You Really Should Die

"President, I really don't know her real age."

Shang Tao noticed the Vice President's expression was off and quickly explained... defending himself, "I'm not in charge of the Editorial Department, but she really looks young, just like eighteen. Do you remember what I told you... she really doesn't look like an editor."

"..."

Zhao Fang Sheng fell silent, and at the same time recalled that Shang Tao had indeed said something similar.

But at the time, he had just thought Shang Tao was joking, exaggerating a bit to flatter someone.

But now you're telling me? That wasn't an exaggeration? That was serious?

Eighteen?

Zhao Fang Sheng imagined for a moment what it would be like for an eighteen-year-old to be the editor-in-chief... While it did sound like a manga plot, reality wasn't a manga. If she were thirty, he could grit his teeth and accept it, but eighteen... he really couldn't.

To be honest, he was having second thoughts.

Although private enterprises could afford to not value seniority and even prefer younger employees, believing they had more energy and innovative ideas.

But that was for regular employees... For leadership positions, age had always been an invisible barrier.

This was related to the entire societal ecosystem. Generally speaking, the vast majority of people believed that younger leaders, especially those who were promoted at rocket speed, often lacked sufficient experience and management wisdom. They might also be immature in handling interpersonal relationships and workplace dynamics, making it difficult to gain widespread recognition from subordinates and colleagues.

In short, they were unreliable.

Conversely, older individuals were generally considered more stable and reliable by most people.

Although this was relative; older people weren't necessarily reliable, and younger people weren't necessarily unreliable.

Ding Yilong was an example.

But overall, this did align with the common sense of the vast majority of people... at least with the common sense of the vast majority of older people.

Even if he didn't consider these factors, Zhao Fang Sheng still had to consider the opinions of the other people in the Editorial Department. As far as he knew, the average age of the male editors was quite high. If a girl who was eighteen... or at least looked eighteen, became the editor-in-chief, what would the other editors think?

And he also had to consider other troubles caused by the age gap. For instance, Shang Tao, who was almost fifty-five, if there was a need for them to communicate, like in meetings, there could be a huge generational gap...

Hmm.

The more Zhao Fang Sheng thought about it, the more unreliable it seemed, and the more his head hurt.

So young!

And so capable at such a young age.

Truly...

Zhao Fang Sheng thought for a moment, still a bit unwilling to give up, and asked, "Are you sure... she looks very young?"

"Certain."

Shang Tao nodded, "Actually, 'girl group member' isn't accurate, but I couldn't think of a more suitable reference to describe her youth at the moment. Vice President, you know girl groups, right? If you're not sure, you can find videos to watch... I don't know Editor Tang's specific age, but she's definitely not over 25. If not eighteen, then probably just over twenty. If she walked into a school, even the security guards probably wouldn't stop her...

Right! I thought of a word to describe it! Vice President, do you know what JK is?"

"Alright, you don't need to say anymore, I understand."

Zhao Fang Sheng raised his hand and interrupted Shang Tao, who was getting more and more outlandish, and completely gave up. He looked down at the manga titled 'Uzumaki' on the desk and shook his head slightly.

His age and experience made him understand that there truly were geniuses in this world.

Let alone editing, even in blacksmithing, there were geniuses. Some people could win consecutive championships at nineteen...

People truly couldn't be generalized.

And today, he had the good fortune to witness one.

But he also knew... genius wasn't omnipotent, especially young genius.

"Forget it, no need to inform her about the meeting. Just give her the storyboard."

Zhao Fang Sheng had completely given up.

Shang Tao seemed to realize something at this moment and chuckled awkwardly, "Uh... whether she's young or not, the Vice President will know after seeing her."

Zhao Fang Sheng glanced at Shang Tao and shook his head, "No need. She's indeed too young, but I'll remember her name."

"Okay."

Shang Tao chuckled awkwardly again.

At the same time, he apologized to Tang Yao in his heart.

...It seems I've messed up.

But I wasn't lying, she really is young.

In any case, I'll apologize to her later... or help promote those two manga as her most important works as compensation.

"President, are you going to look at the other manga?"

Shang Tao, as if to cover his embarrassment, glanced at his watch and realized it was almost quitting time, then asked.

"I'll take a look. It won't make much difference at this point."

Hearing this, Zhao Fang Sheng glanced at the other manga Tang Yao had recommended and picked it up.

Shang Tao had no choice but to wait.

But another manga didn't give off that feeling of an impending storm just from reading the beginning, unlike Uzumaki.

At first, the plot unfolded very conventionally.

So Zhao Fang Sheng didn't have any strange expressions; he just quietly flipped through it.

Shang Tao also lost interest in observing Zhao Fang Sheng's expression and stood aside, starting to contact his subordinates on his phone to arrange work.

Time slowly passed.

When Shang Tao finished arranging his work and looked up, he found Zhao Fang Sheng still reading.

His face still showed no particular expression, but... he was completely engrossed, leaning slightly forward, his eyes fixed on the original manuscript as if completely immersed in the world of the manga.

"?"

