The God of Wealth starts with doing whatever you want

The Tokyo night after the rain was damp and cool, and the lights from the apartment building cast dappled patterns of light through the puddles.

Ayase Haruka was being led by Xu Yun's hand, and the warmth from his palm made her feel a little dazed.

She looked up at Xu Yun, whose eyes, which always held a smile, appeared particularly deep in the dim light.

“Xu Sang…”

She spoke softly, her voice hesitant and tinged with barely perceptible nervousness, saying, "Isn't this... not a good idea?"

"What's wrong?"

Xu Yun turned her head to look at her, a slight smile playing on her lips, and asked, "I just wanted to have a cup of hot tea to warm myself up. What are you thinking about?"

"I...I wasn't thinking anything!" Ayase Haruka hurriedly denied, but her cheeks were burning uncontrollably.

Xu Yun chuckled softly, released her hand, and said, "Just kidding. If you feel uncomfortable, I'll go back to the hotel now."

He made a gesture as if he were about to turn and leave, his movements so natural that it seemed as if the hand-holding gesture just now was unintentional.

"and many more!"

Upon seeing this, Ayase Haruka almost instinctively called out to him.

Xu Yun stopped and turned around to look at her curiously.

Haruka Ayase bit her lower lip, her fingers unconsciously twisting together.

Looking at Xu Yun's shoulders, wet with rain, she recalled how he had unhesitatingly draped his coat over her shoulders under the umbrella earlier, and a soft spot in her heart was gently touched.

"Please...please come up."

Ayase Haruka took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound calm, and said, "I'll make you some tea."

Xu Yun looked at her, who was clearly nervous but trying to appear calm, and a smile flashed in his eyes. He nodded and said, "Then I'll take my leave."

Pshaw, he's not exactly a gentleman!

In the apartment elevator, the cramped space made the distance between the two seem exceptionally close.

As Ayase Haruka stared at the ever-rising floor numbers, she could clearly feel Xu Yun's presence beside her.

His faint, refreshing scent mingled with the damp air after the rain, creating a unique aroma that made her heart race.

Xu Yun suddenly asked, "Do you live alone?"

"Ah."

Haruka Ayase nodded and replied, "My parents live in Yokohama, and I rented this apartment in Tokyo for work convenience."

"This is a very quiet place."

"Yes, I really like the environment here."

The brief conversation between Xu Yun and Ayase Haruka eased the tense atmosphere somewhat.

The elevator dinged as it arrived at the floor, and Ayase Haruka took out her keys and opened the door.

"Please come in."

She stepped aside to let Xu Yun enter first, bent down and took out a pair of men's slippers from the shoe cabinet, saying, "These are my father's slippers when he occasionally comes to Tokyo, they might be a little big..."

"It's ok."

Xu Yun smiled as she took the slippers and put them on, her gaze naturally sweeping across the living room.

The apartment wasn't big, but it was decorated very warmly.

The sofa is off-white, the bookshelves are made of natural wood, and several illustrations, clearly painted by the owner himself, hang on the wall—the style is fresh and the colors are soft.

A graphics tablet and several sketches were scattered on the workbench by the window, with a cup of coffee that had gone cold next to it.

"The house is a bit messy, sorry."

Ayase Haruka blushed and hurriedly went over to tidy up the workbench, organizing the scattered papers.

"It has a very homey feel."

Xu Yun walked to the bookshelf and looked at the neatly arranged books, mostly art books and novels, as well as some Chinese learning textbooks.

"Are you still learning Chinese?"

"Hmm...it just started recently."

Ayase Haruka replied somewhat shyly, "Because I occasionally come into contact with some Chinese clients at work, I wanted to learn a little bit on my own."

Xu Yun pulled out a beginner's Chinese textbook, opened it, and saw dense notes inside.

The handwriting is neat, and each page has pronunciations and explanations marked with different colored pens.

"Looks like you're studying very hard."

He made a mental assessment.

"I'll go make some tea!"

As if suddenly remembering something, Ayase Haruka strode towards the kitchen and called out, "Mr. Xu, please make yourself at home."

"Okay, no rush."

Xu Yun put the book back in its place and sat down on the sofa.

The sofa was soft and had a faint lavender scent, just like her own.

The sound of boiling water and the soft clinking of porcelain pieces came from the kitchen.

Xu Yun leaned back on the sofa, her gaze falling on an illustration on the wall.

