National Tide 1980.

In present-day Japan, due to the economic downturn, a wave of bankruptcies has erupted among small and medium-sized enterprises, and many aspects of society have changed.

For example, the number of homeless people on the roadside and in parks has started to increase without anyone noticing.

Long lines formed again at the job fair.

Unemployed people live in constant fear, and are even willing to kneel down in their desperate need for basic sustenance.

But even those who still have jobs aren't necessarily in a better position.

Along with the economic downturn, in addition to a wave of unemployment, salary cuts have become commonplace.

Even large companies have started to reduce labor costs, and some things that were previously considered unacceptable have suddenly become perfectly reasonable.

People are starting to cherish their money more, and they need to think more carefully about any purchase.

In this situation, the stability of families is also in jeopardy, and with the wave of unemployment, salary cuts, and divorces, a wave of divorces inevitably follows.

…………

On the same day, November 26, 1990, TBS television management had just finished their morning meeting when they received devastating news – the controlling shareholders of the television station, due to the severe economic situation and in order to cut costs and protect themselves, were demanding a review of everyone's work and decided to implement a large-scale pay cut starting immediately.

When this news reached the photography studio, it immediately triggered a strong reaction from the grassroots staff.

With everyone's lives affected, how can anyone still work hard?
Normally, people would be busy by this time, since this is the golden age for television stations, with huge audience demands and a greater emphasis on quality, requiring them to work against the clock.

But no one was in the mood to work today; everyone was incredibly depressed and huddled together arguing.

After all, this matter concerns everyone's survival.

In fact, almost everyone, including the producer, supervisor, and director, put aside their work and surrounded the person who brought the bad news, probing for details one after another.

"What did you say? The higher-ups ordered a pay cut? Don't be ridiculous!"

It's true;

The person who brought this devastating news was ashen-faced as if he had lost a son, his voice hoarse. "This is official notification, and the specific documents will be issued soon. I heard that the higher-ups intend to cut management's salaries by 10%, employees' by 15%, and stop bonuses. Overtime will be discouraged in all departments, and there will be no overtime pay. This will be implemented across the entire company starting this month, and this isn't the final blow; depending on the situation, there may be further reductions..."

Will it be lowered further?

This statement further enraged those at the grassroots level. How could people live if those in power didn't care about the suffering of ordinary people?
Then came the outburst of angry complaints.

"Why do this? Aren't the TV stations making good profits?"

"What does an economic downturn have to do with us? Doesn't a TV station's revenue depend entirely on its viewership ratings?"

"That's right. What are the TV station's management thinking? Is this legal?"

"The person who issued this order is shameless. In this industry, you can't just say no overtime and expect us to work overtime. Isn't this forcing us to work overtime for free?"

Unfortunately, complaints are just complaints, and even some of them could see that this matter was inevitable.

"What you're saying is useless. The station has already given sufficient reasons, saying that the consumption tax and declining corporate profits have led to a decrease in advertising revenue, putting the station under operational pressure. To cope with financial difficulties, the station plans to reduce costs by cutting production budgets and lowering artists' salaries. We're not even the ones with the biggest pay cuts; the artists are the most unfortunate. I heard that some top-tier artists have had their salaries reduced by half..."

"Half? Would those A-list celebrities agree to that?"

"What can we do if we don't agree? Who dares to go against a TV station? They'll be blacklisted. Besides, this matter will definitely get the support and follow-up of all TV stations. TBS is just the first to start taking action..."

"I don't care about the artists, I only care about our salaries. What does the union say? Can they help us negotiate with the station?"

"Unions are useless now. This is the overall trend in society. Are they going to organize a strike? If anyone's going to protest, it'll be the people from the bankrupt companies who will protest first..."

"Isn't the station afraid that everyone will resign?"

"Here we go again, what a stupid question. Who would dare quit their job at a time like this! Haven't you seen how many people are looking for work outside?"

"Where is our minister? What did he say?"

"The minister has already called a meeting at the programming committee. When he returns, it will most likely be a formal order. These kinds of things are orders from the entire upper echelons, even the controlling shareholder; no one else can do anything about it, so don't hold out any hope..."

"That's it?"

"What else can we do but accept it? The only thing we can do now is to cut back on expenses, go home and have a serious talk with our wives, and re-plan our lives..."

"Ah, that's the scariest part. We just bought a house, and my wife will kill me..."

"You're not the only one like this, I'm the same way, sigh..."

Suddenly, because everyone was terrified of talking about their wives, a wave of sympathy washed over them, making the film crew seem like they were about to go under.

…………

But then again, are the lives of even the top executives at TV stations really that much better than those of these corporate slaves?

Every family has its own set of problems.

Just like Director Kaga, although he is not troubled by the issue of a pay cut at this time, he has more troublesome family matters to deal with.

At that very moment, his men arrived at the coffee shop in front of the TV station and secretly met with the lawyer he had arranged to meet.

"Attorney Sekiguchi, it's like this, I need your help today."

"It seems like a very serious matter."

