Following the directions on her phone, she made her way to the designated location.
On her way there, Yukino's mind was in chaos.
She couldn't understand.
Why, just when she found a glimmer of light, was she about to be pushed back into the darkness?
The past two weeks felt like a beautiful dream, and now it seemed to be on the verge of shattering.
When she arrived, she saw Yukima Azuma standing by the roadside.
Although she had told herself repeatedly on the way to stay calm, her heart was still far from steady.
She needed to stay rational.
But at this moment, Yukino couldn't hold back anymore.
She strode quickly over, grabbed the young man's shoulders, and spoke in a trembling voice:
"Why are you planning to fire me? Did I do something wrong?"
Yukima Azuma was bewildered.
"Who said I was going to fire you?"
Yukinoshita Yukino: o.O?
Hearing this unexpected answer, Yukino froze in place.
"But on the phone, didn't you say I should stop working?"
Yukima Azuma nodded.
"That's right. I meant stop working in human resources. When you first joined, I told you it was just a temporary role in HR, didn't I?"
"Now that we have money, keeping you in recruitment is truly a waste of talent."
"In a moment, we'll acquire a few factories and then establish a new subsidiary. You'll be the branch director."
"I can't trust anyone else with this roleonly you, Yukino."
Yukima Azuma gently patted Yukino's shoulder.
Woman, I trust you completely!
In society, someone like Yukinoshita Yukinohonest, upright, and incapable of lyingwas a rare gem.
If it weren't for Yukino, Yukima Azuma would rather manage all the branches himself.
After all, the foundation he had painstakingly built would be a cruel joke if stab in the back by someone he entrusted.
But Yukino...
Yukinoshita Yukino was truly someone who could be trusted without question.
Yukino's emotions were fluctuating, and at this point, she couldn't keep her expression in check any longer.
Tears streamed down her face.
"Why... can't you just say everything clearly, once and for all?"
Seeing Yukino cry, although his mind was still in confusion, Yukima Azuma took a tissue from his pocket and handed it to her.
Yukino grabbed the tissue, wiped her tears, and mumbled,
"How much did we make?"
Yukima Azuma didn't hide it.
"119 million."
Yukino nodded.
As expected of him.
With that, the company's fund was now much more ample.
However, to buy a few factories, the range of options might be a bit limited.
As Yukino was thinking this, Yukima Azuma added,
"USD."
At that, Yukino took a deep breath, then glared at Yukima Azuma.
She had gone numb.
It seemed like whatever happened with this person in front of her couldn't surprise her anymore.
It was just...
"I told you! Say everything clearly once!"
Yukino had just stopped crying, but now she felt like crying again.
119 million USD.
How long had the Yukinoshita family taken to accumulate 119 million USD?
Yukino thought.
Maybe not less than ten years, and perhaps eight years.
That was during a period of strong economic growth.
The guy in front of her couldn't just be described as "outstanding" anymore.
"How did you do it?"
"Invested in films. Didn't I say before I'd bet all the registered capital? A profit like this is pretty normal."
This guy was truly a Laplace demon.
After a long while, when Yukino had stopped choking up and wiped her tears dry, Yukinoshita Yukino returned to her professional demeanor.
"So, where are we going next, Laplace demon-sama?"
"Being called that is a bit embarrassing."
"You deserve it."
"Alright, alright, let's buy a car first."
"You're still not old enough to get a driver's license."
"Umu, so I'll buy one for you to use."
"I'm the branch manager, not a driver."
"Ehh? You haven't officially started yet? I'll pay extra for the driver position, how about it?"
"Fine, President."
"Yukino is so easy to sway when she's poor!"
"This is legitimate income."
Chapter 84: Hayasaka, you dont want your mother to suffer losses, do you?
Chapter 84: Hayasaka, you don't want your mother to suffer losses, do you?
Azuma and Yukino had bought a car.
A black Cadillac.
The same model as the car Yukima Azuma had seen the Shinomiya family driving before.
By paying a little extra, the paperwork like registration and license plate was completed in no time.
Yukinoshita Yukino sat in the driver's seat.
It gave off the vibe of a successful office lady.
Yukima Azuma nodded in satisfaction.
Yukino really suited this style.
If someone like her were sitting in a cheap, shabby room crying...
