Chapter 135

Therefore, facing the 25% offered by Hiiragi Kyoichiro, Natsume Chikage just shook his head quietly without saying a word.

Hiiragi Kyoichiro cursed in his heart.

He originally thought the other party was just a high school student who was easy to manipulate.

Now it seems that this calm judgment and the posture of keeping his cool are like an old fox who has been rolling in the shopping mall for many years.

Miyagi Kazuu saw this, glanced at Hiiragi Kyoichiro mockingly, then turned to Natsume Chikage, his tone solemn:

"Our second group is different from the first group."

"We are the ones who have truly read and are deeply conquered by the charm of your work."

"We know better than anyone what an outstanding work *The Devotion of Suspect X* is."

"Therefore, we are willing to give higher sincerity—a 27% royalty split."

"Teacher Natsume, what do you think?"

Hiiragi Kyoichiro didn't take over immediately this time.

He really hadn't read the manuscript and lacked confidence.

More importantly, he realized that if he continued to be led by the nose by Natsume Chikage and fell into endless bidding, it would do no good for either side.

He decided to listen to Natsume Chikage's bottom line first.

However, Natsume Chikage shook his head again.

This time, a clear disappointment appeared on his face.

"I chose Midnight Publishing House with a sincere attitude of cooperation."

His voice was still calm, but carried an invisible pressure.

"Before coming, I had already learned in detail about your publishing house, and even the royalty range given to new authors in the entire industry."

"But now it seems... the two section chiefs still only treat me as a high school student who doesn't know the ways of the world and can be fooled at will."

He sighed lightly and made a gesture of getting up:

"Since that's the case, I don't think we need to talk anymore."

"Please return my manuscript to me as it is, I intend to go to Shinshu-sha to ask about the situation now."

As soon as this was said, the two old bird section chiefs who had been rolling in the publishing industry for many years froze at the same time.

They calculated everything, but didn't calculate that Natsume Chikage didn't bother to play the game of "tugging," but directly and simply flipped the table!

Shinshu-sha!

That is the largest and most comprehensive publishing house in Japan today!

Although it doesn't specialize in suspense mystery, its huge volume, powerful channels, and promotional capabilities are simply not comparable to Midnight Publishing House.

If Natsume Chikage takes *The Devotion of Suspect X* and the story of "Midnight Publishing House offered me a 27% split to fight for me" to Shinshu-sha...

With the quality of his work, plus the topicality brought by his own appearance and age, as long as the editor at Shinshu-sha is not stupid, they can immediately see his huge commercial value.

At that time, Shinshu-sha could completely offer better conditions.

Thinking of this possibility, the two section chiefs were suddenly panicked.

"Wait! Teacher Natsume, don't be in a hurry!"

Miyagi Kazuu hurriedly stood up, almost half-pressing Natsume Chikage's shoulder to make him sit down again.

"Yes, yes, yes, things can be discussed, everything can be discussed!"

Hiiragi Kyoichiro also squeezed out the kindest smile.

"Uta-san, what are you still stunned for? Hurry up and pour tea for Teacher Natsume! Use the best tea leaves!"

"Takahashi-kun, you go too! See what snacks there are, bring them immediately! Teacher Natsume came over early in the morning, he must not have had breakfast yet!"

Uta Ayaka and Takahashi Jun, who were named, looked at each other, both a bit confused.

Since they joined the job, when have they ever seen these two high-and-mighty section chiefs be so diligent to an author—and a high school student at that?

Miyagi Kazuu tried hard to make his tone gentle and earnest:

"Natsume-kun, regarding the specific ratio of the royalty split, I think we still have a lot of room for communication."

"Please don't be in a hurry, sit down, we can talk slowly until we find a plan that both sides are satisfied with."

Hiiragi Kyoichiro immediately nodded in agreement:

"Exactly!"

"If you are not satisfied with the ratio we just proposed, we can completely continue to negotiate."

"Such an important decision, there is really no need to rush for a moment."

He tentatively asked carefully:

"Then... Natsume-kun, what is the ideal split ratio in your mind? Why don't you say a number as a starting point for our discussion."

Upon hearing this, Natsume Chikage sat back in the chair.

He raised his eyes to look at the two section chiefs with different expressions in front of him, a trace of "confusion" belonging to a teenager appeared on his face, and he began to play dumb:

"This... I don't know the market very well, I don't know how much I should ask for."

"However, if I can get a higher one, of course that's the best."

As soon as the two heard this, their expressions suddenly became subtle.

They were now absolutely convinced that the Natsume Chikage in front of them was by no means an ordinary high school student.

Under normal circumstances, when asked about his psychological price, the other party would either give a specific number or make a request based on previous discussions.

But this Natsume Chikage, who clearly pointed out their price suppression a few minutes ago, suddenly "didn't know" now, putting on an innocent, let-others-name-the-price appearance.

This acting, this psychological quality...

Simply a cunning little fox!

The two exchanged a look, both reading trouble and helplessness in each other's eyes.

This boy is really hard to deal with.

For a suspense mystery novel with excellent expected sales, the highest approval authority they held as section chiefs was indeed a 30% royalty split.

The 25% to 27% offered just now was indeed a test, trying to leave more profit space for their own group while ensuring the author was signed.

After all, the lower the split given to the author, the higher the profit left for the publishing house and their group.

However, the premise of all this was being able to sign the author.

If Natsume Chikage really turned around and went to Shinshu-sha, then forget about profit, he wouldn't even be able to get a single hair.

Natsume Chikage keenly captured their subtle changes in expression and decided to take the initiative.

His tone was gentle, but carried a clear logic that could not be questioned:

"Two section chiefs, taking a step back, your publishing house is a publishing house that specializes in the field of suspense mystery after all."

"Compared to other comprehensive publishing houses, in terms of professionalism, reader channels, and industry resources, I am indeed more inclined to publish here."

"So, I sincerely hope that in the next negotiation, the two can show real sincerity."

"If we are honest with each other, the efficiency will be higher."

Hearing this, the last bit of luck in Miyagi Kazuu's heart disappeared.

This Natsume Chikage's maturity far exceeded expectations; from entering the door to now, facing various pressures, temptations, and even chaotic scenes, he remained calm and could even move step by step, mastering the initiative.

This is by no means a temperament that an ordinary family can cultivate.

If not, then there must be an expert pointing him behind the scenes!

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but glare fiercely at Hiiragi Kyoichiro again.

It's all this idiot's fault for interfering, muddying the water, otherwise, how could he be so passive in front of a high school student!

Now, the arrow is on the string.

Given the impeccable, super-high quality of *The Devotion of Suspect X*, he, Miyagi Kazuu, absolutely cannot let it go.

Taking a deep breath, Miyagi Kazuu decided to show his cards.

"Teacher Natsume, since you've put it this way, I'll be honest with you."

"In our publishing house, the highest split ratio for a new book within the authority of an editorial group section chief is 30%."

"Exceeding this ratio, we are really powerless."

Hiiragi Kyoichiro on the side also nodded hurriedly, his tone carrying a bit of "heart-to-heart":

"Yes, Teacher Natsume."

"Anything above 30% is within the editor-in-chief's approval range."

"And those who can get a royalty of more than 30% are usually established authors who already have best-selling representative works and whose market appeal has been verified."