People in Tokyo, the world is clear

"My top priority is to find a way to recover the value of all my inventory. This book must be removed from the shelves and prohibited from reprinting. That person must also be expelled from the literary world. I will not allow a competitor with this level of aesthetic taste to infringe upon my niche literary territory."

"It's indeed something Yukiko can do."

"But before that, I have to buy a few more copies of it."

As she spoke, the girl unceremoniously put the annotated book from Lin Sen on the table into her bag and said, "This one is mine too."

"This is also hoarding, right?"

"Of course. I can never lose."

Yukiko took out a notebook and pen from her bag, tore off a piece of paper and started writing something.

"Someone needs to stand up and expose this person and his plagiarism. This requires a victim with a certain influence. So-"

She looked up and glanced at Lin Sen, who had already started nodding in advance.

"Mr. Itsuki is lucky. Considering our fate today, and because I like your work, I will ask someone to hype your debut work a little. The rest depends on your own luck and ability. You can discuss with your Sasagawa Rimei how to promote your fame, and finally choose a time to testify. I will handle the follow-up."

Her expression was not simple, Lin Sen could read the meaning behind it.

"So, what's the price?"

"Starting today, the royalties from the book 'The Last Kiss' will be 73%."

"Why is it only 70%?"

"Seventy percent is mine."

"good."

It's a pretty aggressive clause, and it fits the girl's personality of never wanting to be at a disadvantage.

But, when you think about it, it’s actually nothing.

The performance of "The Last Kiss" was already worrying, with no revenue. Perhaps after the hype, the 30% profit will be even higher than before.

In addition, if he really gained some fame because of this, Lin Sen’s subsequent works would probably benefit from his fame.

It sounds scary, but it’s not a losing deal.

So, without much thought, Lin Sen decided to agree:

"make a deal."

Chapter 73: The Tide-rider and His Friends

"So, Yukiko is probably just a pseudonym."

In the afternoon, in the study of the rented old house, after carefully searching through her memory, the female editor at the desk had a determined expression.

Come to a conclusion.

"But, you still can't confirm her true identity?"

"Yes. To put it vaguely, it's probably the new generation of a financial group, or the offspring of a politician. As for more specifics, I don't know."

Facing Lin Sen's questioning, Sasakawa Rimei sighed:

"In high society, I'm a joke. There are definitely more people who know me than I do."

"I think it's a good thing that I don't have much contact with this group of people."

"Although I know that Mr. Imagination can only rely on conjecture to estimate the lives of the upper class, this statement is indeed correct."

Sasagawa Rio began adding to the first item on the original plan. "Especially in my current situation... I'm probably no longer at that level. If I try to force it any further, I'll probably just be laughed at."

"However, I was impressed by the hint of arrogance in that girl."

"It's probably just that the Lowly Gentleman's circle of friends is full of pathetic people. Actually, most young people in this country these days have a bit of that temperament."

For once, Ms. Flamingo began to reminisce about her college life.

It talks about the classmates who walk with their heads held high after being admitted to higher education institutions, and the country kids who try their best to squeeze into the social circle after making it big.

Japan in the 1980s was a paradise for trendsetters. Those lucky enough to seize certain opportunities during this period of historical explosion have made considerable achievements in many current cutting-edge fields.

Automobiles, electronics, medical tourism, aviation.

All of them are currently the top technology fields.

The development of cutting-edge industries also brings countless opportunities and resources for personal development. Those who possess knowledge, especially those seeking knowledge at top universities, therefore develop a sense of pride and responsibility as talented individuals.

Japan in this era has the momentum to tell a grand narrative and the ambition to be at the forefront of the world.

So on TV shows, people with half-serious expressions imitate squinting their eyes and talk about what success brings with confidence. Middle-aged people who are the pillars of society use the stock market as a bank to save money. Graduates who have just entered the society also wave the travel expenses given by the companies they are interviewing with and start a passionate pursuit of arrogant and beautiful women.

It was like a beautiful dream. Everyone was thinking only of medium wins, big wins, and extra-large wins.

However, if there ever comes a day of destruction in the future, that stagnant gray will become even more unbearable.

The degeneration and collapse of young souls are not only due to material poverty and shortcomings, but also to the unclear future.

That is the most torturous thing.

"It's like me before. I had plenty of material things to enjoy, but my body and soul were nowhere to be found. Therefore, I couldn't possess that kind of spirit, and I began to hate being sociable. I became dull and ignorant, and in my father's eyes, I became a worthless commodity, a loss-making commodity, far inferior to my obedient and caring sister. This is probably why he wanted to get rid of me so much."

The female editor finished her summary and then turned over the plan in front of her that she had filled in with pen and ink in the gaps between her speeches.

But suddenly I was stunned for a moment, and realized that what I had just said probably went beyond the limits of daily chatting.

however--

The young man in front of him didn't react in particular. He just rested his chin on his hand and listened.

For some reason, there is a faint sense of comfort.

At that moment, Flamingo suddenly understood why he had seen someone secretly talking to a tree hole on campus when he was a student.

This is the feeling of enjoying and talking...

Then a certain kind of relaxation flashed across her usually cold face, and she looked at the person in front of her who was still staring at her.

