Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 352: Gifted (3 chapters in 1)

Li Xiaomu had just finished serving several distinguished guests and escorted them all the way to the intersection of Kabukicho. He accidentally caught a glimpse of a young man standing on the side of the road in a daze, and his eyes suddenly lit up -

First, let's look at his height. He should be around 1 meters, which is much taller than most Japanese young men of the same age. Then, let's look at his figure. He is well-proportioned and tall. Although he is not a muscular bodybuilder, you can still see signs of regular exercise.

Then there was his appearance - at first glance he looked like a Chinese compatriot, not handsome, but with an indescribable bookish air, and his cheeks were not bulging with flesh from speaking Japanese for a long time.

Next is what he's wearing - although there's a big Nike Swoosh on the hoodie, the fabric has been washed to a pale color; the jeans don't look like they're from any brand.

There was only a pair of Adidas sneakers that looked a bit expensive, but I didn’t know whether they were real or fake. Anyway, they showed signs of severe wear and tear.

Since he wasn't carrying any large or small bags, he must not be an ordinary tourist.

Combined with the dull expression on his face, it seems that he longs for the glamorous world of Kabukicho, but dares not step into it...

Li Xiaomu smiled - he had seen too many young people from China like this...

By the time he opened his mouth to say "...Let's be friends, my name is Li Xiaomu!", the smile on his face had already expanded to the edge of his cheeks, a little exaggerated, but also sincere.

The young man turned around and saw that he was obviously stunned for a moment, then looked him up and down carefully, hesitated for a while before reaching out his hand to shake his hand, and asked: "I've heard a lot about you... My last name is Zhang."

Li Xiaomu thought that young people are young people. Is it appropriate to use the phrase "long admired" in this situation? And what does it mean to only give a surname? Are you wary? However, he did not care and continued to ask, "Xiao Zhang, is this your first time here?"

Xiao Zhang nodded: "Yes, it's my first time here."

Li Xiaomu asked: "Since it's your first time here, why don't you go in and take a look?"

Xiao Zhang said somewhat embarrassedly: "Just take a look... I don't speak Japanese..."

Li Xiaomu grabbed Xiao Zhang's hand and pulled him inside, saying, "Meeting is fate. Come on, I'll take you for a walk."

Not a tourist, doesn’t speak Japanese, is new here, has little money, and has a slight southern accent... Li Xiaomu felt that Xiao Zhang’s identity was obvious.

I just don't know when his boat washed ashore, or in which restaurant he is washing dishes, or in which cold storage he is carrying frozen meat.

But none of this matters. As long as the young man is interested in the colorful world in front of him, Li Xiaomu has the confidence to control him.

The two figures were soon swallowed up by the neon lights in the sky.

"This is 'Tori-fan', our grilled chicken, but they sell a skewer of grilled chicken skin for 600 yen, which is enough to buy a whole chicken in China, right? Isn't that outrageous?"

"This is Tanakaya, the most expensive izakaya here. A pot of sake costs 1 yen, which is about 700 yuan. If you ask the proprietress to drink with you, the price will be three times more expensive! Isn't it exaggerated?"

"This is a 'maid cafe', where a group of young girls dressed in Japanese maid uniforms pour coffee for customers, and they sell a cup of coffee for three times the price outside! Tsk tsk, how can you be reasonable?"

"Oh, there's also Club Maria, which is full of beauties. You know the services there, haha... Each visitor has to spend at least 10 yen."

While introducing the stores, Li Xiaomu greeted the receptionists at the doors of various stores from time to time. Everyone, young or old, male or female, seemed to be quite polite to him.

However, after walking half the street, he still didn't treat Xiao Zhang to a skewer or a cup of coffee.

Seeing Xiao Zhang's curious expression, Li Xiaomu's mouth curled up slightly, a little proud and a little sarcastic. He said to Xiao Zhang: "How is it? These are not available in China, right?"

Xiao Zhang nodded, with an innocent expression on his face, "Many of these things are illegal in China, right? I saw a customer at that "maid cafe" seem to be touching the waitress's butt? Aren't you afraid that they will call the police?"

