Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

December 1981, Japan, East longitude.

Fine snowflakes drifted down from the sky, landing on the bustling streets of Ginza. Before they could accumulate, they were instantly melted by the exhaust fumes of the endless stream of luxury cars and the heat emanating from the pedestrians, turning into black water stains reflecting the neon lights.

On the eve of the full-blown takeoff of the bubble economy, the entire East Asian region resembled a behemoth devouring money—greedy, restless, yet brimming with intoxicating vitality. The air was thick with the scents of yen and perfume, and neon lights painted the night sky an ambiguous purplish-red.

Ginza 4-chome, the most expensive golden intersection in all of Asia.

A newly renovated six-story building with a facade inlaid with huge obsidian stones was now surrounded by a huge crowd. Huge searchlights pierced the night sky, and countless flashes of light illuminated the neighborhood as if it were daytime.

This is the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the flagship store of the famous luxury brand Garreau in East Asia.

After a six-month-long frenzy of promotion in Hong Kong, Garreau, with its unique design concepts, exquisite craftsmanship, and insane "hunger marketing," has already swept through the Asian elite circle. Now, this fashion behemoth from the East has finally opened its jaws and landed in Japan, the most luxury-loving and extravagant country in Asia.

"Mr. Lu! Look this way!"

"Mr. Lu! May I ask what Garreau's design theme will be next year?"

Surrounded by bodyguards, Lu Chen, dressed in a well-tailored dark bespoke suit, stood smiling in the center of the red carpet. Beside him stood many prominent figures from the Japanese business world and popular Showa-era actresses, but these so-called celebrities paled in comparison to Lu Chen's composed and unhurried aura.

"Ribbon-cutting ceremony!"

As the emcee shouted, Lu Chen's golden scissors fell, and the red ribbon fluttered down.

"Whoosh—!!!"

The scene erupted in deafening applause and cheers, as countless stylish Japanese ladies and young women stared fervently at the expensive handbags and ready-to-wear clothes in the shop window.

He looked at the faces flushed with desire below the stage, at the dazzling neon-lit night scene that seemed almost unreal, but deep in his eyes was a cold indifference.

This city is too rich.

The stock market is rising, land prices are rising, and people's desires are rising. Cash is flowing everywhere, there are regulatory blind spots everywhere, and people's hearts are blinded by greed everywhere. This place is not only the best place for Garreau to harvest women, but also the best breeding ground for super dollars.

……

It's night, nine o'clock.

As the hustle and bustle faded, a black Toyota Century sedan discreetly drove away from Ginza, navigating the intricate network of elevated highways before finally entering a quiet, upscale apartment complex in the Minato Ward.

This is a safe house belonging to the "distillery" in the east.

On the top floor of the apartment, in a room with minimalist decor and a cold, industrial style.

A huge one-way glass partition divides the room in two.

On this side of the glass, the light was dim, with only a few surveillance screens flickering with a bluish glow. Lu Chen sat on a leather sofa, swirling a glass of whiskey with ice cubes in his hand, the ice cubes clinking against the glass. He wore listening headphones, his gaze fixed intently on the other side of the glass.

On the other side of the glass is a closed space resembling an interrogation room.

Ruan Wen was wearing a black turtleneck sweater and his signature khaki trench coat, and he was sitting quietly at the iron table.

Standing opposite Nguyen Van was Fourth Brother (Rum), who had a serious expression on his face.

"Miss Ruan," Fourth Brother said, pressing his earpiece and relaying Lu Chen's words, "the boss is very satisfied with your recent performance."

"Please thank the boss for the compliment," Ruan Wen said elegantly, crossing her legs and lighting a slender cigarette from her pack. "However, the boss summoned me so late at night; it couldn't have been just to praise me, could it?"

"Of course," Fourth Brother nodded. "The boss said you're a smart person, and smart people should have more choices."

"So now, we're giving you two choices."

Fourth Brother held up one finger. "The first option is to maintain the status quo."

"You continue being a 'painter,' only responsible for producing super-dollar dollars. We will still buy your products in full at a ratio of one to five, and then our people will be responsible for the sales and laundering. You will be very rich and safe. You will become one of the richest women in the world. You can live in seclusion in a European castle, paint your paintings, and live any life you want."

Ruan Wen took a drag of her cigarette, her eyes somewhat unfocused amidst the swirling smoke.

This is indeed an enticing offer: high pay, low workload, and no risk. For anyone solely focused on making money, this is the dream life.

