Chapter 26: Encounter in a Foreign Land

With Yosuke Ueno's 1.5 million yen in hand, what reason did Tao Zhiming have to wait around for a call from Sumitomo? He had already pocketed the 500,000 yen plus 300,000 yen in shopping vouchers. It was highly unlikely they’d offer more cash; at best, they’d dangle promises about a bright future if he joined Sumitomo. Tao Zhiming had no intention of going anyway.

He promptly wrote an IOU for Yosuke Ueno and headed to the bank with him.

“I suddenly have the feeling I’ve become a moneylender,” Yosuke Ueno said, his tone unexpectedly excited.

“What’s this? Are you getting a thrill out of turning into a yakuza?” Tao Zhiming teased.

“Hey, hey, it’s not like that!” Yosuke Ueno mused. “I think... it’s just the first time I’ve used my own money to invest in something.”

“Congratulations,” Tao Zhiming said, brimming with confidence.

“Thank you! I really do feel like I’m growing up a bit!”

“I meant...” Tao Zhiming grinned, “congratulations on your first investment, and on meeting someone reliable—me.”

“...”

“Hahahaha...” Tao Zhiming was in high spirits.

At this point, the “inheritance” Tao Dailang had left him—his University of Tokyo student status and this friend—had been put to use as much as possible.

After returning from the bank, he called Chang Le Kudou.

With his account balance doubled again, Chang Le Kudou was at a loss for words. Now, this Tao Dailang had climbed into the ranks of mid-level, high-quality clients under his management. And a University of Tokyo student at that? Clearly, there was still plenty of room for growth. Kudou felt increasingly motivated.

This student was unusual—he’d even specified the way he wanted his account managed. Was he doing his own analysis?

...

“What? You’re going to campus? Isn’t it spring break? What are you going there for?”

Tao Zhiming was already dressed. “The library’s still open. I don’t have anything else scheduled today, so I’ll be going to do some research.”

Excellent; just after returning, he got a call from Sumitomo. Tao Zhiming spun a tale about having bank and company information sessions to attend over the next couple of days, and managed to push back the special interview by a few days. The exact date would depend on the president’s schedule, of course.

It was the same old song: he was in demand, and now it was up to Sumitomo to show how much they valued him. If there was any follow-up, perhaps he’d get a little more out of it. If not, that was fine too—he already had the money.

He checked in with Segawa Kusakabe, but the approval process for the limit and interest rate was still ongoing.

So he simply decided to find something to do.

“Research?” Yosuke Ueno hesitated. “Maybe I’ll come with you and see what you’re studying.”

“Yosuke,” Tao Zhiming said seriously, “a man grows by facing certain things on his own. Anyway, you’re still in charge of tonight’s date with Kyoko and the others. That’s all—I'm off.”

He walked out, leaving Yosuke Ueno puzzled.

Did those two things... have anything to do with each other?

Tao Zhiming rode a bus to the University of Tokyo, a campus deeply familiar to Tao Dailang, but as he entered, he felt a fresh sense of novelty—like a tourist.

It was spring break, so the campus was nearly deserted. Tao Zhiming, following his memory, made his way to the library. After verifying his University of Tokyo credentials, he began his day’s work.

He hadn’t wanted Yosuke Ueno to tag along—not just for the sake of quiet, but because the research he was about to do might leave Yosuke truly baffled.

In this era, Tao Zhiming couldn’t rely on the internet to clarify the details he wanted to investigate. The University of Tokyo’s library was the perfect choice—at least it held volumes of recent years’ newspapers, magazines, and other data from Japan.

Armed with knowledge of the major trends of the next few years, Tao Zhiming could cross-reference them with current information—perhaps he’d make new discoveries, or awaken memories he’d previously overlooked.

He gathered a large stack of bound volumes and books, found a quiet spot, and took out his notebook and pen, plunging into his work.

Time slipped by unnoticed. When his stomach began to growl, he put down his pen and stretched, only to freeze for a moment.

Not far ahead sat a young woman, head lowered in concentration.

He wasn’t struck by her face—he could only see her forehead from this angle. What caught his attention was her clothing.

Tao Zhiming recognized it immediately: she was a student from China.

In 1986’s Japan, though the air of flamboyance hadn’t yet reached the extremes of a few years later, young women were already paying close attention to their fashion and even makeup; none would dress so simply.

The sweater she wore was a hand-knit pattern Tao Zhiming knew well, the color subdued, the fabric clearly worn for several years. Her hair was simply tied back, no styling, just a plain ponytail.

His gaze didn’t disturb her; she didn’t even notice, only frowning slightly at something difficult in her book.

A glance at the clock on the wall—it was already after two in the afternoon.

Tao Zhiming’s curiosity was piqued. Anyone able to study in Japan at this time needed no proof of their excellence. Judging by her clothes, she likely hadn’t come from a wealthy family on a self-funded path.

He hadn’t expected to encounter a peer from China so soon in Japan.

Unburdened by the shyness typical of young men his age, he walked over and asked directly, “Are you from China?”

He spoke Mandarin. The girl started and raised her head.

Tao Zhiming was taken aback.

It was a look of purity rarely seen since his own coming of age in his previous life.

Her face, though unadorned, had fine features as its foundation. Now, surprise, timidity, and panic mingled in her expression, making her seem even more delicate, as if one might harm her with a word.

Of course, that would be the reaction of someone with an overwhelming urge to protect.

But to a less scrupulous soul, it would only be more enticing.

Tao Zhiming smiled, took a seat beside her, and said quietly, “My name is Tao Zhiming. My grandfather immigrated here during the Republic era. Here, I go by Tao Dailang.”

Hearing fluent Mandarin, the girl asked in astonishment, “Your Mandarin... is that fluent?”

“Not too bad,” Tao Zhiming replied with a smile. “What’s your name?”

“...Lin Qiyu...”

“‘Getting caught in the rain’?” Tao Zhiming couldn’t resist teasing her.

Lin Qiyu grew a bit flustered, her ears tinged pink, and she lowered her gaze. “No... Lin as in ‘forest’, Qi as in ‘perch’, Yu as in ‘feather’.”

“Very cultured—a family of scholars, I presume?” amused, Tao Zhiming watched her embarrassment. “You must be a graduate student? I’m a senior this coming fall.”

“Yes, I’ll be starting my second year soon.” Had it been any other student, Lin Qiyu would probably have wished to end the conversation by now.

But meeting someone from the same homeland, and one who had lived long in Japan, stirred her curiosity. She looked up and asked, “What’s your major?”

“Management. And you?”

“Economics...”

“How have you been adjusting since coming to Tokyo?”

Lin Qiyu looked a little embarrassed. “My Japanese... still isn’t very good. Everything else... is fine.”

Tao Zhiming smiled. “Could you keep an eye on my things for me? I haven’t had lunch yet, but I’ll be back soon.”

He pointed to his stack of materials.

Lin Qiyu nodded dazedly.

There were barely a handful of people in the library—what was there to worry about?

“Thanks.” Tao Zhiming nodded and walked out.

He hadn’t even asked, “Have you eaten?”—just casually asked her for a favor.

Though he was very interested, he thought, there was no rush to get to know her.

So her Japanese was weak? He could always help her later.

For now, it was just a chance encounter.

For a first meeting, this was enough.

In the library, Lin Qiyu was a little puzzled, but soon bowed her head and resumed her studies.