The Phantom Thief of Heart! But Conan.

Chapter 1025 Instigating Murder

No matter how unenthusiastic the diners are, the meal is ready and everyone still has to eat.

Although Zhukou Yigui seemed very unhappy, the group chose to stay overnight in his villa. After all, it was because he bought a villa far away from the city, so Zhukou Yigui couldn't say anything except a few sarcastic remarks.

Morokuchi Yoshiki is a bully who is used to oppressing and persecuting others, but Tang Ze said that his weirdness has zero lethality.

The main thing is that regardless of his age or qualifications as a detective, simply mocking him for being young and narrow-minded has no effect on Tang Ze.

This is not only because Karasawa is not the real Goro Akechi, but more importantly, he missed the point.

So when faced with his lines like "Young people work very hard to earn this salary level" and "They need to learn more from Detective Mori", Karasawa just smiled.

"We have to thank you, Mr. Zhukou, don't we? The magazine is very concerned about your new work and has spent so much energy on it. I do feel that I am still young and it may not be easy for me to participate in your conversation, so when the newspaper invited me, the operation of the agency specifically replied to them that they hope I can serve as the moderator to adjust the rhythm of the conversation, rather than participate in the specific content of the Q&A... I'm glad you can understand."

He said this very gently and modestly. If you look at the surface content, there is nothing wrong with it, but just the few points mentioned in it are enough to cause real damage.

First of all, it shows that he is indeed worth a lot, and public opinion is indeed far more influential than his own ability, but isn’t it Zhu Kou Yigui himself who pays the money?

The cost of this conversation should also be included in the operation and promotion of the book, and needs to be counted as channel costs to affect the share given to Zhukou Yigui.

Then there is the question of the initiative in the conversation, and by the way, the question of one's worth.

In a media promotion activity of a talk-style, the speaker is more or less equivalent to getting an advertising space, so the fee for being a host is higher than that for being a talker, which means that the agency is mainly emphasizing the initiative of the conversation and the issue of price.

After hearing these points, Zhu Kou Yigui became even angrier.

However, there were so many people sitting at the table and it was also a matter of promoting his own work. Morokuchi Yoshiki could do nothing but watch Tang Ze smilingly picking up the dishes he had worked so hard to arrange.

"... Let's discuss the content of tomorrow's conversation." Anabuki Haruei sensed his unstable mood and immediately tried to smooth things over, choosing to turn the topic to work. "In order not to waste recording time and film, we still need to prepare a draft."

Even when discussing work at the dinner table, it shouldn't be so stiff.

Everyone needs to exchange a few pleasantries, complete some social etiquette, and test each other's style and behavior before proceeding to the next step of the negotiation.

But the atmosphere at the table was too weird now. In order to prevent himself from being angered by the angry Morokuchi Yoshiki, Anabuki Haruei decisively chose to fast forward the topic.

"Oh, it does need to be discussed. Let me ask first, would you mind telling me the direction of Mr. Morokuchi's new work? I will try my best to ensure that the topic does not deviate from the direction." Tang Ze slowly cut the fish on the plate with chopsticks, and took over the conversation in a professional manner.

"Mr. Morokuchi's creative direction is rigorous detective works, right? That should be a style that is very suitable for discussing realistic criminal investigations." Kogoro Mori spoke at the right time to prevent Morokuchi Yoshiki from being provoked and arguing with others again.

"Are we discussing real-life criminal investigations? Will that involve real-life cases that need to be kept secret?" Writer Dejima Kakuji suddenly became alert. "If that's the case, Mr. Mori might need to explain this in advance."

"No, generally speaking, as long as the core information of a solved case is not disclosed to outsiders, the police will not mind it. I am familiar with this." Maori Kogoro nodded, "Besides, I think the topic direction can be appropriately inclined to the difference between mystery novels and real criminal investigations. But the specifics will depend on the content of Mr. Moroguchi's new work."

"Well," Moroguchi Yoshiki's expression finally improved after he became the center of attention again after receiving the attention of the other people at the table. "It's a story about a murderer who uses time difference and visual illusion to kill people for revenge. In addition, although the theme is inseparable from the murder case, I think it is a heartwarming story."

