Chapter 134: Facing Takeda Takanao (4/4)

It was the tail end of the workday, and the streetcars were already beginning to fill up.

Many people, upon catching Takeda Takanao’s gaze, would nervously lower their heads and edge away. Takeda could not be certain which of them were secretly monitoring his movements, but he knew for a fact that someone was lurking in the shadows. The contact person mentioned by Zhao Yuanxi had chosen to meet at the university where Takeda’s son, Taro, was enrolled—a move heavy with implicit threats.

Yet, perhaps it was for the best. After enduring the most demoralizing period since the beginning of the year, and finally settling the issues regarding material payments and the Henghe order, surely they would now reveal their true intentions?

Takeda transferred lines and pressed forward, his movements continuously relayed back to various factions.

"He’s boarded the Marunouchi Line again."

"He’s changed direction toward Arakawa Ward."

"He transfers too quickly; it seems someone designed a route specifically for him. We lost him at Nishi-Nippori Station! Terribly sorry!"

"He’s in Bunkyo Ward! Heading toward the school where his son studies. Perhaps the actions of those people from the Zuo Kingdom have caused him alarm. We cannot enter the campus. Boss, what should we do?"

"..."

While some lost his trail, others confirmed he had finally entered the university. As a parent, after confirming his identity at the reception office, Takeda was finally granted entry. However, he did not seek out his son; instead, he headed straight for the school library. He would surely meet that person there. Perhaps... his son was already being held captive.

Within the university, Takeda became the most suspicious-looking person present. His haggard expression, hurried pace, and darting eyes drew wary glances from the young students. Yet, they felt no fear; they merely frowned or whispered among themselves. This was a school; they felt no threat to their safety.

Takeda kept walking until a tall young man brushed past him and whispered, "President Takeda, follow me."

Takeda skidded to a halt, struggled to turn around, and took a deep breath as he stared at the back of the figure walking away with a backpack, looking perfectly at ease. No matter the situation, he would face it.

The two walked one after the other, the man in front moving with the natural, unhurried gait of a student. After passing a path where the cherry blossoms had already fallen, leaving only green leaves, Takeda followed him to a restaurant on campus. Judging by the decor, it appeared to be an upscale venue for hosting guests.

"I called just a moment ago."

The young girl at the restaurant looked at the man in front and blushed, smiling, "Welcome!"

"Takeda-san, please, this way." As he turned back, Takeda caught a clear look at his face—he possessed an air of openness and composure.

Takeda surveyed the environment before following him into a private room with sliding doors. He suppressed his suspicions and sat down in silence, staring at the young student.

"Takeda-san, what would you like to eat?"

"Anything is fine." Seeing that others were present, Takeda suppressed his urge to ask questions.

"In that case..." The young man ordered a variety of dishes from the girl quite casually, and the door to the room was finally pulled shut.

"Who exactly are you?" Takeda could not help but lower his voice. "What have you done to Taro?"

"A pleasure to meet you." The other party offered a gentle smile. "My name is Tao Dailang, a fourth-year student at the University of Tokyo. I haven't even met your son, Takeda Taro, let alone held him captive."

Takeda was stunned. No matter how he had imagined it, he never expected the person to be who he claimed. He had assumed he understood why they met at his son’s university: he would come to investigate to ensure his son’s safety, and the campus provided a secluded location away from prying eyes. But he never imagined that the letter-sender—the contact Zhao Yuanxi spoke of—would be a student at the University of Tokyo.

"Let go of your doubts for now."

Just as Tao Zhiming finished speaking, a voice sounded from outside: "Excuse me."

The appetizers and dishes were brought in. Tao nodded at the girl, "Thank you."

"Please enjoy. The rest will be ready shortly."

"No rush, take your time."

Takeda watched him chat cheerfully with the waitress, his suspicions deepening. He had met many people in his time; many wore one mask in public and another in private. Once the staff member had walked away, he whispered, "Who are you really? And what is this 'important decision' regarding the future of Takeda Manufacturing mentioned in the letter?"

