Chapter 2 The Next Day

The heavy snow started before dawn and continued until after nine in the morning, showing no signs of stopping. If anything, it was coming down even harder.

Nangong Tian was sprawled out on the sofa. After using the landline to call the front desk, she turned to Su Yehao and asked, "Brother Hao, they're saying this snow should stop around noon. Are you really not going skiing with us this afternoon?"

"Cough... I think I'm catching a cold. You guys go have fun without me."

Before Su Yehao could finish speaking, Jiang Yu couldn't help but laugh. She sat by the kotatsu, holding a teacup full of coffee, and said, "All talk and no action. If your legs are weak, just admit it. What's with the fake cold?"

Nangong Tian burst out laughing when she heard this.

The truth had been revealed.

Su Yehao glared at Jiang Yu, still trying to deny it. "My legs aren't weak. I'm just feeling listless all over. I must have caught a chill. Who knew it would be so cold here? But I guess it makes sense. The latitude is about the same as northeastern China. The snow on the ski slopes must be over sixty centimeters deep."

Jiang Yu didn't say anything more. She changed the subject and asked, "If we're not skiing today, how about dog sledding or snowmobiling? Yesterday I ran into a white couple who were complaining about how pitiful the dogs were."

"Tch, they're Siberian huskies, known for their stamina and tolerance to the cold. They limit the number of runs per day, and guests have to book in advance. They're not dogs, so how would they know if the sled dogs aren't happy? It's just helping them get some exercise, like walking the dogs," Su Yehao said.

Su Yehao had heard the resort manager mention this arrangement when he was checking things out yesterday, so he didn't think much of it.

He looked out the window. The heavy snow obscured his vision, and he could vaguely make out the snow-covered hills.

Just as he was about to get into the kotatsu to warm up, a female hotel employee knocked on the door and said in accented English, "Mr. Su, there is a guest named Kinjo Masato who has called. He is stuck on the road and his car wheels are frozen. He asked us to tell you that he bought the best taiyaki and dorayaki in Tokyo for you, and he is worried that they will freeze and the taste will be affected. Roadside assistance cannot come out today due to the weather, and he hopes the hotel can arrange for someone to pick him up."

"..."

After a moment of stunned silence, Su Yehao shook his head and chuckled, "How far is he from the hotel? If there's a way, let's go pick him up."

"Approximately... three kilometers? The snow on the road is very thick, and the manager has decided to contact the rescue team to help."

After the female employee finished speaking, Su Yehao thought for a moment and suggested, "Sled dogs would be perfect for these snowy roads, right? There shouldn't be any other cars on the road today, so it's relatively safe."

"Huh!?"

The employee had never thought of that. She immediately became excited and replied, "The road has been closed, and our dog handler has excellent driving skills. If that gentleman doesn't have too many supplies, we might be able to bring him back quickly."

Su Yehao quickly got up and said, "Then what are we waiting for? I'll go with you..."

Nangong Tian and Jiang Yu also wanted to go out, but he stopped them, because the resort didn't have that many dogs available.

It didn't really matter whether Su Yehao went or not. He just wanted an excuse to have some fun.

When the bodyguards learned of his whim, they drove a Mercedes-Benz G55A.

Kinjo Masato, with his beautiful secretary, got out of the car and waved, cheering as if he had just escaped death.

Su Yehao got off the sled, stomped his feet to shake off the snow, which was as soft as sand, and said in English, jokingly, "It's not that dramatic, is it? Actually, there are two or three ski resorts just a little over a kilometer ahead."

Kinjo Masato smiled brightly, his breath misting in the air as he spoke. He respectfully replied, "I'm not familiar with the roads here, and the signs were covered. I thought I might freeze to death here."

"It's not surprising that you ran into trouble driving a car like that in this kind of weather," Su Yehao said with a smile.

"It's not as cold in Tokyo, and there wasn't much snow on the road. I only realized something was wrong when I got close. I should have rented an SUV."

Kinjo Masato finished speaking, took a briefcase and gift bag from the car, and put them in the trunk of the G55.

After preparing everything, they headed back the way they came. This time, Su Yehao and Kinjo Masato both got into the car, leaving the dog handler to drive the sled back, so as not to tire out the dogs.

The car moved slowly at a speed of just over ten kilometers per hour, and the two chatted to catch up.

At that moment, Su Yehao said to Kinjo Masato:

"Now that you're here, I can't let you come for nothing. I'm planning to launch a private equity fund in Japan targeting wealthy individuals and businesses, similar to SoftBank's products. You've worked in the Japanese banking industry for many years. Can you help me find distribution channels? There will be plenty in it for you. Have you ever thought about coming to work for me? Your annual income would probably be ten times what you're making now."

Kinjo Masato hadn't even reacted yet.

In the passenger seat, the secretary who had come with him was first startled by Su Yehao's words, then smiled so wide she could barely close her mouth.

There was no need to doubt the nature of their relationship.

If Kinjo Masato's income skyrocketed after switching jobs, she would likely benefit as well.

The reason why Japanese people don't change jobs easily is because the cost of changing jobs is too high, and there are too few opportunities.

Faced with the opportunity for explosive income growth, Kinjo Masato didn't need to think twice. He put his hands on his knees, bowed his head, and said, "I am willing to join your company! However, if you are launching a private equity fund product, I can help you at Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank. Give me some time to prepare, and I will definitely not disappoint Mr. Su!"

He spoke so loudly that the bodyguard driving the car was startled. Fortunately, he reacted quickly enough to steady the steering wheel.

Su Yehao hummed in acknowledgment, adopting a demanding tone, and asked, "If I adopt a profit-sharing model, do you think there would be a market in Japan for a private equity fund product that focuses on European and American stocks?"

Kinjo Masato replied, "Of course there is! The fact that your net worth surpassed SoftBank's CEO a couple of months ago caused a sensation in Japan. With your reputation and strength, how could those wealthy people not trust you..."