Li Xiaomu said: "Of course I'm not afraid, this is part of their service! This is Japan, this is Tokyo! You can enjoy a lot of pleasures that you can't enjoy in China!"

Xiao Zhang showed a longing look and asked, "But from what you just said, these are very expensive, right? They cost thousands or tens of thousands of yen at a time?"

Li Xiaomu chuckled and said, "In China, money makes the devil work; in Japan, money makes the devil work!

If you have money, you are their ancestor; if you don’t have money, sorry, you are worse than the garbage on the roadside.”

Xiao Zhang looked embarrassed again. Li Xiaomu said, "I understand." He asked, "What kind of job do you do now? How much do you make a month?"

Xiao Zhang thought about it. He had been received by someone during his trip to Japan, and no one seemed to have talked to him about subsidies or reimbursements. So he told the truth: "There is no salary. It's all in vain."

Li Xiaomu was shocked. When did they change the rules? They were so shady that they didn't even give 8 yen? But this was a good deal for me.

So he showed sympathy on his face and said to Xiao Zhang: "It's not easy for you to get here. Your family owes a lot of money, right? Did you borrow money from loan sharks?"

Seeing that Xiao Zhang didn't say anything, Li Xiaomu patted him on the shoulder and said, "It doesn't matter if you don't want to talk, but when you go out, you seek wealth.

But seeking wealth is easier said than done..."

The young man's expression changed, and he asked, "Do you have any connections?"

Li Xiaomu pointed to a building in front of them. On the not-so-big storefront hung a huge sign - "Ai Ben Dian".

Standing at the door was a short young man with heavy makeup and pink hair. He was wearing a neat suit and bowed deeply to Li Xiaomu when he saw him.

After Li Xiaomu returned the gift, he also said something in Japanese. The young man immediately looked at the young man next to him, an ambiguous smile appeared on his face. He looked him up and down and nodded repeatedly.

The two exchanged a few words in Japanese and both burst into laughter. Then Li Xiaomu said to Xiao Zhang, "He thinks highly of you, too!"

Seeing Xiao Zhang was confused, Li Xiaomu pulled him aside and waited quietly. After a while, a middle-aged woman with a height of six feet and a waist of six feet walked out of the door of "Aiben Store". She was wearing heavy makeup and revealing clothes. She also walked out with a handsome man with blond hair, shiny earrings, and a slicked-back face.

The middle-aged aunt was obviously very much in love with the handsome guy. She whispered in his ear and put her hands in his arms to caress him, but the handsome guy was cold as ice and did not cater to the woman next to him.

However, the middle-aged aunt did not care. She still hugged the handsome guy and talked for a long time before getting into a luxury car and leaving. It can be clearly seen that when the lady got in the car, one side of the car body sank significantly.

After the car drove away, the blond handsome guy took a towel from the other guys who followed behind, wiped his cheeks, threw the towel away, turned around and walked back into the store. The other five or six guys bowed to him respectfully and shouted something in Japanese.

Li Xiaomu said to Xiao Zhang beside him: "Did you see that? The man just now is called "Jirosaki Ren", and his annual income is 1 million yen."

Xiao Zhang was shocked and asked, "What did he do to earn 1 million yen?"

Li Xiaomu smiled and explained, "In fact, you don't have to do anything. You just have to make the female customers who come to the store happy and let them spend money in the store, buy wine, flowers, and some small gifts...

He can take a cut of any consumption by customers in the store. Of course, having him accompany you for drinks and play has its own price - calculated by the minute. "

Seeing that Xiao Zhang didn't say anything, Li Xiaomu thought that the other party didn't believe what he said, so he continued: "Look at the female guest just now, she is a widow, her husband died and left her a legacy of 100 billion yen.

It is said that she comes to the store at least once a week, and the cheapest wine she orders is Romanee-Conti, and a bottle of wine alone costs 100 million yen..."

Li Xiaomu kept talking, and Xiao Zhang couldn't help asking, "What do you mean?"

Li Xiaomu's affectionate eyes twitched, and he smiled, "I see you have good conditions. Are you interested in working in a store like this?"

