Faced with Kyoko's bold and provocative question, Ryuzaki Makoto did not avoid her burning gaze.
He looked Kyoko up and down with a frank expression, a genuine look of admiration on his face, and said in a calm and natural tone:
"I think anyone who isn't blind would find no reason in this world to say that someone is ugly."
His eyes were clear, a pure appreciation of beauty, without the slightest hint of blasphemy or frivolity, which made Kyoko feel very comfortable.
Upon hearing this reply, Kyoko gently lifted her slender fingers and gracefully tucked a few strands of hair, which had been scattered by the autumn wind, behind her ear. This gesture was full of feminine charm.
She smiled slightly, her eyes sparkling.
"To receive praise from the renowned President Ryuzaki Makoto is more gratifying than any fashion magazine cover acclaim. It at least proves that I, a nearly thirty-year-old 'old woman,' haven't been abandoned by this cruel world and still have some appeal, right?"
However, upon hearing this, Ryuzaki Makoto was slightly startled, and a chill inexplicably rose up from his back.
Something's not right.
This atmosphere is really off.
Honestly, given his current status as a newly emerging local gang leader, how could he possibly be qualified to chat and laugh with a top conglomerate princess like Sasaki Kyoko, who comes from a wealthy family and controls enormous wealth and resources?
In this calculating adult world, there's a saying that goes something like this—
When you feel like you're basking in a gentle breeze while chatting with someone, and they can perfectly respond to anything you say, making you feel like you've known them forever, that they are your soulmate...
Don't be moved or complacent at the first moment.
Because it's more likely that the other party's knowledge, experience, shrewdness, and methods are all superior to yours, and they are simply trying to be more compatible with you.
Now, Kyoko's manner of speaking, her control of her gaze, and her grasp of rhythm all made Ryuzaki truly feel a sense of warmth and comfort.
She positioned herself in an extremely perfect position, neither humble nor arrogant, and even deliberately displayed her approachability.
Ryuzaki Shin was not naive enough to believe that this sophisticated young lady, who had seen countless people, had actually fallen in love with him at first sight and taken a liking to him, a "poor boy".
This is clearly a more sophisticated tactic by the other party, a trick to "lure the enemy into a trap."
Thinking of this, Ryuzaki Makoto instantly came to his senses.
He felt he couldn't keep arguing with Kyoko like this, otherwise he might unknowingly fall into the trap this woman had carefully woven, and be sold out while still helping her count the money.
So, Ryuzaki Makoto smiled politely, breaking the increasingly ambiguous atmosphere.
"Ms. Kyoko, I'm sorry, but I have something very important to attend to later today. If you don't have anything else urgent to attend to, I'll take my leave now."
This isn't entirely nonsense or an excuse.
Because tonight is the delivery time he and the Li family have agreed upon.
This transaction was not just about the arms shipment; it was a crucial moment for him to completely close the net, and he could not afford to make any mistakes.
Kyoko's gentle expression remained unchanged despite Ryuzaki Mako's somewhat abrupt dismissal; she still wore a polite smile.
But deep down, she was genuinely surprised.
In the past, when talking to those self-proclaimed elite men in the business world, which one of them didn't try his best to show off his demeanor and talent in front of her?
I wish I could gouge out those eyes and stick them on her body.
Some men, no matter how upright they pretend to be, can't escape Kyoko's eyes when they see the greed and desire deep in their eyes.
But this young boy in front of me was actually able to remain unmoved. Not only did he not try to climb up the social ladder by following my advice, he also so clearly chose to withdraw.
Kyoko is already twenty-six years old this year, but in her mind, Ryuzaki Makoto, who is only in his early twenties, is still just a student who is still studying. It is not a problem to call him a "little boy".
Unexpectedly, this young boy's composure far surpassed that of those cunning old foxes in their forties and fifties.
With that in mind, Kyoko stopped beating around the bush.
We're all sensible people; some things are better left unsaid. Saying them out loud just takes away the fun.
Her smile faded slightly, her expression turned serious, and she looked at Ryuzaki Makoto and said:
"Let's get down to business. I just received confirmation from within the Tokyo Diet that the special bill to build a casino in the nameless street of Toaru has been urgently halted by the Diet and has been officially suspended."
