Chapter 1681 - "From Kyoto to Tokyo: Nanako's Change of Heart"
Koichi never expected that when Miss heard the news of Charlie coming to Japan, her voice suddenly became extremely cheerful.
He couldn't help but think to himself, "Didn't I make myself clear enough just now? This Charlie made your father cough up 4.5 billion dollars! How come you sound so excited as soon as you hear he's coming to Japan?"
However, Koichi naturally didn't dare to ask this question.
At this moment, Nanako saw that he didn't respond, so she hurriedly asked him again, "Tanaka-san, please answer me! Did Charlie really come to Japan?"
Koichi could only honestly say, "Yes, Miss, he's come to Japan, right here in Tokyo. I saw him today."
Nanako pursued, "Did he come to Japan to take over Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals?"
"Probably," Koichi truthfully replied, "I'm not entirely sure of the specifics, but he should be here to take over Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals."
Nanako felt somewhat disappointed, thinking to herself, "If Charlie only came to Japan to take over Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals, then he'll probably only stay in Tokyo for a few days. After he's done with his business, he'll probably return to China, right? He definitely won't come to Kyoto, so I probably won't have a chance to see him..."
With this in mind, Nanako suddenly had a very strong urge. She wanted to go to Tokyo, she wanted to see Charlie!
So, she hurriedly asked Koichi, "Tanaka-san, do you know how many days Charlie will stay in Tokyo?"
Koichi awkwardly said, "Miss, I'm not too sure about that..."
Nanako hastily said, "I'll have Watanabe-san prepare. I'll take the morning train back to Tokyo tomorrow."
"Back to Tokyo?" Koichi asked, "Miss, weren't you planning to recuperate in Kyoto? Why suddenly decide to come back? Is it because of Master Wade?"
"Yes!" Nanako blurted out without hesitation, "I want to see Charlie. If I don't go back now, I'm afraid I won't have the chance!"
Koichi suddenly realized that something seemed off.
He couldn't help but ponder in his mind:
"Miss has always been extremely reserved and has never lost her composure because of any member of the opposite sex."
"But now, she's excessively excited upon hearing the news of Charlie coming to Tokyo, and she even plans to return to Tokyo early tomorrow morning to see him. This is truly unusual..."
"Could it be..."
"Could it be that Miss has developed feelings for Charlie?!"
Koichi thought to himself, utterly shocked. He pondered, "Miss has always admired martial arts experts with extraordinary strength, and Charlie is indeed among the best. His strength is so formidable that it's awe-inspiring. If Miss truly harbors feelings for him, it would make sense..."
"But... Chairman is a staunch nationalist. He has made it clear long ago that Miss must not marry anyone from any country other than Japan. If Miss really likes Charlie, and Chairman finds out, he will surely be furious!"
With this thought, Koichi hurriedly said, "Miss, you absolutely mustn't do this!"
Nanako asked in surprise, "Why, Tanaka-san?"
Koichi blurted out, "If Chairman finds out that you admire Master Wade, he will definitely be extremely angry. By then, not only will you not see Master Wade, but you might even be confined by Chairman, and Chairman will probably accelerate your marriage plans!"
Chapter 1682 - "The Weight of Tradition"
Even though Nanako and Koichi were separated by a phone call, his words still made her blush in an instant.
She stammered in explanation, "Tanaka-san... You... You've got it wrong. I... I don't... I don't have any... any feelings... admiration... for Master Wade..."
Koichi sighed, "Miss, I've been serving the Ito family for many years, and I've been by your side for a long time. I understand you quite well. You don't have to hide anything from me. Besides, I'm not trying to pry into your privacy. The key is, if I can see through your thoughts, the chairman will surely see them too. It's impossible to keep it hidden. And then, I'm afraid you won't get to see Master Wade, but instead, you'll reveal your thoughts in front of the chairman..."
"This..." Nanako was speechless for a moment.
She knew that Koichi was only saying this out of goodwill, hence his reminder.
She also knew that her father, Takehiko, would never allow her to have any potential development with a foreign man. He had made it clear to her countless times that he could only accept her marrying a Japanese man, and one with purely Japanese blood at that.
As for others, even immigrants who had come from China and the Korean Peninsula one or two hundred years ago and had been living in Japan for three or four generations, they were not considered pure Japanese in his eyes.
Just like Masayoshi Son, the chairman of SoftBank Group, who invested in Alibaba. Although he was the richest man in Japan on the surface, he was not considered Japanese at all in Takehiko's eyes.
