper envelope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takahashi Jun took it with both hands, opened the envelope, took out the manuscript, and first glanced at the title printed on the front page, reading it aloud in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Devotion of Suspect X...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt the title was somewhat unique, even a bit strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But upon closer reflection, it seemed to hold a hidden mystery, piquing one's curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just didn't know what the content was like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he thought this, Takahashi Jun was already starting to worry deep down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Submissions from high school students... the level was usually very limited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their life experience and knowledge base were just what they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, many high school students wrote novels on a whim and didn't understand the basic elements and creative rules of suspense mystery novels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the world of mystery novels, the so-called \"Ten Commandments of Mystery\" had been passed down since ancient times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. The culprit must appear early in the story, but the reader must not be allowed to see directly into their mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. Supernatural powers or strange, inexplicable phenomena are forbidden in the story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. There can be at most one secret room or secret passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>4. No fictional poisons or devices requiring complex scientific explanations can be used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>5. No stereotypes of specific races or groups can be used to design tricks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>6. The detective cannot rely on coincidences or unexplained intuition to solve the case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>7. The detective themselves cannot be the culprit.\u003C\u002Fp>",1071,"2026-06-15T07:08:26.586Z","2026-06-15T07:45:38.736Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","d96f17629a4ed6abef4897cef9f7b25ba1d78f08f6a694d51f5077df97a3d26e","tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-111","tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-109",624,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ftokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-cover.jpg"]