Chapter 299: Exceptional Courtesy

Words : 1639 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

Lu Liang arrived at the company and had a conversation with Wen Chao. Today was already the 21st, but the price of Brent Crude Oil had not risen, instead it had fallen—the current market price was $51.23 per barrel. "Keep an eye on it, but expect a short-term rise." Lu Liang pondered, learning that he had already used tenfold leverage to open a position, he didn’t ask further, not even showing interest in the base price. Mitsui Sumitomo’s Ota Ling had repeatedly invited him, hoping he would visit Tokyo, and Lu Liang was preparing to agree. At this time, if he knew about his own private equity base positions, it might not be convenient for subsequent operations. Because the visit was likely false, and the real aim was probably to have him stationed there. Lu Liang only told them to watch the international oil prices, without specifying which index or whether it was rising or falling. They were like headless flies in the market, crashing about—even with a lot of industry intelligence, they couldn’t judge the market trends. "Then I’ll book a flight and have a look." Lu Liang chuckled, with only two days left and no market moves, this could only indicate a sudden event. Sudden events hinge on the ’suddenly’ part; before they happen, how could they possibly investigate thoroughly? "Mr. Lu, if you don’t mind, you can just go straight to the airport; our private jet has already arrived in advance." Ota Ling beamed with a warmth that belied his role as the master of a trillion-yen conglomerate. Three days prior, when he first called to invite Lu Liang, the private jet had already been parked at Xinpu Airport. Every day, they had reserved two international flight routes, just awaiting Lu Liang’s agreement to fly over directly. "Mr. Ota, you’re too kind." Lu Liang paused, then asked, "What time is the flight?" Ota Ling checked with his secretary and then replied, "The closest one is today at four thirty in the afternoon, Beijing time, which leaves in two hours." Lu Liang reflected for a moment, "Hmm... I still have some matters to deal with here, and I probably won’t be free until after six." Ota Ling suggested further, "Mr. Lu, there’s another flight tomorrow morning at nine. Why not take that one?" Lu Liang was at a loss for words momentarily, surprised by the thorough preparations of the other party. He knitted his brows and concocted an excuse, "There might be market movements tonight; I better get there this evening." Ota Ling seemed to understand and complimented him, "Mr. Lu’s dedication to his work truly moves me. About what time should I arrange for someone to pick you up?" "Let’s see how it goes, I will have my secretary contact you at the time." "Alright, alright, we warmly welcome your arrival." Private planes carry very few people. The whole crew, including Lu Liang’s party, would likely number less than twenty. It was a plane provided by someone else, and fearing for his life, Lu Liang preferred the first-class cabin on a commercial flight. The direct flight from Modu to Tokyo was a popular international route from Pu Xin Airport, with each flight carrying at least several hundred passengers. The more people there were, the safer he felt. Benshan used to say the most painful thing in life is to be alive when your money is gone. And an even more painful thing is when you’re gone before your money’s spent. Although unsure whether tomorrow or an accident would come first, most accidents could be avoided. A gentleman does not stand under a wall in danger. After ending the call, Lu Liang played games in his office until just after five, then had Zhuo Yifan book a flight and negotiate with Mr. Ota’s secretary. S~eaʀᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At nine thirty in the evening, a plane from Modu successfully landed at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. The first batch of travelers to leave the aircraft were wide-eyed and could not help exclaiming, "What’s going on here?" Several black Maybachs were parked neatly alongside the airport shuttle bus. Those visiting Tokyo for the first time could not help but take photos, marveling, "The trip was really worth it. Tokyo lives up to its reputation as the world’s top metropolis—even the airport shuttles are Maybachs." "…" Their companion was speechless and whispered a reminder, "Don’t get carried away; those are obviously here to pick someone up." "Who are they picking up? Who can command such grandeur, letting the motorcade drive straight onto the tarmac?" "What important figure could it be? I must take a good look." The crowd looked towards the first-class exit—if there was a VIP, they wouldn’t be with them in economy class. Lu Liang led the way out of the plane, releasing a groan and stretching