However, Nguyen Van was also well aware of the cost of this life—she would forever remain a "white glove" for the distillery. She could enjoy wealth and luxury, but she would never be able to control her own destiny. If one day these gloves became dirty, the distillery would not hesitate to throw her away and replace her with a new pair.

"What about the second option?" Ruan Wen raised his head, his eyes sharpening.

"The second option," Fourth Brother's voice carried a hint of admiration, "is to stay in Japan."

"The boss not only wants you to be in charge of printing counterfeit money, but also wants you to use this huge amount of US dollars as seed money to establish a subordinate organization in Japan according to the boss's requirements. You need to use this money to infiltrate the Japanese underworld, the financial sector, and even certain departments. You need to spread like a virus throughout the body of this country."

"Of course, the boss will provide you with top-notch intelligence support, the most elite operatives, and even use his power to clear obstacles for you when necessary. But even so, this path is still fraught with risks. You might be hunted down by gangsters, wanted by the Metropolitan Police Department, or even die in some dark alley."

At this point, Fourth Brother paused, his gaze fixed intently on Ruan Wen.

"The advantage is... once you've built up this organization and reached the size the boss expects, you're no longer just a disposable front."

"You will become the boss's partner, someone who stands by his side. You will have power, status, and the right to truly control your own destiny."

After he finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence.

The only sounds were the slight hum of the exhaust fan and the faint crackling of the cigarette burning between Nguyen Van's fingers.

Ruan Wen lowered her head, looking at her long, slender, and fair hands. These were the hands that had painted the most beautiful oil paintings and printed the most realistic counterfeit money.

Choose one: a secure, wealthy old man, or a caged canary.

Option two is like dancing on a knife's edge, but it can also lead to becoming a true queen.

"White gloves..."

She murmured those three words softly, a self-deprecating sneer curling at the corner of her lips, "I didn't come into this world to be someone else's tool."

Ruan Wen stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray. At that moment, a flame called "ambition" burned in her eyes—a desire to control her own destiny.

"I choose option two."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was unusually firm.

"I won't make the glove, I'll make the hand."

"Even if I'm shattered to pieces, I want to experience what it feels like to stand on the summit and look at the view."

……

"Hahaha……"

Lu Chen's laughter came through the speakers. It was genuine joy and appreciation.

"Click".

Suddenly, the iron gate that had been tightly closed slowly opened.

Ruan Wen and his fourth brother turned to look at the same time.

Lu Chen walked in slowly, carrying two glasses of champagne.

He did not show his face, but wore an exquisite silver mask, revealing only his deep, abyss-like eyes.

This was the first time he had formally appeared before Nguyen Van as the "boss." Although he was still wearing a mask, it represented a form of recognition and acceptance.

"Boss." Fourth Brother respectfully stepped aside and bowed slightly.

Lu Chen walked up to Ruan Wen and handed her a glass of champagne.

"Congratulations on making the right choice," Lu Chen's voice, processed with a voice changer, had a slightly metallic quality, but was still full of magnetism. "From today onwards, you will be my agent in Japan."

Ruan Wen accepted the champagne, her hand trembling slightly. She knew that drinking this glass would completely change her life.

"The Japanese pie is huge, big enough to overwhelm countless people. But I have a big appetite, and I want to devour it all." Lu Chen pointed to the city outside the window. "The people here are greedy, crazy, and blind. They worship money like gods. Since that's the case, let's create a god for them."

"Ruan Wen, your mission is to use that batch of perfect super-dollars to build an underground financial empire in this bubble-filled country."

Lu Chen pondered for a moment, the supreme divine realm in Japanese mythology flashing through his mind, "The name of this new organization will be—Takamagahara."

"Takamagahara?" Ruan Wen repeated the name, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

In Japanese mythology, it is the dwelling place of eight million gods, a celestial realm overlooking the human world, and the source of all rule.

"That's right."

Lu Chen touched Ruan Wen's cup, making a crisp "ding" sound.

"We must stand on the clouds and look down on the ants' revelry."

"For Takamagahara."

Lu Chen raised his glass in a gesture of respect.

"For Takamagahara."

Nguyen Van raised his glass, his eyes sparkling with an unprecedented brilliance.

"bite--"

The crisp sound of glasses clinking echoed in the empty safe house.

Outside the window, the snow was falling heavier and heavier.

The neon lights of Ginza flickered in the wind and snow, like a grand yet illusory dream.

In the shadows of this dream, a colossal beast named "Takamagahara" is quietly opening its eyes, revealing its fangs forged from US dollars.