After my divorce, I became a Tokyo literary giant

Chapter 72: Jealous Maki is even more fun (double votes requested)
The bright and soft lights poured down like water.

Through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, you can see the night view of Tokyo Bay and the nearby yacht marina.

The well-dressed guests were chatting loudly, the atmosphere was harmonious and cheerful, and even the waiters moving among the crowd seemed relaxed... Only in the lounge area by the window did the atmosphere seem a little solemn.

Maki Saionji had a cold face and looked unhappy.

He turned his head to look to the other side from time to time, his eyes filled with murderous intent, and the atmosphere in the entire rest area became tense.

After Maria left, Tazaki Saku still ignored her and strolled around the venue alone. He accepted every pretty lady who approached him and not only exchanged contact information, but also took photos with them and chatted and laughed with them.

Maki Saionji didn't know what was going on, but she felt uncomfortable seeing him getting close to another woman.

"He is Ryoko's husband, how could he mess with other women?"

"Yes, I'm angry on Ryoko's behalf!"

Maki Saionji quickly convinced herself in her heart.

However, even though she was angry, she was too proud to run over and pull him away from another woman. She could only sulk in the distance...

The happier he laughed with other women, the angrier he became, and gradually his whole face became cold.

Even if people near the rest area wanted to come up and talk to her, they were frightened by her suppressed and violent aura.

Even from a distance, Tazaki Saku could feel her resentment.

But he didn't want to go back to her.

This woman will need some more training before she can become like him.

A man was walking around the banquet hall. He had a casual posture and his hair was not deliberately combed back. He was so confident that he greeted the guests as if he was the owner of a salon, and occasionally stopped to join the authors' chats and complaints.

When authors gossip, they love to complain.

What about being a writer with no security? If your book flopped, it flopped, and there was no insurance compensation, no unemployment benefits, no signing bonuses, and no year-end bonuses. The deadline was your day off, and weekends and statutory holidays had nothing to do with writers...

My eyes are tired, my waist is sore, my brain is exhausted...

Working so hard, but not making much money...

The world of writers is also a world with clear hierarchies.

It is easy for popular and bestselling authors to earn hundreds of millions of yen a year, but such people are ultimately a minority. Most writers are just like Tazaki Saku at this stage, barely making a living.

Take Tazaki himself as an example.

A writer's income mainly comes from three parts.

1: Manuscript fees for publication in fiction magazines.

This part depends on the writer's personal qualifications. The fee for a piece of manuscript paper (400 words) by Tazaki Saku is 1 yen.

Taking "Pinball in 1973" as an example, with 6 words, the equivalent of royalties is 3 million yen before tax.

2. Royalties for single-volume editions
Tazaki Saku has not yet received royalties for the single-volume edition, but even if he did, it would probably be for the first print run of 1 copies. Based on the selling price of 1200 yen, and a 15% rate, the first print royalties would be 180 million yen before tax.

The third part: Royalties from paperback editions, which are income earned three years after the publication of the single volume.

In other words, if Tazaki Saku wrote a book that could be published as a single volume in a year, his income after deducting various taxes and fees would be around 300 million yen, which is no different from that of an average salaried worker.

But in Japan, a country with comprehensive welfare benefits for formal employees, freelancers must earn twice as much as formal employees to achieve the same living standard as the latter.

In other words, his 300 million yen income is actually not much better than the minimum living allowance...

"Yeah, being a writer is not a job for humans!" Tazaki Saku joined in the complaints with a look of empathy.

"Yeah, yeah, that's what I said...eh?"

A group of people who were ready to agree, when they saw who this person was, their faces suddenly turned a little sour.

Is it appropriate for you, Mishima, a newcomer who is about to take off, to say this?

Is this for sunbathing?
So no one paid any attention to him and everyone continued to talk about their own topics.

As they chatted and talked, their conclusion, as expected, was that being a writer is at least better than being an office worker!
The reason is: because there is no boss! Life without a boss is the happiest life!
Tazaki Saku really wanted to refute them.

Wouldn't it be more blissful to have a boss who is noble and cool in front of people but will actively stick her butt out for you to spank behind their backs?
Of course, he held back from saying this for fear of being beaten.

Time slowly approached eight o'clock, and the nature of the literary salon gradually changed. After discussing literary topics, the young people started the cocktail party time, which also meant that the dancing time officially began.

