Tokyo Mystery Writers

"Ms. Mai, shall we go see it?"

"Such a good piece of work, if it could win the grand prize, would definitely increase the magazine's sales and your reputation!"

Jiang Liu Meili held the manuscript paper and looked at Mai Shiro Kyosuke with a happy expression, clearly thinking about Mai Shiro Kyosuke's future.

But Maijo Kyosuke was in a dilemma at this moment, and a wry smile appeared on his face:

"Miss Jiang Liu, you may not know this, but after I wrote 'The Astrological Murder Mystery,' I contacted eight editors at Kobunsha, intending to enter the Japan Mystery Writers Association Award to make my debut."

"But the current trend is all about social realism mystery. After being rejected by eight editors in a row, I was finally recognized by Mr. Hideomi Uyama and successfully shortlisted for the Edogawa Rampo Award."

"I don't know what other awards I can apply for besides the Edogawa Ranpo Award and the Mystery Writers of Japan Award."

Seeing the troubled expression on Maishiro Kyosuke's face, Jiang Liu Meili revealed a smug look, patted her chest, and said with a smile:

"So, Ms. Mai was thinking about this kind of thing? That's easy enough!"

"Leave everything to me!"

"Back at Kodansha, Mr. Uyama, Editor-in-Chief Akimoto, and I discussed whether it was possible to submit 'A Bellflower' for the Izumi Kyoka Literary Prize and the Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Prize."

"Then they would have them send the manuscript of 'A Bellflower' to Kobunsha, a subsidiary of the Otowa Group, through senior executives of the Otowa Group, bypassing the editors to participate in the Japan Mystery Writers Association Short Story Award."

When Maijo Kyosuke heard Eri Ryumi say this, he was naturally delighted!

Because in Japan, winning the grand prize not only increases sales but also brings a very generous cash prize!

The Edogawa Ranpo Prize has a prize of five million yen, the Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Prize has three million yen, and the Izumi Kyoka Literary Prize has one million yen.

Receiving these bonuses will not only improve my quality of life, but also allow me to save more money!

After all, his ultimate goal was to become a literary giant whose name would be remembered throughout history!

A literary giant isn't just someone who writes books. The title "literary giant" not only signifies unparalleled literary talent but also represents an indelible influence on the entire mystery genre and even the entire era!

Therefore, once he achieves success and becomes an influential mystery writer, he will inevitably establish his own publishing house and create an award named after himself, so that future generations will remember him!

These things cannot be achieved by simply dreaming; they require a large financial foundation!

Thinking of all this, Maijo Kyosuke gave Eri Miri an approving look.

Because without a doubt, Jiang Liu Meili and Yu Shan Hideomi are the most powerful "divine weapons" to help him become a mystery writer!

"Alright, I'll follow Miss Jiang Liu's arrangements. I'm just an author, so I'll have to trouble you to take care of things regarding the award."

If someone else had said that, Jiang Liu Meili would not have been moved, but hearing Mai Shiro Kyosuke say it made her inexplicably happy.

After all, in Jiang Liumei's view, publishing an article of Maishiro Kyosuke's caliber in her magazine would be like gilding her own image.

It is a great honor to be recognized by Maijo Kyosuke!

"Well... it's getting late, so I won't bother you any longer, Ms. Mai."

"I need to hurry up and get the magazine launched, and release it sooner!"

"Because I can't wait to let readers see the 'lilycoris flower' that Ms. Maishiro has offered to this world!"

-

Jiang Liu Meili left Mai Cheng Jingjie's room.

For some reason, Maishiro Kyosuke felt a little empty inside.

The root cause is that the misunderstanding hasn't been cleared up yet, right?

It might be the fatigue from working late into the night, or it might be the unprecedented comfort brought by the "Longevity Hot Spring".

Before he knew it, Maijo Kyosuke had fallen asleep on the tatami mat.

He slept exceptionally well, knowing that from now on he would no longer have to worry about going hungry.

There's no need to live at the mercy of the landlord anymore.

-

Jiang Liumei, carrying the manuscript of "A Bellflower", got into her red BMW M1.

Every time Jiang Liumei crossed a traffic light, her hand would unconsciously reach for the manuscript paper in her briefcase.

This feeling was like a child carrying gold through a bustling market, afraid that Maishiro Kyosuke's manuscript would be stolen, even though there was no one else in the car except for Jiang Liu Meili.

After leaving Asakusa in Taito Ward, Eri Ryumi quickly returned to Otowa-cho in Bunkyo Ward.

After parking her car, Jiang Liu Meili walked happily into the Kodansha building.

Although it was already 9 a.m., Jiang Liumei was the founder specially hired by the senior management of Yinyu Group, so there was no question of her being late or leaving early.

Upon entering the building, Jiang Liumei noticed that Kodansha seemed somewhat different from usual today.

The sounds of books turning could be heard from every department at any time.

But today, it seems that all departments are silent, as if all the employees have left without a word.

Just as Jiang Liumei was wondering what was going on...

A loud argument suddenly erupted from the top floor.

Jiang Liumei was truly startled!

Patting her chest to calm her trembling heart, Jiang Liumei took the elevator to the fifth floor.

The door to the main conference room on the fifth floor was ajar. Looking inside through the door, Jiang Liumei saw a scene that made her jaw drop!

Below the stage in the conference hall sat hundreds of Kodansha employees.

On the stage in the conference room sat three middle-aged men and two elderly men.

Although these five men are not particularly attractive, most of them wear thick glasses and look no different from the uncles and grandfathers on the street.

But Jiang Liumei knew very well that the five people sitting on the stage were all quite important!

Not to mention the mystery fiction world, he's a force to be reckoned with in the entire Japanese literary world—his mere presence is enough to cause an earthquake!

The middle-aged man at the head of the group is Toru Miyoshi, the newly appointed chairman of the Mystery Writers of Japan!

He not only won the Japan Mystery Writers Association Award in 1966, but also the Naoki Prize in 1968.

His works are mostly based on historical figures, making him a pioneer of Japanese spy novels!

The middle-aged man sitting next to Miyoshi Toru is Hiroyuki Itsuki, who won the Naoki Prize in 1967 and the Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Prize in 1976. He is a representative writer of contemporary Japanese popular literature!

The middle-aged man sitting next to Hiroyuki Itsuki is currently the strongest mystery critic, Manji Gonda!

Although he is not a mystery novelist, he is a very important critic in the mystery genre. If one were to write a history of Japanese mystery for a hundred years, only Manji Gonda would be qualified!

As the magazine's editor-in-chief, Jiang Liumei was all too familiar with the remaining two elderly men!

One is Takao Tsuchiya, a master of classic mystery who, despite the terrifying influence of the "Seicho Curse," was still able to contend with the grandmaster Seicho Matsumoto.

The other is Chen Shunchen, a Chinese living in Japan and a master of historical mystery, who has won numerous awards and is the first "Triple Crown" winner in Japanese history!

These five individuals represent half of the Japanese literary world.

Right now, they're holding Maijo Kyosuke's manuscript of "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders" and arguing fiercely on stage!