"Didn't I tell you my name?" Tao picked up his chopsticks and gestured, then began to eat. "President Takeda, I understand your feelings. I chose to meet on campus in hopes that you might relax. The situation you face requires you to act with absolute calm and rationality."

Watching his unhurried manner, Takeda tightened his fists. At Tao’s words, he finally began to control his emotions and breathed deeply.

Tao said, "I am here to help you. Didn't the 150 million in cash already solve your most pressing problem?"

Takeda stared at him. "You aren't Zhao Yuanxi’s contact! You are the one behind him; he is merely the one acting on your behalf!"

Tao smiled. "That is true. But I did just help you, didn't I? Try it. This place has a great reputation; my classmates and I always recommend it. You aren't worried about the food, are you? This is a school, after all."

Whether it was Tao’s status as a student, his demeanor, or the campus environment, Takeda felt himself relax slightly. He touched nothing and said nothing.

After a while, the staff brought the rest of the dishes. Tao took a cellular phone from his backpack and placed it aside. "If you need anything in the future, you can contact me at any time. I will receive the message."

Takeda looked at the phone, his expression shifting. "You are clearly not just a student!"

"...I really am a student." Tao pulled out his student ID from his bag to show him. "Look, is it not me?"

The ID bore the name and emblem of the University of Tokyo, the date of enrollment, and his photograph. Takeda looked at the dull, shy face on the card, then back at Tao holding it. It was indeed the same person.

Tao put the ID away. "Among university students, there are always a few who are a bit different. Honestly, showing off my phone was just to make a lasting impression on you."

"...Being able to produce 150 million yen and knowing so much about Takeda Manufacturing is enough to leave an impression on me."

Tao smiled. "Rest assured, up until this point, everything related to you—aside from the 150 million—has had nothing to do with me."

"Then how do you know so much?" Takeda glared at him. "A mere student should not know these things."

Tao said calmly, "Currently, I am helping Professor Yamamoto Akito with some academic research. You can verify this later: the 'Finance Sword Research Lab' at the University of Tokyo’s Kendo Club. Because I have a good relationship with the professor, I heard about Takeda Manufacturing. What you are experiencing is highly representative."

Takeda was completely dumbfounded. What was this? How did academic research get dragged into this?

"Professor... Yamamoto Akito?"

"Yes. Do you know him?"

"Of course. I am in the manufacturing industry, after all. Professor Yamamoto has always spoken up for Japan’s manufacturing sector. Recently, he even published statements arguing that stronger measures are needed to help the industry weather its difficulties..."

Tao smiled. "Indeed. Our current research project is also focused on the pros and cons of financial market liberalization."

Takeda felt the situation was absurd. How had he ended up here, meeting a student and discussing academia? He cut straight to the point: "Highly representative... what does that mean?"

"President Takeda, who do you think your enemy is?" Tao countered with a question.

Takeda was silent for a moment before sighing. "It seems the initiative is not with me right now. You want to control the pace of this conversation? Fine. But first, answer one doubt: how do you know so much about me? Does academic research involve investigating my home address and my family’s information?"

Tao looked at him, sat up straighter, and said calmly, "Are you seeing enemies everywhere? Very well, I will tell you. Regarding Takeda Manufacturing, at this very moment, the high-level executives of all the top conglomerates in Japan and the key figures of all the most powerful underworld organizations in Tokyo know this information about you!"

"From the first day you felt things were becoming difficult, you have lived every single day under telescopes and surveillance. Your every move is being studied under a magnifying glass. Every important person around you is facing bribery, temptation, or entrapment. There is only a little over a month until the Mitsubishi loan repayment date. Do not think that because you solved the material payment issue, you can relax; your most painful moment is yet to come! Right now, every second is precious, and every decision is critical. But if you don't understand the situation, all your efforts will be in vain. President Takeda, it is not just you who is taking a risk; I am, too. By deciding to help you, I have stepped into opposition against these conglomerates!"

He stopped using honorifics. The light from the room shone down, illuminating half of Tao’s face, while the eye on the other side remained as calm and deep as an abyss.

As those words settled, Takeda felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, his entire body trembling with cold.