"However, you should also be aware that Japan's economy is booming. This large undeveloped virgin land, located on the core route of urban development, cannot be left unattended by the government and capital. Although Kowloon Group has withdrawn, as far as I know, the government will open the bidding process for the development of this land to the public in no more than two or three days."
Upon hearing this news, Ryuzaki's expression changed slightly.
He really didn't know this inside story.
Moreover, given the Sasaki family's influence, the news that Kyoko personally told him was definitely true.
However, after hearing this so-called "good news," Ryuzaki's mood was not so pleasant.
In fact, his previous plan was to take advantage of the current public outcry to manipulate public opinion and force the government, which was left with no other choice, to give him, the "representative of the people," the task of rebuilding and developing the nameless street as a form of "appeasement" in order to quell public anger.
But judging from this result, those officials are clearly not pushovers, and things are not that simple.
Is it really Ryuzaki's ultimate goal to simply make Kowloon Group abandon its casino plans?
That's not true at all.
Even how well the Kowloon Group was doing in the East of the city, and whether he could completely eliminate the Kowloon Group this time, were actually secondary in his grand plan.
If the Kowloon Group hadn't been interested in this area in the first place, Ryuzaki Makoto wouldn't have bothered to expend so much energy scheming against them.
From the very beginning, his goal was clear and specific.
He wants to completely take over the entire southern part of the city.
Especially the vast lawless area of Wuming Street.
This will be the cornerstone for him to completely whitewash his image, build a business empire, and for the True Dragon Society to truly take off.
The government's decision to open the bidding process to the entire society sounds fair and just, but for Ryuzaki Makoto, it's definitely not a good thing.
Anyone with a modicum of intelligence knows that in Japan today, even outside of Tokyo, even in a small third-tier city, as long as you have a piece of good land, it's a gold mine where you can make money with your eyes closed.
Once prime locations like Wuming Street are put on the open market, it won't just be a bunch of nobodies eyeing this lucrative opportunity.
Various conglomerates, and even foreign investment institutions, may pounce on us like hungry wolves.
When it really comes down to a battle of financial resources...
Although the True Dragon Society has some money, it's nothing compared to the real financial giants.
For such large-scale development projects on a city-wide scale, the bid deposit alone is astronomical; it's not something that can be easily won with just a few billion yen.
Ryuzaki stared intently into Kyoko's meaningful eyes.
"I have no money."
Ryuzaki Makoto's answer was very direct, without any concealment, hitting the nail on the head.
We are all smart people.
In casual conversation, taking a few roundabout turns is just for fun and doesn't cause any harm.
But when it comes to serious matters, the more direct the better.
Since Kyoko was willing to reveal this inside information and even arranged to meet with him, it proves that she knows better than anyone what Ryuzaki Mako is lacking right now.
Upon hearing this, Kyoko looked at Ryuzaki with undisguised admiration.
Men who can fight their way up from the bottom of the mud pit, without relying on anyone, are definitely not fools.
Kyoko originally thought that doing business with a rough-and-tumble hero like Ryuzaki Makoto would require her to use her persuasive skills, go around in circles, and guide the conversation several times before they could finally steer the topic to the awkward issue of "money."
Unexpectedly, Ryuzaki Makoto was so insightful, getting straight to the point.
Since that's the case, Kyoko is the type who never likes to waste words when it comes to business.
She leaned forward slightly.
"I am very rich."
Ryuzaki Mako wasn't naive enough to believe that a windfall would fall from the sky and that the other party would lend him this huge sum of money for free, as if it were charity.
He spoke calmly, without the slightest fluctuation in his expression:
There are definitely conditions.
Kyoko gracefully took out a box of black Cartier diamond-encrusted women's cigarettes from her expensive handbag.
"clatter."
The delicate lighter made a soft click.
Kyoko gently held the cigarette between her long, slender, and fair fingers, took a deep drag on her red lips.
Then, she tilted her head back slightly and exhaled a puff of smoke.
The swirling smoke, like a thin veil, partially obscured her stunning face, making her appear even more mysterious and enigmatic.
"My condition is very simple, and that is..."