Chapter 8: The Performance Fee

Tao Zhiming's performance was so impressive that even the dinner originally arranged for the pre-selected candidates was postponed. It wasn’t until the HR representative could no longer wait and knocked on the door that Hiroshi Ogami finally spoke: “Tao, it seems you haven’t wasted your time in the library. You’ve truly read a great many works.”

Tao Zhiming replied modestly, “Learning never stops; I’ve only read a little.”

“I believe you’ll be more than capable in your future work. For now, let’s head to the restaurant together.” Hiroshi Ogami stood up. “Take my car—the idea you mentioned about collaborating with real estate projects is quite fascinating.”

Waiting outside, Yosuke Ueno and Yokohisa Yamane watched as Hiroshi Ogami, beaming, walked side by side with Tao Zhiming straight toward the entrance. Only the head of HR came over to them and said, “Sorry for the wait. Now, please, enjoy the vibrant after-work life at Tomokazu! We hope you’ll all sign your employment pledges with us soon!”

The HR representatives had already approached the key candidates they needed to win over, putting on the friendly faces of future colleagues as they organized everyone for dinner.

Unable to hold back, Yosuke Ueno asked, “Um… about Tao…”

“The president hasn’t finished interviewing him yet. Are you friends with Tao?”

“…Yes, we’re even roommates.”

“It’s rare to see the president take such interest in a newcomer—no wonder, being from the University of Tokyo! Ueno, join Tomokazu with Tao!”

Yosuke Ueno was dazed. Had Tao Daro really performed that well today?

Hiroshi Ogami’s car was extremely luxurious, but seeing Tao Zhiming step in without the slightest unease, he couldn’t help but remark again, “Your composure, Tao, is something seldom seen in someone your age.”

“After my parents passed away, I went through a lot on my own,” Tao Zhiming said, unaffected by the car’s style—he’d driven vehicles even more comfortable before his rebirth.

“So, you believe this concept of a consumer center hinges on building a brand together with real estate companies?” Hiroshi Ogami continued.

“Absolutely,” Tao replied, weaving his tale. “The capital redevelopment plan has already kicked off, and Tokyo’s population will surge. In my neighborhood, there are massive development plans ahead. With the economy booming, a tidal wave of consumer enthusiasm is coming. By clustering large supermarkets, cinemas, karaoke, discos, gourmet food, and shopping, we can create a regional consumption hotspot.”

“Tomokazu has so many product suppliers—we could collaborate with the headquarters’ real estate division to offer highly attractive proposals. With Tomokazu’s strength, we can bring in many European and American food and fashion brands. Integrating all of these into a single shopping mall would be a huge draw for young people like me; it would become the top choice for consumption. That, in turn, would drive up the value of all developed land!”

He was well aware that Tomokazu belonged to a larger financial group with many business divisions.

Bringing the Wanda Plaza model to Tokyo at the height of the real estate bubble would undoubtedly hit the mark.

For Hiroshi Ogami, merely a division president under the conglomerate—not even the chairman—this was a tempting opportunity to make his mark internally.

As for the collapse of the bubble, the plummeting property prices and tightening consumption that would follow—those weren’t his concern. Many might have the idea, but few could execute all the details well; whether they fell into traps was not his problem.

Tao Zhiming played his role only to secure a generous payment from Ogami, as compensation for his own trouble.

He was describing a business model that would later prove highly successful. Presenting the logic so clearly to Hiroshi Ogami, who’d harbored prejudice against him, left the president genuinely excited.

After talking with Tao Zhiming for so long, he couldn’t help but say, “Tao, you’ve proposed an extraordinary model! How did you come up with such an interconnected approach?”

Tao replied, “Through interactions with land acquisition agents, I started paying more attention to this area. Knowing I’d be applying to Tomokazu, I gave it some deeper thought.”

“Tao, your business acumen is impressive!” Hiroshi Ogami asked, “Since you’ve come up with this, why not try it at a real estate firm?”

“It’s just my own idea; I wasn’t sure it would be recognized,” Tao answered modestly, then added, “But I have thought about exploring the real estate sector.”

Hiroshi Ogami responded immediately, “Tao, come to Tomokazu!”

“You really think I could?” Tao continued his act, feigning humility.

