"It's so rude. After class at school, I didn't have time to change my clothes, so I had to rush over here." Tao Zhiming smiled broadly, but he was also very embarrassed.

"Please take a seat, Mr. Tao." Takao Hirano, as the host, did not seem to be showing off at all as the helm of a large consortium. Instead, he said with a warm smile, "Since it is a family banquet, of course you should relax and don't worry about your dress."

"I was in such a hurry that I didn't have time to choose a suitable gift." Tao Zhiming smiled and handed over the box he brought in, "I have a classmate whose father has been a pottery craftsman for many years, and this is the handiwork of my uncle."

Masahiro Ueda looked at the familiar box and couldn't help but look at his profile.

How many copies did you buy at one time? You brought this to my house, and you also brought this to President Hirano’s house.

Tao Zhiming is very thick-skinned, and there is nothing he can do if he is not thick-skinned.

Who knew Masahiro Ueda would be here?

After Tao Zhiming sat down, Hirano Takao began to praise: "I invite you to my home as a guest simply because I am very curious about Mr. Tao. I haven't seen such a young and outstanding young man for a long time."

"President, thank you." Tao Zhiming said humbly and smiled bitterly, "I couldn't help myself with the previous incident. I didn't expect it would end up like this. Although I was lucky enough to be a guest at the president's house, I actually felt very sad.

disturbed."

"Relax." Hirano Takao smiled slightly, "That incident is over, isn't there a good result now? Chairman Kitagawa has already formed an alliance in the subsequent plan, and we are already allies, so there is no need to be uneasy."

Tao Zhiming nodded in agreement, but understood the subtext in his heart.

If the plan determined now is not more beneficial, the two sides are not allies, then they are enemies?

And they only formed an alliance on the matter of private reform of the national railway, but not on other aspects.

It was said to be a family dinner, but apart from Takao Hirano, Tao Zhiming didn't see any of his family members.

To a certain extent, this is also a hint. The home must be a serious home, but the family dinner is not a truly etiquette family dinner.

Afterwards, it was just a small talk, and Takao Hirano even told him many interesting stories from the school as a senior at Tokyo University.

In addition, we talked about some recent news, and after listening to some of Tao Zhiming’s thoughts, I repeatedly praised him for his extraordinary insights.

Tao Zhiming couldn't help but think that this family dinner was just that simple?

Isn’t it a waste of time for a person like Takao Hirano to spend his time on such things?

They are all old foxes. Could it be that he mistakenly thought that he was a simple little fox, so he played the appreciation card and let himself be flattered, thinking that President Mitsubishi was really great?

That's childish.

Tao Zhiming hadn't yet discovered the hidden tricks like Kitagawa Atsushi and Anzhai Zenwei, nor had he heard any wishes or requests. The meal was finished, and it was almost eight o'clock.

"Tao Jun, I heard that you and Ueda-san's daughter are classmates?" Returning to the living room, Hirano Takao finally said something else.

Tao Zhiming looked at Ueda Masahiro, wasn't he here?

"...Yes. Shana-san is also the vice president of our kendo club."

Hirano Takao smiled meaningfully: "Ueda-san is also full of praise for Mr. Tao. Ueda-san, you are particularly silent tonight."

Tao Zhiming also noticed how quiet tool man Ueda Masahiro was today.

Even if Mitsubishi had only contacted Tao Zhiming through Masahiro Ueda before, why do they talk so little here today?

At this time, Ueda Masahiro bowed, and then said a little lonely: "It's a bit emotional to see Mr. Tao handling himself in front of you."

Hirano Takao was silent for a moment and stopped smiling: "Ueda-san, maybe you are remembering sad past events."

"That's true. I'm sorry."

Tao Zhiming was a little confused.

Riddle people, please explain clearly.

You are playing me, right?

Sure enough, Hirano Takao looked at Tao Zhiming and sighed: "It's true, if Kenta's kid was still around, he would probably be as outstanding as Tao Jun."

Tao Zhiming looked at Ueda Masahiro in confusion.

What does it mean?

Ueda Masahiro smiled with relief: "It's all over. Mr. Tao, Shana has an older brother named Kenta, but something unfortunate happened nine years ago. This is what the president is talking about."

Tao Zhiming suddenly realized that Xia Na Ueda was not an only child.

Hirano Takao looked pityful: "That kid Kenta has been smart, courageous, and polite since he was a child. If he is still here, he will definitely pass on the name of the Ueda family and reach new heights in the future."

Masahiro Ueda remained silent.

"But Mr. Tao is also very good. Mr. Tao, you have no relatives in Neon now, right?"