Because Masayoshi Son's grandfather was originally from Daegu, Korea.
Many years ago, he immigrated from Daegu, Korea to Japan and worked as a miner. Masayoshi Son himself was born and raised in Japan.
In the eyes of most people, he was already a standard Japanese.
But to nationalists like Takehiko, Masayoshi Son could at most be considered a Korean-Japanese.
It was like how Americans viewed Chinese-Americans, even though Chinese-Americans had American citizenship, some Americans still regarded them as Chinese.
Because Nanako understood her father very well, she felt remorseful for her hasty decision.
Koichi was right. If she suddenly returned to Tokyo and insisted on meeting Charlie, Takehiko would definitely be furious. He might even impose restrictions on her, interfere with her marital freedom, find her a marriage partner directly, or force her into marriage.
Thinking of this, Nanako felt extremely despondent. She murmured, "Thank you, Tanaka-san, I understand now..."
Koichi hurriedly asked, "Miss, are you still going back to Tokyo tomorrow?"
Nanako bit her lip lightly, remained silent for a long time, and then spoke with some sadness, "I'll not go back. It might cause trouble. It wouldn't be good if I caused more trouble for Charlie-kun."
Koichi breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Miss, you're wise. The chairman is very angry with Master Wade right now. If it weren't for having to consider the cooperation with the Salvador family at the moment, the chairman would have probably found a way to deal with Master Wade already. If you go to Tokyo to see Master Wade now, it will definitely add fuel to the fire..."
Nanako's voice was filled with disappointment as she said softly, "I understand, Tanaka-san. Also, can I ask you for one more thing?"
Koichi said hastily, "Miss, please feel free to ask!"
Nanako said with utmost seriousness, "If there's ever a conflict between my father and Charlie-kun, please make sure to stop my father. Don't let him do anything to harm Charlie-kun out of impulse..."
Koichi said awkwardly, "Miss, to be honest, Master Wade now owes the chairman 4.5 billion US dollars. Even if you like him, you shouldn't stick your neck out for him!"
"I'm not trying to protect Charlie-kun, but to protect my father. The Ito family is no match for Charlie-kun. If we offend him, it could be disastrous..."
Chapter 1683 - "Whispers in the Wind: Nanako's Silent Solitude"
Nanako knew very well in her heart that the strength of Charlie far surpassed her own understanding.
Her master, Kazuki, once remarked after being injured that the strike Charlie delivered to incapacitate him was not merely brute force; it carried what was known in Chinese martial arts as internal energy, which truly destroyed his entire body's tendons and veins.
Kazuki had also encountered some skilled practitioners of ninjutsu before. Although his combat abilities were inferior to those of ninjutsu experts, he could at least hold his ground against them for a few moves. But facing Charlie was a different story; he was utterly defenseless.
From this, it was evident that Charlie's strength even surpassed that of Japanese ninjutsu experts.
It was precisely because Nanako realized this that she understood neither her father nor the Ito family were necessarily match for Charlie.
However, Takehiko failed to grasp this.
He simply believed that Charlie's strength was just slightly superior to that of Kazuki and his two personal bodyguards. He thought that if compared to true ninjutsu experts, Charlie would surely be somewhat inferior.
After listening to Nanako's words, Koichi's whole body shivered, hastily saying, "Miss, I understand what you mean. Please rest assured, if Chairman gets into conflict with Master Wade, I will definitely try to persuade him!"
Nanako nodded lightly, sighed softly, and said, "That's enough, Tanaka-san. Just leave it at that. Let me know if anything comes up."
Koichi hurriedly said, "Yes, Miss. I won't disturb your rest anymore!"
After hanging up the phone, Nanako held her mobile phone in both hands, looked up at the sky, feeling melancholic.
During this period, she had been yearning for Charlie day and night, hoping to meet him again. At the same time, she felt that her chances of seeing him again were very slim.
But she hadn't expected that Charlie would actually come to Japan!
Before, Nanako and Charlie were separated by the vast ocean, with her on one side of the sea and Charlie on the other.
Now, Charlie and she were both on the same land, only about four hundred kilometers apart. If driving, it would take four or five hours to reach; if taking the Shinkansen, it would be a little over two hours.
Thinking that the Charlie she had been longing for day and night was just a few hours' drive away, Nanako truly wanted to see him.
However, when she considered her current mobility issues, going to Tokyo to see him would inevitably be discovered by her father, so she could only reluctantly give up on this idea.
