Tokyo: Starting with taking on his wife's debts

Currently, the main source of goods is still from manufacturers, mainly small factories in Chiba and Saitama prefectures, where we purchase usable but defective products.

Because the journey was quite far, I only asked Riko to collect the manufacturer's phone number, and I'll have her call and inquire about the price during working hours.

I returned to Ayako's studio at 7 p.m.

The renovation is progressing very quickly, and a neon sign advertising "super cheap" has already been hung at the entrance.

It wasn't a complicated renovation. There was no need to tear down walls and lay tiles. It was just about dividing the 80-square-meter space by adding a partition in the middle and then painting the walls white.

The construction workers had finished cleaning and were just waiting for Xiuming to come back, inspect the work, collect the payment, and then pack up and leave.

"Mr. Yamanaka, is it alright? If there's anything you're not satisfied with, we'll make changes immediately."

The foreman held up a portable POS machine and offered me a cigarette, smiling obsequiously.

He has many outstanding payments for renovation projects and is on the verge of financial ruin. If he doesn't earn any more income, he'll have to take temporary jobs as a bricklayer at the labor market.

Xiuming waved his hand to indicate that he did not smoke, took the POS machine, and walked through the glass door to look around.

They really did a very thorough job; even the floor was cleaned, so we can put the shelves in right away.

The space allocated to Ayako was inside, and her studio door was also inside; it really looked like a warehouse.

Hideaki was quite surprised by this, because Ayako hadn't wanted her studio door to be at the very back, like a toilet.

Therefore, the plan is to place the door of Ayako's studio behind the cashier, which is next to the original office door, creating a small passageway.

The foreman whispered, "We did it exactly as your wife instructed..."

This was a special concession Ayako made to repay Hideaki's kindness in giving her a persuasive reply. It did seem like she was at a disadvantage, but if she received a few more such favors, it would be acceptable.

"You did a great job. I'll definitely hire you again for the renovations when I open another branch."

As he spoke, Xiuming took out his bank card, swiped it with a POS machine for 96,000 yen, and handed it to the contractor.

After the construction workers packed up their tools and left, Riko, who had been standing behind Hideaki with a reserved smile, finally couldn't keep up the act any longer.

They actually said Ayako is my husband's wife... What about me? That's so outrageous!

Her dignified smile vanished, her lips tightened, and she glanced at the half-closed office door.

Behind the crack in the door, Ayako could be seen peeking out.

When Riko's eyes met Ayako's, Ayako surprisingly shrank back and looked away.

Her reaction left Riko somewhat bewildered, and she even subconsciously wondered if her expression just now had been too terrifying.

She quickly glanced at Xiuming, wondering what would happen if her husband misunderstood her as a ruthless woman.

The sound of a small truck horn rang out from outside; Miyamoto-nii had arrived twenty minutes early.

"Riko-chan, give me your bank card. I'll buy another computer to do financial statement analysis."

The Japanese retail industry has already adopted the "integrated digital communication network" to enable real-time data transmission between stores, headquarters, and distribution centers, and to support the automated aggregation and analysis of financial data.

The level of informatization is an important basis for distinguishing between small independent shops and chain-type small supermarkets.

Due to limitations in manpower, manual bookkeeping and reliance on experience for financial analysis make it impossible to grow a large and powerful business.

Personal PCs are not yet widespread, which is perfect for Riko to get started early and get ahead of the curve.

Thinking of computers, Xiuming saw another entrepreneurial project: the education and training industry.

It's a powerful tool for exploiting people at any time.

Regardless of whether one has real skills, as long as one has a sensitivity to the needs of the public.

Seize the information gap.

Take, for example, the emerging computer industry, and the future of AI operations, such as online writing, short drama training, and video editing... Combining AI makes things seem high-end and sophisticated, and so on.

They simply open training classes, put a bunch of materials they've collected online that they themselves can't understand in their personal spaces, add a silver tongue, and there will always be hot-headed fools willing to give them money.

Who is the target audience? Women aged 30-40. The appeal is: earn extra money part-time, stay home and take care of children at the same time, and earning a million a month is not a dream.

The tide of the times has swept up the transformation of the national ideology, and the ironic saying "Make money! It's not shameful" has gradually become an understandable behavior.

Hideaki took the bank card that Riko handed him and climbed onto Miyamoto's brother's small truck.

Miyamoto-nii actually put a wig on his bald head and sprayed perfume on it.

Hideaki told Riko, "I promise I'll be back around 12 o'clock," and then left in his small truck.

Riko stood at the door for a while, holding a stack of "business plans" written by Hideaki, watching the small truck drive away.

She also clearly remembered the phone conversation between Xiuming and Ayako's brother, where they said they were going to "Soap Paradise" after 10 o'clock.

She had a strong feeling that she definitely wouldn't be back by midnight.

Since Xiuming explained the "100 Yuan Supermarket Plan" to her, she has been in a state of dizzy excitement, feeling that her husband is amazing and seems to know everything. She feels lucky that he found her.

It's already good enough if they don't abandon you. If you make a fuss and cry and annoy him, he might not even give you a promise. How desperate would that be?

Since you said you'd be back around midnight, let's wait until midnight!

