PDLP Chapter 63 New Year's Eve
Chapter 63 New Year's Eve
The last day of 1987.
Light snow was falling in the sky over Tokyo.
Unlike its usual irritating hustle and bustle, Tokyo tonight presents a strange sense of division.
The streets of Ginza and Roppongi were packed with people. Office workers receiving their year-end bonuses, bar hostesses in fur coats, and nouveau riche driving Ferraris were all shouting amidst alcohol and neon lights, trying to hold onto the last days of 1987.
But at the Saionji main residence in Bunkyo Ward, it is so quiet that it seems to be isolated from the world.
The thick walls blocked out the hustle and bustle of the outside world. The stone lanterns in the courtyard emitted a dim yellow glow, which fell on the snow-covered five-needle pines.
In the main dining room, underfloor heating makes the entire space warm and cozy.
A long mahogany dining table was occupied by only two people.
The restaurant was filled with the subtle aroma of bonito broth, the unique flavor of Toshikoshi soba noodles.
Xiuyi put down his chopsticks, picked up the lacquerware wine dish, and took a sip of the warm Tusu wine.
The alcohol slid down his throat, bringing a pleasant warmth. He looked at his daughter across from him, taking small bites of noodles, and a feeling of indescribable satisfaction welled up inside him.
Looking back on this year, it's been nothing short of a breathtaking rollercoaster ride. From the anxiety at the beginning of the year, to the strategic planning in the middle, and then to the world-shaking "Black Monday" raid in October, the Saionji family not only survived, but thrived more confidently than ever before. The huge sum of US dollars brought back by SA Investment, the storm that S-Collection stirred up in Shibuya, and the karaoke empire quietly unfolding...
All these achievements fueled his ambition as the head of the family to an extreme degree.
Although it was New Year's Eve, Shuichi's mind was still habitually thinking about the next move in the game.
Now that we have hundreds of billions in cash on hand and have already established a foothold in Tokyo, shouldn't we take it a step further in 1988?
His gaze involuntarily drifted to the huge map of Tokyo on the wall.
That was something he had just had put up recently. It was covered with dots of various colors, representing the current distribution of the Saionji family's assets. But at the edges of the map, such as the sub-city center by the sea, or those top-tier plots in the city center that had not yet been acquired, large areas remained blank.
That was temptation. That was a power vacuum.
"Satsuki".
Shuichi couldn't help but speak, his voice carrying a hint of probing, as well as an excited desire for battle.
"The situation is excellent right now. I was just thinking, since we have such ample funds, shouldn't our strategic focus next year be...?"
He put down the wine dish and leaned forward slightly, a habitual gesture he made when preparing to discuss big business deals.
"Recently, the Ministry of Finance has been hinting at a possible large-scale redevelopment of the coastal area. Also, I see that several old buildings in Otemachi seem to be up for sale. If we can capitalize on this momentum and acquire one or two more landmark projects, the Saionji family's position in the business world will be completely secured."
"Furthermore, SA has so much cash sitting on its books; if it's not put to use, inflation alone will be a significant loss. Do you think we should announce a new..."
"Father."
Satsuki's clear voice gently cut off Shuichi's endless ramblings about grand ambitions.
She did not look up.
She was still intently using her chopsticks to pick up the last golden-brown, crispy shrimp tail from the bowl. Her movements were slow and elegant, as if this shrimp tail was a thousand times more important than a priceless real estate project.
"Hmm?" Xiu paused, taken aback. "What's wrong? Do you think these directions are wrong? Or do you have a better idea?"
He instinctively assumed his daughter was about to unleash another earth-shattering plan, just like before, pointing to a corner of the map and telling him it was a future gold mine. He was even prepared to take notes.
However, Satsuki did not look at the map.
She put the shrimp tail in her mouth, chewed it slowly until she swallowed, and then gently wiped her mouth with a napkin.
Then, she raised her head and gazed quietly at her father.
"Father, what time is it?"
Shuichi was puzzled by the question and subconsciously glanced at the Patek Philippe on his wrist.
"It's 11:45. There are only 15 minutes left until New Year's Day."
"Yes, there are fifteen minutes left."
Satsuki put down her chopsticks, held the cup of hot tea in both hands, and felt the warmth emanating from the porcelain cup.
"This means that 1987 is coming to an end. And you're still talking about work."
Xiu Yi chuckled, "What does it matter? The business world is like a battlefield; opportunities are fleeting. Now that we've gained the upper hand, we should press our advantage..."
"No, Father."
Satsuki gently shook her head. Her eyes lacked their usual sharp, strategic edge, instead displaying a gentleness befitting her age, even a hint of languor.
"Even the most precise Swiss watches will break if the mainspring is wound too tightly."
Even the most powerful steam locomotives need to be stopped to add water and coal, and to allow the boiler to cool down.
She extended a slender white finger and pointed to the thick document in front of Shuichi, which, although closed, still occupied a corner of the dining table—"SA Group's 1987 Annual Final Accounts."
"We've moved too fast this year."
"This tank has been operating beyond its capacity for a full 365 days."
