Chapter 159: He Will Not Be a Good Husband

"What on earth... did she do?" Ueda Masahiro remembered the emotions his daughter had never shown before him earlier, followed by her tears, and now her coldness. His voice sank.

"You should really have a proper conversation with her," Tao Zhiming paused. "From my standpoint, I cannot comment on your decision. Nor do I understand what the Mori family truly means to you. But to Shana, it feels like the end of her world."

A sudden tightness constricted Ueda Masahiro's chest. Shana—had she even told him that?

He took a deep breath before speaking. "Thank you for your concern for Shana. But is this all Tao-kun wanted to discuss with me?"

"...It was presumptuous of me." Tao Zhiming smoothly shifted to the main topic. "Regarding the mortgage on that piece of land, among the terms offered to me, Mitsubishi's are not the very best. Although the land title has been transferred to me, I previously promised President Takeda that he would have the right of first refusal to redeem it after four years. Therefore, the loan term I require cannot exceed four years. For short-term loans, the interest rate is simply too high, and the offered credit limit is too low. That plot of land is far more valuable now than it was when President Takeda originally mortgaged it."

Listening to his calm tone, Ueda Masahiro replied composedly, "That is why Suga-kun mentioned that once this matter is successfully concluded, you will personally receive a piece of real estate in Shibuya valued at over one billion yen. Is Tao-kun not preparing to forge your own career? That location would make an excellent office space."

"Lord Ueda, you misunderstand. I am not making decisions on behalf of Moga Holdings," Tao Zhiming's tone remained equally unruffled. "Moga Holdings is not holding out for the highest bidder; the decision-making power for that land rests entirely in my hands. Therefore, the premium acquisition terms for that land which Mitsubishi offered to Moga Holdings are meaningless to me."

"...But did you not say that your leverage regarding that land in the National Railways reform was entrusted to President Kinoshita?"

"That is correct. Therefore, what I am discussing with you right now is purely from a commercial perspective—the value that mortgaged land ought to command."

Ueda Masahiro found it absurd. If that land could not be leveraged to profit from the privatization and reform of the National Railways, why would Mitsubishi even bother setting its sights on it?

Both men fell silent for a moment.

Just as Ueda Masahiro was about to speak, Tao Zhiming broke the silence: "Allow me to propose an idea."

"Please go ahead, Tao-kun."

Tao Zhiming slowly articulated, "Any faction wishing to independently incorporate the Shiodome freight yard into a controlled regional branch of the National Railways must face the opposition of others, while doing everything in their power to ensure the Shiodome freight yard falls under the liquidation group's control. I believe everyone must have alternative plans for this scenario. Among them should be: alliance. After all, it is merely an exchange of interests—an exchange of shareholdings. If that land in Shiodome is incorporated into one branch while simultaneously serving the interest-expansion sphere of another National Railways branch, once the expected value is estimated, a cooperative scheme should be achievable, right?"

Ueda Masahiro remained silent for a moment.

Tao Zhiming continued, "Because of Shana, I am willing to use the mortgage of my land as a bridge for this cooperation. Four years from now, if President Takeda is unable to buy it back, the land can be sold to Mitsubishi at an appropriate price."

A shock rippled through Ueda Masahiro's heart. "Will Sumitomo not object?"

"That is why Mitsubishi can negotiate with Sumitomo on how to exchange interests to ensure a higher probability of success for everyone's core objectives," Tao Zhiming said meaningfully. "If the Mori Group's Roppongi Hills can benefit from the final plan of the National Railways privatization and reform, is this not also what you and Mitsubishi hope to see?"

"Tao-kun..." Ueda Masahiro glanced toward his daughter's room and said softly, "Did Shana tell you about the future agreement between her and Jiro Mori?"

Tao Zhiming was silent for a moment before replying, "Yes. She said you wish for her to become an aristocratic wife with impeccably flawless deportment."

"It seems Shana truly regards you as a friend," Ueda Masahiro said softly.

Tao Zhiming gave a noncommittal response. "She even asked for my help—to defeat Jiro Mori fair and square in business, so that you might see clearly that he is not all that exceptional."

A fresh wave of suffocation washed over Ueda Masahiro, and he stared at Ueda Shana's bedroom door without a word.

"Perhaps you genuinely believe that Jiro Mori is a fine destination for Shana," Tao Zhiming said candidly, having already made up his mind. "I also have the confidence that, in your eyes, I should be a capable young man as well."

Ueda Masahiro withdrew his gaze, lowering his voice so as not to be overheard through the door: "Tao-kun, do you like Shana? Are you hoping I won't make my choice so quickly?"

"No, this has nothing to do with your choice," Tao Zhiming declared resolutely. "Shana has helped me before, so I choose to help her in return. Let us treat this matter as a test for Jiro Mori; I will attempt to defeat him head-on in the business world. Even if your choice does not change as a result, even if you refuse to heed Shana's wishes, she will accept it with a peaceful heart."

Tao Zhiming sighed. "You taught her swordsmanship, so you should understand that she is very proud. No matter what, she will attempt to swing her sword and fight back against her destiny. Even if she fails, the rest of her life will be spent with a much calmer heart. Now, for me to act as this sword instead of her taking matters into her own hands—surely that is much more appropriate?"

Ueda Masahiro softly murmured, "You try to bring her hope, only for her hope to be ultimately struck down by my own hand. Do you think such an ending will not plunge her into even deeper despair? Perhaps by then, she will become even more extreme."

