Chapter 102: The Lowest Point in Life—Masayoshi Son?

She hurried up and asked, “Is this how fast that machine makes money? That’s called a computer, right? Something like software?”

“Huh? You actually know quite a bit,” Tao Zhiming said with a tone that made Ueda Shana frown in displeasure. He smiled and added, “Yes, this is the latest financial software.”

“I see…” Ueda Shana pondered for a moment, then said arrogantly, “So what? Of course I understand! A couple of years ago, there was a boy who made money selling computers and was called the ‘Cinderella’ boy—I knew about him!”

“What’s that? The ‘Cinderella’ boy?” Tao Zhiming was about to tease her but suddenly stopped mid-step. “Wait… what’s that boy’s name?”

Ueda Shana was dumbfounded. How would she know? After a brief pause, she took a few steps forward and said, “Anyway, he was very promising, but unfortunately, he contracted a terminal illness. Now his company is about to disband, and the employees have already found new paths.”

Tao Zhiming caught up. “Terminal illness? Do you know where that person is now?”

“What’s the matter?” Ueda Shana asked curiously. “Could it be that you also think his company’s employees are quite talented?”

“Also?” Tao Zhiming sensed something was off. “The employees in his company are good—do you think so, or is that what someone else told you?”

“…A friend told me. Said they’ve already hired those employees,” she said, quickening her pace. “Hurry and change into your practice uniform!”

This was probably not baseless. Judging from her attitude, she clearly didn’t know much.

Tao Zhiming pondered as he walked.

After changing, he returned to Ueda Shana’s side and continued asking, “Actually, you didn’t know about Masayoshi Son before, right?”

Ueda Shana was stunned. “Who?”

Tao Zhiming smiled faintly and began practicing.

He had noticed a computer and software magazine published by SoftBank at the bank earlier, which caught his attention. Otherwise, hearing just the phrase “Cinderella boy,” he wouldn’t have connected it to that nickname.

Japan really was a country fond of giving people all sorts of strange nicknames.

But the chairman has a terminal illness, and the company is about to disband?

It sounded as if Masayoshi Son of SoftBank was currently at a low point in his life.

Tao Zhiming thought this over while his already imperfect posture worsened.

Ueda Shana, caught out pretending to know about the “Cinderella boy” but actually clueless, was annoyed. “No! Watch your footwork!”

“…Understood!” Tao Zhiming only wanted to exercise a bit, but with a skilled instructor, it would be a shame not to learn.

Putting aside Masayoshi Son’s matter for now, he earnestly practiced the “muscle memory” Ueda Shana mentioned. Memory wouldn’t form so quickly, but his body had grown somewhat stronger from nearly ten days of training.

His muscles ached, but thankfully, after returning home at night, Runa Onodera could help with massages.

Lost in thought, his movements faltered.

Ueda Shana struck his arm with a bamboo sword. “Focus!”

She was grinding her teeth—his expression just now was far from serious!

Tao Zhiming glanced at her, smiled, and loudly responded, “Understood!”

He swung the practice sword with vigor.

“Miss Ueda… Tao Taro, you two…”

Behind them, Yokohisa Yamane had just arrived at the Kendo club and saw Ueda Shana coaching Tao Zhiming. He couldn’t help but feel a mix of envy and jealousy.

Especially the irritated yet charming expression on her face just now—what was that about?

“Keep going!” Ueda Shana put on a stern face, then said to Yamane, “As for recruiting new members and the welcome ceremony, go to the activity room and discuss what to do.”

After speaking, she turned and walked toward a room.

Yamane nodded and passed by Tao Zhiming, who was still focused on practicing.

His movements were very unrefined!

But seeing him glance back with fierce determination as he powerfully swung the practice sword, Yamane swallowed the words he was about to say.

This guy’s gaze was a bit intimidating.

He narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “Concentrate!”

Then he entered the activity room and asked, “Miss Ueda, are you really going to let that guy join the Kendo club? He’s already a senior…”

“Can’t seniors stay in the Kendo club?” Ueda Shana’s face darkened, clearly displeased.

“...Of course not,” Yamane said, noticing her sudden outburst and realizing she said “stay” rather than “join.”

“Then let’s talk about how to recruit new members!”

…

After bathing and moving around a bit more to ease the soreness from practice, Tao Zhiming felt unusually comfortable as Runa Onodera kneaded his muscles.

He stretched out lazily, eyes half-closed in contentment. “Today, I made over 300 million yen again. So, any progress? Found any big warehouses or struggling small companies like I mentioned?”

“No real progress yet,” Runa replied, now rested, sitting beside him and gently kneading his arms. “You made that much again today? Amazing!”

“The next chance won’t be for at least half a month,” Tao Zhiming said, circling his palm softly. “Since Miko just started at her new school, if there’s no real progress on the real estate front, you don’t need to neglect spending time with her just because you’re busy.”

Runa shifted slightly, cuddling closer to his hand, her heart warm and content. “I know.”

“Tomorrow, I have to go early to Mogami Real Estate. I won’t be able to keep my promise to Miko; it’s all because of Mr. Kinoshita’s last-minute request.”

“…Why worry about that?”

At dinner, it was Miko who coaxed him, saying he hadn’t seen her beautiful new school yet, so Tao Zhiming agreed. Surprisingly, Runa even wanted to accompany them to drop Miko off, her expression softening. “There’ll be news about it tomorrow, right?”

Tao Zhiming smiled. “Probably. Mr. Kinoshita wants to make some noise.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing you on TV,” Runa said with a smile, then softly added, “Turn over, please. Maybe your shoulder and back muscles need some relief.”

He turned over and lay face down.

A gentle weight settled on his waist.

Enjoying Runa’s care, Tao Zhiming’s mind wandered elsewhere.

Finally, the Yuwa Consortium had made their decision, and their cooperation with Mogami Real Estate showed such boldness?

He had a vague feeling that tomorrow would be quite a show.

Hiroshi Omiya was known for underhanded tactics; he couldn’t be unaware of Kinoshita’s past.

The Yuwa Consortium knew Mogami Real Estate likely wouldn’t develop the land immediately but was willing to invest 5 billion yen in the first phase, launching the project and holding a press conference right away?

Such a large sum had to have the highest approval within Yuwa Consortium. Could they not see the great opportunity within the national railway privatization reform?

Tao Zhiming suspected Kinoshita might be walking into a trap.

Of course, this young Mr. Kinoshita wasn’t to be underestimated either.

His interest in tomorrow’s press conference grew.

And Masayoshi Son… Indeed, in his biography, he had read about Son’s story of being given a short time to live, then recovering only to be betrayed by his subordinates.

That was apparently this year. If he had the time, Tao Zhiming thought he might go see how Son was doing now.

While lost in these thoughts, he suddenly noticed Runa seemed a bit tired—their breathing had grown heavier.

Refocusing on the sensation, Tao Zhiming smiled and turned over again.

Seeing his gaze, Runa’s eyes lit up as if she understood something.

“Taro… do you practice kendo every day?” she asked softly, looking down at the young, handsome man.

Tao Zhiming nodded firmly. “That’s how you get stronger and stronger!”

Runa’s eyes shimmered like water, her heart burning with warmth as she turned off the light…