Chapter 136

"I might be a bit blunt, but with your intelligence, Teacher Natsume, you can definitely understand the truth."

Natsume Chikage fell into deep thought.

In fact, his initial psychological expectation was 30%.

Although he was full of confidence in *The Devotion of Suspect X*, he also clearly realized that he was ultimately a new author without any market sales records.

Being able to get 30% of the industry's top-tier newcomer contract was already a very ideal result.

Anything higher?

It's not that he hadn't thought about it, but he also knew the hope was slim.

Without past best-selling achievements as hard currency, demanding too high a split is no different from a castle in the air.

It seems 30% is the end.

He was about to open his mouth to agree.

Eeya—

The glass door of the conference room was pushed open again.

"Two section chiefs, the editor-in-chief has arrived."

Apprentice editor Niigaki Shoji stood at the door, and behind him, an old man with gray hair, about fifty or sixty years old, holding a cane, stepped in slowly.

The old man's eyes were bright, his steps steady, and his whole body exuded the majestic aura of someone who had been in a high position for a long time.

As soon as Hiiragi Kyoichiro and Miyagi Kazuu saw this old man, they bounced up from their chairs like springs and bowed respectfully:

"Editor-in-Chief Kitahara, good morning!" The two said in unison.

Kitahara Sosuke didn't respond immediately, just tapped the ground lightly with his cane, his gaze sweeping over the two section chiefs like a hawk, his expression showing obvious displeasure.

Although he didn't say a word, the invisible pressure had already made fine beads of sweat ooze from the foreheads of Hiiragi Kyoichiro and Miyagi Kazuu.

Kitahara Sosuke snorted coldly, and only then turned his gaze to Natsume Chikage at the other end of the conference table.

At the moment of seeing the boy, the editor-in-chief, who had seen countless people, couldn't help but be slightly startled.

The boy's handsome appearance and calm temperament were indeed rare.

"You are Natsume-kun?" Kitahara Sosuke spoke, his voice low and powerful.

"It is me."

"I am the editor-in-chief of Midnight Publishing House, Kitahara Sosuke."

Kitahara Sosuke took the initiative to reach out.

"Hello, Editor-in-Chief Kitahara." Natsume Chikage stood up and shook hands with him unhurriedly.

Kitahara Sosuke let go of his hand, without any pleasantries, and cut directly to the point:

"Niigaki-kun has already reported the matter you were arguing about to me roughly."

He turned to Natsume Chikage, his tone solemn:

"First of all, I express my deep apologies for the unprofessional behavior of our publishing house's editors, which has brought such an unpleasant experience to you, Natsume-kun."

Immediately after, his gaze swept sharply toward the two section chiefs:

"Section Chief Miyagi, Section Chief Hiiragi, what are you still stunned for? Apologize to Natsume-kun immediately!"

The two didn't dare to hesitate at all, immediately turned to Natsume Chikage, and bowed at a standard ninety degrees:

"Teacher Natsume, I'm very sorry!" X2

As old oilers who had been immersed in the workplace for many years, bowing and apologizing was already a common occurrence for them.

Japan's "apology culture" is deeply rooted in the bone marrow, even if the other party is just a high school student, under the pressure of the editor-in-chief and workplace rules, they didn't feel much "shame," but more annoyance at their loss of composure and fear of the editor-in-chief.

Natsume Chikage waved his hand:

"The two don't have to be like this, please get up."

Kitahara Sosuke then nodded slightly to Natsume Chikage:

"Natsume-kun, sorry to trouble you to wait here for a moment. I need to understand the specific situation with these few first."

"Okay, please go ahead." Natsume Chikage nodded.

Kitahara Sosuke tapped his cane on the floor not too lightly or heavily, and said in a deep voice:

"Section Chief Miyagi, Section Chief Hiiragi, and Editor Niigaki, you three, come out with me first."

Not long after, Kitahara Sosuke returned with the three, followed by Takahashi Jun and Uta Ayaka holding the manuscript of *The Devotion of Suspect X*.

Kitahara Sosuke sat down opposite Natsume Chikage and looked at the boy in front of him carefully again, his curiosity even greater.

These two section chiefs under him.

One is shrewd and pragmatic, good at digging into the commercial value of authors.

One has a sharp eye, specializing in the content of the work itself.

Being able to make these two lose their composure and fight to such an extent is enough to show Natsume Chikage's extraordinary value.

What surprised him even more was that this boy could take the initiative in the tug-of-war with two old editors, almost forcing out the highest 30% split within the section chief's authority.

And looking at this posture, Natsume Chikage didn't seem satisfied yet?

Have such strong confidence in his own work?

Interesting.

"Natsume-kun."

Kitahara Sosuke spoke, his tone much softer than just now.

"If your time allows, can you wait for me to personally finish reading this *The Devotion of Suspect X* of yours before we renegotiate the split?"

Natsume Chikage thought for a moment and agreed:

"Of course."

Kitahara Sosuke got a positive reply, looked up at the editors who were still standing cautiously, his expression returning to his usual coldness:

"Editor Uta, take Natsume-kun to the lounge and let him rest quietly for a while."

"As for the others, do what you have to do."

"Before I finish talking to Natsume-kun, no one is allowed to come and disturb him."

The editors didn't dare to say much upon hearing this, and had to exit in order.

It was just that who Natsume Chikage would eventually fall to was still an unknown.

Uta Ayaka was assigned to entertain, just because she had a good image, was female, and was relatively more suitable.

Uta Ayaka put on a sweet professional smile again:

"Natsume-kun, please follow me."

"Okay, thank you for the trouble."

Natsume Chikage stood up and followed.

Three hours later.

Natsume Chikage, who was quietly writing on his phone in the lounge, was invited back to the conference room by Uta Ayaka.

The main members of the two editorial groups were all gathered here, and the atmosphere was subtle and quiet.

Editor-in-Chief Kitahara Sosuke had finished reading *The Devotion of Suspect X*.

When closing the last page of the manuscript, the shock received by this veteran publisher in his heart was hard to calm down for a long time.

This is not just "excellent," this is a work of genius!

Judging by his decades of industry experience, this novel is fully qualified to rank among the top ranks in the history of Japanese mystery novels!

He finally understood completely why these two section chiefs, who were usually steady, were so out of composure.

Where is this "performance"?

This is clearly a heavy bomb sufficient to establish the status of an editorial department for the next few years!

It is a super hit that every editor dreams of and cannot ask for!

Whoever gets it is the future hero!

Coupled with Natsume Chikage's image, age, and talent, it is simply impeccable.

With a little operation, it's easy to make a god!

So he must keep him at Midnight Publishing House!

As soon as Natsume Chikage sat down, Kitahara Sosuke raised his eyes, his gaze full of undisguised appreciation and admiration.

"I have finished reading your *The Devotion of Suspect X*."

"I must say, this is an extremely excellent work, and its high degree of completion is amazing."

"Under normal circumstances, even for the most amazing new author, the highest condition we can offer is a 30% royalty within the section chief's authority."

Changing the subject, Kitahara Sosuke's tone became more solemn: