Chapter 38: Father or Brother

After Tao Zhiming was escorted to the door by Ryu Inoue and left, Runa Onodera, constrained by her position, could only stay behind. Soon after, she was called back to the office by Ryu Inoue.

"Take a seat, Runa." Ryu Inoue remained calm as he sat down, sorting out his thoughts before speaking. "You have interacted with Mr. Tao the most. Tell me about him. I remember when you reported your progress before, you emphasized that he seemed rather despondent, lacking motivation, and reluctant to consider matters like selling the house."

Runa Onodera recalled the past and nodded. "Yes, at that time, Mr. Tao was like that."

Ryu Inoue asked with keen interest, "When did this change begin?"

"The change..." Runa Onodera remembered clearly, speaking with a touch of emotion. "It was the night before I reported to you that there was hope. Mr. Tao suddenly became the person he is now."

"Suddenly?" Ryu Inoue asked in surprise.

Runa hurriedly said, "Of course, I don't know exactly when the change started. Honestly, I was about to give up trying to persuade him and hadn't visited for quite some time. But as February was drawing to a close, I thought I'd try again..."

She had later heard Yosuke Ueno express the same doubts and learned of Tao's attempted suicide.

Perhaps, after being rescued, he became truly awakened, and only then did he display the brilliance of a genius from the University of Tokyo.

No, his ability and presence far surpassed Yosuke.

Ryu Inoue nodded in understanding, feeling moved. "He's quite an extraordinary young man. What kind of suggestion did he ultimately make to President Kinoshita?"

Runa Onodera had no idea; she simply sat quietly.

"In any case..." Ryu Inoue instructed, "Since you are the one most familiar with him, you must continue to maintain good contact. Mr. Tao said he would help you persuade at least one client, which means he has a favorable impression of you. Runa, this is one of the reasons I value you: beautiful, gentle, and patient. Seize this opportunity!"

Runa Onodera nodded, "I will do my best!"

"Let's do this." Ryu Inoue considered for a moment, then said, "I'll arrange a special budget for you. When you visit Mr. Tao next, take a suitably dignified gift. If he truly can consistently generate a 10% return..."

His ability to agree to a price of 100 million yen was mainly due to the 1 billion yen low-interest loan. The additional premium was, in fact, a "bonus" for Tao Zhiming.

But a steady 10% monthly return was astonishing.

As a man of some standing, he knew there were people who could achieve even higher returns in the financial markets.

But he himself didn't understand it. If funds were entrusted to a securities company, the promised returns would be, at most, less than 30% annually, and even then, with some risk.

To have 10% every month was simply outrageous.

Ryu Inoue's heart stirred, and he made a decision. "A budget of 500,000 yen, Runa. You must visit at least two or three times each week, understand?"

Runa Onodera was stunned. "Eh?"

"Make sure you do this well!" Ryu Inoue instructed firmly.

After all, Tao Zhiming was the man about to secure a 1 billion yen low-interest loan. With him gone, Ryu Inoue regained his dignified and assertive demeanor. "If you manage this well, you won't need to work as a consultant anymore. Instead, focus solely on maintaining communication between the company and Mr. Tao!"

Runa Onodera didn't even know how to respond.

In fact, I've already moved into Mr. Tao's house... Is it alright to mention this?

Maintaining contact with Mr. Tao—is that now a major responsibility?

A budget of 500,000 yen... just for gifts. But now that she's living in Mr. Tao's house, gifts... aren't necessary anymore, are they?

Her thoughts shifted, and she nodded seriously, saying, "I understand. I'll do my best!"

Mr. Tao seems to need money right now, though who knows if he would even care about a mere 500,000 yen...

...

Tao Zhiming certainly cared.

When Runa Onodera returned home shortly after, bringing the agreement and 500,000 yen, Tao Zhiming was delighted.

An unexpected windfall.

He immediately said, "Well done! These 500,000 yen will serve as the initial funds for your personal account. There's no time today, and tomorrow I'm busy, so the day after tomorrow we'll go to the securities company in the morning to open an account!"

He took the money and carefully examined the agreement drafted by Ryu Inoue.

Apart from the standard clauses, his own requests were indeed included.

The specific property transfer date was the most crucial. It didn't even include complicated conditions like transferring now but not having to vacate before the set date; it simply stipulated a single transfer date.

This was Ryu Inoue's gesture of sincerity, a reward for Tao Zhiming helping him secure the 1 billion yen low-interest loan.

For Mosho Holdings to provide this money was actually both advantageous and without cost.

He knew the banks would lower interest rates further, and giants like Mosho Holdings naturally had sources of information.

Perhaps, relying on their scale, they had already negotiated large-scale loans with the banking group.

They were merely allocating a small portion of funds to help Ryu Inoue complete his task quickly and push forward Tao Zhiming's proposed plan.

This was leveraging power.

Tao Zhiming focused on another agreement.

Since he'd helped Ryu Inoue secure a large sum, he certainly intended to borrow some from him.

Tao Zhiming had laid out the terms meticulously, and the self-assured Ryu Inoue had agreed at once, starting with 100 million yen as a trial.

So, he needed to earn 20 million yen for Ryu Inoue within a month.

Of course, once the agreement was signed and the loan together with Ryu Inoue's funds arrived, Tao Zhiming would have more than 250 million yen at his disposal, and the earnings would far exceed that amount.

He saw no issues with the agreement and straightforwardly signed it, handing Runa Onodera the copies she needed to take back.

"The agreement is signed, Runa. Please pass on to President Inoue that he should transfer the funds as soon as possible. Tell him that every day's delay means nearly a million yen in lost returns."

Runa Onodera listened with a complicated expression and obediently replied, "I will relay your message accurately."

Tao Zhiming smiled. "Go ahead. Once this is done, hurry home and we'll go out for a feast and some shopping!"

Runa Onodera felt her heart flutter as she stood up. "Understood. Well then... Yamiko-chan, don't disturb... Mr. Tao at home."

Yamiko Inoue asked in confusion, "Daddy? Isn't he my brother?"

Runa Onodera was mortified. "No! Mr. Tao will be Mommy's boss in the future, so you can't call him brother. Well... Just call him Lord Tao..."

She glanced at Tao Zhiming somewhat sheepishly.

The scene amused Tao Zhiming. "Don't let Yamiko-chan get confused. Yamiko-chan, keep calling me brother. After all, I'm only ten years older than you. There's no need to worry about disturbing me, it's my rest time now."

With that, he urged Runa Onodera, "Go quickly."

Runa Onodera finally hurried back to the company, feeling uneasy.

Honestly, how is it that Mr. Tao's surname, when used in an honorific, suddenly carries an odd implication, as if she herself harbors some inappropriate thoughts?

But as she walked, a sense of loss grew.

Mr. Tao truly does see himself as from the same generation as Yamiko.

She herself was already an older woman...

Holding the signed documents as she walked to the company, her mind wandered.

It seemed that the future had truly changed.

Because of Mr. Tao, even President Inoue had begun to value her more.

Yet Mr. Tao had instructed her not to mention moving into his house or preparing to work for him to President Inoue just yet.

If it were discovered... she could simply say that it was for easier communication with Mr. Tao...

Runa Onodera blushed, suddenly feeling as though she had become a bit mischievous.

But... tonight, she really would buy some beautiful clothes.

She had to be worthy of Mr. Tao's expectations!