Crossover: Pen name: Dazai Osamu, Omega Kasumigaoka

He smiled slightly and said to the young woman:

"Perhaps you're right, but that doesn't stop us from trying and striving. Everyone has their own dreams and pursuits, don't they?"

The young woman seemed taken aback by Kitahara's answer. She glared at him and then turned and left.

(Good news!) Kitahara Makoto, Fuden, and Jinye watched her departing figure, all shaking their heads. Fuden smiled and said:

"This little girl is really arrogant."

Jin Ye also smiled and said:

"However, her words also reminded us that acquiring Alibaba Group is indeed not an easy task. We need to be more cautious and work harder."

Kitahara Shin nodded. He knew the road ahead was full of challenges and unknowns, but he also believed in his own abilities.

Chapter 123 A Wonderful Experience Haruko

After the woman left, the atmosphere in the restaurant seemed to return to its previous harmony and tranquility.

Kitahara Makoto, Futo, and Shin-ha sat down again, ready to continue their dinner.

Just then, a melodious song drifted over, attracting their attention.

The female singer who was singing on stage is now slowly walking off the stage and heading towards them.

The female singer wore a simple yet elegant evening gown, with her long hair flowing over her shoulders and a delicate face.

Her eyes revealed a calm and composed demeanor, as if she had experienced the ups and downs of life, yet still maintained inner peace and purity.

She walked up to Kitahara Makoto's table and greeted them with a smile:

"Hello, I just overheard you talking about acquiring Alibaba Group. I'm also very interested in this. Can I join you?"

Kitahara and the other two exchanged glances, all seeing the surprise and curiosity in each other's eyes.

Kitahara Shin responded with a smile:

"Of course, please sit down."

After the female singer sat down, she introduced herself:

"My name is Haruko, and I'm the resident singer at this restaurant. Besides singing, I also like to keep up with business news and trends."

Fullerton nodded and said with a smile:

"Miss Haruko is truly multi-talented."

Jin Ye also chimed in:

"Yes, it is our honor to hear your singing here."

Haruko waved her hand modestly and said:

"Oh, not at all, I just enjoy singing. But you guys have the courage to talk about something as important as CECJ's acquisition of Alibaba Group, I really admire you."

Kitahara Makoto smiled and said:

"Actually, we only have this idea; there are still many difficulties to overcome in its implementation."

Haruko said earnestly:

"As long as you have ideas and courage, you will definitely be able to achieve them. I believe you will succeed."

The four of them got along very well for the rest of the time.

They not only discussed business topics but also shared their life experiences and insights. Haruko's arrival made the dinner atmosphere even more lively and enjoyable.

As dinner was drawing to a close, Haruko suddenly suggested:

"Mr. Kitahara, would you be interested in coming up on stage and singing a song with me?"

Kitahara Shin was taken aback and looked at Haruko with some surprise.

He wasn't a good singer, and he didn't usually like to perform in public. But looking at Haruko's expectant eyes, he couldn't bear to refuse.

Seeing this, Fuden and Jinye started to jeer:

"Kitahara, go! This is a golden opportunity!"

Kitahara hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said:

"Okay, I'll give it a try."

Haruko clapped her hands happily and said:

"Great! I'm confident we can work together very well."

The two walked onto the stage, and Haruko picked up the microphone and whispered to Kitahara Makoto:

"Don't worry, just follow my pace."

Kitahara Makoto nodded, took a deep breath, and prepared to meet the challenge.

As the music began, Haruko started to sing softly.

Her voice was clear and moving, as if it could penetrate people's hearts.

Although Kitahara Makoto was nervous, he gradually relaxed under Haruko's guidance and began to hum along with the music.

Their voices gradually blended together, creating a beautiful harmony.

They looked at each other, as if conveying their emotions and tacit understanding through their songs.

The audience below the stage were also attracted by their singing, and they cast admiring glances and applause at them.

Kitahara felt an unprecedented sense of excitement and accomplishment; he knew he was experiencing an unforgettable moment.

After the song ended, enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted from the audience. Kitahara Makoto and Haruko bowed to the audience in gratitude before walking off the stage.

Chapter 124 Sending Haruko Home

After saying goodbye to everyone, Kitahara Makoto walked to the door and gently pushed open the restaurant door.

The air outside was slightly chilly, a stark contrast to the warm atmosphere he had just been immersed in with singing and laughter.

As soon as he took a step, he felt a damp wind blowing in his face, carrying the scent of earth and the freshness of rain.

Looking up, the sky was overcast, with thick, dark clouds that seemed ready to press down at any moment.

Kitahara Shin's heart tightened; he knew something was wrong.

Sure enough, immediately afterward, large raindrops began to pound on the ground, instantly forming small streams.

The rain intensified, as if a hole had been torn open in the sky, pouring down endless torrential rain.