lazily, "Another waste of three hours of life." But as soon as he turned his head, he noticed a group of tourists who seemed to be from China, all staring intently at him. Every face looked as if they had seen a ghost. "Am I seeing this right? Is that Liangzi?" "Does Lu Liang have such strong connections in Tokyo too?" After all, being able to drive a welcoming fleet into the tarmac, especially at an international major airport like Haneda, means a lot. Having a lot of money is a prerequisite, but one must also have sky-high connections and a powerful background. Those who had just returned from East Country to Tokyo saw familiar faces next to the fleet of cars and suddenly widened their eyes, murmuring in a low voice, "Isn’t that Mitsui Sumitomo’s Mr. Ota?" Korea has its chaebols, and so does Tokyo. Mitsui Group and Sumitomo Group are two of the six major financial conglomerates. In the millennium year, Tokyo’s banking industry underwent a major reshuffle. Mitsubishi teamed up with Japan United to establish Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. To counter them, Mitsui and Sumitomo also established Mitsui Sumitomo Financial Group, and both banks instantly became two of the nation’s big three banks. Firmly in first place was Mizuho Bank, also the product of a merger, originally formed by the union of Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank, Fuji Bank, and Nippon Credit Bank. With an additional bank joining them, their strength increased even more, firmly outpacing the others. However, unlike Mizuho and Mitsubishi UFJ, Mitsui Sumitomo had a good reputation in Japan because the largest shareholders of the former two were BlackRock. Rumors said they were controlled by Wall Street capital, but the largest shareholder of Mitsui Sumitomo was the Japan Bank, with BlackRock only the second. In a ’lesser evil’ marketplace, a firm that wasn’t comparatively as bad was held up by modern youths as a true national bank of Yamato. At this moment, Lu Liang also spotted the line of Maybachs not far away and showed a strange expression, only to wave his hand first at the tourists from home: "I wish you all a pleasant journey." Then he disembarked the plane, hurried a few steps, and shook hands and hugged the beaming Ota Ling. Lu Liang smiled wryly, "Mr. Ota, you’re being too polite." He could imagine what kind of story it would turn into once the news reached home, receiving such treatment on his second visit to Tokyo. He guessed it would be considered some sort of under-the-table deal. Ota Ling looked puzzled and asked in confusion, "Mr. Lu, have we caused you any trouble?" They had investigated Lu Liang and knew he liked to be in the spotlight, so they had treated him with the highest courtesy. "It’s not trouble, let’s go." Lu Liang was at a loss for words, his lips curling with a hint of bitterness. He considered himself to be very low-profile, so why would others think he liked to show off? This was definitely a misunderstanding. The driver in a black suit and white gloves quickly opened the rear door of the first car. Lu Liang gestured and said, "Mr. Ota, please after you." "Mr. Lu, you are our guest, you first." "Then I will not stand on ceremony." As the two of them settled into the back seat, the welcome fleet also left the tarmac through a special passage. Just as Lu Liang had predicted, he was still on the road when the news had already spread to the homeland. "Tokyo Haneda Airport witness to the arrival of a VIP, and it’s him!" "Nine Maybachs breach Haneda Airport—what’s the reason?" "It’s him, it’s really him..." "Pictures don’t lie." "Liangzi, why are you back in Tokyo again?" "Could it be that over the Spring Festival holiday, you met a lady teacher, so you’re reluctant to leave?" "It doesn’t seem so, I heard the man is the president of Mitsui Sumitomo Bank, Mr. Ota Ling." "Amazing, this kind of treatment is probably like that of a state leader visiting, I assume." Lu Liang guessed the beginning but not the end. Netizens were discussing, but surprisingly there was little intense japanophilia rhetoric; only a minority chimed in without making much of a wave. The internet remembers. In mid-July last year, the video that went viral across the country earned Lu Liang far too many favorable impressions. Someone labeled by Wall Street capital as a nationalist, going to Tokyo, was probably just for official business. Being received with the highest honors by the large financial conglomerate, not only would netizens not feel offended, but they would also likely feel a sense of pride by association. Just as some enjoy seeing what foreigners think of their country, love seeing them looking like they’ve never seen the world before. A sense of pride welled up in their hearts.

Chapter 299: Exceptional Courtesy

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