Tokyo Three Generations

She sighed inwardly, then nodded and had her secretary accept the package.

It is clear that the Takasaki family has returned their "deposit," which is not just 200 million yen in cash, but also a challenge to sever all ties.

Then there's no need to be polite.

"Take care of yourself from now on," she said in a cold, insincere tone.

At this moment, her attention gradually shifted from Takasaki Jun to the young man supporting him.

Too young.

Logically speaking, a cunning and shrewd person like Takasaki Jun wouldn't bring a young child to listen in on such a meeting.

unless……

She looked more closely, staring at the other person's face, which resembled Takasaki Hiroshi's, and then it dawned on her.

"Is this your young master?" she then asked.

“Yes, this is Jun, my grandson.” Takasaki Jun smiled and pointed to his grandson. “Although my son is a good-for-nothing, he still left me with something to look forward to. Now that my grandson is growing up, I’m taking him to see the world… Please take good care of him in the future.”

"I'm afraid it's not my place to take care of him." Yuko Obuchi smiled, but with a hint of teasing. "Jun is really quite handsome. No wonder he won the favor of the Toyokawa family."

She already knew about the unexpected visit to the Takasaki family by the Toyokawa father and daughter.

She was somewhat surprised at the time, because her intelligence reports contained no information about any close personal relationship between the Toyokawa and Takasaki families.

After making careful inquiries, she learned that Miss Toyokawa seemed to have a good relationship with the young master of the Takasaki family, and they had been visiting each other quite a few times recently.

She never expected that the Takasaki family would actually set their sights on this... At the time, she "reasonably" thought that the Takasaki family was deliberately plotting to get their son to get close to the Toyokawa Group.

She couldn't help but curse inwardly, "They'll do anything to climb the ladder..."

However, these are all just rumors and speculations. Miss Toyokawa is still so young; it's impossible for her to consider a marriage alliance. Even if this young man were to marry into the Toyokawa family in the future, that would be many years from now, and it has nothing to do with the present. So she wasn't too worried.

Besides, if the Takasaki family were to suffer some major misfortune that led to their decline, how could the Toyokawa family possibly consider such a fallen nobleman again?

Although Jun Takasaki was filled with disgust, he still bowed respectfully to her on the surface, saying, "Please take good care of me in the future, Auntie."

"Chun-ge'er is such a handsome young man, he's bound to have a bright future," said Yuko Obuchi, her words carrying a hint of insincerity. "Auntie has high hopes for you!"

Then, she waved goodbye to the grandmother and grandson.

"Take good care, both of you. Goodbye!"

Then, without looking back, she returned to her entourage, and together they walked to the carriage, got in, and sped away.

The grandfather and grandson watched her departing figure, each with their own thoughts.

"Her smile won't last much longer." After a long silence, Takasaki Jun said softly, "Since she's so resolute, she'll have nowhere to stand once the new chairman takes over. She probably won't even be able to keep her position within the faction. Seeing the Obuchi family's decades of illustrious reputation fall to this state, I'm truly filled with mixed emotions..."

While feeling sentimental and sad, you didn't seem to hold back at all... Jun Takasaki thought to himself.

However, what he cared about was something else entirely.

The news of Miss Toyokawa's home visit seems to have spread far and wide, even her own political enemies know about it... So how does the outside world view her now?

This somewhat belated realization left him at a loss for words, unsure how to face the situation.

Xiangzi probably never expected that her impulsive act would cause such a big commotion. How is she going to deal with the misunderstanding?

103, setting aside past grievances

Yuko Obuchi's refusal meant that Jun Takasaki's negotiations had failed, but this was expected and no one, including the parties involved, was surprised.

"Courtesy first, then force. Now that we've shown courtesy, there's no need to stand on ceremony anymore. Everyone can use their skills to win, as long as we win."

The funeral has just been held, and the election of the new chairman is imminent. Everyone in the faction is holding their breath, waiting for the day when the dust settles.

The closer it gets to an election, the more likely something unexpected might happen, so no one dares to slack off.

However, this tension did not affect Jun Takasaki. Although he had witnessed all of this with his grandfather, it was not his place to get involved in this war without gunpowder, so he focused his energy on his own personal affairs.

With the arrival of the new semester, he has become a proud sophomore.

As before, he didn't care much about his studies, but instead focused his attention on his plans with Xiangzi.

Although Xiangzi himself was not in a hurry, as the initiator and promoter of the plan, he did not intend to drag his feet.

According to his plan, the first step is to "hold an academic seminar".

