Chapter 57

Shen Zhenghui woke up in the middle of the night, feeling thirsty. He was well aware of his own shortcomings; sometimes, when his interest was piqued, he would lose all sense of moderation. He had drunk a cocktail because it tasted good and ended up treating it like a regular beverage, with a memorable result! However, this alcohol didn't make him feel dizzy, which could be considered a plus. Shen Zhenghui opened his eyes and looked around, realizing that this was not his place. Upon closer inspection, he recognized it as the home of Fukuda Miharu, where he had initially stayed. Although he couldn't quite remember how he got there, since he was already there, he wasn't worried. He didn't even check if his wallet and phone were still with him.

"Even took off my clothes!" Seeing himself in just his underwear on the bed, Shen Zhenghui felt a bit embarrassed. He put on the clothes hanging nearby and was about to go to the living room to get some water, but he didn't notice that a bottle of mineral water was already placed next to his pillow. Even so, he would probably still go out with the excuse of wanting hot water. Checking the time, it was just past one o'clock, and he hadn't slept for long.

As soon as he pushed open the door, he heard an angry voice from the living room, "So you're determined to stick with that Chinese guy?"

"We are just partners," said Fukuda Miharu's voice.

"Partners?" It seemed to be Kuroshima Jinichiro, who began to sneer, "You're being a bit too good to your partner, aren't you?"

"This is for our common goal," Fukuda Miharu replied seriously, "And you can see the results."

Kuroshima Jinichiro seemed to be barely suppressing his anger, speaking in a tone that was hard to control but feigned calm, "Miharu, I've seen everything you've done. What has that Chinese guy done? Almost everything is done using our resources in Japan, like making movies and distributing them. Didn't we do all that?"

"I did it," Fukuda Miharu said seriously, "And I think you misunderstand his role. We couldn't have achieved this much just by relying on me and us."

Shen Zhenghui heard Kuroshima Jinichiro stand up in anger, "What does he have in Japan? How many people does he know? The companies and enterprises he wants to acquire, the movies he wants to make, the animations he wants to produce—all of it relies on us. Without us, he's just a Chinese guy with no roots in Japan, barely able to earn enough to eat, let alone stay in mainland China!"

Fukuda Miharu's voice remained calm, "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"I think," Kuroshima Jinichiro said bluntly, "Kicking him out won't affect our business at all."

"It will affect my business."

Kuroshima Jinichiro's tone seemed to be on the verge of madness, "Are you really thinking of giving billions of assets to that guy?"

"It's not that much," Fukuda Miharu responded, "And it's not a gift; it's what he deserves."

Shen Zhenghui couldn't help but chuckle softly.

After a long silence, Kuroshima Jinichiro said, "You must have a thing for that guy, but what's the point? Isn't he with that actress?"

"Do you read gossip magazines?"

"It's the truth!"

"That truth doesn't matter to me." Shen Zhenghui, who was eavesdropping, felt very awkward and left the door slightly ajar.

"Miharu!" Kuroshima Jinichiro's tone was filled with frustration.

"Do you want to be a part of this?" Fukuda Miharu asked, "You can, you know!"

"Miharu, you know that's not what I mean."

"Then what do you mean?" Fukuda Miharu's voice sounded curious.

"I have things to do, I'm leaving!"

"It's late, why don't you stay? There's a room for you."

"No," Kuroshima said, "I have a flight tomorrow, to China."

"So you came here just to badmouth the Chinese guy before you leave?"

"Miharu," his footsteps paused, "You know what I mean. We can give him the money for his shares, even hundreds of billions, and send him back to China."

"That's not a calm attitude. If there's a problem with the business in China, you need to control your emotions."

"Fine, I'm leaving." Kuroshima Jinichiro's tone was full of disappointment.

"I'll see you out!" The sound of footsteps grew louder, and Shen Zhenghui gently closed the door.

The footsteps stopped outside the door.

"Miharu," hesitantly, "I have something to tell you when I get back from China."

"Okay." Fukuda Miharu's tone was indifferent.

"Sorry, I was a bit impulsive tonight. I guess it was the alcohol."

"Men should drink less. Otherwise, things can easily go wrong." Shen Zhenghui, standing at the door, felt this statement had a deeper meaning.

"Sorry, it won't happen again."

"I have no interest in listening to your drunken ramblings this late. It's better to be sober."

"Sorry." Who was in control of the conversation?

The footsteps finally resumed.

