Chapter 84: The Resolute Lin Qiyu

The taxi drove all the way to the north exit of Ikebukuro. It was Lin Xiyu’s first time here, and as she saw the dazzling array of Chinese-language signs all around, she couldn’t help but show a look of surprise.

Tao Zhiming smiled and said, “My ancestors were from Xia, and when I was a kid, my dad used to bring me here to eat. So, what do you think? Didn’t know Tokyo had a Chinatown like this, did you?”

Lin Xiyu murmured, “I really didn’t know…”

“Come on, I’m not sure how authentic the food is here anyway. Stay close to me—this area isn’t exactly safe.”

Startled, Lin Xiyu instinctively moved a little closer to him.

Tao Zhiming explained, “Originally this was an immigrant neighborhood. Later, as Tokyo developed, the transportation here became very convenient, so it turned into a well-known black market district. All sorts of people mix here, and plenty of shady groups have set up shop.”

After this explanation, Lin Xiyu grew even more nervous.

“It’s daytime now, so it’s fine. But now you know, if anyone invites you over here at night, be on your guard,” Tao Zhiming glanced at her with a sigh, “You’re so pretty—coming to a chaotic place like this after dark would be really unsafe.”

Lin Xiyu was embarrassed; being called pretty so directly was a bit much… But what really struck her was his word choice—it sounded particularly odd. “Why do you speak with such a strong accent from back home?”

Tao Zhiming gave a laugh. “My dad taught me for fun—he said all those dialects back home are interesting, ha ha ha!”

Hearing him use the word “back home,” Lin Xiyu felt a sudden warmth. Even though she knew he was just a descendant of immigrants, born and raised here, his Chinese was so fluent, and he seemed to have a sense of national identity too. It truly surprised her.

After glancing around, Tao Zhiming asked, “What do you want to eat?”

“…A bowl of noodles would be enough.”

He looked at her—she seemed timid and uneasy.

“We came all this way, why just noodles? Let’s go there!” Tao Zhiming pointed ahead and strode forward.

The restaurant’s name was grand—Shuhai—but the small characters underneath advertised Sichuan and Northeastern cuisine.

Following him, Lin Xiyu glanced aside and caught sight of a small storefront labeled “At the Beginning of Man” Video Hall, with rather suggestive posters displayed in a seemingly polite style.

Her face flushed, and she quickly lowered her head.

Tao Zhiming turned to see her reaction, finding it amusing. He smiled, “People trying to make a living here have to find whatever business is profitable. That’s why if you want a taste of home, it’s best to come during the day, and go with a ‘local’ like me.”

“‘Reliable’—you know words like that?” Lin Xiyu tried to suppress her embarrassment by changing the subject.

“What’s not to know? I’m very reliable,” Tao Zhiming said shamelessly as he led her inside and ordered several dishes in one breath.

Lin Xiyu was at a loss for words—this Tao Zhiming… he really was rather thick-skinned.

She watched nervously as he ordered, and only when he finished did she say, “I’ll be troubling you a lot for information later. Let me pay for this meal.”

Tao Zhiming looked her up and down. “You have money? Is it from your scholarship, your family, or did you earn it yourself?”

Lin Xiyu caught his meaning and replied awkwardly, “From the scholarship…”

“How much can that be? The scholarship is for you to study, not to spend on meals like this.” He waved it off. “Don’t act like me treating you to a meal means I have some ulterior motive.”

Lin Xiyu had no experience fending off such blunt comments.

Tao Zhiming smiled wryly, “I checked the menu—the dishes I just ordered come to several thousand yen. About thirty U.S. dollars, and you agreed right away. Didn’t you think it was expensive?”

“…That’s why I just wanted noodles…”

“Exactly, so let me treat you. I’m from Xia too—why be so formal with me?”

Lin Xiyu had no answer.

Of course she thought it was expensive—spending so much on one meal was painful.

But what’s wrong with keeping accounts clear between us?

If not for her professor’s request, and the need to gather research materials, she would never have come out to eat alone with a stranger her own age.

Tao Zhiming changed the subject first. “I’ve never been to the homeland at this time, but when I was little, I heard my grandparents talk about it. I’m curious—what’s it like there now?”

Sure enough, this question worked. Lin Xiyu, interpreting his warmth as curiosity, brightened at first, then her expression dimmed. “Compared to Tokyo, the country is still very backward… very backward!” By the end, her voice had a hint of frustration.

Tao Zhiming could only say, “Well… sometimes I see reports on TV. But hasn’t it started changing now?”

Lin Xiyu nodded vigorously. “That’s why I got the chance to study abroad!”

Looking at her resolute expression, Tao Zhiming couldn’t help but murmur, “What are your plans after graduation?”

“Of course, to return and serve my motherland!” Lin Xiyu replied with ringing conviction.

He let out a long sigh. The road ahead was long indeed. It would be another thirty years before the country he knew would truly stand at the center of the world stage.

Noticing his expression, Lin Xiyu asked a little self-consciously, “What’s wrong?”

Tao Zhiming quickly composed himself, smiling at her. “Nothing. Let’s get to know each other better—where’s your hometown?”

“The west of Shu…” Lin Xiyu began chatting with him.

From her account, she grew up in a working-class family in a small county town.

Tao Zhiming was careful not to probe any further, not wanting her to find it odd that he knew so much about the homeland.

In fact, Lin Xiyu had advanced so quickly in her studies because, after the restoration of the college entrance exam system, she’d been able to skip two grades thanks to her intelligence. She’d also won a government scholarship from Yanjing University—she was truly a rising star back home.

Yet now, in Tokyo at the height of its prosperity, Lin Xiyu had put aside her pride and devoted herself wholly to her studies.

“Why study economics?” Tao Zhiming asked, puzzled.

“The country needs to develop its economy—so of course economics is useful!” Lin Xiyu answered matter-of-factly. In that moment, her eyes finally revealed the ambition she’d kept hidden.

Tao Zhiming was silent. Her patriotic zeal was entirely understandable—in fact, he admired it. But serving the country through economics… Well. It wasn’t useless, but…

After chatting for a while, Lin Xiyu felt a growing sense of familiarity. If she didn’t think too hard about it, it was easy to forget he’d grown up here in Japan.

At last, she could let her guard down a little. She tried asking, “Why are you so extravagant? Wouldn’t taking the train have been much cheaper? And that…mobile phone.”

“I’m rich,” Tao Zhiming replied bluntly. “Besides, all those train transfers are too complicated.”

“All right… Then, when we were in the taxi, you insisted on speaking Japanese. Was there a reason for that?”

Tao Zhiming looked at the beautiful girl and smiled. “Of course. This is a country defined by distance, and our ancestors have deep grudges with this place. So you’d better master the language—it’ll save you trouble. Anyway, don’t be so guarded with me. Learn what you need to learn—you’re here to study, after all. Since your professor arranged for you to get information from me, I’ll help you out.”

Lin Xiyu pondered this, then said seriously, “I understand! Tao Zhiming… can I call you by your given name?”

It had been so long since someone had called him by his full name. Hearing it spoken so smoothly, Tao Zhiming felt a genuine sense of kinship and smiled. “Of course. And I won’t stand on ceremony—I'll call you ‘Sister Lin’ from now on, since you’re actually younger than me.”

Lin Xiyu froze, feeling awkward again.

How could he be so thick-skinned?