Early March 1992.
China, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.
When Satsuki stepped out of the Gulfstream G4's cabin door, the first thing that caught her eye was the rather grand welcoming scene on the tarmac.
The airport had specially cleared a VIP reception area; a bright red carpet stretched from the bottom of the gangway all the way to the welcoming motorcade in the distance. Over a dozen Chinese officials in formal wear stood in two rows, with several middle-aged men of clearly high status standing at the very front.
Not far away, there was a red banner written in both Chinese and Japanese: "A Warm Welcome to Miss Saionji Satsuki of the Japanese Saionji Group and Her Delegation to Shanghai!"
On the other side of the red carpet, Shanghai TV's cameras were already set up, and photojournalists from several newspapers had also found their positions, holding their cameras in anticipation.
As Satsuki's figure appeared in the doorway, a burst of warm applause immediately erupted from the scene.
The officials, who had been conversing in low voices, all looked up, and several reporters impatiently pressed their shutters, with flashes going off one after another.
"Ho..."
Satsuki's footsteps paused slightly.
This level of reception seemed even higher than she had anticipated.
However, it wasn't entirely unexpected.
After all, she was visiting Shanghai this time at the formal invitation of the Shanghai City Municipal Government in her capacity as the top leader of the Saionji Group to attend the industrial park's production commencement ceremony.
"Miss."
Chizuru, behind her, gave a soft reminder.
Satsuki nodded slightly, then stepped forward and slowly walked down the gangway.
Today, she wore a deep blue suit set with a beige cashmere coat draped over her shoulders. Her jet-black hair was neatly tied back, and a pair of small pearl earrings adorned her ears.
There were no excessive or gaudy decorations.
Yet that calm and elegant poise, combined with her already outstanding appearance, still caused many people's gazes to linger on her involuntarily.
Especially those Chinese staff members seeing her for the first time.
Although they had seen photos beforehand and knew that the helmsman of the Saionji Group was very young, seeing her in person still inevitably caused surprise.
She was simply too young.
If not for that private jet and the group executives and staff following her down the gangway, it would be hard to associate this beautiful girl, who looked like she had just stepped off a campus, with a world-class mega-conglomerate.
However, this surprise did not last long.
Because Satsuki had already reached the end of the red carpet.
"Miss Saionji, welcome to Shanghai!"
Stepping forward to meet her was a middle-aged man in his early fifties.
He was of medium build, his hair was neatly combed, and his face wore an expression that was warm yet solemn.
"I am the Secretary-General of the Shanghai City Municipal Government, Jiang Yi. On behalf of the municipal government, I welcome you and the Saionji Group delegation."
Just as the accompanying translator began to relay the words, Satsuki naturally extended her right hand.
"Hello, Secretary-General Jiang."
She bowed slightly, her voice gentle.
"Thank you very much for the Shanghai City Municipal Government's warm invitation and for everyone coming specifically to welcome us. I appreciate the trouble you've gone to."
The two parties shook hands.
Secretary-General Jiang Yi had been secretly observing this young head of a Japanese zaibatsu, but after a few simple pleasantries, he had already formed a preliminary judgment.
Her poise was natural, and her wording was appropriate.
Faced with such a grand reception, she showed neither the nervousness common in young people nor any arrogance due to her status.
Even her eye contact and pauses during the handshake were just right.
Clearly, she was long accustomed to such occasions.
"Miss Saionji is too polite."
Secretary-General Jiang Yi released her hand, his tone becoming a bit more cordial.
"The Saionji Group is an important partner for Shanghai. The completion and commencement of production for the first phase of the Waigaoqiao Industrial Park is a major event worth celebrating for both of us."
"I am also very happy to witness the successful completion of this project."
Satsuki nodded gently.
"Over the past year or so, your municipal government has provided much assistance for the construction of the industrial park. Especially regarding roads, power supply, and port facilities; without the active coordination of various departments, the project would likely not have progressed to this stage so quickly."
She paused, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
"So, this time, it should be me expressing my gratitude to all of you."
Secretary-General Jiang Yi's expression shifted slightly.
Those words were very well-spoken.
