Nakayama Hayao nodded slightly, his imposing aura softening.
"Jun, sorry to keep you waiting."
"Nonsense, Hayao! Please, have a seat. We're family—no need for formalities," Nakagawa Jun said, gesturing toward the table.
The long dining table was laden with an incredibly lavish spread. Golden-brown, crispy tempura; a platter of translucent, top-grade sashimi; and a bubbling pot of Wagyu beef sukiyaki all filled the air with an irresistible aroma.
Kazuki sat in a high chair, clutching a jumbo fried shrimp. He was eating so vigorously that his face was smeared with oil, looking like a little tiger guarding its prey.
"Slow down, sweetie. No one's going to take your food. There's plenty more in the pot," Eri said with a helpless smile, gently wiping his mouth with a napkin.
Kazuki struggled to swallow the mouthful of food before mumbling, "The fried shrimp at school are nothing like Mommy's! Kenta even tried to trade his octopus sausage for mine today, but I wouldn't do it! I'm not stupid!"
The table erupted in laughter at his comment, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.
Miki, seated in a baby chair on the other side, tapped her plastic spoon against her bowl in a rhythmic beat, giggling along with the adults.
Nakayama Hayao lifted the sake cup before him and took a small sip.
He rarely drank outside, let alone in front of his juniors. But at home, seeing the warm and harmonious gathering of family, his two outstanding children and his lively, adorable grandchild, he made an exception and poured himself a cup. A rare expression of genuine, relaxed contentment appeared on his stern face, a face that had weathered the storms of the business world.
Miyuki and Takako huddled together, speaking in low voices about their latest parenting tips and skincare routines.
Nakagawa Jun picked up a piece of fatty tuna sashimi, dipping it in freshly grated wasabi and soy sauce. "Takuya, you've done a wonderful job with this garden. It's so well-arranged; it looks much more lively than mine," Nakagawa Jun praised.
"Eri does all the work. She has a good eye," Nakayama Takuya replied with a smile, taking the opportunity to praise his wife. "I just provide the muscle, moving flowerpots and such."
Eri gently kicked him under the table, but her face was full of sweetness.
After the meal.
The women and children remained in the spacious living room, watching television and playing with toys.
Nakayama Takuya carried an exquisite tea set and walked toward the wooden veranda in the courtyard.
Nakayama Hayao and Nakagawa Jun, two titans who commanded their respective fields, were already seated at the low table.
A night breeze stirred, causing the carp streamers overhead to rustle softly, adding a touch of life to the tranquil early summer evening.
Takuya Nakayama placed the purple clay teapot on the table, his movements as fluid as flowing water as he poured hot water into the three cups. The distinctive, refreshing fragrance of Shizuoka Gyokuro instantly filled the air.
"This tea is excellent. The color is true, and the aroma is rich," Nakagawa Jun said, lifting his cup to inhale the scent.
"I had it brought in yesterday from a local farmer in Shizuoka. Fresh tea. Please, try it," Takuya replied, setting down the teapot with unhurried grace.
Nakayama Hayao held his cup, his deep gaze fixed on the carp streamers fluttering in the courtyard.
Nakagawa Jun took a sip, then set his cup back down on the low table, his expression turning serious.
"That special on the Southeast Asian financial turmoil we ran at the station—the one Takuya suggested—it's caused quite a stir," Nakagawa said, tapping the solid wood tabletop twice. A hint of unmistakable pride tinged his voice. "The phones in the control room haven't stopped ringing for days. The operators' throats are practically scorched."
Nakayama Hayao sat opposite him, hands clasped over his stomach, listening quietly, as still as a statue.
"The moment the phone rings, they announce themselves," Nakagawa Jun said, leaning forward, his face glowing with excitement. "I mean, it's either a chief analyst from some top-tier brokerage firm or a credit manager from a major bank. They're dissecting the data from the show, and some have even started arguing with our remote guests over the phone—it's getting heated! Besides the calls, we've received a mountain of handwritten letters. People complain that they can't explain themselves clearly over the phone, so they send in ten-page letters. They're demanding we open up more seats for the live audience so they can join the debate in the studio in person."
Nakayama Hayao nodded slightly, his critique cutting straight to the heart of the matter. "The current economic climate is terrible. Soros and his gang are stirring up trouble in Southeast Asia, and everyone is incredibly sensitive about their own wallets. Your station's latest episode has struck a chord with the times. Controversy is what drives viewership; the worst thing for a financial program is to be a stagnant pool with no one talking about it."
"Yeah, it's a lucky break," Nakagawa Jun sighed. He then shifted the subject, his gaze intensifying as he looked at Takuya. "There's also the matter of importing that TV drama from TVB in Hong Kong. The External Relations Department was surprisingly efficient this time—they must have smelled a profit."
Takuya Nakayama set down the purple clay teapot and sat up straight, ready to listen.
"They've already submitted the detailed evaluation report for The Greed of Men," Nakagawa Jun said, gesturing with his hand to indicate the report's thickness. "The script quality, its fit for the Japanese market—they've analyzed everything thoroughly. The stock market manipulation, the insane leverage, the extreme contrast between overnight wealth and total ruin... it's all exactly what's happening in Japanese society right now! Hong Kong's urban feel is strong, so there's no real generational gap with Tokyo. The plot's family feuds and vendettas are a familiar trope for Japanese audiences—no barrier to entry, just pure relatability. It's practically tailor-made for today's Japan!"
Nakayama Hayao lifted his teacup, his mind already on the core issue. "What's their asking price? Those TVB people aren't fools."
"Not high—dirt cheap, even," Nakagawa Jun replied with a grin, looking like a merchant who'd just scored a major deal. "TVB responded incredibly fast. Their quote was far lower than we expected. After all, it's an old drama from several years ago; they probably never imagined a Japanese station would want to import it. Or maybe they just didn't account for the yen's appreciation over the last few years, leaving us with the advantage."
Nakagawa straightened his posture, leaning forward with his hands on his knees, his enthusiasm palpable.
"The station has a preliminary plan. TV Tokyo will take the lead, bringing in Aichi TV, Setouchi TV, TV Hokkaido, and TVQ Kyushu from the TXN Network. We'll all participate. The copyright fees and the subsequent translation and dubbing costs will be split among the stations. We'll broadcast it simultaneously across the entire network to build maximum hype. I've already spoken with the News Department. I'll have the WBS production team coordinate the promotion, specifically targeting the professional audience in the financial sector to secure our core viewership."
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