Xiao Zhang seemed to be frightened. After a long while, he asked, "Me? Me, can I do it?"

Li Xiaomu patted his shoulder and encouraged him: "Little brother, I think you have extraordinary talent. If you join this industry, you may be the next "100 million yen man".

Xiao Zhang pointed at his nose in disbelief: "Me? I... I'm not very good at drinking..."

"Don't be afraid, everyone's drinking capacity is acquired through practice!"

"I'm not very good at making girls happy..."

"Did you see how Shirosaki Ren was coaxing that rich widow just now? He still had a sour face. Some female customers like the "iceberg handsome guy" type. The more you have a sour face, the more likely they will buy you wine and gifts to make you smile.

Isn’t there a similar story in ancient China? What’s it called? ‘Playing tricks on the princes by lighting beacons’? ”

"What is this line of work called?"

"In Japanese, this is called 'male host', but in Chinese, it's more meaningful - 'Cowherd and Weaver Girl'. The cowherd in 'Cowherd and Weaver Girl', how meaningful is that?"

"Will it be dangerous? Will I be prone to illness or something?"

"Don't worry, the 'cowboy' usually doesn't sleep with you, he just provides emotional comfort, you won't get sick."

After Li Xiaomu finished speaking, he saw that Xiao Zhang had fallen silent. He was not in a hurry, but leisurely lit a cigarette and gave one to Xiao Zhang. However, Xiao Zhang did not take it and said that he did not know how to smoke.

Years of work experience have given Li Xiaomu a pair of sharp eyes, and he was able to keenly detect the unique literary and artistic temperament of the poor young man in front of him. With a little packaging, he could become the most popular "herbivore" type in Shinjuku host bars.

Even if a gigolo has good looks and a good figure, the first impression he makes on a female customer often determines his worth. For example, Shirosaki Ren, who just escorted a customer to the door, has won the hearts of countless female customers with his flamboyant, wild temperament, and cool style.

Xiao Zhang seemed to be struggling for a long time before he asked, "I want to know why women would come to such a store to spend money? Why would they give everything to a cold man?"

Li Xiaomu was stunned, and subconsciously asked back: "Why are you asking these questions? Isn't it good enough if they are willing to spend money on you?"

Xiao Zhang smiled gently and explained, "I am the kind of person who wants to find out the reason before doing anything, and then convince myself to do it.

I think their relationship is very strange. If I don’t understand the logic behind it, I won’t be able to accept it.”

Hearing this, Li Xiaomu carefully looked at the young man in front of him and asked, "Not simple, have you been to college?"

Xiao Zhang answered honestly: "Actually, I only studied for two years..."

Li Xiaomu suddenly realized, "Is there a problem with the family's finances? Then you should make more money!" Where are there two-year universities in China? It's obvious that they dropped out of school or came to work.

Li Xiaomu continued, "Don't worry, as long as you are willing to be a "male PR", in one or two years, you can not only pay off your family's debts, but also build a big house for your family! As for the problem you mentioned..."

He stopped, took a deep puff of cigarette, and slowly exhaled. The neon lights of Kabukicho made the smoke look particularly psychedelic. After a long while, he pointed at the area in front of him and said, "Do you know how many "gigolo bars" there are here? 200! There are 200 in this area alone!"
We Chinese have been in China for a long time, so it may be difficult for us to understand this social phenomenon, because no matter what, we are a society that advocates gender equality. But Japan is different..."

Xiao Zhang asked innocently, "Isn't Japan doing well in this regard? It's a developed country!"

Li Xiaomu glanced at him and said in a somewhat mocking tone: "You have just stayed in China for too long... Although Japan has eliminated gender inequality in its system, its culture is still seriously 'male superiority and female inferiority'.

When a man and a woman get married, the woman almost always changes her surname to the man's, and the woman almost always becomes a housewife, giving birth to children and raising them.

Even if a woman has a college education and is successful at work, once she gets married she is expected to quit her job immediately to take care of the family.

Therefore, in Japanese companies, the "ceiling" for female employees is very low, and being able to become a "section manager" is considered an incredible professional woman.

