Reborn in Tokyo: From Heiress to Global Tycoon

Chapter 45 The Giant's Handshake

May 21, 1987.

Last night's boisterous feast seemed like a magnificent dream, and as the first light of dawn faded, the depths of Azabu-juban returned to tranquility.

Deep inside the main building of "The Club" is a tea room called "Black Camellia".

There are no windows here, only a few rays of natural light filtered through bamboo blinds from a skylight overhead. The walls are painted with dark gray diatomaceous earth, and a camellia that has not yet fully bloomed is stuck in the corner.

A faint aroma of roasted tea filled the air.

The water in the iron kettle has boiled.

"Glug, glug."

The sound of the bubbles bursting was exceptionally clear in the quiet space.

Shuichi knelt on the tatami mat, holding a bamboo tea caddy in his hand, gently tapping the foam in the teacup. His movements were not as elaborate as those of a professional tea master, but they were steady and had a calm, unhurried rhythm.

"Mr. Saionji's skills are becoming more and more refined."

Shimada, sitting opposite him, bowed slightly and accepted the teacup that Shuichi handed him with both hands.

Today, Shimada was wearing a dark blue custom-made suit with a sophisticated burgundy tie. After last night, he seemed much more relaxed, no longer like a sword ready to be drawn at any moment, but more like an old friend visiting.

"It's just a pastime when I have nothing else to do."

Shuichi wiped his hands and poured himself a glass.

"The bottle of Romanée-Conti that Mr. Shimada delivered last night is of excellent vintage. Several bank managers who drank it praised it highly."

"The chairman heard that you like red wine, so he specially asked me to pick it out from his private wine cellar."

Shimada held the teacup, swirled it three times, and then took a small sip.

"Good tea."

He put down his teacup, his gaze falling on the grain of the wood on the tea table, and his tone became casual, as if he were discussing the weather today.

"By the way, about the situation in Meguro Ward."

Shimada's voice was very soft.

"That vice president named Gonta has had his employment contract terminated by the group's human resources department. I heard he plans to go back to his hometown to farm. In short, you probably won't hear that name again in Tokyo's real estate circle."

Shuichi paused for a moment, holding the tea towel.

This is an explanation.

It was a sacrifice offered up by the Seibu Group in an attempt to quell the storm. The career of a mid-level manager within the group vanished with a single, casual remark.

"Young people are bound to act impulsively."

Shuichi folded the tea towel and placed it on the corner of the table.

"Now that the person is gone, let's consider that matter closed. The Saionji family isn't the type to hold grudges."

"You are very generous."

Shimada smiled slightly, and the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.

Now that this chapter is over, let's move on to the main course.

He took an envelope from his briefcase.

The envelope was made of special washi paper, thick and textured. It was unsealed, revealing a corner of the document inside.

Shimada held the envelope with both hands and respectfully pushed it towards Shuichi, following the pattern of the tatami mat.

"This is Chairman Yoshiaki Tsutsumi's membership application form."

Xiu didn't answer immediately.

His gaze fell on the envelope. Through the paper, he could almost feel the weight carried by that name.

Yoshiaki Tsutsumi.

In contemporary Japan, this name represents a near-divine power. He not only owns a vast commercial empire including Seibu Department Stores, Seibu Railway, and the Prince Hotel, but also inherited the political legacy of his father, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yasujiro Tsutsumi.

If the guests who attended last night were like feudal lords from various mountain strongholds, then Yoshiaki Tsutsumi was the one sitting on the throne.

His joining means that "The Club" is no longer just a social venue, but has received the official endorsement of this generation of business tycoons.

"The chairman said he looks forward to having a quiet cup of tea with you here," Shimada added.

Shuichi reached out and picked up the envelope.

Take out the application form inside.

The handwriting is strong and powerful, even exuding a domineering air.

The recommender field is blank.

This means that he is waiting for Shuichi to fill in his name.

"Since Chairman Tsutsumi is so sincere..."

Shuichi took out his Montblanc pen from his pocket and unscrewed the cap.

"The doors of the Club are naturally open to true gentlemen."

He signed "Shuichi Saionji" in the recommender section.

Then, he stamped his personal seal in the approver column.

"Smack."

A soft sound.

The formalities are complete.

Shimada looked at the red mark, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

Mission accomplished. The Seibu Group saved face, and entered the circle in a rather respectable manner.

"Now that we're family, it'll be much easier to discuss some business matters."

Shimada took out another document from his bag.

This time, he moved a little faster.

"About that piece of land in Meguro Ward."

Shimada spread out the documents.

"The president has a habit: he doesn't like owing favors, and he especially doesn't like letting his friends suffer losses."

"That piece of land, although only 30 tsubo (approximately 13 square meters), is in a crucial location. The group's valuation department has recalculated and is willing to offer 500 million yen to buy it back."

Five hundred million.

Although it was half of the "billion" that Shuichi had originally promised, it was ten times the purchase price.

Moreover, it was a "face-saving price" acceptable to both parties. It neither made Seibu appear as a sucker being extorted, nor did it give the Saionji family a sufficiently generous profit.