At this moment, the densely packed dark clouds in the sky quietly dispersed, revealing one star after another.
Nanako sighed and muttered to herself, "Looks like it won't snow tonight..."
With that said, she put away her mobile phone, controlled her wheelchair with both hands, left the deserted courtyard, and returned to her room.
With the help of the maidservant, Nanako soaked in the hot spring for a while.
Her body's injuries were still very severe, and she was in almost constant pain twenty-four hours a day.
Originally, the doctor suggested that she wear a pain relief pump. The pain relief pump was a device that could automatically infuse pain-relieving drugs into her veins at a steady rate, which could greatly alleviate the pain.
But Nanako had always been unwilling to use it.
That's because pain-relieving drugs would cause some damage to her nerves. If she used pain-relieving drugs for a long time, it would be even more difficult for her to recover in the future, and she might become a cripple unable to practice martial arts again.
So, she had been gritting her teeth and enduring the pain with her strong willpower.
The natural hot spring in the mansion was sourced from underground hot springs, containing abundant minerals and selenium elements, which were very beneficial to the body and could to some extent relieve bodily pain.
However, because her body was still injured, she couldn't soak in the hot spring for long periods. She couldn't exceed one hour a day at most, so the happiest time for Nanako every day was when she soaked in the hot spring.
As she immersed her body in the hot spring, Nanako couldn't help but think of Charlie again.
She remembered the shy demeanor of her teenage self when she went to the villa area where Charlie lived to find him.
Chapter 1684 - "The Unwritten Fate: Nanako's Bittersweet Reflections"
Back then, she was as nervous as a little quail in front of Charlie.
Feeling awkward, she handed him a cup of milk tea, pretending to invite him to drink, but to her surprise, he actually took the milk tea and sipped it.
And just before Charlie drank it, Nanako had just used that straw. That kind of indirect kiss was the most ambiguous thing Nanako had ever done with a man in her life.
It was also that indirect kiss that Nanako had been reminiscing about ever since.
Thinking of Charlie's appearance, she subconsciously raised her slender fingers and wrote "葉辰" (Charlie in traditional Chinese characters) on the water's surface.
The water rippled softly, but couldn't retain any of the strokes she wrote.
It was precisely because of these fleeting traces that Nanako could boldly write Charlie's name on the water surface again and again, leaving no trace behind.
That night, Nanako couldn't fall asleep for a long time.
That night, the sky over Kyoto gradually cleared up.
The heavy snow forecasted by the meteorological department did not arrive.
The morning weather forecast said that due to the influence of air currents, the heavy snow originally expected to fall last night was estimated to be delayed by two to three days.
The delay in snow made Nanako somewhat regretful.
She always felt that this was a sign of bad luck.
Thinking again of the distance of only a few hundred kilometers between herself and Charlie, yet unable to rush to meet him, a melancholic thought suddenly arose in her heart:
Perhaps, she and Charlie were fated but not destined to be together!
...
The next day, Aurous Hill.
Early in the morning, Alan rushed to the Ward family's warehouse where medicinal herbs were stored, personally directing the staff to prepare the Chinese herbal medicines needed by Charlie.
The workers on site began bustling around, packing and boxing. Alan urged them from the side, "Before packing the herbs, they must be manually inspected to ensure that there are no mistakes, no spoilage, or damage. Also, make sure that the quantity of herbs is sufficient. Understand?"
"We understand, Mr. Ward!"
The staff hurriedly responded.
Only then did Alan nod in satisfaction and continued, "By this afternoon, the first batch of medicines must be prepared and then sent to the airport. I have already contacted the air freight company. They will take off at ten o'clock tonight and deliver the goods to Tokyo!"
Meanwhile, in Eastcliff, at the Salvador family mansion.
Just like every day, the patriarch of the Salvador family held a morning meeting in the main hall of the mansion.
This morning meeting was like the ancient imperial court morning assembly. The descendants of the Salvador family had to report the progress of various business matters to the patriarch every morning.
Any orders from the patriarch would also be announced during the morning meeting.
The Salvador family prospered, with more than thirty descendants and in-laws attending the morning meeting.
The rules of the morning meeting were also very strict. The patriarch sat on a high platform, facing everyone below with great dignity.
Children, grandchildren, and in-laws sat in several rows below according to their status and generation.
At this moment, the old master of the Salvador family sat on the throne-like seat, looking at the descendants below, and said solemnly, "Recently, the international crude oil situation has been turbulent, and the global economy is declining, which has also affected international trade. Many international shipping companies are struggling. It's a good time for our Salvador family to buy low and sell high, to go against the trend and cooperate with the Japanese. We need to speed up the progress!"