That would be the truly odd scene.
"So, where are we going now? Just so you know, I don't know anything about choosing factories."
"Those things require information and professional knowledge. I'm not all-knowing either."
Yukino said while glancing at Yukima Azuma.
She had the feeling he was thinking something very rude.
Yukima Azuma snapped his fingers.
"Umu, I know. Leave the professional stuff to the experts. We're going to the Shinomiya house."
Yukino raised her head, looking into the rearview mirror.
In the mirror, the young man sat calmly in the back seat.
It was as if they were just talking about going to a family restaurant.
Thus, Yukino withdrew her gaze and started the car.
In general, nothing about Yukima Azuma surprised her anymore.
The car rolled smoothly.
Yukino's driving skills were very good.
At least, they were a hundred times better than Sayuri's reckless driving.
....
The Shinomiya mansion.
Located in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
This mansion took up an enormous area.
In a capital city as urbanized as Tokyo.
It is rare to see such a large space used not to open a store but to plant trees or create a garden...
But the Shinomiya family did exactly that.
The Shinomiya mansion was like a paradise in the heart of bustling Shinjuku.
The car had just reached the street near the Shinomiya mansion.
A man in a black suit stepped forward to block their way.
Yukima Azuma rolled down the back window.
"Hello, may I ask if you have an appointment or an invitation from the Shinomiya family?"
The man in the black suit asked with a respectful tone.
"I'm looking for Hayasaka," Yukima Azuma replied calmly.
The man in the black suit took out his phone, checked it for a while.
Then he lowered his head and asked again:
"May I ask your name, sir?"
"Yukima Azuma."
After receiving the answer, Yukima Azuma was allowed to pass.
But only to the outer grounds of the estate.
The main house of the Shinomiya family consisted of a central mansion, surrounding gardens, an outer grassy area, servants' quarters, and flower gardens.
Currently, Yukima Azuma was still on the road outside this area.
The car passed through the street, gradually heading into the outer garden.
Yukima Azuma leaned against the window, gazing at the scenery outside.
"Yukino, how do you feel about all this?"
Yukinoshita Yukino thought for a moment.
In fact, the structure of the Yukinoshita mansion was quite similar to the Shinomiya.
The only difference was that one was in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and the other was located in a less prominent area of Chiba.
Moreover, the scale wasn't much smaller either.
Therefore, the scenery along the way didn't surprise Yukino.
If she had to describe her feelings...
"I'm curious, will you also build a mansion like this in the future?"
That was Yukinoshita Yukino's impression.
With Yukima Azuma's abilities, unless something unexpected happened, it was certain that he would have enough financial resources in the future to build a mansion like this.
He wouldn't even need to wait for the future.
Right now, as long as he wanted to, by recouping his investment, he could already do it in an area with cheaper land prices.
Looking at the scenery outside the window, Yukima Azuma shook his head.
"Probably not."
Yukino glanced at the rearview mirror again.
The young man in the mirror still had a calm expression.
"Things like flower gardens none of the people I know enjoy arranging flowers."
"A house this big, wouldn't it feel empty if you open the door every day? There's no atmosphere at all."
"If you can't open the door and call the person you want to see, then it can't be called 'Home.'"
"It's simply just a place to live."
Yukinoshita Yukino withdrew her gaze.
Her heart started pounding.
She understood those words all too well.
For all the time she had spent.
Every day when she woke up in the Yukinoshita mansion.
She didn't feel any warmth of what could be called "Home."
Even though the mansion had a butler and servants.
She didn't feel any living atmosphere.
Yes, it was simply just a place to live.
But her mother...
For a "home" like this, she had almost sacrificed everything.
.....
The car stopped in front of the inner grounds of the Shinomiya mansion.
A blonde girl in a maid uniform had clearly been waiting for a long time.
Yukima Azuma opened the car door from the other side.
He patted the seat next to him.
"Hayasaka, hurry up."
Hayasaka Ai smiled gently.
But inside, she was full of "hmph-hmph."
Earlier this morning, she received a call from Yukima Azuma.
On the other end, he asked, "Are you free today?"
As the closest maid to Shinomiya Kaguya, Hayasaka Ai was someone who worked tirelessly 365 days a year.
So, she quickly replied that she had work to do.
