Crossing over, and then being blocked by a rich JK.

Chapter 528 Maintenance
The following day, at nine o'clock in the morning, in the president's office of Akiha Publishing House.

"Ugh."

Looking at the mountain of contracts in front of him, Kitashin Ichiro couldn't help but sigh.

Ever since "Journey Under the Midnight Sun" slapped the faces of those who formed cliques within the industry, Watanabe's popularity has exceeded everyone's expectations.

The story of a hero fighting a dragon is captivating enough, but this kind of shocking revelation from literary circles is even more so.

Thanks to this breakthrough, more and more people are now interested in buying the rights to "White Night".

Wealthy people may not understand novels, but they understand market choices and know how to hire professionals to assess the commercial value of their novel adaptations.

Clearly, "White Night" is a popular adaptation that has both commercial value and generates a lot of buzz.

With the covert efforts of many directors in the film and television industry, copyright purchase contracts were sent out from their respective companies, flying into Qiuye Bookstore's mailbox like autumn raindrops.

As for why they didn't call, it's because they had already called and received the same answer.

—Some things shouldn't be said on the phone or in person. Talking without evidence is meaningless. We're all adults, so let's be practical and write down the conditions we can offer in black and white.

As for whether it will work out, we'll have to wait for further notice.

In the past, even if Kitashin Ichiro didn't care about the future of the bookstore, he wouldn't have said such a thing, because such a statement was really going too far.

It's okay to be arrogant, but you have to have the right to be arrogant.

The bookstore didn't have the resources in the past, but now... thanks to Watanabe's books, each one is better than the last, and the bookstore's voice in the industry is getting louder and louder.

Those who had been making sarcastic remarks and were planning or already kicking someone when they were down suddenly fell silent, quieter than a library. Some of the more shameless ones even turned around and became obsequious and ingratiating.

All I can say is that what Yu said really hit the nail on the head. When you have achieved enough success and recognition, and reached the 'achievements' recognized under universal values, you will suddenly find that there are no bad people around you, only good people, and the number of these good people can even be huge.

Yes, he understands this principle, but he can't express it as scathingly and ironically as Yu.

Why are you sighing?

Kuriyama Akiho, who was taking out the new author's new book from her briefcase, paused for a moment, then raised her eyebrows and looked at her president with concern.

She was planning to show the book of a promising new author to the latter.

What does it mean when the other person suddenly sighs?

If the editor-in-chief says she's in a bad mood later, she'll just leave and bring the manuscript back when he's in a better mood.

People tend to offer higher commission rates when they're in a good mood, right?
As for why we should help the other party fight for their interests in this way, the reason is quite simple.

Firstly, the latter was short of money and living in poverty. She felt that a talented person should not be trapped by life's hardships. Secondly, she believed that promising new authors and their works should receive the treatment they deserve.

Moreover, this treatment should be openly and honestly communicated to the person in question, so that the latter will understand how highly the publishing house regards him.

There's a saying that goes, "It's no use just doing things silently; you have to do them while talking about them, and in the end, you have to do them perfectly."

This kind of mindset of burying one's head in one's heart and making a firm decision to change only applies to changing oneself; it's not suitable for other matters.

"It's nothing, I'm just thinking about how long it will take me to finish all these contracts."

Kita Shinichiro rubbed his temples, feeling a sudden wave of fatigue for no apparent reason.

It's still the New Year, and while other companies with longer holidays are still resting, their company has already started working.

To be honest, after his career took off, he had much less personal time.

Perhaps this is what they mean by "you gain something, you lose something else."

"You can give it to your secretary."

Kuriyama Akie felt that he didn't need to do everything himself. Things like this should be left to his secretary, who could prioritize them based on their importance.

"Let her help you filter them, take care of the important ones first, then the less important ones."

Of course, she wouldn't say something like asking her secretary to sign for her.

That's outrageous, and given Kitashin Ichiro's personality, he would never actually do that.

The reason is simple: the latter is somewhat suspicious by nature, and he needs to confirm things himself before he can feel at ease.

However, this is also a good thing. In the past two years, she has seen many club presidents cause big problems because of their laziness.

