Substitute Toyokawa Shoko, you can become stronger by breathing

The people from the Canglong Society did not directly participate in the operation of Xinghui Entertainment. They were more like "scavengers" and "lubricants" hidden behind the scenes.

When a newcomer favored by Star Entertainment is maliciously suppressed by a competitor, perhaps the next day, the head of the rival company will find that all the tires of his luxury car are punctured, or he will receive some vague "warnings."

When a key media channel closes its doors to Star Entertainment, it may not be long before that media outlet is involved in a scandal of varying degrees, or its senior management may choose to "keep a low profile" for some "personal reasons."

When local "local tyrants" try to harass Star Entertainment's offline events or filming locations, tattooed, fierce-looking "unknown individuals" often appear at the perfect time to "friendly" dissuade the troublemakers.

These tactics, while not always violent, are extremely effective and often difficult to trace back to a clear source.

The Canglong Society is like a giant beast lurking in the shadows, quietly clearing away many obstacles on Xinghui Entertainment's path forward.

Of course, all this doesn't come for free.

Xinghui Entertainment paid a considerable amount of "consultancy fees" for this, and gave the Canglong Club some "conveniences" and "shares" on certain "specific projects".

That period of "cooperation" did not last long.

As Xinghui Entertainment gradually gained a foothold and established its own network of relationships and industry influence, Hidehiko Toyokawa began to consciously cut ties with the Soryukai and gradually reduced their interactions.

He was well aware of the dangers of trying to get the skin of a tiger. These extremist organizations were like maggots on the tarsal bone. Once infected, it would be very difficult to get rid of them completely.

He also gained a deeper understanding of the Canglong Society's style of doing things.

——Cold, efficient, unscrupulous, and possessing a set of logic and order independent of normal social rules.

A group of crazy people are not scary.

What is scary is a group of lunatics who are rational, organized, have clear goals, and will not hesitate to trample on all rules and bottom lines to achieve their goals.

In his opinion, the Canglong Society is such a terrifying existence.

And the guy with the last name "Kimura"... he remembered that he seemed to be a very influential leader in the Canglong Society?

He was not entirely clear about what specific matters he was responsible for, but he had vaguely heard that this person was known for his meticulous mind and ruthless means, and was one of the "brains" within the Canglong Society.

Is it really him?

Toyokawa Hidehiko's heart sank.

But why?

He carefully recalled his past interactions with the Blue Dragon Society and all the recent events. He was certain that he had not offended this Kimura in any way, and even had almost no direct contact with him.

The "cooperation" between the two parties has ended long ago. Logically, they should keep out of each other's way.

Why would the other party suddenly launch such a fierce attack on him at this critical juncture?

And the target is so clear, directly targeting the core of Star Entertainment?

Could it be... because of Toyokawa Shoko?

What is the connection between Kimura and Shoko Toyokawa?

Hidehiko Toyokawa's mind was working rapidly, trying to make sense of the confusing information, but he could not find a reasonable explanation.

Maybe... it was just a coincidence? Maybe this Kimura wasn't the Kimura he thought she was?

At this time, he still had a glimmer of hope in his heart.

"Go check it out."

He sternly said to the secretary who was still standing there in shock:

"Find out the true identity of the so-called 'Kimura' behind this incident. I want the results within half an hour."

The secretary nodded quickly, then staggered out of the office and began to mobilize people for an emergency investigation.

The next half hour was an extremely long and ordeal for Hidehiko Toyokawa.

The survey results were quickly fed back.

When the secretary placed a printed document with an encrypted mark in front of him, Hidehiko Toyokawa could even see the other person's fingers trembling slightly as he handed the document to him.

He took a deep breath, picked up the document, and quickly scanned the contents.

The investigation wasn't complex, but it was certainly a complex one. By tracing back the IP address of the source of the tip, urgently checking the accounts involved in the flow of funds, and leveraging connections within the Metropolitan Police Department to conduct indirect investigations, all the clues ultimately led to the same individual.

