Chapter 25

To be fair, this sentence isn't really threatening; it's just stating a fact. But to Li Xu, it seemed to carry the power of creation.

"Hmm, as I mentioned before, my mother had a small library with all kinds of books, so... the certain collection was naturally there, and all five volumes were complete, in Chinese original editions. Several of them had corners that were a bit worn from frequent flipping."

In fact, Li Xu always thought that if his mother in this life hadn't been born into the Kujō family, and if she had been born into the poorest family in Japan, she would have probably followed Shigeko Chōshin, no, that's wrong, she would have taken Shigeko Chōshin to play with bazookas.

"Are you saying that the Seibu Group is just a bigger grasshopper? Isn't that a bit too dismissive?" Li Xu asked at this point, "From what I know, they seem to have already controlled one-eighth of Japan's land."

"Oh?" Mizuko raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.

So Li Xu continued, "Clearly, they won't be satisfied and will continue to buy more. And as you know, Japan's economy is rapidly developing, and with rapid development, housing prices will inevitably rise. Perhaps in a few years, when Tei Yoshimi controls one-sixth of Japan's land, he might become the world's richest man."

"An enterprise that can't go global is just a parasite, is it worth a second glance?" Mizuko still spoke lightly, not falling for it at all.

Even with a net worth of 16.5 billion dollars? Li Xu added in his mind. In 1990, due to the Plaza Accord, the yen continuously appreciated, and when the list of outstanding employees placed Tei Yoshimi at the top, this was the figure listed.

Well, sheep are still sheep, and when it's time to be sheared, they have no resistance. After 1990, with the stagnation of Japan's economy, Tei Yoshimi was quickly reduced to his original state and, like many similar tycoons, began facing various lawsuits.

When the wall falls, everyone pushes. That's how it is.

But, to make such a judgment that he will be a parasite now, and to have a bit of a prophecy about the future of global economic integration, are you also reborn?

"Is he a friend now?" Li Xu, with countless thoughts in his mind, asked.

"Just a temporary collaborator." Mizuko answered, seemingly not wanting to talk more about it. She then changed the subject, "I originally wanted to let Yuki retire, train for a while, and then have her and Yamaguchi Momoe take care of you, but it seems you already have your own plans, Ryoji."

"Indeed." Li Xu shrugged, "So, I can only appreciate your kindness, Mother."

"Then, what should we do with Yuki? We can't just send her back, right?" Mizuko asked with a light laugh.

Of course not, sending her back would be like flipping Tei Yoshimi the bird. Besides, Yuki is well-maintained and very good at serving men. Last year, she did better than Kurahara Kyōko, so she can last at least another ten years.

"Let her stay in the entertainment industry," Li Xu thought for a moment and said, "She still has some connections, and if I want to make a movie, I might need her."

"Make a movie?" Mizuko frowned slightly but then smiled, "Ryoji already has plans for his future?"

"Making movies is just a hobby," Li Xu said half-jokingly, "As for future plans, of course, it's to fulfill Grandfather's wish. Even Father is starting to think it's possible."

"Are you sure this is your idea, Ryoji?" Mizuko asked with a smile, not at all confused, "When you stood in front of me and your father, confidently asking for a loan to develop Snake, you were quite spirited."

Are you starting to lead me again? Li Xu pursed his lips, "Times change, Mother. People change."

"Can't you tell your mother anything?" Mizuko sighed, looking worried about her son.

I knew it! Li Xu rolled his eyes. It seems Mother won't stop until she gets something out of him. Since that's the case...

"Alright, I have a ten-year plan," he said, "I want to earn 10 billion dollars in ten years."

"Ten billion in ten years?" Mizuko was slightly surprised, "That's not easy..."

"Mother," Li Xu interrupted, "I'm talking about pocket money, 10 billion dollars that can be cashed out and taken at any time!"

Mizuko finally fell silent, pursing her lips and covering her mouth slightly, looking at her son with genuine surprise.

Li Xu felt a great sense of satisfaction. It's not easy to see Mother like this!

Unfortunately, it only lasted a few seconds before Mizuko resumed her usual half-smile, "Ah, a plan not to be underestimated. If it were anyone else, I'd think they were boasting, but if it's Ryoji, maybe you can really do it."

She paused and then asked, "How much pocket money do you have now? I remember your father mentioned it on the phone, about 600 to 700 million, right?"