As his tone suggested, Director Kaga appeared slightly nervous.

The lawyer remained calm, as his profession had made him accustomed to such things.

"It's a private matter."

"It's alright, please tell me, I will keep it a secret for you."

"I want a divorce..." After saying this, Director Kaga looked at the lawyer with concern, "Are you... startled?"

"That's not true. There have actually been quite a few cases like this lately."

"A lot? Is that true?"

"I won't lie to you, it's mainly because of debt. Many wealthy families have had their emotional foundations shaken because of investments. You're not one of them, are you? Does your wife have any hidden debts?"

"You guessed right. She's not satisfied with the hair salon I set up for her; she's also made a lot of investments in stocks and bonds on the side, and she's even secretly mortgaged the property I live in now. If I let her continue to run wild, I'll be penniless..."

"So you mean..." the lawyer coaxed Director Kaga to completely reveal his true feelings.

"I want to end my marriage with her as soon as possible, and to cut ties regarding assets and debts. I hope you can help me recover as much of my losses as possible. I really don't want to be a victim. It's a bit unfair to her to say this, but if I continue this relationship, I'll go bankrupt sooner or later. You understand, right?"

“I understand you very well. Actually, you are right. This woman is about to become a burden, and now is definitely a good opportunity to separate from her. Moreover, given your status, it is not impossible for you to start a new marriage after the divorce. You are still very charming and attractive.”

"I'm getting old, and I probably won't remarry. To be honest, I already regret this marriage."

"Are you implying that Madam will not let this go so easily?"

"That's for sure, sir. If it weren't difficult, I wouldn't have come to you. I've heard you're very experienced in handling these kinds of cases. Do you have any good ideas?"

"My efficiency is directly proportional to the compensation I receive from my employers. Before you contacted me, you must have been aware of my fee schedule, right?"

"As for money, there's absolutely no problem. I'm willing to pay as you request," Director Kaga said, his gaze anxiously fixed on the other party.

The lawyer, having heard exactly what he wanted to hear, smiled slightly. "That's good. Forgive my bluntness, but the most efficient way to handle this kind of matter is for your wife to date younger men. Do you have any information on this? If so, we have the evidence and can directly determine the outcome."

However, Director Kaga looked troubled. "Well, I really can't say for sure. Logically speaking, given our age difference, she should have a lover. But to be honest, I'm still not sure. Maybe it's because I'm too busy, or maybe she's just very careful in this regard, but anyway, she's never let me catch a clue..."

"That's alright. Even if we don't have one, we'll create one for her. Listen to me, young men have nothing. Especially in today's society, some people are fearless when it comes to money. I'll help you find such a person. He'll directly lure your wife into the trap and provide evidence in our favor, as long as you don't mind..."

"I don't mind, but won't this cause any problems? You know, my reputation..."

"Have you forgotten my reputation in the industry? Don't worry, there won't be any trouble. I will get you a divorce that satisfies you."

The lawyer's words struck a chord deep within Director Kaga's heart.

"Really? You can even guarantee that the woman won't go crazy afterwards?"

"Of course, I can guarantee that as long as I'm on your side, you won't have to live in fear because of the divorce. All you need to do now are two things: first, protect your existing assets; second, keep your intention to divorce a secret. You can even try to treat your wife better, and make sure she doesn't find out beforehand..."

"You're right, you're really cautious. That's right, I only feel at ease hiring a lawyer like you."

"Thank you for your trust. It's settled then."

The lawyer and Director Kaga shook hands and said goodbye. Only after the lawyer left did Director Kaga finally breathe a sigh of relief. He rubbed his face a few times and leaned back slightly.

Then he stood up again, borrowed the coffee shop phone, and made a call. "Thank you. I'm very satisfied with the lawyer you recommended. It seems he should be able to help. If this matter is resolved smoothly, I will definitely repay you for this favor when I have the chance..."

…………

On the same day, Takahashi, the president of the Tokyo Meguro branch of Yamato Kanko, was actually in an even more awkward situation than Kaga, the director.

Because he needs to solve more than one problem; he is facing a double crisis in both his career and marriage.

That evening at 9 p.m., President Takahashi, who had worked overtime, went directly to the "Dantz" bar in Roppongi to drown his sorrows.

In fact, there was no need to say much. As soon as he sat down, his mother, Minako, who knew him well, could tell that something was wrong with him today.

The warm yellow light above the bar fell on his already wrinkled shirt collar. President Takahashi's cigarette, half-burned, was not even noticed as ash fell outside the ashtray.

When Minako placed the mixed whiskey in front of him, Takahashi was staring blankly in one direction, completely unaware that someone was approaching him.

It wasn't until Minako gently placed the glass with ice in front of him, and a few droplets of water from the glass stained his sleeve, that he snapped back to reality and gave a perfunctory thank you.

Compared to his unkempt, dazed, and decadent appearance, the photo on his work badge, which he had taken off his neck and placed on the bar, looked like that of a completely different person.

The man in the photo not only exudes confidence but also wears a spirited smile.

