Qian Xiaoyi briefly explained how he had struck up a rapport with the other man. The day after the gathering, he went to the izakaya President Oiwa had visited. He took a seat at the counter, choosing the spot beside the one President Oiwa had occupied before. He ordered a draft beer and slowly sipped it with the small side dish that came with it, waiting for his prey to arrive.
Japanese izakayas were a little like bars, with counters and booths, though there were some differences. While drinking was their main draw, customers usually ordered food to go with their drinks, such as skewers or sushi and sashimi. If you had to compare them to something, they were a bit like barbecue joints back home: a good place to have dinner, drink, and unwind in the evening. Regulars who frequented these places often had their own preferred seats. As long as theirs were available, they tended to choose the same spots. From the way President Oiwa had acted the day before, he seemed to be a regular. This shop was tucked away in a somewhat out-of-the-way location and wasn't particularly fancy or popular. It didn't get many new customers, mostly regulars, so Qian Xiaoyi wasn't worried that someone would take the seat beside him and force President Oiwa to sit somewhere else.
"Can't say I recognize you, sir. Is this your first time at our place?" The chef, who was preparing food behind the counter, noticed Qian Xiaoyi sitting alone and drinking his cares away, and asked casually.
"Yeah." Qian Xiaoyi swirled his glass, staring at the ice cubes inside, and answered absently. "Ran into some trouble, so I just picked a place at random and decided to have a little drink."
"Then you've come to the right place. Our shop may not look like much, but both our drinks and our food taste great." The chef smiled as he set a small plate in front of Qian Xiaoyi. It held three grilled chicken skewers. "Here, have some. These are on the house. Since you're here for a drink, try to forget your troubles for a little while."
"Oh, you're a really good person, boss! I won't turn that down. Let's eat!" Qian Xiaoyi pretended to be delighted as he picked up a chicken skewer and devoured it in one bite, then downed his beer. He let out a satisfied "Ah!" and praised it over the top. "Delicious! Another one!"
That was what he said, but what he was thinking was: Only three skewers on the plate? That's nowhere near enough. And one beer costs 300 yen. Since he gave me a free plate of snacks, I'll definitely have to order a few more dishes to go with my drinks later. Eating here is going to cost me a fortune. I could buy so many half-price bento boxes for that.
Poverty had made him narrow-minded, but he had to spend this money. It was an investment, after all. Qian Xiaoyi angrily devoured another free chicken skewer.
"Sure thing. Here you go." The chef promptly topped up his drink. Qian Xiaoyi took the opportunity to act like a customer who got talkative after a few drinks, chatting with the chef about this and that. A little over ten minutes later, the man he'd been waiting for finally arrived with two drinking buddies. Just as expected, they sat down beside Qian Xiaoyi. He didn't even look at them, continuing to chat with the chef and air his grievances.
"Mr. Harada, you're here. The usual?" The chef greeted his regular warmly as soon as he saw him.
"Of course. Bring the drinks over, quick. I'm thirsty," President Oiwa said with a laugh.
President Oiwa gave the unfamiliar Qian Xiaoyi only a brief glance before ignoring him. Although the shop didn't get many new customers, it did get some. Once he was sure he didn't know the man, President Oiwa started drinking and joking around with his companions, occasionally letting out a loud, raucous laugh.
Meanwhile, as he poured out his troubles to the chef, Qian Xiaoyi cast himself as a miserable cross-border businessman who ran a business with a partner. He did all the work, yet his partner still had the upper hand.
"It's outrageous! I'm the one constantly running back and forth, busting my ass. I do all the work, but in the end, I barely make any money!"
"Everyone on both sides knows me, so why, after working at this for so long, am I still only getting such a small cut?"
"Those investors are all bloodsuckers! They take a huge share and still make all sorts of demands! They're all bastards! What's there to be so smug about?"
"You said it!" A glass was held out to him from beside him. Slightly drunk, President Oiwa agreed. "Those guys are all bastards! Cheers."
"Cheers!" Qian Xiaoyi clinked glasses with him, took a sip, then asked, "From the sound of it, your business partner screwed you over too, huh, brother?"
"Ha, more or less." President Oiwa's words were slurred. "Those bloodsuckers only know how to exploit people who actually do the work. They're such bastards! What kind of business are you in, young man?"
"Heh, it's a bit awkward to say, but I'm in the coffin export business..." Qian Xiaoyi lowered his voice, looking rather pleased with himself. "Most of the coffins in Japan are imported from our side..."
He went on to describe the materials, uses, and styles of coffins in great detail, and President Oiwa believed him before long. Then Qian Xiaoyi deftly steered the conversation back to their bastard business partners. Under the influence of alcohol, the two found common cause, joining forces to curse out their inhumane bosses. When they got carried away, Qian Xiaoyi even asked the chef to bring them a bottle of pricey shochu and filled President Oiwa's glass. Their friendship grew by leaps and bounds thanks to that bottle. The two drunkards were practically ready to swear brotherhood.
...The only thing bleeding was Qian Xiaoyi's heart and wallet.
"After spending these past two days getting to know President Oiwa, I figured out one crucial thing," Qian Xiaoyi said. "President Oiwa is just a figurehead. Matsui is the real mastermind. Since Matsui doesn't have spirit vision, he can't effectively control those little ghosts. And because his age and appearance don't make him very convincing, he found the current President Oiwa to help him. But lately, President Oiwa's been unhappy with Matsui and has started trying to take over. Matsui noticed what was happening, and then he met you—another medium, and a young one who'd be easier to control. That's why he's been so ruthless in trying to recruit you into the society and get you to work for him."
"Matsui isn't a medium?! And President Oiwa told you everything just because he got drunk? That sounds way too easy!" Inuyama Heita asked in amazement, surprised that President Oiwa had been so careless.
Qian Xiaoyi shook his head. "What are you thinking? The man may be a top-tier shut-in who's barely left his home in thirty years and doesn't have much social experience, but he wouldn't just casually reveal a secret he depends on to survive. I drew these conclusions from his reactions and their behavior at the gathering."
Before you continue