She was very happy working at Akiba Company and satisfied with the place that had helped her establish herself in the industry. She didn't want to inexplicably switch to a new company and a new boss and have to start all over again.

"What do you mean by important and what do you mean by secondary?" Kita Shinichiro asked rhetorically, then, without keeping them in suspense, went straight to the point that was giving him a headache: "These contracts are almost all cooperation agreements related to 'White Night'."

"Some are buyout prices, which are relatively high, but in my personal opinion, this amount of money is far from enough. After all, compared to Norwegian Wood, Journey Under the Midnight Sun is simply more suitable for adaptation."

"Moreover, this is different from other adaptations. 'White Night' is very suitable for being adapted into a crime drama."

It's important to understand that TV series are more popular with audiences than movies, which require a relatively high cost to watch each time.

Even many celebrities prioritize television dramas when choosing projects that can boost their market value.

After all, due to the total length of the episodes, the latter shows up much more frequently and for much longer than in the movie.

This is especially true nowadays, as most male and female leads in movies are brought in with their own investment. It's difficult for companies of average size to secure roles with significant screen time.

"What about the division?"

After thinking for a moment, Kuriyama Akie decided to continue the conversation with the president.

Firstly, their relationship was fairly good, and their personal interactions were also decent; secondly, she had also become interested, and as Watanabe Yu's editor, she felt obligated to help him secure a good price.

“The profit sharing is the normal profit sharing.” Kita Shinichiro sighed. “Although it is written on the document and it is promised that there will be more profit sharing if the results are good, I still feel very uncomfortable about it.”

In layman's terms, directors all saw the potential for a huge success after adapting "White Night Walking," but the prices they offered were all quite reasonable.

To put it bluntly, these people are all too greedy; they want to get rich quick.

Let alone now, he would never have agreed to such an 'unequal treaty' even in the past.

"The quality of 'White Night' speaks for itself. Find a male lead with good acting skills, and a female lead who is pretty and has a world-weary face. With a little training on both of their acting skills, it would be an injustice if this drama didn't become a hit."

His tone betrayed a hint of dissatisfaction.

Now that someone is willing to listen, he's going to be very open about it and pour out all his grievances and bad moods.

"Although I have a lot of confidence in 'Journey Under the Midnight Sun' and I think what you said is very sincere, I still have to say that if your statement were heard by outsiders, they might think that you are overly confident."

Kuriyama Akie carefully considered her words and expressed her opinion in a more tactful way.

If she weren't tactful, she would have said 'arrogance'.

So-called overconfidence is still within the bounds of confidence, not too much.

"They think it's their business, there's nothing they can do about it anyway."

Kita Shinichiro waved his hand dismissively.

"Moreover, this isn't just my opinion. Look at the forums for 'White Night,' aren't these kinds of statements everywhere?"

Sometimes he really felt that Qiu Hui was too timid and hesitant. Qiu Ye Bookstore had been completely transformed. Before, the bookstore might have cared about those rumors and gossip, but now, as long as it wasn't something with a particularly big impact and there was no evidence, they could ignore it.

However, on the other hand, their bookstore never engages in any illegal or disorderly conduct, and there is no such thing as being caught on camera with evidence.

"Since you've said so, I'll believe you."

Akie Kuriyama didn't argue with the president either.

To put it bluntly, the other party is the person in charge of the company and also the one who pays his salary. Whatever he says goes.

Not to mention, the president has always treated them very well, giving them a 20% higher year-end bonus than other companies, and they also get more vacation time overall.

You know, one of their colleagues worked almost four weeks straight before finally getting a week off after all that work.

Before she became a worker, she didn't think working four weeks a week was a big deal, but now that she's a worker, she knows all too well how terrible it is.

"but!"

She coughed softly, and her previously scattered thoughts came to focus on the present moment.

"After all, 'Journey Under the Midnight Sun' is Watanabe's work, so I think you should discuss this with him."

Actually, as an editor, her statement was a bit 'over the top'.

As an editor instructing the president on how to make decisions, in a more traditional workplace, at the very least, she would have a week's salary deducted. In a large family business, such a decision would be tantamount to being fired.