Moreover, they weren't just empty pleasantries lacking substance.
He had reviewed the construction status of the Saionji Industrial Park in detail over the past few days.
Just recently, the city had specially organized various departments to resolve a series of supporting issues involving the docks, power supply, and transportation.
The other party was clearly well aware of this.
This also meant that although this young head of the group was far away in Tokyo, she had not ignored the actual progress of the Shanghai project.
"Haha, hearing Miss Saionji say that makes us feel a bit embarrassed."
Secretary-General Jiang Yi responded heartily.
"When enterprises are willing to invest in Shanghai, it is only right that we provide good service. Furthermore, your group has invested real money this time; even the factories and docks have already been built."
"In that case, I believe we will certainly have many more opportunities for cooperation in the future."
Satsuki smiled slightly.
"I look forward to it as well."
The pleasantries over, Secretary-General Jiang Yi stepped aside to introduce her to the other officials accompanying the reception.
Naturally, this included Chen Zhiyuan, who was standing slightly behind.
"I don't need to introduce this one, do I?"
Secretary-General Jiang Yi looked at the man beside him.
"Comrade Chen Zhiyuan of the Municipal Foreign Investment Promotion Bureau. I heard that when Miss Saionji first came to Shanghai the year before last, he was the one responsible for the reception."
"Of course I remember."
Satsuki turned her head.
"Director Chen, long time no see."
"Miss Saionji, long time no see."
Chen Zhiyuan stepped forward and shook hands with her.
He spoke in Japanese.
His pronunciation was as standard as ever, and even his phrasing was almost identical to her memory.
Chen Zhiyuan... Satsuki remembered the name; after all, he was one of the few people she found quite interesting.
She remembered that this investment promotion bureau chief, who had once worked in Tokyo, was not only familiar with Japanese business customs but was also a rather difficult negotiation opponent.
At that private dinner on Yongfu Road years ago, he had nearly seen through all the disguises she had carefully prepared.
However.
This time, there was no need for such trouble.
"When I last left Shanghai, I remember the investment plan for the industrial park had only just been finalized."
Satsuki looked at him and said gently.
"I didn't expect that after only a year or so, I would already be able to attend the production ceremony."
"That is thanks to your group's construction team."
Chen Zhiyuan replied.
"To be honest, at the beginning, we didn't expect the project to advance so quickly either."
"Then I must take a good look."
Satsuki's eyes brightened slightly.
"After all, it is a project into which both our sides have poured so much effort."
Chen Zhiyuan nodded.
"The city has already made arrangements; tomorrow, we will accompany you on a visit to the industrial park."
"Then I shall trouble you, Director Chen."
"Miss Saionji is too polite."
...
The airport welcoming ceremony did not last very long.
After the parties finished their simple introductions and pleasantries, as they were preparing to leave the tarmac, a staff member from the Municipal Foreign Affairs Office quickly walked over.
"Secretary-General, the news units are all ready."
Secretary-General Jiang Yi nodded and turned to Satsuki.
"Miss Saionji, for this production commencement, the city hopes to promote it as a key achievement of Pudong's development. Several news units are here today; would it be convenient for you to accept a brief interview?"
"Of course."
Satsuki readily agreed.
"This is also something worth celebrating for us at Saionji."
Secretary-General Jiang Yi then signaled to the staff member.
Several reporters who had been waiting for a long time quickly gathered around.
However, they had clearly been briefed in advance; they did not swarm forward like reporters chasing entertainment stars, but kept an appropriate distance under the guidance of the staff.
A female reporter from Shanghai TV was the first to ask a question.
"Hello, Miss Saionji. We understand that your group entered Shanghai to invest as early as 1986 and has now built such a large industrial park in Pudong. How do you evaluate Saionji's investment and development in Shanghai over the past six years?"
The translator relayed the question.
Satsuki thought for a moment (she actually understood Chinese, but such an occasion indeed required a translator, which also gave her more time to think).
"I think six years is enough time for us to see many things clearly."
Her voice wasn't loud, speaking eloquently as if telling a story.
