My fiancée Yukino

If I'm lucky, I won the silver medal, and after some adjustments and revisions, it was approved for publication. However, I still have many shortcomings. Although I've written two-thirds of the second volume, I'm still not entirely satisfied and am constantly revising it.

"That's already very good, for your age," Mrs. Luo said with satisfaction. "I heard from Xiaobai that you're still number one in your grade, right? To be able to maintain your grades while doing this is already outstanding."

At this moment, Luo Bai interjected, "That's right. Among your peers, you're already among the most outstanding. There's no need to set excessively high standards for yourself or put too much pressure on you. Just take it one step at a time. Besides, you don't need to write light novels so quickly. A three-month interval between the release of each volume is already considered fast. Take your time."

"Xiaobai is right, don't overwork yourself."

As she spoke, Luo's mother smiled and patted Shiyu's head, praising, "You're so pretty!"

Shi Yu was a little embarrassed by the praise.

As they chatted, the car finally arrived at the restaurant where they had reserved a private room.

Both of Luo's parents are very talkative, knowledgeable, and experienced. While eating, they answered some of the questions Shiyu had encountered at school and the publishing house, and offered their own insights.

After taking a bite of Wagyu beef, Luo's father said, "Fushigawa Publishing... I seem to remember it. It must have been last year when I came to Tokyo to see friends. We went to a banquet together. I think there were presidents from several publishing houses there, including the president of Fushigawa. There was another one, I think, from Dengeki Bunko?"

Luo Bai nodded and said, "Dengeki Bunko is one of the most famous light novel publishers, followed by Kadokawa Bunko."

"Oh right, we saw Kadokawa's too." Luo's father finally remembered and looked at his son, asking, "Do these light novel imprints make money?"

Luo Bai replied, "Top-tier publishers should be considered quite profitable. As long as they have a hit work, after a series of comic book and anime adaptations, it becomes a huge hit, and then they develop corresponding games and merchandise, which in turn boosts the sales of light novels, forming a virtuous cycle, and that's enough to make money. However, out of so many light novels published every year, only a very small number can be adapted into anime or even expand into various merchandise industries."

"That's it."

Seeing his father nodding repeatedly, Luo Bai put down his chopsticks and asked, "Dad, you wouldn't be thinking about investing in this field, would you?"

Mr. Luo sighed, "I had a slight idea, but I've given up on it now. After all, your analysis has always been very accurate. This isn't like the emerging tech companies we invested in before, whose development prospects were predictable. The emergence of a wildly popular novel is just like a movie breaking 50 billion at the box office—it's all about luck, isn't it?"

"That's absolutely true, so I've never even considered this industry. You could probably make more money investing in the gaming industry than this."

Of course, investing in the gaming industry is just talk; unless it involves acquiring shares in existing well-known game development companies, Luo Bai will not participate.

The conversation between Luo Bai and his father also piqued Shi Yu's curiosity.

Volume 1: Chapter 206 Shiyu's Arrangements Regarding the Manga (1/2)

"Luo Jun, Uncle, are you talking about the light novel industry?"

Luo Bai nodded and said, "That's right. When I was considering investment projects in Japan last year, I also learned a little about light novels. Although they seem to be doing very well now, there are actually very few works that can continuously increase their own value, just like I just said. The most typical and well-known ones in recent years should be Sword Art Online, Overlord, and Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-."

Because she was a light novel author, Shiyu also did her research on the current state of the industry after submitting her work. Indeed, as Luo Bai said, top-notch works are extremely rare.

Don't be fooled by the fact that there are several light novel adaptations every quarter these past few years. But if an anime adaptation can increase light novel sales and lead to second or third seasons, and even boost other related merchandise, then one of those adaptations per quarter is considered good.

Most light novels adapted into anime only get one chance to appear on screen, after which they return to their original state, and sales don't see a significant increase.

As for Shiyu's own work, she doesn't know if there's a chance it will be adapted into an anime; that depends on how well the novel performs after its release this weekend.

However, since it's a romance light novel, Shiyu estimated that its grades wouldn't be particularly good, and it probably couldn't compare to those isekai (another world) type novels.

The publisher had anticipated this, so they didn't have high expectations. After all, it's a new author's first book; they just need to break even and make a little money.

Mr. Luo smiled and said, "I did have some ideas at first, but now it seems I should pass. By the way, are there any game companies we could invest in?"

Luo Bai shook his head and said, "Those who make money don't need to invest, and those who don't make money are useless to invest."

In Japan, companies like Nintendo, which develops both games and consoles, Capcom, the action game giant, and even Square Enix, do not require capital investment.

Well, SE might need it, but that company has recently started getting politically correct, so I think I'll pass.