Tao Zhiming didn't know why the topic turned to him: "...Yes. My father and mother also encountered misfortune before."

"What a pity..." Hirano Takao looked at the two of them and suddenly said with some hesitation, "Ueda-san, even if you don't plan to have another child, the name of the dignified Ueda family and the inheritance of Kagami Akechi-ryu really want to

Are you going to cut it off? I have always suggested to you that you can even adopt an adopted son. I know you have a high vision, but isn’t Tao Jun good enough? I also like kendo."

Tao Zhiming was moved in his heart, but on the surface he was confused: "President Hirano... this..."

He looked at Masahiro Ueda, but the guy didn't react at all and just stayed silent.

Did you two come up with this idea? You wanted to be my father directly?

"...I'm being presumptuous, Mr. Tao." Takao Hirano then turned his gaze to him, "Of course, your will is the most important thing. I'm just giving a suggestion to Uda-san as an old friend."

...This suggestion of yours is really naughty.

"I was surprised..." Tao Zhiming's surprise was genuine, "I have never thought about adopted children... I really never thought about it."

Hirano Takao looked like a matchmaker and smiled: "Since Tao Jun is alone, without the company of relatives and no help from his family, you can consider it. You grew up in Neon, so you should be aware of this situation.

Many people just want to be accompanied by their relatives. Moreover, the adopted son who has determined his name also has the right to inherit."

Tao Zhiming looked at Masahiro Ueda blankly, are you serious?

Masahiro Ueda bowed again: "Thank you, President, for your concern. I need to think carefully about this matter, not to mention Tao Jun's wishes."

Hirano Takao looked particularly admiring of Tao Zhiming: "Of course, of course. What I like most is that everyone is happy. You haven't known each other for a long time, but you are both men of admirable character. Mr. Tao, don't mind me.

Presumptuous."

"...How could that happen?" Of course Tao Zhiming was very concerned. You are much rougher than Kitagawa Atsushi.

I just gave it to a girl, but you want me to be your subordinate's son.

Who gave you the courage?

But Tao Zhiming didn't take it lightly. It seemed that Takao Hirano's real plan was here. Why was he so sure that he would be tempted?

However, Takao Hirano did not give him an answer, and said: "I am very happy to meet you tonight. But unfortunately, I have to go to another appointment now. Mr. Tao, you can visit me often in the future. Ueda-san's home is also

You can go there often and get to know me better."

"...Okay. President Hirano has something else to do, so I'll take my leave first."

"Tao Jun, since you came by car, how about sending Tian Sang home? You can also continue chatting for a while."

"...Of course, this is what it should be."

Masahiro Ueda looked unceremonious, stood up, bowed to Takao Hirano, and said goodbye together with Tao Zhiming.

When they arrived at the car, Irie Yuta was already waiting there. Tao Zhiming helped Ueda Masahiro open the car door and asked him to get in first.

"Let's go to Mr. Ueda's house first." Tao Zhiming told Irie Yuta where he was, and then he looked at Mr. Ueda Masahiro and smiled, "Sir Ueda, I have never heard Shana talk about my brother before. If there is any offense, please tell me.

Please forgive me."

Masahiro Ueda shook his head: "Normally, our family is not willing to mention this matter more."

"I'm sorry..." Tao Zhiming said with a troubled face, "But President Hirano's suggestion really surprised me... Lord Ueda, what do you think?"

"Mr. Tao, how much do you know about our Ueda family?" Ueda Masahiro asked without answering.

"I only know that it has been passed down from history to today. As a Chinese, I once had a brilliant reputation in swordsmanship. That's all..." Tao Zhiming said truthfully, "Oh, and you are the director of the Xia Guild Hall.

I also know something about it.”

Masahiro Ueda nodded: "With your intelligence, you must be thinking about what the dignified president of Mitsubishi means by making such a suggestion, right?"

"……really."

Masahiro Ueda raised this topic himself, but did not answer for a while.

Tao Zhiming didn't know if it was because Yuta Irie was present, and he didn't ask in a hurry.

Anyway, it’s them who have ideas, not you.

After a while, Masahiro Ueda spoke: "You said you want to defeat Morijiro in an upright manner, have you started taking action?"

"...So I guess." Although I only told Son Zhengyi about the background of his softwing company, it was still the beginning of helping him.

"No need now."

"……ah?"

Masahiro Ueda turned to look at him: "As long as you are willing, the engagement between Shana and Morijiro can be cancelled."

Tao Zhiming's eyes sharpened: "What do you mean?"

"I think President Hirano's proposal is good." Masahiro Ueda said quietly, "If you think it's good too, Shana doesn't need to fulfill the engagement, and I can entrust her to you."
To be continued...