Reborn in Tokyo: From Heiress to Global Tycoon

Chapter 64 The Beginning of New Year's Day

January 1, 1988, New Year's Day.

The snow has stopped in Tokyo.

Last night's snow covered the rocks and branches of the old pine trees in the dry landscape garden, reflecting a dazzling and pure light, enveloping the ancient mansion in a solemn tranquility.

Satsuki woke up in the master bedroom on the second floor.

She woke up naturally in the air, which had become somewhat dry from the heating.

She opened her eyes and stared at the exquisite Tiffany glass chandelier on the ceiling for a few seconds.

Habitually, my brain started working automatically: the trend of Nikkei index futures, exchange rate fluctuations, production capacity reports of the Shanghai factory... countless data flowed through my mind like a waterfall.

"stop."

She gave herself instructions in her mind.

The gears of thought made a screeching sound, like the sudden braking of a car, and then abruptly came to a stop.

"It's a holiday now," she told herself.

Satsuki rolled over, buried her face in the soft down pillow, and took a deep breath.

Although the ravenous wolf of Wall Street deep within her soul was howling and wanting to tear the market apart, her fourteen-year-old body let out a satisfied sigh.

If you've made so much money, what's the point of making it if you don't enjoy it?

"Happy New Year, Miss."

A respectful voice came from outside the door.

"Come in."

The sliding door opened. Four maids filed in, each carrying a copper basin, towels, and a set of formal attire displayed on a red lacquered tray.

That's the robe I wore for this year's "Hatsumode" (New Year's shrine visit).

A bright red "Honfuisode" kimono. The fabric, made by the long-established Kyoto shop "Senso," features a "cloud-and-pine-crane" design, hand-dyed using the Yuzen dyeing technique over a year. The gold thread embroidery shimmers in the sunlight, each stitch exuding an astonishingly high price. In terms of value, aside from the weight, this garment is practically indistinguishable from one made of pure gold.

"Young Miss, this was specially chosen for you by the Master," the head maid said with a smile. "The Master said that this year is the Year of the Dragon, and the Saionji family should prosper. This outfit best suits your demeanor."

Satsuki sat up in bed, stretched out her arms, and let the maids wrap silk around her body in layers as if she were a princess from Heian-kyo.

She looked at herself in the mirror.

After her mother's death, Shuichi didn't seem to consider that this overly luxurious and flamboyant kimono might not be suitable for a little girl, but Satsuki's temperament made up for it perfectly.

She was wrapped in layers of gold fabric. Although she was only 14 years old, she did not look like a princess, but rather like an empress.

"good."

Satsuki stroked the cool, silky texture of her sleeve, a satisfied smile curving her lips.

"Let's go, don't keep Father waiting."

……

In the main room, the air was filled with the medicinal aroma of Tusu wine and the savory smell of mixed rice cakes.

Shuichi was already seated in the main seat.

He was dressed in a black crested haori (the highest-ranking formal attire with a family crest), holding a newspaper in his hand, his brow slightly furrowed, as if he were deep in thought.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw his daughter, dressed in her finest clothes, walking in. His eyes lit up immediately.

"Oh my... she truly is my daughter."

Xiu put down the newspaper, and the anxiety in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by the pride and amazement of a father.

"If you ask me, this outfit looks more impressive on you than any of those princes I saw in the palace back then."

His gaze was completely drawn to Satsuki; his daughter was beautiful no matter how he looked at her.

"Father, it's the New Year, and if the Imperial Household Agency hears such presumptuous words, they'll cause trouble." Satsuki smiled and bowed, her movements impeccably elegant.

"What's there to be afraid of? Whose world is it now? It's the world of capital!"

Shuichi was in a great mood and laughed as he beckoned his daughter to sit down.

However, once Satsuki was seated, her gaze did not fall on the sumptuous meal on the table, but rather on the newspaper that Shuichi had just put down.

That was the New Year's Day special edition of the Nikkei. The front-page headline was predicting land price trends for 1988, and the title was full of sensationalism.

"Father."

Satsuki stretched out her slender fingers, gently pressed them on the newspaper, and then pushed it away a little.

"I remember we made that promise last night."

Her voice was soft and gentle, yet it carried an undeniable strength.