The painting depicts Yoyogi Park in the rain, where a girl holds a small umbrella, her back view lonely yet resolute.

"I drew that last year."

Haruka Ayase came out carrying a tray, followed his gaze, and explained, "I was going through a rough patch at work and was in a bad mood, so I drew this."

"Nice painting."

Xu Yun sincerely said, "I watched it, and I felt a strong emotional connection to it."

Ayase Haruka placed her teacup on the coffee table, sat down on the single sofa opposite him, and said awkwardly, "I was just doodling..."

"Do not."

Xu Yun picked up his teacup, his gaze softening in the rising steam, and said, "A work that can move people is never drawn 'casually'."

"..."

Ayase Haruka paused slightly, then looked up at him.

Xu Yun took a sip of tea and continued, "There's something very clean about your paintings, just like the places you took me to see today."

The old shops of Senso-ji Temple, the claw machines in Akihabara, and the trees in Yoyogi Park.

You have a knack for finding those simple yet beautiful moments in life.

Xu Yun spoke these words calmly and with an air of literary elegance, which made Ayase Haruka's heart tremble.

In all my life, no one has ever praised her paintings like this.

Editors always say, "The color scheme is good," or "The composition needs adjustment," while clients always ask, "Make it more commercial," or "Make it more in line with market trends."

Xu Yun, a man she had only known for a day, immediately saw what she wanted to express.

"Thanks……"

Her voice became choked with emotion.

Xu Yun put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and asked, "Why are you crying?"

"nothing."

Ayase Haruka shook her head, rubbed her eyes, and smiled happily, "It's just... it's been a long time since anyone said that."

Xu Yun laughed and said, "That's because you didn't meet me sooner. I'm very good at giving compliments."

"I can see it now, O(∩_∩)O haha~" Ayase Haruka couldn't help but laugh.

However, the living room fell into a brief silence for no apparent reason the next moment.

The rain outside the window has stopped, and only the occasional sound of cars driving through puddles can be heard.

The warm yellow light shone on the two of them, creating an almost private atmosphere.

Xu Yun's gaze fell on Ayase Haruka's face.

Her eyelashes were long, casting a soft shadow under her eyes.

Because of the action of rubbing her eyes earlier, the corners of her eyes were slightly red, giving her a delicate and beautiful appearance.

He suddenly spoke: "Ayase."

"Hmm?" Ayase Haruka looked up and met his gaze.

Their eyes met in mid-air.

Ayase Haruka felt as if she were being drawn into Xu Yun's gaze, and her heart raced uncontrollably.

"You today..."

Xu Yun paused for a moment, then spoke up, "It's very beautiful, I like it very much."

Those few simple words made Ayase Haruka catch her breath.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found her throat tight and she couldn't utter a single word.

She could only stare blankly at him, at his eyes that seemed to see right through people.

Xu Yun slowly stood up.

Ayase Haruka subconsciously stood up as well, but because she moved too quickly, her knee accidentally hit the edge of the coffee table.

"Ah—" she gasped softly, losing her balance and falling forward.

A strong arm caught her waist just in time.

Seeing this, Xu Yun steadily supported her body.

This instantly brought the two of them so close that they were almost touching.

From mid-air, Ayase Haruka could clearly see the lines of his collarbone below his shirt collar and feel the warmth of his arm through the thin fabric.

"Be careful."

Xu Yun's voice rang out above her head, carrying a faint hint of amusement.

Ayase Haruka's face instantly turned bright red.

She hurriedly tried to stand up straight, but found that Xu Yun's hand did not let go of hers.

"Xu... Xu Sang..." she whispered, her voice tinged with obvious panic.

"Ok?"

Xu Yun looked down at her meaningfully.

Their faces were so close that she could count the number of his eyelashes.

The air seemed to freeze at that moment.

Ayase Haruka could hear her own heart pounding like a drum, and could feel Xu Yun's breath gently brushing against her forehead.

His arms were still wrapped around her waist, strong and powerful.

Time passed second by second, each second feeling like an eternity.

Finally, Xu Yun let go.

"Feel sorry."

He took a step back, released her, and said, "Did I hurt you just now?"

"N-no." Ayase Haruka quickly shook her head, her fingers unconsciously gripping the hem of her clothes.

The ambiguous atmosphere of that moment just now seemed to have never existed, but Ayase Haruka knew that some things were different now.

The warmth of his hand still seemed to linger on her waist, and her heart was still beating incredibly fast.

"The tea is delicious."