Satsuki's voice was soft, yet it carried an irrefutable power.
"You're too stressed, Father. Haven't you noticed you've got a few more gray hairs lately?"
Xiu subconsciously touched his temple.
Indeed, although he was mentally energized, the deep-seated exhaustion was undeniable. Over the past year, he had not only had to deal with complex business affairs, but also navigate the world of politics and business with cunning old foxes at The Club, a drain on his mental energy that most people could not imagine.
"But..." Shuichi was still somewhat unwilling, "Now is the time when opportunities abound. If we stop, won't we be overtaken by others? Yoshiaki Tsutsumi's side has been making a lot of moves."
"Let them run."
Satsuki smiled.
"In this crazy era, it's not always better to run as fast as possible. Sometimes, knowing when to brake is more important than knowing when to accelerate."
She stood up, walked around the long table, and went behind Shuichi.
Those little hands gently rested on her father's broad shoulders, massaging them with just the right amount of pressure.
"The Saionji family right now is like a giant who has just had a gluttonous meal. We ate too much on Wall Street and ate too well in Ginza. If we keep opening our mouths to devour everything, even the giant with the best digestive system will suffer from indigestion."
"We need time to truly integrate these profits of over 100 billion into our core operations. We need time for the companies we've just acquired to adapt to our pace. We need time for our newly hired employees to understand our culture."
"This is what is known as the 'break-in period'."
Satsuki's fingers possessed a magical power, gradually relaxing Shuichi's tense shoulder and neck muscles.
"So, Father."
She whispered in Xiu's ear.
"Regarding next year's plans, those buildings, land, stocks... can we put that aside for now?"
"At least tonight, on this New Year's Eve, at this moment that belongs only to my daughter and me, let's not let those things that reek of money take over this table."
Xiu Yi was stunned.
He felt the warmth of the little hands on his shoulder and listened to his daughter's almost pleading (though it sounded more like a command) tone.
The flame of ambition that had been driving him forward miraculously subsided at that moment.
Instead, there is a long-lost tenderness that belongs to "father".
Yes.
How long has it been since he truly and purely enjoyed a meal?
How long has it been since he, like a normal father, chatted with his daughter about interesting things at school and the latest popular TV series, instead of talking about exchange rates and stock prices?
He looked at his fourteen-year-old daughter.
Although she possesses extraordinary wisdom and is the de facto leader of this vast business empire, at this moment, under the soft light, she is just a child who has not yet grown up.
She gets tired too.
She also needs rest.
"It's Dad's fault."
Shuichi's voice became exceptionally gentle, even tinged with a hint of guilt.
"Dad is always used to looking forward, but he forgets that sometimes it's necessary to stop and appreciate the scenery."
He raised his hand and gently patted the back of his daughter's hand.
"You're right. Machines need cooling, and people need rest even more."
"Since it's New Year's Eve, let's throw all those damn reports, maps, and plans aside."
Shuichi stood up, picked up the unsightly final accounts report himself, walked to the dresser next to him, and stuffed it into the bottom drawer.
"Smack."
The drawer was closed.
It's as if that noisy, greedy, and calculating business world has also been shut down.
"alright."
Shuichi turned around with a relaxed smile on his face.
"Right now, only Shuichi Saionji and his daughter Satsuki Saionji are here. There is no president, and no chairman."
"Come on, let's go somewhere else."
Shuichi pointed to the more comfortable kotatsu table (heated table) next to him.
"It's warm over there. Let's eat oranges and watch TV. After that enka singer finished singing, isn't it time for that really popular idol group to perform?"
Satsuki looked at her father, who seemed to have been relieved of a great burden, and a satisfied smile appeared on her lips.
This is what she wanted.
In this rapidly accelerating era, maintaining a clear mind is more important than blind expansion. And the prerequisite for clarity is having enough "spare space."
However, it took less effort than expected to change my father's mind. Ambition is not something that can be easily suppressed, and my father is indeed worth nurturing.
"It is 'Hikaru Genji,' Father."
Satsuki smiled and corrected him, taking her father's hand and leading him to the kotatsu (heated table). (This isn't a large restaurant, but a small, more private one, hence the kotatsu.)
"They're the dream men of girls all over Japan right now."
"Really? Then I'll have to see what kind of young man can captivate my daughter."
"I'm not smitten; I'm just studying their business value..."
"Hey, hey, hey, stop, stop!" Xiu made a pause gesture, feigning anger. "Who just said that we wouldn't discuss business tonight?"
"Ah, sorry, my occupational hazard kicked in." Satsuki stuck out her tongue, revealing a rare mischievous expression.
The father and daughter snuggled into the warm kotatsu.
On the table was a basket of golden tangerines and a pot of hot tea.
On television, NHK's "Kohaku Uta Gassen" (Red and White Song Battle) has reached its climax.
On stage, a group of teenage idols wearing roller skates were running around the venue, singing the hit song "Glass Teens" that had swept the streets.
"壊れそうなものばかり集めてしまうよ..." (Always collect those fragile things...)
