National Tide 1980.

Once you go upstairs, it's a completely different scene.

Before Chie-mi and her companions even stepped into the restaurant, they were led by the hostess to the carved doorway and immediately felt the lively atmosphere mixed with a rich aroma wafting towards them.

Then, once you actually enter the business area, it becomes even more remarkable.

Aside from Chie-mi leading the way and following behind, the other three were all stunned by the restaurant's incredibly luxurious furnishings and opulent decor, leaving them speechless.

For no other reason than that this place is different from ordinary Chinese restaurants, which like to use tacky decorations like bright red and green.

Looking around, it's practically a dazzling golden world.

The restaurant's ceiling is adorned with gilded palace lanterns and dazzling crystal chandeliers.

The walls are covered with wallpaper featuring a subtle gold leaf pattern.

The table was covered with a gold tablecloth, and the chair backs were covered with gold brocade cushions.

Even the edges of the tableware are decorated with gold leaf, exuding the imperial grandeur of China.

That's not all. The key point is that after entering, they truly noticed that a huge bonsai tree was standing in the center of the golden hall.

The tree is covered with all kinds of exotic treasures shaped like flowers and fruits. They are not only dazzling, but every detail also shows the exquisite craftsmanship. They are works of art with the ultimate in craftsmanship.

As for the origin of this tree, it is certainly not a product of Japan.

Actually, after Ning Weimin's Tokyo restaurant separated from Tangong Restaurant, when the new store was being renovated and the signboard was changed, in order to have a store decoration that reflected the characteristics of the name "Jin Yu Man Tang" and also to save money, he specially arranged for several glass craftsmen from Beijing to fly to Tokyo to make it on-site.

It took more than 90 days and cost nearly 20 million yen to create three such flowering trees.

The business hall after entering only displays one of the potted plants; there are two more in the main hall inside.

However, it must be said that the tree placed at the very front, which is two or three meters tall, is already eye-catching enough.

First, let's talk about the shape of the precious tree. It progresses layer by layer from the main branches to the slender branches. The branches and trunks meander and twist as if they grow naturally. The carved textures are deep and shallow, and even the cracks in the bark and the forks of the branches are simulated without any flaws.

Then look at the connection between the flowers, leaves, and fruits—it's a seamless integration.

The edges of the glass petals are as thin as cicada wings, and the gilded fruit stems are slender yet firm, as if they would tremble slightly if a breeze were to blow by.

Especially the jade fragments and crystals inlaid among the leaves and flowers shimmer and sparkle like stars in the night sky when the light flows through them, giving the entire bonsai a lively and translucent feel.

As for the various flowers, leaves, fruits, and melons on the trees, they are even more exquisite.

The petals are mainly crimson, warm yellow, and pure white; the crimson is like the sunset, the warm yellow is like honey, and the pure white is like snow.

The material is not only as transparent as dew, but it also refracts a soft halo when light shines through it, as if a gentle touch would cause glistening water droplets to fall.

The fruits are selected in emerald green, amber orange, and pomegranate red, with the lush green "leaves" setting off the plump fruits, and the surface gleaming like solidified cream.

The texture is warm and delicate, with a slightly cool and smooth feel, yet it also has the hardness characteristic of glass.

It's easy to imagine that this tree is far more than just "beautiful".

Under the golden light and shadow of the restaurant, the colorful flowers, leaves and fruits blend together and shine individually, creating a dazzling visual feast.

Not only does it complement the restaurant's magnificent atmosphere and perfectly echo the restaurant's name "Gold and Jade Abundance," but it also showcases the unique artistic achievements of Chinese artisans in glassmaking.

Especially for Japanese people who have no knowledge of Chinese glassware, this is something that seems otherworldly, and the initial sense of amazement is overwhelming.

So whether it was Yoko Mochizuki or the two presidents, they couldn't take their eyes off them at first glance, and once they got closer, they couldn't move their legs. The more they looked, the more they couldn't help but admire them.

"It's amazing. Whose creative genius is this! To be able to combine all sorts of colorful flowers, leaves, fruits, and vegetables on one tree to create such a wonderful sight. It's truly ingenious." President Hashimoto was the first to speak.

