Chapter 9: Runa Onodera's Decision

“Five hundred thousand?!” Yosuke Ueno was stunned. “Damn it! Why do I only get two hundred thousand? Five hundred thousand, that’s the legendary highest tier.”

Having waved off the driver arranged by Hiroshi Omiya, Yosuke Ueno’s first question was this, and his face was full of shock.

“What’s so strange about it? Who do you think I am?” Tao Zhiming scoffed at him, “Truly stingy, this Tomokazu.”

“Stingy? Hey! How did you pull it off? What did you guys talk about?” Yosuke Ueno followed him up the stairs.

Tao Zhiming replied lazily, “This is the true strength of someone who’s finally ready to live well!”

“Never saw this side of you before!” Yosuke Ueno’s mind was unsettled. After a while, he asked, “So, are you planning to go to Tomokazu? You seemed to have a lively chat with the president.”

“With someone so stingy, how could I even consider it?” Tao Zhiming said flatly, “Happy? That guy has prejudices against people from my country. I just didn’t want to waste a whole day, so I put on a show for him. This is the reward I deserve!”

“…You, after coming back to life, are surprisingly more annoying!”

“Take back your promise, or pay rent!”

“Hey! How can you be like this?” Yosuke Ueno was about to explode, but suddenly softened. “Ah… Runa-chan, you’re…”

Runa Onodera stood at Tao Zhiming’s door and bowed deeply. “The neighbors said they saw Tao-kun and Ueno-kun leave looking very dashing, so I’ve been waiting for your return. Tao-kun, you seem quite spirited today!”

Tao Zhiming was impressed; he’d only joked about her waiting, but she really was here. “Miss Runa, you’re so dedicated!”

“I’ve discussed Tao-kun’s decision seriously with the president, brought new terms, and wanted to talk with you as soon as possible. It’s my job, sorry to bother you.”

Bow, then bow again.

Tao Zhiming sighed and opened the door, then teased, “Miss Runa, both of us have had some drinks. It’s nearly ten now—are you sure you want to enter the home of two young men?”

“Eh?” Runa Onodera was a bit embarrassed, but quickly said, “It seems Tao-kun is in good spirits today. My wait was worth it.”

“Come in, please.” Tao Zhiming walked in wearing only socks, not bothering with slippers. “Yosuke, pour Miss Runa a glass of water.”

Yosuke Ueno didn’t need to be told; he was already on his way.

Runa Onodera bowed at every turn before sitting quietly, kneeling in the traditional style.

Tao Zhiming sat casually and watched her, curiosity rising. “Miss Runa, working so late—doesn’t your husband mind?”

“Eh?” Runa Onodera hadn’t expected this question and shook her head immediately. “My husband… passed away five years ago.”

Yosuke Ueno returned just then, sat beside them, and said, “Eh? Five years? Runa-chan, you live alone? That must be tough.”

“Thank you, Ueno-kun.” Runa Onodera quickly steered the conversation back, “That’s why I truly hope to negotiate suitable terms with Tao-kun, so this month’s bonus might be a bit higher.”

She bowed again, looking pitiful. “Actually, I have a daughter, and I hope she can attend a private middle school. That way, she’ll have a better chance to become as outstanding as Tao-kun and Ueno-kun in the future.”

“It’s late—won’t your daughter be lonely at home?” Yosuke Ueno grew even gentler, then shot Tao Zhiming a meaningful look, as if urging him to sell and let Runa-chan earn a bigger bonus.

Tao Zhiming looked at him speechlessly. You’re still living in my place, do you want to move so badly?

Still, Tao Zhiming believed Runa Onodera’s words.

Because her company preferred to hire middle-aged women as advisors, those with financial pressures, affability, and resilience.

Convincing people to sell their homes without offering a high price—isn’t that a tough job?

For her daughter’s sake? Remembering the lipstick mark she’d left on her business card, Tao Zhiming took a sip of water and asked, “Miss Runa, roughly how much do you earn a month?”

“Eh?” Runa Onodera felt Tao-kun’s thinking had changed completely since last night. Why such a question?

“Well, in slow months, only the basic salary—a little over a hundred thousand. The bonus is the main source.” She bowed again. “I’ve come with utmost sincerity.”

“What’s the bonus ratio? For my house?”

“Well…” Runa looked troubled. “Ultimately, it depends on what price Tao-kun agrees to…”

Tao Zhiming smiled. “Miss Runa, if I were to surrender under those bastards’ pressure, the bonus wouldn’t be yours, right?”

“Yes. Tao-kun, I really don’t want you to have to live like that. Those people will do whatever it takes to achieve their goals!” Runa Onodera bowed again. “Please consider carefully. I’ve managed to negotiate an extra three million for you—this is my limit! March starts the day after tomorrow, and I haven’t had any concrete results this month, so I’ve waited until now. Please!”

