The God of Wealth starts with doing whatever you want

Chapter 499 What is he going to do?

Xu Yun was already awake when the morning sunlight streamed into the room through the gaps in the curtains.

He glanced at his phone; it was exactly 8:30.

There was still an hour and a half until 10 o'clock, the time I had agreed to meet with Haruka Ayase.

There are already dozens of unread messages in the WeChat group, all of them photos and complaints from that group of women during their trip to Guilin.

Xu Yun casually browsed through the messages and sent a "Good morning" emoji, which immediately drew a barrage of questions.

Hino: "So early? That's not like you, Young Master Xu."

Li Jinshu: "Could it be that you've had another romantic encounter in Tokyo?"

Xu Yun replied with a smile, "I did have one in my dream, but I forgot about it as soon as I woke up."

Zhong Yanyan: "Glib-tongued."

After chatting with everyone for a few minutes, Xu Yun got up to wash up.

Today he specifically chose a light gray casual suit with a white T-shirt underneath, which was neither too formal nor too casual.

At 9:50, Xu Yun arrived at the hotel lobby ahead of schedule.

He sat on the sofa, casually picked up a Japanese magazine and flipped through it, but his gaze kept drifting towards the elevator.

At 9:58, the elevator doors opened with a "ding".

Haruka Ayase came out.

Xu Yun looked up and was slightly taken aback.

Today, Haruka Ayase wore a light pink knit sweater and a beige long skirt, with a khaki trench coat on top. Her long hair was loosely tied back, revealing her fair neck.

Her makeup was very light, yet it perfectly highlighted the liveliness of her large eyes.

It's different from the classical beauty she had when she wore a kimono last night.

Today, she exudes a fresher and more lively charm.

"Good morning, Mr. Xu."

Ayase Haruka walked up to him, bowed slightly, and her cheeks flushed.

"Good morning."

Xu Yun stood up, looked her up and down, and smiled, "This outfit suits you very well."

"Thank you, thank you."

Ayase Haruka's face flushed even more. She subconsciously straightened her skirt and asked, "Where should we go first today? Is there anywhere in particular that Xu-san would like to go?"

"It's up to you to decide."

Xu Yun shrugged and said, "Anyway, I'm not familiar with Tokyo, so I'll just follow your arrangements, tour guide."

"How about we go to Senso-ji Temple first?"

Ayase Haruka thought for a moment and said, "It's the oldest temple in Tokyo, very unique, and there are also many traditional snacks nearby."

"Okay."

The two walked out of the hotel. Ayase Haruka originally planned to take Xu Yun on the subway, but Xu Yun directly hailed a taxi.

"Isn't taking the subway cheaper?" Ayase Haruka asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Time is more precious."

Xu Yun opened the car door for her and said, "And I'd like to hear more of your explanations, as a local."

On the bus, Ayase Haruka indeed dutifully acted as the tour guide.

"Senso-ji Temple was built in 628 AD and is the oldest temple in Tokyo."

Its official name is Kinryu-zan Senso-ji Temple, but everyone is used to calling it Senso-ji Temple..."

She explained in Japanese, speaking slowly and softly.

Xu Yun turned his head to look at her focused profile and suddenly asked in Japanese, "Ms. Ayase is so professional as a tour guide, did you often take your friends around Tokyo before?"

Ayase Haruka paused for a moment, then shook her head and explained, "Actually... this is my first time being a tour guide. I did a lot of research last night, and I'm afraid I won't do well today."

"So you stayed up all night preparing?" Xu Yun raised an eyebrow.

"Um……"

Ayase Haruka nodded shyly and said, "After all, this is the compensation I promised you, and I want to do my best."

Xu Yun's heart stirred slightly.

This Japanese girl was even more serious than he had imagined.

Twenty minutes later, the taxi stopped in front of the Kaminarimon Gate of Senso-ji Temple.

Even on non-holidays, the place is still bustling with people, and the huge red lanterns with the words "Raimon" written on them are magnificent.

"This is the famous Raimon Gate."

Ayase Haruka pointed to the lantern in front of the door and said, "It is the entrance to Senso-ji Temple and a symbol of Asakusa."

"Oh," Xu Yun replied.

The two of them walked through Kaminarimon Gate and into Nakamise-dori Shopping Street.

The streets are lined with shops selling all kinds of traditional handicrafts and snacks.