"Yes, look how lifelike those petals are, and how crystal clear the fruits are. This is the first time I've ever seen such a beautiful work of art. And I must say, it's quite fitting for the restaurant's business. If such exotic flowers and plants really existed in this world, whoever had them could probably easily eat all the delicious fruits in the world," President Kobayashi chimed in.

"President Kobayashi is such a romantic. Perhaps this is the unique associative ability of an entrepreneur. Your words are quite inspiring to me, and they might even resonate with the shop owners."

Yoko Mochizuki is also very professional, always remembering to use compliments to guests to create a pleasant atmosphere.

Just then, the waiter who was waiting to seat them also spoke up.

Perhaps because she sees customers reacting like this every day, this waiter is already quite adept at handling such situations.

Her response was truly impressive, making everyone want to take a group photo in front of the precious bonsai tree right there and then.

"You guests certainly have insight; you understood our intentions almost immediately through this display piece. Indeed, in Chinese legends, this magical tree is called the 'Hundred Treasures Tree,' planted by immortals, blooming year-round and bearing a variety of fresh fruits. If such a tree truly existed, then, as you have said, we could enjoy all kinds of delicious fruits at will. Furthermore, our store's name is 'Gold and Jade Abundance,' which originally describes a dazzling array of rare and precious treasures, symbolizing a yearning for wealth, prosperity, and a good life. That's why we created this artwork as our centerpiece."

President Hashimoto then showed a look of sudden realization.

"I see. This is not only an auspicious artwork, but it is also actually related to your store's name."

Sure enough, he became even more interested because of this.

"Is this item also from China? It must have been very troublesome to transport it here, right?"

Kobayashi asked curiously, "What material is this? It must be very expensive. Its smooth and lustrous texture makes you want to touch it."

Yoko Mochizuki chimed in, "Indeed, it looks really beautiful. These materials can't be gemstones, can they?"

The waiter smiled and politely answered their questions again.

"This bonsai was actually specially crafted for our shop in Tokyo by a technician we brought in from China. Its main material is glass, but not ordinary glass. It's like Western artificial crystal. Its formal name is 'glass,' also known as 'imperial glass,' and it's considered an artificial gemstone product. Its origin and history can be traced back to the Imperial Household Department of the Qing Dynasty. It was a luxury item favored by high-ranking officials and nobles in the past, and its price was indeed exorbitant. Especially because glass can be shaped by human skill, it offers greater freedom in terms of size and form. Like this bonsai in our shop, in terms of grandeur and artistic level, gemstone bonsai can never reach its level. Even though it's not made of real gemstones, its size and the amount of labor involved significantly increase its production cost. To be honest, our shop has created three bonsai of this size, costing a total of over 300 million yen."

To be honest, the waiter didn't know the true cost of the three bonsai trees.

Her words exaggerated the actual cost by more than ten times.

The problem is, she wasn't just making things up, because that's exactly how the store instructed all employees to answer customers. The goal was simply to make customers think that "Golden Jade Hall" had high operating costs, thus elevating the store's image.

So when he said these words, the waiter felt no guilt or apprehension at all, and completely believed that what he said was true.

Even so, this price is not excessive for the Japanese, who were recently participating in art auctions on the international market.

After all, at that time, it would cost the Japanese at least tens of millions of dollars to acquire a Western oil painting.

In comparison, these three magnificent bonsai trees cost only a quarter of the price of a painting, which actually seems quite cost-effective.

So although the waiter's words surprised the two company presidents, they were not surprised by the price, but rather by the fact that there were three such exquisite items.

"What? There are actually three of these in total?"

"Yes. There are three pots in total. But strictly speaking, each 'fruit tree' will look exactly the same. The differences are quite significant."

"So where are the other two pots? Will we have the chance to see them?"

"Of course, please follow me inside, and you will soon see what you are looking for."

And so, their time there came to an end, and they followed the leader again, continuing their journey further inside.

Just as the hostess had said, they soon saw two more precious bonsai trees in the more spacious main hall.

The size and shape remain magnificent, and the details are equally realistic and exquisite.

Especially when two equally large but differently shaped glasswares are placed in the same room, the contrast makes the pair of precious trees appear even more majestic and dazzling.

