Chapter 66

Chapter 22: Above and Below

This sudden change not only left Kozue Keiji dumbfounded but also made Sun Lan feel utterly helpless. He had dared to challenge Su Aijun because he believed he had a hold over him, thinking that as someone from the capital, he was superior and looked down on Su Aijun and others from the northwest, whom he considered to be rough and unrefined. However, when faced with Miyamoto Tetsuichi, he did not dare to act rashly.

"Miyamoto senior..." Kozue Keiji wanted to snatch back the contract but did not dare to reach out. However, if this thing remained in Miyamoto Tetsuichi's hands, it was like a bomb for him, ready to blow up "Weekly Shonen" at any moment. The competition in the manga industry was fierce, and to ensure a steady stream of new talent to meet the challenges from other manga magazines, "Weekly Shonen" offered very generous terms to its authors. But how could he have lost his head and believed Sun Lan, thinking that for someone from China, especially from a poor area in the northwest, Fang Mingyuan could be heavily exploited! This led to the creation of this author's contract that left Miyamoto Tetsuichi incredulous.

Now, not only had the signing become a mirage, but he had also left a handle in Miyamoto Tetsuichi's hands. When he returned to Japan, his uncle would surely be furious!

"Miyamoto senior, this contract was not drafted by our company. It was his suggestion. He said that such a royalty rate was enough for the Chinese, and there was no need to give them too much!" Kozue Keiji hurriedly tried to exonerate himself, "I was just momentarily confused and listened to his malicious advice!"

Miyamoto Tetsuichi looked at Sun Lan, whose face was as pale as paper, and said with disdain, "I have nothing to say to someone like you. If I were your boss, I would fire you immediately!"

Sun Lan and Kozue Keiji were no longer the arrogant people they had been when they first arrived. Sun Lan was so regretful that he wished he could tear out his intestines. How could he not have known that another Japanese manga company had also taken an interest in "Yuu Yuu Hakusho"? If he had known this, he would never have given Kozue Keiji that idea. And...

"Ring..." The phone suddenly rang. Su Aijun, who was standing with his arms crossed, watching the two men's awkward situation, picked it up. "Yes, this is Su Aijun. Hello, Secretary Zheng. Yes, yes, yes, my brother has already explained the situation clearly. I don't know if he is really from your company, but he claimed to have connections there and threatened me by saying he would unjustly punish my friend at your company. I believe he has already threatened my friend. Yes, yes, yes, his name is Bai Lin, and he works at your company's headquarters. I heard that he is refusing to allocate a house to him. And this person is also threatening to transfer my friend to a cold department. Yes, yes, yes, he is still here."

As he spoke, Su Aijun glanced at Sun Lan, whose face had turned green, and said with a cold smile, "The Secretary of the China Book Import and Export Corporation is looking for you!"

Sun Lan, in a daze, took the phone and heard a stern voice. "I am Secretary Zheng Dongyu of the China Book Import and Export Corporation. Who are you? Why are you impersonating my company and causing trouble outside?"

Zheng Dongyu was also furious. It was his wife's birthday, and he had declined all social engagements to be with his family. But just as he had returned home, the phone rang. The caller was not a high-ranking official, just a secretary of a deputy minister of the Ministry of Culture, but as someone close to a leader, Zheng Dongyu did not dare to offend him. However, the next words made Zheng Dongyu break out in a cold sweat. It seemed that one of his company's employees in Fengyuan was causing trouble for the son of Deputy Minister Su Huandong of the Ministry of Railways.

As the head of a state-owned enterprise in Beijing, how could Zheng Dongyu not know who Su Huandong was? He was the first deputy minister of the Ministry of Railways, with real power, and was sure to become the minister when the current one retired. Four years ago, his report on railway speed increases had even reached the highest levels of the state, and the positive changes in the railways over the past four years had confirmed his theories. For such a rising political star, how could Zheng Dongyu, based in Beijing, not know him? The status of the Ministry of Railways in the government was well-known. If he were to complain to the leaders of the Ministry of Culture, it would ruin Zheng Dongyu's career in just a few words.

So, he immediately called Su Aijun to get to the bottom of the matter. If it was a case of fraud, it would be one thing, but if it was true, he would strangle that scoundrel with his own hands. How dare he go to the home of the deputy minister's son and threaten him? Was he looking for trouble?

Sun Lan's legs immediately went weak. As an employee of the China Book Import and Export Corporation, how could he not know the name of the top boss? He had even attended meetings chaired by Zheng Dongyu and was familiar with his voice. He immediately recognized that the person on the other end of the phone was Secretary Zheng Dongyu, his direct superior. He wanted to lie, but seeing the unfriendly look on Miyamoto Tetsuichi's face, he gave up the idea. Kozue Keiji knew his identity clearly and would not hide it from the Japanese.

"Hello, Secretary Zheng, I am Sun Lan, an employee of the Japan Department of the company," Sun Lan answered tremulously.

Under Zheng Dongyu's questioning, Sun Lan spilled out the entire story. Zheng Dongyu was so angry that his head was throbbing. What a disgrace! A Chinese person helping a foreigner to scheme against another Chinese person, and even threatening a colleague, and targeting the son of a deputy minister of the Ministry of Railways. Sun Lan had really done a fine job, so fine that he, as the top boss, would never be able to hold his head up in front of others again. "Sun Lan, you must appear in my office tomorrow afternoon! If I don't see you, hmm... Pass the phone to Comrade Su Aijun!"

Sun Lan was drenched in sweat. Zheng Dongyu was clearly very angry. He respectfully handed the phone to Su Aijun.

"Comrade Su, this is a disgrace to my company. I have failed to discipline my subordinates, causing you a lot of trouble. I formally apologize on behalf of the company. When Sun Lan returns, I will severely punish him and the relevant personnel. As for Comrade Bai Lin, I will ensure he receives a fair outcome. Please believe me, Comrade Su!" Zheng Dongyu said solemnly.

Su Aijun smiled. "Secretary Zheng, you are too kind. Even in a large company, there are bound to be a few bad apples. We just need to address the issues promptly. I am very grateful for your help in resolving this problem..."

After Su Aijun hung up the phone, he looked at Sun Lan, who was still standing pale and trembling, and said with disgust, "Interpreter Sun, is there anything else?"

Sun Lan forced a smile, but it was more painful than crying. "Director Su, I apologize for my actions..."

Su Aijun waved his hand coldly. "I don't want to hear your apologies. If you have nothing else, you can leave!"

Sun Lan and Kozue Keiji left the Su family home in dejection, both feeling extremely heavy-hearted and worried about their future.