Xu Yun picked up her coat draped over the back of the sofa and said somewhat listlessly, "It's getting late, I should go back."

“Xu Sang…”

Xu Yun walked to the door, just about to change into her own shoes, when he saw him call out to her. She asked, puzzled, "Is there anything else?"

Ayase Haruka stood there, a little shy, head bowed, and whispered, "The breakfast I made was delicious, would you like some?"

"of course."

Xu Yun smiled and said, "If you're willing, I'd really like to."

"Then please stay tonight, I beg you." Ayase Haruka gritted her teeth, bowed, and said loudly.

Xu Yun: "Okay."

So, the two of them spent a sleepless night.

Haruka Ayase also showed Xu Yun what Tokyo Hot really meant!
……

The next morning, Xu Yun was woken up by her phone alarm.

He glanced at the time; it was 7:30 in the morning.

Lin Zhengyu arranged for him to meet at Sony Group at 9:30 today to discuss cooperation matters.

There was a note left by Haruka Ayase on the bedside table.

She's already gone to work; breakfast is ready and on the table.

Xu Yun got up, went to the dining table, looked at the loving breakfast the other person had prepared for him, and started looking at his phone while eating.

There are several unread messages, all sent by that group of women from Jiangcheng.

Xu Yun casually browsed through the messages, replied with a few emojis, finished eating, got up to wash up, and then went to Sony headquarters to meet up with Lin Zhengyu.

Sony's headquarters building is located in Shinagawa Ward and is a modern glass curtain wall building.

The car was parked in front of the building, where staff members were already waiting.

"Mr. Xu, Mr. Lin, welcome to Sony."

A middle-aged woman in a business suit bowed and greeted him, saying, "I am Matsumoto, the assistant to Vice President Tanaka. Please follow me."

Led by Matsumoto, the two walked through the spacious and bright lobby and took a private elevator to the high-rise conference room.

Inside the conference room, Sony representatives had been waiting for quite some time.

The man at the head of the group was a man in his fifties with his hair neatly combed; he was Kenichi Tanaka, Vice President of Sony's Entertainment Division.

“Mr. Xu, I’ve long admired your name,” said Kenichi Tanaka in fluent Chinese, extending his hand.

"Mr. Tanaka, it's a pleasure to meet you." Xu Yun shook hands with him. After exchanging pleasantries, they took their seats, and the meeting officially began.

Xu Yun mostly just listened, occasionally adding a few words to Lin Zhengyu's side at crucial points.

His Japanese was fluent, and he didn't even need a translator when he spoke, which made the people from Sony take a second look at him.

Halfway through the meeting, Kenichi Tanaka signaled a pause: "Mr. Lin, Mr. Xu, we are very interested in the joint development plan you proposed."

"Why don't we take a break first, and I'll show you around our cultural and office area?"

Lin Zhengyu smiled and said, "Great, it would be my honor."

The group then left the conference room and, led by Tanaka, toured the office area of ​​Sony's entertainment division.

In the open-plan workspace, employees are busy, some discussing projects, others drawing on their computers, creating a professional yet creative atmosphere.

As Xu Yun passed a design department, he paused slightly.

Through the glass wall, he saw a familiar figure.

Haruka Ayase was standing in front of a middle-aged male manager, head down, holding a stack of blueprints in her hand.

The supervisor was saying something, his expression stern, his finger occasionally pointing at the drawings.

Ayase Haruka's face was somewhat pale, but she still tried her best to maintain a polite smile.

"That's our illustration design team."

Tanaka noticed Xu Yun's gaze and introduced with a smile, "I'm currently designing characters for the next game."

Xu Yun did not respond immediately.

He looked at the scene inside the glass wall and saw that the supervisor was getting more and more excited as he spoke, even picking up a blueprint and shaking it in the air.

Ayase Haruka lowered her head even further, her fingers gripping the hem of her clothes tightly.

"Mr. Tanaka."

Xu Yun suddenly spoke, his voice calm: "Your company's management style seems to be very... strict?"

"..."

Tanaka paused for a moment, followed his gaze, and his expression changed slightly.

"That's Group Leader Yamamoto."

Matsumoto's assistant explained in a low voice, "He has very high standards for the work..."

"High standards are a good thing."

Xu Yun interrupted her, her gaze still fixed on Ayase Haruka, and said with a smile, "But she's still a girl, and I also think her paintings and designs are very good."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to everyone around him.

