Tokyo: Starting with taking on his wife's debts

"Get some rest... Oh, right!" Xiuming ran to the door, opened it, and turned back to ask, "Can you continue to act cute? I like to see it."

A shoe flew by.

Chapter 147 A Romantic Encounter via Telephone

Ai Iijima was still standing at the door.

"Mr. Xiuming, may I date you?" Her eyes darted around.

“I don’t like children.” Xiuming walked past her.

"Hmph~ I knew it, you like big breasts. When I'm rich, I'll make a pair of super big ones, just to make you drool..." Ai Iijima muttered a few words, then hurriedly followed, saying, "Does the 'affordable housing' you mentioned last night still count?"

"Of course it counts. As long as you work here for three years, you can buy it for less than the market price."

This welfare housing system has a successful precedent in a certain private enterprise; it can be copied directly.

With just over twenty days left before housing prices plummet, and a wave of mortgage defaults ensuing, countless foreclosed properties are being auctioned off. These properties, which ordinary people wouldn't dare buy, are being snapped up by the underworld, who are making a fortune and even laundering their money along the way...

"If both parents work, can the required years of service be reduced? My boyfriend, Jing San, lives on the 28th floor!"

"Who?" Xiuming was taken aback; the name sounded familiar.

"Keizo Mizuhara, a programmer at a game development company."

"Are you sure he's your boyfriend?" Isn't he gay? Or just a reclusive guy caught in "tech stress" with no desires?

“Although it’s not finalized yet… I feel it’s almost done… hehe…” Ai Iijima scratched her head and chuckled a few times, then continued, “When I delivered their lunchboxes this morning, I mentioned the subsidized housing to him, and Keizo said he’d think about it…”

"Yeah……"

Xiuming rubbed his chin: But he's gay... Is he forced into marriage just for the sake of subsidized housing?

Wouldn't Ai Iijima suffer the same fate as Ayako?

If Ayako knew, she would probably stand up for her...

This situation also reminded me that the purchase conditions for welfare housing should take into account special groups, since they cannot register for marriage.

As for Ai Iijima and Mizuhara's situation... I promised Naoto Sugita that I would keep their sexual orientation a secret.

Let's see how things go first. There's still time. We can also ask Mizuhara and the others what they think. After all, they're our own employees, and they'll work hard if they have no worries about their future!

Thinking of this, Xiuming asked again, "Do you like him?"

Do homosexuals have a lot of luck with women?

"It's not that fast. We're just trying to get to know each other and build up our relationship! After all, everyone says you're an irresponsible scumbag. What if there are too many people buying subsidized housing and you feel like you're losing money, so you cancel it? You were very ruthless when you kicked Eri out."

Last night at dinner, everyone quietly discussed the authenticity of the story. Based on Hideaki's treatment of Eri, they unanimously agreed that the first time might be reliable, since it's something new! The second time might not work, because it would result in a loss of money.

Afterwards, everyone quietly started planning to introduce relatives and friends who could work to the company as soon as possible.

After working for three years, you can buy a house below market price.

Although housing prices are gradually decreasing, even if they are slashed by a fraction of their value, they are still not affordable for ordinary people. Everyone has a genuine need for housing, and the dream of owning a home that they could never hope for in their lifetime is now within reach, so naturally they will rush to buy it.

"You're only busy finding a boyfriend because of a shabby house?"

Hideaki automatically ignored everyone's opinions about him and their views on him driving Eri away.

The worse the better. If you know you're a scumbag, then rushing to put it on the shelves is just reaping what you sow, and you can't blame the scumbag for it.

"What dilapidated house?" Ai Iijima's eyes widened. "Are you trying to fool us by selling us a run-down house?"

“What you’re saying…” Xiuming was speechless. She obviously didn’t understand what he meant. He was too lazy to explain to her. Maybe what she did was right… Then he pointed in the direction of his own community and continued, “The occupancy rate of this community is less than 15%. I’ll ask around next month to see if I can buy it and make it into welfare housing for you.”

When it first opened, the asking price was 1.2 million yen. Although it has dropped a bit now, it is still definitely a high-end community. It is located in a very good location, with Nishi-Shinjuku Central Park to the south, government buildings to the north, high-end office buildings to the west, and an unfinished shopping mall to the east.

