Chapter 717

This three-mat small room was instantly shrouded in darkness.

Natsume Chikage, as always, felt his way back to his bed in the dark based on memory.

There was no need to stay up late to write today, he planned to reply to messages and then rest early.

He lit up the phone screen and opened LINE.

He discovered that Qiutian Shana, Xuecun Lingyin, Xiyuanji Qilai, Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui, Yue Dao Lin, and Gao Qiaochun had all sent messages.

Natsume Chikage first clicked on the message sent by Qiutian Shana at noon.

【Qiutian Shana: (*? ▽｀)ノノ Good evening, Natsume-kun.】

【Natsume Chikage: Good evening, Qiutian-san, is there something up?】

The message was almost replied to in seconds.

【Qiutian Shana: Actually, I just wanted to say, what time are you free tomorrow, I can come over anytime.】

【Natsume Chikage: I don't have anything to do tomorrow, you can come over anytime.】

【Qiutian Shana: Is it okay to come over around ten tomorrow morning?】

【Natsume Chikage: Of course it's okay.】

【Qiutian Shana: (? >?

【Natsume Chikage:... I used to have one, but not anymore.】

【Qiutian Shana: It's okay! That way it's just right to bring over that extra PS5 I had before. By the way, I have quite a lot of games here, what do you plan to play? Street Fighter, or cooperative games like It Takes Two?】

【Natsume Chikage: I don't have any problems, you can bring whatever you want.】

【Qiutian Shana: (*^▽^*) Yeah.】

On the other side of the screen, Qiutian Shana held her phone and rolled on the bed happily.

However, she remembered that Natsume Chikage's younger sister would also be at home, so she had to bring some delicious snacks over.

She had to build up some favorability in front of the younger sister.

This point, she thought, was the key to winning over Yue Dao senior!

After all, Yue Dao senior definitely didn't expect that she had already been able to "invade" Natsume-kun's home, hehe~

【Qiutian Shana: ┏(＾0＾)┛ Then see you tomorrow!】

【Natsume Chikage: See you tomorrow.】

Natsume Chikage finished replying to Qiutian Shana and then clicked on the message sent by Xuecun Lingyin.

【Xuecun Lingyin: Good evening. Did Fujiwara-san and the others talk to you about what time they are coming over?】

【Natsume Chikage: Not yet, what time are you guys planning?】

The message was replied to quickly.

【Xuecun Lingyin: We plan to go to your house around ten, and by the way, we'll eat there at noon, is that okay for you?】

【Natsume Chikage: Of course it's okay.】

【Xuecun Lingyin: By the way... that Qiutian-san, what time is she planning to come?】

【Natsume Chikage: I just talked to her about this, she said she's coming over around ten.】

【Xuecun Lingyin: It's also ten... By the way, wasn't your younger sister's manga supposed to be submitted today, did it pass?】

【Natsume Chikage:... No.】

【Xuecun Lingyin: Why? What exactly is the reason, did the editor say anything?】

【Natsume Chikage: They said it, they said the content is actually no problem, it's just that there are no gimmicks that are too attractive, saying that people now are led by short videos and fast-paced life, making it hard to read manga and novels without gimmicks. I guess they felt that if it were put on the shelves, the sales might not look very good, so they rejected it.】

【Xuecun Lingyin: So that's how it is... that's a bit of a pity.】

Xuecun Lingyin actually didn't like works that pursued gimmicks too much, she preferred types that flowed like a fine stream and told a good story seriously.

However, it was indeed understandable for manga publishers to make this choice from a commercial perspective.

Works with gimmicks were often more competitive in the market.

【Xuecun Lingyin: Then is your younger sister still planning to continue creating manga?】

【Natsume Chikage: Yes, she said she is the type that gets braver the more she is frustrated.】

【Xuecun Lingyin: Hmm, that's really good. Is your younger sister there tomorrow?】

【Natsume Chikage: She is, why?】

【Xuecun Lingyin: Nothing, just thinking that if she is, I plan to bring more ingredients.】

Xuecun Lingyin's gaze swept over the shoujo-oriented light novels on her bookshelf.

She thought that although she didn't have many shoujo manga, she could bring some of these novels over for Natsume Ruri to use as a reference.

This way, his younger sister might also be able to gain some inspiration.

【Xuecun Lingyin: See you tomorrow.】

【Natsume Chikage: See you tomorrow.】

Subsequently.

Natsume Chikage clicked on the message sent by Xiyuanji Qilai not long ago.

