Chapter 15: The Power of Words

Faced with the roars of these two men, Tao Zhiming felt surprisingly calm, even a bit curious. It wasn’t that he was truly so bold as to act recklessly, especially now, alone and without support. The truth was, before his rebirth, he had risen to a high managerial position and had dealt with all sorts of people, including those from the underworld.

These two in front of him hadn’t come with overwhelming force or intent; otherwise, they wouldn’t have joked around after seeing Runa Onodera. The most important thing was that, despite their fearsome reputation, yakuza organizations in Japan were actually quite interesting, possessing a certain professional code of conduct. Legally, they existed as recognized associations under the constitution, but their violent tendencies meant they were constantly under scrutiny. As a result, their leaders had established many internal rules.

These rules, as it happened, could be quite useful.

So Tao Zhiming spoke calmly, “I had no intention of making a fool of you. Frankly, once I confirmed your background, I openly admitted my identity, didn’t I? As Miss Runa said, I am indeed Meiko’s tutor. I’m a student at the University of Tokyo, and Miss Runa has been working hard to gain my trust and ask for my help in tutoring Meiko. Honestly, it’s hard to refuse Meiko’s requests.”

“A University of Tokyo student?” The man in the red jacket was startled and asked his companion, “Weren’t we told he was just a reclusive single man whose parents had passed away?”

“Looks like your information was incomplete,” Tao Zhiming said, reassured that his judgment was correct, and smiled slightly. “At the moment, I’m negotiating the terms of a house sale with Miss Runa. Aren’t negotiations supposed to involve compromise on both sides? Miss Runa, is your boss really furious over my terms? I don’t think the price I proposed was unreasonable.”

“No,” Runa Onodera replied, amazed at how composed he remained in front of the yakuza. “The boss only said that he needed to consider it carefully.”

“Are you kidding me!” the red-jacketed man bellowed again. “When the Wakagashira speaks, how could there be a mistake?”

“Perhaps the Shindo Group didn’t get accurate information. In any case, I have no grievances with your group; I’ve only been dealing with Miss Runa. The graffiti at my door already made me worry. If Miss Runa hadn’t promised to discuss things properly, I would’ve sought help from the Metropolitan Police. The president of Tomokazu Trading, Mr. Hiroshi Omiya, who has given me a tentative offer as special assistant, is also very concerned about the troubles with the house and promised to help if I run into problems I can’t solve myself.”

“Judging from what you two have just said…” Tao Zhiming’s gaze was unwavering. “You’re threatening me to accept unfair terms, aren’t you?”

Before the man in red could reply, his drunken companion couldn’t contain himself: “Damn it! Are you looking down on the Shindo Group?”

But he was stopped by the man in red, who stared hard at Tao Zhiming. “…Do you understand your situation right now?”

He was menacing, clearly ready to resort to violence.

“Of course I understand,” Tao Zhiming replied, unafraid, feeling even more at ease. “I’m only trying my best to protect myself. Perhaps provoking you isn’t wise, but, judging by what I’ve said and my current attitude, I just want you to understand one thing: I’m prepared for this sort of situation. Besides, it’s been ten years since the Showa 50’s Summit Operation. After last year’s Yamaichi conflict, your boss must have warned you—the current climate is severe, isn’t it?”

The red-jacketed man’s eyes narrowed in a flash.

Tao Zhiming continued, “You have your code, and I have things I must protect. For that, I am ready to do what it takes. Please give Miss Runa more time. In front of her, crushing her hopes of persuading me isn’t something a real man should do.”

After saying this, he stood seriously before the two men, placing himself in front of Runa Onodera and Meiko.

The man in red stared at him for a while, then suddenly laughed. “Graffiti at your door? What are you talking about? What does that have to do with us?”

“Indeed, it has nothing to do with you,” Tao Zhiming replied with a smile. “Thank you for your concern!”

“Well then… Tao, you’d best hurry and see Miss Runa home,” the man in red said, his smile stiff, even bowing slightly.

Tao Zhiming calmly led Runa Onodera and Meiko onward.

Once they were out of earshot, the drunken man grumbled, “Yuta! Why did you stop me? That guy was so disrespectful!”

“Idiot!” The man in red watched Tao Zhiming’s retreating figure, eyes narrowed, and whispered, “That kid… he’s no ordinary one. Yuma, have you ever seen a student so composed in front of us?”

