Chapter 62

Chapter 18: Parting on Bad Terms

Su Aijun's home was in the family area of Fengyuan Jiaotong University. Since it wasn't far, he and his wife usually went home for lunch to cook and rest. If there was nothing much in the afternoon, they didn't need to go back to the university. After all, they were university professors and generally didn't need to sit in the office. However, Su Aijun was now the department head, and he had more responsibilities than his wife.

Just as Su Aijun was about to leave, an unexpected visitor arrived.

Sun Lan stood at Su Aijun's doorstep, his face full of anger. In the morning, he had racked his brains to come up with a lie to calm down Kozuki Keiji, and then during lunch, he had intentionally gotten him drunk. Only then did he have the time to find Su Aijun's university and ask for his home address, coming directly to his door.

"Uh? It's you, Interpreter Sun. I thought I made it very clear on the phone this morning. Is there anything else you need?" Seeing him, Su Aijun had no desire to invite him in and just stood at the door, asking.

"Comrade Su, Professor Su, Director Su!" Sun Lan suppressed his anger, "Why didn't you sign that contract? Mr. Kozuki came all the way from afar and is a distinguished guest of our country. What you did has disgraced the nation. Aren't you afraid of causing a diplomatic incident? When that happens, not just you, a mere department head, but even the president of Fengyuan Jiaotong University won't be able to bear the responsibility! I warn you, sign the contract honestly and apologize to Mr. Kozuki with me. Otherwise, I'll make you roll out of this university!"

What did a university teacher in a small place know? Sun Lan believed that as long as he raised the issue to the level of international relations and threw a few big hats at him, Su Aijun would sign the contract obediently. Once he signed, things would be easier. With that contract, Sun Lan believed that even if he took it to the highest court, it would be useless! At this point, he still didn't know who the true author of "Yu Yu Hakusho" was, but since Su Aijun had always been in contact with them, he assumed it was Su Aijun.

Su Aijun looked him up and down with disdain. This kind of bullying was actually being used on him. "Interpreter Sun, who is disgracing the nation, you or I? We are very clear about this. I explained it clearly to you this morning. The terms of that contract are too harsh, and the remuneration is too low, so we have no interest. As for a diplomatic incident? Hmph, it's the first time I've heard that such a matter can be linked to foreign affairs. If you want to link it, go ahead. Go wherever you want to complain. Move aside, I need to go to the university!"

Su Aijun's words made Sun Lan tremble inside. Seeing that his words didn't scare Su Aijun, he argued, "Director Su, what you're saying is wrong. A monthly income of 1,600 yuan, how can that be considered low? Even in the capital, not many people can earn such a high income."

"Hmph..." Su Aijun sneered, "High income, very high income, not even as much as a part-time toilet cleaner in Japan! Wanting to please the Japanese is your freedom, but don't think of stepping on your compatriots to climb up! Sun Lan, don't think you're the only smart one and everyone else is a fool! Do you understand equal pay for equal work? Do you understand the international norms of copyright transactions? Do you know how many manga publishers there are in Japan? Do you understand the right to free choice? Hmph, a good-looking exterior, but a black heart inside!"

Sun Lan's face turned red with embarrassment. He said fiercely, "Su Aijun, you must be responsible for your words. Who has a black heart? Who is treating you like fools? If you can't give a clear explanation, you are slandering me, defaming my reputation, and damaging Sino-Japanese friendship!"

Su Aijun smiled contemptuously, "If you think so, then sue me in court. See if the court will support your opinion. Now, move aside, I need to go to the university to teach. If you continue to cause a disturbance here, I'll call the police!" He was thoroughly fed up with Sun Lan. Saying this, Su Aijun slammed the door and pushed Sun Lan aside, walking down the stairs.

"Su Aijun, think carefully. 'Weekly Shonen' is the largest manga magazine in Japan. Offending them means your work will never make it to Japan. You'll regret it in the future!" Sun Lan caught up, "I advise you to sign the contract and apologize to Mr. Kozuki before things get worse. The royalties can still be negotiated. We are all adults, don't act on impulse." At this point, Sun Lan was already panicking. He didn't expect his threats to have no effect on Su Aijun, but instead, make him even more resolute.

From his conversation with Kozuki Keiji, he understood that 'Weekly Shonen' was quite serious about this work, otherwise, they wouldn't have sent Kozuki Keiji specially to China to sign the contract with the author. If it was because of him that 'Weekly Shonen' failed to sign Su Aijun, the consequences for him, who wanted to immigrate to Japan, could be fatal. Kozuki Keiji would definitely bear a grudge for his wasted trip. During his years of study in Japan, Kozuki Keiji was the only one he had a close relationship with, and no one else would provide him with a guarantee. Thinking of this, Sun Lan's attitude softened.

"Acting on impulse? Just because he offers me a salary that's not even enough to hire a part-time worker in Japan, there's nothing to talk about! This is an insult to my character and my work! If 'Weekly Shonen' has the ability, let them block my work. I want to see what the Japanese manga artists will think when I take this contract to the Tokyo court!" Su Aijun waved his hand impatiently, "I've said it clearly, don't bother me anymore!"

Watching Su Aijun walk away, Sun Lan was almost in tears. He realized that this was the result, and he shouldn't have suggested to Kozuki Keiji to modify the original contract. At least that way, whether Su Aijun signed or not, it wouldn't be his responsibility. Now, things had escalated, and Kozuki Keiji would definitely be extremely dissatisfied with him.

"What should I do?" Sun Lan paced around, at a loss. Su Aijun's firm stance was completely unexpected.

Suddenly, he had an idea, a look of satisfaction appeared on his face, and he turned to leave the university.

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