Shrugging, Luo Bai said with a smile, "So Dad, just continue to invest in those mobile game companies in China according to my previous strategy. With the shares we hold now, plus the series of development and marketing strategies we provide, as long as these companies don't cause any trouble, we can get at least 50 to 60 billion in dividends every year."

"Okay, let's do it that way."

Shi Yu, who was next to Luo Bai, asked curiously, "You're not talking about Japanese yen, are you?"

Luo Bai nodded and said, "It's RMB. If you want to convert it to Japanese Yen, just multiply it by 20."

"..."

After doing the math, Shi Yu realized that in terms of wealth, she really couldn't catch up with Luo Bai's family just by writing novels, and Lian couldn't catch up at all.

Especially considering that this is just one of the industries they've invested in in the last two years, not even counting the projects they've been running in the past, which have also been consistently making money.

Although it's not a good idea to think this way, Shi Yu realized that even if she couldn't marry Luo Bai in the future, it didn't seem to matter.

Moreover, she wasn't after his money; she could make a living writing light novels and even have a considerable surplus.

But the better the man's family is, doesn't that prove that I have a good eye?

Well, if we don't consider her being a womanizer, then of course I'm not qualified to say that, since she came later.

After a satisfying dinner, the four of them left the restaurant.

Mr. and Mrs. Luo plan to stay in Tokyo today and visit the company here tomorrow.

As soon as I came out, the company driver drove up.

Looking at Luo Bai, Luo's mother said, "Make sure you take Shi Yu home properly later, okay?"

Luo Bai nodded and said, "Don't worry, Mom. Yang Nai will be here soon, and she'll drive us."

"that's fine."

Looking at Shiyu, Luo's mother smiled and said, "Shiyu, we'll be going now. We'll be here again tomorrow afternoon. After school, you can come with me for a stroll around the area, okay?"

Shi Yu quickly nodded

The boss agreed: "Okay, of course, no problem!"

This was a good opportunity to build a good relationship with Luo Bai's mother, so Shi Yu naturally wouldn't refuse.

After Luo's parents left by car, Luo Bai held Shi Yu's hand and said, "Sister Yang Nai will be here soon, and then we'll take you home."

Shi Yu nodded and leaned happily on Luo Bai's shoulder, saying, "Luo Jun, I'm so happy today. I got to meet your parents, and your uncle and aunt were so kind to me."

Luo Bai smiled and said, "Seeing you all chatting so happily makes me feel relieved. My parents should be staying until Friday this time. If you have time tomorrow afternoon, why don't you go shopping with them? Of course, if you really have something to do, you don't have to force yourself."

Shi Yu lifted her toes and kissed Luo Bai, then said with a smile, "It's okay. I really don't have much to do lately. The novel isn't due for submission yet. I'll just go to the publishing house once or twice a week to discuss the progress with the editor."

"Alright, you can decide for yourself."

Looking at Shi Yu, Luo Bai nodded and said, "We're going to celebrate a classmate's birthday on Thursday, so I won't be able to come with you then. How about Friday? School ends early in the afternoon, and I'll come find you then."

“Okay, let’s do it on Friday then.” After agreeing on Friday, Shiyu said, “I plan to come to Chiba on Saturday. I want to find Shinobu and the others to gather some more material. I’ve already decided to collaborate on a manga with that junior you met before. I’ll be in charge of the story, and she’ll be the lead writer.”

Eriri?

It looks like Eri Kashiwagi is going to go ashore.

"So you've already reached an agreement?"

Shiyu smiled and nodded: "Yes, we've discussed it. Although I've only briefly explained the story's setting and outline to her, she's already very interested. I plan to reference Shinobu and the others when it comes to character designs, but I'll also make some modifications to differentiate them."

"That's true, it shouldn't be exactly the same, otherwise it would easily arouse suspicion."

When Luo Bai saw Eriri at the school gate, he wondered if Shi Yu was going to ask her to cooperate. He didn't expect that they had already reached an agreement.

After getting to know Shiyu, Luo Bai also searched for Kashiwagi Eri online and saw some of her works. Her drawing skills were indeed remarkable, and her notebooks were also very practical.

I wonder how it would turn out if I drew serious comics.

"How about I arrange for someone from our company to pick you up on Saturday? I'll find a woman, what do you say?"

Shiyu nodded happily: "Then I'll have to trouble you!"

After waiting for five or six minutes, Yang finally arrived.

Volume 1: Chapter 207 Return to Chiba (2/2)

The car stopped in front of Luo Bai and Shi Yu. Yang Nai rolled down the window and asked, "Are your uncle and aunt gone?"

As she opened the car door, Luo Bai replied, "They're planning to stay in Tokyo today and visit the company here tomorrow."

"Alright, let's set off then. First, let's take Shiyu home!"

After the two got into the car, Yang started the engine and drove off.