"This is ningyo-yaki, this is fried mantou, this is senbei..."

Ayase Haruka introduced the items with great enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling, and asked, "Xu-san, would you like to try some?"

What do you recommend?

"Hmm... Ningyo-yaki, I guess. Ningyo-yaki from Senso-ji Temple is very famous."

Ayase Haruka led Xu Yun to an old shop. After exchanging a few words with the shop owner in fluent Japanese, they bought two steaming hot Ningyo-yaki (doll-shaped cakes).

"Give."

She handed a portion to Xu Yun, then carefully took a small bite herself, squinting her eyes in satisfaction, and smiled, "Delicious."

Xu Yun couldn't help but laugh when she saw her childlike expression.

"What are you laughing at?" Ayase Haruka asked, puzzled.

"nothing."

Xu Yun casually said, "I just think you look cute when you eat."

"..."

Ayase Haruka's face flushed again. She lowered her head and ate the ningyo-yaki in small bites, not daring to look at Xu Yun again.

The two ate as they walked and soon arrived at the main hall of Senso-ji Temple.

Amidst the swirling smoke of incense, many tourists are devoutly worshipping.

"Shall we go and get a fortune telling?"

Ayase Haruka pointed to the fortune-telling area next to her and said, "The fortunes at Senso-ji Temple are very accurate."

"Okay."

Xu Yun followed her to the fortune-telling area, put in 100 yen, and shook out a fortune stick.

He opened the fortune slip, which was covered in Japanese writing.

"let me see……"

Ayase Haruka leaned closer, looking intently at the fortune slip, and said, "This is... a very auspicious fortune slip! It says that my career will have excellent development, and my interpersonal relationships will be very smooth..."

Xu Yun deliberately pointed to one of the lines and teased in Japanese, "But it clearly says here, 'The Red Phoenix Star is moving, and peach blossoms are about to arrive.'"

Doesn't this foreshadow a lucky day for romance?

"Eh?"

Ayase Haruka leaned closer, took a closer look, and then her face flushed red.

“Mr. Xu, you’ve misread it! This…this line of work refers to ‘help from a benefactor,’ not ‘romantic luck’…”

"But I only care about peach blossoms."

Xu Yun looked at her with a smile, a hint of teasing in his eyes, and said with a laugh, "Miss Ayase is dressed so beautifully today, could she be my lucky charm?"

"Please, please don't make such a joke!"

Haruka Ayase hurriedly took a half step back, bowing her head to adjust the cuffs of her kimono.

Although she wasn't wearing a kimono at all today.

Xu Yun could clearly see that the tips of her ears were bright red, and her chest was rising and falling slightly, indicating that her heart was beating very fast.

"Okay, I won't tease you anymore."

Seeing that he had won, Xu Yun folded the slip of paper and put it away, then asked, "Where are we going next?"

Ayase Haruka took a few deep breaths to calm herself down and said, "P.S. There's a food street nearby with lots of Tokyo specialties. Would you like to try some, Xu-san?"

"of course."

The food street was even more lively than Nakamise-dori, with a variety of aromas mingling together, making one's mouth water.

Ayase Haruka led Xu Yun to a takoyaki stall.

"This is takoyaki, a specialty of Osaka, but it's also very popular in Tokyo."

She bought one, handed it to Xu Yun, and reminded her, "Be careful, it's hot."

Xu Yun picked up a piece with a bamboo skewer and looked at the various sauces placed next to him: "Do we need to add all of these?"

"It's usually served with sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes..."

Before Ayase Haruka could finish speaking, Xu Yun picked up a wasabi tube and squeezed a large dollop onto the takoyaki.

"Wait! That's wasabi—"

But it's too late.

Xu Yun put the whole takoyaki into her mouth.

The next second, his expression froze.

The intense spiciness hit my nasal cavity and forehead, and tears welled up instantly.

"Water... water..."

He uttered a few words with difficulty.

"Here you go!"

Haruka Ayase hurriedly took out a bottle of mineral water from her bag, unscrewed the cap, and handed it over.

Xu Yun took the water and gulped down several mouthfuls before he could barely recover, but his eyes were still red and he looked extremely disheveled.

"puff……"

Seeing his expression, Ayase Haruka couldn't help but laugh and said, "Xu-san is like a child. I haven't even finished speaking yet..."

"dare you laugh?"

Xu Yun glared at her.

