My Years as a Copyist in Taiwan

Among the readers of "The Devotion of Suspect X" are, of course, the Tokyo Three Musketeers. This is the first time they've become Mr. Snail's first batch of readers, which is a great honor! The feelings in the hearts of these three guys cannot be expressed even if the entire vocabulary of Japan were used.

So they decided to give the great Mr. Snail a gift, but what could they give to express their sincerest feelings?

The three Tokyo musketeers were gathered in the coffee shop downstairs from the art studio, heads close together, discussing something important.

"I want to give Mr. Snail my Stradivarius violin!" Saionji Muneaki thought that giving gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, or paintings to someone as refined as Mr. Snail would be too vulgar. It would be better to steal his grandfather's treasure; that would be a more appropriate gift.

Konoe Kazuma: "Sir probably won't like it. An antique guitar would be fine, but this is too useless."

Fujiwara Kiyohiko suddenly raised an eyebrow: "I have a way..."

"I'm treating everyone to dinner today. Mr. Miyazaki, please don't work overtime today, okay? And Akina too, let's all go out and have something good to eat." Zhao Wen hadn't had much of a taste for food these past few days and wanted to go out for a nice meal.

"Oh, I'm going too?" Nakamori Akina doesn't yet have a clear understanding of her own position. She still feels like that nobody who runs around doing commercial performances for tens of thousands of yen a night just to support her family. So, she feels a little inferior to the people present today, thinking they are all big shots.

"Of course. Our 'Spirited Away' would be much less impressive without your singing." Zhao Wen handed the translator the manuscript of more than a thousand words, then packed his things and said to Nakamori Akina very solemnly.

He knew about Akina's family background. While this background made her incredibly resilient, it also inevitably caused her to feel somewhat inferior. Therefore, he never joked too much with her.

Dinner was arranged at an old-fashioned ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) in Akasaka. The private room was next to the courtyard, with maple branches leaning out over the windowsill. This was the place chosen by Toshio Suzuki because he discovered that Mr. Snail preferred such a stylish setting.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere gradually relaxed. Zhao Wen put down his chopsticks and looked at the girl sitting upright beside him: "Today's 'Name of Life,' your breath control was a little unstable in the second half. Have you been practicing too much lately?"

To the untrained eye, these words seem like the producer's usual concern for the singer. But a closer look reveals that even the slightest difference in breathiness is remembered, and this care is not just empty talk.

Akina Nakamori swallowed the food in her mouth and nodded: "Yes... I've been thinking about practicing a few more times lately, so I probably haven't been getting enough rest."

"A singer's voice is their greatest asset. If Yan-Yin gives you too many gigs, just say what I said: recording the anime theme song is the highest priority, and you should turn down any other miscellaneous commercial performances."

Upon hearing this, Fujino Shuji immediately chimed in, "Don't worry, Ms. Akina. I'll put in a good word, and Ken-On won't object. They'd be happy to cancel a few commercial gigs, or even just clear out half a month of your schedule to work on your songs."

Toshio Suzuki nodded in agreement: "That's right. After the theme song is recorded, Tokuma Music can do a special project for you. I heard you're planning to film an idol movie, right? With that guy... Kondo Haruka?"

In 1982, Yanon Agency was just a medium-sized agency that had been established for only three years. It was far from the top agency it would become in the future. Compared with the two giants, Kodansha and Tokuma, it was several levels below them, and even the difference between upstream and downstream was significant.

These two carry considerable weight when they speak. Kodansha controls publishing and media channels, while Tokuma holds film, music, and theater resources. For them to join forces to promote a newcomer is practically a game-changer in the Japanese entertainment industry.

Saionji Muneaki, not to be outdone, immediately patted his chest and said, "Akina-san! I know the TV stations well. I know the variety show producers at TBS and Fuji. Once the song is released, I'll arrange a prime-time performance for you, I guarantee it'll be top-notch!"

Kazuma Konoe: "Let's win a few awards first..."

Kiyohiko Fujiwara nodded in agreement: "I can also speak on sports programs; the opening concerts for baseball league games have a wide audience..."

Zhao Wen chuckled inwardly. With Kodansha, Katoku, and three top-tier playboys, using this lineup to deal with Kenon was like using an anti-aircraft gun to kill a mosquito.

He quickly interjected, "I think the issue isn't resources, but direction. Akina's career path shouldn't be towards film and television, but rather she should focus on developing her singing career."

Mr. Tengyi had the deepest understanding of his master, Mr. Snail, among all these people. He only had to think for a moment before he immediately realized that Mr. Tengyi didn't want Akina to act in the movie!

"I think Mr. Snail is right! Akina-san's 'Girl A' is already selling like hotcakes, it seems like it's sold over 100,000 discs already, right?"

"Yes! Almost 200,000 copies!" Akina nodded vigorously. This was something to be very proud of. This disc didn't have much marketing budget, and her talent was undeniable.

"Look, this is our future diva, how can she go and make those ridiculous idol movies!" Mr. Wicker Chair raised his glass, inviting Zhao Wen to drink with him, and then continued:

"Ms. Akina, this is the most crucial period of your singing career's rise. Please, please don't let anything distract you. As for that idol drama, you might as well not do it!"

Zhao Wen looked at the rattan chair with satisfaction, picked up his wine glass and clinked it against the man's: "Mr. Rattan Chair is right!"

The rattan chair was flattered and quickly drank it all down. Hehe, only I am Mr. Snail's most intimate friend!

Mr. Miyazaki's labels of "taciturn and taciturn" are not due to his inherent weakness or stupidity. This period is precisely when the old man is at his most sharp; he might even scold people at work. His observations are extremely accurate. He usually just adopts "selective silence," but even he can't help but interject at this time.

"Your style has been imprinted on this animated film because of 'Spirited Away,' so it's not suitable for idol dramas."

Brilliant, old man! My efforts to help you finish this epic animation ahead of schedule were worthwhile!

"So, I was right that day, wasn't I, Akina?"

"That's right, I've never doubted you, sir!" Akina Nakamori's eyes were firm. She decided not to make that movie, at most...

"If you're still worried about Yan Yin, Mr. Suzuki and Mr. Teng Yi will go and help you." Zhao Wen knew that "going to help" probably just meant making a small request, but Cai Cai thought it was something serious.

"Ah, is that why Ms. Akina is worried?"

"I can handle the matter at Yeon-eun's agency by myself!"

"I'll tell them, their company president even treated my father to dinner..."