[{"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-136":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},1951700,2739,"Chapter 136","tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-136",136,"\u003Cp>\"I might be a bit blunt, but with your intelligence, Teacher Natsume, you can definitely understand the truth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage fell into deep thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, his initial psychological expectation was 30%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being able to get 30% of the industry's top-tier newcomer contract was already a very ideal result.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anything higher?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's not that he hadn't thought about it, but he also knew the hope was slim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without past best-selling achievements as hard currency, demanding too high a split is no different from a castle in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems 30% is the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to open his mouth to agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eeya—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The glass door of the conference room was pushed open again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two section chiefs, the editor-in-chief has arrived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Hiiragi Kyoichiro and Miyagi Kazuu saw this old man, they bounced up from their chairs like springs and bowed respectfully:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Editor-in-Chief Kitahara, good morning!\" The two said in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kitahara Sosuke snorted coldly, and only then turned his gaze to Natsume Chikage at the other end of the conference table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the moment of seeing the boy, the editor-in-chief, who had seen countless people, couldn't help but be slightly startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy's handsome appearance and calm temperament were indeed rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are Natsume-kun?\" Kitahara Sosuke spoke, his voice low and powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am the editor-in-chief of Midnight Publishing House, Kitahara Sosuke.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kitahara Sosuke took the initiative to reach out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, Editor-in-Chief Kitahara.\" Natsume Chikage stood up and shook hands with him unhurriedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kitahara Sosuke let go of his hand, without any pleasantries, and cut directly to the point:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Niigaki-kun has already reported the matter you were arguing about to me roughly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Natsume Chikage, his tone solemn:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately after, his gaze swept sharply toward the two section chiefs:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Section Chief Miyagi, Section Chief Hiiragi, what are you still stunned for? Apologize to Natsume-kun immediately!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two didn't dare to hesitate at all, immediately turned to Natsume Chikage, and bowed at a standard ninety degrees:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher Natsume, I'm very sorry!\" X2\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As old oilers who had been immersed in the workplace for many years, bowing and apologizing was already a common occurrence for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage waved his hand:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The two don't have to be like this, please get up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kitahara Sosuke then nodded slightly to Natsume Chikage:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Natsume-kun, sorry to trouble you to wait here for a moment. I need to understand the specific situation with these few first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay, please go ahead.\" Natsume Chikage nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kitahara Sosuke tapped his cane on the floor not too lightly or heavily, and said in a deep voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Section Chief Miyagi, Section Chief Hiiragi, and Editor Niigaki, you three, come out with me first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kitahara Sosuke sat down opposite Natsume Chikage and looked at the boy in front of him carefully again, his curiosity even greater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two section chiefs under him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One is shrewd and pragmatic, good at digging into the commercial value of authors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One has a sharp eye, specializing in the content of the work itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being able to make these two lose their composure and fight to such an extent is enough to show Natsume Chikage's extraordinary value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And looking at this posture, Natsume Chikage didn't seem satisfied yet?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Have such strong confidence in his own work?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Natsume-kun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kitahara Sosuke spoke, his tone much softer than just now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage thought for a moment and agreed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kitahara Sosuke got a positive reply, looked up at the editors who were still standing cautiously, his expression returning to his usual coldness:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Editor Uta, take Natsume-kun to the lounge and let him rest quietly for a while.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for the others, do what you have to do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before I finish talking to Natsume-kun, no one is allowed to come and disturb him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The editors didn't dare to say much upon hearing this, and had to exit in order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that who Natsume Chikage would eventually fall to was still an unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uta Ayaka was assigned to entertain, just because she had a good image, was female, and was relatively more suitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uta Ayaka put on a sweet professional smile again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Natsume-kun, please follow me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay, thank you for the trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage stood up and followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three hours later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage, who was quietly writing on his phone in the lounge, was invited back to the conference room by Uta Ayaka.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main members of the two editorial groups were all gathered here, and the atmosphere was subtle and quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Editor-in-Chief Kitahara Sosuke had finished reading *The Devotion of Suspect X*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is not just \"excellent,\" this is a work of genius!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally understood completely why these two section chiefs, who were usually steady, were so out of composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where is this \"performance\"?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is clearly a heavy bomb sufficient to establish the status of an editorial department for the next few years!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is a super hit that every editor dreams of and cannot ask for!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever gets it is the future hero!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coupled with Natsume Chikage's image, age, and talent, it is simply impeccable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a little operation, it's easy to make a god!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he must keep him at Midnight Publishing House!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Natsume Chikage sat down, Kitahara Sosuke raised his eyes, his gaze full of undisguised appreciation and admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have finished reading your *The Devotion of Suspect X*.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I must say, this is an extremely excellent work, and its high degree of completion is amazing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changing the subject, Kitahara Sosuke's tone became more solemn:\u003C\u002Fp>",1302,"2026-06-15T07:08:26.586Z","2026-06-15T07:45:38.736Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","a67c53aff7531e04171bda0ddf1a77d0dd77a6cc9d3d4de90c24c9b7cac9afda","tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-137","tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-135",624,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ftokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-cover.jpg"]