Tokyo Tycoon, Start as a Writer

Chapter 12 Successful Contract Signing
In the Japanese literary world, editors of large companies have a much higher status than ordinary writers, let alone new and unknown writers like Kiyoaki Matsueda.

If it were an ordinary newcomer, he would have to please the editor now.

But Songzhi Qingxian doesn't care about these industry rules.

Although he knew basic etiquette, the etiquette he developed in China seemed not to be enough in Japan.

The people here always speak honorifics, bow at every turn, and in serious cases even get up from their seats. It's really impossible for him to adapt in a short time... It's only because Kobayashi Midori is an intern editor who urgently needs performance, and Kawabata Yasunari is capable enough, otherwise he might really be asked to leave.

"Mr. Matsueda, let's start talking about the contract now."

Kobayashi Midori took the folder and sat down next to him.

Kiyoaki Matsueda looked towards her.

To be honest, she is really young and beautiful, with a sweet look. She is a rare skinny beauty - most Japanese beauties are voluptuous.

She has decent makeup and a good figure.

Out of 10, I'd give it 8 points.

She is a rare beauty.

Compared with her outstanding appearance, her temperament is even more pleasing.

Her speech and behavior are full of lively energy. At first glance, she is a newcomer in the workplace who has just graduated. Therefore, it is easy for men to have a good impression of her, but at the same time, they will have some evil thoughts of taking advantage of her.

Kobayashi Midori spread the manuscript paper on her legs, gently smoothed her drooping hair behind her ears with one hand, and picked up a pen with the other hand.

The tip of the pen touched a blank piece of manuscript paper.

"Can you first tell me about the inspiration and conception for writing this book?" Midori Kobayashi asked a routine question.

Matsueda Kiyoaki thought for a moment and replied, "Because I'm short of money, I want to get the bonus."

"..."

The tip of Kobayashi Midori's pen was frozen in place.

How could she remember this answer?
She felt that the man was making fun of her. How could such a beautiful novel as "The Dancing Girl of Izu" be created out of a hunger for money?

"The novel describes the picturesque scenery of Minami-Izu, with its small rivers, warm sunshine, and green and hazy first love, which is very desirable. I wonder if Mr. Matsueda has ever conducted an on-site investigation?" Midori Kobayashi changed the question.

"No, I've never left Tokyo." Kiyokatsu Matsueda shook his head.

"Purely relying on your imagination of beauty?"

"Purely from memory."

"..."

Kobayashi Midori's pen tip can't move again.

She really wanted to say, my memory is not bad, why haven’t I seen it written down?
"Ha, ha, ha, Mr. Matsueda is really humorous." The intern editor smiled awkwardly but politely, and continued, "This book is written in a romantic style, so it is beautiful, subtle, fresh and natural. The whole book exudes a faint sadness, which makes people have endless aftertastes after reading it. This is undoubtedly very in line with the aesthetics of the Japanese."

"That's right." Kiyokatsu Matsueda agreed with her.

"..."

Kobayashi Midori had a strange look in her eyes, and seemed to be hesitant to speak.

After a moment, she rubbed her forehead with a headache, changed the subject, and said, "But the core of the novel is full of realistic underlying descriptions, which makes people feel the author's..."

"Okay, Editor Kobayashi, let's skip this step and talk about the contract directly." Kiyaki Matsueda interrupted her again.

He has some sense of shame and self-awareness.

You can deceive others, but you cannot deceive yourself.

After all, what I didn’t write is not mine, so I feel embarrassed to talk about my creation, and I’m also afraid that if I talk too much, I’ll be exposed.

"..."

Kobayashi Midori silently put away the interview notes which contained less than two sentences.

He raised his eyes and looked towards Songzhi Qingxian.

Short black hair with slightly long bangs looks a little messy.

He has a delicate and handsome appearance, pale complexion, and an overall slightly decadent look, but his back is very straight, as if it has never collapsed from the beginning, as if he could sit like this forever - this is a manifestation of a very strong willpower.

Stand like a pine tree, sit like a bell. It is not as simple as it sounds.

