Chapter 256

Natsume Chikage smiled helplessly when he heard this:

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

Gao Qiaochun looked puzzled:

"What do you mean by that?"

The other two editors also asked repeatedly.

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

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

They didn't expect that this calm and handsome boy had experienced the upheaval of family decline and the death of relatives at such a young age, and now had to shoulder the burden of raising his sister alone.

But what shocked them the most 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 reversal and comeback with a novel!

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

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

Xin Yuan Xiangzhi's heart was full of sincere admiration.

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

And Natsume Chikage?

While shouldering the family burden, 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 the tenacity and time management ability required makes people feel admiration.

Compared to his cousin "Shankou Botai" who could only barely sign a contract by relying on connections, it is simply the difference between clouds and mud.

Yu Tian Caihua was even more moved to tears, a strong sympathy and protective desire surged in her heart, and she subconsciously wanted to lean over to give Natsume Chikage a comforting hug.

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

"Come, let sister comfort you well!"

Xin Yuan Xiangzhi pulled her back, his tone carrying a helpless reminder:

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

Yu Tian Caihua curled her lips, trying to defend:

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

Xin Yuan Xiangzhi was speechless.

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

Gao Qiaochun felt very ashamed listening to Natsume Chikage's story.

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

But Natsume Chikage's situation is a real desperate situation.

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

And he, Gao Qiaochun, 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 was not crushed, but maintained his dignity neither humbly nor arrogantly, and hard-won a way out, achieving an incredible comeback!

Gao Qiaochun's heart was deeply touched.

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

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

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 qualified to be Natsume-kun's editor in charge at all!

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

I must never let it slip away because of my cowardice!

Gao Qiaochun raised his head, his eyes, which were always timid and hesitant, 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 that you can trust!"

"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!"

Xin Yuan Xiangzhi also nodded solemnly:

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

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

Yu Tian Caihua hurriedly raised her hand:

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

Natsume Chikage nodded slightly to their sincere expressions, responding politely and sincerely:

"Thank you very much, everyone. If needed, I will."

Xin Yuan Xiangzhi remembered something and asked again:

"By the way, Teacher Natsume, do you know a student named 'Shankou Botai' at Moonlight Academy?"

Natsume Chikage recalled and shook his head:

"I don't know him, why?"

Xin Yuan Xiangzhi felt a bit surprised.

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

Maybe it's the same name and surname, or maybe Shankou Botai just knows Natsume Chikage unilaterally?

However... none of this matters.

He knew that Shankou Botai's freshman representative was obtained by paying money.

As for grades, I don't know how many tutors guided him.

Although the grades stabilized.

But in the end, he is just an ordinary high school student who likes to play and is impulsive.

Compared to a genius author like Natsume Chikage who is gifted, tenacious, and destined to shine, they are not on the same level and do not belong to the same world.

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

Instead of letting his half-baked cousin climb up, it is better for him to establish a more professional and solid cooperative relationship with Natsume Chikage as an editor.

"Nothing."

Xin Yuan Xiangzhi smiled and dismissed the idea.

"Just a child of a distant relative of mine who happens to attend Moonlight Academy."

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

Natsume Chikage understood:

"So that's how it is."

Yu Tian Caihua asked:

"Natsume-kun, have you decided on your pen name yet?"

Natsume Chikage shook his head:

"Not fully decided yet."

Yu Tian Caihua reminded:

"Then you need to 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 schedule of other books and prioritize the arrangement of 'The Devotion of Suspect X' for polishing, proofreading, printing, and hitting the shelves."

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