Chapter 1685 - "The Salvador Dynasty"
The Salvador Family, born in Huizhou but standing tall in Eastcliff for a hundred years, was a grand dynasty.
During the Wardg Dynasty, when the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom movement swept across China, the Salvador Family followed the red-turbaned merchant, Hu Xueyan, risking their lives to transport weapons and supplies for the Wardg army, gaining the government's favor.
Subsequently, with their wealth amassed, the Salvador Family moved from their ancestral home in Huizhou to Eastcliff. Since then, generation after generation, they engaged in commerce, consistently ranking among the nation's elite.
In the past few decades, the Salvador Family had been in a rivalry with the Wade Family. Initially weakened under the sniping of Drake, the father of Charlie, the Salvador Family immediately rose to prominence after Drake's premature death, surpassing the Wade Family and becoming the nation's number one.
The patriarch of the Salvador Family, known as Harrison, derived his name from a famous poem by Su Shi.
As the poem goes:
"Viewed horizontally, it's a mountain range; viewed from the side, it's a peak.
From afar or near, it stands at different heights.
Not recognizing Mount Lu's true countenance,
Only because one is amidst it."
Harrison was named after this.
Harrison, now seventy-six, though not very old, was no longer in his prime. In theory, he had achieved great success in his life, yet he remained unsatisfied. He hoped to establish an unparalleled foundation for the Salvador Family before his retirement, at the very least, fulfilling the long-cherished wish of "1 surpassing 2 and 3."
Throughout history, no one had truly achieved monopoly in the business world.
The real significance of "1 surpassing 2 and 3" meant that the comprehensive strength of the top-ranked family must exceed the sum of the strengths of the second and third-ranked families.
In simpler terms, it meant that the Salvador Family's strength had to surpass the combined strength of the Wade Family and the Snow Family.
With this achieved, even if the second and third-ranked families joined forces against them, the Salvador Family would have no need to worry.
Only then could the Salvador Family truly rest easy.
Currently, the gap between the Salvador Family and the Wade Family was indeed growing larger. However, to truly achieve "1 surpassing 2 and 3," they were still billions short in asset scale.
Therefore, the Salvador Family was actively seeking breakthroughs overseas, hoping to achieve this grand ambition in one fell swoop.
Once this goal was achieved, Eastcliff would no longer harbor the concept of the three major families. Instead, it would witness a new order where the Salvador Family scorned all rivals.
Hence, Harrison attached great importance to this shipping business.
When the young scion of the Salvador Family heard how much importance his grandfather placed on overseas shipping, he couldn't help but flaunt his knowledge in front of Harrison: "Grandfather, I think in the current global economic downturn, international trade is facing significant obstacles. There's a substantial contraction in trade between countries, and we don't know when foreign trade will fully recover. In such circumstances, betting heavily on ocean shipping is actually quite risky. We might end up bottoming out halfway through. So, I advise you to think twice before proceeding!"
"Think twice?" Harrison snorted, ignoring him. Instead, he turned to the middle-aged man beside him, reprimanding sternly, "Old Fifth, is this how you discipline your son? He hasn't even grown his fur yet, and he dares to question my decisions. Does he think I'm too old and feeble to make judgments?"
The one addressed as 'Old Fifth' was Harrison's fifth son, Viron Salvador.
In this generation of the Salvador Family, there were five sons and two daughters.
These seven children, with the word "Vir" meaning "guardian" in their names', and "tuoso," "aj," "at," "eo," "go," "adec," "on" respectively from eldest to youngest, represented the seven levels of morality as described in Laozi's Tao Te Ching.
Viron is Harrison's fifth son and the youngest among the seven children.
And the young man who just spoke was the youngest son of Viron, Ronan.
A tale of wealth, power, and familial strife—such was the saga of the Salvador Family, weaving through the intricate tapestry of history.
Chapter 1686 - "Heirs and Authority"
Because of his young age and constant pampering at home, Ronan had a strong desire to show off.
However, he had always shown off in front of his parents, never getting the chance to do so in front of his grandfather. Today, he finally seized the opportunity to debate with the old man, hoping to showcase his extraordinary talent and wisdom in line with his grandfather's thoughts. But unexpectedly, just one sentence angered Grandpa Salvador.