It might seem a bit ridiculous for a mere sophomore to be discussing hosting a top-tier academic conference, but at the University of Tokyo, it's not some far-fetched fantasy.

Since its founding, the University of Tokyo has championed "student self-governance" and even encouraged students to engage in international exchanges.

Therefore, academic seminars organized by various faculties are commonplace at the University of Tokyo. In practice, students can submit proposals to student organizations, which, after being approved by the university, can apply for venues and then invite scholars from outside the university in the name of the University of Tokyo.

Moreover, the school's regulations are quite lenient. As long as it is a purely neutral academic exchange and does not involve any sensitive military information or sanctions, it is acceptable. At the same time, the seminars cannot be for profit and must be academically neutral.

In fact, Jun Takasaki himself participated in a similar exchange activity when he was a freshman.

The only issue to worry about is the budget—after all, the school can't afford to spend too much on it.

Therefore, Jun Takasaki naturally broke down his first step plan into two points:

First, "persuade the student self-governing organization of the medical school and the university administration to agree to hold an academic seminar in the name of the University of Tokyo and invite relevant scholars."

Second, "to obtain a sufficient budget to ensure the smooth operation of the entire event."

The former is the foundation of the latter, but the latter is more crucial.

After all, the more famous a scholar is, the less they will care about ordinary academic activities; only generous compensation can entice them to come.

Therefore, Jun Takasaki began to lobby within the school, striving to get the school to agree to hold the academic seminar as soon as possible.

It has to be said that having a family background makes a difference. He went around looking for people and explaining his ideas, and gradually things started to look promising. At least he had entered the formal process.

That day, he shared his recent progress with Xiangzi on the chat software.

After a while, Xiangzi gave him a reply. "If you're free this afternoon, could you come to my house? My father wants to talk to you about this..."

This suited Jun Takasaki's wishes perfectly, since without the Toyokawa family's sponsorship, none of his ideas could come to fruition.

At this stage, it is indeed time to talk to Kiyotaka Toyokawa.

So, that afternoon, he took a taxi to the Toyokawa family's residence.

After so long, returning to this magnificent mansion, Jun Takasaki felt no more emotion. After informing Shoko, he waited quietly outside the door.

Soon, the door slowly opened, and Xiangzi, as before, took the initiative to come to the door to greet him.

The black gate was like a curtain being drawn back, and Miss Toyokawa appeared before him like a princess making a grand entrance.

Unlike her simple appearance when we met at the coffee shop last time, Miss Toyokawa was wearing a white dress today because she was at home. It was clearly a custom-made high-end item, with even carefully trimmed lace at the cuffs.

At that moment, the young lady was looking at him with a half-smile.

A Western-style mansion, a young lady dressed in gorgeous clothes—it's like a scene from a third-rate idol drama... but this is reality.

Some people can only dream, but some people are born living in a dream world...

"What are you standing there for?" Seeing his thoughtful expression, Toyokawa Shoko found it amusing and quickly urged him, "Come in quickly."

Junya Takasaki put aside these distracting thoughts and followed the young lady inside.

"Jun, are you still busy with school lately?" Toyokawa Shoko asked as she walked towards the mansion. "I'm so sorry, my affairs have delayed your studies..."

“No, I’m very free and have plenty of time, so this amount of work is nothing to me,” Jun Takasaki replied. “Congratulations, though, you’re already an amazing high school student.”

"Stop making fun of me..." Toyokawa Shoko smiled sheepishly, "I'm almost suffocating under the pressure."

This isn't an exaggeration at all. After all, dealing with increasingly demanding academic studies while also managing her band's creative work is quite exhausting.

Seeing her slightly tired appearance, Jun Takasaki became a little worried.

"Xiangzi, you don't need to work so hard. What if something really happens?"

"Don't worry, my body isn't that fragile." Xiangzi shook his head, seemingly unconcerned. "At least for now, there's nothing wrong with me."

Seeing that Jun Takasaki didn't seem to be convinced, she clasped her hands together, seemingly begging him for mercy in a pitiful manner. "You know, I finally managed to put together a band, and I've been having a burst of inspiration lately. I don't know if I'll ever be in this creative state again, so... I really can't give up, Jun. Just let me burn myself out this once. I only have one youth."

Since Xiangzi had already put it this way, Gao Qijun had nothing more to say.

He had already realized that Xiangzi had an extremely strong personality and took everything very seriously. Once he made up his mind, he would go all out to do it, and it would be difficult for others to persuade him otherwise.

Since she's still young, let her youth burn brightly and passionately.

