Tokyo Mystery Writers

Kodansha, meeting room scene.

The air was filled with shouts of encouragement for Maijo Kyosuke to win the Ryusuke Prize!

Jiang Liumei's tears of joy streamed down her cheeks.

I did it! I really did it!

Jiang Liumei covered her face with emotion, trying to stop her tears from flowing freely.

Then, like an unsung hero, he silently walked off the stage.

Because the glory at this moment belongs to Maijo Kyosuke, whom he admires.

She didn't want to steal any of Maijo Kyosuke's limelight under these circumstances.

"Miss Jiang Liu, are you just going to leave like this?"

Before Jiang Liumei could even step onto the descending steps, she heard Quan Tianwanji's questioning voice.

What's meant to happen will happen eventually; there's no escaping it.

Jiang Liumei clenched her fists, turned to look at Quan Tianwanzhi, and forced a smile:

"Mr. Gonda Manji, is there anything else you need?"

Gonda Manji pointed to the manuscript of "A Bellflower," his expression unusually serious:

"It's one thing for Teacher Mai to receive the Dragon Award, but it's another thing for you to go on stage and angrily confront Chairman Miyoshi and me."

"Are you just going to leave like this? Don't you plan to give me and Chairman Miyoshi an explanation?"

Gonda Manji's words were so authoritative that the cheers from the audience instantly fell silent.

Because everyone was so happy, they seemed to have forgotten how outrageous Jiang Liumei's actions had just been!

I'm even more worried that Gonda Manji and Miyoshi Tetsu will make things difficult for Eri Miyu!

Jiang Liumei was well aware that she had just angrily confronted Miyoshi Toru and Gonda Manji, and might be blacklisted by the two of them.

But those who have nothing to lose are not afraid of those who have something to lose. Jiang Liumei already knew she was about to lose everything, so she simply went all out and said:

"Mr. Gonda Manji, what explanation do you and Chairman Miyoshi want from me?"

"Everyone has already witnessed Ms. Wucheng's writing ability."

"Whether it's the writing style, the story's resonance, the plot twists, or the lingering aftertaste, it's almost unparalleled in its time!"

"It was because you guys were biased towards 'Shadow of the Demons' and wanted to award the Rising Dragon Award to Motohiko Izawa that this whole mess happened!"

"What explanation do you want from me?"

"Do I have to tell you myself that it's because you judges had poor judgment that this matter has escalated to this point?"

Jiang Liumei's words left Quan Tianwanzhi speechless, his mouth agape for a long time.

The three judges, Takao Tsuchiya, Shunchen Chen, and Hiroyuki Itsuki, also became somewhat embarrassed by this situation.

On one hand, some people blamed Gonda Manji, asking why he had provoked Eri Miri, the "bomber," when the matter was already over.

On the other hand, I also feel that Jiang Liumei is too clueless about social etiquette. She could have just apologized, but she had to make the situation so awkward.

Just when everyone was wondering how Gonda Manji would make things difficult for Eri Ryumi.

Gonda Manji suddenly burst into laughter:

"Haha, Miss Jiang Liu, I think you've misunderstood."

"Although you and I have had our disagreements before, as your senior, I, Gonda Manji, will not hold a grudge against you."

"And to be honest, I really like your cool and straightforward personality. There aren't many people with your courage in this era."

Jiang Liu Meili had long been prepared for a new round of confrontation with Quan Tian Wanji.

However, Gonda Manji had no intention of making things difficult for her at all, which left Jiang Liu Meili somewhat confused:

"Mr. Gonda Manji? What kind of explanation do you want from me?"

Gonda Manji pointed to the manuscript of "A Bellflower" on the table, a smile spreading across his face:

"Was this short story manuscript given to you personally by Professor Kyosuke Maijo?"

"You previously said that you were the editor-in-chief of the magazine section."

"But as far as I know, Kodansha doesn't have a magazine featuring short mystery stories."

"If I'm not mistaken, you must be the newly hired founder of Kodansha, right?"

Jiang Liumei nodded, completely unable to understand what Quan Tian Wanzhi was trying to express.

Gonda Manji rested his elbows on the podium, his fingers interlaced, a knowing look on his face:

"I was wondering what kind of charm Professor Kyosuke Maishiro possesses that could make a promising magazine editor willingly give up his career to confront us judges."