Tanaka's expression turned serious, and he asked in confusion, "Mr. Xu knows her?"

"I know her; she's a very nice girl."

Xu Yun laughed and said, "I was bored yesterday, so she accompanied me around Tokyo all day."

"Oh."

He winked at Matsumoto, who immediately understood and strode towards the design department.

Inside the glass wall, Team Leader Yamamoto continued, "Ayase, this is your third version already!"
The client wants commercially viable designs, not your personal artistic creations!

If you still can't do a good job, you don't need to stay with this project anymore!

"I'm sorry, I'll revise it again..." Ayase Haruka said softly.

"Change it? That's what you said before!"

Yamamoto waved his hand impatiently and said angrily, "I think you're just not capable enough. I shouldn't have hired you in the first place..."

"Team Leader Yamamoto." Matsumoto pushed open the door and entered, his voice calm.

Yamamoto turned and saw Matsumoto, immediately adopting a respectful expression: "Assistant Matsumoto, what brings you here?"

Matsumoto ignored him and instead looked at Ayase Haruka, smiling slightly, "Ms. Ayase, Vice President Tanaka would like to see you."

"See me?" Ayase Haruka was stunned.

“Yes, please follow me.” Matsumoto gestured to the side.

Yamamoto's expression tensed: "Matsumoto, Assistant, Ayase is receiving work guidance right now, should we wait a bit..."

“Vice President Tanaka’s instructions are now.” Matsumoto glanced at him, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Yamamoto: "..."

Ayase Haruka followed Matsumoto out of the design department in a daze, only to look up and see Xu Yun standing not far away.

The two looked into each other's eyes again.

Ayase Haruka's eyes widened instantly, her face filled with surprise and disbelief.

She never expected to see Xu Yun here, under these circumstances.

I felt a little embarrassed.

Because he must have just seen himself being scolded.

That would be so embarrassing.

Xu Yun nodded slightly to her, blinked, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on her lips.

"Miss Ayase."

Tanaka stepped forward and said in a friendly manner, "I heard you're involved in the character design project for 'Journey to the Fantasy Realm'?"

"Yes, it is."

Haruka Ayase hurriedly bowed and said, "Hello, Vice President Tanaka."

"Do not be nervous."

Tanaka smiled and said, "This is Mr. Xu Yun from China, an important partner of ours. He saw you working just now and was very interested in your work."

Ayase Haruka looked at Xu Yun, her heart pounding like a drum.

She had no idea what was going on, but Xu Yun's calm gaze calmed her down a little.

Then, Xu Yun took her sketch, glanced at it, and said with a smile, "Miss Ayase's design sketch is very inspired."

Designers like this deserve guidance and encouragement, not harsh criticism.

After he finished speaking, the entire corridor became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Team Leader Yamamoto's face instantly turned pale, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but under Tanaka's serious gaze, he couldn't utter a single word.

Tanaka gave Xu Yun a deep look, then turned to Ayase Haruka, his smile becoming even gentler: "Miss Ayase, it seems that your abilities have been recognized by Mr. Xu."

Okay, from today onwards, you will report directly to the design director.

Continue to follow up on the "Journey to the Illusion" project. Feel free to share any ideas you have.

Haruka Ayase was completely stunned.

Design Director?

That's the highest-ranking person in the department!

And can I report my work directly?

“Vice President Tanaka, this…” She looked at Xu Yun, at a loss.

Xu Yun smiled slightly at her: "Mr. Tanaka has a discerning eye."

"Mr. Xu, you flatter me."

Tanaka waved his hand and said, "Sony has always valued talent. Ms. Ayase, work hard, and the company will provide you with more opportunities for development."

"Yes! Thank you, Vice President Tanaka! Thank you, Mr. Xu!" Ayase Haruka bowed deeply, her voice trembling slightly with excitement.

"Go to work first," Tanaka nodded.

Ayase Haruka glanced at Xu Yun again before turning and leaving.

As she walked past Yamamoto, she could clearly feel the complex look he gave her—a look of shock, regret, and, more than anything, a belated sense of fear.

After Haruka Ayase returned to the design department, her colleagues' gazes towards her changed.

Just now, Matsumoto's assistant came to invite her personally, Vice President Tanaka praised her in public, and that Chinese VIP who looked very powerful spoke up for her.

All of this happened so fast that it caught everyone off guard.

Ayase Haruka sat down at her workstation, her fingers gently tracing the graphics tablet, her mind replaying the image of Xu Yun speaking just now.

