(50 Power Stone Bonus)
Chapter 90: Sold Out by You Two (Long Chapter)
Hiratsuka Yuren and Chishima Akishin conversed while eating breakfast. Despite the vast gap in their ages, there was no sense of distance between them at all.
"Chishima-kun, have you ever visited China?"
"...No, I haven't been there yet. However, I've read many books from there, and I'm self-taught in Mandarin. Currently, I'm pulling double duty as a Mandarin teacher at Sobu High, and I've been studying the cuisine as well."
Akishin answered after a brief hesitation. It was a classic vague response without a clear target!
Self-taught? Who knows how you actually learned it; even if someone wanted to investigate, they wouldn't find a thing.
One must remain vigilant. His identity was his greatest secret—one that could never be known by anyone, including Shizuka. He would take it with him to the grave.
Even if he did tell someone, they probably wouldn't believe him anyway, but he still had to be wary of every possibility.
As for leaving Japan for China? His original body certainly hadn't done so.
"In that case, Chishima-kun, you should visit sometime. It's a wonderful place with many interesting things, especially the food. Even after all these years back in Japan, I still miss it. I once intended to spend three years traveling the entire country; unfortunately, in the end, I didn't even manage to make it out of a single province. Especially the Sichuan cuisine there—I haven't tasted anything like it in years..."
Speaking of his past experiences, Yuren's face radiated a mix of nostalgia and regret. It seemed those days had left a truly deep impression on him.
Akishin's expression shifted slightly. He stole a glance at Shizuka, who was currently eating a steamed bun with a distracted air, and then spoke up firmly. "Uncle, if you have some free time, the two of you should come to my shop. I'll treat you to authentic Sichuan cuisine. Other Chinese dishes are fine too; I guarantee they'll be the real deal."
He was currently putting in the work to farm some initial favorability points.
"Oh! Chishima-kun, you can cook authentic Chinese food?" Yuren was a bit surprised, then let out a laugh. "Then I'm quite lucky. I heard from Shizuka that your cooking is extraordinary."
Akishin replied, "You're always welcome, anytime."
Shizuka suddenly chimed in, "That's for sure. Chishima-kun can even make the youtiao that Father praised so much. And as for this porridge, Chishima-kun can make it much better than this."
The moment she finished that sentence, Shizuka realized three pairs of eyes were fixed on her. In particular, her parents' eyes held a cunning glint that was almost palpable.
Glancing toward Akishin, whose face was full of smiles, Shizuka's face flushed red again. She didn't even know why she had suddenly spoken up. Clutching her chopsticks, she tried to defend herself. "Wh-what are you looking at? I'm just stating facts. There's no other meaning behind it, so don't get the wrong idea!"
"No, no. Our Shizuka is absolutely right. Come, have another steamed bun. Eat up." The Matriarch nudged another bun toward Shizuka with a beaming smile.
Not daring to meet Akishin's gaze, Shizuka lowered her head and focused on eating her bun.
Akishin gave a warm smile and continued his chat with Yuren. Hiratsuka Yuren talked about his experiences in China, his style carrying a hint of someone showing off to a junior.
It was impossible for Akishin to say, "Ah, China? I know it better than you." Instead, he summoned his peak acting skills, maintaining an enthusiastic expression and listening obediently. He chimed in and asked questions at just the right moments to provide Hiratsuka Yuren with the best possible storytelling experience.
—Since he intended to charm this man's daughter, he obviously had to provide a good response. Once the other party felt good, the battle was already half-won. Even if he'd never been in a relationship, hadn't he seen enough of it on TV or read about it in novels?
During that time, Yuren repeatedly emphasized that there were many opportunities there. It wasn't intended to pitch a business to Akishin; rather, it was because those times had left a profound mark on him.
Those were the years that had shaped the man he was today.
Hiratsuka Yuren explained that he had returned to Japan at that time to start a small business. It was precisely because of his connections with China that he was able to build his enterprise and make a "little bit of money"...