He was about to explain himself when his father, Viron, stood up and gave him several resounding slaps, leaving his mouth bleeding. He angrily shouted, "Have you stuffed books into your head? How dare you question your grandfather's decision here?!"
"I..." Ronan covered his face, feeling utterly miserable and wishing he could just die right there.
Having never been hit before, he couldn't understand why his father, who usually doted on him, would beat him so severely for just one sentence that irritated his grandfather.
And it was in front of the whole family.
Viron was furious with his son's lack of progress!
He knew very well the authority of the old man. Even his older brother, Virtuoso, dared not contradict their grandfather, let alone his own incompetent younger son?
This wasn't the way to show off!
It was highly likely that with just one sentence, he would be completely banished by the old man. After graduating from college, he might not even have the chance to return to work for the Salvador family!
The reason why Grandpa Salvador, Harrison, was so overbearing and authoritarian had a lot to do with his upbringing.
In his youth, he had many siblings.
Back then, during the Wardg Dynasty, his father not only had a main wife but also married six concubines, seven wives in total, who bore him over thirty children. Among them, there were twenty-three sons alone!
And Harrison was just one of these twenty-three sons.
Like a prince fighting for the throne in ancient times, Harrison had been engaged in constant struggles with his twenty-two brothers since childhood. It took him fifty years of struggle to finally inherit the position of the head of the Salvador family.
So, fifty years of continuous fighting had made him extremely domineering and ruthless.
If anyone threatened his authority, even if it were his own son or grandson, he would not tolerate it.
Ronan, being young and ignorant, daring to challenge Grandpa Salvador just to assert himself in front of everyone was considered nothing short of suicidal by everyone present!
Viron continued to slap Ronan dozens of times until he was nearly collapsing. Only when Grandpa Salvador finally spoke did Viron stop.
Seeing Grandpa Salvador finally speaking, he reluctantly stopped, suppressing the pain in his heart, and snapped at the servants standing nearby, "Why aren't you dragging this unfilial son out yet?!"
Several servants immediately stepped forward and dragged Ronan, who was spitting blood and feeling dizzy, out of the room.
Grandpa Salvador cleared his throat and continued, "This time, in our cooperation with the Japanese, not only do we need to secure at least 20 operational rights for Tokyo Port, Yokohama Port, and Osaka Port, but we also need them to provide us with various types of ships totaling no less than three million tons of displacement. Whoever can provide the most resources will have the opportunity to join us. Therefore, on this trip to Japan, we must carefully assess the true strength of the Ito and Takahashi families. Furthermore, we must pressure them to provide the most resources!"
The eldest son, Virtuoso, blurted out, "Father, may I ask who you intend to send to cooperate with these two Japanese families?"
Grandpa Salvador remained silent for a moment before saying, "Cameron, as the eldest son and grandson, it's time for you to take charge. You'll lead this matter!"
Cameron, Grandpa Salvador's eldest grandson and Virtuoso's eldest son, who was twenty-eight years old this year, was the most outstanding male heir of the Salvador family in this generation.
Upon hearing that he had been chosen, Cameron immediately stood up and said firmly, "Please rest assured, Grandpa. Cameron will do his best!"
Grandpa Salvador nodded gently and then his gaze fell on the stunningly beautiful yet icy girl standing beside Cameron.
It was also at this moment that Grandpa Salvador's gaze softened slightly, replaced by a hint of affection as he smiled and said, "Little Camilla, you're about to graduate from Yale soon. It's time for you to go out and gain some experience. You'll go with your brother this time. Learn more and accumulate some experience!"
The stunningly beautiful yet icy girl stood up, bowed slightly, with a neutral expression, indifferent eyes, and an even tone, saying, "Yes, Grandpa, Little Camilla understands."
And so, the Salvador family's affairs continued amidst family drama and business dealings.
Chapter 1687 - "The Fish's Joy"
When the old master announced that Cameron and Camilla, the siblings, were to go to Japan together, their father, Virtuoso, couldn't hide a hint of pride in his expression.
To him, entrusting such a significant matter to his own children was a testament to his role as the eldest son and the most trusted by the old master.
The other children couldn't help but envy and admire.
The old master wanted to toughen up Cameron, and that was understandable. After all, he was the eldest grandson, akin to the crown prince in ancient times. No matter how strong the other princes were, they would bow in front of the eldest grandson.
However, sending Cameron for training and taking Camilla along seemed a bit biased!
Normally, in such situations, the eldest grandson should lead the way, and then select one or two clever and promising juniors from the second, third, fourth, or even fifth families to accompany him and broaden their horizons.
