Chapter 31: The Proper Use of Wealth

Tao Zhiming didn’t respond to that, only smiled and said, “We’d better wake up Yosuke. There’s a briefing to attend today.”
A little adjustment to the mood was all that was needed—too much indulgence was unbecoming.
“Huh?” Miho Yanagawa bit her lip. “He said there’s nothing scheduled today…”
Tao Zhiming was speechless. So it was a battle until dawn?
He shook his head. “Seems he couldn’t bear to part with you, Miho. Just because you have an inside track doesn’t mean you should forget your commitments. Help me wake him, won't you?”
After a while, Yosuke Ueno finally came out, groggy from sleep.
Tao Zhiming gazed at him. “Let’s go home and get ready. Miho, the room’s already paid for, so feel free to enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to work. You have Yosuke’s number, right?”
Miho Yanagawa nodded, lips pressed together.
“In that case, please pass a message to Risa for me. She looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake her.”
Miho covered her mouth and laughed. “Tao, you’re so gentle…”
“Goodbye…” Tao Zhiming waved briskly, but saw Yosuke couldn’t resist leaning in for one last kiss.
Once outside, Yosuke grumbled, “Honestly, wasn’t it just you who had business today?”
“What’s wrong? Fallen for this woman?” Tao Zhiming asked lazily.
Yosuke wasn’t entirely clueless; he knew it was just impulse and desire.
Tao Zhiming continued, “Whether what they said was true or false, their workplace and residence are actually quite far from here. Coming here for dinner, actively seeking us out—you’ve probably guessed the reason, haven’t you?”
“So… is this the legendary ‘chance encounter’?”
Tao Zhiming laughed silently. “You could call it that. In the end, it was mutual consent. You spent quite a bit, bought yourself this pleasure. They found the men they favored and spent the night as they wished.”
“And the phone number…”
“I’m fine with it. But as for you, if you don’t want things to get too tangled, you’d better practice how to decline a woman.”
Yosuke looked a bit reluctant, and after a long pause, muttered, “Is this what the adult world is like?”
“It’s just a hidden corner of it.” Tao Zhiming looked at the sunrise outside. “You’re a man now, Yosuke. Treat your teacher to breakfast.”
“Aren’t you just the same?”
Tao Zhiming looked at his stubbornness. “You paid the bill all night, but don’t you think it was worth it? How did it feel? Be honest!”
“…Delicious…”
“Did you imagine it before we set out?”
“…No…”
“So, what breakfast are you treating me to?”
Yosuke surrendered. “You choose.”
He was completely convinced by Tao.
Recalling last night, his heart warmed again.
Indeed… he should attend more briefings.

So this is the true way to use money?
…
Runa Onodera waited until nearly eight o’clock before she started knocking on the door.
But after several tries, there was no answer from inside.
She lowered her hand. Did they leave so early? She’d come by at seven-thirty.
Well, she’d come back in the evening.
She had just reached the bottom of the stairs when she saw Tao Zhiming and Yosuke Ueno returning together.
Yosuke looked lethargic, while Tao, upon seeing her, called out in surprise, “Runa?”
Runa Onodera bowed. “Good morning, Tao. Good morning, Yosuke. I came to let Tao know I’ve decided to move in.”
“Really?” Tao Zhiming smiled and patted Yosuke’s shoulder. “Yosuke, help Runa move today. I still have to attend the briefing.”
Yosuke, feeling guilty, quickly nodded. “Runa, are you moving today?”
“…Is that alright? But I’ll have to wait until after work.”
Tao Zhiming said, “Yes, keep working there for now, so you don’t feel uneasy from losing your income. Also, arrange with your manager to see if he’s available for a visit tomorrow.”
“I understand.” Runa hesitated, then asked, “Tao, Yosuke, have you had breakfast?”
“We have. Just finished.”
“I see…” Runa caught a faint scent lingering in the air, bowed again, and said, “I’ll head to work then… Yosuke, here’s the money I borrowed. Thank you so much.”
She handed over seventy thousand yen, and once she was out of sight, Yosuke breathed a sigh of relief. “Good thing she didn’t notice anything unusual.”
Tao Zhiming smiled faintly. He wouldn’t be so sure.
He’d already told Runa there was a date last night.
“What’s with that face? You’re a single man; it’s not like you did anything wrong.”
“…It’s just, I’ve never done anything like this before.” Yosuke was a bit disgruntled, and glancing at Runa’s departing figure, he asked Tao, “But you, Tao, I really think Runa has feelings for you. Don’t you feel… guilty?”
Tao Zhiming was exasperated. “Hey! A man as outstanding as me, should I restrain myself just because women like me? Are you out of your mind?”
“…You’re right.”
Tao Zhiming shook his head. “Runa doesn’t think like you do—she’s already a mature woman and doesn’t expect a future with me. This is just for her and Miyako’s future, nothing more.”
“In truth… I really don’t want to see her upset.”
“Tsk tsk, just became a man and already want to be a romantic expert, huh?”
“…What do you mean?”
“I know your feelings are pure.” Tao laughed openly. “Think about it: our intense interaction with Runa has only been these past few days. How different is that from Risa or Miho? Of course, I have higher expectations for Runa, and my arrangements for her are more in line with her needs, so she won’t be hurt. If you care about every woman’s feelings but only think about intimacy, that’s what makes you a ‘romantic expert.’”
“I’m not thinking about any intimacy with Runa…” Yosuke protested.
Tao Zhiming smiled—now, after seeing how outrageous he could be, Yosuke was behaving. But before, hadn’t he ever been tempted?

After returning to his room and changing clothes, Tao’s eyes caught sight of the photo frame sitting there.
He murmured, “Tao, did you see? This is what it means to be a man.”
The Tao in the frame wore a cheerful smile.
Tao Zhiming smiled too, but his smile stiffened.
Damn, why was he thinking of Lin Xiyu again?
Did indulging himself make him subconsciously long for pure love?
What nonsense was that?
Shouldn’t such a dreamy life be utterly carefree?
Silently, he changed into his new Armani, glanced at Yosuke, who had returned to the room to catch up on sleep, and shook his head.
If Tao hadn’t been drinking heavily, he might have been physically stronger than Yosuke.
Even now, his health seemed decent.
Tao Zhiming stood before the bathroom mirror, adjusted his tie, and strode out full of vigor.
He hummed the melody of last night’s “damedane,” leisurely descending the stairs.
Indeed, necessary release and relaxation made a person feel alive.
The hunt begins again.
…
“You say this Tao wants to meet me?” Ryu Inoue looked at Runa Onodera in surprise.
“Yes, President.” Runa bowed. “I’m truly sorry, but I alone can’t persuade him. He does want to sell, but he wants to negotiate with you directly for a suitable price.”
Ryu frowned. “Troublesome fellow. Living alone and being a student, he should be easy enough to deal with. Runa, have you really tried hard?”
Runa hung her head. “This is all I can do.”
She felt a little bitter—she’d even offered such terms, and Tao hadn’t budged.
But he had given her a different kind of hope.
Ryu recalled the news from Suzuki Daiki, the Wakato of the Shindo Group, and pondered.
A talent already valued by Sumitomo and Tomokazu, a man who stayed calm even facing Yuta Irie?
He thought for a moment, then confirmed, “Tomorrow?”
“Yes.” Runa said, “Whenever is convenient for you, President. After he’s back from the briefing in the evening, I’ll let him know.”
“Then let’s set it for three o’clock tomorrow afternoon. I’ll hear what this young man has to say.”