"Yes, Mother, not counting the shares in those companies, just the royalties from a series of games and toys, it's indeed that amount," Li Xu nodded.

Is that a lot? It seems so, but compared to Michael Milken, who could earn 550 million from selling junk bonds, this is nothing.

Moreover, this is the result of years of accumulation, relying on popular electronic games and toys like Snake, Breakout, Space Invaders, and Rubik's Cube, from 1974 to 1980. It's hard to compare with financial players.

To be honest, this is already a remarkable achievement, especially since he was only 12 six years ago. If not for this achievement, Grandfather wouldn't have taken his ideas so seriously, even though the family's support played a significant role.

Even so, it's still hard to compare with financial players. Li Xu couldn't help but sigh again. Even in finance, it's not easy to earn 10 billion dollars in pocket money by 1990. So he set the goal for 1993, hoping the map head would rise smoothly and that there wouldn't be a Yuri with a base vehicle at the end.

"I'll be waiting to see," Mizuko said, propping her chin on her hand, her eyes gleaming with an indescribable light.

"You seem to have guessed something, Mother," Li Xu immediately probed.

"Maybe," Mizuko smiled, "So I said, I'll be waiting to see."

Well, the same old style. Li Xu sighed inwardly, not knowing if she had guessed or not.

At this point, the dinner was coming to an end. After calling the maid to clean up and exchanging a few more words, Li Xu bid farewell and left.

Then, naturally, he returned to the United States. After visiting his mother and resting for a few days, he had a pretty good time, except for the occasional disturbances at night.

So it was time to go back to class. Even though graduation was only a month away, he still needed to show up at school to maintain his presence.

"Mr. Guan is already waiting in San Francisco. During our return, he will arrange your return plan," Li Xu said to Deng Lijun in the car on the way to the airport.

"Okay," Deng Lijun sat obediently by his side.

"Although there's still some time, if you need anything, just let me know. If there are any problems after you return, remember to call me," Li Xu continued.

"Yes," Deng Lijun still had that submissive look.

"Do you need me to find you two bodyguards from the United States?" he asked.

"Um..." Deng Lijun hesitated, "Let's discuss it after we get back to San Francisco. It's too early to talk about it now. We should hear what Wei Hua thinks."

Guan Wei Hua is her agent, responsible for her singing affairs outside Japan and the United States. Due to his outstanding abilities, integrity, and sincerity, he has earned the trust of the Deng family. He is one of the few people who knows that she has been kept by Li Xu.

After the initial shock, he quickly accepted the reality and remained silent, continuing to help Deng Lijun manage her affairs outside Japan and the United States.

Although there wasn't much to manage during this year, after Deng Lijun went to the United States, her career in East and Southeast Asia was in a state of stagnation. He still worked diligently and immediately went to San Francisco upon receiving a call.

Of course, he must have already learned about Li Xu's background, whether out of professional duty or for his own future.

"Theresa," after looking at the scenery outside the car window for a moment, Li Xu turned and called.

"Hmm?" Deng Lijun still had that gentle look.

"Do you think..." Li Xu used Chinese, frowning, seemingly unsure what to say, "Do you think I have a mother complex?"

He finally asked, but Deng Lijun still had that confused look, taking a while to respond, "Do... do you?"

"Never mind, let it be," Li Xu could only wave his hand.

Then, they arrived at Narita Airport, surrounded by a large number of onlookers, just as it was when he came before.

Unexpectedly, at the boarding area where his father's 747 was parked, his mother was already waiting.

"Mother?" Li Xu was quite surprised after getting out of the car, "Didn't you say you had many important things to handle today and couldn't come to see me off?"

"Of course, I was lying!" Mother's response was quite speechless.

Please, can you not say "lying" so confidently, so matter-of-factly?

"Thank you, Mother." Li Xu rolled his eyes, opened his arms, and hugged Mizuko, "Thank you for coming to see me off."

As he let go, unexpectedly, his mother didn't release him, just slowly slid her hands up to his arms.

"Mother?" Li Xu looked at his mother with some confusion.

At this moment, she was slightly different from usual. She still had that efficient look, with her black hair tied up, a small pair of glasses on her nose, and wearing a woman's suit and pants, but she didn't have that queen-like aura.

She just looked at him intently, as a mother.