But unexpectedly, in the eyes of the old master, besides the eldest grandson, there was only his most doted granddaughter!
In other words, the old master made his stance clear. Apart from the eldest grandson, all other grandsons were inferior to Camilla, a mere granddaughter, in his eyes!
This made the other families extremely uncomfortable.
Everyone in Eastcliff knew that the Salvador family flourished.
The old master had twenty-two brothers and several sisters. In his lineage, there were still thirteen grandsons and two granddaughters.
But who could have expected that in his eyes, the most favored one would be Camilla, the granddaughter.
The reason behind this was actually because the old master had always been strict and demanding towards the male heirs of the family. Hence, he always wore a stern face towards his sons and grandsons.
Yet, the old master was also human, with a soft side he couldn't show to his sons and grandsons. So, he poured all his tenderness onto his granddaughter.
Moreover, Camilla was clever since childhood and deeply cherished by the old master. In front of others, the old master was a decisive and formidable figure, but in front of his granddaughter, he was just an ordinary, doting old man.
In fact, the extent of the old master's doting on Camilla could be seen from her name.
In the Salvador family, the younger generations' names all contained the word "知", which means knowledge or understanding.
Cameron's name implied understanding right from wrong and not straying from the path;
Apart from him, there was Ronan, implying understanding the source of water;
Each grandchild's name was filled with the old master's teachings and reminders.
Except for Camilla.
The old master named her Camilla, meaning knowing the joy of fish.
In the Zhuangzi's "Autumn Floods," there was a dialogue between Huizi and Zhuangzi, where Huizi said, "You're not a fish, how can you know the joy of fish?"
The old master named her Camilla, hoping she could be happy, simple, and content. Since she could know the "joy of fish," naturally, she could understand the "joy of people" even better.
And that's the gist of it!
Chapter 1688 - "Japan-bound Ambitions"
It could be said that everywhere exuded Mr. Salvador's immense love for Camilla.
And precisely because of this, the young talents of the entire Eastcliff were full of longing for Camilla.
Winning over Camilla wasn't just about winning over a stunningly beautiful woman, a super beauty who was always in the United States, receiving the most top-notch education globally, it was also equivalent to winning over the entire Salvador family.
Someone joked, saying, whoever marries Camilla might have the chance to obtain a whopping trillion-dollar fortune.
So, among the elite families across the country, Camilla had a nickname that was widely spread, a simple and crude name, called Trillionilla Salvador.
After Mr. Harrison announced his decision, he said to his eldest son Virtuoso, "Virtuoso, you and Cameron, Camilla, hurry up and discuss a rough plan, then prepare to set off as soon as possible, the sooner the better."
Virtuoso immediately stood up, respectfully saying, "Father, rest assured, I will quickly discuss a plan with them both, and strive to depart for Japan tonight!"
Harrison nodded, instructing, "In matters of choosing between two options like this, who we approach first appears particularly important, although the Ito and Takahashi families have experienced some decline due to the overall recession of the Japanese economy in recent years, their overall strength still remains at the forefront in Japan, you must carefully decide which one to approach first."
Virtuoso immediately said, "Yes, Father, we will start discussing immediately and report to you as soon as we have results."
Harrison smiled with satisfaction, saying, "Virtuoso, eighteen years ago, you defeated Drake and became the most dazzling among the young generation of Eastcliff, but in these eighteen years, you haven't been able to achieve greater glory again, of course, it's not your fault, it's our Salvador family. In recent years, we haven't encountered any decent opponents domestically."
Here, Harrison chuckled, stood up, and passionately said, "There is no longer any room for growth in the domestic market. If we want to continue to develop and grow, we must go abroad, to the open seas, and develop towards the ocean!"
"Otherwise, old families in the West, including the Rothschilds, will still occasionally pop out and bother us!"
"So, this overseas strategy is a great opportunity for the Salvador family to create new glory, and it's also a good stage for you to establish higher achievements!"
"If this battle is fought beautifully, I will consider it a complete success, and I can retire peacefully and enjoy family life. By then, you will be the head of the Salvador family!"
Upon hearing this, Virtuoso immediately bowed deeply, loudly declaring, "Father, rest assured, Virtuoso will do his best! To create new glory for the Salvador family!"
......
After the meeting, Virtuoso, carrying an extremely excited mood, returned home with his two children.
