America: My Time

Chapter 726 An Unexpected Name

Chapter 716 An Unexpected Name
Kuroki Hitomi shook her head and said, "Momo-chan, you're too naive. You really think that letting you take over the Internet Cafe Alliance is to let you handle these tasks? Arranging for you to take over the Internet Cafe Alliance is just to familiarize you with it, not to actually let you handle all of this. Those things will be handled by professionals."

At this moment, Kikuchi Momoko suddenly realized and nodded, saying, "Akiko-nee, I understand!"

"Good that you understand. All you need to do is get familiar with it and cultivate your network. Nothing else matters. You'll need to get used to it gradually. Once you're familiar with everything, you'll have a different perspective!" Kuroki Hitomi sighed softly, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes. She had once been just like Kikuchi Momoko.

Hitomi Kuroki didn't interact much with Momoko Kikuchi or Miho Nakayama, and then walked towards Chisato Moritaka. Hitomi was slightly worried about this unsociable girl; her aloofness made her vulnerable to being sidelined. Initially, Hitomi would have seen Chisato as a competitor, a rival, but now she didn't think that way at all!

"Chiri-chan, you need to learn to adapt and integrate. This isn't a good thing for you. Staying isolated will only do you harm. Although what I said might be a bit harsh, I hope you can change. I don't know what you're really thinking, but since you've come this far, you need to think long-term. Don't worry about these setbacks or pressures right now. You're definitely better off than Akina and me. Think about it carefully, learn to change yourself, and learn to adapt to everything."

At this moment, Hitomi Kuroki seemed to be acting like a caring older sister, trying to persuade Chisato Moritaka. However, it was uncertain how effective this would be. Finally, Hitomi sat down with Yasuko Sawaguchi. Looking at Yasuko's indifferent expression, Hitomi shook her head. Although she had tried to persuade her more than once, it had been to no avail. In Hitomi's view, Yasuko Sawaguchi and Miho Nakayama had the same personality; both wanted to earn more money through their current efforts to prepare for the future. Their mindset hadn't changed; they were still self-centered.

"Yasuko, do you think all this hardship is worth it? I know you have your own ideas, that you want to take advantage of your youth to plan for your future, but how useful do you think it is? And what kind of changes do you think Naoko will undergo this time? Actually, you should think carefully about what Riko-nee taught us back then. That was her most genuine experience and feelings. For us, our children are the foundation of everything. If nothing unexpected happens, I will also choose to leave after I settle things with the real estate in Tokyo. No matter how great the temporary glory is, it's not as important as lifelong peace and well-being. You need to have a long-term vision. Opportunities don't last forever, and this industry changes too quickly. If you don't strive for it, many others will be vying for it. Once you miss it, you'll never have it again."

In fact, Yasuko Sawaguchi knew and understood what was being said, and so did everyone else. However, they were all worried, or more accurately, afraid. They worried that they would be abandoned once they were young and their looks faded, because such things happened too often in this industry, which made them very anxious.

"Sister Zhaozi, I understand, but I still find it hard to accept giving up everything I have now!"

"I know you, like Miho Nakayama and Chisato Moritaka, are worried about the future, worried about how bleak and difficult life will be after you're abandoned one day. Now, as long as you seize the opportunity, you can accumulate more capital for the future. But what do you think this little bit of capital is? Do you think I lack money? Do you think Naoko lacks money? Or do you think the women around him lack money? You've never been able to trust him, so naturally you can't gain his approval, and therefore you can't gain more approval. Look at Sachiko-chan, she doesn't care so much, so she's more likely to gain approval! And look at Akina, even though her family is so worthless and has caused so much trouble, what was the result? Your thinking is precisely excluding yourself. You haven't accepted everything, so naturally you can't gain approval. And look at Momoko, these are all examples right in front of you. If you still can't wake up, if you still can't see everything clearly, you're bound to be eliminated."

"Grandpa, what brings you here!" John was very surprised when he learned from the security personnel that his grandfather had come to Lanai Island. When he went to greet him at the door, he could hardly believe his eyes because his grandfather was already standing outside.