But because her eyes were still filled with tears, her glare had no intimidating power.

"sorry Sorry."

Ayase Haruka stopped laughing, but the corners of her mouth were still turned up as she said, "However... this Xu-san feels very real."

She paused, then pointed to a small, old-looking shop not far away and said, "When I was little, I often came to that shop to eat takoyaki."

Back then, I didn't have much pocket money, and I could only afford to eat this once a week, but every time I did, I felt incredibly happy.

Xu Yun followed her finger and looked: "That shop is still there."

"Yes, it's been open for over thirty years."

Ayase Haruka's eyes softened as she said, "The shop owners are an elderly couple. They were already very old when I was a child, and they should be..."

She didn't finish speaking, but Xu Yun understood what she meant.

"Shall we go take a look?" he asked.

Haruka Ayase hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

The two walked up to the small shop.

The shop is indeed very old; the lettering on the signboard is faded.

But there were several people queuing at the door, so business seemed to be good.

"Is it really Ayase-chan?"

An old voice came from inside the shop.

Ayase Haruka looked up and saw an elderly woman with white hair smiling at her.

"Grandma Sato!"

Ayase Haruka exclaimed in surprise, "You remember me?"

"Of course I remember, Haruka, who always saved up her allowance to eat takoyaki."

The old lady stepped out from behind the counter, carefully examined Ayase Haruka, and said with a smile, "You've grown up and become even more beautiful. And this is..."

Her gaze shifted to Xu Yun.

"This is Mr. Xu."

Haruka Ayase introduced, "My friend is from China."

"Welcome, welcome, friends from China!"

The old lady said warmly, "Come, come, Grandma will treat you to takoyaki. Same as usual, no wasabi, right?"

"Ok!"

Haruka Ayase nodded vigorously.

While waiting, Ayase Haruka whispered to Xu Yun, "My parents are very busy with work, and when I was little, my grandmother Sato often took care of me."

Sometimes when I forget my keys, I do my homework here while waiting for my parents to come home from get off work.

Xu Yun listened attentively without interrupting her.

"Later, I went to middle school and university, and I came less often. After I started working, I was even busier and had no time..."

Her voice carried a hint of nostalgia as she sighed, "I never expected that Grandma Sato would still remember me."

"The people who are truly important will never be forgotten."

Xu Yun said softly.

Ayase Haruka looked up at him and found that his eyes were serious, without his usual playful expression.

At that moment, she suddenly realized that this seemingly cynical man actually had a very gentle side.

The takoyaki was ready quickly, and the old lady gave me a few extra.

"Take good care of our little Yao."

Before leaving, the old lady said this to Xu Yun and winked at Ayase Haruka.

Ayase Haruka's face turned red again.

After leaving the Senso-ji area, Ayase Haruka asked, "Where do you want to go next, Xu-san? How about Akihabara? It's a mecca for anime and electronics."

"Are you very familiar with that place?" Xu Yun asked in return.

"Well... I often go there to find inspiration because of my work."

Ayase Haruka, a little embarrassed, said, "Am I too much of a shut-in?"

"No, it's very cute," Xu Yun replied naturally.

He said I was cute?
Ayase Haruka's heart skipped a beat again.

The atmosphere of Akihabara is completely different from that of Senso-ji Temple.

The area is filled with anime posters, game advertisements, and maid café signs, and young people dressed as cosplayers can be seen everywhere on the street.

"This is a paradise for otaku."

Haruka Ayase said with a smile, "But there are also many creators like me who come here to find inspiration."

"A maid cafe must be really interesting," Xu Yun thought to herself, but she held back and didn't let the other person take her in to experience it.

Ayase Haruka took Xu Yun to several anime merchandise stores, introducing various characters and works with great familiarity. Xu Yun didn't know much about anime, but he listened with great interest.

"This is merchandise from Spirited Away. Hayao Miyazaki's works are very popular in China, right?"

Haruka Ayase picked up a No-Face doll.

"Yes, I watched it when I was a kid."

Xu Yun nodded and said, "But I'm more interested in that."

He pointed to an arcade across the street.

"A claw machine?"

Ayase Haruka was somewhat surprised and asked, "What does Xu-san like to play?"

"Want to try."

The two entered the arcade, and Xu Yun exchanged a bunch of game tokens before heading straight for the claw machine area.

But it turns out.

