Hong Kong Island, the summer solstice has arrived.
It was sunny during the day, but it suddenly started to rain in the evening.
The fine drizzle drove away the summer heat and added a bit of coolness to the already quiet Repulse Bay.
The waves hit the expensive private embankment, but the sound was blocked out by a thick three-story wall.
There is no sign on the door lintel, only a string of inconspicuous numbers - 3, which quietly indicates the extraordinary owner of this place.
The villa is full of warmth.
Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows is the magnificent gray rainy view of Victoria Harbour, and inside the window is a minimalist yet textured reception room.
Lin Huowang, now known as "Xiao Lin Huowang", was leisurely leaning on a large single sofa, playing with a ruby tea pet left by the previous owner of the villa.
The coffee on the coffee table in front of him was still steaming. On the two sofas opposite him, sat two well-known figures in the Hong Kong comics circle, whose stomping of their feet could shake the industry three times - Wong Yuk-long and Shangguan Xiaobao.
Different from the high-spirited images in newspapers and magazines, at this moment both of them had a polite and distant smile on their faces, but deep in their eyes they suppressed unspeakable anxiety and a barely perceptible anger.
They had been seated for more than ten minutes, but the coffee in front of them had hardly been touched.
"...So, Mr. Kobayashi."
Shangguan Xiaobao pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes behind the lenses were still sharp, but his tone was as friendly as that of a veteran businessman, "Your Dragon JUMP has just landed in Hong Kong Island, and the first issue has just been released, and it's really too popular.
The weekly magazine's sales were soaring, not only topping the charts at major newsstands, but it was also sold out and even second-hand copies were not available at a higher price.
The rules and market balance that we, the old guys, have worked hard to establish after more than ten or twenty years of founding the magazine are almost shaky after being hit by a newcomer like you."
Huang Yulang next to him twisted the shiny Buddhist beads on his wrist and said in a deep and rich voice with a strong Hong Kong accent:
"Yes, Mr. Lin. Hong Kong Island is not too big, but not too small either.
We all meet each other every day. If we want to make a living, we should practice harmony and make money.
The content of "Dragon JUMP" is indeed sharp and interesting, and I, Huang, admire it for that.
But everything is excessive. If things continue to be so sharp, I am afraid that many cartoonists on the market will not even be able to make a living, and their studios will have to close down.
This is a disservice to the entire industry. You have made a lot of money in Japan, with sales of 3 million, which is more than ten Hong Kong islands can make."
He paused, leaned forward slightly, and looked directly at Lin Huowang, "We two brothers have come to your house today with the intention of having a good chat with you, Xiaolin Sheng. Can Dragon Jump regain some of its strength?"
Even if... well, publish the weekly magazine slower, maybe a biweekly?
Or maybe some topics shouldn't be so hard-hitting? It's better for everyone to make a living together than to eat alone and get fat, which will also bring unnecessary trouble. Is that what you mean, Mr. Xiaolin?"
Lin Huowang kept smiling and listening quietly, the ruby tea pet on his fingertips emitting a warm luster under the light.
After the two of them finished talking, he slowly picked up the coffee and took a sip, his movements elegant and calm.
He put down the cup, the smile on his face did not change at all, but became even brighter, even revealing a pure and harmless feeling.
"Mr. Huang, Mr. Shangguan."
Lin Huowang spoke Mandarin with a hint of northern accent, clear and calm. "I'm new here, but I've heard a lot about your status and contributions in the Hong Kong comics industry. I really admire you. It's my honor that you're willing to take the time to visit my humble home and give me some advice. I'm very grateful."
His words were so polite and considerate that there was nothing to fault with them.
But then, he changed the subject slightly, and his smile seemed to be chilled with ice, containing a gentle rejection.
"but……"
Lin Huowang leaned back in a relaxed manner, his eyes swept over the two people calmly, "The positioning, content and release rhythm of Dragon Jump have had a clear direction and purpose since its inception.
Its success is not the result of my own efforts, but the result of the team's day and night efforts, the talents of countless creators, and the accurate grasp of the market.
Readers vote with their money and choose us, which is the greatest recognition for us."
He leaned forward slightly and picked up the cigar box on the table. Instead of taking it himself, he pushed it in front of the two people as a gesture. Seeing that neither of them moved, he calmly put it down.
“The market, after all, is about survival of the fittest and free competition.
Competition leads to progress, isn't this a good thing for the long-term development of the entire comics industry?"
He said sincerely, "As for 'some troubles'..."
Lin Huowang chuckled, his laughter was as clean as a teenager, but his eyes were as deep as a cold pond, "I abide by the law and follow the rules. I am engaged in cultural business, and I do it openly and honestly.
I believe that Hong Kong Island is a place ruled by law. Any so-called "trouble" will not cause any trouble in broad daylight and within the framework of the law.
Sorry, this is not something I can explain to the readers or the comic team behind it."
These words were flawless. They praised the other party and emphasized one's own integrity and strength, but the core meaning was only one - never give in.
The smile on Wong Yuk-long's face disappeared instantly.
The hand that was twisting the Buddhist beads suddenly stopped, and the fingertips turned white due to the force. The string of shiny Buddhist beads made a subtle but clear "click" sound.
A cold light flashed on Shangguan Xiaobao's gold-rimmed glasses, and his hands on his knees clenched imperceptibly.
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