Seiichiro Kimura.

CEO of Cangmu Group, major shareholder of Dongcheng Real Estate...head of the Canglong Society in Chiba District

...

Every word on the document was clearly reflected in his eyes.

The last bit of luck was completely shattered.

An indescribable feeling of irritation and annoyance suddenly surged into Hidehiko Toyokawa's heart.

Damn it! How could I have gotten into trouble with this evil star?!

He threw the documents on the table in annoyance and paced back and forth in the office.

However...if you calm down and analyze it carefully, the trouble caused by Kimura this time, although huge and looks extremely scary, it did not really hurt his foundation.

Xinghui Entertainment's tax problems do exist, but they're not as exaggerated as the leaked information suggests. The alleged "yin-yang contracts" and "fund transfers" were meticulously crafted by a team of professional lawyers, leaving ample room for interpretation within the legal framework. Appropriate responses, with a price to pay, could include hefty fines or the sacrifice of a few scapegoats.

Anyway...it's not completely unsolvable.

As for the withdrawal of investment from partners and the termination of contracts with brands...

These are more of a stress response based on panic and risk aversion. As long as Xinghui Entertainment can maintain its footing and demonstrate its ability and determination to resolve the problem, there is still room for recovery.

In other words, Kimura's attack this time was more like a loud warning and a show of force?

Thinking of this, Hidehiko Toyokawa's mood calmed down a little, but was followed by deeper confusion and anger.

What on earth does Kimura want to do?!

Why did he use this method to "warn" himself?

What's the problem between them?!

Could it be that... there really is some unknown connection between Kimura and Shoko?

This speculation struck him as absurd, yet he also felt that it was the only clue that could explain Kimura's motives...

In any case, the most urgent task is to deal with the current mess and stabilize the situation of Star Entertainment.

As for Kimura...this huge, unresolved threat...

He needed to find an opportunity to "visit" the big boss of the Canglong Society and find out what he had to say.

But... when dealing with this madman who doesn't play by the rules, he must be extremely careful and vigilant.

Hidehiko Toyokawa rubbed his swollen temples, feeling an unprecedented sense of irritability and...deep fatigue.

Things seem to be heading in a direction that is getting increasingly out of control.

.......

Things became much simpler after confirming that the mastermind behind the incident was Seiichiro Kimura of the Soryukai.

At least, the opponent is clear and his behavior pattern is traceable.

No matter how crazy a gang is, its ultimate goal is nothing more than profit.

Kimura made such a big fuss this time, seemingly trying to put Star Entertainment to death, but Toyokawa Hidehiko is more inclined to believe that this is a means of extreme pressure in order to gain greater benefits in the subsequent "negotiations."

Perhaps he wants a bigger share of Star Entertainment’s future profits?

Perhaps they want to take this opportunity to re-extend their tentacles into the operations of Star Entertainment?

Or perhaps, he wanted to use this incident to force Hidehiko Toyokawa to make concessions in other areas?

In any case, as long as the other party has something to ask for, there is still room for mediation.

Because of this judgment, or perhaps because of a certain fear deep in his heart of the behemoth Canglong Society, he did not want to make the situation completely awkward and ultimately bring disaster upon himself.

Hidehiko Toyokawa decided to take the initiative to contact Kimura for a "communication".

Through some secret channels that were deliberately preserved in order to distance himself from the matter, he quickly obtained Kimura Seiichiro's private encrypted communication method.

Taking a deep breath and adjusting his mindset, Toyokawa Hidehiko made the video call. He had a prepared speech, ready to demonstrate appropriate toughness in the upcoming confrontation while retaining ample room for negotiation, striving to quell the situation at the lowest possible cost.

The video was quickly connected.

What appeared on the screen was not what he had imagined.

Seiichiro Kimura on the other side of the camera looks unexpectedly...young?