Passion alone isn't enough to win at claw machines.

Twenty minutes later, Haruka Ayase had spent three thousand yen but hadn't managed to catch a single doll.

"It shouldn't be..."

She frowned and stared at the machine, saying, "I think that angle was perfectly fine just now."

Xu Yun was struggling to suppress her laughter.

"Let me try?"

He finally spoke.

Ayase Haruka stepped aside, and Xu Yun inserted game coins and manipulated the joystick.

His movements were practiced and his eyes were focused.

As the robotic claw descended, it accurately caught a cherry blossom-themed doll and then steadily delivered it to the exit.

Success on the first try.

"Give."

Xu Yun took out a doll, handed it to Ayase Haruka, and said with a smile, "This is your 'tour guide compensation'."

Ayase Haruka took the doll, her fingertips inadvertently touching the other person's hand.

She recoiled as if electrocuted, her ear tips instantly turning red.

"Thanks."

Haruka Ayase played with the small doll, and said with a somewhat embarrassed smile, "It seems that I really don't have any talent in this area."

"Just practice more."

Xu Yun laughed and said, "I couldn't catch it when I was a kid either, but I practiced for a long time afterward."

"Did you frequent arcades when you were a kid?"

"Hmm...sometimes I'll sneak in."

"I envy you so much."

Ayase Haruka stuck out her tongue and pouted, "My parents won't allow it, saying it will affect my studies, but I just like it, and I'll sneak over here occasionally."

Looking at the rare mischievous expression on her face, Xu Yun suddenly realized that this girl was much more complicated than he had imagined.

On the surface, she is a serious and well-behaved illustrator, but deep down she has her own little rebellious streak and persistence.

It was past 3 p.m. when we left Akihabara.

"Are you tired?" Xu Yun asked.

"Fortunately."

Ayase Haruka shook her head. "Where's Xu-san? Do you want to rest for a bit?"

Let's find a place to sit down.

The two entered a quiet coffee shop.

Xu Yun ordered an Americano, while Ayase Haruka ordered a latte.

While waiting, Xu Yun took out his phone and checked it.

Dozens more messages appeared in the WeChat group.

He casually flipped through the pages, unaware that Ayase Haruka's gaze had fallen on his phone's screen saver.

That was a group photo taken in Jiangcheng with Xinuo, Su Mu, Zhong Yanyan, and a group of other women.

Everyone was laughing happily, and Xu Yun was surrounded in the middle, his expression a mix of helplessness and doting affection.

Ayase Haruka's eyes darkened.

She hesitated for a long time before finally asking, "Xu Sang... are those women on your phone's screensaver very important to you?"

Xu Yun looked up, saw her cautious expression, and nodded frankly: "Yes."

Ayase Haruka's heart sank.

But Xu Yun quickly added, "They are my friends from Jiangcheng. But today—"

He put away his phone and looked into Ayase Haruka's eyes. "All I remember are the cherry blossoms in Tokyo and a clumsy but very earnest illustrator who was my guide."

"..."

Ayase Haruka was stunned.

A few seconds later, she suddenly turned her head and pretended to look at the scenery outside the window.

But Xu Yun clearly saw that the corners of her mouth were subtly turning up, and her cheeks were tinged with a faint pink.

"Next...would you like to go for a walk in Yoyogi Park?"

Ayase Haruka didn't turn around, and said in a soft voice, "The scenery there is beautiful, perfect for a walk."

"Okay."

Yoyogi Park was much larger than Xu Yun had imagined.

Lush trees, wide lawns, and people strolling leisurely.

Compared to the bustling Ginza and lively Akihabara, this place feels like another world.

"I often come here when I'm in a bad mood."

Ayase Haruka walked beside Xu Yun and suddenly said, "Looking at these big trees makes me realize how insignificant my troubles are."

"Are you often in a bad mood?" Xu Yun asked.

"When I'm under a lot of work pressure."

Haruka Ayase smiled and explained, "The illustrator industry is very competitive. Sometimes you have to revise dozens of drafts for a project, which can really drive you crazy."

"So how do you relieve stress?"

"Come here for a walk, or... have some sweets."

Ayase Haruka was a little embarrassed and laughed, "That's why my weight has always been dangerous, constantly fluctuating between dieting and binge eating."

Xu Yun looked her over and said, "You can't tell at all."

