Chapter 132: The Bright and Cheerful Lin Qingshan

Chapter 132: The Bright and Cheerful Lin Qingshan

"I couldn't wait for you to come clear the cupboards~"

Lin Qingshan's phone rang, and he picked it up, glancing at the caller ID before answering.

"Hello, is this Editor-in-Chief Yang?"

However, there was a brief silence on the other end before Yang Dahai's somewhat hoarse voice came through, "Qingshan… you've really put me through the wringer…"

Lin Qingshan blinked, and then seemed to realize something. "Oh, Editor Yang, have you finished reading *Fire Punch*?"

"How do you feel about it?"

He was eagerly anticipating Yang Dahai's reaction.

*Fire Punch* is an ultimate work that would definitely leave people applauding after reading it. Yang Dahai must have found it to be very good.

"Not very good…"

Yang Dahai replied weakly.

"Huh?"

This was unexpected for Lin Qingshan. Could it be that *Fire Punch* didn't receive a high evaluation from Yang Dahai?

"What's wrong with *Fire Punch*?"

He grew more curious. Did Yang Dahai have a different perspective?

"No… *Fire Punch* is a great work, but I… am not very well."

Yang Dahai stared at the *Fire Punch* drafts in front of him, his voice trembling as he spoke.

That night, he originally planned to read through just the beginning of *Fire Punch* and then go to bed.

But… the further he read, the more he couldn't stop.

The whole "survive," "people need more than just food to live, they need hope," "pain comes from understanding the world too well"…

It was too painful to read, but he had to keep going.

Just like the protagonist Agni, living was a form of torment. He wished for death, and Yang Dahai, as the reader, also wished for him to just die already.

But Agni kept on living, driven by everyone's hope for him to "survive."

Yang Dahai was the same; even though reading drained him mentally and physically, he felt like his body was constantly on fire.

But he had to finish *Fire Punch*.

After finishing it, he was at a loss.

The more you understand the world, the more painful it is.

After finishing *Fire Punch*, Yang Dahai was thoroughly depressed.

And after reading it, he confirmed one thing…

Lin Qingshan… is very dangerous!

His mental state, which allowed him to create *Fire Punch*, proves that he definitely has mental issues, just as people online had speculated.

And it wasn't just mild; it went far beyond the cognitive disorder that the previous health report suggested.

The person who created *Fire Punch*—if someone said he would commit suicide the next moment, Yang Dahai would believe it.

"Huh?"

Lin Qingshan was surprised by Yang Dahai's response, but he quickly recalled the common reactions from ordinary readers after finishing *Fire Punch* in his past life.

But it was nothing serious; that was a normal phenomenon.

"Don't worry, that's a normal reaction."

Even though he thought it was normal, Lin Qingshan still gently reassured, "Editor Yang, just get some sleep, and you'll feel better."

"Just sleep and I'll feel better?"

Yang Dahai gave a bitter smile.

Putting aside whether or not he could actually sleep, the impact of *Fire Punch* was so strong that it couldn't be dismissed easily.

"Qingshan, *Fire Punch*… it's an excellent work."

Yang Dahai said cautiously, "But I think… for a manga, this kind of work might be a bit ahead of its time."

Yes, no matter what, Yang Dahai acknowledged that *Fire Punch* was indeed a great work.

How could it not be?

It transcended the limitations of manga and elevated to the level of philosophy.

It was truly excellent, but…

You've created such a brilliant piece, and you want to gift it to the fans…

Have you considered how they'll feel?

"I think it's fine."

However, Lin Qingshan replied with a smile, "I believe everyone will really like this work. It's the best gift I can give them."

"Qingshan…"

Yang Dahai was about to try persuading him again.

But Lin Qingshan firmly said, "No matter what, *Fire Punch* is the gift I want to give everyone, so if Editor Yang and Manga World are unwilling to publish it, I'll find another publisher and self-publish it."

After hearing Lin Qingshan say this, Yang Dahai took a deep breath.

In that case… he had no reason to persuade him otherwise.

After all, if he didn't help publish *Fire Punch*, Lin Qingshan would still self-fund its publication.

"Alright then…"

Yang Dahai silently offered his condolences to the manga fans.

But on second thought, the idea of Lin Qingshan's fans experiencing the same torment he did after reading *Fire Punch*…

That wasn't such a bad thing… right?

After convincing himself of this, Yang Dahai felt a sense of relief.

…

Meanwhile, at Light Speed Development Company.

"What have you been up to lately?!"

A furious voice came through the phone, "You've been taking money from home again and throwing it away. You're such a spendthrift. I should never have let you go off to start a business!"

Liang Zhiyuan moved the phone a little further from his ear, fearing his father's voice might deafen him.

"Dad, I'm working on something really important!"

After his father Liang Jianlin finished scolding him, Liang Zhiyuan replied helplessly, "Don't worry… this time I'll definitely succeed!"

[Translator: sauron]

He was full of confidence now, especially since *Cyberpunk 2077* was nearing completion, and its level of quality was very high!

However, since *Cyberpunk 2077* hadn't been officially released yet and achieved success, his tone was still a bit uncertain. The most important thing was…

To develop *Cyberpunk 2077*, after exhausting his own savings, he had taken a couple of 'small goals' worth of funds from home.

So he wasn't very confident.

"Haven't you said that every time you started something?"

Liang Jianlin snorted, "I'm telling you, if you fail again this time, you should just come home and take over the family business worth billions."

It wasn't that he didn't want his son to pursue his own ideas.

But if Liang Zhiyuan failed too many times, it would be better for him to just come back and work at the family business.

"…Okay."

Liang Zhiyuan was silent for a long time before finally responding.

"Hmph, take care of yourself out there."

Liang Jianlin didn't say much more, "Don't mess around and ruin your health. And find yourself a good girl."

With that, he hung up.

Hearing this, Liang Zhiyuan couldn't help but laugh a little.

But his heart was warmed nonetheless. However, the time for results was approaching…

He didn't want to go back home to inherit the family's billion-dollar business and become a rich second-generation who lived off his parents.

He wanted to be like his father—a self-made billionaire!

With ambition burning in his heart, Liang Zhiyuan left his office and headed to the game development department where Wang Weijie was.

"Weijie, how's the development of *Cyberpunk 2077* coming along?"

He asked Wang Weijie.

"It's already completed and currently in the testing phase. There aren't any major issues at the moment."

Wang Weijie replied.

"We can start preparing for the promotional work then."

Liang Zhiyuan said with high expectations, "But according to Qingshan's suggestion, we could collaborate with the *Edgerunners* anime for some cross-promotion."

"I wonder how the production of the *Edgerunners* anime is going."

(End of the chapter)