Chapter 138

In the izakaya, the four sat around a table, enjoying a simple lunch.

Takahashi Jun was focused, meticulously introducing the various processes and time nodes after signing to Natsume Chikage.

After the explanation, Niigaki Shoji on the side remembered what his cousin mentioned earlier, and couldn't help but ask curiously:

"By the way, Natsume-kun, you attend the private Moonlight Academy, right?"

Natsume Chikage nodded:

"Yes."

Uta Ayaka was surprised:

"I remember that school is a very famous private aristocratic school, the tuition is quite expensive."

"It seems Natsume-kun's family background was originally very wealthy."

Upon hearing this, Natsume Chikage just smiled helplessly:

"That's all in the past, now... it's already different."

Takahashi Jun looked puzzled:

"How do you say that?"

The other two editors also asked repeatedly.

Natsume Chikage had to briefly tell about his situation after his family went bankrupt.

After listening to his narrative, the three people present showed stunned expressions.

They never expected that this calm and handsome boy in front of them had experienced the upheaval of family decline and the death of relatives at such a young age, and now had to shoulder the heavy burden of raising his sister alone.

But what shocked them even more, and even felt a bit "outrageous," was—all this happened only a month or two ago.

And Natsume Chikage had already achieved such an astonishing turnaround with a novel!

They had all read *The Devotion of Suspect X* and knew the excellent quality of this work.

Such a book was enough to make him completely get rid of his financial predicament, and it could even be said that one book could achieve financial freedom.

Niigaki Shoji's heart was full of sincere admiration.

He came from a wealthy family, but he knew very well that if he left the support of his family, he would never have today's achievements.

And Natsume Chikage?

While shouldering the heavy burden of the family, going to school every day, working part-time after school, and still being able to squeeze out time to write such a work destined to be extraordinary...

Just thinking about what kind of tenacious willpower and time management ability this required made people admire him endlessly.

Compared to his cousin "Yamaguchi Hakuta" who could only barely sign a contract by relying on relationships, this was simply a world of difference.

Uta Ayaka's eyes were red, and a strong sense of sympathy and protection surged in her heart, she subconsciously wanted to lean over and give Natsume Chikage a comforting hug.

"Natsume-kun... these days you must have had a very hard time!"

"Come, let sister comfort you properly!"

Niigaki Shoji pulled her back, his tone carrying a helpless reminder:

"Senior Uta, please stop the sexual harassment of high school students, this is illegal."

Uta Ayaka curled her lips, trying to defend herself:

"How can this be sexual harassment? This is clearly the radiance of maternal love!"

Niigaki Shoji was speechless.

If you want to "eat tender grass," just say so, why find such a grand reason...

Takahashi Jun listened to Natsume Chikage's story and felt very ashamed.

He had always felt that he was crushed by mortgages, car loans, work pressure, and family responsibilities, and his life was difficult enough.

But Natsume Chikage's situation was a real desperate situation*.

The family property was sealed by the bank, he had nothing, but he had to raise his sister alone, balance his studies and part-time work, and still find time in the gaps to carry out high-intensity creation...

And he, Takahashi Jun, at least had a job, his wife could do some handicrafts to subsidize the family, and his daughter was also sensible enough to do part-time work to share the pressure.

He was not alone behind him.

But Natsume Chikage?

He was his sister's only reliance.

If he fell, the whole family would collapse.

In such a desperate situation, this boy not only didn't get crushed, but maintained a dignified and unyielding attitude, hard-pressed to open a way to survive, and achieved an incredible turnaround!

Takahashi Jun's heart was deeply touched.

A complex emotion surged in his chest, both admiration and a strong self-reflection.

A high school student, in the face of a real desperate situation, could be so tenacious...

And I, an adult, have been immersed in the weakness of self-pity...

No!

Can't go on like this anymore!

An unprecedented determination ignited in his heart.

If I continue to be so cowardly, I am not worthy of being Natsume-kun's editor in charge at all!

This might be the only turnaround opportunity within reach in my career.

I must not let it slip away in vain because of my cowardice!

Takahashi Jun raised his head, his eyes, which were always timid and hesitant, now gradually became clear and firm.

"Teacher Natsume."

His voice was much more powerful than usual.

"I promise you, I will definitely work hard to become a qualified editor in charge who can be trusted by you!"

"From now on, no matter what difficulties you encounter related to the work or other aspects, as long as it is within my ability, please be sure to tell me directly!"

"I will definitely do my best to solve it for you!"

Niigaki Shoji also nodded solemnly in agreement:

"Teacher Natsume, I also have a share in the performance of this novel of yours."

"So, if there is anything that needs help, please contact me at any time, I will definitely not shirk!"

Uta Ayaka hurriedly raised her hand:

"And me, and me! I can help too!"

Natsume Chikage faced their sincere expressions, nodded slightly, and responded politely and sincerely:

"Thank you very much, everyone. If there is a need, I will."

Niigaki Shoji remembered something and asked again:

"By the way, Teacher Natsume, do you know a classmate named 'Yamaguchi Hakuta' at Moonlight Academy?"

Natsume Chikage recalled it and shook his head:

"I don't know him, why?"

Niigaki Shoji was slightly surprised.

He originally thought the "very handsome student at the same school" that his cousin talked about was Natsume Chikage, but now it seems Natsume Chikage doesn't know them.

Maybe it's the same name, or maybe Yamaguchi Hakuta just knows Natsume Chikage unilaterally?

However... these are all irrelevant.

He knew that Yamaguchi Hakuta's representative of new students was obtained by paying money.

As for the grades, he didn't know how many tutors were guiding him.

Although the grades stabilized.

But in the end, he was just an ordinary high school student who liked to play and was impetuous.

Compared to a genius author like Natsume Chikage who is gifted, tenacious, and destined to shine, they are not on the same level at all, nor do they belong to the same world.

He had once thought about letting his cousin have a chance to contact Natsume Chikage more, but now it seems this idea is really superfluous.

Rather than letting his half-hanging cousin cling to him, it is better for him to establish a more professional and solid cooperative relationship with Natsume Chikage as an editor.

"Nothing."

Niigaki Shoji smiled and dismissed the idea.

"Just a child of a distant relative of mine who happens to be studying at Moonlight Academy."

"Thinking that Teacher Natsume is also at the same school, I was a bit surprised, since you don't know him, then don't mention it."

Natsume Chikage understood:

"So that's how it is."

Uta Ayaka asked:

"Natsume-kun, has your pen name been decided?"

Natsume Chikage shook his head:

"Not fully decided yet."

Uta Ayaka reminded:

"Then decide as soon as possible."

"Because the priority of this novel of yours has been raised to the highest."

"The editor-in-chief has decided to appropriately adjust the scheduling of other books and prioritize the arrangement of *The Devotion of Suspect X* for revision, proofreading, printing, and putting on the shelves."

"And now, revision and proofreading are already in progress."