So much so that the two presidents forgot they were there for a meal. They treated the hostess like a shop assistant, asking her more questions about the glassware and even making unreasonable requests.

"What should I do if I want to order something similar? Can your store help me make contact?"

"I'm sorry, I really can't and don't have the authority to grant your request. As you can see, my job is simply to lead everyone to their seats..."

"I see... Then, if it would be convenient for you to give me the contact information of the company that manufactures these things?"

"I'm sorry, sir, I still don't know the information you requested. If I may be frank, only our manager could possibly answer your question."

"Alright, if it's convenient, would it be possible to invite your store manager over for a chat?"

"Okay, I will pass on your request to the manager. Please wait a moment while I sit down."

Only after these words were spoken did the two presidents and their beautiful female companions finally find a decent seat in the restaurant.

Despite the fact that the seats around them were packed, and that waiters in uniform could be seen constantly moving among them, serving dishes of food to the guests at the next table.

However, the two presidents seemed to be in low spirits at this moment. For a moment, they were silent and did not even bother to open the exquisite menus they were holding.

For no other reason than that, although the host had agreed to their request, they knew very well that the host was probably just being perfunctory.

Such a high-end restaurant, yet so busy.

The guests who come here by reputation include social celebrities and high-ranking officials.

As the person in charge of a restaurant, the restaurant manager certainly has many important things to handle.

I'm afraid they don't have the time, nor is it possible, to meet with them just for something like this.

In other words, no matter how much they liked the glass art, they probably wouldn't have the chance to get their hands on it.

It's hard not to feel a little disappointed, a bit bored, and rather uninteresting.

So they really lost their appetite at this point, and after sitting down, they began to regret doing something that was both unreasonable and self-defeating.

However, things in this world often go beyond expectations; otherwise, it wouldn't be life.

Just like when they first arrived here today, they neither expected so many people to be queuing nor did they expect that they could cut in line.

At that moment, they had no idea that they would be completely captivated by the restaurant's decor, nor did they expect that the turning point would come from their female companions.

Chie, who is good at reading people, had already seen through their thoughts and took the initiative to bring up the topic again.

"Presidents, judging from your expressions, you really like those bonsai we just saw. I admit, they are indeed beautiful. But don't you think they're a bit expensive? The price of three bonsai is enough for me to open another club in Ginza."

"It's a bit pricey, but it's quite unique. As I just mentioned, it embodies a beautiful meaning and reflects the industry's emphasis on the abundance and freshness of food. My company also deals in the food industry. If I could have something like this in my office, it would definitely impress visiting clients, not only enhancing the office's ambiance but also making it easier to find more topics to discuss with them," responded Kobayashi, the president of Kobayashi Food Machinery.

"Yes, President Kobayashi and I have similar thoughts. However, I don't want to buy such a large item, but rather order several dozen smaller items, each about one meter long, as year-end gifts for important clients of the company. Such exquisite items will surely please them. Besides, the price isn't fixed. Something this big will definitely be expensive. But if the size is reduced, the price will certainly decrease proportionally." President Hashimoto of Hashimoto Trading Co., Ltd. also said this.

Clearly, they are all very competent company presidents with considerable business acumen, able to immediately connect anything they see to their own business.

But for Chiemi, what was more important was not these things, but these words finally made her certain that the two presidents were not afraid to spend money and had a genuine intention to make a purchase.

Therefore, whether from the perspective of pleasing the guests or from the perspective of personal interests, she could no longer stand idly by.

With a smile, she took the initiative to take the blame, "If that's the case, then leave it to me. I'll handle the contact and make sure the two club presidents' wishes are fulfilled."

"Hey, are you kidding me? Madam, are you really that sure?"

"So, the madam is quite familiar with the manager here. Could you please invite the manager over?"

Even Yoko Mochizuki was surprised at this moment, "Mama-san, what exactly are you going to do?"

Little did they know that Chiemi would wave her hand dismissively, with an extremely relaxed attitude.

"Don't worry, let me keep you in suspense for now. Let's order first. There are so many customers today, we might have to wait a long time. After we order, I'll go take care of this. I guarantee you both with my personal reputation that I won't let you down." (End of Chapter)