Chapter 67: The Confession to Runa

Runa Onodera’s hand was caught in his, her heart pounding wildly, her mind swirling in confusion as her cheeks flushed a deep red. She had forgotten what she wanted to ask, her head bowed low.

“Look at me,” Tao Zhimin said quietly.

Runa pressed her lips together and lifted her gaze to him.

In that moment, his face carried a gravity, a certain commanding presence born from the order he had just given. Yet almost immediately, he smiled, his expression bright and dazzling. “It’s already over two million yen.”

Her eyes finally cleared, her tightly pressed lips parting in astonishment.

How many days had it been? From half a million to two million?

Tao Zhimin winked playfully, “Because I promised Yosuke only twenty percent monthly returns, I sent him away. Of course, for your account, I used the riskiest strategies, but I bear all the risk myself. That’s the only way to achieve such high returns. And not every day is as special as today.”

Runa Onodera could only stare at him, dumbfounded.

All the risk was his?

“Though I made over a million, I’ll be taking one million,” Tao Zhimin said as if it were only natural. “Still, you truly have more than a million yen now. So keep investing in becoming more beautiful—don’t burden yourself. You’re wealthy now.”

“I really… have a million yen?” After nodding to show she understood, Runa couldn’t help but ask, her disbelief clear. In just these few days, the half a million he set aside as her independent account, even after his share was taken, had grown to over a million.

“It’s more than a million,” Tao Zhimin emphasized.

“Tao…” Runa looked at him, stunned for a long while before finally asking, as if unable to suppress the question, “I haven’t done anything, and yet…”

“No, you’ve done a great deal. Most importantly, you gave me your trust.”

“I only…” Runa bit her lip, finally mustering the courage to ask, “Compared to that, you’ve been helping me so much lately. Why are you… so kind to me?”

Tao Zhimin was moved by her expression. He smiled lightly and asked, “Why? Didn’t I say, because of work?”

Though he said so, Runa was unable to withstand the meaningful look in his eyes. She could only lower her head, trying to hide the thoughts she felt were inappropriate.

But her hand was still in his.

Just then, Tao Zhimin spoke softly, “I can continue being this good to you, as long as you’re willing to follow me wholeheartedly.”

Runa couldn’t help but look up at him, trying to discern the meaning behind his words.

What she saw was not the look of affection she’d imagined, but rather a calmness.

“I’ve said before, you’re a woman who understands men. Since you understand men, I’ll be honest with you.”

He extended his other hand, gently lifting her chin. “After your proposal, I was tempted as well. But you know me a bit by now. My heart is vast, and my desires are many. Yes, I want you to be my woman—not just your body, but your heart as well.”

“But you will not be my only woman. It’s not about Mizuko, or your age. It’s simply that my heart can never belong to just one person. In fact, as a woman who understands men, you know a man like me doesn’t give his true heart easily, and will never belong to a single woman.”

With his touch lingering on her chin, Runa’s heart, which barely had time to feel a rush of joy, was suddenly shattered, as if innumerable cracks split it open in an instant. She stared at him in shock.

Such bluntness—once again, he returned to that rational state from the other night, proclaiming he would not let emotions sway his decisions. Now, his words seemed even more cold.

“So think carefully before you decide,” Tao Zhimin said, his fingers grazing her cheek before his palm rested gently against it. “Decide whether you want to devote yourself to following me, without seeking superficial forms or outcomes. In return, you and Mizuko will never have to worry about material needs again. You’ll always have my support and companionship, and a part of my true affection for those I deem important.”

The flush on Runa’s cheeks faded little by little.

Only after a long while, when she felt she could no longer endure the ache in her heart, did she lower her head and whisper, “I understand.”

She stood, bowed, opened the door, and left.

Once outside, she quickened her pace, hurrying back to the room she shared with Mizuko. Only after closing the door did the ache and pain surge through her, and she clutched her chest, slowly sinking to the floor.

Two silent streams of tears slid from her eyes. She bit her lip, making no sound.

In truth, it was only luck—she told herself it was merely his pity for her circumstances, a kindness extended out of compassion, or that he saw her as someone who could work hard and help him, which led to their current relationship.

Even though she could not help but admire this man, even like him, she always suppressed such feelings, reminding herself these thoughts were out of line.

He was a genius from the University of Tokyo, a single, high-quality man with a grand apartment in Minato, someone even the powerful respected, a man already wealthy.

With such a brilliant and dazzling future, how could he truly be moved by her, or wholly accept a woman seven years his senior, who brought a daughter with her?

With that awareness, Runa had long since buried any inappropriate feelings deep in her heart.

He was only the boss she would follow in the future.

But why, at this moment, did he have to shatter the defenses she’d so carefully built, piercing straight into her heart?

What exchange? What never having to worry about a material future?

Runa wept soundlessly.

Was she, after all, simply regarded as a woman who would use any means to achieve her goals?

If it was only for material security, what meaning did all her years of perseverance hold?

The lingering warmth of his hand still seemed to rest on her cheek, but her heart was growing cold.

Outside the door, he had already begun conversing with Ueno, who had just finished his bath. Runa heard his light laughter, and fresh tears welled in her eyes.

He could say such cruel yet matter-of-fact words, and then act as if nothing had happened.

Did it never occur to him how she could possibly open that door and face him again?

First, he told her he had made her a great deal of money, then candidly demanded she become his woman. Who, really, was the one adept at using means?

Was this what he meant by “something important”?

But then Runa paused, dazed.

Something important…

At the very beginning, it was she herself who had resolved to offer such terms in exchange for his decision to sell the apartment.

Now, the apartment had indeed been sold. If nothing went wrong, President Inoue would still give her the share she deserved.

Through this apartment, she had already received far more than she’d hoped for.

Back then, if he had merely nodded and taken her to a hotel that night, what he wanted would have been his.

It was only tonight that he had made it explicit, and with such gravity.

On the bed, Mizuko slept soundly, clutching the stuffed animal he and Ueno had bought after they moved in.

Runa sat by the door, her vision blurred with tears as she looked at the scene.

Had she not already resolved herself from the beginning? Because of his handsomeness, his shifting aura, his talent and eloquence, wasn’t he already someone she could not bring herself to refuse?

Was it not, from the outset, a complete transaction?

If just now he had said his original proposal still stood, she knew she would not have refused.

Wouldn’t that have been the same relationship?

No, it was different now.

Now, it was because the balance held more weight that her heart ached and self-pity welled up.

Because on one side lay all her feelings, and on the other, only the partial affection he offered.

Did that part truly exist? How much was there?

The long night was just beginning, but she was destined not to sleep.