Upgraded the cabin, Chen Cheng closed the sliding door.
Without the company of Tong Jialu and Xia Yubing, this tranquility unexpectedly provided him with space for deep thought, allowing him to carefully plan the upcoming trip to Tokyo.
Holding Mei Xiang’s contact information in China, WeChat messages disappeared without a trace, creating some unease in his heart.
However, on second thought, the LINE account provided by Wen Shulin, the detailed address of Xingye Products, and the exact location of Mei Xiang’s home, gave Chen Cheng a glimmer of hope.
As the plane flew smoothly through the clouds, Chen Cheng’s thoughts were turbulent, unable to settle.
Yet amidst this turmoil, the only bright spot in his heart was the ever-growing pool of capital.
The twenty billion that arrived yesterday brought him nearly one hundred and forty million in interest overnight. The speed and amount made him profoundly feel the shock brought by the accumulation of wealth.
On seeing the digits that were almost too many to count, the corners of Chen Cheng’s mouth finally turned up slightly.
[Current funds: 2,192,050,098 yuan]
[Current daily interest rate: 6.98%]
[Expenditure: 482,937/1,000,000]
[Item: Requires 30,000,000 to unlock]
A more astonishing thought emerged in his mind—
"If Mei Xiang accepts these 20 billion, wouldn’t my daily interest rate increase by 20% according to the previous rules?"
He stared at the white clouds outside the window, on this altitude of ten thousand meters, he seemed to finally understand what it means "to stand at the top and overlook all below."
Upon arriving at Haneda Airport, after a flurry of customs formalities, Tong Jialu and Xia Yubing quickly divided tasks.
Wen Shulin was right, they indeed knew both the people and the area well.
Tong Jialu took care of the SIM card and WiFi rental, while Xia Yubing was busy with exchanging cash and car rental.
When the four met again, Chen Cheng’s Tokyo journey officially began.
Tong Jialu handed the phone card to Chen Cheng, asking, "Brother Cheng, where to now?"
After changing the card, Chen Cheng sent messages to Xiao Meier and Wen Shulin, then started to download LINE, maps, and other necessary apps from Google Play.
While tinkering he said, "Let’s go to Mei Xiang’s house first."
"Xiao Hai, have you set up the navigation?"
Chen Donghai was also operating his phone, "Almost done, Mr. Chen."
"Okay, let’s set off!"
Being in a foreign land, Tong Jialu no longer had so many reservations.
She naturally took his arm, just like a couple deeply in love.
Xia Yubing kept a subtle distance, her fingers trembling slightly, almost reaching out but then quietly retracting, her eyes filled with longing.
After loading the luggage into the rented Toyota, Chen Cheng’s software was also ready.
He registered on LINE, added Mei Xiang’s social media account, and waited for a response.
Chen Donghai first got accustomed to the car conditions, confirmed everything was alright, then followed the navigation instructions.
Sitting in the front, Tong Jialu was booking the hotels for the next few days. She turned around and asked:
"Brother Cheng, is it okay if we stay at Edison? It’s close to the city center and the rooms are very nice."
"That’s fine, just arrange it as you see fit."
"Then I’ll book two rooms?"
Chen Cheng nodded, "Okay."
Following the navigation, the Toyota gradually approached Setagaya District.
Navigating through the narrow streets, Chen Cheng’s gaze was constantly surveying the buildings on both sides of the road.
"Mr. Chen, we are almost there."
Chen Cheng also heard the navigation’s reminder of "you will shortly arrive at your destination," he looked at Xia Yubing beside him and said:
"Get out and ask when we arrive."
The car stopped in front of a three-story house, Xia Yubing got out and stood at the entrance, pressing the doorbell.
Chen Cheng examined the building, which looked aged. The walls were covered with traces of years, the paint faded and the bricks slightly mottled.
But at least it was well maintained; the pine tree at the door remained evergreen.
Soon, an elderly woman dressed in a kimono came out, Xia Yubing bowed slightly,
"Sumimasen ga, Mei Xiang-san irasshaimasu ka? Watashi wa kanojo no tomodachi de, totsuzen no hōmon de mōshiwake arimasen ga."
Chen Cheng watched from inside the car as Xia Yubing communicated with the old woman for about seven or eight minutes, both bowing to each other before Xia Yubing returned to the car.
"Mr. Chen, the person just now was the Xingye family’s housekeeper. Miss Mei Xiang isn’t home," Xia Yubing detailed.
Chen Cheng: "Did she say where Mei Xiang is now?"
Xia Yubing shook her head, continuing, "But, I could sense her tone was very heavy."
Chen Cheng reflected for a moment, "Osuke died, the housekeeper didn’t attend the funeral, so that means..."
Tong Jialu muttered from the front, "Brother Cheng, how long has Osuke been dead?"
Chen Cheng recalled the news he read, "It should be four days ago, right?"
"Then according to the local customs, today is probably the day of Osuke’s funeral." Xia Yubing said softly:
"If that’s the case, the housekeeper staying to manage other affairs while Miss Mei Xiang attends the funeral is quite likely."
"Then don’t we need to figure out where the funeral is?" Chen Cheng asked.
Tong Jialu shook her head, "If it’s really been four days, we just wait here."
Xia Yubing continued, "Miss Mei Xiang will likely return home with the ashes and portrait."
Chen Cheng frowned, "This seems different from our customs."
Xia Yubing then asked, "Mr. Chen, did you bring a black suit?"