Starting as a Manga Editor

Chapter 163: Something Feels Off

Embarrassment?

Yeah, that emotion didn’t exist for Rumi’s mom.

What could possibly be more important than money?

As a higher-up at Startrace Publishing, she was well aware of ANF’s recent moves—especially the buzz surrounding their manga division.

When it came to online serialization?

Rumi’s mom had always looked down on it.

But a manga x FGO collab? That was a whole different story.

FGO, as the first 2D mobile game to truly rise to fame via manga, had always been closely watched by the industry’s major publishers.

If you actually took time to analyze it, it was easy to see—the Christmas version of FGO had gone even more viral than its launch. More players, more hype.

With Lin Shuang’s leaked first-day revenue numbers floating around... Many were certain that the Christmas version pulled in over 100 million yuan on day one!

Granted, the event didn’t just launch one card pool.

It had three brand-new pools.

But even if you divided that up, that meant each one easily made tens of millions on launch day.

Who wouldn't be tempted?

If you had the chance, who wouldn’t want their IP to be part of a collab with that game?

Especially when Rumi was already a big name, and her work had high heat—put those two together?

Tssss—

The only thing to worry about was how the revenue split would be handled... As long as the split was high enough, it was basically free money.

Why wouldn’t you take the chance?

That’s exactly why Rumi’s mom had gotten so fired up and immediately agreed.

Truth be told, the publisher had already discussed trying to make this collab happen.

They just couldn’t get in touch with Avalon. Most of their outreach had gone unanswered.

Tang Yao had been swamped lately, so it wasn’t that surprising.

But now?

Not only was there a response, Avalon was actually taking the initiative.

Rumi’s mom was thrilled. As for her past criticism?

Pfft. Just jokes.

But now that Tang Yao and Li Xue were both looking at her, Rumi felt extremely awkward. She wished she could just dig a hole under the table and crawl into a full-on three-bedroom apartment.

She had just been acting like the whole thing was impossible.

Now her mom was acting like she’d seen a pile of cash fall from the sky.

It made her look like a total poser…

So she quickly turned down her mom’s offer to rush over, said they were still talking, then hastily hung up the call.

“Ahem.”

Rumi put down her phone, smoothed a few strands of hair behind her ear, her cheeks slightly flushed. “Looks like this might actually happen…”

Tang Yao responded instinctively, “Yeah, that much was clear.”

Rumi: “……”

She mentally expanded that three-bedroom apartment into a five-bedroom with two living rooms.

“So, Miss Rumi, if the collab goes through—do you have time to write the story for it?”

Noticing her discomfort, Tang Yao smiled and smoothly changed the topic.

“Any specific requirements?”

Rumi tried to suppress her lingering embarrassment and looked up to ask.

She knew that after her mom’s outburst, the collaboration was basically locked in. It was time to talk real terms.

“Requirements... Just stick to FGO’s lore as much as possible,” Tang Yao replied after a short pause. “We’ll need a short story arc that explains how the characters from Into the Night end up in the FGO world. Doesn’t have to be long, but it should be clear and in your signature style. The more readers can tell it’s a ‘Rumi’ story, the better.”

“Oh, and if you’ve got specific ideas for the character art or debut lines, feel free to let us know. You can even draw the illustrations yourself if you want.”

“Couldn’t your team just handle all that internally?”

Rumi was a bit curious. “Like you, for instance. Feels like you could write it too. Why insist on me?”

“This is your IP.”

Tang Yao shook her head slightly. “Since it’s a collab, we have to show we mean it. Most of the players drawn in by the banner will be your readers. I can’t replicate your style. If we’re just borrowing the name, then what’s the point of the collab?”

“……”

Rumi had a moment of clarity. Then she thought of those game studios that had licensed her work to make 2D games, and her expression got complicated.

How were they supposed to compete with this?

FGO’s team was already thinking about how to satisfy the fans right out the gate.

“I get it. I’ve been playing FGO a lot recently, so I’ve got some ideas.”