As a result, Yukima Azuma told her to take a day off.
Take a day off.
Take a day off my beep!
However, in the end, Hayasaka Ai did take the day off.
Because Yukima Azuma told her there was something very important.
He even said something like:
"Hayasaka, you don't want your mother to suffer losses, do you?"
Such words.
In a situation with no other option.
Hayasaka Ai had to submit a leave request to her mistress.
Even though she had never asked for a single day off in over ten years.
Getting in the car, Hayasaka Ai politely greeted Yukima Azuma.
"Yukima nii-san, may I ask what important matter requires me to take time off and meet with you?"
Though polite, she emphasized the word "important" very clearly.
"Umu, it's urgent, help me make money."
Yukima Azuma smiled as he spoke.
A question mark appeared above Hayasaka Ai's head.
Why is helping him make money an urgent matter?!
And why should she help him make money?!
She was about to refuse.
But just then, Hayasaka Ai heard Yukima Azuma say:
"Hayasaka, you know, my company, Nao-san also has shares."
"Hayasaka, you don't want your mother to suffer losses, do you?"
Again, that line.
Hayasaka Ai wanted to kick him, make his head explode.
But, being someone who loved her mother, Yukima Azuma had indeed provided a reason she couldn't refuse.
"So what do you want me to do for you?"
"I want you to use the Shinomiya family's network to help me screen suitable electronics factories."
Yukima Azuma made his request.
"Am I still supposed to be a servant of the Shinomiya family then?!"
Hayasaka Ai was furious, and this time, she couldn't maintain her politeness.
"You don't want your"
"Stop! I'll help! I'll help you find them, okay!"
"Remember to help me find some talented people in the computer field from the Shinomiya Group."
"Are you crazy?"
"You don't want your"
"Shut up! Let's plan the strategy!"
The car left the Shinomiya estate.
Yukima Azuma sat in the back seat, his face full of smiles.
Hayasaka Ai sat beside him, looking like a salted fish that had lost its dreams.
Yukinoshita Yukino occasionally glanced at the rearview mirror, lost in thought.
Today, Oujou-sama Yukino suddenly realized a truth.
That is, Yukima Azuma treated her so gently it made her want to cry.
Before, she had no point of comparison.
Now, meeting Hayasaka Ai.
Yukino realized that Yukima Azuma's treatment of her was almost like he was cherishing her.
He didn't use her weaknesses to threaten or deceive her.
Sometimes, she could even enjoy delicious breakfasts and dinners made by Yukima Azuma at his house.
As for the company work, he almost completely entrusted it to her.
Without a shred of doubt in her.
Could this be love?
A subconscious thought appeared in her mind.
Yukinoshita Yukino felt her face growing warmer.
She hurriedly turned her head, focusing her attention on the road ahead.
In the end, in less than a day, Yukima Azuma easily took over several electronics factories that were on the brink of bankruptcy and urgently needed to be transferred.
These factories previously specialized in producing refrigerators, televisions, and other large household appliances.
A few years ago, when the economic bubble burst, the demand for consumer goods decreased significantly, which directly affected the revenue of these factories.
After all, large household items like refrigerators and televisions were almost considered luxuries in the context of a poor economy.
Although the economy has shown signs of recovery in recent years, there were still factories that couldn't survive and would have to close down before the sun rises.
Yukima Azuma gathered all these factories and incorporated them into a newly established subsidiary.
Smart Home Laplace Inc.
This was the second subsidiary after Laplace Electronics Technology, and it was also the company that Yukima Azuma planned to invest most of his resources into within the Japanese branch.
On the way back to the Shinomiya mansion, Yukinoshita Yukino had many questions she wanted to ask but hesitated.
"If you have any questions, just ask. Now that Hayasaka has joined us, it's fine," Yukima Azuma said, noticing Yukino's unusual behavior with a smile.
Hayasaka Ai glanced up at the sky.
She was trying to get used to this.
Otherwise, she'd eventually be driven crazy by the people around her.
"Why enter the electronics industry? Given the current economic situation, investing externally would yield a bigger return," Yukinoshita Yukino asked, assuming Yukima Azuma possessed unusual abilities like Laplace.
Given the current economic climate, instead of running factories and selling electronics, clearly continuing to invest would earn money faster.