What about Japanese men? Although they are short and thin, they are basically 'male chauvinists'. They have to have a drink after work, and going home too early is considered unsuccessful..."

Then he pointed at the bustling crowd and said, "Where do you think these people come from?"

Seeing Xiao Zhang still with an innocent look on his face, Li Xiaomu thought that he was indeed a pure and innocent man who was easy to deceive, so he said: "Because they are highly dependent on men financially and are completely dominated by men in social culture, many Japanese women often turn the pain of being unable to be independent into consumption to seek emotional compensation.

Moreover, interpersonal relationships in Japanese society are becoming increasingly alienated. Did you know that NHK conducted a survey that 25% of Japanese people live alone? Many young women are basically isolated from society except for work or family.

The purpose of the male escort club is to provide an intimate relationship similar to that between boyfriend and girlfriend or husband and wife, such as listening to women talk, praising women's appearance and personality, and having physical contact, so as to become an emotional substitute for spiritually empty women.

These women can become the "queen" in the host club by buying a bottle of 10 yen champagne, dominate everyone, and enjoy the happiness of improved status. Like the widow just now, it is said that before her husband died, she was also a slim and gentle lady in the upper class.

Isn’t it amazing?”

After listening to this, Xiao Zhang looked very inspired and said to Li Xiaomu, "I didn't expect there is so much knowledge here. If I hadn't asked you, I wouldn't have known."

Li Xiaomu was so proud of the compliment, and continued with a smile on his face, "As for why those gigolos who are 'indifferent' to customers are so popular, it's actually the Chinese saying 'playing hard to get'.

So boys like you are very popular here."

Xiao Zhang hesitated and asked, "But my Japanese?"

Li Xiaomu waved his hand and said indifferently: "It doesn't matter, it's just a language, just practice it. Besides, there are many rich Chinese women who come here to consume, you can provide services to them first.

How about it, are you interested? I'm telling you this way of making money because we're a compatriot. "

At this moment, Li Xiaomu's eyes changed when he looked at the young man, and became bright. What he didn't tell Xiao Zhang was that he would take a high commission from any gigolo he introduced to the industry.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Zhang did not agree immediately, but asked another question: "Will it be embarrassing to do such a job in Japan?"

Li Xiaomu thought that you are so poor but still have integrity, but since it has come to this, he can't give up, so he can only patiently introduce: "Little brother, these are all old ideas you have in China. Now that you are in Japan, you must throw them all away!
In Japan, porn movies can be legally made and sold, and entertainment venues are legally opened. Of course, serving alcohol is a normal profession! No Japanese would discriminate against this kind of work. Instead, they envy those gigolos and hostesses who earn tens of millions or hundreds of millions of yen.

Moreover, many Japanese people believe that their lives are destined to be tragic because Japanese society has too many rules and pressures, so they might as well just enjoy the life of luxury.

So don't worry, if you do this job, no one will discriminate against you, and they will envy you!"

Then he pointed to the corner of the street, where there was a shop with a sign that clearly said "Free Information" (free agency), and said to the young man, "Xiao Zhang, I think we are destined to be together. That's my shop, why don't you come in and sit down for a while?"
When guests come, they can see how it works.”

Unexpectedly, Xiao Zhang shook his head and rejected Li Xiaomu, saying, "Forget it... I think the job I'm doing now is pretty good."

Li Xiaomu was a little embarrassed and annoyed when he heard this. Xiao Zhang was a little ungrateful. He hadn't "brought someone into the industry" like this for a long time. If it weren't for the young man's good qualifications... But he immediately suppressed his anger. He knew that it would be difficult for a college student to accept being a gigolo in a short time.

He pulled out a business card from his pocket and handed it over, saying, "Whenever you figure it out, feel free to contact me."

Xiao Zhang took the business card and put it in his arms without even looking at it, then said goodbye to Li Xiaomu, "I have to get up early tomorrow, so I'm going back first."

Li Xiaomu was unwilling to give up, and quickly asked: "Do you have a mobile phone number? I'll leave one for you."

Xiao Zhang was stunned and said, "I just arrived and I haven't applied for a Japanese number yet. I still have a domestic card."