"Looks like you're really exhausted today."

"No, it's nothing."

"But that's strange. You usually come after ten o'clock, and you usually come with a friend. Why are you alone today? And you seem so distracted... Is something bothering you at work?"

"Actually, it's nothing much... it's just that our performance has declined quite a bit recently, and the Tokyo headquarters is a bit dissatisfied."

President Takahashi picked up his glass, took a sip, and swallowed the wine without letting it linger on his tongue.

The curve of his Adam's apple indicates that he swallowed much faster than usual.

Takahashi's gaze drifted to the travel poster hanging behind the bar, a Hawaii trip that he had asked the madam to recommend last year.

At the time, he even patted his chest and said, "Help me advertise in your store, and I'll cover all your expenses for your trip to Hawaii, including the best hotels and the best meals."

But now, he no longer has that confidence. Instead, he is filled with fear that he might be demoted or even lose his job.

"You think... Chairman Ning really holds a grudge against me? Otherwise, even with declining performance, the Tokyo headquarters wouldn't be so harsh. After all, this isn't just my branch's problem; the entire Japanese economy has deteriorated. Thinking about it now, I was really foolish. Why did I ever think of helping that guy Takahashi Harunori and taking Chairman Ning to his restaurant? Now it's all over. The economic collapse has become the perfect excuse to fire me, and I'll probably be looking for a job at an employment agency soon..."

Minako listened quietly without saying a word. She simply stood on the other side of the bar counter, reached out and stroked his face, smoothing the stray hairs that had fallen onto his cheek, using her feminine gentleness to ease his anxiety.

At the same time, she also noticed Takahashi's sideburns, where there were quite a few more gray hairs than she remembered, as if they had only appeared recently.

“The Tokyo headquarters also demanded that I lay off at least three people,” he lowered his voice, the bottom of his glass tapping lightly on the bar. “Yesterday I went to headquarters to submit reports, and the president didn’t even look at me. He just had his secretary relay the instructions to me. He used to talk to me directly. I felt this was a bad omen. Maybe this is all Chairman Ning’s doing…”

He suddenly stopped, his Adam's apple bobbing as if he had something stuck in his throat.

After a long pause, she added in a low voice, "If I really lose my job, I probably won't be able to come for a while."

Minako reached out and gently touched President Takahashi's hand, which was resting on the bar.

"What are you afraid of?"

Her fingertips gently traced the back of his hand, as if to soothe him, yet with a hint of ambiguity. "Even if you really don't have a job, it's okay. I'm looking for a business partner. Do you want to come? The salary won't be as high as yours before."

He paused for a moment, then forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"Don't joke with me. What could I possibly do here? Do your guests need me to keep them company while they drink?"

But despite saying that, he still grabbed her hand in return, much harder than usual, as if he had grasped a lifeline in his moment of gratitude.

"How about I talk to Xia? After all, we got along pretty well back then, and I even helped her open her shop in Ginza. I think with her relationship with Chairman Ning, she could put in a good word for you, which should be helpful, right?"

"Are you still in contact with Xia?"

"Of course, the feelings between women are something you men can't understand."

Takahashi's thumb rubbed repeatedly on the back of her hand, his gaze lingering on the ring on her finger.

He bought it for her in Singapore last year. He said, "This ring suits you very well," and she jokingly replied, "Wearing it is like marrying you."

Looking at it now, my eyes feel a little hot.

In reality, their relationship was only slightly more than that of friends.

However, over the past decade, he has continuously felt more genuine emotions and greater care from Minako than from his wife.

It's really hard to explain the fate in this life. The person who is most suitable for you is not your wife.

It is only during the lowest point in life that you can truly see a person for who they are.

If only they had met each other ten years earlier!
As soon as he finished speaking, his pager in his pocket suddenly vibrated, the screen lit up, and the caller ID showed an unfamiliar number.

He sighed, let go of Minako's hand, took out the bar's phone across the bar counter, and dialed the front desk according to the incoming call number.

Then his body froze instantly. The message from the headquarters twisted his expression, and the bad news chilled him to the bone.

After hanging up the phone without a word, he picked up a bar glass and drank it all in one gulp. The liquor dripped down his chin without him wiping it away; he just stared at the ice cubes left at the bottom of the glass.

Minako became worried again and asked him what had happened.

He then informed him in a hoarse voice, as if it had been sanded.

“It’s my wife. She’s already moved out with the kids. She left a message saying she’ll send me the divorce papers…”

"Why? Is it just because your work isn't going well?"

"Besides that, it's probably also because we bought another house at the beginning of this year with a loan. We originally wanted to make money, but now we've lost a lot of money, and she regrets it terribly. Unfortunately, she can't sell the house. So, she wants to dump the debt on me in this way..."

Takahashi's voice started off as one of frustration and indignation, but by the end, it had turned into a tearful expression of loss and sorrow.

Twenty years of marriage couldn't withstand the consequences of a failed investment.

The true nature of humanity can sometimes be truly unbearable to witness. (End of Chapter)