Tazaki Saku was walking around the room with a plate of fruit in his hand.

He had never participated in such a social event before, but he did not seem restrained at this time.

His tall stature and handsome appearance are his apparent confidence, while the system is his hidden confidence.

With the double confidence, even though his behavior and performance were completely inconsistent with the etiquette of the ball, no one thought he was rude. Instead, he gave people a sense of casualness and freedom that seemed to have seen through the rules and regulations. People would just think, "Oh, this is the style of a great writer."

Intellectuals always enjoy preferential treatment in this country.

As he walked, he passed through the side hall and took a look inside.

Kujo Sakurako is no longer in there.

Ryoko was still reading.

The white dress makes her look ethereal and pure, and from a distance she looks cool and elegant, like a daffodil that is isolated from the world.
He is already 24 years old, but his face still has a hint of student spirit.

...White is beautiful and can make a woman who has had sex for eight years still feel like a girl, but under bright lights it can give people a feeling of loneliness.

"This lady..."

In the side hall, there was a rich young man who had been observing her for a long time. He finally couldn't bear the throbbing in his heart, so he stood up and walked in front of her, took a deep breath, and tried to make his tone casual.

"It's dance time now, could you please dance with me..."

Ryoko's reaction was a little slow, giving people the feeling that she was engrossed in reading. After a few seconds, she looked at him and replied expressionlessly: "Sorry, I can't dance."

This voice is so cold...

"Uh..." The man smiled a little stiffly, "It's okay, I can be yours."

Ryoko shook her head, her eyes clear: "It would be bad if I stepped on you."

"It's okay. Being stepped on by a lady is just a..."

"I am married."

After saying that, Ryoko raised her left hand and showed the wedding ring on her ring finger.

When the rich young man escaped from the side hall in disgrace, he happened to meet Tazaki Saku, and the two of them glanced at each other unintentionally.

For some reason, Tazaki Saku suddenly felt like laughing.

But he held back.

This is probably a man's little pride.

Crossing the side hall and walking to the dining table on one side, the salon not only offers Western food, but also sumptuous Japanese cuisine.

Japanese cuisine is very particular about presentation, especially tonight's haute kaiseki. Plates painted with Song Dynasty peony patterns were filled with small, delicate portions of food: pine needles, stir-fried lily root sprouts, some high-end sashimi, soup in small tea bowls, and delicate snacks wrapped in cherry blossom paper.

Tazaki Saku ate a few servings, but these delicious dishes did not surprise him.

At this moment, I suddenly want to eat "vegetable and meat egg rolls".

"You've made quite a splash tonight."

A pleasant voice came from behind me, and there was the sound of "da da da" footsteps.

The sound of these powerful footsteps could only be heard from Maki Saionji and Sakurako Kujo.

Tazaki Saku turned his head and looked back.

The second daughter of the Kujo family, wearing a red dress, with a tall and well-proportioned figure and shiny black hair, appeared in full view of everyone.

She has a delicate and charming face, a high and straight nose, and a slightly aggressive look; her amorous peach blossom eyes, under the warm yellow light, are just the right amount of charming, very moving and full of charm.

The slender legs extending from under the red skirt attracted the attention of the men around.

Her straight back and knees allowed her to walk with the bold strides of a model, showing her confidence and pride everywhere.

"What are you doing here tonight?" Tazaki Saku looked at her strangely.

"Of course I'm here to watch you." Kujo Sakurako said without any hesitation, making it clear that she was going to play with him under Ryoko's nose tonight.

"Pervert." Tazaki Saku rolled his eyes at her.

"If I hadn't come to watch over you, you wouldn't have known how happy you were tonight." Kujo Sakurako walked over to him and changed her words, "You're surrounded by so many women. You must be very happy, right?"

"I don't feel very happy." Tazaki Saku shook his head. "My happiest time was when I lived in a cheap apartment in the Triangle and ate cheap vegetable and meat omelets... Ugh, it hurts!"

Kujo Sakurako twisted his flank, her eyes horrified: "Still showing off your affection in front of me, believe it or not, I'll send your wife to exile in Hokkaido!"

"Let go, let go." Tazaki Saku could only beg for mercy.

