Chapter 2: The Future Raptors

Let’s start from here, he thought, and gather some information.

So Tao Zhiming nodded and stepped aside to let her in.

Runa Onodera’s eyes lit up. “Excuse me for intruding…” Four bows.

Tao Zhiming felt a bit exasperated. Never mind how things would develop in this country in the future—this society where people bowed at the drop of a hat was already getting hard for him to endure.

Although he hadn’t yet figured everything out, the next few years would be a rare chance to amass wealth quickly in Nihon. Once he’d accumulated capital, this couldn’t remain his main stage—he had no intention of accompanying them through “the lost thirty years.”

He invited Runa Onodera inside. From Tao Dailang’s memories, this wasn’t her first visit.

Yosuke Ueno, already acting like an awkward admirer, poured a glass of water for her and, after receiving a bow, sat off to the side, now the picture of composure.

Looking at Runa Onodera across from him, Tao Zhiming found his mind wandering.

Companies like “land-raiser agencies” on the surface belonged to the real estate sector, but in reality, they could be understood as brokers for demolition and relocation.

Their business was to acquire and consolidate land, or simply assist developers by buying up homes on certain plots, paving the way for future development.

People in this line didn’t start off with shady tactics; instead, they sent friendly negotiators to talk things over gently, identifying key targets, using softness to overcome resistance, picking off a few first, and increasing pressure on the holdouts.

If negotiations stalled with the holdouts, they’d bring in small-time thugs or even yakuza as a “last resort.”

But generally, that meant little more than boisterous “greetings” or polite threats scribbled on the walls—not truly bloody measures.

After all, these were still “legitimate” companies on the surface.

He remembered the first time Runa Onodera left her business card, there was a faint lipstick mark on it.

During her dealings with Tao Dailang, a fresh-faced young man of twenty-one, Runa Onodera had hinted: if he agreed to sell the house, not only could she try her best to persuade her company to offer the highest possible price, but she could also… take care of his personal needs.

Was she really this committed?

Runa Onodera looked to be about thirty, though her true age might have been a bit higher. She wasn’t a stunning beauty, but with careful makeup and gentle demeanor, she was still pleasing to behold.

It was only because Tao Dailang had been obsessed with a classmate recently, his heart still loyal to the idea of “love,” that he’d remained unmoved by such a mature woman’s advances.

But the significance of this apartment…

Meanwhile, Yosuke Ueno, in the presence of a woman, had none of the fierce energy he’d shown when scolding Tao Dailang earlier; he sat like a well-behaved neighborly boy.

Tao Zhiming sighed and said, “Miss Runa, you know this was left to me by my parents after they passed. This place is full of precious memories. There’s no way I could sell it now.”

“I completely understand!” Admiration flickered in Runa Onodera’s eyes. “Your parents were remarkable people—not only did they manage to buy a home in Minato, but they also raised such outstanding sons as you and Yosuke. Truly admirable.”

“My condolences for your loss. But please, Tao-kun, consider your future. Kamijo Holdings already has a development plan in place. Standing in your shoes, I wouldn’t want to be subjected to daily ‘visits’ either.”

“But why not use the inheritance your parents left to start a new chapter? Tao-kun, you’re a young dragon of Todai—why remain trapped by the narrow past? Don’t you agree, Yosuke-kun?”

At moments like these, whenever Runa Onodera turned her gaze on Yosuke Ueno, he’d sit up straight, a hint of pride in his demeanor: “Miss Runa’s perspective is absolutely correct!”

As Runa Onodera’s “sincere” and “slightly dramatic” words filled the room, Tao Zhiming kept surveying the apartment.

By local standards, this was a 3LDK: three bedrooms, a living room, an open kitchen off the lounge, and a separate bathroom.

The total area was over eighty square meters—a rather decent property.

But there were still many years left on the mortgage. The problem was, this useless Tao Dailang had nearly spent all the money.

Ultimately, it was the legacy of the war—among Tao’s generation, the gender ratio in Nihon was heavily skewed.

It was normal for group dates to have more girls than guys, and such situations were just everyday occurrences.