Besides, what right do I have to tell her what to do?

"Alright... since that's how you want it, I won't say anything more. Just be careful not to overdo it." He nodded slightly. "If there's anything I can help with, just let me know."

"Thank you~ I knew you were the best." Xiangzi smiled again, looking beaming.

She seemed unaware that she was using a coquettish tone.

But someone nearby must have noticed.

Jun Takasaki sensed that, whether in the light or in the shadows, there were always several eyes scrutinizing him, as if they were carefully weighing him.

However, he wasn't nervous. After all, he had nothing to hide. He had done nothing to wrong the Toyokawa family, nor did he need anything from them, so he didn't care what others thought.

As the two chatted and laughed, they walked together into the mansion. Then, as before, Xiangzi led Takasaki Jun along the corridor to the door of his father's study.

Logically, all of this could have been left to the servants, but she did it all herself.

She gently knocked on the door.

"Dad, Chun is here."

"Let him in," came Toyokawa Kiyoko's voice from inside the door.

Xiangzi pushed open the door and then led Takasaki Jun inside.

Then, Xiangzi bowed politely to his father, left the room, and closed the door behind him.

After Xiangzi gently closed the door, only the two of them remained in the room.

Time seemed to have turned back, but this time, the two were no longer at odds with each other.

Kiyoshi Toyokawa sat behind his desk and looked up at Jun Takasaki.

It has to be said that he looks even more haggard than before because of his recent leadership of the Fengchuan Group. However, he is no longer the decadent middle-aged man he once was; instead, he exudes an air of undeniable authority.

"Please have a seat."

After exchanging a glance, he gestured to Jun Takasaki, who, without flinching, immediately sat down opposite him.

"Xiangzi told me about your plan." After he sat down, Toyokawa Kiyoko spoke again, "My assessment is that this is just childish nonsense, showing a complete lack of awareness of one's own limitations."

Jun Takasaki was not angry about the other party's evaluation, after all, he also admitted that he was young and inexperienced and had made many oversights.

However, things are learned through trial and error. If you stay in the same place, you will never have the opportunity to do better.

“I don’t deny your criticism, but I believe a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and I should at least give it a try.” So he calmly replied, “Besides, even if my plan fails, what loss would it cause you? It would just be another disappointment…”

Upon hearing "once again," Toyokawa Kiyotaka's previously tense face twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth.

Then, his seriousness was replaced by melancholy, and he finally let out a long sigh.

"Yes, your plan is shallow, almost a joke, but your efforts are undeniable, just like mine over the years."

After sighing for a while, he finally refocused his attention. "Over the years, Mizuho and I have been working hard on this, sponsoring many similar studies, but in the end... all our hopes were dashed, and I almost lost all my fighting spirit because of it. After all, there is nothing more painful and helpless than exhausting all our efforts only to watch our loved one die young..."

As he said this, his voice choked with emotion, “But even so, we cannot give up hope. After all, Xiangzi… Xiangzi is still young, she has so many opportunities to try. I believe that fate will eventually smile upon us, even if it’s just once.”

He kept giving himself hope; rather than saying he believed in anything, it was more accurate to say he was willing to believe and forced himself to believe.

After all, a person always needs something to look forward to in life. How could he possibly imagine that his daughter would die before him after his wife?

Seeing how sad he was, Jun Takasaki couldn't bear to say anything more to upset him.

"I can't guarantee anything to you. After all, even medical experts haven't been able to do it, so I'm even less qualified to make any promises. But even so, I will do everything in my power to save her... I ask that you place some hope in me."

After a moment, Toyokawa Kiyoko finally managed to regain his composure.

“It is indeed only a little, but even that little is enough for me to forgive and forget. Kid, I will give you the money, go ahead and try, hopefully your luck will be better than mine.”

As he said this, he suddenly seemed to remember something else.

"By the way, I heard from Xiangzi that she plans to run some kind of offshore account with you in the future and transfer all her pocket money into it?"

"This was her idea, not something I encouraged. I even tried to persuade her!" Jun Takasaki quickly clarified, afraid that he would misunderstand him as a greedy and petty person.

"This is utterly absurd," Toyokawa Kiyoshi cursed, but didn't seem to doubt his words. "This girl, she's so young and already acting so recklessly, what will she be like in the future?"

“I think she’s actually very good.” Jun Takasaki quickly spoke up for Shoko, “Aside from the occasional little bit of willfulness, she is humble, talented and has almost no flaws. I truly admire you and Mrs. Mizuho for raising your daughter so well.”