"A suspenseful, heartwarming story?" Kogoro Mouri repeated as if for confirmation, with a slightly strange expression.

It’s not that it’s not possible, but the tone in which Morokuchi Yoshiki said this reminded him of some third-rate screenwriters who boast in front of the camera and show off their creative understanding.

It feels like there are a lot of main elements and styles in hand, and you just force them together without caring about how the writing will turn out.

"Yes. Don't mind if you laugh at me, but I still hope to gain more recognition. I think it would be a good start to add some emotional factors to make the characters involved in the case more different." said Zhukou Yiqi.

His expression was quite complacent, and he was obviously very satisfied with the direction he had chosen.

"The adaptation rights of Mr. Morokuchi's previous work were bought by a film company, but because the style of the work is relatively hardcore, the teacher is not very satisfied with the proposal given by the adapter." Anabuki Haruei nodded and said tactfully.

After hearing this, Kogoro Mori immediately understood.

Simply put, pure suspense works are unlikely to find a market for adaptation.

Because of its audience and influence, detective novels can certainly make writers earn a lot of money if they are well written. However, in order to make the public know more about detective novels, they still need to be extended into other forms.

Taking this into consideration, Morokuchi Yoshiki added some factors to the new work that would make it easier for the adapter to invite handsome men and beautiful women and expand its popularity.

"Oh, no wonder they invited Mr. Maori and me specifically." Tang Ze made a surprised expression and sighed.

Although Tang Ze didn't say much, everyone understood what he meant.

There are so many detectives in Tokyo, but they specifically invited these two because of their current popularity in the mass media. They hope to take the opportunity to promote their works more, so that they can get more bargaining chips when negotiating with the adaptation company.

When he pointed it out so bluntly, the people at the magazine office at the table looked a little embarrassed.

"No problem." In response, Tang Ze just smiled and said, "Nichimi TV also has a lot of prime time."

This makes the content more clear.

You get what you pay for. Since they paid him this much money, he wouldn't mind being a broker and helping them communicate with the TV station.

Whether or not a show can be scheduled during prime time on TV has a huge impact on the price.

"It would be great if Detective Akechi could understand." Anabuki Haruei, who knew the weight of his words, said hurriedly, "The magazine still hopes to have more cooperation."

"Well. So, has the new work been completed, or in other words, has the cooperation been signed?" Tang Ze nodded and led the topic to the key point he wanted to ask.

If Zhukou Yigui really does not survive today, then if the copyright agreement has been signed in advance, it would be a kind of compensation to the magazine.

If the work is really not finished, the magazine can still find someone to complete it as long as they hold the contract.

If we look back and hype up Zhukou Yiqi's death, Tangze will feel that this bully's death was worthy of it.

How to put it, if people really have souls, it would be best to let Zhukou Yigui see with his own eyes how his death will be commercialized, exploited, and swallowed up by capital.

Just like he did with his previous editor, Akiba.

"It has been signed. Don't worry, our magazine will always check the quality of the content. We all trust Mr. Morokuchi's ability, and Mr. Morokuchi has also sought a lot of opinions from the magazine." When talking about the work content, Anabuki Haruei was obviously more excited. "The writing of the new work has been basically completed. Mr. Morokuchi hopes to keep improving, so he is still revising some of the details. In short, the copyright negotiation can be moved forward."

The sadness and misery that had been suppressed by everyone for a long time in her was obviously much lighter when she talked about work.

"Oh. Have you considered the general direction of the actors? As far as I know, this will also have a certain impact on the negotiation price."

"That's not the case yet. Mr. Moroguchi has added a young detective assistant character in his new work. She's a young and beautiful woman. I guess there's no shortage of planning directions to go forward."

"A beautiful young detective assistant... Could it be that you have considered Miss Okino Yoko?"

"Yes, as for her latest play, we think..."

The topic was led by Tang Ze and completely deviated to another direction.

Television and print media have different directions, so even those who have worked in this industry for a long time cannot fully contribute to this aspect.

Naturally, Tang Ze led the conversation to the work that was completely led by him, and the atmosphere soon became harmonious.

"Snapped!"

After listening for more than 20 minutes, Zhukou Yigui, who had barely finished his meal, could no longer bear it and slammed his chopsticks on the table.

