Starting as a Manga Editor-Chapter 3: A Total Mess

Afternoon.
Wenxin Press.
Big Comic Editorial Department.
Li Xue stood at the door, her gaze sweeping past the messy desks around the office. When she spotted that familiar back, she couldn’t help but smile softly. Then, with the click of her high heels, she walked over to a desk, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
She looked at Tang Yao, who was slumped over with her forehead planted on the desk, her entire posture radiating despair. With a gentle smile, she asked, “What’s wrong?”
“……”
Still bent over with her head on the desk, Tang Yao reached out and grabbed the manuscript she’d just picked up from the fax machine. “This guy, Mr. Ou—he’s dead set on killing the main character.”
Then—
She set that down and picked up a thin sheet of A4 paper with a big, apologetic “Sorry” scribbled across it. “This guy, Mr. Shao—flaked again.”
And finally—
She placed the apology sheet down and muttered, “And to top it off, the most important one… Mr. Tang, who promised to submit something for the manga award—also flaked.”
“……”
Li Xue’s expression stiffened. Just hearing it was suffocating—let alone living through it.
She looked at Tang Yao, still slumped on the desk, and said sympathetically, “You’ve really had a rough time, huh.”
“Ugh…”
Tang Yao stretched her arms out like a cat, clenched her fists on the desk, and let out a quiet, soul-crushed groan.
“Why don’t you come join our department instead?”
Li Xue reached out and gently patted Tang Yao’s thin back as she comforted her, glancing around the nearly empty editorial room. “It’s just too tough for a girl to survive in a male-dominated shounen manga department. Your chief editor—being generous, you could say he’s good at admin. Being blunt, he’s just good at passing the buck. That leaves everyone underneath with all the pressure. And in that kind of environment, no one’s gonna cut you slack just because you’re pretty. Especially since you’re not the type to scream ‘rely on men’ with your face, y’know?
Seriously, even the flashy seductresses from our team won’t touch the shounen department. Those authors are a pain.”
“……”
Tang Yao slowly lifted her head and turned to look at the mature woman beside her… And yeah, she really was mature. If Tang Yao’s appearance leaned toward minimal effort, then the woman next to her was the picture of a polished city professional.
A soft, white blouse hugged her curves, tucked neatly into a form-fitting skirt. Her slim waist was straight and tight, and her long legs—wrapped in sleek black stockings—were crossed gracefully. Every feminine curve was perfectly highlighted.
Their styles were polar opposites.
But equally beautiful.
“Miss Li, I don’t know anything about shoujo manga. I can’t even handle this side of things—how could I manage in your department?”
Tang Yao looked at the elegant woman beside her, her pale forehead still showing a faint red mark from pressing against the desk. “Otherwise, I’d honestly consider it.”
“No way you don’t get it.”
Li Xue gave her a once-over, eyes trailing across Tang Yao’s now-upright posture and proud curves. She reached over to rub the red spot on Tang Yao’s forehead and chuckled, “You look like you get it. Honestly, you’re the spitting image of a shoujo manga heroine.”
“……”
Tang Yao stared at her.
Li Xue blinked and gave her a warm smile. “What? Not happy even when I compliment you?”
“If possible, I’d prefer you said I look cool or something.”
Tang Yao glanced toward her reflection on the dark screen in front of her, a complicated expression on her face.
“Forget it. That word’s never going to apply to you.”
Li Xue shook her head without hesitation and waved her slender fingers. “But cute and pretty? I can work with that. Oh… and natural airhead. Can you do that act again?”
As she said that, something amusing clearly came to mind.
She turned, leaned forward dramatically over her desk, and pushed her full chest toward the keyboard, putting on a dramatic expression and mimicking, “Eh? Miss Li, why is my spacebar moving on its own?”
“……”
Tang Yao whipped her head around and stared at her shyly. “You’re not letting that go, are you?”
“Because it was hilarious.”
Li Xue grinned even wider at her expression and turned back around. “I’ve never seen someone actually pull off a real-life manga gag.”
“I was just unfamiliar with things… whatever.”
Tang Yao didn’t bother explaining. There really was no good way to explain it. Adjusting to a new identity wasn’t something you just got overnight.
That first week, she’d made all kinds of blunders. Most of them were at home, but there’d been a few at work too—and unfortunately, Li Xue had been there for all of them.
That’s actually how they became friends.
“So, you really won’t reconsider?”
After the laughter faded, Li Xue looked at the totally defeated Tang Yao, her tone gentle now. After nearly a week of working together, she’d realized this junior was great in every way—except for her deep discomfort about her own body. And when it came to jokes like this, her reaction was always intense.
Only recently had she started mellowing out a bit.
So Li Xue wisely changed the subject.
Tang Yao shook her head gently. “Miss Li… I really don’t understand shoujo manga. I can’t even manage male-targeted stuff, let alone female-targeted stories.”