Shen Zhenghui leaned against the wall, thinking. Kuroshima Jinichiro was right; his business in Japan completely relied on Fukuda Miharu. If she were ruthless enough, he could be kicked out of Japan with nothing. However, Shen Zhenghui believed from the bottom of his heart that Fukuda Miharu wasn't that kind of person, but he wasn't sure if it was because of the ambiguous relationship Kuroshima mentioned.

The footsteps were light, and by the time Shen Zhenghui realized he needed to escape to the bed and pretend to be asleep, it was too late. Fukuda Miharu had already pushed open the door.

"Uh... I just woke up and was about to go to the living room for some water." Shen Zhenghui felt like a middle school boy caught reading a martial arts novel with a flashlight under the covers.

Fukuda Miharu placed the cup on the table, "Drink it," she said, "It's warm."

Shen Zhenghui picked up the cup and took a big gulp of the warm water to soothe his throat.

"It's poisoned!"

Choking, he sprayed water on the wall, coughing uncontrollably, "D... don't... make... such jokes."

Fukuda Miharu smiled at Shen Zhenghui, "Kuroshima's cousin said that if you were kicked out, all the billions of assets in the group would be mine—well, his exact words were 'ours.'"

"Of course you wouldn't do that."

"Why not?"

"I think you are a good... or rather, a principled and conscientious capitalist."

"Doesn't the term 'principled and conscientious capitalist' sound very contradictory?"

"Do you mean you really poisoned it?"

"I mean you should drink less. When Kuroshima's cousin brought you here, I was surprised. I thought you would be taken to a hotel and... you know."

"Your way of saying it is even more contradictory."

"But her actions show she's still young and inexperienced, and can be further developed."

"In what way?"

Fukuda Miharu stopped speaking, staring at Shen Zhenghui with a serious and stern look.

"What's wrong?" Shen Zhenghui raised an eyebrow, placing the cup on the table.

"Did you hear everything?"

"Uh... I should have denied it outright." Shen Zhenghui slapped his hand.

"Alright, work hard for me. If you can't please me, you'll be penniless." Fukuda Miharu shook her head, taking the glass.

"I have assets too, both in Japan and China." Shen Zhenghui followed Fukuda Miharu out of the room.

"Aren't you going to sleep?"

"Drank too much, hard to fall back asleep. I'll go back to my place in a bit." Shen Zhenghui replied.

Fukuda Miharu, walking ahead, suddenly stopped and turned around, "You heard everything, didn't you?"

Shen Zhenghui was a bit stunned, "From 'We are just partners.'"

Fukuda Miharu paused for a moment, "Shen, your interpersonal skills are completely out of proportion to your talent."

"Is that a compliment?"

"If you want to take it that way."

"I don't feel like it's a compliment!"

"That's what I dislike about you!"

"Sorry then." Shen Zhenghui bit his lip, "I'm going back. I'm sober now, and the fire in my heart has cooled. I want to write down the script that's been on my mind."

Fukuda Miharu sighed, placing the cup on the table, "I'll see you out. Take it slow; Jinichiro might still be at the door."

"Okay."

"Want to sit and chat?"

Shen Zhenghui almost instinctively asked, "About what?"

"Life or philosophy."

"Such heavy topics!"

"We can't pretend they don't exist!" Fukuda Miharu raised an eyebrow.

The two stood by the table, falling into silence.

After a while, "I'll go. This drunkenness has sparked some inspiration, and I want to write it down."

"Alright." Fukuda Miharu smiled, "Shake hands."

"Why?"

"To prove that my cousin's words haven't affected you, and we are still good partners."

"Okay, of course." Shen Zhenghui extended his hand, and the two shook hands. Both felt an unusual sensation from the touch, as if a connection was formed through this physical contact, a trust that was not influenced by third parties. For a moment, neither shook hands nor let go, their eyes locked in a strange, unbreakable exchange.

"Snap!" Something fell to the ground, and both turned to see Liu Xin standing at the entrance, her mouth agape, staring at them holding hands (misinterpretation).

"I should have known." Liu Xin's face showed a sense of relief, "It's as I thought."

"Is he still staying here?" Shen Zhenghui asked.

"Yes!" Fukuda Miharu quickly let go of Shen Zhenghui's hand, "Liu Xin, this is a friendly handshake. We just discussed a big project."

"Right, why are you back so late?"

Liu Xin didn't respond, picked up her bag, and turned to run out.

"Stop her!" Fukuda Miharu called out urgently.

Shen Zhenghui, in a panic, rushed forward and tackled Liu Xin to the ground at the entrance.

"Let me go! Let me go!" Liu Xin began to scream.

"Cover her mouth, tie her up!" Fukuda Miharu shouted.