Tokyo Mystery Writers

Jiang Liumei stood on the stage, looking directly at Miyoshi Toru and Chen Shunchen with her clear, almond-shaped eyes, as clear as lake water.

Even though Jiang Liu Meili's current status is vastly different from that of Miyoshi Tetsu and Chen Shunchen.

But at this moment, the powerful aura emanating from Jiang Liu Meili was like a boulder pressing down on Miyoshi Tetsu and Chen Shunchen, making it difficult for the two of them to breathe!

Chen Shunchen was a master who single-handedly propelled the entire field of Japanese historical mystery!

He was also the first person in Japanese history to simultaneously win the Edogawa Rampo Award, the Japan Mystery Writers Association Award, and the Naoki Prize—a "triple crown" winner. Hearing Jiang Liu's beautiful words, he naturally shook his head repeatedly.

"Only those who dare to admit defeat are the true winners!"

"Because in my opinion, losing an award isn't shameful; you can try again next year. But if you win an award because of external factors, then you've truly lost, and lost completely!"

"You think I won the Naoki Prize through political correctness? I'd rather you just stab me to death!"

As soon as Chen Shunchen finished speaking, he felt Jiang Liu Meili's powerful aura dissipate from above his head, because that terrifying aura had all transferred to Miyoshi Tetsuya:

"Chairman Miyoshi, why aren't you saying anything?"

"Isn't this a very simple question?"

"All you need to do is answer 'accept' or 'unacceptable,' it's not that difficult, is it?"

Seeing that Miyoshi Tetsu remained silent, Jiang Liu Meili took a step forward and continued to press for answers:

"President Miyoshi, is the reason you're silent simply because you dislike 'The Tokyo Zodiac Murder Mystery' and refuse to acknowledge Professor Maijo Kyosuke's talent?"

"Or is it because you won the Naoki Prize back then by relying on the banner of political correctness?"

Jiang Liumei's words once again caused the Kodansha audience to gasp in shock!

"You're really bold! Miss Jiang Liu, aren't you afraid of being blacklisted by all the big names in the mystery genre from now on?"

Looking at the tense atmosphere on stage, Akimoto Naoki secretly worried for Jiang Liu Meili.

Because Naoki Akimoto is really hard to understand.

Why would Jiang Liu Meili be willing to make such a career-ruining sacrifice for the new writer Wu Cheng Jingjie?

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Jiang Liumei's words were like a sharp sword, piercing Miyoshi Tetsuya's Achilles' heel!

This caused a hint of panic to appear in the eyes of Miyoshi Toru, the chairman of the Japan Mystery Writers Association!

Every time Jiang Liu Meili took a step forward, Miyoshi Tetsu would involuntarily take a step back, but he would still grit his teeth!

Faced with this situation, Takao Tsuchiya, lost in his memories, had no interest in dealing with it.

Itsuki Hiroyuki and Gonda Manji didn't want Jiang Liu Meili to turn her anger towards them, so they dared not say another word.

Instead, Chen Shunchen, standing to the side, became somewhat anxious and pointed at Miyoshi Tetsuya, angrily rebuking him:

"Sanhao! What's wrong with you?"

"Where is your dignity as a writer? Where is your character as a chairman?"

"Show your dignity and composure! Tell this girl that you won't win unfairly just because of political correctness!"

When Miyoshi Tetsu heard Chen Shunchen's words, a hint of evasion appeared in his eyes.

Because I am currently facing a difficult choice.

He was able to become the chairman of the board and win many awards, so of course he wouldn't rely on political correctness to win the Naoki Prize.

However, if he were to say those words, it would be tantamount to giving up his right to vote for Motohiko Izawa!

But if he refuses to speak up, even if Izawa Motohiko wins the "Rising Dragon Award," he will likely be branded as having won unfairly for the rest of his life!

"Chairman Miyoshi, answer me quickly! Everyone's waiting for your answer!"

"What exactly is your reason for not wanting to clear your name?"