"Five hundred million...?"

Shuichi pondered, seemingly weighing his options.

"Of course, this is only the cash portion."

Shimada seemed to have been prepared, as he produced a second document.

This is a letter of intent to lease.

"I heard that the Saionji family is recently expanding into the retail industry, with a brand called S-Style?"

Shuichi raised his head and looked at Shimada.

"The news spread very quickly."

"There are no secrets in this industry." Shimada smiled. "Seibu Department Store has vacated a 50-tsubo (approximately 33 square meters) independent shop on the first floor of both its Shibuya Koen-dori store and its Ikebukuro main store. Originally, these were reserved for Italian brands, but the chairman felt that we should support emerging local talents."

"Rent-free, three-year lease."

"In addition, all stations along the Seibu Railway line will have priority for the deployment of GG signs, with an S-Style discount of 30%."

Shuichi's heart beat slightly faster.

While 500 million in cash is tempting, these two shops and GG resources are the real priceless treasures.

Shibuya Park Street store. It's a pilgrimage site for young people all over Japan.

If S-Style could open there, it would be like standing directly at the forefront of fashion.

Not to mention the massive commuter traffic on the Seibu Railway.

This is a ticket to the mass market, a weighty "gift" from Yoshiaki Tsutsumi.

"President Tsutsumi is too kind."

Xiu closed the file, a genuine smile appearing on his face.

"Since that's the case, then I won't be coy anymore."

He picked up the land transfer agreement he had just seen, didn't even look at the specific terms, flipped directly to the last page, and signed his name.

"That land is yours."

Shuichi handed the agreement to Shimada.

"I will have someone remove the barbed wire fence tomorrow. I hope Seibu's 'Forest Park' can be completed soon."

"Thank you for your kind words."

Shimada put away the documents and stood up.

"Well then, I won't bother you any longer. Once the membership card is made, please send it directly to the Presidential Suite at the Akasaka Prince Hotel."

"must."

Shuichi also stood up and escorted Shimada to the entrance of the tea room.

The two shook hands again.

This time, the handshake was firmer and more powerful than last night.

It was a sense of relief that came after a certain tacit understanding had been reached.

"Please take care."

After watching Shimada's figure disappear at the end of the corridor, Shuichi returned to the tea room.

The tea in the teacup had gone cold.

"Come out."

Xiu Yi spoke to the screen behind him.

"Tea doesn't taste good when it gets cold."

Behind the screen, the sound of fabric rubbing together could be heard.

Satsuki came out.

She was wearing a loose beige cardigan today, and her hair was casually tied in a knot. She walked to the spot where Shimada had just sat, sat down, and picked up the photocopy of the membership application form.

"500 million in cash, two prime retail spaces, and a railway network."

Satsuki looked at the signature on the paper, a playful smile curving her lips.

"Father, how did this deal go?"

"It's a great deal."

Shuichi poured the herbal tea into the discarded basin and started boiling water again.

"It's better than I expected. I originally thought I'd be lucky to get 300 million."

"This is what 'leveraging' is all about."

Satsuki put down the paper, rested her chin on her hand, and looked at her father.

"If we stick to the billion, we might get the money in the end, but that would create a deadly feud. Yoshiaki Tsutsumi is the kind of person who holds grudges for a lifetime. The day we fall down, he'll definitely come back to kick us while we're down."

"But now..."

Satsuki pointed to the empty tea table.

"We gave him face and let him enter The Club with dignity."

"Moreover, with Yoshiaki Tsutsumi joining, the last piece of The Club's puzzle has been completed."

"The bloodline of the old Chinese, the bureaucrats of the Ministry of Finance, the elites of foreign investment banks, plus this emperor of the 'new chaebol'."

Satsuki's eyes sparkled.

"Now, this room is the real Tokyo control room."

As Shuichi listened to his daughter's analysis, a complex mix of emotions welled up inside him.

"Satsuki".

Shuichi poured his daughter a cup of freshly brewed tea.

"Is this the world of capitalism?"

He looked at the tea leaves floating in the tea soup.

"No grudges, just transactions?"

"No."

Satsuki took the teacup, the warmth spreading from her fingertips throughout her body.

She gently blew a breath and watched the ripples on the water's surface.

"Only the weak dwell on grudges. Because they are powerless, they can only comfort themselves by holding grudges."

"The strong only talk about deals."

She raised her head, and in her clear eyes shone a wisdom beyond her years.

"And, Father."

"Only when you have enough power to make the other person feel pain, and you personally hand them the painkiller."

"This kind of transaction is what we call 'friendship'."

"If it is obtained by kneeling and begging, that is called 'giving alms'."

Xiu was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Hahaha...what a great painkiller!"

He raised his teacup.

"Painkillers."

"A tribute to The Club."

Satsuki also raised her teacup.

"bite."

The porcelain cups clinked together, producing a dull, solid sound.

Sunlight streamed through the skylight, illuminating the camellia.

The petals are bright red, and the stamens are golden yellow.