Chapter 88: A Nocturnal Meeting with the Mistress

When they arrived at the body care area, the two housewives laid eyes on Runa Onodera. They examined her for a moment, then spoke with meaningful glances.

“Runa, it feels like you’ve been changing more and more these past few days.”

“Really? Have I?” Runa Onodera felt a secret joy welling up inside.

“Of course you have! Your skin is glowing, so radiant—it can’t just be because we’re coming here! And thanks to you, we were able to get a last-minute booking at such an exclusive place. When Kanae called earlier, they said today was already fully booked.”

“That’s right! Runa, how did you even manage it?” One of the housewives, Kanae Kitagawa, who looked to be around forty, couldn’t help but ask.

But before she could answer, the woman giving them their facial treatments spoke up with a cheerful smile. “Actually, we always keep two VIP rooms available for just such occasions. Mrs. Onodera booked through the VIP client club. If either of you ladies are interested, you could consider applying for a VIP membership card yourselves.”

“Wait, Runa, did you get one of those?” Kanae Kitagawa, having been here before, knew very well how expensive that card was. Coming once in a while was fine, but paying for the card and rarely using it felt like a waste.

Runa Onodera replied, a bit reserved, “No, not exactly. When I got my new credit card, they mentioned this place as one of the special perks, so I called to try my luck. I didn’t expect to get a reservation.”

“What kind of credit card perk lets you book the VIP service here directly?” the other housewife pressed.

“Maybe... because the limit is very high? I’m not really sure,” Runa said, emulating the modesty Tao had taught her. “He... gave it to me. I didn’t ask much else.”

“Oh, that person,” Kanae Kitagawa said knowingly. After glancing at the attendant, she broke into a smile, “Your ‘husband’ treats you so well. What’s the limit?”

“Five million yen,” Runa Onodera confessed hesitantly, then quickly added, “But I haven’t actually used the card for spending. Thanks to his management, my own savings have already grown to over four million yen.”

“That fast?” Kanae Kitagawa exclaimed. “Last time we met, didn’t you only have about two million?”

“Yes! I heard it’s because the market’s been good lately...”

“Madam, may I take your necklace off for you? I’ll set it here safely,” the attendant asked respectfully.

“Oh! Thank you so much!” Runa Onodera removed her necklace and handed it over with care.

The dazzling necklace immediately caught the other women’s eyes. Kanae Kitagawa, knowledgeable as she was, clicked her tongue in admiration, “Did your ‘husband’ give you this? It must be expensive.”

“He insisted I have it, and I really couldn’t refuse,” Runa replied, omitting the price, but she saw, just as Tao had predicted, how their envy grew.

The more she interacted with these housewives, the more Runa marveled at Tao’s deep insight into human nature.

In truth, Runa Onodera didn’t come across as a masterful actress. Her expressions of admiration and gratitude whenever she mentioned that man were utterly sincere.

If asked about their relationship, what secrets could possibly be hidden from such seasoned women?

Once the attendants finished the treatments and left the three of them to rest while the facial masks worked their magic, Kanae Kitagawa mused, “Runa, you’re becoming more beautiful. And you’re still so young—surely that man will love you even more. Perhaps, one day, you’ll have the chance to become his legitimate wife.”

Runa Onodera quickly shook her head. “No, for someone like me, having this much good fortune is more than enough. He didn’t have to help grow my assets, but now, with his support, I feel more and more secure. He’s a gentle person, so this kind of relationship... is all I need.”

She spoke with utter sincerity—seven-tenths true feeling, three-tenths the persona Tao had crafted for her.

Of course, the housewives had no idea that this so-called “man” was nothing more than a university student. From their conversation, they assumed he was some high-ranking financier, the kind who could help Runa Onodera’s wealth grow so swiftly.

That was exactly the persona Tao Zhiming had designed for her.

He would never show up in person, but he would ensure every cent Runa Onodera raised would earn a profit.

And through Runa’s half-truthful, half-fabricated stories, the persona was nearly flawless.

To these housewives, a woman who’d stumbled into wealth through “luck” would never truly be respected. But that persona would evoke another feeling: for the sake of money, if they could swallow their disdain for this “mistress” trying to blend into high society, perhaps they could ask her “husband” to manage their assets, too. Surely, she wouldn’t refuse.

It was a subtle psychological play.

Runa Onodera didn’t mind, because she knew it was all part of the plan.

As Dailang had said, the women who most wanted to participate would have to be the ones to ask first.

So, for now, Runa Onodera had only one job: to show these women that she was striving to be worthy of that “important man,” and to let them see how rapidly her wealth was growing.

The more she protested her contentment, the more they believed she secretly longed for a higher position. Otherwise, why learn to become a lady of the upper class?

And once she had provided enough evidence to convince them she was telling the truth, then, when they handed over their money, they’d have a special little thought: “We’re entrusting you with our assets, but we know your deepest secret—don’t let us lose money, or we’ll ruin you.”

And when they finally saw that Runa Onodera could bring them steady, ongoing profits, the balance of power would reverse completely.

A little scorn—what did that matter?

After all, didn’t each of them harbor her own little secrets?

Watching the plan advance, Runa Onodera truly felt Tao Zhiming’s mastery over the human heart.

Wasn’t she living proof? She had fallen into his world so quickly.

Luckily, for now, she was the one being favored.

As expected, in the midst of the conversation, Kanae Kitagawa hesitated, then asked, “Runa, could your ‘husband’ manage our finances too?”

Runa feigned surprise. “What? That... I can’t decide that myself. Even for me, he took a big risk to help me. For others...”

“That’s fine!” The one who wanted in was already making suggestions. “We’ll just give you the money, and say it’s from your personal emergency savings. Each of us could put in one million yen—not that much. We’ll agree among ourselves, and you can give us the returns periodically. You can keep a share for yourself!”

Runa shook her head in flustered refusal. “No, no! If I deceived him like that, what if—one day—”

“Come on, you have to think about your own future!” Kanae Kitagawa began to persuade her, then laughed slyly. “Especially if you time it right—after making him very happy with your charms—then ask, all pitiful and sweet, it’ll surely work! Want me to teach you a few special tricks to drive a man wild?”

“Huh?” Runa Onodera was genuinely shocked by this turn of events. She hadn’t expected it at all.

Yet... maybe learning a thing or two wouldn’t hurt?