[{"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-137":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},1951701,2739,"Chapter 137","tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-137",137,"\u003Cp>\"However, what truly made me make up my mind is not just the work itself, but the potential shown by you, Natsume-kun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Therefore, I am willing to break the company's precedent for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will personally approve and give you, a new author who has not yet had any works released—a 40% royalty split!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused slightly, letting the impact of this number fully release, and then continued clearly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I must state that without any market sales records, no matter which publishing house you go to in Japan, there will absolutely not be a second one that will offer such conditions for a pure newcomer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even, I can give you a choice: you can go to Shinshu-sha first to ask for a price and negotiate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After getting their final conditions, if you still think our Midnight Publishing House is more suitable, you can come back and sign at any time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because I have full confidence that the highest conditions they can offer will absolutely not exceed the 40% I am giving you right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two section chiefs were shocked!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You have to know that the editor-in-chief was really not wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He really hadn't set such a precedent for any new author!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You have to know this is 40%, a height that many authors can't reach in a lifetime of hard work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage reached it easily just after entering the industry?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kitahara Sosuke leaned forward slightly, his gaze like a torch looking at Natsume Chikage:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, Natsume-kun, what is your choice now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage was calm on the surface, but his heart was already filled with huge surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His original goal was only 30%, he didn't expect to reach 40% in one fell swoop!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is simply an unexpected joy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for going to Shinshu-sha?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being able to get such generous conditions this time is largely a coincidence, a special result produced after the fierce competition between the two editorial groups and the personal intervention of the editor-in-chief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being greedy and rashly challenging industry giants might not necessarily lead to better results, and might even be counterproductive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stopping while ahead is the best strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage met Kitahara Sosuke's gaze and nodded calmly and affirmatively:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can accept this condition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of imperceptible relief flashed in Kitahara Sosuke's eyes, and he reached out again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Happy cooperation, Teacher Natsume.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Happy cooperation, Editor-in-Chief Kitahara.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage shook hands firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Natsume Chikage finally choose to stay at Midnight Publishing House, the editors present, regardless of which group they belonged to, secretly breathed a sigh of relief—at least, this treasure didn't flow into an outside publishing house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But immediately after, an unresolved question surfaced again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which editorial group does Natsume Chikage belong to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Editor-in-Chief Kitahara Sosuke certainly knew this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around at everyone, his voice not high, but with the authority of a final word:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How you 'competed' privately between the first group and the second group, I didn't see, and I can pretend I don't know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But since the matter is now in front of me, it must be done according to the rules.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Natsume-kun's editor in charge is still the second group, Takahashi Jun, who first contacted him and completed the manuscript review process.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This point—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze slowly swept over Hiiragi Kyoichiro and Uta Ayaka:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who agrees? Who opposes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiiragi Kyoichiro and Uta Ayaka of the first group were suffocated, as if seeing a gold mine slip away from their eyes, but under the majesty of the editor-in-chief, they could only remain silent to show no objection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miyagi Kazuu, Takahashi Jun, and Niigaki Shoji of the second group were ecstatic in their hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on second thought, this was originally their author, so it didn't seem like there was anything worth \"ecstatic\" about, but that sense of relief of losing and regaining, and settling down, still made them excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since no one opposes, then it's decided!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kitahara Sosuke looked at Takahashi Jun, his tone turning serious:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Editor Takahashi, from now on, you are fully responsible for the docking work with Teacher Natsume.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If there are any major omissions, the consequences... you should understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The editor-in-chief knew in his heart that although Takahashi Jun's personality was weak and he often suffered some grievances in the company, his work attitude was extremely serious, his execution was strong, and he was even more meticulous and reliable than some section chiefs in many transactional tasks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, Takahashi Jun had some unique little tricks and patience in book distribution and communication with bookstores, often able to fight for more opportunities to be put on the shelves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, the contract is signed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giving subsequent matters to Takahashi Jun to handle is the most suitable and reassuring arrangement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takahashi Jun felt the trust and heavy responsibility in the editor-in-chief's gaze, took a deep breath, and in his usual timidness, rarely revealed a determination:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes! I will definitely go all out and not live up to the trust!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contract was signed, Natsume Chikage put away his copy, and planned to get up and say goodbye—there was a shogi match at noon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takahashi Jun hurriedly called him, scratched his face a bit embarrassedly, and issued an invitation:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher Natsume... that, I wonder if you have time at noon to have lunch together?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to take this opportunity to explain the specific process after signing in detail, such as manuscript revision, cover design, and the schedule of the promotion plan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In addition, the final confirmation of the pen name also needs to be finalized with you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage was already short of money, so of course there was no problem with a free meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, Niigaki Shoji on the side also hurriedly leaned over, with an enthusiastic smile on his face:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Takahashi, please be sure to let me join too!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I also want to take this opportunity to learn from my senior how to communicate and collaborate with excellent authors like Teacher Natsume!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said it grandly, but his heart was more of a strong interest in Natsume Chikage himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So young, but the work is so amazing, and the person himself is so dazzling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he didn't find an excuse to get to know him, he was afraid it would be difficult to have a chance to contact him again in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uta Ayaka was not to be outdone, and walked over with a smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you going to have lunch?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I happen to be hungry too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Takahashi, you don't mind one more person, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Uta Ayaka's seemingly sweet, but actually hidden \"killing intent\" smile, Takahashi Jun felt his scalp tingle, and nodded hurriedly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of, of course I don't mind! Everyone together, lively...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news that Natsume Chikage obtained a 40% super-high royalty as a newcomer, triggered a fierce fight between the two section chiefs, and was finally decided by the editor-in-chief himself, spread rapidly within Midnight Publishing House like it had wings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the author fight escalated to the point where the editor-in-chief had to come forward to mediate, and the editor-in-chief did not hesitate to break the precedent to offer \"exceptional\" conditions, which was rare in the company's history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of this revolved around the high school student author named Natsume Chikage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the other members of the second editorial group, when they learned that the manuscript Takahashi Jun desperately begged everyone to review last night was actually *The Devotion of Suspect X* that triggered this storm, their intestines turned green with regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking that they missed the performance split of this \"editor-in-chief designated hit\" because they trusted Yoshida Tomohito's incitement, that pain of missing a huge bonus made them look at Yoshida Tomohito with undisguised resentment and alienation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yoshida Tomohito clearly felt the cold gaze and invisible isolation cast by his colleagues, his face turning blue and white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Embarrassment, anger, jealousy... all kinds of emotions surged in his heart, finally turning into deeper, more poisonous resentment toward Takahashi Jun.\u003C\u002Fp>",1330,"2026-06-15T07:08:26.586Z","2026-06-15T07:45:38.736Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","247f1b538c2a0cac70c5b4ffc27234d41cdd2fb49d9875880b721405cf0f5027","tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-138","tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-136",624,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ftokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-cover.jpg"]