The noise was neither loud nor small, but it was enough to interrupt the conversation at the dinner table.

It is obvious that someone with Morokuchi Yoshiki's personality cannot tolerate entertaining work partners at his own dinner table, where the topic is completely other than himself and the focus of everyone's attention is easily drawn away by young people.

But because the content of their discussion was actually related to his new work and concerned his interests, he couldn't stop them.

Their every word and sentence was closely related to his work, yet had nothing to do with him at all. This feeling made him obviously uncomfortable.

"I'm full." Zhukou Yiqi stood up. Although his expression was not gloomy, it was not very good. "Editor Anabuki, please help me entertain and clean up. You know, it's almost time for me to work."

"Oh, okay, yes..." Anabuki Haruei quickly stood up and responded.

Only when Morokuchi Yoshiki's figure completely disappeared in the corridor did Anabuki Haruei breathe a sigh of relief.

"It must be hard to work with such a strict author?" Tang Ze, who had already heated up the topic, smiled and said gently.

The conversation just now has brought everyone closer together, and now that the main culprit has finally left, we can have the discussion he wanted.

About what the organization did with Zhukou Yiqi's resources and how Zhukou Yiqi harmed the former editor.

Regardless of whether the murderer will give up the idea of ​​killing or not, Tang Ze needs to ruin this guy's reputation.

"It's hard work, but it's not bad. It just takes a little more time." Anabuki Haruei sat down slowly, facing several colleagues and the new detectives who seemed to be easy to communicate with, and couldn't help but relax a little. "Mr. Morokuchi, just like his mystery writing style, he is an author with many ideas of his own, which requires a lot of communication."

"If you have such strong feelings after only working together for a few months, I can understand the hard work of the previous editor." Tang Ze nodded and naturally brought up the topic, "The editor named Akibaba, he has been working with Mr. Moroguchi for many years, right?"

"Yes. As for Akibaba-senpai, he is a very serious person and pays great attention to details in his work. All the authors and other colleagues he cooperates with speak highly of him." Anabuki Haruei lowered his head. "We have been working together for about five or six years. I'm not sure, but before I joined the magazine, Akibaba-senpai was the editor-in-chief of Morokuchi-sensei."

"Six and a half years." Tarumi Wataru, who had been silent all this time and as quiet as a transparent person, suddenly spoke up, "Akiba has been working with him for six and a half years. Although whether a work can be sold well still depends on the author's performance, I think Mr. Morokuchi's work can be recognized today thanks to Akibaba's management."

"He has been very serious and responsible since he took over." Dejima Kakuji stirred the soup in the bowl with a spoon and said slowly, "It's a pity that he left. Originally, the editor-in-chief hoped that he would be responsible for the work of Zhukou, and then consider promoting him to deputy editor-in-chief and leaving this job."

After Dejima Kakuji said this, the other two lowered their heads and said nothing, obviously agreeing with his statement.

"That's really not easy. Editor Akiba, are you still young?" Tang Ze felt their feelings towards Akiba and paid attention to the choice of words and did not use the past tense.

"Yes. Akiya is not yet 40 years old, has been married for only a few years, and his child is still in kindergarten..." Dejima Kakuji nodded.

"Just one step away. What a pity." Tang Ze nodded slowly.

Conan, who had not been included in the conversation from beginning to end because of his status as a child, glanced thoughtfully at everyone at the table, and suddenly felt the strong purpose in the words of Goro Akechi who was sitting opposite him.

Although these three people worked hard on Zhukou Yiki's new work, they were very dissatisfied with Zhukou Yiki.

The source of this dissatisfaction is, of course, partly due to Zhukou Yiqi's unpleasant personality, and the other part may be the editor who left too early.

And this familiar dissatisfaction, in common scenarios, naturally points to... murderous intent.

Thinking of the speculation about the Phantom Thief of Hearts, Conan's attention became more focused.

If Goro Akechi really is a person with similar abilities, could it be that his abilities are related to this kind of content?

Insight into other people's hearts, stir up their emotions, and use some means to control and suppress them in disguise...

This seems to be considered as incitement to murder, but it seems that no trace will be left.

Conan frowned and observed more carefully.