Chapter 44: Jiumei Feels the Pain (Vote Requested)

"Although the amount is slightly larger than usual, as long as I personally confirm it, it should be processed quickly, right?" Hearing the clear request from the distinguished client before her, Kumina Maehara, who had prepared to say much, could only swallow her words.

Transferring two hundred million yen—wouldn’t that nearly empty the account? How could she recommend any financial products or persuade him to keep his assets in the bank?

Kumina Maehara had no choice but to feign another attempt: "Mr. Tao, a remittance of two hundred million yen, though not abroad, only requires your personal confirmation. But, have you considered our bank’s financial services? Your assets..."

Tao Zhiming raised his hand slightly. "Thank you, but I have many matters to deal with. I’ll pay the handling fee, so please process it quickly."

With a bitter heart, Kumina Maehara began handling the transaction for him.

Meanwhile, Tao Zhiming took out one million yen from the funds he exchanged with Yuta Irie yesterday and said to Runa Onodera, "My two hundred million yen has arrived, so there’s no need to deposit this. Take five hundred thousand and open an account in your name, as promised—though it’s only today that we can finally do it. The other five hundred thousand, keep using it to buy beautiful clothes and for self-care."

While Kumina Maehara was processing the paperwork, she glanced furtively at the thick bundle of bills. Hearing these words was nothing short of exhilarating.

He truly was a noble gentleman!

Runa Onodera bit her lip and said nothing more.

Previously, Ryuu Inoue had given her five hundred thousand yen, which she handed directly to Mr. Tao, saying it would be the initial funds for her account.

But two days ago, due to the final steps of the mortgage process, she couldn’t open an account at Nomura Securities and had waited until today.

Now, with another five hundred thousand yen in hand, Runa Onodera chose to use it solely to make herself more beautiful.

Mr. Tao never paid attention to how much she actually spent. In the end, wasn’t it just like giving her the money directly?

She bowed and prepared to head to the general counter outside, but Kumina Maehara quickly interjected, "Let me handle it for you!"

Even a small mosquito is still meat; although this wasn’t standard procedure, since Runa Onodera was closely connected to this distinguished gentleman, she clearly had the potential to become a high-profile client.

Tao Zhiming was pleased and waited with a bright smile, asking, "By the way, as a high-profile client, you should provide subscriptions to financial magazines, or some information consulting, shouldn’t you?"

Kumina Maehara replied instantly, "Of course! Do you need them, Mr. Tao?"

"Please introduce them."

So, while handling his requests, Kumina Maehara explained the services.

In fact, the bank’s department for individual high-profile clients had only just begun to explore such services. This was mainly due to last year’s financial liberalization, after which many European and American banks entered Japan.

They brought many new business models, and Kumina Maehara had been transferred to the newly established department, largely thanks to her attractive appearance.

Unlike her experienced seniors, as a newcomer, she could only handle ordinary tasks and had never served a high-profile client alone.

Now, one was a novice, and the other unfamiliar with Japanese bank VIP services, yet they conversed congenially.

Tao Zhiming had little choice, for the internet era had not yet arrived, and much information still required special channels.

After listening for a while, he understood: this department for individual high-profile clients seemed to have been assembled from people who previously served corporations.

From what he could sense, they were not yet very professional.

He nodded calmly, confirming only that he wanted some information services and said no more.

On the contrary, this girl Kumina seemed rather charming.

Runa Onodera listened nearby, noticing how Mr. Tao chatted happily with the young banker, showing no concern for her presence.

He teased her about her lack of familiarity with the business, making her blush—a clear sign of flirtation.

Sure enough, he soon remarked on her cuteness and said he’d be visiting often.

Runa Onodera lowered her head slightly, pretending not to hear.

For Tao Zhiming, not yet twenty-two, this was someone his age. She could only focus on her own duties.

She had to become radiant and beautiful, just as he wished.

After all, it was his request.

At that moment, Tao Zhiming asked, "By the way, Kumina, do you know Section Chief Segawa Kusakabe?"

"Segawa-senpai?" Kumina Maehara replied, surprised. "I know him, but we’re not in the same section..."

"That’s fine. I spoke to him by phone this morning—my mortgage should be finalized today. Since I’m here, could you contact Segawa and urge him? I’d like to remit the funds quickly."

"Remit it immediately?" Kumina Maehara was troubled. "How much?"

"Fifty million yen."

"I’ll ask Segawa-senpai."

Since he was at the bank and had said the funds would be ready today, it made sense to hurry things along and save another trip.

Previously, amounts of hundreds of thousands or a million yen weren’t considered large transactions. Now, with fifty million and two hundred million, personal confirmation at the bank was required.

Upon receiving the message, Segawa Kusakabe hurried over and asked Tao Zhiming, "Mr. Tao, arrangements are underway. You need the funds urgently? Have you already found a new house?"

Tao Zhiming smiled, "Not yet. The funds are for something else; I’m still looking for a property."

"You could speed things up—the price of houses is rising fast. With fifty million yen, you could buy something even more valuable. I can handle your mortgage."

His gaze was meaningful. Tao Zhiming understood—Segawa had grasped that he planned to profit from real estate speculation and would likely be a long-term client.

Perhaps because Tao Zhiming had just received two hundred million yen, even though he remitted it, its destination was clear.

He had simply transferred the money to Nomura Securities, apparently for financial investment.

In any case, confirming he was a person with substantial funds, and with Segawa Kusakabe’s urging, after more than a week, the funds finally entered Tao Zhiming’s account.

Kumina Maehara, with a heavy heart, again remitted the money, watching the balance drop to mere tens of thousands and feeling sorrowful.

If only these funds could be deposited as a fixed term—how wonderful that would be.

Unfortunately, when it came to wealth management, the newly liberalized banking policies still couldn’t compete with professional firms like Nomura Securities.

Faced with Tao Zhiming’s resolute will, she felt powerless.

Her first high-profile client—why did he have to be such a person?

With an account balance so unlike a VIP’s, she could only respectfully escort him to the door.

After he and Runa Onodera left and hailed a taxi at the curb, Kumina Maehara couldn’t help but ask, "Segawa-senpai, Mr. Tao has so much wealth—doesn’t he have his own car?"

Segawa Kusakabe had just learned that, before his mortgage was finalized, Tao Zhiming had received another two hundred million yen.

It seemed his previous explanation wasn’t entirely truthful.

Indeed... had he joined the ranks of real estate speculators?

"Don’t worry about it, Kumina. Is he your client?" Segawa Kusakabe smiled slightly, "Mr. Tao is no ordinary man."

Recalling his recent dealings with Tao Zhiming, he mused, "Don’t neglect him, simply because he’s placing his funds elsewhere."

With that, he turned and left.

Not just real estate, but financial investments too?

It seemed this young man had a big appetite—and a love for risk.

It was natural for young people to enjoy adventure; he might suffer losses in the financial market, but from his careful inquiries into real estate loans, he seemed to have an awareness of allocating funds and diversifying to lower risk.

For someone just twenty-one to achieve that—how remarkable indeed.