"Why can't I come? Can't I see my great-grandson who is about to be born?"

John smiled wryly and said, "Fine, you can do whatever you want, but aren't you afraid of causing trouble for your family? I know many people are very dissatisfied with me, and none of them want to accept this child!"

"They are them, and I am me. Do you think I'm as cold-blooded as them? Besides, don't pay any attention to those guys; all they care about right now is profit. Also, I've come here this time to talk to you about something!"

The old man's appearance surprised not only John, but also his family and even the women around him. They all knew that illegitimate children were not valued in large families, but now this old man had appeared. "John, tell me, how do you plan to handle things over there? This time, I'm also representing the White House to ask for your decision. They don't want things to escalate too much, and they don't want to see the US economy destabilized."

"Heh, they're unwilling? Then why not warn those guys? You represent more than just the White House, you also represent the Donkeys and their ilk. But I can't agree. If I compromise again this time and give them another chance, who will take me seriously? You have to pay the price for your mistakes. This time, whoever steps forward will die. Morgan and Rockefeller aren't showing up because they understand my resolve. You'd better not get involved with the Donkeys' affairs. Since they dare to gather a bunch of lowlifes to cause me trouble, they should be prepared to die."

Seeing John's resolute expression, old Martin couldn't help but sigh. He wasn't unaware of those guys' situations, whether it was the White House or the Donkey, but he hadn't expected John to be so tough this time, refusing to compromise in the slightest.

“Grandpa, it’s not that I don’t want to give you face or the donkey face, but they are too ignorant of their place. What’s more, some of them have connections with the British and really think I’m easy to bully. So this time, no matter what anyone says, it won’t matter. And some guys on Wall Street, if we don’t teach them a lesson, these guys will think they’re the boss of the world.”

"Alright, since you know what's going on, I won't say any more. Since you know the situation behind it, you can handle everything. But have you chosen a name for the child yet?" At this point, Old Martin stopped talking about the previous topic and turned to the child.

Before John could even speak, Smith blurted out, "I've got it! Use my name!"

Many Europeans and Americans use the names of their elders. Smith's statement implies that they acknowledge John's child and recognize his identity, rather than believing him to be an illegitimate child as some outsiders might think.

“No, since you’re going to choose your name, why not let him use mine, little Martin? That’s more appropriate. That’s settled then. Don’t say anything more. This is my stance. I can’t control what others think, but I can still make my own decisions!” When old Martin finished speaking, a look of shock flashed in John’s eyes. This meant that his grandfather had stood on his side, on the opposite side of those guys in the family.

“Grandpa, is this appropriate? What you’re doing will enrage those guys. Many of them are planning to use this to obstruct me and try to extort benefits from me!” John was well aware of the thoughts and schemes of the family members, but they were overthinking it. He hadn’t even fought for the family’s interests, so why would he care about their petty tricks?

"That's their own business. It won't be long before I step down as patriarch. Whatever they want to do in the future is their own business. You can do whatever you want without worrying about so much!" Old Martin was already preparing to retire. After all, he was getting old and lacked energy, and the internal strife within the family was escalating. The only ones who remained uninvolved were John's family.

“I will. I never intended to stoop to their level, nor did I plan to pay them any attention. Moreover, I never intended for my children to share the family trust. The reason those guys reacted this way is simply because they are worried that I will compete with them for the benefits. It just shows how narrow-minded they are.”

"The rules of the family foundation are set in stone, and no one can break them. If you don't want it, that's your business, but the family can't refuse to give it to you. Otherwise, what's the point of the family rules? As long as your child inherits the Bayard surname, he is a member of the family. As long as you acknowledge your child's identity, he is a member of the Bayard family, not someone for those guys to decide." At this moment, the old man exuded an aura of dominance, the aura of a patriarch.

For the family, rules are inviolable. Since the family fund exists, every family member enjoys this benefit; it's not up to those other people to decide. Old Martin won't accept anyone trying to break the rules, and anyone who dares to obstruct them won't be allowed to disregard the family rules. Although John doesn't care about the fund's support, the rules cannot be broken, and no one can.

(End of this chapter)