----SETSUI'S PERSPECTIVE----
That night, 6 pm, Wisteria Hotel Restaurant
(In Chinese)
"Mr. Setsui, over here.", said a lady dressed in a black formal jumpsuit, the founder of JingHua, CEO YiLin.
I placed on my professional business smile, gave her a slight nod and walked towards the table that was reserved for us.
CEO YiLin, or as her English name goes, CEO Elaine is one of the rare female head directors in this business industry. She is a 38 years old woman who started her company when she was just 19. Many rumors about her used to go around in the industry, saying that she probably used some under-handed method to climb up her ranks in the society.
However, I think that she is purely just a genius, I had heard of her ever since I was a kid as my parents would hold business gatherings often and Mdm. YiLin was always present. She chooses her business partners wisely and her company workers are of the best qualifications. Though many may misjudge her because of her smile and sweet-talk during meetings, I can tell that she is definitely someone you don't want to mess with.
She is like a venomous snake, ready to attack its prey at any moment if she wants to. The CEO of JingHua is the face of all the design companies in the world. Everyone in the design sector can say without a second thought that she is a natural talent at being a businesswoman. Most people in the business industry cower under her, and she had gained the title of "The First Queen" since the first word of her Chinese name means "number one".
I had reserved a private setting in the restaurant, with sound-proof walls and the furthest away from the public dining area. I took a seat across her and there we began our discussion.
"So what might you want to discuss today Mr. Setsui? Calling me here so suddenly.", asked Mdm. YiLin.
"Well, I'm going to go ahead and be a bit straightforward if that is alright with you. As I'm sure both you and I don't really fancy beating around the bush", I replied
"What a smart kid, go on.", she said with a smirk on her face while twirling her glass of red wine.
"I would like to collaborate with your company for an upcoming project."
She stopped moving her glass, "And what makes you think that I'll agree? Just because I have known your parents for quite some time now, doesn't mean that I am obliged to help you."
I just stared at her showing no form of emotion, showing not a single hint of faze from her response.
"Anyways. This 9-star hotel of yours has such great aesthetics and I'm not trying to flatter you, just stating the obvious. So why would you need my help? Are you not satisfied with the designers in your company?", she added
Obviously she was testing me.
"With all due respect Mdm. YiLin, my company's employees are all very qualified designers and I do not doubt their abilities at any one point to accomplish a task beautifully. However, like I said, I want to collaborate with you. This is not some one-sided win, this will benefit us both, especially you."
She smiled and said, "Hmm. Interesting, let's hear it (the proposal)."
"I have heard, that you have been eyeing a certain plot of land in Osaka."
"Oh? And how did you know that?", she asked with slight curiosity
"For what other reason may you have come all the way to Japan for? Surely a top-tier businesswoman like you wouldn't come to Japan secretly just for a holiday."
"What a sharp eye you have young boy."
"Thank you for the compliment.", I responded
She placed down her glass of wine and sat at the edge of her seat with her hands together on the table.
"Yes, it is true that I have been having my sights on that plot of land for quite a while now. It is located in a place where there aren't many tall buildings and big malls, a very strategic location to build a new structure if you ask me. The government would be more than happy to see that Japan will be attracting more tourists to come."
She took a sip of her wine and continued, "Once I get my hands onto that land, there will be no need for any more collaborations."
"That is.", I interrupted.
"IF you can get your hands on it.", I placed a thin binder of papers in front of her and opened it for her to see.
"How… How is this possible? Why is your name signed under this contract? It was just an open vacancy a few days ago", she said in ultimate shock.
"Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer. Have you heard of that saying? However I believe that there should be one more part in addition to the end. Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer but keep your target closest.", I said
"Know who you are up against before you go up against them. The first thing I learned when I joined this industry."
I took a sip of my tea.
"Hah. Mdm. YiLin, please do not treat me like some new businessman in the industry. I may be young, but I am still one of the main shareholders of all the hotels and resorts in the world, getting ahold of this plot of land is an easy job for me. Though the Main Setsui Corporation is run by my Father, I am the one in charge of all the land distribution and management, so of course my name would be there"
I looked at her straight in the eye, she was completely flabbergasted.
"So? Would you like to discuss our contract?", I asked with a grin on my face, knowing that I had totally won over her.
(1 hour later)
"Thank you for meeting with me today Mdm. YiLin, looking forward to our future meetings. Safe travels.", I greeted her and her driver drove her off.
I walked back into the hotel and told Tanaka-san that I would be staying at the hotel for the night, so he could go back home first.
He understood and left the place.
I walked back to the dining area as I had accidentally left my coat behind. Suddenly, I heard a screaming voice.
(In Japanese)
"Let go of me!!"