Soon, Shiyu was taken back to her front door.

After reluctantly saying goodbye to Luo Bai, Shi Yu thanked Yang Nai and then went home.

Then, Luo Bai and Yang Nai returned to Chiba together.

When they got home, Yukino and the others had already finished dinner, and none of them were home; they were all practicing breathing techniques at the dojo.

Yukino has already gone out. Now, she practices every day after getting up and after dinner to reinforce her skills.

Mai has already gotten a feel for it and is almost there, but Haruno is still a bit behind.

Knowing that everyone was at the dojo, Luo Bai and Yang Nai immediately rushed over.

As soon as I entered, I saw that Yukino had already activated her breathing technique and was quickly performing an obstacle course with extremely high speed and agility.

After watching Yukino finish running, Shinobu Kocho nodded in satisfaction and said to Luo Bai and Yang Nai who walked in, "See? Yukino's progress is pretty good!"

Yang Nai said enviously, "How come it changes every day? I'm only gone for two days!"

After saying that, he quickly went over and started practicing with Mai.

After running for a while, Yukino went to find Kanzaki Aoi to reinforce her basic skills, which shows how dedicated she was.

Shinobu Kocho came to Luo Bai's side and asked, "How was the meeting?"

"Of course there's no way there will be any problems," Luo Bai said with a smile. "With Shi Yu's looks and abilities, how could my mother not like her?"

"Yes, that's true."

Nodding, Luo Bai looked at the gracefully standing Shinobu Kocho and asked, "I'm going to China with my parents in a few days. How many days are you planning to go?"

After thinking for a moment, Shinobu Kocho said, "I expect to be back in one to two weeks, before your summer vacation starts. So, will you miss me?"

As she spoke, Shinobu Kocho leaned closer to Luo Bai and gently bumped her shoulder.

Luo Bai didn't seem embarrassed at all, and said with a smile, "There will be some, after all, I've gotten used to you being here. But if you leave, will there be any problems with logistics?"

"Of course, no problem. The logistics department isn't just me," Shinobu Kocho explained. "The logistics team has been recruiting new people recently, and we've already had a few new doctors join, but they all specialize in treating external injuries and bone injuries. Being away for a week or two won't be a big problem. After all, there are many capable people in Chiba. With you, Luo-kun, and Miss Lucoa and the others, even if the action team encounters danger, I don't think it will be a big deal, right?"

Shinobu's idea is indeed correct. Lucoa may be difficult to deal with, but Lobo and Tohru are not subject to such restrictions.

Luo Bai herself would stop the attacks of those special creatures, and Thor, too, would not want her current peaceful and happy life to be destroyed.

If the incident happens far away, it's fine. But if it happens close to the apartment and Thor finds out, the consequences will be dire.

Nodding, Luo Bai looked at Shinobu Kocho and said, "I'm not very clear about the existence of special ability users in China. If you are discovered after you go there, there's no need to be nervous. Just reveal your identities, and I think they should all know."

Shinobu Kocho responded with a smile, "Don't worry, we're just going to have fun. Mr. Mado has already made arrangements for us, so it won't cause any trouble."

Oh, I already notified you. Then there's no problem. It seems I was worrying too much.

"Since there's nothing to worry about, then have fun! There are plenty of fun things to do where we're from. Two weeks isn't really enough; a month would be better to visit as many interesting places as possible."

Shinobu Kocho squinted slightly and said softly, "It's okay, there's plenty of time in the future. Didn't Auntie say you'd be going back in the winter? Let's go together then, and you can show us around."

Luo Bai readily nodded: "Okay, then it's settled."

At that moment, Yang Nai's voice came over.

"Hey newbie! Come on, give me some pointers! Stop chasing girls!"

"They're here, they're here! Don't talk nonsense!"

After calling out, Luo Bai had no choice but to go over and begin instructing Yang Nai and Mai on their breathing techniques, hoping to get them both started tonight.

At 10:30 p.m., the group finally returned to the apartment.

Yang Nai was exhausted as soon as she got back.

He lay down on the sofa.

"I'm so tired!!!"

Seeing Haruno constantly complaining of being tired, Yukino walked over, picked up a nearby cushion, and threw it directly at Haruno's butt.

"Sister, you're sweating! Don't lie like that, the sofa will get dirty!"

"Waaah! Don't hit me!"

Turning her head, Yang Nai looked at her younger sister and said with dissatisfaction, "If you get dirty, I'll wash you for you. Let me lie down for a little longer!"

At this moment, Luo Bai was the last to walk in, and said with a smile, "Alright, Yukino, let Haruno-nee lie down for a while. She practiced very hard just now. You go take a shower first."

Shaking her head helplessly, Yukino went to the bedroom, grabbed a change of clothes, and went to the bathroom to take a shower.