Jiang Liumei's aggressive words turned Miho Tetsu's face into a liver color.

Because he had seriously underestimated the girl in front of him named Jiang Liumei!

On the surface, Jiang Liu Meili came for Quan Tian Wanzhi.

But in reality, Jiang Liumei had devised a meticulous plan from the very beginning, and all the groundwork was laid for her!

First, he pretended to argue with Gonda Manji, and then turned the tables on himself!

Taking advantage of his own lack of vigilance, he planted a terrifying self-destructive bomb!

This is a common threatening tactic used by criminals!

At this moment, Jiang Liumei is not a beautiful young woman at all!

He's clearly a terrifying bomber!

She strapped a bomb to herself, with a red wire and a blue wire attached. Only by cutting the correct wire could she survive!

Because of this bomb strapped to his body, he has to choose between the two conditions she proposed!

So? Did he really sacrifice his reputation to help Motohiko Izawa win the Dragon Award?

Or should he give up the Ryusho Award from Motohiko Izawa in order to preserve his hard-won reputation?

Thinking of all this, a look of helplessness appeared in Miyoshi Tetsu's eyes.

He turned his head to look at the other judges on the stage, and then at the Kodansha members in the audience.

Seeing that no one was willing to speak up for him, Miyoshi Tetsuya could only grit his teeth and squeeze out a sentence:

"Don't talk nonsense! I've received countless awards throughout my life, how could I possibly accept an award because of political correctness? That would be an insult to me!"

Miyoshi Tetsu thought that if he admitted defeat, Eri Ryu would let him go.

But to his surprise, Jiang Liumei asked another question as soon as he finished speaking:

"Since Chairman Miyoshi himself has admitted that winning the Naoki Prize through political correctness is a disgrace to him."

"Then why would you agree with Mr. Gonda Manji using politically correct methods to campaign for Izawa Motohiko's 'Sarumu Gensokyo' on stage?"

"Did you two conspire together? Did you obtain Mr. Izawa Motohiko's permission?"

"Or is it that you two want to support Izawa Motohiko, so you're forcing him to endure this humiliation against your will?"

Jiang Liumei's questioning was like a bomb, once again binding Miyoshi Tetsuya to his body!

Even Gonda Manji, who was standing to the side, couldn't escape the fate of having to decide whether to cut the red thread or the blue thread!

But this time, it's not some kind of either-or trick!

Because the second "bomb" planted by Jiang Liumei did not leave any openings like the first one.

Whether you cut the red wire or the blue wire, it will explode instantly!

Although Hiroyuki Itsuki spoke very little, seeing that things had developed to this point, he naturally could not sit idly by:

"Miss Jiang Liu, you're exaggerating!"

"It is an indisputable fact that some of our judges have their own preferences and are too subjective."

"But you can't start questioning Chairman Miyoshi's and Mr. Gonda Manji's character just because of this, can you?"

Outside the conference room, the sound of a trolley scraping against the floor could be heard.

Jiang Liu Meili was prepared from the very beginning to be blacklisted by the Japanese literary world.

Hearing the sound of the trolley outside the door, Jiang Liumei smiled and said to Wu Mu Hiroyuki:

"It's alright if Chairman Miyoshi and Mr. Gonda Manji don't answer my question."

"However, I heard Itsuki-sensei say something like that when I was in the audience."

"The Dragon Ascension Award is meant to select a standard-bearer with lasting influence; whoever has the greatest literary talent will be chosen to receive the Dragon Ascension Award!"

"In that case, I would like to invite all the Kodansha staff members in the audience, including the five judges on stage, to enjoy the short story that I just received from Ms. Maishiro this morning."

"Let me show you the powerful literary charm of Teacher Wucheng!"

No sooner had Jiang Liumei finished speaking than the conference room door was pushed open!

With sweat dripping from his brow, Yu Shan Ri Chen pushed a cart full of photocopies of "A Bellflower" into the conference room!