Her awkwardness faded, and she started discussing details seriously with Tang Yao.

Rumi was already genuinely interested in FGO.

Tang Yao, with her editorial background and past-life experience, had a solid grip on the manga industry.

So the two hit it off almost immediately. They even started brainstorming the crossover story right there on the spot.

Li Xue, meanwhile, could barely get a word in.

The only topic she managed to squeeze in was the standalone volumes.

Rumi promised she’d bring it up and said it shouldn’t be a big deal. Startrace did have external publishing partnerships, after all.

And then—

She was back to being sidelined.

Li Xue was a bit exasperated, but also amused.

Tang Yao and Rumi chatted for about an hour.

“……”

When Rumi’s mom called for the third time—

That finally brought the discussion to a pause. Rumi finished the last sip of her coffee, then looked at Tang Yao with genuine admiration.

“You’re really amazing. So young, yet…”

She genuinely felt like she’d met a kindred spirit.

Tang Yao seemed to know everything.

Manga, games, story structure, art techniques, panel layout…

“Not really. You’re the amazing one. I’m really looking forward to your story for the collab.”

Tang Yao smiled and shook her head.

Most of what she knew came from her past life.

Rumi hesitated, then softly asked, “So… when the project starts, could I visit Avalon? Just to observe the production? If there’s anything off, I might be able to catch it and help adjust it on the spot.”

She didn’t sound all that confident asking this.

She knew very well that in cross-industry work, original creators micromanaging things were usually seen as a pain.

But Tang Yao agreed instantly: “Of course. I’ll let you know when we start.”

“Really?”

Rumi’s eyes lit up and she leaned in slightly.

She’d never make that kind of request with a normal partner.

She didn’t want to be the kind of person who got flattered to her face and cursed behind her back.

But Avalon was different. Maybe it was the game. Maybe it was Tang Yao.

Either way, she was genuinely interested.

“Absolutely. Drop by whenever you’re free.”

Tang Yao nodded seriously.

She’d been racking her brain trying to figure out how to make this collab banner stand out from the rest.

Now the original creator was watching over things.

Free labor... would be a waste not to use.

“Then I’ll thank you in advance.”

Rumi laughed, then glanced at her phone and added apologetically, “But I should get going now…”

Tang Yao nodded in understanding.

Obviously, Rumi still had to go talk things over with her mom before anything was official.

So they scheduled a time for a proper meeting.

After a few parting words, Rumi left.

She came in excited and left even more satisfied.

Tang Yao watched her walk away, then reflexively picked up her coffee cup for a sip—only to realize it was empty.

She paused, then set it back down.

Just as she did, a hand passed her a fresh cup.

Tang Yao turned and saw Li Xue. She smiled and accepted the coffee with a quiet "thanks," then took a sip.

“So… who’s the real fan here?”

Li Xue asked with a dry laugh after setting down her hand.

Tang Yao held the cup and feigned innocence. “Wasn’t it you?”

“Then who just spent an hour chatting away?”

Li Xue’s voice carried a slightly odd tone. “And got so thirsty doing it?”

“I didn’t—mmph.”

Just as Tang Yao tried to reply, her face was gently cupped in someone’s hands.

Li Xue mimicked Tang Yao’s gesture from the day before, cradling her cheeks and gazing at her soft cherry lips, now glistening from the coffee. “I was sitting right next to you, you know…”

Tang Yao suddenly broke into a smile.

So she does hold grudges, huh?

At that very moment—

Rumi suddenly doubled back, realizing she’d forgotten to ask about the standalone volumes.

But as she stepped back into view, she caught sight of Li Xue cupping Tang Yao’s cheeks, looking like she was about to kiss her…

And she noticed Tang Yao holding Li Xue’s coffee cup.

She froze in her tracks, pupils dilating.

Something’s not right.

She immediately backed away on tiptoe like a thief.

Then, hiding by the doorframe and ignoring the weird stares from other customers, she peeked inside with both hands on the wall.

Something felt very off…

But why was she also kind of… excited?!