“Of course! I’ve said it many times, but this time I mean it—Tao, you’re indispensable to Tomokazu’s future!”

“I’ll give it serious thought,” Tao replied sincerely. “Your confidence in me is truly encouraging.”

He laid out the general logic, but withheld some key details.

Given the development cycle of real estate, from the initial preparations to the final launch, it would take until the Heisei era.

By then, there would be plenty of messes to clean up.

Tao Zhiming listened to Ogami discuss compensation with leisurely calm.

“You don’t have a car yet, do you? If you join Tomokazu, we’ll provide you with one. Don’t worry about the land acquisition agents—we’ll arrange a free luxury apartment for you in the meantime. Once you’re in the company, while your salary will be similar to your peers, as my special assistant, you’ll receive extra allowances and bonuses.”

Hiroshi Ogami personally outlined the benefits, knowing there would be countless details to handle if things were to go smoothly.

Tao Zhiming had already proven his ability and potential.

His laid-back demeanor only made Ogami more anxious. What if, now validated by him, Tao went to the most powerful real estate firm—Sumitomo? With his University of Tokyo background and such talent, he’d easily attract the attention of major players.

So at dinner, though he played the enthusiastic president eager to recruit talent, extending warm invitations to all confirmed hires, he quietly instructed HR to pay special attention to Tao Zhiming.

It was obvious to all—Tao Zhiming was the star of the evening.

Yokohisa Yamane even gave Yosuke Ueno a questioning look: Is that really Tao Daro?

Dinner was excellent—held at a high-end restaurant showcasing their resources, with wine and Western cuisine. Tao Zhiming handled it all with ease.

Even Yosuke Ueno, who’d attended such events a few times before, found himself less at ease than Tao, and couldn’t help but wonder: Could he have gotten so skilled by frequenting places like these for that woman before?

Hiroshi Ogami, feeling the “mature backbone” quality the vice president and HR department had mentioned, laughed warmly over his wine. “Tao, I’d love to see you look uneasy for once. After dinner, let’s go somewhere special. From now on, it’s time to become a true man!”

Tao eyed him—where would the president himself take him? It must be quite a place.

Yet he said apologetically, “President, I have an appointment with the land acquisition agent; he’s probably still waiting at my doorstep. Those guys will keep hounding me now that they’ve heard I’m finally willing to sell my house.”

Ogami was actually delighted. “Perfect! Come to the company tomorrow to sign your employment pledge! Our HR Manager, Mr. Murai, will arrange your housing immediately!”

“Understood! But since this is a life-changing decision, I need to give it some serious thought.”

“Are you really going home?”

“I’d love to see what you have in mind, but I don’t want those agents knocking on my door early tomorrow.”

“I see.” Hiroshi Ogami gave HR Manager Naoya Murai a subtle look. Murai promptly took out a thick envelope and handed it to Tao Zhiming. “Tao, thank you for today. Be sure to come to the office tomorrow to discuss your employment contract!”

Having achieved his aim, Tao thanked them and replied, “I’m looking forward to it.”

He was, indeed, looking forward—to seeing just how much money was in that envelope.

As for the employment pledge? He couldn’t care less.

Tomokazu was just a mid-tier company Ueno had roped Tao into applying to alongside him.

Besides, deep down, Hiroshi Ogami still harbored some bias against him.

And Tao Zhiming had no intention of playing second fiddle to anyone.

Now, he was just curious—after all that acting today, how much was his “performance fee”?

The long day’s orientation finally ended. After all, it was only 1986—Japan hadn’t yet reached the heights of frenzy it would in a few years. Hiroshi Ogami’s private invitation was extended to Tao alone.

Yosuke Ueno noticed that Ogami had arranged for someone to send both him and Tao home, but felt awkward asking any questions along the way.

Tao Zhiming, on the other hand, gazed out the car window with a satisfied smile.

Five hundred thousand yen—over three thousand US dollars.

If he played this right, he might get even more next time. There was plenty of wool to shear from these sheep.

His real plan wasn’t ready to unfold just yet. After all, it would only be after two consecutive interest rate cuts in March and April that the atmosphere would truly heat up.

Then, the banks would be begging people to borrow money.