Sweet and blissful.

But more than anything, it's a warm current that rises slowly from the bottom of my heart and spreads to every part of my body.

The tour continued, but the atmosphere had clearly undergone a subtle change.

Tanaka treated Xu Yun with even greater respect, while the Sony executives accompanying him looked at Xu Yun with a more meaningful gaze.

The luncheon was held at the restaurant on the top floor of the Sony building.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows is a bustling street scene of Tokyo, and the city appears exceptionally bright under the clear sky.

"Mr. Xu, Mr. Lin."

Tanaka raised his glass and said with a smile, "It's a pleasure to have such an in-depth discussion with you all today. We will organize a team to conduct a detailed evaluation of the cooperation as soon as possible."

"We look forward to good news from your company," Xu Yun and Lin Zhengyu replied, raising their glasses.

During the meal, the conversation gradually expanded from business cooperation to cultural exchange.

Xu Yun's insights into the Japanese animation and gaming industry surprised the Sony executives present.

He not only understands market trends, but also analyzes issues from the creator's perspective.

Of course, Xu Yun didn't know anything; all the knowledge he gained came from the system.

"Mr. Xu seems very interested in our design team?" a design director asked tentatively.

"The core of the creative industries is always talent."

Xu Yun put down his wine glass and said pretentiously, "I've noticed that some of your company's young designers have great potential, such as that Ms. Ayase from earlier."

Her art style is very distinctive; with proper nurturing, she has a promising future.

He spoke casually, but everyone present understood the underlying meaning.

Tanaka exchanged a glance with the design director, who immediately understood: "Mr. Xu is right. In fact, we have recently been considering selecting a group of outstanding designers for intensive training."

Especially those young people with an international perspective, Ms. Ayase is also on the list.

"Oh?"

Xu Yun raised an eyebrow and smiled meaningfully, "It seems great minds think alike."

"If all goes well..."

Tanaka continued, "We plan to send this group of designers overseas for study and exchange within the next year."

As a crucial market, China is naturally the preferred destination.

Xu Yun smiled and said, "Then I can do my best to be a good host."

The luncheon ended in a pleasant atmosphere.

As Tanaka saw Xu Yun and Lin Zhengyu off, he specifically said, "Mr. Xu, we will give Ms. Ayase's development a serious consideration. Thank you for discovering such a talent for us."

"I was just telling the truth."

Xu Yun shook hands with him and said, "I look forward to our cooperation."

On the way back to the hotel, Lin Zhengyu, who had been acting like a bystander, finally couldn't help but ask, "Xu Yun, what's your relationship with that woman? Why are you helping her so much?"

"I slept last night, what do you think?"

Xu Yun looked out the window, her tone indifferent.

"!!!"

Lin Zhengyu wasn't surprised at all, and simply said, "Don't forget my warning, just play around and don't take it seriously."

"Just helping out."

Xu Yun interrupted him, laughing as she said, "I can't just let you sleep there for nothing, can I? I'm not that heartless."

Lin Zhengyu nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Women's affairs are never a big deal in the eyes of people like them.

That afternoon, Haruka Ayase was summoned to the office of the design department director.

The director, Sato, is a capable woman in her forties.

She invited Ayase Haruka to sit down and personally poured her a cup of tea.

"Ayase, I heard about what happened today."

Sato cut to the chase: "First of all, I apologize to you for Yamamoto's attitude. As a manager, his approach was indeed problematic."

“No, it’s because I didn’t do well enough…” Ayase Haruka quickly said.

"No, you did great."

Sato smiled and said, "Vice President Tanaka specifically spoke with me and mentioned you."

He said, "Even VIPs from China saw your potential, which shows that the company really didn't value you enough before."

Ayase Haruka's heart began to race again.

“I just took a look at your portfolio.”

Sato took a document out of the drawer and said, "From now on, you are a key young designer that our department is focusing on developing, and you will soon be going to China for further training."

"But, in the realm of painting and animation, it's not us..."

Sato interrupted her, saying meaningfully, "Learning is never singular; you can learn other things too."

In short, you need to work hard to ensure the smooth progress of this collaboration.

Haruka Ayase: "Okay, I understand. I will definitely try my best."

As she left the office, she couldn't wait to leave work and find Xu Yun to tell him the good news.

I now have the opportunity to go to China, so I can spend more time with him.

Her face flushed at the thought.

Xu Sang was the man she liked the most! (End of Chapter)