"Editor Sasakawa is starting to believe the future is going to be bad?"

"Maybe I got infected by a paranoid person born in Qi State, who keeps whispering some shocking and terrifying theories to me."

"Editor Sasakawa has actually read Liezi?"

"After I gradually learned Chinese characters in high school, I started to read related works."

"sharp."

The profound literary foundation of the female editor probably once again surprised Lin Sen.

"I increasingly feel that meeting Editor Sasakawa is one of the greatest blessings of my life. I have the urge to sleep with you and debate with you all night long."

"Hiding obscene thoughts in flowery sentences doesn't make Disgusting any less sanctimonious."

"I feel like Editor Sasakawa, who understands the deeper meaning, can be considered a fellow traveler."

"Even the kindest and most innocent person must learn to distinguish between shit and chocolate in order to protect themselves from the evildoers."

"strong."

After the usual mutual attacks were completed, Lin Sen turned his attention to the new plan drawn up by the other party.

Below the first plan to create fame for him, new ideas were added.

Basically, we try to organize activities such as book signings that can be initiated by publishing houses.

In fact, this was a proposal that was initially rejected. If an author without a solid reputation rashly held a book signing or meet-and-greets event, the result would be a dismal scene with no one interested, and the publisher would incur a huge amount of wasted publicity costs.

However, with the promise of a girl named Yukiko, it is not impossible to start trying this method of self-promotion.

"You mean, we can put book signings and the like on the agenda?"

"I don't quite believe Yukiko's promise that she can make your book a hit, but you should still make the necessary preparations. I'll talk to the editor-in-chief and try to secure a few events for you. That way, if you do become famous in the future, you'll be able to maintain your base."

At this moment, there was a hint of surprise in Sasakawa Rimei's voice:

"Sometimes I wonder about Mr. Itsuki's fate. It feels like you're always playing the role of the one being rescued. Just wandering around, all sorts of strange people will intervene in your life. Do you often find money when you go out?"

"Editor Sasakawa probably overestimates me a bit. In fact, I lost quite a bit of money a while ago. And it wasn't just someone who was saved. Man, I actually saved someone's life."

Lin Sen rolled up the plan and confiscated it.

"However, I don't deny that there was some strange luck that favored me. Just like I've always believed that when I was at my wit's end, meeting you on the street was probably fate."

"."

"Actually, I've been wanting to say this. Thank you, Ms. Riye."

Sasagawa Rio opened her eyes wide at this sudden serious and formal address.

In the sight, the young man who usually had a blank expression smiled faintly again.

In fact, he had some entangled misfortunes and a bad past. He probably once fell into depravity - this is what he said.

But since they met, he always gave her the impression of being an optimistic person.

He didn't resist mentioning some bad things and talking about a bleak future, as if he had given up hope on everything.

Yet he always finds peace and contentment in that state of decadence, picking out some good memories and casually putting them on display in the display cabinet of his life.

Bad things cannot hurt him, but he can feel happy about a happy fate.

So, he appears to be lucky and also feels lucky.

Is that right?

Rie Sasakawa doesn't know.

She just stared at the man in front of her.

Her tree hole, the first person in her life with whom she can confide and communicate easily.

The people she saved were probably also the saviors who helped her escape her fate to some extent.

Her friend.

Chapter 74: The Best Years

Lin Sen had no idea how his image had changed and evolved in someone's eyes.

He also claimed that he never cared about these things. In his previous life, due to the uniqueness of his profession, he was a big star in the quagmire of Tieba, and he had to endure all kinds of roller coaster rides, from strange flattery to foul language.

Caring too much about what others think is an unnecessary concern.

In the end, your life belongs to you.

Having experienced too many similar examples, even if Lin Sen didn't see this clearly in the past, he should understand it now.

Not everyone who tries to attract attention ends up being a star. They might as well be a clown in a circus.

What matters most is a strong will. No matter what the outcome, try to accept it. If your passion remains, keep trying until you succeed, or until you're completely discouraged.

Speaking of this, Lin Sen admires the girl named Qingshan who is by his side.

So many years have been wasted.

He worked hard during the day to make a living, and practiced music under the desk lamp in his rental house at night, listening to and learning from various albums, and writing music bit by bit.

Fatigue. Worse still, a lack of hope. The constant cycle of failure and relentless struggle.

Ask yourself, any normal person, even one with great passion, may be worn away by these endless days.

But Lin Sen was surprised to see that after getting off work, she just wiped her face with the back of her hand, reached out to take the guitar and notebook handed to her by Lin Sen, and sat down on the street with a smile.

I don't know where the enthusiasm came from again, I picked up the guitar that had been wrapped in black, and stared blankly at the people passing by.

"Sometimes I think Xiaolin is really a great talent."

"How can I see it?"

“Although there have been street performers before, there never seemed to be this kind of additional interactive method.”

She smiled and waved the special [Commentary Book] in her hand. "Everyone seems to love writing beautiful words on it. Even the strokes of the words are carefully considered."

He held the notebook in his arms for a few seconds before reluctantly placing it on the small folding stool beside him.

"Even if I have to go back home to farm, this kind of thing will be a meaningful souvenir."

"Is this the assumption of a retreat?"