As for exactly how little that "little bit" was...
He didn't specify.
As time went on, Akishin began to sense an underlying motive from Hiratsuka Yuren. Whether as a hitman in his past life or as an entrepreneur after graduation in his two previous lives, observing expressions and grasping hidden meanings was a fundamental skill for him.
Hiratsuka Yuren was testing him. Although it was very subtle and devoid of ill intent—in fact, it was full of goodwill—it was a test nonetheless.
Why did he only realize this when breakfast was almost over?
At first, his mind hadn't even gone in that direction. Reflexively, he didn't want to harbor negative assumptions about the two of them, but Hiratsuka Yuren's intent gradually became too clear to ignore.
And as for what was being tested, he could already guess.
Connecting it to Hiratsuka Yuren's comment about returning to Japan at age twenty-five, and considering Shizuka's current age, Hiratsuka Yuren was at least over fifty years old.
Unless Shizuka had been born in China, but the chances of that were slim, so he ignored it.
And twenty-eight years ago was the era of Reform and Opening-up in China. At that time, every sector was just beginning to be built and resources were incredibly scarce; naturally, opportunities were everywhere...
It was no wonder Yuren emphasized it so much.
At the same time, a few years later, Japan welcomed a massive economic crisis where the social strata were completely reshuffled.
During that period, Japan truly stood at the top of the world, boasting that it could buy the entire United States. Then, after the signing of the 'Plaza Accord,' Japan was knocked flat and hadn't fully recovered even now.
Analysis from future economists stated the primary cause was the Japanese government's failure in macro-regulation.
In simpler terms, they took a stride that was too wide, resulting in a serious, crippling injury.
It was the best of times, and the worst of times! For those who succeeded, it was the best. For those who failed, it was the worst...
Back then, Japan was effectively in a state of suspended animation. To summarize it in one sentence: people had to wait in line just to jump off a building!
That wasn't hyperbole; it was reality.
There isn't a businessman alive who doesn't long for those days. Back then, even the smallest investment had the potential to skyrocket in value—tenfold, twentyfold, or even a hundredfold.
Akishin, who had once founded a company, naturally understood those times. He had once yearned for them deeply, imagining what heights he could have reached if he were there, what his moves would be, and what choices he would make without the benefit of future knowledge...
Looking at Hiratsuka Yuren in front of him, Akishin's gaze automatically became a bit more serious.
If it were true that he had utilized that era to build his wealth—as a Japanese man with connections to neighboring China and a sharp, daring mind—the profits he had amassed by now certainly wouldn't be as simple as "a little bit of money"...
Suppressing the speculation in his heart, Akishin continued eating his xiaolongbao. This had nothing to do with him. After going through three lifetimes, Akishin no longer wanted to overtax his body and mind—living a happy, free life and maintaining his true self was his current goal.
Maybe he would start a business again in the future, but that was a problem for future-me; who knows?
Hiratsuka Yuren continued to secretly observe Akishin's reactions. Seeing Akishin's gaze momentarily turn serious, he realized that Akishin had caught onto his test.
He nodded inwardly—he had deliberately made his intentions visible to Akishin to gauge the young man's talent.
A man like Yuren, who could build from nothing to controlling a corporate group worth hundreds of billions, was certainly no ordinary person. He appeared friendly, and he truly was, but he was shrewd down to the last hair on his head.
He adored his daughter, allowing her to do as she pleased and letting her live her life however she wanted.
However, that didn't mean he wasn't a formidable man...
He felt quite satisfied that Akishin was able to realize it so quickly, proving that this person wasn't a "fool."
Next came the main point.
In his mind, he had already imagined how Akishin would speak—perhaps trying to probe indirectly, or becoming incredibly excited... he even considered that Akishin might act indifferent.
However, he saw that after that brief serious look, a flicker of a smile appeared in Akishin's eyes. He went back to finishing his xiaolongbao and porridge, then smoothly returned to the previous topic.