"When Saionji first entered Shanghai, our business here was still very limited. After these years of development, we now have a relatively stable production system and have cultivated a group of excellent local employees."
"And this industrial park will provide the group with more complete manufacturing and logistics conditions."
Satsuki paused slightly, her gaze calmly meeting the camera in front of her.
"As an investor, I am naturally very happy to see these results. However, I believe that more important than the investment amount is whether these factories can truly operate, whether they can continuously provide high-quality products, and whether everyone involved can benefit from them."
A faint curve appeared on her lips.
"At least so far, I am very satisfied with Saionji's choice back then."
The reporters nearby quickly lowered their heads to take notes.
Another reporter immediately took up the conversation.
"Does this mean that the Saionji Group is prepared to further expand its investment in Pudong?"
This question was clearly what many people were most concerned about today.
Satsuki glanced at Secretary-General Jiang Yi standing beside her.
Then, she looked back at the reporter.
"Saionji has always had great expectations for Shanghai's development."
"In accepting the municipal government's invitation this time, besides attending the industrial park's production ceremony, we also hope to further understand Pudong's development planning and explore potential future cooperation."
She paused.
"However, matters involving specific investment projects should wait until after both parties have formally negotiated and finalized them before being announced to the public."
"After all, commercial commitments ultimately need to be fulfilled."
Having said that, she nodded politely.
"I hope everyone can understand."
The reporters naturally did not press further.
Although such an answer did not reveal any clear scale of new investment, it was enough for them to go back and write a quite positive report.
Moreover, for an international zaibatsu that had already invested heavily in Pudong and had now specifically sent its top leader to visit China, this statement itself held considerable weight.
After hearing this, Secretary-General Jiang Yi, standing nearby, was also quite satisfied.
This Miss Saionji indeed knew how to maintain a sense of propriety.
She fully affirmed Shanghai's investment environment without casually making promises that exceeded actual progress.
Especially that last sentence.
Commercial commitments ultimately need to be fulfilled.
Secretary-General Jiang Yi agreed with this quite strongly.
He had seen no small number of foreign investors over the years; many, upon first contact, couldn't wait to talk up their ten-year development plans in the most extravagant terms.
But when it actually came time to provide the funds, that wasn't necessarily the case.
In contrast, the factories and docks that Saionji had already built were clearly more persuasive.
After the brief interview ended, the two parties took a group photo in front of the welcoming banner.
Several photojournalists seized the opportunity to press their shutters a few more times.
Then, Secretary-General Jiang Yi stepped aside and gestured with his hand.
"Miss Saionji, the motorcade is ready. Let's head back to the city first."
"Then I shall trouble you all."
Satsuki gestured to the crowd again.
Accompanied by Chizuru and her staff, she walked along the red carpet toward the black sedan parked ahead.
Chen Zhiyuan fell back half a step, watching the figure walking away with composure, and suddenly recalled the scene from over a year ago.
It was also at this airport.
It was also this dark-colored private jet.
Only, at that time, the first thing the girl who stepped off the gangway did was pull out a Polaroid and take a photo of the terminal's control tower.
At the time, he thought this Eldest Miss of the Saionji House was just out for a trip with the group executives.
Only later did he realize he had completely misjudged her.
But even so, he hadn't expected that when they met again, the situation of both parties would have undergone such a massive change.
Today's Saionji Group already possessed an industrial scale far larger than back then.
And the person standing before him was no longer that young girl who intentionally hid behind Endo.
From the handshake and pleasantries just now to the answers she gave the reporters...
She had performed everything very naturally.
She didn't intentionally strike a hardline pose, yet she never allowed anyone to overlook the identity she represented.
Chen Zhiyuan thought back to that dinner on Yongfu Road the year before last.
That night, he had gone to a great deal of trouble to finally get this Eldest Miss to drop her disguise and start seriously discussing the investment terms.
He hadn't expected that now, even those probes would be unnecessary.
However, perhaps this was a good thing.
After all, the matters they prepared to discuss this time were far more than just those five hundred-plus mu of land in Waigaoqiao.
#Note
• 1 mu = 666.67 m²
• 15 mu = 1 hectare (10,000 m²)