Chapter 314: A Creator’s Matters Cannot Be Considered Stealing
Chapter 314: A Creator’s Matters Cannot Be Considered Stealing
Half an hour later, in a pastry shop, Fang Cheng met Kamikawa Takumi and his assistant, Minamoto Karei.
Though he’d expected a warm reunion with his big brother after days apart, the atmosphere turned oddly tense the moment they met.
Kamikawa Takumi studied Fang Cheng with a sharp gaze, as if staring at a Wild Boar that had trampled his cherished cabbage—his fingers twitched like he might grab a stick to break the boy’s legs.
He hadn’t imagined Kanzaki Rin would actually bring this kid to face him.
What was this? A parental meeting?
Fang Cheng remained calm, showing neither guilt nor fear. With his current strength, even if he couldn’t beat Kamikawa Takumi, he no longer needed to cower.
The camaraderie they’d shared at Etsuzin Shrine might as well have vanished.
“Karei, try this—it’s good.”
Kanzaki Rin slid a plate of cake toward Minamoto Karei. Her tone toward her brother stayed cool, but she treated Minamoto Karei with respect, knowing she’d soon be her sister-in-law.
Kamikawa Takumi piped up, “Rin-chan, where’s mine?”
“You have hands, don’t you?”
“A sister’s cut cake tastes sweeter… Ow.”
A kick thudded beneath the table.
Fang Cheng nearly asked Kanzaki Rin to serve him too but swallowed the words.
If she actually did it, he’d only draw his big brother’s wrath.
Their sibling dynamic seemed far better than Kanzaki Rin had claimed, though.
Rebuffed by his sister, Kamikawa Takumi redirected his irritation at Fang Cheng.
Leaning forward with interlaced fingers, he smirked, “Rin-chan briefed me on your… situation via phone. One question: why should I lift a finger for you?”
Fang Cheng opened his mouth, but Kamikawa Takumi cut in, “Save the sentimental drivel—we’re not close. And don’t dangle ‘interests’—I don’t care for such things.”
Kanzaki Rin and Minamoto Karei fell silent, watching intently.
Fang Cheng hadn’t expected such blunt hostility. After a pause, he whispered to Kanzaki Rin, “Give us a moment alone?”
She gave him a sidelong glance before nodding.
“Don’t wreck the place.”
With that, she and Minamoto Karei left.
Only Fang Cheng and Kamikawa Takumi remained, locked in a silent stare-down.
“Fujiwara Takumi?”
“Ito Makoto?”
They spoke each other’s false names simultaneously, then chuckled.
Kamikawa Takumi’s laughter died abruptly. “I said no feelings-talk.”
“Wasn’t planning to. Two men chatting feelings? Ridiculous.”
Kamikawa Takumi grunted in agreement—until Fang Cheng grinned.
“God’s Brush-sensei, your new work… felt oddly familiar. Borrowed inspiration, perhaps?”
The plot was clearly the classic story Fang Cheng had told him at Etsuzin Shrine. Who could’ve guessed he’d used it directly in his new work?
Pairing timeless tales with god-tier artistry, countless fans were probably losing their minds at their computers right now.
Kamikawa Takumi kept a straight face: “Creative people don’t steal. We borrow.”
Fang Cheng grinned. “Relax, I’m not here for royalties. Just asking if you want more stories like this.”
This was his bargaining chip. After getting a taste of that first story, his big brother-in-law would surely crave more.
Instead of biting, Kamikawa Takumi scoffed. “Drawing’s just a hobby. You think I care about this?”
Fang Cheng upped the ante. “Five stories. All better than the last one.”
“Are you deaf? I don’t need them.”
“Ten.”
“Writers beg me to use their work for free.”
“Twenty.”
“…I could squeeze in time to protect some girl.”
They shook hands firmly.
“Pleasure doing business.”
When Kanzaki Rin and Minamoto Karei returned, they found the two men gaming together like old buddies.
The victory screen lit up Kamikawa Takumi’s phone. He roared with laughter, dignity forgotten as he clung to Fang Cheng’s thigh. They’d spent the match bullying that trash-tier support player ‘Super Cool and Cute God’ until the rage-filled chat messages got censored by the System.
Kanzaki Rin blinked. “You’re finished already?”
She’d been ready to intervene if negotiations failed. Minamoto Karei leaned in. “What were you discussing?”
Fang Cheng opened his mouth, but Kamikawa Takumi kicked him under the table.
Post-deal dinner concluded, they went their separate ways. Watching his sister’s car disappear, Kamikawa Takumi sighed deeply.
Minamoto Karei nudged him. “Rin-chan brought him to meet you. Could they be…?”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” he snapped. But truth was, his fiercely independent sister never asked favors. This kid mattered.
“I thought you’d punch his lights out,” Minamoto Karei teased. “We stayed nearby just in case.”
She hadn’t noticed, but Kamikawa Takumi saw it clear – the boy who’d been easy to overpower at Etsuzin Shrine now radiated dangerous energy. Not that he’d admit it. “Since when do I solve things with fists?”
“Since always,” she laughed, linking arms. “Now spill what you discussed.”
Kamikawa Takumi broke into cold sweat.
…
With big brother handling security, Fang Cheng focused on preparations. Kanzaki Rin drafted operational plans while gathering devices – he just needed to stay battle-ready, like their early partnership days.
He finally admitted her true worth: perfect scores in intelligence gathering, strategy, and clean-up operations. Without her, he’d still be drowning in logistics months later.
Two days later, he briefed his household vaguely about retrieving an item to fix Ye Yuqing’s problem.
Asaka Akihime offered quiet support. Others grew suspicious – why did Fang Cheng need solo travel time with Kanzaki Rin? If she returned pregnant, the fallout would be legendary.