He looked to be in his early thirties at most, wearing a well-tailored black suit, a meticulously groomed hairdo, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses on his nose.

If you didn't know his true identity, you would probably think he was some young talent in the financial world.

Only the pair of eyes looking through the lenses and the lingering sinister aura of someone who has been in a superior position for a long time between his brows vaguely revealed the danger of this person.

At this moment, Kimura was leaning on a leather sofa in what seemed to be a high-end club, playing with an exquisite lighter in his hand. He looked at Toyokawa Hidehiko on the other side of the screen with a playful look in his eyes. He was the first to break the silence with a playful and teasing tone:

"Oh? Isn't this Mr. Toyokawa? What a rare visitor."

He paused, his smile deepened, but his tone suddenly became cold:

"What? You figured it out so quickly?"

Toyokawa Hidehiko suppressed his displeasure, maintained his outward calm, and said in a deep voice:

"Mr. Kimura, let's be frank. I'm sure the recent 'trouble' Star Entertainment has encountered was caused by you, right?"

"trouble?"

Kimura raised his eyebrows in surprise:

"Mr. Fengchuan, you're joking. Xinghui Entertainment is a large company, so how could it be in trouble? I just... happened to hear some 'interesting' news and thought the public should know the truth. After all, as law-abiding citizens, exposing illegal activities is everyone's responsibility."

His words were spoken lightly, but they were full of undisguised provocation and threats.

Toyokawa Hidehiko's face darkened. "Mr. Kimura, it seems there's no grudge between us. I don't understand why you're targeting Xinghui Entertainment."

"Holiday?"

The smile on Kimura's face disappeared, replaced by a chilling indifference:

"Mr. Fengchuan doesn't have a very good memory. Do I need to remind you? When Xinghui Entertainment was first established, who helped you clear the obstacles?"

Toyokawa Hidehiko felt a chill in his heart.

Sure enough, the other party was planning to dig up old grudges and ask for "rewards".

"Xinghui Entertainment has already fully repaid the 'help' they provided back then in the form of 'consultancy fees.'"

He tried to argue: "Our cooperation has long ended."

"cooperate?"

Kimura sneered, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world:

"Mr. Fengchuan, I'm not here to ask for cooperation. I'm here to ask for compensation."

He suppressed his anger and said through gritted teeth: "Mr. Kimura! Don't go too far!"

In his opinion, the extreme, almost crazy and humiliating attitude shown by Kimura at this moment is still a negotiation strategy.

This is a means of extreme pressure. By making an absolutely unacceptable and extremely insulting request, the other party's psychological defenses are destroyed, and one's own "madness" and "recklessness" are demonstrated. In this way, the party can take the absolute initiative in the subsequent tug-of-war and ultimately reach a "compromise" solution that is not so outrageous but still extremely beneficial to oneself.

This is a common trick used by the Canglong Society... First, they bring your expectations to the bottom, making you feel real fear and despair, and then they loosen the rope a little and throw out a seemingly "acceptable" condition, so that you will obediently submit in the relief of "surviving the disaster."

Hidehiko Toyokawa thought he saw through Kimura's "performance".

What he needs to do now is to show his bottom line and toughness, and not be intimidated by the other party's "madness".

He took a deep breath and tried to make his voice sound more intimidating:

"Mr. Kimura, I don't want to be an enemy of the Soryukai. But if you insist on doing so, it will be a fight to the bitter end for everyone!"

However, after hearing his cowardly "threat", Kimura on the other side of the screen showed an expression...almost pity, as if he was looking at a fool.

He shook his head slightly, seeming very disappointed with Toyokawa Hidehiko's "ignorance of the times".

"It seems... Mr. Toyokawa still hasn't figured out the situation."

Kimura sighed, and the last trace of pretended patience in his tone disappeared.

"In that case..."

He didn't say anything else, just looked at the screen, sighed, and then...

He hung up the video call directly.