"Before January 15th, no business discussions, reports review, or business calls will be made at home."

Xiu paused for a moment, then touched his nose somewhat awkwardly.

"Ah... well, I was just taking a quick look. I'm used to it; if I don't check the market in the morning, I feel a bit empty."

For the past year, he's been like an astronaut strapped to a rocket, accustomed to the g-forces and dizziness of rapid ascent. Suddenly being brought back to earth caused him severe withdrawal symptoms.

His brain was still instinctively seeking stimulation, looking for the next prey, looking for the next opportunity to double his assets.

"That's the problem, Father."

Gaoyue poured her father a cup of Tusu wine and handed it to him with both hands.

"You're wound up too tight."

"Over the past year, almost every decision we made was like dancing on the edge of a cliff. Although we won, this intense mental pressure can unknowingly deplete your judgment."

She looked into Shuichi's eyes, her gaze revealing just the right amount of concern.

"What I need is a clear-headed leader who can make calm decisions in critical moments, not a gambler controlled by adrenaline."

"So, please take a rest."

"This is for the Saionji family, and it's for me too."

Shuichi looked into his daughter's clear eyes.

In those eyes, he saw dependence on him, and he also saw expectations for him.

That feeling of being "needed" instantly calmed the restlessness in his heart.

Yes.

Since my daughter has said so, and since everything is under her control, why should I be anxious like a headless fly?

As long as you listen to her, you can't go wrong.

"it is good."

Shuichi took the glass and drank it all in one gulp. The spicy liquor warmed him up.

"I'll listen to you. I don't want to think about it anymore."

He threw the newspaper into the trash can behind him, as if he had thrown away all his troubles.

"Let's eat! After we eat, we'll go to Meiji Shrine." Fujita said, "The car is ready."

"That's more like it."

Satsuki smiled sweetly, picked up her chopsticks, and took out a piece of Date roll, which symbolized "rising step by step".

This is more than just a rest.

This is a form of domestication.

She was showing Shuichi in this way when to charge and when to sheathe his sword; the rhythm was in her hands. And he only needed to enjoy the glory of being the "head of the family" and the happiness of being the "father."

……

10:00 AM, Meiji Shrine.

Although it's New Year's Day, Tokyo is still bitterly cold today. The approach to the temple is crowded with people, tens of thousands of citizens wrapped in thick coats, queuing in the cold wind, waiting to pray to the gods for good fortune in the new year.

Thanks to the excellent economic situation, this year seemed particularly festive, and even the air was filled with a kind of heat called "desire".

"Excuse me, could you please make way?"

Several uniformed clergy members were trying to maintain order, but they were still unable to stop the surging crowd.

Outside the crowd, on a dedicated passage separated by ropes, a black Nissan Presidential Sedan slowly drove by.

The car windows are covered with dark privacy film, separating the inside of the car from the outside world.

Satsuki sat in the heated leather seat, holding a steaming cup of black tea. Through the car window, she looked at the crowd outside, shivering in the cold wind, yet their eyes still gleaming with excitement.

"It must have been really tough."

Shuichi looked out the window and sighed.

"These people lined up for hours just to throw in that five-yen coin and pray to the gods to bless them with wealth."

"Actually, instead of praying to God, you should read more books, or... pay more attention to exchange rates."

"Father, this is the joy of ordinary people."

Satsuki said calmly.

"They need something to rely on. Because in reality, they cannot control their own destiny and can only place their hopes on some ethereal deity."

"But we are different."

The car drove into the VIP parking area next to the Kagura Hall. It was empty except for a few luxury cars with special license plates.

Several high-ranking priests were already waiting by the car door, with respectful smiles on their faces.

Satsuki put down her teacup and straightened her clothes.

"We don't need to pray to God."

She turned her head to look at her father, a confident and arrogant smile curving her lips.

"Because we are the ones who created God."

The car door opened.

Shuichi got out of the car first, then gentlemanly extended his hand to help his daughter out.

Satsuki stepped onto the red carpeted floor, not shrinking back from the cold wind. She straightened her back, like a queen surveying her territory, and led the priests straight to the inner sanctum.