"Uncle, let me tell you, in Sichuan cuisine, there's a dish called Steamed Chinese Cabbage in Supreme Soup (Kaishui Baicai). It's a state banquet dish and represents the pinnacle of Sichuan cooking. Uncle, don't assume all Sichuan food is spicy. Actually, high-end Sichuan cuisine isn't spicy at all. Take this dish, for example; first, you must use a chicken broth..."
"Ah, I've heard of that dish, but I've never had the chance to try it..."
"In that case, Uncle, you can come to my place. I'll treat you to authentic Kaishui Baicai, and even Fotiaoqiang soup... but please let me know before you come so I can make the proper preparations in advance."
"Good, good, haha. I'm truly lucky when it comes to food."
While responding as usual, Hiratsuka Yuren felt a sense of wonder in his heart. What's his angle? Has he realized everything from the start? Is he mocking me?
No, it wasn't mockery. It felt more like he was purely thinking about something pleasant.
Did Shizuka tell him the truth beforehand?
That didn't seem likely either; if she had, his initial reaction wouldn't have been like that.
He glanced at his daughter, who was still hanging her head while eating her bun, though her eyes were clearly fixed on the two of them. His wife continued to watch Akishin with a smile; she seemed very satisfied.
Hiratsuka Yuren suppressed his curiosity and continued chatting while eating. They talked about everything from food to business, from business to national affairs, and finally, about the matter of student management...
When the topic shifted to students, Shizuka finally joined in, becoming the most enthusiastic of all—after you guys talked for so long, there's finally a topic I can follow, hmph!
In this room, Shizuka was the only one who was purely a "white rabbit."
Ten minutes later, breakfast was finished. Both hosts and guests felt satisfied. After all, this was a place personally selected by Hiratsuka Yuren; naturally, the quality didn't disappoint.
It was now ten o'clock in the morning. Hiratsuka Sachiko suggested taking a stroll in the park. Everyone agreed, rising from their seats and leaving the second floor accompanied by a respectful bow from the waiter.
Upon reaching the first floor, they ran into the elderly man named Uncle Inoue again. He approached with quick steps, but Hiratsuka Yuren only uttered a single sentence.
"I have a special guest with me today. We'll discuss other matters later."
Then, he ignored the old man entirely.
The elderly man hesitated for a moment before stepping aside to make way. As they passed him, Akishin saw a trace of resentment on his face.
Connecting this to Yuren's likely high status, perhaps this man was a losing party in some business competition.
Stepping out of the nameless teahouse, a cool sea breeze blew, accompanied by the gentle sound of crashing waves and the warmth of the sun.
It wasn't hot today. Although the sun was out, there were plenty of clouds in the sky blocking most of its rays, making the temperature feel just right.
The weather had changed drastically compared to when they first arrived!
The four of them walked along the main road toward Chiba Port Park and began their stroll. The park was massive and beautiful, occupying nearly a third of the total area of Chiba Port. Its most prominent feature was the view of the Chiba Port Tower, which remained visible from a distance.
Akishin and Yuren continued their conversation at the front, while the Hiratsuka mother-and-daughter duo followed behind, whispering to each other, with occasional small bursts of laughter.
Shizuka's face remained flushed. Amidst her mother's teasing, she kept trying to defend herself, but her gaze still uncontrollably drifted toward Akishin up ahead.
As they passed a botanical garden, Hiratsuka Sachiko called out, "Yuren, Chishima-kun, you two go on ahead. Shizuka and I want to rest for a bit; we'll catch up with you later."
Yuren turned his head and nodded. "Alright, make sure you catch up quickly."
"...Chishima-kun, you guys go on first!" Shizuka hesitated for a second before waving toward Akishin.
Akishin nodded with a smile and continued walking with Hiratsuka Yuren.
