Reborn in Tokyo: From Heiress to Global Tycoon

Chapter 33 Ginza "Crystal Palace"

As expected, a cold front arrived in Tokyo at the end of November.

At the street corner of Ginza 7-chome, the wind felt like it was carrying blades, stinging people's faces. Pedestrians hunched their necks, wrapped their coats tightly around themselves, and hurried through the drab, gray buildings.

In this winter, which the media has dubbed the "appreciation recession," the entire Japanese economy seems to be shrouded in gloom.

However, amidst this somber hue, stands a massive, glittering "sapphire."

It was a seven-story building.

Unlike the surrounding old buildings with their beige tiles and small windows, its facade is completely covered by deep blue coated glass. When the winter sun shines on it, it reflects a cold and sophisticated luster, like a crystal monument fallen from the sky, arrogantly stuck in the soil of Ginza.

Above the main entrance of the building, there are no fancy signs, only a simple line of silver English letters:

G-7 CRYSTAL (Ginza 7-chome Crystal Palace).

A red carpet was laid out at the entrance, and congratulatory flower baskets were placed on both sides. White orchids and red roses trembled in the cold wind, yet still maintained their expensive appearance.

"Click, click, click."

The flashbulbs were going off like crazy, turning the gloomy morning into daylight.

Dozens of financial reporters, holding cameras and recorders, crowded on both sides of the red carpet like a group of sharks that had smelled blood.

"Mr. Saionji! Look this way!"

"This building reportedly cost three times more to build than surrounding buildings. Given the current economic climate, aren't you worried about not being able to recoup your costs?"

"I heard that Okura Realty's project in Chiba has been halted. Is the Saionji family really okay with expanding against the trend at this time?"

Xiuyi stood in front of the microphone.

He wore a dark blue tailored suit with a silver-gray tie, and his hair was neatly combed. The anxiety that occasionally surfaced six months ago had completely disappeared.

Instead, there is an impeccable composure.

He slightly raised his hand and pressed his palm down.

The natural aura of authority emanating from the House of Nobles instantly silenced the noisy crowd of reporters.

"Gentlemen."

Shuichi's voice carried through the loudspeaker all over the street corner.

"This winter, we've heard a lot of complaints about the cold."

His gaze swept over the hands holding microphones.

"Some people say that the appreciation of the yen is a disaster, the end of the Japanese economy, because our cars are not selling and our televisions are not selling well."

Xiu paused for a moment, then turned and pointed to the gleaming building behind him.

"However, in fact, for us, the appreciation of the yen is not a disaster."

"It's an opportunity."

"Because our money has become more valuable in the world."

Instead of answering the question about costs directly, he turned to the side and made a "please" gesture.

"Instead of discussing dry numbers here, let's go inside and see for ourselves. Let's see who's actually paying for this building during this so-called 'recession'."

The glass automatic door slid open silently.

A warm, fragrant breeze wafted out, instantly dispelling the chill at the doorway.

Reporters swarmed in.

Then, they were stunned.

Unlike traditional office buildings with their narrow lobbies or department stores with their crowded counters, this place doesn't have those.

The first-floor lobby was completely opened up, with a ceiling height of six meters. The floor was paved with solid slabs of Italian Carrara white marble, the veins of which flowed like an ink painting. A huge crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, its light dazzling.

On either side of the hall are two huge shops, resembling art display cases.

On the left is the logo of the famous French jewelry brand "Boucheron". In the window, a necklace studded with diamonds sparkles dazzlingly under the spotlight.

On the right is the Italian leather goods brand "Bottega Veneta". The exquisitely woven handbags seem to come alive, quietly displayed on brass shelves.

"This...this is..."

A seasoned financial reporter stared wide-eyed.

"These brands... I've only ever seen them in Paris and Milan before. When did they enter the Japanese market?"

"Today."

Xiuyi walked to the center of the hall and said with a smile.

"And it's not just the first floor."

He pointed to the sign next to the elevator.

Second floor: Chanel Haute Couture Salon.

Third floor: Christian Dior Private Customization Center.

Fourth floor: Joint exhibition hall for top Swiss watches.

Each name represents the pinnacle of European luxury.

"Fellow journalists, you just asked me if I was worried about not being able to recoup my costs."

Shuichi adjusted his cufflinks, his tone indifferent.

"The fact is, the building was already 80% occupancy within three months of opening."

"These European brands are even willing to pay a year's rent in advance to compete for a single display space."

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

In this harsh winter when Japanese companies are laying off employees and going bankrupt, this building seems like a product of another world, flowing with milk and honey.

"Why?" someone couldn't help but ask. "Why did they come to Japan at this time?"

"Because the yen appreciated."

The one who answered the question was not Shuichi, but a blond, blue-eyed Frenchman standing in the corner.

He is the President of Boucheron's Far East Region.

He walked over, his face flushed, speaking broken Japanese.

"Because Tokyo is now the richest place in the world with the strongest purchasing power."

The Frenchmen waved their arms, their eyes gleaming with eagerness.

"A year ago, if we wanted to sell something for 10,000 francs, the Japanese would have to pay 400,000 yen. Now? Only 200,000 yen!"

"For the Japanese, our jewelry is like a 50% discount! Who could resist such temptation?"

"Mr. Saionji is a genius." The Frenchman grasped Shuichi's hand, praising him profusely. "He saw this opportunity and provided us with such a perfect, luxurious stage. The rent here is expensive, but it's worth it! Because this is Ginza! The center of all Asia!"

The shutter clicked wildly again.

This time, the camera was no longer focused on Shuichi's doubts, but on the expensive jewelry, the smiling Frenchman, and the Crystal Palace, which already showed some of the charm of the "bubble era" but was enough to amaze everyone.

