Lucky Mutual Aid Society (15)

Qian Xiaoyi briefly explained how he approached the other party. It was the day after the gathering ended. Qian Xiaoyi went to the izakaya President Oiwa had visited and found a seat at the counter, choosing a spot right next to where President Oiwa had sat. He ordered a draft beer and slowly drank it with the small side dishes that were served, waiting for his prey to arrive.

Japanese izakayas are somewhat like bars, with both counter seating and booths, but there are some differences. Although izakayas are primarily for drinking, people usually order some food to go with their drinks, such as fried skewers or sushi and sashimi. If you were to compare them, they're similar to the concept of barbecue stalls in mainland China – a good place for dinner, drinks, and leisure in the evening. Regulars who frequent these places usually have their own regular seats. As long as their spot is available, they tend to prefer their fixed seats. Judging by President Oiwa's demeanor yesterday, he likely falls into the category of a regular. This particular shop was a bit out of the way, and not a very fancy or popular place. New customers were few, and it was mostly frequented by repeat customers. Therefore, Qian Xiaoyi wasn't worried about his neighboring seat being occupied, which might cause President Oiwa to go elsewhere.

"You look new here, sir. Is this your first time at our shop?" the chef, who was preparing dishes behind the counter, casually asked, noticing Qian Xiaoyi drinking alone.

"Yeah~" Qian Xiaoyi swayed his glass, staring at the ice cubes, and replied absentmindedly, "I've got some bothersome things on my mind, so I just found a random place on the street to have a drink."

"Then you've come to the right place, sir. While our shop might not look like much, both our drinks and food are delicious." The chef smiled and placed a small plate with three grilled chicken skewers in front of Qian Xiaoyi, saying, "Here, have these. They're on the house. Since you're here for a drink, why not forget your troubles for a while?"

"Oh, oh~ Boss, you're such a good person! Then I won't be polite. I'm digging in." Qian Xiaoyi pretended to be happy, picked up a chicken skewer, and ate it in one bite. He then downed his beer in one gulp, letting out a satisfied "Ahhh." He exaggerated his praise, "Delicious! Another glass!"

He said that, but in his mind, Qian Xiaoyi thought: Only three skewers on a plate, not satisfying at all. A glass of beer is 300 yen. Considering they gave me a plate of snacks, I'll definitely have to order more appetizers later. Eating here at these prices is killing me. I could buy so many half-price bento boxes.

Poverty made his thoughts narrow, but he had to spend this money, even if it was an investment. Qian Xiaoyi resentfully grabbed another free chicken skewer.

"Certainly, please enjoy." The chef immediately refilled his drink. Qian Xiaoyi took the opportunity to act like a slightly tipsy patron who talks a lot and started chatting with the chef intermittently. About ten minutes later, the person he was waiting for finally arrived with two drinking companions. As expected, they sat next to Qian Xiaoyi. Qian Xiaoyi didn't even look at them, continuing to talk to the chef and pour out his troubles.

"Mr. Harada is here, same as usual?" the chef greeted the regular enthusiastically.

"Of course, hurry up and bring the drinks, I'm a bit thirsty," President Oiwa said with a smile.

President Oiwa glanced at Qian Xiaoyi, a stranger, and then paid him no further attention. Although new customers were rare at this shop, they weren't nonexistent. After confirming he didn't recognize the man, President Oiwa began drinking and enjoying himself with his companions, occasionally letting out boisterous laughter.

Meanwhile, Qian Xiaoyi, while complaining to the chef, portrayed himself as a struggling international businessman whose partner took advantage of him, despite doing all the work.

"It's outrageous! I'm the one running around day and night, doing all the hard labor, but I don't get paid much!"

"Whether it's here or there, everyone only knows me. Why, after working for so long, do I still only get paid so little?"

"These investors are all vampires! They take a lot of money but have so many demands! They're all bastards! What are they so proud of?"

"You're absolutely right!" A glass was passed over, and President Oiwa, slightly drunk, agreed, "These guys are all bastards! Cheers."

"Cheers!" Qian Xiaoyi clinked glasses with him, took a sip, and then asked, "Hearing you say that, brother, were you also screwed over by your partner?"

"Ha~ Something like that," President Oiwa slurred slightly. "Those vampires only exploit those of us who work hard. They're terrible! What business are you in, kid?"

"Heh, it might sound a bit unpleasant to say, but I'm in the coffin export business..." Qian Xiaoyi lowered his voice triumphantly. "Most Japanese coffins are sourced from us..."

He then went on to talk about the materials, uses, and styles of coffins with great expertise. President Oiwa soon believed him. After that, Qian Xiaoyi subtly steered the conversation back to his scummy partners. Fueled by alcohol, they found common ground and together denounced the unfair bosses. As they got more animated, Qian Xiaoyi even asked the owner to bring out an expensive bottle of shochu and poured a generous amount for President Oiwa. Their friendship instantly heated up over the bottle, and the two drinkers were almost like sworn brothers.

—Except for Qian Xiaoyi's heart and wallet, which were bleeding.

"Through my interactions with President Oiwa over the past two days, I learned the most crucial thing," Qian Xiaoyi said. "That is, President Oiwa is just a puppet, and the real mastermind is Matsui. Matsui, lacking clairvoyant eyes, cannot effectively control the lesser spirits. Furthermore, due to his age and appearance, he lacks sufficient credibility, which is why he sought President Oiwa's help. However, President Oiwa has been quite dissatisfied with Matsui recently and is showing signs of trying to take control. Matsui, sensing all this, encountered you—another psychic, and a young one at that, who would be easier to control. That's why he's resorting to such desperate measures to recruit you into his organization."

"Matsui isn't a psychic?! And President Oiwa told you everything just because he was drunk? That was too easy!" Inuyama Heita asked in surprise, also astonished by President Oiwa's lack of caution.

Qian Xiaoyi shook his head. "What are you thinking? While he might be a top-tier shut-in who rarely leaves his house for thirty years, and his social experience might be lacking, he wouldn't easily reveal his survival secrets to just anyone. All this information I have is based on deductions from his reactions and their behavior at the gathering."