"Hayashi-sensei, this is the contract our publishing house has carefully discussed and prepared for you. Please take a look."
A contract document was handed over with both hands.
Hayashi Yoshiki reached out to take it, his well-defined fingers gently pressing one side of the contract paper. After a quick glance, he naturally handed it to the woman beside him, who took it.
Eri Kisaki was an efficient woman.
With her beautiful face, she took the contract without a word and quietly began to scrutinize it.
The Asamiya Nanae, the Asamiya Editor from the opposite side, simply smiled and waited quietly—she was very confident in the terms offered by her publishing house.
And Eri, who had read through the entire contract, couldn't help but nod.
The terms offered by the publishing house were surprisingly generous, and there were no unfair clauses; overall, their sincerity was evident.
"There's nothing wrong with the contract. I rarely see such clean business contracts these days."
Eri said this with some surprise, looking up at the Asamiya Editor opposite her: "Let alone an average popular novel, only a very well-known best-selling novelist could probably get a contract like this."
"Firstly, our publishing house is very confident in the potential of Hayashi-sensei's work, and secondly, this contract is the result of repeated discussions between the editor-in-chief and the president… They were completely won over by Hayashi-sensei's previous works."
Asamiya Nanae showed a sly smile.
But of course, this was an unrealistic lie.
Although he still didn't understand the underlying reason, Hayashi Yoshiki seemed to have no choice but to accept the favor, so he put down his coffee cup and smiled:
"It's my honor."
Asamiya Nanae felt a bit dazzled.
The young man in front of her was simply too handsome.
His black hair had a warm sheen, his face exuded an incredible sense of refinement, and he smiled faintly. His voice was clear, and an incredible sense of tranquility surrounded him.
Anyone who saw him for the first time would surely get the impression of a calm and gentle young man.
"Ahem… So, Hayashi-sensei, are you satisfied with this contract? Or do you have any thoughts you'd like me to convey on your behalf?"
"No, this is fine. I'm already very satisfied."
"Then, if there are no problems, this contract…?"
"Please give me a pen."
"Alright."
Asamiya Nanae immediately handed over a fountain pen with both hands.
Under her guidance and Eri's watchful eye, Hayashi Yoshiki signed his name, officially entrusting the agency rights for his new work to the publishing house.
After completing her task, Asamiya Editor quickly got up to report back.
Only Hayashi Yoshiki and Eri remained at the booth.
"Congratulations, Xiao Shu."
Eri turned her face to look at him, her mature beauty showing a kind smile, "You got a good contract."
"Yes, but I'm sorry to have troubled Aunt Eri to come with me today."
"For such an important matter, I always have to make time to come and see it to feel at ease."
Eri said this, then raised her hand to look at the watch on her wrist. Seeing that it was almost time, she picked up her bag from beside her.
"But I should probably head to the office now. If you need anything, call me later, Xiao Shu."
"Alright, do you need to work late again today?"
"I do need to work overtime; there's a case that's going to court soon… but it won't be too late."
"Understood. Please drive safely then."
"Ah, see you later."
Eri hurried away.
After watching Eri get into her Mini Cooper and drive away, Hayashi Yoshiki had no intention of lingering in the coffee shop. He stood on the street for a moment, then raised his hand to hail a taxi.
"Please take me to Mihua Second Apartment."
"Understood."
Clack.
The car door closed, and the taxi quickly drove towards its destination.
March's spring was still a bit cool.
Inside the smoothly moving taxi, the car radio was playing the new song of popular idol Yoko Okino.
The streetscape along the way leisurely receded outside the car window.
Middle-aged people hurrying along the commercial street, or young couples acting affectionately, the anxious honking of car horns immediately following the green light's passage… everything was so vivid and real.
A real world—
Having transmigrated to this world for over a year, Hayashi Yoshiki had now fully adapted to life here.
After all, he found no trace of this being a fictional world.
The essence of life is nothing more than flesh, breath, and pulse… Hayashi Yoshiki knew well that what splattered out after cutting someone's blood vessels would not be ink, and running to the end in one direction would not hit a painting frame. Since everything was so real and vivid, there was no room for doubt.
His real name was Hayashi Yoshiki.
Before suddenly and inexplicably arriving in this world, which he found both familiar and strange, he had lived a relatively successful twenty-plus years of life.
He had, of course, seen the work "Detective Conan."
But ever since he suddenly appeared here one day, not only did he have a relevant household registration identity, but his familiar body and consciousness also gained some memories and interpersonal relationships.
"Guest, are you perhaps in a hurry?"
The calmly driving taxi driver occasionally noticed that his passenger seemed to be constantly checking his watch, so he couldn't help but ask.
"No, I'm not in a hurry," Hayashi Yoshiki said, "But could you please switch to the news radio?"
"Alright."
The driver readily complied.
The current time was 2:18 PM.
The news radio was playing a replay of earlier news. During this time, Hayashi Yoshiki subtly kept an eye on the time on his watch, until exactly 2:21 PM and 30 seconds—
"According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department in Beika, criminal suspect Nishikawa Shigehiko suffered a sudden heart attack during a Police arrest operation at 8 PM on March 16th and died en route to the hospital for emergency treatment."
"According to information provided by Inspector Megure, Nishikawa Shigehiko has caused multiple violent crimes to date, including snatch-and-grab robberies, coercion of women, high-interest debt collection…"
The female announcer's voice on the news radio was steady and clear, but in Hayashi Yoshiki's ears, it seemed to be fading away… He matched the content of the news one by one with his own memories, a smile appearing on his face.
"Not a single error."
He silently celebrated.
"A scoundrel died, it's truly gratifying."
The middle-aged driver had probably passed his cynical phase, but he still felt great joy at this broadcast.
The latter's face still held a smile, sharing the same feeling as him:
"Yes."