Queues and crowds are nonexistent. Putting aside the wealth of the Saionji family, just the fact that they are of noble birth and Shuichi is a member of the House of Peers gives them the privilege of visiting the temple without an appointment.

The process of worship is solemn and complicated.

Deep within the inner sanctum, amidst the resounding beat of a massive taiko drum, Shuichi closed his eyes, clasped his hands together, and made a devout wish.

Satsuki stood beside him and clasped her hands together.

But she did not make a wish.

She simply kept the countdown running in her mind.

1988 years.

This is the year the bubble is about to take off.

"May the gods bless the Saionji family with good fortune in battle," Shuichi said softly, opening his eyes, which were filled with hope.

"It definitely will."

Satsuki turned her head to look at her father's face, which had regained its rosy color and confidence.

She reached out and gently brushed a bit of incense ash off her father's shoulder.

This gesture is intimate and natural.

Shuichi felt a warmth in his heart as he sensed his daughter's thoughtfulness and instinctively took her hand.

"Satsuki, with you here, Daddy is not afraid of anything."

Satsuki let him hold her hand, her smile gentle and obedient.

"Of course, Father."

"As long as you hold my hand, we will never be apart."

……

After leaving the shrine, he did not go home immediately.

Shuichi took Satsuki to Shiseido Parlour in Ginza for lunch.

This is also a kind of "relaxation" ritual.

In this prime location, the restaurant was filled with impeccably dressed gentlemen and ladies. They talked about opera, golf, and truffles that had just been imported from Paris.

Nobody talks about work, at least not outwardly.

Satsuki cuts open the perfectly seared Wagyu beef on the plate and looks out the window at the street scene of Ginza 4-chome.

Not far away, the "Crystal Palace," with its blue glass curtain wall, gleamed in the sunlight. Although it was the New Year's Day holiday, many people still stopped to take pictures and marvel at its luxury.

"Father."

Satsuki suddenly spoke.

"Hmm? What's wrong? Don't you like the steak?"

"No, it's delicious."

Satsuki forked a piece of beef and put it in her mouth, chewing it slowly.

"I was just thinking that if we're going to rest, we should rest thoroughly."

"Let's go to Karuizawa for the next two weeks."

"Karuizawa?" Xiu paused, taken aback. "Now? That's a summer resort; wouldn't it be too cold to go in winter?"

Karuizawa is very quiet in winter.

Satsuki put down her knife and fork and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

"Furthermore, I heard that Yoshiaki Tsutsumi, the chairman of the Seibu Group, has been skiing there recently."

Shuichi paused for a moment.

"You mean...?"

"No, I don't want to talk business."

Satsuki blinked, a sly glint in her eyes.

"I just want to take you skiing. The feeling of rushing down from a height is similar to how we feel in the mall, but purer and safer."

"Besides, if you 'bump into' President Tsutsumi at the ski resort, even if it's just a nod or a skiing contest, wouldn't that be a fun way to 'relax'?"

"Letting him see our composure in this informal setting is more effective than being aggressive at the negotiating table."

Xiu Yi understood.

This is called "posture display".

In this circle, having money is one thing, but knowing how to "play" and maintaining that top-tier sense of relaxation during leisure time is another.

If the Saionji family were still working overtime in Tokyo at this time, they would be looked down upon.

Going on vacation to Karuizawa and disappearing at this crucial moment would only make outsiders think that the Saionji family is unfathomable and has plenty of resources left.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Xiu Yi burst into laughter, attracting the attention of the surrounding guests.

"Great idea! Good idea!"

"Let's go to Karuizawa! I want to show Yoshiaki Tsutsumi that even though he's bought half the mountains in Japan, when it comes to skiing, this old-fashioned aristocrat is no less skilled than him!"

"and……"

Shuichi looked at his daughter with gentle eyes.

"I also want to see my daughter in a ski suit. She'll look so cute."

Satsuki smiled.

She picked up the glass of juice in front of her and gently raised it towards the building that belonged to her outside the window.

"Then it's settled."

"Take a break. To better...hunt."

Sunlight shone on her face, and her delicate features radiated youthful energy.

It is resting.

It is accumulating strength.

In order to bite off the fattest piece of meat in the crazy jungle of 1988.