The youthful and energetic singing voice was full of vitality, but also carried a touch of the vulnerability unique to this era.
Xiuyi peeled an orange, handed a segment to his daughter, and ate a segment himself.
"It's so sweet."
He sighed.
"It's even sweeter than the fruit you get at those high-class restaurants in Ginza."
"It's because of the different mood," Satsuki said, eating an orange and watching TV. "Eating at a ryotei is all about saving face; even the best food tastes so-so once you taste it. But at home, you can savor it properly, and the fruit in Ginza isn't necessarily more expensive than what we have here."
Shuichi looked at his daughter's profile.
The television screen cast flickering light on her face.
"Satsuki".
"Um?"
"Is it really not urgent about next year?" Shuichi couldn't help but ask, but there was no anxiety in his tone, just a simple confirmation.
"No rush."
Satsuki turned her head, her eyes clear and resolute.
"It's like planting trees. This year we sowed the seeds and planted the saplings. Next year, all we have to do is water them, fertilize them, and watch them take root."
"S-Collection needs time to cultivate its brand culture, not to open stores like crazy; Karaoke Box needs time to nurture users' consumption habits; and the factory in Shanghai needs time to refine its processes."
"These all require patience."
She reached out and pointed to the night view outside the window.
"Those people outside are probably still frantically making phone calls right now, anxiously calculating next year's profits. They wish they could split their time in half."
"But we should do the opposite."
We need to learn to "slow down".
"We should be elegant observers in this fast-paced era."
"Only when we are well-rested and have accumulated enough strength can we jump higher and bite harder than everyone else when the real opportunity comes—the opportunity called 'the peak'."
At this point, Satsuki yawned and sprawled on the table like a lazy cat.
"And... Father, I'm tired too. This year, I had to deal with school exams (which were easy), and I also had to keep an eye on those two guys, Itakura and Yanai Tadashi. I'm just a middle school student who's still growing."
These words struck the softest spot in Shuichi's heart.
He looked at the faint bluish tinge under his daughter's eyes and felt a pang of heartache.
Yes.
She was only fourteen years old.
What are other girls doing at this age? They're chasing after celebrities, talking about the boys in the next class, and acting cute over a new outfit.
But she carries the fate of her entire family on her shoulders, battling against the wolves of Wall Street and the zaibatsu of Tokyo.
"Sleep well, Satsuki."
Xiuyi reached out and gently stroked his daughter's long hair, his movements as gentle as if he were soothing a kitten that had put away its claws.
"Let's take a break. Even a short nap would be good."
He looked at his daughter's face, which, though tired, was still full of stubbornness, and said gently:
"At least wait until after 'Coming of Age Day' (January 15th), until this New Year's restlessness subsides a bit..."
Satsuki rubbed against her father's palm and mumbled a response in her sleep.
"Hmm... half a month. That should be enough."
She opened her eyes slightly. Although she was indeed very sleepy due to her physical condition, her mind was still clear.
"In 1987, we caught the wind in the sky. In 1988, we will come down to earth to plant trees and build roads."
"We can begin laying the groundwork for our industrial operations."
"If the foundation of real industry is not solid, no matter how high it flies, it is still just a kite, and once the string breaks, it is gone."
Shuichi listened to his daughter's words and nodded silently in his heart.
It's definitely not right to be obsessed with the thrill of making hundreds of millions of dollars with a flick of the finger on Wall Street while looking down on the tediousness of earning money hand in hand in the real economy.
She was more clear-headed than anyone else. Finance was merely a means; real industry was the goal.
"it is good."
Shuichi tucked the blanket around her, his tone firm.
Let's work together again next year.
"But now, you only have one task—to sleep."
"Um……"
Satsuki's breathing finally became even and long.
Just then, a deep and distant chime came from outside the window.
"Thump—"
The first chime of the New Year's Eve bell came from the nearby Huguo Temple.
Following closely behind, Zojoji Temple, Sensoji Temple... as if by prior arrangement, the bells of all the temples in Tokyo, large and small, rang out one after another, weaving a solemn sound wave in the cold night sky.
The TV presenters also started counting down excitedly.
"Ten, nine, eight..."
Shuichi didn't go to the countdown.
He simply sat quietly by the fireplace table, listening to the soul-cleansing chimes.
One, two, three...
Each chime of the bell seemed to mark the end of that crazy year of 1987.
That year, the Saionji family completed their initial capital accumulation amidst the turbulent waves of finance. The following year, 1988, would be a pivotal year for them to transform these ethereal figures into steel bars, cement, cotton, and business networks.
If 1987 was "hunting," then 1988 was "farming."
Farming is often more arduous than hunting, but it is also more rewarding.
"It's been 1988 years."
As the last bell rang, Shuichi said softly.
He turned to look out the window.
Amidst the resounding chimes, countless fireworks rose into the sky, illuminating Tokyo's night.
Outside the window, the snow was falling heavier and heavier.
The entire city of Tokyo, and all its restless desires and ambitions, are temporarily enveloped in a pure white and illusory dreamscape.