"real or fake?"

"We'll see how it goes! Anyway, it won't be lower than this level," Hideaki said dismissively, glancing around before asking, "Where's Chieko?"

"A cow called just now and scared her away," Ai Iijima said with a grin, making a heavy gesture with her hands in front of her chest.

"Rude!" Xiuming's face darkened, and he tapped her on the forehead. "When Ayako comes back, I'll tell her and have her beat you up."

“I’m not afraid of her at all,” Ai Iijima made a face, jumped out of the half-lowered roller shutter door, waved and shouted, “I’m going to play on the 28th floor…”

Since Ayako hasn't called again, it probably isn't anything important... but I should still offer my condolences, after all, I mortgaged her house...

The phone rang five times, and just as I was about to hang up, it was answered.

"Who is it?!" Ayako's voice was huffily.

"What's wrong with you? Why did it take you so long to answer the phone!" Xiuming didn't speak to her kindly either.

"What's going on with you? Why did it take you so long to call back!"

"Saving lives and healing the wounded, rescuing depressed girls, how about that? Isn't that great?"

"You're so great~ a depressed girl~" Ayako laughed a few times, then changed the subject, "You just wait! When I get back, I'll twist her skinny arms and legs into a pretzel. Even if Riko helps her, I'll twist Riko too. I knew she wasn't honest, you stinky tadpole who thinks with your lower half!"

"No way, you twist Riko, I'll twist you." Hideaki casually dampened her rebellious spirit, then continued, "But you've got the wrong person. It's not Chieko, it's someone else. Let me introduce you, you should have seen her before, she's an employee at the store, her name is Sakai Misako, a girl with a really great figure, do you remember her?"

"Bastard, scum, beast!" Ayako jumped up and cursed. She couldn't remember, she had left in a hurry and hadn't looked carefully, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that there was another person. "I don't care what her name is. When I get back, I'll make her know the consequences of stealing my man. I'm a fourth-dan judo master!"

"Do whatever you want! She has depression anyway. Once you drive her to the brink, you'll be the murderer, and she'll become a vengeful ghost chasing after you."

"Do you think I'd fall for that?" Ayako chuckled. "That girl with the small, oval face even said she has depression too! But with that cunning way she clung to Riko's leg, I didn't believe a word of it."

“They’re different. You’ll see when you come back,” Hideaki informed Misako of the situation, then quickly changed the subject, asking, “What’s the matter with the phone call? Tell me quickly!”

"Hmm—" Ayako drawled out the word, her tone suddenly becoming furtive, and continued, "I'm lying in bed right now, completely naked..."

"Oh, and then?"

"Are you stupid! Just tell me, what are you going to do to me? Fine, I'll give you a hint!" Ayako's tone was languid and erotic. "Oh dear, there's a mosquito flying around me. Where do you think it'll land? Getting bitten by a mosquito must be so itchy! Here? Or here... I'm so excited~"

"You really know how to have fun." Xiuming was speechless, but it was quite a novel idea.

"Tell me already~" Ayako pouted, "I'm not going out today, it's so boring being alone~"

Hideaki and Ayako talked back and forth for half an hour until the phone rang with the sound of the receiver hitting the floor. Amidst Ayako's strange voice, they silently hung up the phone.

Well, that's the secret to long-distance couples maintaining a loving relationship for a long time.

This reminded me of Ezaki. I should give her a call. If the shipping route goes smoothly, she should have arrived at the port in three days. I should also ask about the procurement progress.

Kitaro answered the phone—what bad luck!

Their fleet had just arrived at Shenzhen Port, exactly three days ago.

Ezaki took his team to the Canton Fair. At this time, Japanese merchants at the Guangdong Import and Export Fair were very generous. Many of them didn't even ask about the price and just grabbed the goods first.

Therefore, you need to queue up in advance.

Hideaki transferred 3 million yen to Ezaki, which is a huge sum of money, and even made a shopping list for her, just waiting for the goods to arrive in a week.

Since he was chatting with Kitaro, Hideaki wasn't very interested and hung up the phone after asking about the important matters.

Just as I was wondering if I had forgotten something, the phone rang again.

Mr. Shiraki Ikuyo, the department head of Yamaichi Securities, called to inquire.

