Tokyo Love Story

The middle-aged man noticed his gaze, seemed to have misunderstood him, or seemed to have been waiting for this opportunity, and took the initiative to speak, breaking the silence in the reception room.

"Beichuan, the author of "Hear the Wind Sing."

Kitagawa Che also gave a brief self-introduction, but he only mentioned his pen name.

"You don't need any further introduction. Your pen name and your works are already well-known to all the staff of the Baiyuanchuan Library."

Bai Yuanchuan showed a very friendly smile, and took the initiative to extend his hand and shake hands with Beichuan Che.

"It's just my humble work."

Beichuan Che took his hand back and said something polite, but didn't take the words to heart.

He knew very well that in any business cooperation, it is best not to take the compliments from your partners too seriously. Everyone can say nice things, but the benefits written in black and white are the real things that matter.

If you really believe these flattering words, then you have really gone too far.

"I invited you, Beichuan, to come here this time because I wanted to discuss further cooperation with you." Bai Yuanchuan glanced at Beichuan Che, "Editor Shenye should have mentioned this to you."

"Yes, Editor Shenye mentioned this to me."

He nodded and gave an affirmative answer.

"Then I won't say so much nonsense." Bai Yuanchuan coughed lightly and handed the new contract to Beichuan Che in front of him, "We plan to print 50,000 more copies of "Hear the Wind Sing", and we also hope to give you more support.

"The previous cooperation contract was for a 10% royalty share. This time, we plan to raise it to 15%, and we can even negotiate further."

Bai Yuanchuan decisively gave up the idea of ​​beating around the bush.

Theoretically speaking, even if you know that someone is being polite to you, people will still like to hear nice words, especially when these nice words are an acknowledgement of something they value. You may not feel proud, but at least the micro-expression on your face will be relaxed.

But Beichuan Che didn't react at all.

This also proves that Kaoru Kamino's judgment was correct.

Under such circumstances, if you talk about poetry and distant places with a little fox who won't release the eagle until he sees the rabbit, the other party will only talk about poetry and distant places in return. From the perspective of seeking benefits, there is no point in feeding each other chicken soup like this, which will only be a waste of time.

Well, after clarifying this point, many things become clear.

You want something practical, okay, then I will give you something practical.

? ”

Beichuan Che was a little surprised, but not too shocked.

There is no such thing as a free lunch in the world. If a new author is given such a share of the profits so readily, then there must be twists and turns in the subsequent cooperation terms.

"Yes, if you are not satisfied with this ratio, we can discuss it again."

Bai Yuanchuan's face was full of seriousness, without the slightest hint of joking.

"As far as I know, the highest commission in the industry is 12%. As a newcomer, it should be difficult for me to get 15%."

Beichuan Che met Bai Yuanchuan's gaze calmly; his meaning had been conveyed very clearly.

Everyone understands the unspoken rules of business cooperation. No one is nice to anyone for no reason. Concessions made by one party will inevitably be accompanied by gains by the other party.

What is the basis for willingness to make concessions? In the case of equal status, it is to get better conditions in other matters. In the case of unequal status, it is a last resort.

The current relationship between him and Kashiwa Yuanchuan Library is not satisfied with him being strong and the other party being weak.

Well, if that's the case, both sides should stop pretending, put down the carts and directly state the attached conditions. If it's possible to talk, then continue the talk. If not, then forget it.

"That's just on the surface. Excellent people deserve to be kept with more favorable conditions. I remember there is an old saying that goes like this." Bai Yuanchuan smiled and said in a somewhat awkward Chinese, "A wise bird chooses a tree to roost in."

Beichuan Che did not respond, but just looked at him silently.

"That's the downside to dealing with smart people." Bai Yuanchuan shook his head, complaining, but with a hint of admiration in his eyes, "Let me get straight to the point. To get 15% of the royalties, you need to sign an additional contract."

"Please continue to explain in detail."

"But." Bai Yuanchuan changed the subject and spoke in a more relaxed tone, "This contract is not as harsh as you think. It is just a letter of intent for future cooperation. Within three years, all the books you publish will be published by Bai Yuanchuan Library."

For a new author, this letter of intent for cooperation is indeed not too demanding, and it may even be profitable. After all, no one knows how the next book will turn out.

But there was still no big waves in Beichuan Che's heart.

Bai Yuanchuan only saw his potential, but as a time traveler, he was clear about the commercial success that the works he borrowed from had achieved.

He thought for a moment and asked, "What about the royalties during this period?"

"I can guarantee that your subsequent books will not be less than 11%." Bai Yuanchuan paused and added, "Of course, if you can win the Naoki Prize, the share can be higher, not less than 12%. If the quality of the work is particularly excellent, then we can discuss it again."

In a sense, this is a win-win situation. It is not a conspiracy, but an open conspiracy.

I will offer you the highest royalty share generally recognized in the industry. In exchange, all your books in the next three years will be published by me. The same process and the highest royalty share are guaranteed.

Bai Yuanchuan did not mention the sentence "In three years, you can either write a book or not write a single book". Just as he said, Beichuan Che is a smart man. Although dealing with smart people is troublesome, it is not tiring once the content of the cooperation is finalized.

No one would do anything that would ruin their future.

"Is the latter sentence written in the letter of intent?"

Beichuan Che asked.

"You mean, the quality of the work is exceptional, and we can still talk about that?"

"Yes."

"It's written inside, and the specific basis for judgment is also marked." Bai Yuanchuan raised his eyebrows, indicating that Beichuan Che could see it with his own eyes, "The contract in front of you is at the very bottom."

Beichuan Che nodded, took out the contract without any hesitation and started reading it.

The basis for judgment was slightly different from what he had imagined, but generally speaking it was basically the same, that is, it was based on aspects such as sales speed and praise rate, and even specifically marked the corresponding royalty sharing that could be negotiated.