With the rapid economic growth of the seventies and eighties, the proportion of women in the workforce kept rising, and ordinary people had more and more disposable income. Material desires and consumerism inevitably swelled.

At this point, even moderately popular young women attracted many suitors. Some, with little scruple, would half-openly juggle several men, categorizing their “backups.”

Errand guy: with a car, basically a dedicated chauffeur.

Payer: with a bit of cash, always footing the bill.

Tribute guy: the entry-level backup, still stuck on giving gifts to deepen the relationship.

And finally, the one the girl truly hoped to be with—the main guy.

Yesterday, after learning this truth from others and sinking into gloom, Tao Dailang finally mustered the courage to act.

He skipped an important job interview to confront the “green tea” vixen, only to find her with her so-called “main guy.” He was humiliated, and saw them walk into a luxury hotel together.

That night, he drank heavily and then hanged himself in his room.

Tao Zhiming suspected Dailang’s parents would have crawled out of their graves in anger.

He still had a year’s tuition and living expenses to cover, and the mortgage to pay!

Runa Onodera spoke again: “Tao-kun, if you clearly state your intention to sell, those idle troublemakers will stop bothering you. You and Yosuke-kun are both future dragons, destined for the upper echelons of society. If I can earn your trust, I’d be more than happy to continue representing you and negotiate the best possible terms with the company president!”

Bows, countless bows.

Yosuke Ueno, now promoted to “future dragon,” also bowed modestly.

Tao Zhiming sighed.

Oh, Dailang, Dailang… Other than passing the entrance exam to Tokyo University, what kind of useless fool were you?

Listen to this woman’s flattery—young dragon, mighty dragon… He’d squandered the compensation his parents had died to secure, chasing after a “green tea” vixen and coming away with nothing. Now he was so disheartened he couldn’t even face his future, skipping interviews.

“Miss Runa, how much could I get if I sold this apartment now?” Tao Zhiming finally spoke, wanting to clarify his assets before going any further.

Runa Onodera’s eyes lit up, her face brightening. “Have you finally decided, Tao-kun? I must say, your persistence has meaning. Right now, if you agree, you could get forty-five million yen in one lump sum!”

Tao Zhiming sipped his water in silence.

Forty-five million yen… The current exchange rate and interest rates were hot topics. At today’s rate, that sum would translate to about three hundred thousand US dollars.

So, if Tao Zhiming wanted, selling the apartment—after clearing the bank loan—would leave him with a substantial fund to get started.

But he’d just arrived here. Everything still required careful planning.

He hadn’t even had time to fully sort through the information in his mind and make a proper plan.

So Tao Zhiming didn’t give a definitive answer, only saying to Runa Onodera, “Miss Runa, house prices are rising too fast. With that amount, I couldn’t buy a new place anywhere.”

Runa Onodera replied at once, “With your abilities, Tao-kun, you must have secured a wonderful job! I’ve heard that talents like you—‘indispensable to the company’s future’—are offered free apartments and cars. Even if you wanted to buy a new home immediately, a smaller 2LDK would be more than enough! And if you insist on a place as big or bigger, with your soon-to-be salary, I can quickly connect you with a reliable bank for low-interest loans!”

Her words set off a spark in Tao Zhiming’s mind.

She had just pointed out a clue.

As he pondered, he decided to keep talking with Runa Onodera, discussing everything from bank loans to the daily life of ordinary Tokyoites.

Tao Dailang’s memories held plenty of information, and he could have chatted with Yosuke Ueno, but Runa Onodera, with her years of work experience and exposure to all walks of life, naturally had a broader perspective.

At first, Runa Onodera chatted with patient courtesy, but gradually she grew perplexed.

The shy boy she remembered seemed to have matured suddenly.

Listening to his occasional questions and reflective comments, Runa Onodera found a certain commanding light in his eyes.

Was this the wisdom of a man admitted to Tokyo University?

Yosuke Ueno, who had been sitting quietly for a long time, was astonished to see Tao Zhiming conversing so confidently with Runa Onodera.

Had this guy, after dying once, really acquired a new sense of resolve?