An Eye for an Eye, Tenfold Repayment!

"Do you know how much effort I put into getting a Manga Artist like that to contribute? It took countless connections! I drank until I threw up several times just to find that big-name Manga Artist! You can't even maintain a relationship! What kind of editor are you!?"

"If you'll permit me to say, I don't know what you mean by maintaining a relationship. I didn't slack off on any initial visits or requests for support."

"Then why did they breach the contract? Isn't it because you weren't trying hard enough? If routine visits don't work and you sense their impatience, then you should bring alcohol and visit them, try to win them over! Maintain a good relationship, isn't that what you, as an editor, are supposed to do!? If you don't even have that resolve, why are you even working here?"

"I can't do that. I'm just an editor, not a paid escort."

"Then what use are you to me! You can't do anything right! What's the use of that pretty face you have!?"

"Are you sure you want to continue?"

Just as expected.

Although Tang Yao caught Editor Ding completely off guard.

He quickly recovered, his expression shifting from disbelief to a flushed red face, before finally losing it completely, pounding the table and shouting.

The entire Editorial Department fell silent, fearing the repercussions.

Kang Ming, standing not far away, trembled even more as he watched Tang Yao confront Editor Ding.

He had been living at home for a while.

This scene was far too intense for him.

His only thought now was regret, deep regret.

If only he had run away yesterday…

On the other hand, Editor Ding's extreme reaction indirectly proved how important the upcoming manga award ceremony was.

While Editor Ding could only deal with the editors, the entire publishing house was clearly not incompetent; they had already begun to embrace the Internet.

This manga award was different from the traditional newcomer award. Not only would the works be judged internally, but they would also be posted online for readers to view for free, along with voting rights for online readers. The main purpose was to build momentum for the online platform; otherwise, they wouldn't have invited veteran Manga Artists to contribute.

Yes.

Wenxin Hall wasn't oblivious to the recent Internet trend. They were hedging their bets, although their focus remained on Traditional Print Media. However, the special manga award for the upcoming website launch showed that they still valued new media internally.

And the Manga Artist surnamed Tang, whom Tang Yao was responsible for, was clearly meant to be a safety net. After all, relying solely on newcomers to attract popularity to the website wouldn't draw much attention… at least not as much as established Manga Artists.

But that Manga Artist surnamed Tang had flaked out. Although there were plenty of alternatives, and the Editorial Department hadn't contacted just one big-name Manga Artist, the impact was undeniable. This was the reason for Editor Ding's rage.

However, Tang Yao felt no guilt about this.

Because she had indeed maintained the relationship. Whatever genre the artist wanted to draw, she would help gather information. She promised to solve any problems within her capabilities and would call them the next day… she had done everything she could.

But the manuscript never materialized. Instead, Teacher Tang had suddenly invited her for a late-night discussion the day before yesterday.

Tang Yao didn't know what the discussion was about, nor was she interested.

She had simply refused directly.

It wasn't out of fear of danger, but rather fear of losing control and ending up in jail for severely injuring a famous Manga Artist, leaving them half-paralyzed, the next day.

The result of her refusal was another visit yesterday, where the artist claimed to be too busy with work.

Tang Yao didn't know if the editor-in-chief was aware of Teacher Tang's personality, but it didn't matter. Whether he knew or not, his words just now were already extremely harsh.

Coupled with the fact that she already had a replacement and had fulfilled her duties, she had ample confidence to retort.

At this moment.

She narrowed her eyes, staring at Editor Ding, and asked coldly, "Editor, are you sure you want to continue?"

"…Get back to work! If you don't get Shao Changqing's manuscript back, you're fired."

Ding Yilong opened his mouth, noticed Tang Yao's icy gaze, and didn't dare to say more. Angrily, he brought up Shao Changqing's issue again.

After all, if he continued, it might be construed as harassment of a subordinate.

Such a charge, if exposed, would be quite serious.

Of course.

He might not say it, but he wouldn't stop thinking it.

Looking at the girl before him, who was beautiful but showed no respect, his anger intensified.

For a superior, there was nothing more infuriating than insubordination. So, while Tang Yao was still there, he added, "The work of that so-called talented third-rate Manga Artist you mentioned…"

"Although they are an obscure Manga Artist, their work is indeed good. I'll bring it over later. I believe you won't be disappointed. If you are, it's not too late to bring it up then. I need to get back to work."

Tang Yao interrupted him before he could finish and replied, then turned to leave.

She had already presented the plan. Whether they were a third-rate Manga Artist or not was not for him to decide.

She couldn't be bothered to waste more time.

However, her attitude only fueled Ding Yilong's anger further.

His authority had been challenged time and time again.

He watched Tang Yao's retreating back, and dark, unspeakable thoughts began to surge wildly.

Only after Tang Yao sat down again did he take a deep breath, "You over there! Your name is Kang Ming, right!?"

Kang Ming instantly stood at attention, "Yes."

Meanwhile.

Tang Yao heard the roar sound again. Although she felt a little sorry for Kang Ming being affected by her, she couldn't afford to care about that anymore and got straight to work.

That Teacher Ou ultimately did not change the storyboards.

He still intended to kill off the protagonist, and the original manuscript had already been sent over.

Tang Yao had given up. After all, the deed was done… Looking at the terrible plot, she suppressed the urge to tear it up and began working on the storyboard specifications.