Tao Zhiming remained noncommittal.

Probably judging by the person, thinking a student might be moved to pity, she said all this.

Yosuke Ueno was touched. “Is it really that hard?”

“Yes.” Runa Onodera looked about to cry. “Tuition for the new term is a huge expense, plus rent and living costs. I hope Emiko can live with dignity at school. I really am sorry to say all this to Tao-kun. Before you asked, I never spoke of it. Forgive me!”

She wiped her eyes.

“But…” Tao Zhiming sighed, “No matter what, I can’t decide to sell the house right now.”

“Tao-kun, you don’t have to worry. You can sign the agreement now and still live here for quite some time. I’ll even handle moving for you!”

“Tao-kun…” Yosuke Ueno wanted to say more, trying to help.

Tao Zhiming shot him a glance. This guy—is he really that naïve?

With a job lined up and not lacking money, is he so overflowing with sympathy?

He shook his head. “Miss Runa, you know well we’re preparing for work now. The next month will be busy. If I’m to consider this, it’ll have to be after April. Sorry, this price isn’t enough for me to sell. I’ve heard that elsewhere it’s calculated at one and a half times, even twice the rate. After all, property prices have already risen so much since last year. Miss Runa, persuade your company to offer a better price.”

Yosuke Ueno looked at him as if he were the devil.

Runa Onodera hesitated. If his appetite ran to sixty or seventy million, she truly couldn’t manage it.

She wanted to say something, but feared it would be seen as a threat and bring more harassment from the company.

“It’s late, Miss Runa. You should head home soon—please be careful on the way.” Tao Zhiming thought for a moment, then took two ten-thousand yen bills from his envelope. “Take a taxi home; it’s the least I can do for you.”

“Eh?” Runa Onodera hadn’t expected this and shook her head hurriedly. “No, I can’t accept this. Tao-kun, you’re such a gentle person. Can’t you reconsider?”

“Yeah, you bastard, think it over!” Yosuke Ueno couldn’t help chiming in.

Tao Zhiming was exasperated. “Why don’t you buy the place at my price, then sell it at the price Miss Runa offers?”

Yosuke Ueno was speechless. Am I out of my mind?

“Take it,” Tao Zhiming glared at him, then said to Runa Onodera, “It’s my sincerity. I’m not unwilling to sell, just the price is too low. So, discuss it again with your president tomorrow.”

Runa Onodera had no choice but to stand, take her leave, and ultimately not accept the two ten-thousand yen notes.

Seeing Yosuke Ueno’s worried face, Tao Zhiming couldn’t help but mock him. “Why don’t you escort your precious Runa-chan home?”

“…You truly are a devil!”

“Idiot!” Tao Zhiming stretched lazily. “Luckily, the house isn’t yours, and I’m not your old man.”

“Do you want a fight?!” Yosuke Ueno pulled a strange face. “You’re so different today! So tough with Yokohisa Yamane, directly asking a girl you’ve just met if she has a boyfriend, and flatly rejecting Runa-chan’s offer. You’re so aggressive!”

Tao Zhiming was puzzled. “What else am I supposed to do?”

Yosuke Ueno launched into a monologue about at least being polite and giving each other space and comfort.

Tao Zhiming felt sleepy, yawned. “It’s been a long day. I’m off to bed!”

Perhaps this was the atmosphere of Japan: courteous and polite on the surface, but with a sense of distance, and inefficiency.

Of course, once real trust was established, they cherished it, like Yosuke Ueno’s genuine concern for Tao Dailang.

Which was a bit troublesome.

This guy whose IQ drops around girls really needs to be cured.

Just now, in front of Runa Onodera, he’d called Tao Zhiming “you bastard.”

After changing into pajamas and washing up, Yosuke Ueno went to the bathroom, and Tao Zhiming heard the phone ring.

It was late, but he answered, “Hello?”

A moment of silence, then Runa Onodera’s voice: “Tao-kun, can’t you reconsider?”

Tao Zhiming was impressed. “Miss Runa, as I said, the price isn’t acceptable. Are you calling from a phone booth?”

“Tao-kun, you’re such a gentle child…” Runa Onodera’s tone changed, growing softer, her voice quieter. “If it’s fifty million, then for the next year, if you need, I can live with you. Would you reconsider?”

Tao Zhiming was stunned.

Someone as worldly as him could easily grasp Runa Onodera’s meaning.

She really meant it—was her financial situation already so dire?

Hearing only silence, Runa Onodera asked, “Tao-kun, big sister’s offer—you’re smart, you understand, right? It won’t interfere with your future.”

Tao Zhiming glanced at the bathroom, as if possessed.

If Yosuke Ueno heard these words, who knows what he’d think.