As soon as he got home, he called his children to the study, spiritedly saying, "Cameron, Camilla, this is our family's great opportunity to rise to prominence again in the Salvador family. When you two go to Japan this time, you must secure the best cooperation terms. Whether you ultimately choose the Ito family or the Takahashi family, you must squeeze their interests to the utmost, and strive for the greatest benefit for our Salvador family!"
Cameron immediately said, "Dad, when we go to Japan this time, should we first contact the Ito family or the Takahashi family?"
Virtuoso asked, "What do you think?"
Cameron said, "I think it's best to first contact the Ito family, because the Ito family is strong in both Tokyo and Kyoto, with Tokyo Port in Tokyo and Osaka Port and Nagoya Port near Kyoto. Theoretically, the Ito family has greater potential in the port and shipping sectors."
"Hmm..." Virtuoso nodded gently, approvingly saying, "Your point makes sense, and I also tend to first contact the Ito family."
Camilla furrowed her brows and said in a lukewarm tone, "Dad, brother, I actually think we should first contact the Takahashi family."
"Oh?" Both of them looked at Camilla, and Virtuoso asked, "Camilla, why do you think so?"
Chapter 1689 - "Strategic Insight"
Facing the questioning gazes of their father and elder brother, Camilla replied nonchalantly, "Firstly, although the Ito family holds considerable resources in Tokyo and has decent influence in Osaka and Nagoya, the true super harbor of Japan is actually Yokohama Port, situated next to Tokyo."
"The Takahashi family, while slightly less influential in Tokyo compared to the Ito family, holds great power in Yokohama. One could say Yokohama is the Takahashi family's stronghold."
"Secondly, the Ito family is currently facing some troubles. Takehiko's daughter, who participated in an international martial arts competition in Aurous Hill not long ago, sustained severe injuries. She is currently recuperating. Takehiko dotes on his daughter greatly, and her condition, to some extent, will inevitably distract him. Once his focus cannot be fully dedicated to work, it will impact our cooperation, even if it's just a slight impact."
Virtuoso furrowed his brow, "Takehiko's daughter is injured? I've never heard of this."
Camilla replied calmly, "I had someone thoroughly investigate the situations of these two families, including their family heirs."
Their elder brother, Cameron, couldn't help but give a thumbs up, "Camilla, you always consider everything comprehensively!"
Camilla, unmoved, said flatly, "Brother, spare me the flattery. You're the one who will eventually take the lead. I'm just helping you consider things a bit more for now."
Cameron chuckled, "With such a great sister, I'll definitely have peace of mind in the future!"
Camilla rolled her eyes at him and continued, "There's one more thing. I found out that the Ito family was previously keen on investing in a Japanese pharmaceutical company called Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals. This matter will also somewhat distract Takehiko."
Cameron nodded, "I know that company, Kobayashi Gastric Powder, right? I've used it before, it's quite effective."
"That was before," Camilla remarked casually, "Now, there's a domestic product called Mystical Gastric Remedy that has surpassed them in product strength."
"Oh..." Cameron grinned, "I have a feeling that Mystical Labs will soon rise unexpectedly, catching up with Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals and eventually surpassing them."
At this point, Cameron earnestly suggested, "If possible, I think investing in Mystical Labs now is a good opportunity. Maybe in a few years, the return on investment could be over tenfold."
Virtuoso waved his hand, saying, "Even if pharmaceutical companies become massive, they're only at the hundred-billion level, which isn't that significant. We should focus our energy on larger markets and opportunities. This transoceanic project is key to the internationalization of the Salvador family."
Camilla wanted to say something but held back, nodding instead. "Let's get back to the point, Father. What do you think, should we initiate contact with the Ito family first, or do you think the Takahashi family as a whole is more suitable?"
Virtuoso looked at Cameron and asked, "What do you think, Cameron?"
Cameron immediately spoke up, "Listen to advice when you're full. I think we should listen to Camilla. After all, she's the one who conducted the investigation and has the right to speak!"
Virtuoso nodded satisfactorily, smiling, "Both of you siblings are the most outstanding among your peers that I've seen. With both of you working together, you'll surely shake the entire country, and perhaps even the world!"
Cameron smiled and said, "I wouldn't dare to compare myself to Camilla. This girl is just something else. At the age of twenty-two, she's as mature as a forty-four-year-old. I really wonder what kind of person will be able to handle her in the future."
Camilla glared at him, annoyed, "Do you need to worry about my affairs? Why don't you think about yourself first? You've been secretly admiring Haidee for so long, when are you planning to confess to her?"
Cameron was caught off guard, blurting out, "Stop talking nonsense! Haidee and I are just acquaintances, not even friends."