Storyboard specifications were essentially instruction manuals for the storyboards, requiring details like text size and font type to be noted for printing. There was also AORI, which referred to the promotional taglines at the end of each chapter to build anticipation… A common format was something like — [Next time, a grand adventure will begin].

Although Tang Yao completely didn't understand Teacher Ou's thinking, she still did the work she was supposed to do and quickly became engrossed in it.

Until.

The chair at the next workstation was pulled out.

"Um… thank you for yesterday."

Tang Yao turned her head and saw Kang Ming, whom she had met briefly yesterday.

He was covered in sweat, his face a mixture of regret and relief, and he even spoke tentatively.

He looked older than Tang Yao, like he was from a previous generation, yet he seemed somewhat afraid.

"Your joining the company has nothing to do with me; I just did what I had to do. But are you regretting it?"

Tang Yao tidied the manuscripts on her desk and asked sideways.

"..."

More sweat beaded on Kang Ming's forehead, and he didn't answer.

Tang Yao didn't press further, only smiled.

"By the way..."

Seeing Tang Yao's exceptionally beautiful profile as she smiled, Kang Ming felt a moment of daze… especially after recalling their confrontational exchange just now, it made him even more bewildered.

He hesitated for a moment before cautiously asking, "Aren't you afraid of offending the editor-in-chief?"

"..."

Tang Yao paused her movements, then turned her head and retorted, "You haven't been working out in the real world for a long time, have you?"

Kang Ming blushed, "Indeed… I had some health issues, and finding a job has been quite difficult lately."

"Then it's normal. You have to understand, even if I had been subservient just now, lowering myself as much as possible, I still would have been scolded. Nothing would have changed, and suppressing yourself too much can even lead to serious psychological problems."

Tang Yao nodded with understanding and continued to organize the manuscripts, explaining, "Being submissive solves nothing. Besides getting some cheap sympathy, it only makes you miserable.

And for a long time, constantly suppressing yourself will make you increasingly insecure, making you feel like everything is your fault, even when it's someone else's mistake.

Humans are strange creatures; they have a kind side, like instinctively feeling pity for the weak, but they also have a cruel side, like seeing the weak and being unable to resist… continuing to oppress them.

Do you think our editor-in-chief belongs to that type?"

"Uh..."

"I think he belongs to the latter. If I had lowered my stance, especially when I was in the right, my situation wouldn't have improved; it would have gotten worse. Being timid only makes them more aggressive. At least, that's my assessment."

Tang Yao put down the manuscripts, then moved her chair to face him, looking at the bald man in front of her, and smiled, "Actually, if you work long enough, you'll easily discover who in the department is competent, who is cunning, who slacks off, and who is a complete scumbag… At that point, there will be many choices, many paths to take.

But unfortunately, most paths aren't suitable for me because my current identity is a bit troublesome, and I don't really want to rely on others.

So—"

Tang Yao's expression suddenly turned serious, "I can only choose a more troublesome path, which is… an eye for an eye, tenfold repayment!"

Kang Ming: "..."

He looked at Tang Yao, who was channeling her inner Hanzawa Naoki, and felt a surge of respect.

"Just kidding, it's not that dramatic."

Seeing his expression, Tang Yao couldn't keep up the act and burst into laughter. She then glanced around and said softly, "I'm just doing what I should be doing, fulfilling my responsibilities, and maintaining appropriate assertiveness.

For example, regarding Shao Changqing and Ou Congquan's issues, I fulfilled my responsibilities and informed my superiors about the problems I couldn't change. The decision is no longer mine.

As for the manga award submissions, I found excellent replacements, thus fulfilling my responsibilities.

Under these circumstances, there's no reason for me to be a punching bag."

"But the problem is..."

Kang Ming reacted, glancing at the manuscripts on her desk, and didn't finish his sentence.

But his meaning was clear… assertiveness has its price.

However, before he could finish, Tang Yao stretched slightly and smiled radiantly, "Then let's solve the problem."

"..."

Kang Ming stared blankly at the girl with two shallow dimples on her fair face.

At this moment.

Even with the age gap between them.

He felt that this girl, younger than him, was... far more capable than he was.

"Good luck."

Tang Yao didn't say anything further. The reason she had said so much earlier was just to make up for the trouble he'd been dragged into because of her.

After all, she didn't want this unlucky kid, who had already failed twenty-odd interviews, to develop any psychological trauma.

Seeing that it was about time.

Tang Yao offered a final word of encouragement before turning her chair back, ready to wrap things up and head out.

Meanwhile.

Kang Ming's phone, lying on the table, vibrated. He picked it up and took a look, immediately snapping out of his daze caused by her beauty. He clicked his tongue softly and muttered to himself, "Seriously, it's good enough that there's something free to play with..."

Tang Yao thought he was talking to her and turned her head again, a little puzzled. "Hm?"

"Ah, no, I wasn't talking to you. I meant this."

Kang Ming came back to his senses, turned to face Tang Yao, and held up his phone to explain, "Before I joined, I made a chess and card battle platform. It was originally for friends to play on, but I haven't maintained it recently, and the users are starting to complain. My friend asked me to maintain it, so I'm barely scraping by. Where would I find the energy for anything else..."

"Oh?"

Tang Yao was slightly taken aback at his words. She then tilted her head, revealing an interested expression.