She then recalled the "massage parlor selection" plan that Hideaki had mentioned, a project supported by Ayako.

Not only did she steal someone else's husband, but she also instigated him to do bad things. It's simply outrageous.

Chapter 56 The Fierce Little Lamb Who Protects Its Food

Riko took another look at her future "100-yen supermarket" store, then pursed her lips, put on a stern face, and pushed open the office door where Ayako was "hiding".

As Riko turned and walked towards the office, Ayako's throat began to pound uncontrollably. She straightened up instinctively while sitting on the sofa, maintaining her aloof expression, and tactically poured and drank water.

For no other reason than the unexpected surprise that Hideaki gave her today made her feel like she had taken Riko's place, and she felt guilty for not being worthy of her position.

Could she already know?

After Riko entered, she didn't say anything. She sat on the single sofa to Ayako's right, her hands tightly clutching a stack of A4 papers covered in writing. She leaned forward slightly, her eyes looking at Ayako with the fierce look of a protective little lamb.

For five minutes, no one spoke.

Ayako drank a third of the half-bucket of mineral water.

Why are you staring at me like that?

Riko's behavior is utterly intimidating; she's like a lamb that hasn't been weaned yet, guarding its food.

I really want to slap her and steal her husband.

But Xiuming is so biased towards her, how could I do something so stupid?

To avoid actually doing it, Ayako quickly placed the teacup on the tea table, then crossed her left leg over her right, tucked her right forearm between her thighs, and then clenched her left hand on the back of her right hand.

Riko remained silent and continued to stare.

She had no idea how to start, since she seemed to be deeply favored by Xiuming.

Moreover, Xiuming had already made up his mind, and he even criticized himself for not being considerate of him.

But Ayako's guilty look seems to prove that she came up with a terrible idea that would allow her husband to open a "massage parlor" and have an ambiguous relationship with other women.

Riko got even angrier and glared at her intently.

"Riko-chan, you can just say what you want to say. If you don't say anything, people will think I'm bullying you! Although, right? But, can I change anything? After all, you know how amazing Hideaki-kun is..."

She must know, she must know! That annoying guy, why does he tell Riko everything...?

Ayako screamed inwardly: Don't you know that when your wife gets angry, she looks incredibly cute and fierce? She's practically a little lamb who can't protect her food!

"Hmph!" Riko abruptly shook her head, turning her face to the side.

This vixen takes every opportunity to curry favor; isn't she afraid that other women will steal him away?

Looking back, Xiuming is her husband, so she is the one who has suffered the most loss.

Riko felt a deep sense of powerlessness at the thought of having to wear several green hats on her head.

But what can I do? After all, this is my husband's only hobby... Ugh! So frustrating!

Ayako continued drinking water as if nothing had happened.

"You're so annoying!" Riko said angrily.

Ayako breathed a sigh of relief. She finally turned her face away. She was most afraid of that fierce look in Ayako's eyes, and she almost couldn't help but spit in her face.

“What could I do? I disagreed at first, and I said ‘don’t do this’ so many times, but Xiuming insisted on doing it. Do you know how upset I was? I felt like I was going to die. He’s just too amazing.”

The aftereffects of Hideaki's sweet talk are truly amazing; just thinking about it makes me want to roll around and writhe in joy. How wonderful! How I envy Riko...

"Whatever!" Riko placed the documents on the table, pretending to look at them seriously. "Anyway, I just hate you in my heart. We, we can't be friends."

"Really? That's such a shame." Ayako had to suppress her laughter with a sob in her voice. "Then let's not talk to each other, okay? I want to be alone for a while."

That's great! I don't dare to be friends with you either. You always seem so easy to bully. I'm really worried that if I make you cry, I'll suffer too!

Ayako drank too much water and went to the restroom twice with crutches. There was a restroom in the shop, which was located in a corner of her studio area, less than ten square meters.

I've finished half a bucket of water... and I'm just sitting here awkwardly...

Ayako wanted to ask Riko what document she was looking at, but she was also worried that Riko would suddenly say, "I'm not letting you see it," and she would be unable to resist slapping her and snatching it away.

She suddenly understood why Xiuming always yelled at her; he must be suppressing the urge to hit her and had no choice but to yell.

Oh my, the little lamb is so cute, it'll cry for a long time if you slap it...

As Ayako muttered to herself, Miyamoto pulled up in his small truck at the door.

The train car is full of fast-moving consumer goods. Everything is ready, and we can open for business tomorrow at noon. The business license can be obtained on the same day. The current policies are very friendly to entrepreneurs, stimulating consumption.

Xiuming opened the passenger door and got out of the car with two takeout sushi and two servings of dumplings.

He was wearing a set of dark blue work clothes that Miyamoto had given him, and a matching blue hat on his head.

"Brother Miyamoto, please wait a moment while I take these two meals inside."

The two of them finished eating outside, and this was specially packed for Riko and Ayako.

Miyamoto waved his hand to indicate that he understood, but did not speak.

Because he had just helped move the goods, Miyamoto changed out of his suit, took off his wig, and put on an outfit just like Hideaki's.

We're already like-minded brothers, no need to stand on ceremony.

After all, driving is boring, so we need to talk about things we have in common!