My Years as a Copyist in Taiwan

At Jiuge Publishing House, Yi'an was squatting on the ground packing the newly printed "Love Letters," with a little ink stain on the tip of her nose, looking adorable.

"Knock, knock, knock." The door was open, but there was a knocking sound.

Editor Gao, who was leisurely puffing out smoke, turned his head and saw a man in his fifties standing at the door wearing a dark gray trench coat, with his hair neatly combed and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose.

Behind him was a young man who looked like an assistant, carrying a very fine leather briefcase.

"Mr. Fujino?" Editor-in-Chief Gao was taken aback for a moment, then quickly stood up to greet him. "Why did you come all this way in person?"

The visitor was Shuji Fujino, the chief representative of Kodansha in Taipei.

In the publishing circles of Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, no one is unaware of this name—he has been working in the publishing industry for thirty years, single-handedly made three Akutagawa Prize winners famous, and holds the most unimpeded translation and distribution channels in Southeast Asia.

What's even more fascinating is his family life: he has a devoted wife in Tokyo, and a second home in Taipei. His wife here comes from a scholarly family and is an excellent cook of braised pork rice. The two families have lived peacefully together for over a decade.

"Taka-san, it's been a long time." Fujino Shuji's Chinese had a slight Kansai accent, but he spoke clearly and distinctly. "I was passing by Chongqing South Road when I saw this new book on a bookstall. I read most of it and then came straight to Tainan."

He pulled a copy of "Love Letters" from his trench coat pocket and explained.

"Sit down, please sit down." Editor-in-Chief Gao poured Fujino a cup of hot tea, secretly thinking to himself, "This guy is so arrogant. Normally, let alone visiting in person, even if the boss and his wife from Golden Crown Publishing House personally delivered sample books, he would at most have his assistant receive them on his behalf."

"Mr. Takashi, I won't beat around the bush." ​​Fujino Shuji placed the book on the table. "I want all the overseas rights to this book in Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Mr. Snail, name your terms. Royalties will be based on Ms. Golden Crown Phoenix's peak rates, and the advance payment will be doubled. I guarantee a Japanese translation will be published within three months!"

Yi'an paused in packing, secretly glancing at Fujino. She had seen too many publishing house owners who immediately started calculating print runs and costs; she had never seen anyone dare to give the highest royalties after reading only half a book.

"Mr. Fujino, you flatter me too much." Editor-in-Chief Gao suppressed his excitement and said calmly, "Mr. Snail is a newcomer to Jiuge, and this book has just been released."

"I know." Fujino Shuji smiled, picked up his teacup and took a sip. "The owner of Golden Crown had tea with me yesterday and said that this Mr. Snail is too arrogant to write about romance in his youth novel. He won't last more than a month. So when I saw this book today, I had a flash of inspiration and bought it to read."

He paused, then tapped the cover of "Love Letters" heavily with his finger: "The owner of Golden Crown is old, and his soulmate is outdated. He only sees the kind of heart-wrenching love stories like Ms. Phoenix's, thinking that readers all over the world love to watch melodramatic tearjerker dramas. He doesn't understand what truly moves people's youth."

"Ms. Phoenix's stories are like a raging fire, burning quickly and dying out just as fast. Mr. Snail's writing is like moonlight, so faint it's almost invisible, yet it shines into the softest part of one's heart."

Yi'an's lips curled up slightly. She remembered when Mr. Snail came to deliver fruit that day and told the editor-in-chief, "What I wrote is a story about longing."

"Besides 'Love Letter,' I also want 'Those Years.'" Shuji Fujino put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and said with utmost sincerity, "In addition, I want Mr. Snail's next manuscript, no matter what he writes or how long it is. The royalties will remain the same, and I can transfer the advance payment anytime."

Editor-in-Chief Gao's heart skipped a beat. He had been worrying about how to promote Zhao Wen's book overseas, but unexpectedly, Fujino Shuji delivered it to his door. He remembered the stack of unfinished manuscripts in Zhao Wen's desk drawer, and Zhao Wen's words, "For the next book, I want to write something more profound."

"Mr. Fujino, Mr. Snail is rather reclusive and doesn't like meeting people," Editor-in-Chief Gao said carefully. "But I can ask him for you. He is indeed writing a new novel recently, about loneliness and redemption, which is more profound than 'Love Letter'."

"Great!" Shuji Fujino's eyes lit up. "I'll wait! I'll wait as long as it takes! As long as it's written by Mr. Snail, Kodansha will take it all!"

He took out two pre-prepared contracts from his briefcase and placed them in front of Editor-in-Chief Gao: "I've already drafted the copyright contract. Can you see if you can get Mr. Snail to sign it today? Have the finance department transfer the advance payment this afternoon. I'll personally oversee the translation of the Japanese version to ensure not a single word is omitted."

This is the style of someone determined to succeed in life! The contract is all prepared, and you still say you only saw "Love Letter" today?

Editor-in-Chief Gao picked up the contract and flipped through it. The terms were very generous. He looked up at the window and saw that it was raining, which was rare. The poster for "Love Letters" on the bookstall was wet in one corner, but students were still holding umbrellas and gathered around the stall, pointing at the poster and chattering.

He picked up the phone and dialed Zhao Wen's number.

Yi'an squatted on the ground and packed the last copy of "Love Letters" into a cardboard box. She looked at the book that Fujino Shuji had brought on the table and thought to herself: Mr. Snail, your words have been seen by the whole world.

Shuji Fujino looked at the "Kyuuka Publishing House" sign on the wall and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

He knew that this small magazine was about to be taken off by a young man.

Editor-in-Chief Gao put down the phone, turned to look at Shuji Fujino, and smiled apologetically: "Mr. Fujino, it's really unfortunate. Mr. Snail has two little girls at home who need looking after, so he can't leave today. If you're not in a hurry, shall we go to his house to sign the papers? It's not far, just in the old alley on Yongfu Road."

"It is only right that I pay a visit." Fujino Shuji immediately stood up, showing no airs of a high-ranking representative, and instead solemnly adjusted the collar of his trench coat.

Driving the old Nissan Cedric owned by President Jiuge, the group arrived at the entrance of the old alley on Yongfu Road, got out of the car, and walked towards Zhao Wen's house.

The rain was still falling. I walked along the bluestone path into the alley. Blooming roses hung on the walls. The rain hit the petals and covered the ground with pink petals.

Shuji Fujino glanced at the old wooden houses on both sides and sighed softly, "No wonder he could write such words. Living in a place like this, one's heart is at peace."

A burst of laughter came from the courtyard. Editor-in-Chief Gao pushed open the door and saw Zhao Wen squatting by the lotus pot, fiddling with a piece of origami. Two girls were squatting on either side of him, the three heads huddled together, and a little kitten was perched on top of Zhao Wen's head.