“That’s why! We should have taught him a lesson for his arrogance!”

“You fool!” The man in red frowned. “Suppose he’s someone we shouldn’t mess with—if there’s trouble, do you want to lose your little finger and be expelled from the group and turn yourself in?”

“…Are you kidding?”

“This is no joke.” The man in red watched Tao Zhiming disappear into the distance and muttered, “Our path, Yuma… Once you enter the yakuza, there’s no turning back. But it takes brains to survive. In any case, a University of Tokyo student and Tomokazu Trading’s special assistant? Maybe we should verify these two things first…”

…

Elsewhere, Runa Onodera sat in the back of a taxi holding Meiko’s hand, unable to stop glancing at Tao Zhiming, who sat up front. Just a moment ago, she’d thought Yuta and Yuma were about to teach him a lesson. With ordinary people, those guys would only respond to provocation with greater aggression.

Yet he had managed to subdue Yuta with words alone, even eliciting a polite smile.

Wasn’t he afraid?

“Mama…” Meiko’s voice was trembling with tears. “I’m scared…”

“It’s all right now, it’s all right…” Runa Onodera hugged her close. “It’s over now.”

Tao Zhiming glanced back at the mother and daughter, then suddenly said, “It’s been over three months since we first met, hasn’t it? No wonder their patience has worn thin. Why haven’t you simply given up on me, or let them take over?”

Runa Onodera glanced at the taxi driver, lowered her head, and replied quietly, “As long as there’s a glimmer of hope, I still want to try. That night, I was prepared to ask for your opinion one last time.”

Tao Zhiming smiled. “Fate really is strange.”

If it hadn’t been him who was reborn that night, Tao Dailang would likely have had to face the Shindo Group directly.

“Your boss, did she always ask them for help with difficult problems?”

“…Yes, that’s how I know them.”

“These people…” Tao Zhiming shook his head. The criminal underworld isn’t so easy to be part of.

Perhaps they had once enjoyed glory, but by now, they were forced to transform into gray-market economic organizations. The Summit Operation was a long crackdown targeting these groups. Last year’s internal power struggle led to a gunfight, and the current situation was tense. If they were truly so arrogant, they wouldn’t have stopped at mere graffiti. After the bubble burst, there would even be strict new laws, and it would only get harder to survive—some would end up running milk tea shops or having law-abiding standoffs on the streets, which even became a hot topic online for a time.

Still, in the dazzling years to come, they would ironically find unexpected opportunities, becoming a shadowy force not to be overlooked in the bubble era.

Suddenly, Tao Zhiming said, “Perhaps, when things aren’t busy, I could meet your boss sometime.”

“Eh?” Runa Onodera exclaimed, then asked in a whisper, “Do you… want to talk in person?”

“Who knows? Meeting might be interesting,” Tao Zhiming replied noncommittally and fell silent.

The taxi driver, growing nervous at the cryptic conversation, said nothing.

When they reached Runa Onodera’s home, she said to Meiko, “Meiko, go to bed now. Mama needs to talk with Tao for a bit.”

Tao Zhiming smiled gently. “Good night, Meiko.”

Meiko glanced at him shyly, recalling the figure of the big brother who had stood protectively before her and her mother. She whispered a timid goodnight and hurried into her room.

After pouring some water and sitting down, Runa Onodera couldn’t help but ask, “Tao… weren’t you afraid just now?”

“A little,” Tao Zhiming answered honestly. “Mainly, I was worried they’d both be idiots who couldn’t understand my words.”

“…And if they really didn’t understand?”

“…Then I suppose it’s time to start a physical training plan,” Tao Zhiming suddenly remarked. “Still, this concerns me, after all. Besides, with you right there, how could I show any weakness?”

Runa Onodera’s heart skipped a beat. She lowered her head and asked softly, “Tao… why are you helping me like this?”

“Your boss had a good eye in picking you as a negotiator,” Tao Zhiming said with a smile. “Miss Runa, don’t overcomplicate things. I’ve said it before—this is about the house, so it’s my business.”

Runa Onodera kept her head down for a long time until Tao Zhiming noticed tears beginning to fall from her face. Her voice was very soft, but she didn’t sob, “Actually, I was very scared just now too…”

Tao Zhiming felt a headache coming on.

Women really do tend to get too emotional, don’t they?