Shang Tao slowly formed a question mark.

No way.

Was the manga Editor Tang recommended really that good?

Did she have some kind of magic?

It had to be said.

At this moment, Shang Tao also felt an extremely strong curiosity about those two manga.

About ten minutes later.

Zhao Fang Sheng finally looked up, a hint of reminiscence on his face. After taking a deep breath, he exclaimed, "Interesting... It's truly fascinating! To come up with such a novel concept, making historical or mythical figures into Heroic Spirits, and having a free-for-all battle among different pantheons of gods... Truly a genius."

It wasn't just the concept, actually.

Zhao Fang Sheng felt that the story and character designs were also very captivating.

The Holy Grail War, the medium, the prestigious mage families, the Church... So many settings came one after another!

He was unknowingly drawn in.

But what made him a bit frustrated was... just as the story was getting exciting! It just stopped!

"What about the rest?"

Thinking this, Zhao Fang Sheng looked at Shang Tao and asked the question he was most concerned about.

"The rest?"

Shang Tao replied with a look of "What are you talking about?", "This is all there is. Editor Tang only gave me this much."

"Could it be... a serialized work?"

Zhao Fang Sheng blinked, then realized it. He looked down at the work in his hands, his eyes slowly widening, "They're not planning to serialize this on the website, are they? This could completely be serialized in a magazine. Wait, I get it... Ding Yilong!!!"

As he spoke.

His voice slightly raised, he suddenly shouted, anger reappearing on his face.

In an instant, he understood many things.

That Editor Tang and Ding Yilong don't get along... Clearly, she's being suppressed! Such an excellent work! It can't get magazine serialization! It's being forced to serialize on a website! And it has to gain exposure through a manga award!

You are truly despicable!

Ding Yilong!

With this thought.

Zhao Fang Sheng was grinding his teeth in hatred for Ding Yilong.

"...Vice President?"

Shang Tao was somewhat surprised.

"It's nothing."

Zhao Fang Sheng managed to calm his mood, glanced at the manga in his hands again, and after a moment of consideration, handed it back to Shang Tao along with the storyboards, "Both of these manga are fine. Include them in the early release lineup!"

Uzumaki was definitely not a problem.

Because it was sufficiently bizarre and eye-catching.

This would allow readers to see just how... well, how diverse the works in the manga award truly were.

As for the other manga called Fate/Zero...

Although he felt it was a bit absurd and frustrating to include a serialized work in the promotion for the manga award... he himself felt frustrated when it stopped mid-excitement.

But considering the current situation of the Editorial Department, he decided to agree. Because even if he decided to deal with Ding Yilong, it wouldn't be a matter of handling him in the morning and having him pack his bags by the afternoon.

And this manga award, due to Ou Congquan's involvement, had considerable attention... As long as the work was excellent, it should be able to bring immense popularity to the manga!

And this Fate/Zero was clearly an extremely excellent work!

This would be a perfect warm-up for its official magazine serialization... and it could also be an opportunity to observe readers' acceptance of this story! After all, his own feelings couldn't be the sole determinant.

Killing two birds with one stone!

"Okay."

Shang Tao's interest in the two manga reached its peak upon hearing this, but now was clearly not the time to read them.

He could only nod and agree for now.

He also breathed a sigh of relief. Now that the Vice President had spoken, it would definitely be fine to bring these two manga into the lineup early... He could explain it to Editor Tang.

"Make sure to include them."

Zhao Fang Sheng emphasized again, showing his regard, and added, "Also, when you return the storyboards, remember to tell Editor Tang to appease the Manga Artist who drew Fate/Zero. Tell them that serialization opportunities will definitely come... And encourage Editor Tang, tell him he did a great job this time."

The manga Fate/Zero once again proved Editor Tang's talent in discovering and nurturing Manga Artists.

Zhao Fang Sheng didn't know how much effort Editor Tang put into this manga, but considering Ou Congquan's situation... it was probably not a small amount.

And then there was the erratic Uzumaki.

He couldn't help but sigh again, truly a genius!

It's just a shame she's too young.

Otherwise, Ding Yilong could really have dealt with her in the morning and packed her bags to leave in the afternoon.

But forget it.

There's no rush for this.

Perhaps this is a good thing. After a few years of experience... she might achieve even more brilliant results. Then, she could serve as deputy editor-in-chief for a while as a transition, prove herself, and everything else would fall into place naturally, with age no longer being an issue.

Zhao Fang Sheng thought this as he watched Shang Tao leave.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Tang Yao was still unaware.

One step away.

She was inexplicably about to take the position of editor-in-chief.

Because of her age... she missed out. She probably never expected her age could be a DEBUFF.

Otherwise, it's hard to say if she would have chosen to continue as an editor for a few more years.

After all, this job was indeed stable. If it weren't for Ding Yilong, that troublemaker, and if the salary were a bit higher, she might have stayed for another two years for her sister's sake, for a fallback.

It's just a pity.

This ultimately did not happen.

And she would embark on another path.

It can only be said... a missed opportunity.