Li Xue clearly didn’t buy it. “Come on, that can’t be true. Even if you’ve never read shoujo manga, you must’ve run into it growing up, right? And given your identity, shoujo content should be way easier to relate to than male-oriented stuff…”
“I’m a special case.”
“A special case…”
Li Xue frowned. “Can’t wrap my head around it.”
“Then just treat me like a weirdo. Besides, I don’t plan on staying here long. I’m definitely quitting.”
Tang Yao didn’t bother explaining further. Instead, she gently shifted the conversation. “I really appreciate your kindness, but personally, I think traditional print media is about to hit a steep decline.”
Li Xue frowned slightly. “No way. I heard Young Comic just broke records again this quarter.”
Young Comic—the leader in manga magazines in this world.
Kind of like JUMP from Tang Yao’s past life.
“The mobile internet era is coming.”
Tang Yao glanced down at the freshly inked manuscript on the desk. “I don’t know exactly how this world will unfold… but print media is definitely going to take a hit. Maybe not dead-dead, but I don’t think growth will be good. Especially for middle-tier publishers like Wenxin. Personally, I think the next few years are going to be tough.”
“Then what’s your plan?”
“I’m thinking of switching to internet-related work.”
A hopeful look crossed Tang Yao’s beautiful face. “If I catch the right wave, there’s real money to be made. Like in games, for example…”
“So you’re really short on cash, huh.”
Li Xue still had her doubts, but when she saw the bright, hopeful look on Tang Yao’s face, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything. “Your sister’s still in school, right?”
“Yeah. Honestly, the only reason I haven’t quit yet is to make sure I’ve got everything covered for her.”
Tang Yao gave a bitter smile. “Otherwise, I’d have been gone already.”
Li Xue paused for a moment, then said softly, “If money’s that tight…”
“No need. I’m not desperate enough to borrow yet. I’ve got enough to get by—just not enough for risks. What I’m lacking is money to invest, like that year-end bonus…”
Tang Yao knew what she was about to offer and shook her head gently, smiling at the kind older woman. “And that’s not something I can ask for after just knowing you a week. That’d be way too sudden.”
Li Xue didn’t push. She just looked at the girl’s glowing smile and joked, “Actually, I’d feel pretty safe lending you money. Don’t know why—it’s just a gut feeling.”
Tang Yao’s eyes lit up. “Really? Great, then lend it to me! I just won’t pay it back.”
Li Xue burst out laughing and reached out to pinch Tang Yao’s cheek. “Alright, but if you don’t pay me back, don’t let big sis catch you!”
“……”
Tang Yao immediately flinched and shyly dodged her hand, giving her a tiny glare.
Totally not a fair fight.
Li Xue laughed happily, but soon her smile faded. She looked at the manuscript on Tang Yao’s desk and said seriously, “But if you’re quitting just for money, that’s risky. Don’t rush into it. If things really get bad, just come find me. I’ll help however I can, especially financially.”
“But the more pressing issue is… what are you going to do about this?”
She pointed to the pile of mess on Tang Yao’s desk and reminded her, “Your chief editor might play dumb most of the time, but once his own interests are on the line, he’ll turn into a demon.”
“……”
Tang Yao followed her gaze, fell silent for a few seconds, then finally made up her mind. “I’ll figure something out.”
“Everything else is manageable—Mr. Ou and Mr. Shao, they’re tough but still doable. But the manga award…”
Li Xue looked at her worriedly. “The person you were assigned has a pretty big name, right? How are you going to bring this up to your editor?”
“……”
Tang Yao stayed quiet and stared at the pen on her desk. “I’ll give it a try.”
“Then…”
Li Xue thought she meant she’d push herself a little more and was about to continue.
But suddenly—
Her phone buzzed on the desk.
Li Xue picked it up, glanced at it, hesitated, then said apologetically, “Sorry, Tang Yao—I have to go. Let’s talk later, okay?”
“Mm. Don’t worry about me.”
Tang Yao turned away. “Go take care of your stuff.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard, okay? If it really doesn’t work out, come find me. We’ll always welcome you in our department.”
Li Xue stood up and gently patted Tang Yao’s shoulder. “If you need help with anything, don’t hesitate.”
“Thanks.”
Tang Yao gave a small nod of thanks, then quietly watched the stylish older woman walk away in her high heels.
She’s really a good person.
At least, in her past life, Tang Yao had never met someone who’d become such a genuine friend in just one week.
But… the problems she was facing weren’t something others could fix.
And she really couldn’t switch to shoujo manga.
Because she truly didn’t get it…
“……”
Thinking that, Tang Yao slowly shook her head, then turned her chair to face her desk again.
She let out a long sigh, leaned back, and stared up at the ceiling.
What a mess.
So… what now?