Chapter 496: So Twisted, So Heavy-Tasting!
Lin Haoran was naturally very familiar with 7-Eleven.
In his previous life, there had been a 7-Eleven convenience store right downstairs from his apartment complex, and he had often gone there to buy drinks and snacks — simply because it was convenient.
He just hadn't expected that here and now, he would encounter the future true owner of 7-Eleven, and that this man would be deliberately picking on him as a foreigner.
Lin Haoran frowned slightly, feeling a twinge of displeasure.
In Hong Kong, every major figure in the business world gave him face.
Now, at such an ordinary banquet, someone he had never interacted with was openly provoking him.
Outwardly, Lin Haoran remained composed, but inwardly, he silently took note of it.
As night fell, President Hiroshi Yamauchi of Nintendo finally entered the private room.
By now, the room was packed with more than twenty people.
Originally, Lin Haoran had intended to bring Kenneth Ho and the others to meet these top retail industry figures of Japan.
But now it seemed unnecessary.
Judging by the earlier mocking laughter, these people had made it clear they were ostracizing him, an outsider.
When Yamauchi entered, the mocking stopped immediately.
No one dared show disrespect toward Yamauchi — after all, Nintendo's influence in Japan was considerable.
If anyone had ridiculed Lin Haoran in front of him, it would have been tantamount to disrespecting Nintendo.
Yamauchi stood at the front and gave a brief speech, offering polite thanks to the guests.
After a round of applause, the door to the room opened again.
Three mobile tables were pushed in.
What shocked Lin Haoran most was that each table carried a nude young girl, completely unclothed, with sushi and sashimi arranged strategically on their bodies.
Such a scene instantly evoked a flood of improper associations.
Although Lin Haoran had heard of the controversial practice of "nyotaimori" (body sushi) on the internet in his past life, seeing it with his own eyes still left him stunned and uncomfortable.
It was extremely heavy-tasting.
He had even heard rumors that in some darker versions, dead bodies were used — though as he carefully observed the girls, he saw their eyelashes occasionally fluttering, and relaxed slightly.
"Mr. Lin, I'm sure you've never experienced this before," Yamauchi said proudly.
"This is a unique culinary tradition of Japan — a fusion of humanity, nature, art, and cuisine.
The models must be young virgins, with attractive looks, smooth, fair skin, minimal body hair, and preferably blood type A.
All are medically examined beforehand, so you can enjoy with peace of mind."
The young girls lay perfectly still, acting as human serving platters, while the male guests eagerly surrounded them.
Some even wore lewd smiles, clearly enjoying themselves.
Lin Haoran couldn't help but feel that this was simply pornography disguised as "cultural tradition."
Internally repulsed, he nonetheless maintained an outward calm.
"Your Japanese culture is indeed profound and unique," Lin Haoran said with a diplomatic smile.
"Of course," Yamauchi beamed.
"This tradition dates back to the Edo period — centuries of history.
Only Japan has such an art form; you won't find this in any Chinese dining culture.
Please, Mr. Lin, find a seat and enjoy.
The waiters will keep replenishing the sushi."
Standing beside Lin Haoran, Kenneth Ho muttered in Cantonese,
"Boss, these Japanese are sick!"
"I agree," Lin Haoran replied quietly.
"But Kenneth, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Let's endure it this once — next time, we simply won't attend."
Kenneth nodded, resigned.
After all, the models weren't Chinese girls but Japanese.
The room, though filled with over twenty guests, had only three tables — less than ten people around each.
Lin Haoran, Kenneth, Zhao Xin, and Sato Shimono joined one table.
Sato seemed unbothered, eagerly picking up his chopsticks to start eating.
Lin Haoran and the others reluctantly did the same — carefully picking sushi from non-sensitive areas.
Meanwhile, some local businessmen deliberately picked sushi from more sensitive parts, exposing scenes that made Kenneth grimace.
The waiters promptly replenished the sushi, and the lecherous guests continued their antics.
The girl at Lin Haoran's table, while not a stunning beauty, was still very attractive — a petite and delicate figure.
Yet, lying there, allowing strangers to pick food from her body, she seemed to endure it stoically, even as some guests intentionally teased her with their chopsticks.
"Boss, I can't take this much longer," Kenneth whispered, putting down his chopsticks.
Although Kenneth was thirty, he had been raised in privilege and become a high-level executive early on — he was used to better standards.
He had no interest in such vulgar displays.
Meanwhile, Zhao Xin, the Hong Kong-born white man, seemed to enjoy himself — busily eating, though refraining from anything too outrageous, perhaps aware of his boss's presence.
"Hold on a bit longer," Lin Haoran reassured Kenneth, patting his shoulder.
"When this ends, we'll go have a proper dinner."
Kenneth nodded tightly, determined to endure.
Lin Haoran himself barely touched the food.
Although the girls were clean and young, the atmosphere — filled with perverse smiles and behavior — killed any appetite he might have had.
He understood the importance of respecting local customs.
This was, after all, a good-faith invitation from Yamauchi.
But in his heart, he had already decided:
Next time, he would ask clearly about the nature of any banquet.
If it was another "body sushi" event, he would decline.
Appreciating a beautiful woman was one thing.
Watching sleazy men make a spectacle of themselves — that was quite another.
Finally, around 8 p.m., the banquet ended.
Lin Haoran had barely eaten, only symbolically picking up a piece of sushi when Yamauchi came to his table.
"Mr. Lin, I hope you enjoyed tonight's banquet," Yamauchi said cheerfully as the guests dispersed.
"There were so many people — please forgive us if you weren't properly attended to."
"It was a unique and enlightening experience," Lin Haoran replied politely.
"I heard Mr. Lin plans to invest heavily in Japan.
I hope you'll visit Kyoto as well.
If you do, please inform me — I'd love to host a private meeting," Yamauchi said.
"I look forward to that opportunity as well," Lin Haoran nodded.
Once they left the plaza, Kenneth seemed to finally breathe freely again.
"Boss, what kind of weird food culture is that?
Absolutely disgusting," he grumbled once inside the car.
"It's certainly bizarre and heavy-tasting," Zhao Xin agreed, though he seemed more entertained than disgusted.
Lin Haoran smiled faintly and changed the subject:
"Come on, let's get some real food."
"Boss, I'll pass," Zhao Xin said, patting his stomach.
"I ate too much earlier."
"Alright, when we reach Ginza, you can get out first," Lin Haoran said.
Currently, Land Corporation had rented several serviced apartments near Ginza for their arriving staff.
The arrangement was temporary — within a month, employees would be expected to find their own housing.
Both Kenneth and Zhao Xin were living there.
Originally, Lin Haoran had invited Kenneth to stay at his villa, but Kenneth had politely declined.
Lin Haoran hadn't insisted.
Once back in Ginza, Lin Haoran and Kenneth found a Chinese restaurant for a proper dinner before returning home.
By then, it was already about 10 p.m.
Back at his villa, Lin Haoran placed a call to Cui Zilong in Hong Kong.
Since Tokyo was an hour ahead of Hong Kong, it was only 9 p.m. there.
The call connected quickly.
"Mr. Cui, it's me, Lin Haoran."
"Boss, good evening. What can I do for you?" Cui asked.
"I need you to investigate something for me —
Find out everything you can about the 7-Eleven convenience store chain in the United States," Lin Haoran said directly.
"Understood, Boss.
I'll start tonight and report back as soon as possible," Cui Zilong replied without hesitation.
"Good.
Call this number when you have updates — it's my Tokyo residence line," Lin Haoran said.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1