【Xiyuanji Qilai: Natsume-kun, the three of us have agreed to come over together at ten tomorrow morning.】

【Natsume Chikage: Xuecun-san just told me.】

The message was replied to quickly.

【Xiyuanji Qilai: Lingyin...】

【Natsume Chikage: What's wrong?】

【Xiyuanji Qilai: Nothing. After you went back today, are you still reading the sketch book?】

【Natsume Chikage: Yes, I read it before going to sleep.】

【Xiyuanji Qilai: (。^＿^。) It seems Natsume-kun is really attentive to this drawing matter. By the way, how is your younger sister's manga situation?】

Natsume Chikage explained it again.

【Xiyuanji Qilai: It was rejected... it's okay! Your younger sister is very good at drawing, I've seen it, so I believe your younger sister can definitely draw another especially great work!】

【Natsume Chikage: Thank you.】

Xiyuanji Qilai thought, if his younger sister's manga submission failed... maybe she could help a little.

She looked at the shoujo manga on her bookshelf and decided to bring some over to Ruri-chan tomorrow.

【Xiyuanji Qilai: By the way, Natsume-kun, you are free all day tomorrow, right?】

【Natsume Chikage: Yes.】

【Xiyuanji Qilai: o(〃'▽'〃)o So that's how it is... then see you tomorrow.】

【Natsume Chikage: See you tomorrow.】

After that.

Natsume Chikage clicked on the message sent by Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui.

【Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui: (，，???)? ゛ Natsume-kun, are you asleep yet?】

【Natsume Chikage: Not yet.】

The message was replied to in seconds.

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui asked the same thing about the younger sister's manga, and Natsume Chikage explained it again.

【Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui: 【○? ｀Д?? ○】 The three of us, you, your younger sister, and Lianxiao-chan, had such a good concept, and it was actually rejected? Hmph, it must be that this editor has no eyes!!】

Natsume Chikage saw this energetic reply and couldn't help but laugh.

【Natsume Chikage: I think so too.】

【Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui: (#^. ^#) But it doesn't matter, I still have many very great ideas in my mind, tomorrow I will discuss them with Ruri-chan and the others again.】

【Natsume Chikage: Hmm, I'll leave it to you.】

【Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui: (? 3【▓▓】 It's not early now, I have to sleep early, otherwise I won't be able to go to your place tomorrow. Good night.】

【Natsume Chikage: (? 3【▓▓】 Good night.】

Next.

Natsume Chikage clicked on the message sent by Yue Dao Lin.

【Yue Dao Lin: Natsume-kun, are you there?】

【Natsume Chikage: I am.】

The message was replied to quickly.

【Yue Dao Lin: (=^_^=) The desserts you recommended today were all very delicious, Jie-chan and I both like them very much.】

【Natsume Chikage: If you guys can like them, that's the best.】 ===== CHAPTER 718 =====

【Natsume Chikage:... I used to have one, but I don't anymore.】

【Akita Sana: It's fine! That way, I can just bring over that extra PS5 I have. By the way, I have quite a few games here; what are you planning to play? Street Fighter, or maybe some co-op games like It Takes Two?】

【Natsume Chikage: I'm fine with anything, just bring whatever you like.】

【Akita Sana: (*^▽^*) Mm-hmm.】

On the other side of the screen, Akita Sana held her phone and rolled happily on her bed.

However, she remembered that Natsume Chikage's younger sister would also be home, so she would need to bring some delicious snacks when the time came.

She had to build up some goodwill in front of the younger sister.

Thinking about it, this was the key to winning against Senior Tsukishima!

After all, Senior Tsukishima surely hadn't expected that she had already managed to "invade" Natsume-kun's home, hee hee~

【Akita Sana: ┏(＾0＾)┛ See you tomorrow then!】

【Natsume Chikage: See you tomorrow.】

After replying to Akita Sana, Natsume Chikage clicked on the message sent by Yukimura Suzuoto.

【Yukimura Suzuoto: Good evening. Have Fujiwara-san and the others talked to you about what time they're coming over?】

【Natsume Chikage: Not yet, what time are you all planning to come?】

The message was replied to quickly.