"Of course," Camilla snorted disdainfully, "If you can't even speak properly when you see her, it's no wonder you can't even become friends!"
And thus, the banter continued between the siblings.
Chapter 1690 - "Heir Apparent's Heartache"
On the side, Virtuoso furrowed his brow and asked him, "Little Cameron, do you have feelings for that girl from the Snow family?"
"Not at all, Dad..." Cameron quickly waved his hand. "I just simply admire her a bit."
Virtuoso nodded slightly, paused for a moment, and then spoke up, "The girl from the Snow family is indeed not bad. If you truly like her, I don't have any objections. I'm just worried that your grandfather might not approve of the Snow family, then it would be troublesome..."
Upon hearing this, Cameron's heart jumped with joy, and he blurted out, "Dad, you really have no objections?"
Camilla blurted out, "Bro, are you daft? Can't you tell Dad's intentionally tricking you with his words?"
"Eh?!" Cameron panicked, quickly looking towards Virtuoso. "Dad, what do you really mean?"
Virtuoso sighed and said seriously, "Little Cameron, you really aren't as clever as your sister!"
Cameron suddenly felt embarrassed.
Virtuoso then continued with a serious expression, "You are the eldest son of the Salvador family, the future third-generation heir of the Salvador family. Moreover, the Snow family's strength is indeed not enough in front of the Salvador family. Your grandfather will never agree, and neither will I. Don't forget, that girl from the Snow family has had a marriage contract with the son of Drake since childhood. I have a longstanding enmity with Drake and will never allow you to marry that girl from the Snow family!"
Cameron sighed, "Dad, those are all things of the past, ancient history. Besides, hasn't Drake's son been missing for many years now?"
Virtuoso looked at him seriously and said, "Setting aside this matter, your grandfather has discussed your marriage with me before. He hopes that after the Salvador family completes its internationalization, you will marry the daughter of a top family in the United States. This would be more advantageous for our overseas expansion. Domestically, there really isn't any suitable young lady worthy of you."
Cameron became a bit anxious and blurted out, "Dad, I don't like American women..."
Virtuoso said sternly, "This matter has nothing to do with liking. It's all about being well-matched, understand?"
Cameron suddenly felt disheartened.
Camilla, on the side, then interjected, "Dad, I want to make it clear now, I don't care how you arrange my brother's marriage, but in the future, no one is allowed to interfere with my marriage!"
Cameron exclaimed, "Hey, Camilla! Are you really selling out your brother like this?"
"Not at all," Camilla said calmly, "Our situations are different. If I find a man who makes my heart flutter, I'll marry him and have nothing to do with the Salvador family anymore. I'll give birth to children for my husband, and those children won't bear the Salvador surname. But you're different, you're the one to continue the Salvador family line."
Cameron was left speechless for a moment, looking very frustrated.
Virtuoso, with a helpless look, reminded Camilla, "The premise of finding a partner should still be compatibility!"
Camilla waved her hand, "Compatibility, that's non-existent. This lady will pick whoever she fancies, whether he's a king or a pauper."
"Nonsense!" Virtuoso said angrily, "What if he's truly penniless? How can you guarantee your happiness for your whole life?"
Camilla rolled her eyes, "I don't believe that as a young lady of the Salvador family, I can't support a poor man for the rest of my life?"
, and Claire had to deal with so much BS 'cause of him. He even had the nerve to ask for money during Grandma Wilson's big party, making Claire hella embarrassed 
. They kicked Charlie Wade out, but then plot twist! 
Some butler dude shows up. Turns out, Charlie Wade's actually from the uber-rich Wade clan. The butler's like, "Come home, fam." But since his parents were, like, done dirty by the Wade fam, he's like "Nah." But he did take his grandpa’s black card loaded with 10 billion. 
#MicDrop
. And I never expected "Dragon Among Men" so much tears in eye
. I appreciate the Founders of this Forum for welcoming me to this village, for giving me the opportunity to meet the wonderful people here and I appreciate IGM junlee for giving me the opportunity to cultivate under him through his threads, if you belong to IGM junlee sect you will be an elite of the elites, his cultivation resources is immeasurable and available to you at all times that's why he is an immortal for a reason. And I also appreciate everyone here through our engagement with each other. I have interacted with many people from different races on this forum. And how we expressed ourselves in our conversation in this group shows that we are one people. The Forum has bridged the distance between us so we can experience each other worlds. And eliminate any prejudice on how we see each other.
