Chapter 71: Is This the Type Tao Jun Likes?

Hearing him say that, Runa Onodera quickly spoke up, "Let me carry it."

"It's heavy!" Taoming replied casually as he placed the 8000X into a bag and carried it to the curb. "Runa, if you don't know how to drive, you should probably start learning soon. In a few days, we'll need to go buy a car. Otherwise, we'll always have to flag down a taxi."

Runa glanced at the bags of various sizes in his hands and felt uncomfortable all over. "I understand... but still, let me carry them, won't you?"

"We came out together, so of course I should be the one carrying things!" Taoming said, unconcerned. "Besides, it's good exercise."

Despite his words, once he flagged down a taxi and loaded all those bags into the trunk, he felt much more at ease.

The taxi driver started the car toward the bank, glancing back as he saw the young man pull out a portable phone—something usually only seen on television.

"My, my! This is the first time in my life I've had such an important guest, someone who can afford such a luxury, ride in my cab!" he exclaimed in awe.

"Sir, please keep your eyes on the road," Taoming teased with a smile. "There are ladies and children here. And yes, in a few days, I'll be driving my own car."

Someone who could afford such an expensive mobile phone at this time would hardly be without his own vehicle.

If he weren't constantly running around and didn't need to stay in immediate contact due to the volatility of the financial markets, Taoming wouldn't have bought one so soon. But with the currency markets shifting dramatically over the next month and the need to navigate among various interests, having a mobile phone was truly necessary.

Besides, more than a million yen was no longer a significant sum for him.

Compared to a beeper, it was better to just buy the whole brick.

In a pinch, it might even serve as self-defense.

Taoming lifted the "brick" again. After a lengthy connection, he finally asked, "Is Yuta there?"

Yuta Irie was not the kind of person who could be reached at any time.

After giving the number to the other end, he waited a long while before Yuta finally called back. "How is it?"

Taoming replied crisply, "The plan continues."

"...I understand."

Taoming hung up, gazing at the road ahead, his mind drifting back to the morning.

That same taxi had shown up again in the morning.

When asked if he needed a ride, Taoming had simply excused himself, saying he would walk to somewhere nearby. In the end, he stopped at a mall first to buy a few things, then got into another taxi already waiting at the mall's entrance.

Yet, the first taxi had clearly followed.

It seemed the attention on him hadn't been withdrawn.

All the better—the plan could proceed.

In the back seat, Runa Onodera held Miyako's hand, occasionally glancing toward the front.

She couldn't see his face beyond the seat.

But throughout the morning, it was as if the events of last night had never happened. Taoming had reverted to that gentle, warmhearted young man, shopping with Miyako, buying things together.

New clothes, a new school bag, new stationery, comic books, cosmetics for herself, and even... a necklace.

He spent over two million yen on such an expensive necklace for her.

At that moment, Runa saw in his eyes the affection she had always longed for.

It was a man's fondness for a woman, tinged with a sense of pampering.

Runa hadn't wanted to accept it, for it seemed to confirm that this was her sole purpose.

But soon, that fond look in his eyes faded, replaced by some remark about how "it's for work."

She felt a pang of disappointment.

Always like this—she could never quite discern what he truly felt.

The car stopped in front of the bank, the same one she and Taoming had visited before.

After leading them inside, it wasn't long before Kumina Maehara came out to greet them.

"Taoming!" She bowed, quickly trying to help him with the bags. When refused, she turned to Inoue Miyako. "Oh, what an adorable little girl!"

Taoming smiled. "Find a place for them to rest."

"Of course..." Kumina Maehara greeted Runa as well, all the while wondering about her relationship with Taoming.

Nearly ten million yen spent in the morning—were they shopping together? The little girl was so young, yet so close to her. Didn't seem to have a special relationship with Taoming.

Last time, she had thought Runa might be a housekeeper, but with so many purchases, Taoming was carrying everything himself.

Kumina Maehara's mind wandered off in speculation.

