The room was filled with the aroma of tea. Seated in the main seat was someone who had arrived much earlier, with a maid beside them, helping to pour tea.
"It's nice to meet you. I am Osu-ga Yayoi, the head of Rakuman."
"It's nice to meet you too! President Osu-ga, may I ask the purpose of this meeting?" Gu Jingyi looked at the bald man before him. If he had encountered this man outside, he might have mistaken him for a member of the Black Dragon Society from the Land of the Rising Sun.
"I greatly admire Mr. Gu's abilities. At such a young age, you have already reached this position, which speaks to your immense talent. I always enjoy dealing with capable individuals."
As Gu Jingyi listened to him speak, he was already pondering his true intentions. Osu-ga Jun had left after bringing him to this location. Osu-ga Yayoi eventually said nothing further, merely inviting Gu Jingyi to a tea ceremony and introducing him to their local customs.
"Elaborate, but the taste is only average," was Gu Jingyi's internal assessment. After finishing the tea, he asked Osu-ga Jun to escort him back.
"Mr. Gu, you're quite young, so you're likely unmarried, aren't you? Can someone of your standing accept someone from our side?"
"Miss Jun, are you proposing to me?"
"No, no, no! I have a younger sister at home who is around your age. I wanted to introduce her to you!"
"That's a pity. I already have a fiancée. Miss Jun, I have arrived. Thank you for your hospitality today!"
Osu-ga Jun bowed and watched Gu Jingyi leave. Once he was completely out of sight, she casually glanced around and smiled before departing.
"How did it go?" Gu Jingyi returned to his room and had been frowning, contemplating the day's events. Elder Hua had also noticed the change in his expression.
"It seems we've been outmaneuvered!"
"Oh? How so?"
"I met with Osu-ga Yayoi. He didn't say anything to me, just had some tea, and then sent me back. Now, no matter who receives the order tomorrow, Osu-ga Yayoi will have an excuse to silence any complaints. Furthermore, news that we intend to cooperate with them is likely already circulating outside," Gu Jingyi said with a frown.
"What do you think we should do then?"
"Do nothing. We are simply signing a contract with the government of the Land of the Rising Sun. Who they use is of little consequence to us!"
"Hmm, excellent!" Elder Hua praised.
Previously, they had intended to sign contracts with corporations. However, after yesterday's meeting, Elder Hua had dinner with Joseph. It was after that dinner that Elder Hua suddenly proposed adjusting the plan. Unexpectedly, the first to be thwarted was a corporation from the Land of the Rising Sun.
When the contracts began to be signed the next day, the news brought by Elder Hua and his group left the Land of the Rising Sun stunned. They had been the most confident, as the event was taking place on their home turf, and with so many corporations, each could take a portion. But they never anticipated this move! The Land of the Rising Sun immediately turned their gaze towards Joseph, certain that he was behind it.
Joseph also noticed the glances directed at him. He smiled. Indeed, he had said a lot to Hua Qingming yesterday, and this outcome was within his expectations.
While they were busy receiving orders, sales had already begun in their own country. As soon as these items were stocked, they were embraced with favor, especially in cities, serving as an excellent way to showcase one's affluence. People now felt a sense of superiority with these possessions, and some families had even replaced their "big three" items with them.
The Ji family also received a batch of these items immediately. Mother Ji was busy researching this and that with curiosity. However, what piqued her interest the most was the "xiaolingtong" (mobile phone) that Ji Xingmi had brought back. Now, almost everyone in the family had one, sending messages to each other even when they were in the same location. Seeing the childlike amusement of everyone, Ji Xingmi shook her head, smiled, and prepared to return to her room.
However, she couldn't leave after all. Aunt Ji grabbed her sleeve, her eyes brimming with tears, and said, "Why don't I have one? Do you not consider me a member of the Ji family anymore! I think I should just come back. Getting married is really not good at all!"
"No, no, no!" Ji Xingmi quickly explained upon seeing her aunt on the verge of tears, "You can't use this temporarily. It's not good for the baby! Wait until the technology matures later, or until after the baby is born, okay?"
"Ah? Really?"
"Yes! Really!"
"Alright then!" Aunt Ji, upon hearing the reason, quickly wiped away her tears. Ji Xingmi was surprised by how quickly her aunt could stop crying and simply stared at her blankly. Han Dong noticed their conversation and walked over.
"Then I won't use it either!"
"Just don't use it for extended periods in front of Auntie. It's good for you to have it, so you can contact me anytime, especially as Auntie's belly gets bigger," Han Dong said, nodding at his niece's words.
Ji Mingyi found what Little Xing'er said to be reasonable. While Han Dong was speaking, Ji Xingmi seized the opportunity to go upstairs. However, at the doorway, she encountered Ye Yu and Ji Haoqi, who were sitting there and texting each other.
"It costs money! Can't you just talk directly?" Ji Xingmi sat down beside them and reminded them.
"Oh, we were just curious! I know, I'm just trying it out," Ji Haoqi stopped what he was doing and looked at his sister.