Chapter 111

8. All key clues must be disclosed to the reader.

9. The detective's assistant should have an intelligence level slightly below the average reader.

10. Introducing twins or body doubles in the ending is prohibited unless there has been prior foreshadowing.

Although there are successful works in modern society that do not follow these commandments, they are, after all, few and far between.

Moreover, such works are rarely recognized by the traditional mystery circle as "orthodox mystery."

Takahashi Jun himself is a veteran mystery fan.

Even after becoming an editor, deep down, he still believes that only by following these basic rules can a mystery novel be considered qualified.

Yet most high school student submitters don't even know these "Ten Commandments" exist.

Therefore, every time he sees a submission from a high school student, he gets a headache.

He only hopes... that this Xia Xia Xia Mujun before him might be different.

Carrying this unease and a faint glimmer of expectation, Takahashi Jun opened the first page of the manuscript.

Immediately, his gaze was firmly captivated.

He flipped through page after page, his speed unconsciously increasing, his eyes becoming more focused, even faintly revealing a look of excitement.

However, he had only read a small portion of the beginning.

A harsh ringtone from his mobile phone rudely interrupted his thoughts.

Takahashi Jun, who was usually weak-willed and always submissive, was so engrossed that he uncharacteristically showed a trace of displeasure after being interrupted.

But when he saw the caller ID was "Team Leader Miyagi," that displeasure was instantly replaced by panic.

He quickly gave Xia Xia Xia Mujun an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry, please wait a moment, I need to take this call."

"Please, go ahead."

Takahashi Jun walked quickly to a corner of the meeting room and answered the phone in a low voice.

As he listened, his expression became complex—his superior was informing him of an urgent field assignment that required him to leave immediately.

He looked back at the thick manuscript on the table and estimated the time.

With so much content, he couldn't possibly finish it in three or four hours.

Yet, having only read the beginning, he was already very certain—this novel by Xia Xia Xia Mujun was absolutely extraordinary!

Even with his reading interrupted, he was filled with an intense desire to know the subsequent plot.

If not for this sudden field assignment, he would definitely have sat there and finished it in one go!

At this moment, he was incredibly glad he hadn't actually "given up" Xia Xia Xia Mujun to Ayaka Uda earlier.

Otherwise, he would have missed out on such an author with amazing potential.

Thinking of this, he took a deep breath and made a decision.

"Xia Xia Xia Mujun, please wait another minute for me."

After saying this, he almost jogged back to his workstation, grabbed his old, corner-worn briefcase that he had used for years, and quickly returned, intending to put "The Devotion of Suspect X" inside so he could take it home to read.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun's gaze inadvertently fell on that briefcase.

The next moment, he was slightly taken aback.

[Wimpy Briefcase]

[Quality: White]

[Effect: After equipping, Wimpy Aura +100%!]

[Description: Endure for a moment and the wind will be calm; take a step back and the sky will be vast!]

Xia Xia Xia Mujun had a strange expression; it was his first time seeing equipment that increased "Wimpy Aura"...

This looked like a negative effect no matter how you saw it.

But it wasn't a big problem.

Anyway, his goal was to collect special equipment to gain attribute points.

As long as he didn't actively equip it, the negative effect wouldn't affect him.

As for how to obtain this piece of equipment... he instantly had an idea.

After the novel was published and he earned royalties, he would find a suitable excuse to give the editor a new briefcase as a thank-you gift, and then swap them.

Takahashi Jun solemnly handed his business card to Xia Xia Xia Mujun with both hands.

"Xia Xia Xia Mujun, your novel has already shown a very high standard just from the beginning, so I imagine the ending won't be any worse. Based on this alone, I can already approve your manuscript!"

"However, your manuscript is quite long, and it will take quite some time to review it carefully."

"Plus, I have an urgent mission now and must go on a business trip immediately..."

His tone became exceptionally serious, even carrying a firmness that didn't match his usual cowardly image.

"I guarantee you, after I return from my business trip, I will stay up all night to finish reading your masterpiece!"

"After that, I will contact you immediately to discuss the subsequent publication matters!"

"Your contact information should be in the appointment system. This is my business card; it has my direct phone number and email. When I contact you then, please be sure to pay attention!"

Xia Xia Xia Mujun took the business card and nodded.

"Okay, I understand."

He knew that although his novel wasn't super long, it was still nearly 150,000 characters.

Mystery novels require careful reading, and it was indeed difficult to finish in a short time.

Since the editor had already given a positive intention to approve the manuscript, there was no need for him to keep waiting here; he could just wait for further contact.

Takahashi Jun seemed very excited.

"Then it's settled! I'll see you down now."

Xia Xia Xia Mujun did not refuse and followed Takahashi Jun toward the elevator.

Behind them, the more senior editor, Tian Tian Zhiren, heard the whole scene.

He gave a cold, disdainful snort.

Who in the editorial department didn't know that Takahashi Jun had poor judgment and the worst performance?

Otherwise, he wouldn't still be an ordinary editor after so many years.

Takahashi Jun had said "can approve the manuscript" to many authors before.

And the result?

Wasn't it often rejected by the team leader?

As for that Xia Xia Xia Mujun, he looked good, but he was just a high school student.

At the publishing house, high school student submissions were recognized as one of the groups with the lowest approval rates.

Tian Tian Zhiren could almost foresee the scene tomorrow: Team Leader Miyagi would reject this manuscript, and Takahashi Jun would once again become a laughingstock among his colleagues.

Thinking of this, his mood became a bit more pleasant.