The reporters finally understood.

The Saionji family doesn't deal in real estate.

It's the exchange rate.

They are using the "strong yen" that is killing the Okura family to move luxury goods from all over the world to Tokyo, and then harvest the Japanese people who suddenly have twice the purchasing power in their pockets.

This is a perfect closed loop.

……

After the ceremony, on the top floor of the building.

This is the "Saionji Family Collection Gallery," which Shuichi specially preserved.

Although it's nominally a public art gallery used to exchange for floor area ratio bonuses, that seems to remain just a name. In reality, it's more like a private, sky-high meeting room.

From the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, you can overlook the entire Ginza 7-chome street scene.

The crowd downstairs looked as tiny as ants, and the gray rooftops of the buildings stretched out in a continuous expanse, but this building alone stood out like a solitary lighthouse.

Satsuki sat on the sofa by the window, holding a newly printed financial statement in her hand.

She didn't go downstairs to join the fun today.

This glamorous stage was enough for her father to perform on. She preferred to stay backstage, counting the gold coins that were falling into her pocket.

"The rental income is higher than expected."

Shuichi pushed open the door and came in, loosening his tie, his face showing an undisguised excitement.

He walked to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of whiskey.

"That Frenchman just contacted me again, saying he wants to rent half of the second floor to expand the VIP room. He's willing to add 10% to the current rent."

Shuichi swirled his wine glass, gazing at the amber liquid.

"Satsuki, do you know what this means?"

"That means this building has a cash flow of 200 million yen per month."

Gao Yue didn't even look up, her finger tracing across the report.

"After deducting bank loan interest and maintenance costs, the net profit is around 150 million."

She put down the report and looked at her father.

"Father, this is the power of 'capital'."

"A year ago, this was a dilapidated warehouse full of broken porcelain. President Tamura even almost jumped off a building for a mere two million yen in interest."

"And now, it has become a money-printing machine."

Shuichi walked to the window and looked down at the bustling Chuo-dori street below.

The ladies in their coats were lining up to enter the building, carrying their year-end bonuses that they hadn't even had a chance to enjoy yet, ready to exchange them for handbags emblazoned with the double C logo.

"How ironic."

"Shuichi sighed."

"Okura is still crying in the mud of Chiba, while we're here drinking whiskey and counting money."

"They're both in real estate, so why is there such a big difference?"

"Because the directions are different."

Satsuki stood up and walked to her father's side.

She only reached Shuichi's chest, but her gaze seemed to reach even higher and farther than Shuichi's.

"Okura bet on 'Made in Japan,' thinking that the factories would keep operating forever and that workers would always be able to afford houses. But he lost to the exchange rate."

"We're betting on 'Japanese desires'."

Satsuki pressed her hand against the cold glass.

"As long as the yen continues to appreciate, and as long as Japanese people feel they are becoming richer, this building will remain fully occupied."

"This is just the first Crystal Palace."

She turned around and pointed in the direction of Akasaka in the distance.

"That 'Pink Building' over there will be completed next month. It's a hunting ground for those professional women... oh no, it's a hunting ground for us to hunt for their wages."

"The clubhouse in Azabu-Juban is almost ready as well."

Shuichi took a deep breath, feeling his blood slightly warming up under the influence of alcohol.

Three months ago, he thought these plans were insanely absurd.

But now, with the bills of real money in front of him, he felt that he hadn't gone crazy enough.

"Satsuki".

Xiu turned his head and looked at his daughter.

"With this cash flow, the bank has upgraded our credit rating to the highest level. The president of Mitsui Bank hinted to me yesterday that if the Saionji family needs more funds, they can ask anytime. Up to 10 billion yen, no collateral required."

"Ten billion..."

Satsuki pondered the number.

For an ordinary person, hearing this number would probably make their legs go weak with fear, or they would be overjoyed.

But her expression remained calm, even somewhat indifferent.

"Don't rush to lend it."

Satsuki walked back to the sofa and picked up her schoolbag.

"Why? The interest rates are so low right now..." Shuichi asked, puzzled.

"Because it will go even lower."

Satsuki turned around.

"Father, have you forgotten that rumor?"

"rumor?"

"In order to deal with the 'appreciation recession' and to save those companies that are on the verge of collapse, like Dacang, the central bank will take action soon."

Satsuki held up one finger and pointed to the ceiling.

"This round of interest rate cuts will be unprecedented."

"That's the signal to fully open the sluice gates."

"By then, money will be cheaper than paper. Banks will be begging us to take the money."

"What we need to do now is to build up the cash flow of this building."

She patted the report.

"These are our bullets."

"When that signal sounds, we'll use these bullets to take down the last few good pieces of Tokyo."

Shuichi looked at his daughter.

In that instant, he felt that the person standing in front of him was not a junior high school student, but a sprint champion standing on the starting line who already knew the sound of the starting gun.

She is gathering her strength.

She was waiting for the moment that would send all of Japan into a frenzy.

"Thump—"

A clock chimed downstairs. It was the hourly chime of Hattori Watch Shop's large clock.

Noon.

The sunlight finally pierced through the thick clouds and shone on the streets of Ginza.

The blue crystal palace shone brightly in the sunlight, so dazzling that it was hard to open one's eyes.

It is so beautiful, so expensive, and so cold.

Just like the era that is about to arrive.

Shuichi raised his glass and gently clinked it against the sun outside the window.

"Respect desire."

He said softly.

Satsuki slung her schoolbag over her shoulder and opened the heavy oak door.

"A toast to foam."

She silently added a sentence in her mind.

The door closed.

Only Xiu Yi remained, standing at that height overlooking all living beings, looking down at the city that was about to sink into the trap of money.