Thank you very much to Gummy_B, as in myself!! for finally remembering to review my own translated novel.
So it's a bonus chapter for y'all!
Peace Out!
---
On the second day after arriving in Japan, Lin BaoCheng contacted Iwasaki MineRyu and went with him to BaiLong Trading Company.
The BaiLong office building had ten floors, purchased for 15 million USD. It wasn't located in central Tokyo — otherwise that price would have been impossible — but the location wasn't remote either, fairly decent overall.
"Chairman, Director Iwasaki!"
The company president, Sasaki Hiroto, was already waiting with the management team and staff.
"Mm." Lin BaoCheng nodded. BaiLong Trading Company now had around thirty employees, not a small number.
The group went to the conference room, leaving only the management team. Lin BaoCheng looked them over, letting them recognize their chairman.
Once introductions were done, Lin BaoCheng turned to Sasaki Hiroto: "I heard from Haruko that the company has already purchased two plots of land?"
"Yes," Sasaki replied. "Thanks to Director Iwasaki's connections, the company acquired one plot in Shinagawa Ward and another in Ōta Ward. The Shinagawa plot covers 15,000 square meters, and the Ōta plot covers 28,000 square meters."
Sitting nearby, Mōri Haruko added: "The Shinagawa location is better, so the price was higher — 125,000 yen per square meter, which is about 2,500 HKD. Altogether it cost nearly 9 million USD. The Ōta plot was cheaper, at 120,000 yen per square meter, about 2,400 HKD, totaling 16 million USD. With additional expenses for smoothing relationships, the two plots cost about 25.5 million USD in total."
The Iwasaki family's influence was indeed useful; otherwise BaiLong couldn't have secured two plots so quickly. But even with good connections, some "relationship fees" were unavoidable. Spend a little extra, or risk being blocked and hassled later.
"Iwasaki-kun, when it comes to acquiring land, we'll have to rely on you," Lin BaoCheng said. Shinagawa and Ōta were on Tokyo's edges, but still within the metropolitan economic zone. Land prices there would surely soar in the future. Buying now meant profit — huge profit.
"Don't worry, Lin-kun. The company is half mine; of course I'll do my best," Iwasaki replied with a smile. Still, the real estate market was in a correction phase, and the future boom hadn't yet appeared. He hadn't exerted his full influence. Otherwise, with his connections, he could have secured land in central districts like Shibuya, Minato, or Shinjuku.
No rabbit, no eagle — without clear prospects of huge profit, Iwasaki wouldn't spend too much political capital. He wasn't sure it would be worth it.
Lin BaoCheng said: "Even though we've secured two plots and are moving into construction, land acquisition mustn't stop. Later, Iwasaki-kun, I'll need you to help the company stockpile more land."
"That's my duty," Iwasaki nodded. Acquiring land in areas like Shinagawa and Ōta didn't require heavy connections, so he didn't refuse.
Iwasaki's role was to secure land and, when Japan's real estate market eventually surged, shield the company from storms. For now, his role was just land acquisition. Seeing him agree, Lin BaoCheng felt relieved.
He had worried Iwasaki might think two plots were enough for now, waiting until they were developed before buying more. But as time passed, land costs would only rise. Fortunately, that didn't happen. Otherwise, if Iwasaki refused, Lin BaoCheng could only persuade him — and if persuasion failed, there'd be nothing he could do, since land acquisition depended on Iwasaki.
"Sasaki, how does management plan to develop these two plots?" "Chairman, since Shinagawa's location is better and the plot smaller, we decided to build an office tower there, slightly larger than our current headquarters. The Ōta plot will be developed into a residential district," Sasaki replied.
Lin BaoCheng nodded. "How long will each take to complete?" "Building a ten‑plus‑story office tower usually takes about a year. The residential district will take longer, around two years. Since our construction team is newly formed, it may take even longer depending on progress," Sasaki explained.
"Take your time, no rush. But safety during construction is paramount — no accidents," Lin BaoCheng instructed. "Also, whether office or residential, materials and construction must be strictly controlled. Fire safety, earthquake resistance — all must be considered. Especially earthquake resistance. Japan is prone to earthquakes. I don't want any of our properties collapsing."
As a foreigner, even though he was co‑developing with Iwasaki, Lin BaoCheng had to emphasize safety. If a major accident occurred, he would be the one blamed. With the Iwasaki family's influence, they would be shielded, leaving him as the scapegoat.
"Yes, Chairman!" Sasaki responded. Then he added: "Chairman, this will raise costs, reducing profits."
"Then promote our properties' safety features and sell them at higher prices. Buyers will value that. If not, then we earn less — safety is more important."
Costs should ideally be passed to customers. If they refused and chose cheaper alternatives, then prices would be lowered and profits reduced. Better to earn less than to risk safety.
Iwasaki didn't object; it wasn't a major issue.
"On construction, Sasaki, you and your team are experienced. I won't interfere. Handle it as you see fit," Lin BaoCheng said. He never believed in outsiders directing experts — it was thankless and risky.
"Yes!" Sasaki replied.
Lin BaoCheng and the others didn't stay long. After gaining a full understanding of BaiLong Trading Company, he left.
Iwasaki left with him, inviting Lin BaoCheng for tea. In Japan, tea ceremony culture was strong, especially in upper‑class social exchanges.
Of course, Lin BaoCheng brought his bodyguards and Mōri Haruko. The guards waited outside, while Haruko accompanied him inside for tea.