Tao Zhiming answered decisively, "That is your responsibility; you are her father. I will not give her any hope. I am well aware of your status, and I know my own."

Only then did Ueda Masahiro realize with a start that he had just discussed so many intimate thoughts with such a young man.

Why on earth had he unconsciously forgotten that this was merely his daughter's classmate, a young man toward whom she had already begun to harbor affections?

At this thought, he lowered his voice with a trace of vexation and asked, "What do you mean by 'not giving her hope'? Yet you are having this exact conversation with me! You are entirely unlike a young man who has yet to fathom human hearts! Talking this way means you are someone who has already seen right through Shana's feelings. Do not play with her heart!"

"Play with it?" Tao Zhiming gave a dry, self-deprecating laugh. "Lord Ueda, am I not being entirely frank with you right now? I said it before: you cannot possibly accept me, and I am fully aware of that reality. Besides, since you have already designed her future for her, making her understand that there are simply many things in this world one cannot attain—is that not better? When facing destiny, one must constantly and continually compromise."

He paused before continuing, "In fact, today she proposed that we start dating. You should understand what that signifies for your proud daughter, and yet I severed that glimmer of hope immediately. Defeating Jiro Mori is something I will certainly do, because the look in Shana's eyes at that moment filled me with a sense of guilt. You are right; Shana may have only just begun to take a liking to me, but genuine, steadfast love is not like that—she was merely treating me as a straw to clutch at to save her life."

"Perhaps after visiting you, she inferred from your words and actions toward me that you held a relatively favorable view of me, which prompted her to take such a step. But she fails to understand that under no circumstances will you ever accept me. Therefore, I resolutely turned her down, leaving her with the look of someone whom not a single soul in the entire world is protecting. Even merely as a classmate, this guilt compels me to fulfill her final condition: to make Jiro Mori taste the bitterness of defeat, come what may."

Tao Zhiming's voice finally chilled. "Please convey to Senior Managing Director Suga that he should carefully consider my proposal. As for the Mori family, the Roppongi Hills project will not conflict with this; the Mori family's core real estate business will grow even stronger. And as for Jiro Mori, since you favor him to take over the Mori family in the future, suffering some setbacks and lessons brought upon him by me should also be regarded as part of his growth, should it not?"

Ueda Masahiro let out a dry, helpless laugh. "Tao-kun, are you so certain you can defeat him?"

"In myself, I am forever confident."

Ueda Masahiro slowly exhaled a breath and said calmly, "Go ahead and do as you please. Let me see just how thoroughly you can make him lose."

Tao Zhiming was momentarily taken aback, then said thoughtfully, "Is that so... Very well, then I shall await the decision conveyed by you on behalf of Mitsubishi. Good evening, Lord Ueda."

Ueda Masahiro slowly lowered the telephone and walked over to Ueda Shana's bedroom door.

He stood there motionlessly for a long time before finally knocking. "Shana."

Ueda Shana opened the door, but did not invite him in. She simply asked, "Do you want to know how it went?"

Looking at his daughter's expressionless face, Ueda Masahiro shook his head silently.

"I only mentioned the engagement to Jiro Mori and my aversion to him; I did not mention your commitment to Mitsubishi. I made the difficult request for him to help me defeat Jiro Mori, and used an act to deceive him. He said that although it was difficult, he would find a way to persuade you, treating his intervention as a trial for Jiro Mori."

A complicated look flickered in Ueda Masahiro's eyes.

My silly daughter, did you really think that young man wouldn't see through it?

Confessing your feelings like that? Following my demands by impulsively stripping away your inner restraint? Someone as accustomed to acting proud as you—he saw right through the abnormality in an instant.

He even guessed that it was a requirement I imposed upon you... That Jiro Mori boy, all ambition and no substance, delightfully foolish—he is the only kind of man you could actually manage.

If you were to fall into the hands of that Tao fellow, and he told you one day that the sun would rise from the west, you'd likely believe him.

He will never make a good husband. He possesses a demonic insight into human hearts, as though he has already witnessed every sort of person this world has to offer.

"Shana..." Ueda Masahiro began, "Give Father a little more time, all right?"

Ueda Shana stared at him in astonishment. What time?

Ueda Masahiro reached out his hand, wanting to stroke her head, but paused midway.

What if he failed?

If he failed, she would have to rely on herself.

To rely on herself, she had to become a person of unyielding inner strength.

Thus, he withdrew his hand and managed a strained smile. "Thank you..."

The budding expectation in Ueda Shana's heart instantly withered. She bowed her head slightly and said, "It is my duty. Good evening, Father."

The door closed from the inside. Ueda Shana stood still for a moment before walking slowly toward the training room.

There were always things in this world that simply had to be done.

The Ueda family now had only one daughter left; some matters could only be handled by him.

Aside from that, what other choice remained for him to fulfill his ultimate duty to both family and country?

Shana would not remain a child forever.

One day, she would understand.

Just a little more time was all he needed; matters he had been plotting for nearly a year had to yield a result before next year.

Ueda Masahiro straightened his back step by step as he entered the training room, picking up not a wooden bokken, but a short, live-bladed katana.

He sat down, completely still, before executing a sudden *iaijutsu* draw.

It was as if someone sat opposite him in conversation, intending to take his life unawares.

Over and over again, he practiced the cut.

After a while, he stood up and switched to a long sword.

This time it was a standard draw, displaying his true mastery of swordsmanship.

Flashes of cold light periodically swept through the training room, accompanied by the sharp sound of steel cleaving the air. Aside from that, absolute silence reigned.