It seemed that the other party really made an offer that he couldn't refuse.

After glancing at the contract, he raised his eyebrows and his eyes fell on Bai Yuanchuan's face.

The latter did not dodge and met his gaze.

"Oh, right." Suddenly, Bai Yuanchuan seemed to remember something, and for a second he broke down and smiled a little awkwardly. He took out a copy of "Hear the Wind Sing" from his briefcase and said, "Can you sign it for me? Beichuan, my daughter is a fan of your book and wants your autograph."

*

Kitagawa family.

Ejima Miu put down the broom, glanced at the spotlessly clean living room, and a satisfied smile appeared on her face.

She didn't know when it started, but cleaning the house would give her an inexplicable sense of security.

Judging from the time, the young master's side should be almost finished, right?

Ejima Mia thought so and raised her eyebrows at the wall clock in the living room.

There are still about two hours until dinner time.

After a short rest, it's time to cook.

She is getting more and more adapted to her current life. The young master takes care of the outside affairs, and she takes care of the inside affairs, just like... those full-time housewives in TV dramas.

Thinking of this, Ejima Tadashi's ears inexplicably turned pink.

You can't think like that! I'm a valet!

Shaking her head, she pushed those thoughts out of her mind and sat back on the sofa.

But before she could close her eyes and recite the self-hypnosis mantra of "don't think about these things", her cell phone suddenly rang.

After taking a look at the unfamiliar caller, she answered the phone, "Moximoxi?"

"This is St. Luke's International Hospital. Are you a relative of Ejima Toyoko?"

A mature female voice came from the other end of the receiver.

"Huh? I am. What happened to her?"

"She's yours?"

"grandmother"

Ejima Miao held her breath, and a bad premonition in her heart began to spread gradually.

She spoke to her grandmother Ejima Toyoko the day before yesterday.

The grandmother's voice on the other end of the phone sounded weaker than usual. She wanted to go see her, but she said she just didn't get enough rest and caught a cold, and it wasn't a big deal. Then she changed the subject and refused her visit.

The female voice on the other end of the phone paused, then answered her question in the calmest tone possible.

"Grandma Ejima is in the emergency room now. Please come over as soon as possible."

Thank you Rem for the reward and Heimaolu for the monthly ticket. Your support is my motivation for writing.

There is another chapter in the afternoon.

Chapter is not strong

Ejima Tadashi knew very well that her grandmother had always been in poor health.

She has also mentioned countless times that she hopes the other party can go to the hospital for regular checkups, and she will find a way to solve the money issue.

Before the incident in the Beichuan family, she had never misused the pocket money given to her by the Beichuan couple every month, or more precisely, she had hardly spent it. The amount was not much, but it was more than enough to support an old man's annual medical check-up expenses.

But older people seem to be like this. They have an inexplicable resistance to hospitals. Even if they feel unwell, as long as there are no obvious symptoms, they are unwilling to go to the hospital. In their minds, they don't go to the hospital if they are not sick, and they just endure the illness. If they really can't get better, they just take some cheap medicine. This concept seems to be taken for granted.

As for the regular physical examinations mentioned by young people, the elderly will think it is a waste of money just by hearing about it. They will think that their children and grandchildren can save the money to buy big items or replace something. Anyway, it is worthwhile than spending it on going to the hospital themselves.

After the misfortune of Beichuan's family, during the most difficult month for her, her grandmother gave her all her savings over the years without hesitation, and told her to take good care of Beichuan Che.

Led by a kind female nurse, she came to the hospital's emergency center.

"you are?"

The female nurse in charge of reception glanced at her colleague, then stood up and looked at Ejima Miu.

"I'm Ejima Toyoko's family member. You called me just now."

"Oh! Yes, I thought you would be here for a while. Please follow me."

The female nurse withdrew her gaze, came out from the reception desk, and led Ejima Miu to the emergency room.

Compared to the hustle and bustle of the emergency center hall, the emergency room seemed much quieter, and one could even clearly hear the hurried footsteps of two people.

The white, ownerless light shone onto the ground, emitting bursts of cold light.

"Grandma Ejima was brought here by her neighbor, and the old man is still waiting outside the emergency room."

The female nurse lowered her voice and explained the situation to Ejima Tadashi.

"What about my grandma? How is she?"

Ejima Tadashi's voice was filled with trepidation.

The closer she walked to the end of the corridor, the more difficult it felt for her to walk. Her steps, which used to be easy, now seemed as if they were filled with lead.

"We are trying our best to save her." The nurse slowed down her pace and patted her shoulder in a comforting manner. "It's okay. Dr. Fujimoto is the best doctor here. He will definitely be able to save your grandma."

Ejima Miu nodded blankly and fell silent.

The two came to the end of the corridor.

"It's right here, please wait a moment."

After leaving these words, the nurse left.

On the bench outside the emergency room, a gray-haired old man lowered his head and rubbed his rough fingers anxiously.

Hearing the voice over here, the old man raised his head and looked at Ejima Miao.

After recognizing her, the old man said nothing, and a hint of sadness flashed across his eyes.

After looking at his grandmother's neighbor, he turned around to look at the empty corridor. For some reason, Ejima Tadashi took out his cell phone from his pocket and subconsciously sent a message to Kitagawa Che.

When people are helpless, they will subconsciously turn to the person they trust the most for help.

*

An hour later, the emergency light in the emergency room dimmed and Toyoko Ejima, who was lying on the operating table, was pushed out.

Before Ejima Mia could catch up, a male doctor in a white coat called her.

"Are you a direct relative of Ejima Toyoko?"

"I, I am."

Raising her hand timidly, Ejima Miu met the male doctor's gaze.