"Just when I was completely baffled, I found the answer in the story of 'A Bellflower'!"

When the four judges, Takao Tsuchiya, Shunshin Chen, Toru Miyoshi, and Hiroyuki Itsuki, heard Manji Gonda's words, they were all stunned for a moment, and then their faces showed a look of sudden realization.

Gonda Manji smiled and looked at Jiang Liu Meili, saying in a joking tone:

"Since Miss Jiang Liu just strapped a 'bomb' to me and Chairman Sanhao, forcing us to choose one, then to be fair, I'll return the favor with one of my own."

"Let's just consider it satisfying our curiosity."

Gonda Manji cleared his throat and placed his hand on the manuscript of "A Bellflower":

"Miss Jiang Liu, when you rushed onto the stage without hesitation to speak out for Mr. Maishiro Kyosuke, your eyes showed no fear or hesitation."

"Is it because you're like Suzue from the story? You've fallen deeply in love with Mr. Maijo Kyosuke?"

"So, you're willing to gamble your entire career on a Jing Liu Li play?"

Manji Gonda's gossipy nature is practically etched onto his face:

"Miss Jiang Liu, please think carefully before answering my question."

"Otherwise, I might get Chairman Miyoshi to blacklist you!"

The Kodansha members in the audience, hearing Manji Gonda's words, gradually relaxed.

Because anyone with eyes can understand the meaning behind Gonda Manji's words.

This is hardly making things difficult for Jiang Liumei.

This is clearly Gonda Manji's way of trying to set up a red thread between Eri and Maishiro Kyosuke!

As long as Jiang Liumei nods now, then the past can be considered closed and no one will hold a grudge!

Jiang Liu Meili is a genius, and she has eyes that can see through people's hearts. How could she not understand the meaning behind Quan Tian Wanzhi's words?

However, she and Maijo Kyosuke were still in an ambiguous relationship.

She herself didn't know what kind of attitude Maijo Kyosuke had towards her.

If I were to admit my feelings for Maishiro Kyosuke in front of so many people, it would inevitably cause him unnecessary trouble!

Thinking about all this, Jiang Liumei found herself in a dilemma.

Don't you love me? Of course not!

I am a person who dares to love and hate, so it is not difficult for me to say that I love Maijo Kyosuke!

That's precisely why I can't speak up easily.

Because once I speak up, this matter will be spread.

Kyosuke Maijo will inevitably be labeled with "malicious remarks" about relying on magazine editors to rise to power!

Seeing Jiang Liu Meili's hesitant expression, Miyoshi Tetsu seemed to have guessed Jiang Liu Meili's concerns.

Immediately stepping forward to smooth things over for Jiang Liumei was a way of giving both herself and Jiang Liumei a way out:

"Brother Quan Tian, ​​the fact that you asked such a question shows that you haven't understood 'A Bellflower' at all, let alone the love and hate between young men and women!"

"Wasn't what Mr. Keisuke Maijo wrote in the book clear enough?"

"Love is about giving everything! Love is like a moth drawn to a flame!"

"You don't need a reason to like someone, and you can never hide your feelings for someone."

Even if the person involved is being hypocritical and vehemently denying it, love will still show in their eyes, won't it?

"What do you mean by 'ban'? I don't want to play this boring game with someone like you!"

After finishing his speech, Miyoshi Toru tidied up and walked off the stage.

After passing Jiang Liu Meili, who stood hesitantly on the stage, Miyoshi Tetsu spoke calmly:

"Miss Jiang Liu, shall we go?"

"Take me to your magazine department!"

"I can't wait to write a review for Mr. Maijo Kyosuke's 'A Single Bellflower'!"

When Jiang Liu Meili heard that Miyoshi Tetsu was going to write a review for "A Bellflower", her face showed indescribable shock!

Because he never expected that Chairman Miyoshi Tetsu would smooth things over for him.

As soon as Miyoshi Toru uttered those words, not only did he keep his job, but his magazine was also revived!

Not to mention, with the addition of Kyosuke Maijo's "A Bellflower" and the comments from Toru Miyoshi, the then chairman of the Japan Mystery Writers Association, his magazine was about to be further gilded!

Thinking of all this, Jiang Liu Meili bowed deeply to the judges present, and then followed Miyoshi Tetsu away from the stage...