Chapter 1649: Chapter 1649: Gaining the Upper Hand
Although he rejected Luo Ziling’s request, Ishihara Tarou was still deeply shocked in his heart.
A young man just over twenty years old could reject a temptation of over 20 million US dollars and instead make a request that was almost impossible to fulfill, but extremely beneficial to Huaxia. He once again looked at this young man in front of him with new eyes and dared not underestimate him anymore.
Luo Ziling naturally knew that Ishihara Tarou couldn’t agree and couldn’t fulfill this request, so he wasn’t surprised when the other party refused.
He stayed silent and continued drinking tea.
Ishihara Tarou couldn’t believe that Luo Ziling was so calm, without any impatience, and couldn’t help but admire him in his heart.
“A golden fish is not meant to remain in a pond,” he commented on Luo Ziling, recalling Luo Ziling’s indistinct yet recognizable family background. Ishihara Tarou knew that he shouldn’t give up on the opportunity to cooperate with Luo Ziling.
However, being cunning and shrewd himself, he managed to keep his composure and did not proactively offer any conditions.
Offering a reward and presenting conditions to Luo Ziling represented very different meanings.
“They’re having quite an enjoyable conversation,” Luo Ziling pointed in the direction where Ouyang Feifei and Ishihara Wuji were indicating, and smiled, “I think they should have reached some agreement. A win-win cooperation; this is a joyful outcome for everyone.”
“The influence of Huaxia culture in Japan has been gradually weakening,” Ishihara Tarou said helplessly, initiating the conversation himself, “Japanese culture is entirely inherited from Huaxia, belonging to the Han Cultural Sphere, but since the late Qing dynasty, this influence has been gradually weakening, and it’s the same now.”
“Actually, as a descendant of Huaxia, and someone who enjoys Huaxia culture so much, Mr. Ishihara could continue to pass on his ancestral culture while promoting it to the Japanese people,” Luo Ziling sensed the nuance and took over the conversation, “I also love Huaxia culture a lot, and have my own cultural film and media company. If there’s an opportunity, we will develop in Japan.”
Ishihara Tarou immediately beamed with joy, “Our Ishihara Family has developed quite well in pharmaceuticals, but we also have certain achievements in the film and culture field. You should know that Ishihara Naka had made films before; he was just playing around because that film company belongs to him, and he hoped to improve its performance.”
“So that’s how it is,” Luo Ziling couldn’t help but burst into laughter; this was somewhat similar to his ideas, as he also wanted to make his own TV, to create more value for his company. He felt that he should have a good chat with Ishihara Naka, possibly they would share more interests.
“I have now invested in Miss Ouyang’s Lingyun Pharmaceuticals, and have acquired shares in it. I also plan to set up my own pharmaceutical enterprise to produce and manufacture the drugs I’ve developed, without any conflict,” Luo Ziling looked playfully at Ishihara Tarou, “But I’m not very interested in money; after all, I already have more money than I can spend in this lifetime. All I look forward to is accomplishing a few great deeds.”
Ishihara Tarou extended his hand toward Luo Ziling and said very sincerely, “If you are willing, we can cooperate well. I like straightforward people, Ishihara Naka also appreciates you; I believe you can become friends. I think such cooperation benefits both sides and greatly aids the transmission and exchange of medicine and culture between both countries, as well as promoting Huaxia’s traditional medicine and culture. What do you think?”
“Deal,” Luo Ziling and Ishihara Tarou shook hands and then modestly said, “But I’m not familiar with commercial negotiations; Miss Ouyang can handle all of this on my behalf.”
“Haha, straightforward person,” Ishihara Tarou laughed heartily, then said with a serious tone, “I think we can continue discussing the topic just now.”
“Mr. Ishihara, after talking for so long, don’t you feel weary?” Luo Ziling said, raising his hand to look at his watch, “It’s getting late; I think we should take leave. There are some things I can’t agree to before figuring them out. Let me return and ponder over these matters and then come again to talk with Mr. Ishihara, shall we?”
Luo Ziling timely halted the topic, surprising Ishihara Tarou again, but he just chuckled and nodded quickly, “Well, we’ve finished almost all the tea; let me have Ishihara Naka accompany you for a walk, shall I? It seems he arranged a geisha song and dance performance for you to enjoy. I’m feeling tired myself, so I wish to rest a while.”
Ishihara Tarou’s tactfulness made Luo Ziling very pleased, and he immediately agreed.
In his encounter with Ishihara Tarou, Luo Ziling successfully took the dominant position, a fact that filled him with a sense of achievement.
Shortly, Ishihara Naka arrived in the courtyard, standing beside Ishihara Tarou, waiting to be instructed.
“Naka, accompany Mr. Luo to enjoy the song and dance for a while.”
“Sure, Grandpa!” Ishihara Naka replied immediately, then turned to Luo Ziling and said, “Mr. Luo, please come inside. I’ve already arranged everything. A performance with quite traditional Japanese charm; I’m sure you’ll like it.”
Luo Ziling glanced over at Ouyang Feifei’s side, seeing that Ouyang Feifei and Wang Qing were still talking with Ishihara Wuji, seemingly with no sign of ending.
“They’re discussing a lot; let’s not bother them,” Ishihara Naka walked over, draped his arm around Luo Ziling’s shoulder, and joked, “Such a song and dance are of interest only to us men; women are not very interested.”
“Alright,” Luo Ziling understood Ishihara Naka’s implication, “Then let’s accept the invitation graciously.”
The two said their goodbyes to the still seated and tea-drinking Ishihara Tarou and proceeded together into the house.
“Actually, everyone in our family has a Chinese name,” Ishihara Naka said mysteriously, as if aware of what Luo Ziling and Ishihara Tarou had discussed, “My Chinese name is Li Xiaoyi, my father’s is Li Qinghe, and my grandfather’s is Li Minglai.”
“Why didn’t your grandfather tell me this?” Luo Ziling was a bit surprised, but quickly smiled, “Should I call you Ishihara Naka or Li Xiaoyi in the future?”
“If I come to Huaxia, call me by the Huaxia name, but in Japan, just call me Ishihara Naka.”
“Alright!” Luo Ziling agreed.
Luo Ziling quickly shifted the topic to film and culture aspects; Ishihara Naka seemed to have discussed with Ishihara Tarou beforehand, so he quickly engaged in the discussion with Luo Ziling on this topic and expressed that cooperation in this field was entirely possible.
“You’ve already agreed to come over for lunch tomorrow; let’s discuss some things tomorrow, shall we? Now, let’s properly enjoy the song and dance.” Ishihara Naka patted Luo Ziling’s shoulder, smiling slyly, “Experiencing different cultures is also a good thing. Geisha is a distinctive culture of Japan; one of your famous actresses made ‘Memoirs of a Geisha,’ haven’t you watched it?”
“I actually haven’t watched it; I seldom watch movies, but will definitely watch more in the future,” Luo Ziling said, then added mysteriously, “I’ve watched a short movie you made!”
Upon hearing Luo Ziling bring up this topic, Ishihara Naka became immediately excited: “I don’t know if Mr. Luo is interested; if you are, I can plan a small romantic movie for you, with a newly debuted actress cooperating with you; she could be a beginner. I think Mr. Luo could achieve instant fame!”
“…” Luo Ziling felt that Ishihara Naka’s words made him loathe the idiom ‘instant fame.’