"Remember, there can only be me in your heart. Anything about other women is not allowed, even if it's just a memory!" After letting go, Kujo Sakurako showed a condescending smile on her face.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" What else could Tazaki Saku say? He could only obey her.

"Let's dance." Kujo Sakurako stretched out her hand.

Tazaki Saku gently held her hand.

The warm and soft little hands, a little sweaty, were folded in his palm like a fan.

Then, Kujo Sakurako turned around and pulled him towards the dance floor as if she was pulling him away.

People along the way would subconsciously look towards them.

It's not just their outstanding appearance, but also the power and status of the Kujo family.

Unlike the Saionji family, a declining old noble family, the Kujo family is still a truly powerful family in this world.

As they walked more than ten meters towards the dance floor, people kept greeting them, but Kujo Sakurako ignored them, which showed that she had a willful and dangerous personality.

Entering the dance floor, the lights slowly changed.

The conductor of the band tapped the music stand lightly with his bow, and the melody of the waltz accompaniment sounded.

Men and women smiled at each other, pressed their bodies close together, and began to dance to the music.

Tazaki Saku put his arm around Kujo Sakurako's waist, held her hand, and took basic square steps.

"How does it feel to dance with me in your arms?" Kujo Sakurako said with a chuckle, a look of reward in her eyes.

Feeling the softness of her body and breathing in the sweet and moist breath from her mouth, Tazaki Saku replied: "Why don't you let me lick the soles of your shoes later? Otherwise, I'll feel a little guilty about this reward."

"Hahaha~" Kujo Sakurako laughed proudly.

The next second, Tazaki Saku stepped on her instep.

"I'm sorry, I'm not very good at dancing." Tazaki Saku apologized quickly.

"It doesn't matter. I like you better when you know nothing." Kujo Sakurako's eyes seemed to show a stronger possessiveness. "I will slowly transform you and turn you into the person I like..."

After saying that, she raised her foot and stepped on him without any hesitation.

"Hey, it hurts!" Tazaki Saku hugged her waist tightly and held her close to him.

"I'll teach you a lesson. If you hurt me again, I'll punish you." Kujo Sakurako buried her face in his arms, her eyes flickering. "I'm going to lock you in the basement and sit on your hips, breaking them. I'll make you feel the ultimate humiliation..."

You might have read too many H-manga... Tazaki Saku suppressed his strong urge to complain.

After dancing, Kujo Sakurako pushed him away, said, "I'm going to prepare something and will be back soon," and hurried away.

what to prepare?
Could it be that they are preparing props for NTR Ryoko?
Tazaki Saku had good reason to suspect that this woman had bad intentions.

But no matter how he thought about it, he was making a profit, so there was nothing to worry about. He walked slowly towards the rest area by the window.

The person sitting there is almost turning this place into Hokkaido in winter.

Tazaki Saku walked over and was about to say hello when Saionji Maki looked up, glared at him, snorted coldly, and turned her face away from him.

"Why do I feel like you're acting weird? Are you worried about something?" Tazaki Saku asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"I'm fine!" Saionji Maki's expression was calm, but there was obvious resentment in her voice that she couldn't suppress.

"You still say no..." Tazaki Saku sat down next to her and asked with a half-smile, "Is it about work?"

"No!" Maki Saionji shook her head coldly.

As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she reacted and shook her head quickly: "No, I'm not worried, don't bother me!"

"Oh. I see." Tazaki Saku looked at her with a half-smile and slowly leaned towards her. "Did you feel left out tonight, so you're blaming someone in your heart?"

"Ah!"

Saionji Maki sneered and opened her mouth to retort.

But when the words were on the tip of my tongue, I felt that whatever I said seemed a little inappropriate. In the end, I could only roll my eyes at him and turn my head to the other side.

"I'm glad you're okay. I'll be leaving now." Tazaki Saku stood up directly.

"Hey, wait a minute!" Saionji Maki subconsciously reached out and grabbed him, "Don't go!"

"Is there something wrong?" asked Tazaki.

"I, I, uh..." Maki Saionji began to hesitate.

There was nothing wrong with her, she just didn't want him to continue fooling around with other women... She was so jealous that her teeth fell out, but she still insisted that it was not happening, which was unexpectedly cute.

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Double the amount at the end of the year, please give me a monthly ticket.

(End of this chapter)