**Chapter 5: The Oddball**

**Chapter 5: The Oddball**

Itou Ayumi had been speaking at length, explaining things thoroughly, and had even taken out the contract for Lin Qingshan to review. Lin Qingshan, however, only skimmed through it, not particularly concerned.

His goal was simply to earn enough money through drawing manga to support his life in this world and eventually "return home." 

After all, he wasn't a professional mangaka in his previous life; he was just an ACG (Anime, Comics, Games) enthusiast. 

Therefore, Lin Qingshan wasn't too sure how this treatment compared to what rookie mangaka received in his previous world. The main reason for the better deal was that his serialization would be in "Manga World," the leading manga magazine in this world, equivalent to the "Shonen JUMP" of his previous life, with significantly better terms.

"... Sensei, what do you think?" Itou Ayumi finally asked.

"Sure, I just need to sign here... here... and here, right?" Lin Qingshan perked up and asked.

"Yes, and we'll also need your fingerprint on your signature and a photocopy of your ID... But I can help with the copying later," Itou Ayumi said, having come well-prepared.

"No problem," Lin Qingshan replied nonchalantly.

They quickly completed the contract signing. Lin Qingshan didn't even ask any questions, which made Itou Ayumi a bit uneasy.

"Aoyama-sensei... do you have any questions?" Itou Ayumi bit her lip and asked.

"Not really, just one thing—when do I get paid?" Lin Qingshan asked, rubbing his hands together with a slightly embarrassed look.

"The industry standard is that after receiving a manuscript and confirming it, the payment is made before the magazine is printed, according to the agreed-upon terms. Since your first three chapters are confirmed for serialization next month, you should receive your payment by the 10th of next month," Itou Ayumi explained seriously.

"Got it," Lin Qingshan said, enlightened.

But that meant he wouldn't get paid until next month, and today was only the 12th. It was going to be a long wait.

Lin Qingshan frowned slightly.

Seeing this, Itou Ayumi nervously added, "I'm sorry, Sensei, but that's company policy."

"No worries, I totally understand! Long live understanding!" Lin Qingshan waved his hand in a show of generosity.

"By the way, Itou-san, did you come to Shanghai alone?" he asked out of curiosity. "Why come to Shanghai? Isn't the treatment in Japan good?"

Itou Ayumi was taken aback, not expecting Lin Qingshan to suddenly focus the conversation on her.

"No, I was working part-time back home, and I applied to Mangajie on a whim. I didn't expect to get accepted, so I came here," Itou Ayumi replied awkwardly.

"I see, where's your hometown? It's not Tokyo, is it?" Lin Qingshan asked, curious.

Tokyo, the anime accident-prone area... he thought, letting his mind wander.

"No... My hometown is in Kyushu," Itou Ayumi answered, then asked, "Aoyama-sensei, have you been to Japan?"

She felt like Lin Qingshan was surprisingly familiar with Japan.

"I'd like to, but unfortunately not. After all, it's the birthplace of ACG culture, right?" Lin Qingshan replied regretfully.

In his previous life, he had planned to travel to Tokyo after becoming an adult, mostly to visit Akihabara before returning. But during that time, significant events were happening in the world, making it difficult for him to travel abroad.

[Translator: sauron]

Itou Ayumi suddenly realized that this was why Lin Qingshan seemed familiar with Japan.

Although the world had changed, Japan remained the birthplace of modern ACG culture. However, with the development of ACG companies in the Republic, which had a more advanced economy, standardized industry, and more industrialized processes, their ACG culture had surpassed Japan's.

"Sensei, if you really want to go, I could take you on a tour of Japan when you get some time off!" Itou Ayumi said, getting excited.

People always get excited when talking about their hometowns.

Lin Qingshan smiled at this, "That sounds good. A trip to Japan before heading home wouldn't be bad!"

"By the way, Sensei, where do you live, and could you provide your personal phone number? It would make it easier for me to contact you or pick up your manuscripts," Itou Ayumi suddenly remembered.

She only had the landline number she used to contact Lin Qingshan last time, and it seemed like that number wasn't his home phone but his neighbor's.

"About that..."

The home address was no problem, but the phone number... Lin Qingshan hesitated. He didn't have a personal phone number.

"I don't have a personal phone number. Just call that landline. As for my address..."

Lin Qingshan pulled out a napkin from the restaurant, grabbed the pen he had used to sign earlier, and wrote down his address in detail.

"Here, just find me at this address."

He casually handed the napkin to Itou Ayumi, thinking that she wouldn't often visit his place.

After all, he had just submitted six chapters. With the magazine being bi-monthly, that was three months' worth of content. For future submissions, he planned to mail them directly to the magazine's office, saving the editor the trip.

Itou Ayumi glanced at the address on the napkin, then carefully folded it and placed it in the pocket of her small blazer.

"It looks like it's getting late," Lin Qingshan pretended to check a non-existent watch on his wrist. "You must need to eat too, so I'll take my leave now."

Itou Ayumi was surprised, "Aoyama-sensei, you're leaving so soon?"

Lin Qingshan chuckled, "I've had my meal, signed the contract, what else is there to do?"

He waved goodbye, "Enjoy your lunch, Itou-san."

With that, he left the restaurant.

Itou Ayumi watched him go and couldn't help but sigh.

"Aoyama-sensei... really is an oddball."

(End of Chapter)