"Chishima-kun, if you could go back to that time, before the disaster struck, what choice would you make?" Yuren asked with a smile.
The two were currently discussing the 'Bubble Era' and found themselves very much in sync, to the point of ignoring the surrounding scenery and walking slowly forward.
Hiratsuka Yuren was both shocked and delighted to find that Akishin possessed such insight into the world of business, so much so that he couldn't resist having a deep discussion about that era.
Faced with Yuren's question, Akishin thought for a moment and then shook his head. "I don't know. No one can fully predict the future; one can only draw conclusions through information. And even if I were in that era, I couldn't guarantee I'd have access to enough information."
At that time, housing prices in Japan changed every day. A house bought today might be worth thousands or even tens of thousands of yen more by tomorrow.
Many people went mad back then. An infinite amount of capital flowed into the real estate sector. Banks and the state pushed the situation further, essentially building a massive castle in the clouds.
Meanwhile, Japan's manufacturing industry—one of the best in the world—stagnated due to capital flight. Many even went bankrupt and were sold off because capital was being diverted into property...
On one hand, you had land and buildings with prices rising every day; on the other, you had a manufacturing industry where profits were thinning out. Which choice would you make?
It was a trick question.
Without being in that era and without knowing the position one occupied, making a choice was impossible.
How many people in this world have the strength to swim against the current when everyone else is doing the same thing?
They would have to be truly formidable individuals!
Akishin asked curiously, "So, what choice did you make back then, Uncle?"
"Me?" Hiratsuka Yuren no longer hid his true colors. While he didn't state his specific title, his words made it clear to Akishin that he was a major figure. "I didn't choose back then."
"...What does that mean?"
Hiratsuka Yuren laughed. "At that time, I borrowed money from relatives and friends to conduct trade between Japan and China, profiting from the price difference. Because I was terrified of being poor—I'd gone completely bankrupt before, to the point where I couldn't even afford to eat—I didn't dare take risks. And by then, the real estate industry had already peaked. I was a latecomer. Even if I poured all my money into it, I wouldn't have been able to buy good land, so I didn't buy any... Instead, I took advantage of the sluggish manufacturing industry to secure even larger price margins... By the time I had accumulated some assets and was finally ready to enter the real estate sector, the Japanese economy collapsed."
At this point, Hiratsuka Yuren showed a genuine smile and patted his sleeve. "I was in a daze myself back then; the world seemed to change overnight. I snapped out of it quickly and seized the opportunity. With the assets I had, I acquired bankrupt factories and plots of land that no one wanted... The situation then was the polar opposite of the real estate peak. Almost everyone was desperate; they'd sell anything as long as someone was willing to pay. So, I bought a lot, and those assets have continued to grow in value to this day."
Suddenly, Hiratsuka Yuren changed the direction of the conversation and asked, "Chishima-kun, do you know how Auntie became my wife?"
Akishin was puzzled. "How did it happen?"
Hiratsuka Yuren raised his thumb, pointed it at himself, and said proudly, "She was the result of a purchase!"
Akishin: "???"
"Chishima-kun, don't let this get out, alright? I'm only telling you." Hiratsuka Yuren glanced left, right, and behind him. After making sure the coast was clear, he finally spoke to the chuckling Akishin.
He continued his explanation, "Your Auntie was actually the daughter of an elite family in Chiba, and her family went bankrupt during that economic disaster. They came to me back then, hoping I would help them. And one of the rewards was allowing your Auntie to go on a date with me. At the time, your Auntie was the only daughter in her family, and a famous beauty around here. I accepted. From getting to know each other to becoming close, then falling in love, and finally getting married—thanks to the active encouragement from both families, the entire process took less than three months."
Hiratsuka Yuren's wrinkled face was filled with a happy smile. "Later on, even after Shizuka was born, your Auntie still felt like she was in a dream, wondering why she had married so quickly. To this day, sometimes when she brings up those times, she still hits me and says that she was sold out by the collaboration between you two."
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