Li Xiaomu did not give up and asked again: "Where do you work?"

Xiao Zhang thought about it carefully and said, "It's in Ginza, it seems to be called "Sanai Building". " Then he said, "If I go to work... it will be in the afternoon of three days later."

Li Xiaomu was stunned. What does "three days later in the afternoon" mean? Which restaurant can work like this?

But before he could ask more questions, Xiao Zhang waved goodbye and walked away. Li Xiaomu watched his broad-shouldered and thin figure disappear in the crowd. He couldn't help but sigh and muttered, "Extraordinary talent...Extraordinary talent!"

At this time, a timid man came up behind him and asked in a mean voice, "Boss, who is this?"

Li Xiaomu said: "A young man who just came from China. I think he has good qualifications and want to introduce him to the industry."

The man was surprised and asked, "Is it really that good? But he looks ordinary to me..."

Li Xiaomu glanced at the man, and the man didn't dare to speak. Li Xiaomu snorted and said, "Temperament, mainly temperament is different. Well, don't we have another customer tonight? Where did you take them?..."

Meeting Xiao Zhang was just a small episode and did not linger in Li Xiaomu's mind for long. He quickly got back to work.

He has been in Japan for almost 20 years. He has been living in Kabukicho since the day he got off the plane. He has worked his way up from a garbage collector to the most successful "guide" in Kabukicho. It can be said that he has met countless people.

In fact, Li Xiaomu is also transforming himself now. He has good writing skills and writes columns for six or seven newspapers and magazines in Japan and China. He has also published an autobiography and is considered a celebrity.

For some reason, he felt a sense of familiarity when he saw the well-mannered Xiao Zhang standing at a loss under the huge sign of Kabukicho...

How can such a good boy not be a gigolo? What a waste of talent!
Three days passed like this. On this day, Li Xiaomu woke up at noon as usual. After eating and washing up, he was going to the store to sort out the recent accounts, but for some reason, the image of "Xiao Zhang" appeared in his mind again.

"Didn't he say that he was working this afternoon... I don't know which store it is, and he didn't say clearly. Let's go and have a look, maybe we can find it by asking. Even if we can't find it, it's good to have a look around."

With this thought in mind, Li Xiaomu put his wallet in his pocket, changed his clothes and set off.

The most convenient way to get from Shinjuku to Ginza is by taking the subway. You can get there in 8 stops on the Marunouchi Line, and the whole journey takes only 16 minutes. Li Xiaomu certainly would not spend that much money on a taxi.

After wandering around in the subway for a while, I got out of the car and walked through the subway station with its complex spider-web-like passages for a few minutes. I found the corresponding exit, climbed more than 20 steps, and stood in the sun again.

A few steps further ahead is the "Sanai Building". Li Xiaomu knows that this is an old shopping mall built in the 70s and is also a landmark building. In addition to famous brand stores, there are many restaurants, clubs, and activity centers.

At this time, he felt a little regretful. Young people like "Xiao Zhang" who had just smuggled in were mostly working illegally in the kitchen, responsible for washing dishes, cleaning and so on. If he went there rashly, they might not be free to see him, and the store might not be willing to talk to him.

However, this idea was quickly dispelled by the scene before him. On the huge advertising screen on the facade of the "Sanai Building", "Xiao Zhang's" young and bookish face occupied most of the screen, and his mouth opened and closed as if he was saying something.

At the bottom of the screen is the introduction of "Xiao Zhang" - "Zhang Chao, the writer of the empire"

After his mind was completely confused, Li Xiaomu had unknowingly walked to the bottom of the building. He heard Zhang Chao's voice coming from the speaker at the door:

"I absolutely disagree with Governor Ishihara's statement that the Japanese literary world is the Chinese's 'mistress', which is humiliating to both sides. But Governor Ishihara himself is full of the temperament of a 'male public relations' -

This was a few days ago in Shinjuku, when a Chinese friend introduced this profession to me, the first thing that came to my mind was Governor Ishihara..."

Li Xiaomu opened his mouth and tilted his head back, his mind was blank...

(End of this chapter)