Tokyo: The life of a literary giant begins with home self-defense!

Chapter 33 A Mayfly Sees the Blue Sky 5
Taro Ono rubbed his ears and looked at Toru Ryukawa.

"What did you say? Say it again for me to hear?"

Ono Taro rolled up his sleeves and looked at Ryukawa Toru with a somewhat strange expression.
Considering the slap at the door just now, Longchuan Che's eyes became somewhat alert.

"I'm just thinking about it. You don't want to hit me, do you?"

Perhaps realizing that he was a little excited, Ono Taro put down his hands that were on the table.

"No, no, it's just a little unexpected."

He suspected that Ryukawa Toru was somewhat unaware of the importance of Shinchosha.

One of Japan's most representative publishing houses, founded in 1896, it has won 8 literary awards, 1 science fiction award, and is ranked among the top media in the world.

I was commissioned by such a publishing house to write for a piece, and it was even serialized in the most literary avant-garde monthly magazine.

Don't be ungrateful, kid.

These words were clearly written on Ono Taro's face. Ryukawa Tetsu suspected that this man's elegance was just a superficial appearance. Judging from the way he rolled up his sleeves in excitement just now, he might have been from a bad gang.

"Ah."

Ryuukawa Toru nodded. He had actually decided to sign a contract with the other party. The value of being able to serialize in Shincho was self-evident.

But when it comes to business, it’s normal to have some arguments.

"I'm leaving?"

Taro Ono stood up from the table and scratched his head. He was actually a little dazed by the situation.

He received the manuscript of "Snow Country" with the attitude that he would definitely sign it. It focuses on the beauty of nature and reflects the thoughts on the impermanence of life. It has been a long time since Xinchao received such a substantial manuscript.

But what does the other party say now?

Think about it, because of money?

Taro Ono really wanted to strangle Ryukawa Toru and say, "Do you know that if we give Tanaka Koizumi the right to serialize in a Shincho Monthly, he will even be willing to pay us money?"

Shinchosha holds an extraordinary status in Japan's traditional literary world, and being able to publish serial works there almost secures one's status as an orthodox literary creator.

In other words, Shinchosha disdains to engage in the business of paid book writing, otherwise, countless novel authors would rush to pay the money.

You should know that the status of pure literature writers is much higher than that of popular novelists.

The latter entertains the public, while the former is often a symbol of cultural heritage.

"The Tale of Genji", "The Tale of the Heike", "The Pillow Book", etc.

Many people go there for these things.

You talk to me about money?
Bah, too vulgar.

Ono Taro started to mutter in his inner drama, while Ryukawa Toru nodded indifferently and prepared to see him out.

"It's getting dark outside. Mr. Ono, if you don't mind, please stay here for one night."

Mrs. Takeda sighed. She didn’t know whether Ryukawa Toru was too careless or really didn’t care about the other person.

The editor-in-chief of Shinchosha.

He is also a well-known figure in Tokyo.

Not only did he not sign the contract, he was actually planning to send the other party out.

It's already past five o'clock and there are no cars around here. Do you plan to let the other party walk to Lake Kawaguchi or ride your broken motorcycle?

Mrs. Takeda looked at Ryukawa Toru with a look that said, "Your EQ is really hopeless," and invited Taro Ono to stay.

Taro Ono was also very embarrassed at this time. His task was not done and Mr. Mishima ran away after sending him there.

"Excuse me."

The chief editor heaved a sigh of relief. It would be great if he could stay a little longer. He was a man who believed in getting things done and seeing that they were completed.

This can be seen from the fact that he rushed over immediately after seeing "Snow Country". How long has it been since he encountered an author who did not sign a contract with him?

Mr. Ono plans to give Ryukawa Tetsu, the stinky stone that fell into the toilet, a good grinding tonight. The night of the winter solstice is pumpkin bombs and seven treasure dishes.

The filling of chicken breast and onion is wrapped in cooked pumpkin, coated with a layer of flour, fried until golden and crispy, and then poured with a layer of sauce.

"Ms. Takeda's cooking skills are amazing." Looking at the exquisite food in front of him, the guest Taro Ono sighed. Pumpkin bomb can be considered a complicated kaiseki dish. He didn't expect to eat it in such a small village.

Although he was belittled by Tanaka Koizumi during the day, Ono Taro was obviously a connoisseur at night.

Mrs. Takeda smiled and nodded, with the demeanor of a lady.

"Where's Longchuan-san?"

Taro Ono looked around. Ryukawa Toru had disappeared after talking to him in the afternoon. The lights were on in the house, but it was quiet outside. The distant mountains and nearby forests were silent in this cold winter.

"he?"

Takeda Akane also came down from upstairs.

"Don't worry about him. Usually we let him eat after we finish eating."

Takeda Akane sat down at the dining table, and Ono Taro was stunned when he heard that.

Only then did he realize that there was something strange about this family. Both the mother and daughter had the surname Takeda, while the boy's surname was Ryukawa.

Is it a blended family or boarding?
Taro Ono didn't ask any more questions, after all, it was someone else's family matter.

Ryukawa Toru did not wait for them to finish eating as Takeda Akane said. After three or five minutes, someone pushed open the door and shivered in the wind and snow.

"Where did you go?"

Mrs. Takeda's tone was somewhat annoyed. She had prepared dinner for Ryukawa Toru, but she didn't expect that the boy disappeared during the meal.

"I went to buy some things."

Ryukawa Toru threw a bag of things on the table with a bang, and Mrs. Takeda opened it and took a look.

"flour?"

The white powder was as white as snowflakes. Longchuan Che nodded and went to the kitchen.

On this winter solstice, the boys were a little quiet when the lights were on at night. Looking at Ryukawa Toru's indifferent look, Takeda Akane curled her lips.

"What's wrong with this guy? He's so eccentric. Maybe he's sick."

No one understood what Longchuan Che was going to do. After they finished eating and cleaned up, Longchuan Che sat down at the dining table holding a plate of white food.

“Is this…dumplings?”

The presence of two women in this house made Ono Taro feel a little embarrassed. After finishing his meal, he wandered around and then sat down at the table again.

Longchuan Che nodded and picked up a hot dumpling and put it into his mouth.

"Hey, Longchuan-san."

Ono Taro was a little helpless, "No matter what, I may become your editor, do you think I am..."

The middle-aged man's eyes became somewhat resentful. Ever since he came to this small village, Longchuan Che's attitude towards him has always been lukewarm, totally unlike those authors before who begged the editor-in-chief to give them a chance.

"I'm not in a good mood today, sorry."

Long Chuan Che said calmly while chewing his dumplings, then thought for a moment and said:
"But if you give me a little more money, I can try to be more enthusiastic."

Is the money problem unresolved?

Ono Taro's face darkened.

"Are you short of money?"

Most, if not all, of the people who publish their works at Shinchosha are not short of money. People like Ryukawa Toru who cling to money are really a minority.

The boy took a sip of the hot soup and nodded.

"I have no intention of living and working in a big city. The royalties from my writings should be my only source of income."

(End of this chapter)