"That's because I specifically chose clothes that make me look slimmer today..."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Ayase Haruka regretted them.

Why did she say that?

It sounds like she cares a lot about what Xu Yun thinks of her!
Xu Yun smiled and said, "I see. But I think you're fine as you are. You don't need to be too thin."

"……Thanks."

Ayase Haruka's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

The two strolled slowly along the tree-lined path, chatting about trivial matters.

Xu Yun discovered that Ayase Haruka was actually a very talkative person.

Once she finds a topic that interests her, she can talk nonstop.

She talked about the nervousness she felt when she took on her first commercial illustration job, the fun things that happened in the studio, and her aspirations for the future.

Xu Yun mostly just listened, occasionally responding with a few words.

But his focused gaze made Ayase Haruka realize that he was genuinely listening, not just going through the motions.

She hadn't felt this way in a long time.

Before we knew it, the sun began to set in the west.

"It's almost time to go back..."

Ayase Haruka glanced at the time, but before she could finish speaking, she suddenly felt a drop of water fall on her face.

She looked up, and more raindrops began to fall.

"It's raining?"

Xu Yun also looked up at the sky.

The sky, which was clear just a moment ago, is now covered with dark clouds.

The rain intensified rapidly, turning from a drizzle into a downpour.

"I...I brought an umbrella!"

Haruka Ayase hurriedly pulled a folding umbrella out of her bag and opened it.

But the umbrella is really too small; it's a typical single-person umbrella.

Even with the two of them huddled together, half of their shoulders were still exposed.

"Come closer."

Xu Yun naturally put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him.

Ayase Haruka's body stiffened.

She could clearly feel the warmth of Xu Yun's arm and smell his faint, refreshing fragrance.

Rain pattered against the umbrella, blurring the surrounding world.

There were only the two of them in the small space under the umbrella.

"You'll catch a cold like that."

As Xu Yun spoke, he took off his coat and draped it over Ayase Haruka's shoulders. The coat still carried his body heat, instantly dispelling the chill of the rain.

Ayase Haruka looked down and saw the two people's reflections huddled together in the puddle, like a real couple.

Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her chest.

“Xu Sang…”

She spoke softly.

"Ok?"

"You are actually... very gentle."

After saying that, Haruka Ayase wished she could bite off her own tongue.

What is she saying?! It's so blunt!
Xu Yun was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "You're the first person to say that about me. They all say I'm a jerk."

"They don't understand you."

Ayase Haruka blurted it out, then regretted it.

What right does she have to say such a thing?
She and Xu Yun had only known each other for a day.

Xu Yun didn't reply, but simply tightened his grip on her arm.

The rain gradually subsided, but none of them moved. They just stood under the umbrella, watching the park in the rain.

Finally, Ayase Haruka was the first to come to her senses: "Um... the rain seems to be getting lighter, shall we go? I'll take you back to your hotel?"

Let me take you home first.

Xu Yun said with a smile, "It's not safe for a girl to be alone at night."

"But……"

"No buts."

Xu Yun said jokingly, "You don't want me to talk to your boss, do you?"

"..."

Haruka Ayase's home is in Meguro Ward, in a quiet, upscale apartment building.

By the time the taxi stopped downstairs, the rain had completely stopped.

The two got out of the car and stood at the entrance of the apartment.

"Thank you so much for today."

Haruka Ayase bowed deeply and said, "I'm very happy."

"Me too."

Xu Yun smiled and said, "You're a very competent tour guide."

Ayase Haruka straightened up, but did not leave immediately.

She bit her lip, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.

"Is there anything else?" Xu Yun asked deliberately.

"that……"

Ayase Haruka mustered her courage, looked up at him, and said, "Today is the happiest day I've had recently. If... if Xu-san comes to Tokyo again, can I still be your tour guide?"

Her eyes sparkled, filled with both anticipation and unease.

"Not necessarily, wait until I come to Tokyo."

Xu Yun replied, "Perhaps I will invite you to visit China. Jiangcheng has many delicious foods, even better than takoyaki."

"Really, really?"

Ayase Haruka's eyes lit up instantly.

"of course."

Xu Yun took out his phone and said, "Here, let's add each other on WeChat so we can stay in touch."

"it is good!"

Ayase Haruka quickly took out her phone, and the two added each other as friends.

"Then... I'll go up."

She walked towards the apartment door, turning back every few steps.

"Ayase."