Without good self-discipline habits and clear control at all times, people will definitely not be able to keep their waists straight when sitting for a long time.

The more she looked at him, the more strange it seemed to Kobayashi Midori.

His temperament has changed a lot. Although his hair looks messy, it is full of artistic atmosphere and does not make people feel uncomfortable at all.

His handsome face had a calm expression.

There is not much light in his eyes.

Feel like you have no interest in anything?

The lack of etiquette in his speech and behavior made him look nothing like an ordinary Japanese. Instead, he looked like a monk who had seen through the secular rules and regulations.

"Editor Kobayashi?"

Seeing that she didn't speak for a long time, Matsueda Kiyoaki opened his mouth and shouted.

"ah……"

Kobayashi Midori found that his eyes were looking at her.

When he looked at people, it seemed as if all his attention was focused on them, giving people a slight sense of oppression.

But his eyes were extremely calm, like a windless lake, so it was impossible for others to tell what was on his mind from his eyes.

What a big change.

Kobayashi Midori hardly recognized him anymore.

Now he seems like the kind of elegant gentleman that only appears in books - gentle as jade, with a sword hidden in a box.

The more she observed him, the happier Kobayashi Midori felt, and she naturally developed a liking for handsome guys.

Looking at his lifeless and bored eyes, the decadent and lonely beauty made her heart beat slightly faster.

When my childhood friend said, "When I grow up, I must go to Tokyo and date a handsome guy from Tokyo," he must be referring to someone like him.

"Editor Kobayashi?" Kiyoaki Matsueda called again.

"Ah? Oh, yes..."

The young editor, who was slightly infatuated for a while, finally came back to his senses.

My cheeks felt slightly hot.

Fortunately, this was reality. If it were an animated world, she felt that her head would definitely be humming with steam.

"Teacher Matsueda, I have decided to push your book up and directly enter it into the final selection list for this year's Newcomer Award."

The final shortlist consists of 50 works.

Every editor has one quota for internal recommendations. Since Midori Kobayashi has no other submissions, she can directly recommend "The Dancing Girl of Izu".

"It's up to you to decide. I agree." Kiyoaki Matsueda said, looking into her eyes.

Kobayashi Midori was visibly relieved, with a full-of-energy smile on her face: "So, regarding the pen name, do you want to use your real name or something else?"

"Mishima." Kiyoaki Matsueda said without hesitation.

"Where's the name?"

"Mishima, no name."

"Okay, Mishima doesn't have a famous teacher..."

"I mean, just use the last name Mishima!" Matsueda Kiyaki said unhappily.

Ever since he entered the room, he had been looking indifferent, but now he finally showed a helpless expression. This made Kobayashi Midori feel particularly accomplished, like the kind of achievement that comes after successfully seducing a high-ranking monk and feeling "you're just an ordinary person with seven emotions and six desires."

"Okay, I understand, Mr. Mishima."

Kobayashi Midori was still smiling, but this time her smile had a more lively, clever and cute feel.

In the following period of time, two contract editors came to assist and quickly completed the signing work, ensuring that "The Dancing Girl of Izu" would be published in the journal. The specific date and which journal are to be determined.

After seeing Matsueda Kiyoaki off, in the elevator, Kobayashi Midori thought of something and said to him, "Based on my limited work experience, even if you don't win the award this time, as long as you maintain your level, you will definitely become famous in the future. So, you should pay attention to maintaining your image from now on, and don't wait until you become famous for others to dig up your dark history."

“What character should I use?”

"Well, let me think... a genius writer who is free and easy, does whatever he wants, and has a touch of sadness and loneliness. When he is quiet, he should be as gentle as jade, with a melancholy look in his eyes. When he makes up his mind to act, his eyes should be bright, majestic, and full of tension. How about this?"

The above words are the most perfect image of the opposite sex in Kobayashi Midori’s mind. If such a person really exists, she would definitely love him/her to the point of madness.

"How can I do what you said?" asked Kiyoaki Matsueda.

Kobayashi Midori paused and looked at his face: "Just keep a low profile."

(End of this chapter)