Runa looked at Kumina's youthful, lovely smile and felt a surge of inferiority.

It was clear Kumina's deference to her stemmed from Taoming.

For Kumina to work at such a prestigious bank, serving a client like Taoming, her education and abilities must far surpass Runa's.

Not to mention her beautiful face and figure.

After settling with Miyako in the lounge, Runa watched the girl accompany Taoming to handle his affairs, her tone playful as she said, "Taoming, you bought so much—aren't you tired? Would you like something to drink? Actually, with the latest credit card, it would be even more convenient. No need to carry around so much cash and so many bank cards. Shall I help you apply for one? With your assets, a top-tier credit card will grant you many exclusive services at our partner merchants and high-end restaurants..."

Her voice faded into the distance. Watching her talking by his side, Runa was reminded, faintly, of her past self.

She too had hoped to leave a good impression on important clients.

That's why she would bring small gifts, pay home visits, and with a polite, pleasant young man like Taoming, even once left a lipstick mark on her business card, hoping to stir anticipation.

Faced with such an outstanding man, this beautiful bank representative probably even fantasized about falling in love with him.

She was likely also guessing about Runa's relationship with him.

Runa stared, lost in thought, while Miyako was wholly absorbed in her newly bought comic book.

In truth, it was she who had complicated the relationship from the start.

The business card with the lipstick mark, that first proactive call—what could she expect Taoming to think of her?

Though she had long since stopped harboring extravagant hopes for happiness with him, she still didn't want to live out her days in such a role.

Better to remain just a subordinate, work hard, and let Miyako find happiness.

Runa pondered this in silence. After a while, she saw Taoming emerge with two magazines in hand. "Go with Kumina to handle the paperwork. I'll watch over Miyako."

"...What?" Runa was a little confused.

"You'll understand when you get there." Taoming was already sitting down, asking Miyako enthusiastically, "Where are you in the story? Did Goku win?"

"Of course he did!" Miyako replied crisply, then hesitated. "Big brother, do you want to reread the earlier part?"

"You go ahead. I've discovered something interesting," Taoming replied, flipping through the magazines he'd just picked up—publications offered by the bank for top clients.

One was titled "oh! PC," the other "oh! MZ."

Publisher: SOFTBANK—the renowned SoftBank!

The little girl, of course, didn't understand any of this. Pleased by his answer, she continued reading.

It was only then Runa realized why Taoming had told her to bring her ID.

"A credit card... for me?" she asked, bewildered.

Suppressing her envy, Kumina replied respectfully, "Yes. The agreement has been signed; Taoming's account will serve as the repayment account for this premium credit card. It's a JCB card, with a five-million-yen limit and many perks. At numerous high-end restaurants and partner boutiques, you'll enjoy the highest level of service and discounts."

Runa collected herself, masking her emotions, and answered calmly, "I understand. What procedures are required?"

It must be for work.

With this card, she'd hold a higher status among the other housewives.

But before the plan to have them entrust their funds for Taoming to invest had even begun, she'd already spent so much—luxury clothes, frequent beauty treatments, an expensive necklace, and now a premium credit card.

How much of this was "genuine affection"?

With such questions on her mind, she completed the necessary procedures.

Runa accepted the card from Kumina Maehara, who then escorted her out.

Taoming tucked the magazines into a bag, gathered all the shopping, and smiled, "We've bought everything, Miyako. Let's go find a good place to eat before heading home!"

Watching the three of them walk away and get into another taxi, Kumina Maehara couldn't help but reflect.

At last, some results—he'd left a good sum in his account and opened a premium credit card with a sizable annual fee and spending requirements.

But why would such a wealthy man always take taxis?

Could it really be that he fancied this beautiful woman with a daughter and didn't want his family to find out?

Perhaps he was simply being considerate of her feelings. She looked even more beautiful than last time!

One glance at that famous cosmetics bag explained why.

A five-million-yen monthly credit limit!

Kumina Maehara felt her heart racing.

So Taoming liked this type of woman after all?