Masae Sato, the department head at Nomura Securities, called to inquire.

Ichiro Suzuki from Sanyo Securities called to inquire.

Then came several foreign securities firms...

The same meaning: How does Hideaki-kun manipulate the Nikkei 225 futures index today?

Xiuming suddenly realized that no matter how easily money came in, or how little he cared about money, he felt uneasy if he didn't make money in the morning.

Moreover, I haven't even gotten a good review from Misako yet.

Although there are many ways to get her to talk, it's not really necessary to force her. After all, what we admire is her "independence" and "autonomy," and she is also committed to mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit.

Misako was still lying on the tatami mat, her cheeks still slightly flushed.

Her facial skin, which had a slightly yellowish undertone yesterday, now looks noticeably more hydrated... It's truly quite mystical...

When Xiuming pushed the door open and came in, she opened her eyes and stared at Xiuming without saying a word.

"What are you looking at? Go back to sleep."

Hideaki said irritably, "I lost more than a billion yen from her. I only have a little over two billion yen in my account. The building across the street is worth more than 20 billion yen, the Sugita family's port is worth more than a billion yen, and the Sugita family's land is worth more than 20 billion yen... We need to build more buildings, build agritainment facilities... and buy welfare housing... We still need to keep working hard."

"You were talking to Ayako on the phone just now, weren't you?" Misako blinked, her four fingers gripping the sheets and resting them on her chin, then said, "Can I work at the branch?"

The supermarket was not open, and there were no customers passing by outside. Xiuming did not lower his voice when he spoke.

Misako overheard Hideaki talking about her and was very concerned about what Hideaki thought of her, so she deliberately went to the door to eavesdrop for a while. What he said about her being a "young girl" and having a "great figure" was so embarrassing.

She suppressed her elation and eavesdropped while biting her fingers, but then something felt off... She couldn't stand it anymore and crawled back into the tatami sheets.

He figured it must be Ayako on the phone. Considering Ayako's personality, if Hideaki told her so directly, he would definitely be ridiculed by her, and might even have his hair pulled and be beaten. As an "older sister," how could he lower himself to argue with her?

Speaking of which, things aren't going well with Riko either. I've really put a green hat on her head, and the thought of it makes me feel inexplicably guilty. I feel really sorry for her, so I can't stay here.

I can't work peacefully when I'm around Riko; I can't demonstrate my work abilities, and I can't see my self-worth...

“Okay, I’ll take you to the Kayabacho branch tomorrow. You’ll be in charge of that store. The goods should arrive next week. You can hire your own staff for the next seven days. If you don’t have enough money, come to me.”

It's in the financial district of the central area, where office workers from major securities firms work. It's quite close to Eri's place. Riko misses her so much, she should go and visit her when she has time, and also check on her manga career. If it becomes a hit, she can use her image rights to extort a fee from her.

As Xiuming spoke, he pulled out a stack of shop brochures from under the low table—the same ones Daisuke had brought earlier—and walked out, saying, "I'll let it slide this time; after all, it's understandable that the young woman is shy as she's newly married. But next time, you absolutely must give me a good review..."

Misako threw a pillow at him, and Hideaki quickly closed the door.

The goods will arrive next week, so time is tight. I'll go to the branch store to check on the renovation first.

We don't lack money, we lack manpower.

Hideaki called Daisuke again, and Daisuke was indeed looking for employees.

He said he would send ten more women tomorrow.

Xiuming's face darkened on the spot, and he said, "Don't just look for women, you need men too. I run a supermarket, not a bubble bath shop. Can women carry sacks?"

“Men are hard to find,” which stumped Da Zhu. “Those men who are in debt, the more ambitious ones have jobs and don’t want to change. Those who are unemployed either can’t find anyone or are just hopeless. Many of them are alcoholics, gamble at pachinko parlors, and often commit domestic violence.”

"With so many supermarkets going bankrupt, there must be some that aren't in debt. You can post job openings there. You can also go to the supermarkets to recruit people and offer high salaries. We'll give you a headcount fee; you'll get a 5 yen bonus for each successful recruit."

"You're keeping your word, aren't you?" Daisuke shouted excitedly. "I'll get you twenty men tomorrow, 100 million yen! If you renege, I'll tell Boss Yoko!"