Kitahara Makoto stood at the restaurant entrance, gazing at the sudden downpour, thinking...

"What a coincidence!"

Helpless, Kitahara Makoto turned back to the restaurant to borrow an umbrella to deal with the sudden downpour.

Kitahara Makoto borrowed an umbrella from someone and had just reached the door when he found Haruko there too.

Only after asking did I learn that Haruko had just finished her performance at the restaurant and was preparing to leave.

Seeing the torrential rain outside, Haruko's beautiful brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of resentment flashed in her eyes.

She looked down at her delicate little leather shoes, clearly not wanting them to get wet in the rain.

Seeing this, Kitahara Makoto had an idea and took the initiative to extend an invitation to Haruko:

"Miss Haruko, it's raining so hard, let me drive you home. Consider it a reward for the song you invited me to sing earlier."

Haruko looked up and stared at Kitahara Makoto with some surprise.

She hadn't expected Kitahara Makoto to notice her distress so carefully and offer such advice.

A warm feeling welled up inside her, and she nodded gratefully: "Then I'll trouble you, Mr. Kitahara."

The two walked out of the restaurant together, with Kitahara Makoto holding an umbrella and protecting Haruko as they headed towards the parking lot.

The air in the rain carried a slight chill, but a warm atmosphere permeated the space between the two.

They arrived at the parking lot. "Where's the car? Let's go over there," Kitahara Makoto pointed.

Haruko looked at Kitahara Makoto with some surprise, noticing that Kitahara Makoto was pointing in the direction of the parking lot.

There was a Maserati parked there, with a streamlined design and an air of nobility.

A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. After examining it carefully for a few moments, she was certain that it was indeed the luxury car known for its opulence and performance.

Haruko's face showed a hint of embarrassment and awkwardness; she hadn't expected Kitahara Makoto to own such an expensive car.

She instantly felt like an ordinary person who had stumbled into a high-class banquet hall, completely out of place in this luxurious environment.

"This...is this your car?" Haruko asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.

·····Requesting flowers··········

Kitahara Makoto smiled and nodded: "Yes, I don't usually drive, but the rain is too heavy today, so it's more convenient to drive."

Haruko felt even more uneasy hearing Kitahara Makoto's relaxed tone.

She suddenly felt that it would be very inappropriate for her to sit in this car, as if she were taking advantage of Kitahara Makoto.

.............

"Um... I'll just carry the umbrella myself, no need to trouble you."

Haruko said somewhat awkwardly, trying to politely decline Kitahara Makoto's offer.

But Kitahara Shin insisted:

"It's alright, Miss Haruko. I already said I'd take you home, and I won't go back on my word. Besides, it's raining so hard."

Haruko felt a surge of emotion as she looked into Kitahara Makoto's determined eyes.

She knew she was overthinking it; Kitahara Makoto wasn't the kind of person who would treat her differently because of her status or wealth.

So she nodded and accepted Kitahara Makoto's kindness.

The two walked to the parking lot together, and Kitahara opened the car door for Haruko, letting her sit in the passenger seat.

Although Haruko was still a little uneasy, she gradually relaxed in the warm carriage.

Kitahara Makoto started the car and drove out of the parking lot. The air in the rain carried a slight chill, and the dust...

Chapter 125 The Atmosphere in the Rain

Kitahara Shin gently pressed the start button, and the Maserati's engine roared softly before smoothly driving out of the parking lot.

The rain, like a curtain, blurred the outline of the city outside the window. The streetlights flickered in the rain, like a flowing painting.

Haruko sat quietly in the passenger seat, staring unfocusedly out the window.

The sound of raindrops hitting the car window contrasted sharply with the quiet atmosphere inside the car, causing her to fall into deep thought.

She recalled the scene of singing in the restaurant in 193, and every note and every applause seemed to still echo in her ears.

Just then, Kitahara Makoto's voice broke the silence:

"Miss Haruko, could you tell me your address? I'll take you home."

Haruko snapped out of her daze, smiled slightly, and gave him her address.

However, after giving the address, she fell silent again and continued to look out the window.

The atmosphere inside the car suddenly became somewhat awkward, as if an invisible pressure was spreading between the two of them.

Kitahara Makoto noticed this subtle change, and he frowned slightly, thinking about how to defuse the awkward atmosphere.

He glanced at the car stereo and suddenly had an idea.

He casually pressed play, and a familiar melody filled the carriage—Jay Chou's classic song "Seven Mile Fragrance".

"The rain fell all night, my love overflowed like the raindrops."

The fallen leaves in the yard are piled high with my longing.

"A few words of gossip cannot cool my enthusiasm."

"You appear on every page of my poems."

"The rain fell all night, my love overflowed like the raindrops."

"Butterflies on the windowsill are like beautiful verses fluttering in a poem."

"I then wrote 'I will always love you' at the end of the poem."