【Yukimura Suzuoto: We're planning to go to your place around ten, and we'll have lunch there too. That's fine with you, right?】

【Natsume Chikage: Of course, that's no problem.】

【Yukimura Suzuoto: By the way... that Akita-san, what time is she planning to come?】

【Natsume Chikage: I just talked to her about that; she said she'd be over around ten.】

【Yukimura Suzuoto: Ten o'clock as well... Oh right, wasn't your sister's manga supposed to be submitted today? Did it get accepted?】

【Natsume Chikage:... No.】

【Yukimura Suzuoto: Why? What exactly was the reason? Did the editor say anything?】

【Natsume Chikage: They did. They said the content itself was actually fine, but it lacked a truly attractive hook. They said that people nowadays are so caught up in short videos and a fast-paced life that it's hard for them to get into manga or novels without a hook. They probably figured that if it were published, the sales might not look too good, so they rejected it.】

【Yukimura Suzuoto: I see... That's a pity.】

Yukimura Suzuoto didn't actually like works that chased after hooks too much; she preferred the type that flowed like a long stream and focused on telling a good story.

However, it was certainly understandable for a manga publisher to make such a choice from a commercial perspective.

Works with hooks were often more competitive in the market.

【Yukimura Suzuoto: Then, is your sister still planning to continue creating manga?】

【Natsume Chikage: Yes, she said she's the type to become braver with every setback.】

【Yukimura Suzuoto: Mm, that's really good. Your sister will be there tomorrow too, right?】

【Natsume Chikage: She will, why?】

【Yukimura Suzuoto: Nothing, I was just thinking that if she's there, I should bring a bit more ingredients.】

Yukimura Suzuoto's gaze swept over the light novels for girls on her bookshelf.

She thought that although she didn't have many girls' manga, she could bring some of these novels over for Natsume Ruri to use as reference.

That way, his sister might be able to gain some inspiration.

【Yukimura Suzuoto: See you tomorrow.】

【Natsume Chikage: See you tomorrow.】

Afterwards.

Natsume Chikage clicked on the message Xiyuanji Nanase had sent a short while ago.

【Xiyuanji Nanase: Natsume-kun, the three of us have agreed to come over together at ten tomorrow morning.】

【Natsume Chikage: Yukimura-san just told me.】

The message was replied to quickly.

【Xiyuanji Nanase: Suzuoto, huh...】

【Natsume Chikage: What's wrong?】

【Xiyuanji Nanase: Nothing. After you went back today, were you still looking at the sketching book?】

【Natsume Chikage: Yes, I looked at it before going to sleep.】

【Xiyuanji Nanase: (。^＿^。) It seems Natsume-kun is really taking this drawing thing to heart. Oh right, how is the situation with your sister's manga?】

Natsume Chikage explained it once more.

【Xiyuanji Nanase: It got rejected... It's okay! Your sister is very good at drawing; I've seen it myself, so I believe your sister can definitely draw another fantastic work!】

【Natsume Chikage: Thank you.】

Xiyuanji Nanase thought that if his sister's manga submission failed... perhaps she could help out a little.

She looked at the girls' manga on her bookshelf and decided to bring some over for Ruri-chan tomorrow.

【Xiyuanji Nanase: By the way, Natsume-kun, you're free all day tomorrow, right?】

【Natsume Chikage: Yes.】

【Xiyuanji Nanase: o(〃'▽'〃)o I see... Then see you tomorrow.】

【Natsume Chikage: See you tomorrow.】

Afterwards.

Natsume Chikage clicked on the message sent by Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui.

【Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui: (，，???)? ゛Natsume-kun, are you asleep yet?】

【Natsume Chikage: Not yet.】

The message was replied to instantly.

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui asked about the sister's manga as well, and Natsume Chikage explained it again.

【Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui: 【○? ｀Д?? ○】 With such a great concept from me, your sister, and Reisa-chan, it actually got rejected? Hmph, the editor must be blind!!】

Seeing this energetic reply, Natsume Chikage couldn't help but smile.

【Natsume Chikage: I think so too.】

【Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui: (#^. ^#) But it doesn't matter, I still have many wonderful ideas in my head, and I'll discuss them with Ruri-chan and the others tomorrow.】

【Natsume Chikage: Mm, I'll leave it to you.】

【Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui: (? 3【▓▓】 It's getting late, I need to sleep early, otherwise I won't be able to make it to your place tomorrow. Good night.】

【Natsume Chikage: (? 3【▓▓】 Good night.】

Next.

Natsume Chikage clicked on the message sent by Yue Dao Lin.

【Yue Dao Lin: Natsume-kun, are you there?】

【Natsume Chikage: I am.】

The message was replied to quickly.

【Yue Dao Lin: (=^_^=) The desserts you recommended today were all delicious; Jie'ai and I both liked them very much.】

【Natsume Chikage: I'm glad you both liked them.】