“I never intended to make the decision myself.” Kita Shinichiro wasn’t angry. Instead, he smiled and looked at Kuriyama Akie. “I will only help him with a preliminary screening. There’s no need to waste his time on those with mediocre conditions.”

In a sense, his role as president is quite outrageous.

Rather than being the president, he was more like a large butler, and Watanabe Yu was the young master he served.

However, he dared not say such things carelessly, since his niece was a boyfriend slave.

If he dared to say a bad word about Watanabe Yu, Ayana would give him a big eye roll and cold treatment.

"Then I'll leave it to you, President."

Kuriyama Akie lowered her eyes and earnestly made the request.

Although she is an editor, she doesn't actually know much about adaptations like movies, TV series, and anime.

Or to put it bluntly, she simply doesn't understand.

After all, no one from Qiuye Publishing House had ever adapted a TV series before. Although they had made a few movies, those authors were not under her supervision; rather, they were the work of her mentors.

She didn't feel comfortable asking.

"You only know to ask the president for help at times like this. He was acting all fierce just now."

Kita Shinichiro teased her, but he wasn't angry; he just had some reservations.

What kind of magic does Watanabe have? First, his niece spoke up for him, and now his editor is speaking up for him too.

Yes, he admitted that Watanabe was talented and handsome, but he didn't deserve such favoritism!
It's unbelievable that an editor who receives their own salary would betray their principles like this.

This is no longer a typical 'ntr'!

“Watanabe is, after all, my author.” Kuriyama Akie raised her eyebrows and met his gaze without flinching. “As his editor, it is my responsibility to fight for better conditions for him.”

She has absolutely valid reasons in this matter.

"You're certainly being righteous." Kitashin Ichiro rolled his eyes, both amused and exasperated, then pointedly asked a new question, "Do you think Watanabe still has any stock left?"

He was referring to the latter's inspiration.

To be honest, he thought that Watanabe Yu, having been "exploited" like that, would be unable to write anything good anymore, but it turns out he was wrong, terribly wrong.

Geniuses cannot be compared to ordinary people.

The so-called lack of inspiration seems like a joke to someone like Watanabe Yu.

"I don't know about that."

Kuriyama Akie hesitated for a moment, then shook her head in the end.

Although she hasn't mentored as many authors as her industry predecessors, there's a consensus in the industry that even the best authors will become scarce after repeated bursts of talent.

Human emotions are finite; once they've been released, it takes time to recover.

Watanabe may be able to unleash his ideas so many times when they flow freely, but it's unlikely he'll be able to do it any more.

Therefore, she believes that Watanabe should rest for another six months, which is the minimum.

Rather than 'draining' this young genius in a short period of time, she would rather collaborate with this 'great writer' for a lifetime.

At that time, I will also become someone who leaves a mark on the history of the industry.

“You’re quite the talker.” Kita Shinichiro glanced at her, he could see right through her thoughts. “It’s not that I want to rush him… well, it is that I want to rush him, I want to see if he can still come up with something good.”

He could have easily labeled himself with titles like Zhou, Wu, Zheng, and Wang, but when the words came to him, he refrained from doing so.

Who told him to be shameless enough?

“You can give it a try.” Kuriyama Akie paused for a moment, “but I don’t think it’s necessary to rush it. It’s better to give him some time to recover.”

"What if?"

Kita Shinichiro still had that same skeptical look on his face.

Why rush things?

Akie Kuriyama did not back down.

"..."

The two stared at each other for a full ten seconds, neither willing to give in, until finally Kitashin Ichiro took the initiative to look away, and the matter was considered closed.

"Then can I ask him if he has any topics to cover?"

Kita Shinichiro was still unwilling to give up.

"If that's all there is to it, then please proceed."

Kuriyama Akie said this, then abruptly changed the subject.

"But if you want to ask, don't tell me to do it anymore, just ask yourself."

Kita Shinichiro has a history of doing this, and she doesn't want to be a 'messenger' again.

Especially when she was unwilling to do so.

"...Okay, I promise you, I'll go ask myself."

Kitashin Ichiro paused for a moment, but finally uttered those words.

Editors these days are getting harder and harder to manage!
(End of this chapter)