Meeting the Father-in-Law (4,000 Words, Romance Plot)

The next day, Nakayama Takuya stood in front of an elegant Japanese-style house and took a deep breath.

What he was carrying was a gift that his mother, Nakayama Miyuki, had personally overseen and carefully selected.

He straightened his collar and rang the doorbell.

It was Nakagawa Eri opened the door.

She was wearing a soft, homey sweater today. When she saw Takuya, her eyes first lit up with joy, then with a hint of nervousness. "You're here," she said softly, stepping aside to let Takuya in.

As Takuya changed his shoes at the entrance, a gentle and graceful woman walked over with a smile; it was Eri's mother Nakagawa Takako.

"Oh, it's Takuya, right? Please come in. Eri has been talking about you at home every day." Nakagawa Takako accepted the gift from Takuya and said politely, "You've come all this way, it's too much of a hassle."

Even so, the way she looked at Takuya was full of the satisfaction a mother-in-law has for her son-in-law.

He is handsome, humble, and polite; my daughter's judgment was indeed excellent.

Takuya smiled, bowed, and greeted them before following Eri and her mother into the living room.

On the main sofa in the living room sat a middle-aged man who exuded an air of authority, holding a newspaper. He was none other than Nakagawa Jun, the president of TV Tokyo.

He specifically canceled all work and social engagements today so that he could properly vet his daughter's future life partner.

Although the Nakayama family's background was impeccable, it concerned the lifelong happiness of their only daughter, so they had to see it for themselves before they would be satisfied.

In particular, can their own daughter, who is extremely career-driven and somewhat stubborn, really live comfortably in a traditional wealthy family?

Takuya greeted him respectfully and presented the gift he had prepared.

The gift for Nakagawa Jun was naturally a gift from Nakayama Miyuki, and it was impeccable.

Takuya himself also prepared a personal little gift for Eri.

Eri took the small gift bag and curiously opened it. Inside were three fluffy chibi-style figurines—the three legendary beasts of the Johto Region: Entei, Raikou, and Suicune.

"Wow!" Eri's eyes lit up instantly. She took the plush toy with delight, hugged it tightly to her chest, and without thinking, sat down next to Takuya with the plush toy in her arms.

This intimate gesture caused Nakagawa Jun's eyebrows to twitch almost imperceptibly.

My carefully tended bok choy just naturally ended up next to the pig?

Although he felt a pang of fatherly sorrow, he remained outwardly composed, his gaze calmly fixed on Takuya.

Seeing this, Nakagawa Takako smiled and tugged at her daughter's sleeve, "Alright, Eri, stop playing by yourself and come help Mom prepare lunch."

"Huh? But..." Eri was worried that her father would make things difficult for Takuya, so she kept looking back, her face full of unease.

"You silly child," Nakagawa Takako whispered teasingly in her ear, and Eri's cheeks immediately flushed red. She then stepped back and followed her mother into the kitchen.

In the living room, only Takuya and his future father-in-law remained.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Nakagawa Jun looked at the young man before him. Although he was somewhat nervous, his back was straight, his eyes were clear, and there was not a trace of timidity.

I felt a little better about how affectionate my daughter had been earlier.

He spoke first, his voice steady. "Eri has been spoiled by us since she was little. Her mother and I were busy with work and didn't have much time to spend with her, which fostered her independent and strong-willed nature, and she's also a bit stubborn."

"Take her joining the TV station for example. She insisted on making a name for herself and refused to be just a figurehead, which is why we let her produce her own programs. In the future, I hope Takuya can be more tolerant of her."

These words, seemingly an introduction to his daughter, were actually a warning and a test.

Takuya immediately understood the implied meaning.

He sat up straight and replied earnestly, "Uncle, don't worry. I've seen Eri's talent and hard work. I like her, not only in life, but also admire how she shines at work."

"In my view, marriage is not a constraint, but rather the mutual fulfillment of two independent souls. Eri is realizing her dream at the television station."

That's where her value lies, and that's my pride.

"I won't force her to be a housewife; on the contrary, I will do everything I can to support her in achieving her career and ambitions."

He paused, then added, "A harmonious life is more fulfilling when two people share common interests and goals. I will also spend more time with her, so please rest assured."

This answer was watertight and full of sincerity.

The scrutiny in Nakagawa Jun's eyes softened slightly.

This kid is not only a genius at making money, but also has remarkably high emotional intelligence.

He nodded, then changed the subject to his professional field. "I have high hopes for the show ' Cooking Master Boy '."

As the station director, he had an excellent grasp of the data.

"The ratings are very competitive in its time slot. What's even more remarkable is the extremely high conversion rate of the food replica segments. Sponsors are now chasing after us to pay, afraid that their products will be excluded from the show."

"Eri also mentioned to me that you gave a lot of very practical suggestions during the filming, which greatly improved efficiency and reduced costs."

Takuya modestly replied, "They're just some petty tricks that aren't presentable."

"Being able to solve problems is a skill," Nakagawa Jun waved his hand.

"However, I also have a concern. How long can a show like ' Cooking Master Boy ' last? Although there are many China dishes, only a limited number are suitable for the show. At the current rate, the show's lifespan will probably be only six months."

This reflects both the station director's considerations for the future of the program and a father's concern for his daughter's career.

Upon hearing this, Takuya did not answer immediately. Instead, he pondered for a moment and asked in return, "Uncle, what is your opinion on the recent economic situation?"

Nakagawa Jun no ordinary person; he understood immediately.

With the stock market crashing and the economy declining, ordinary families will soon have to tighten their belts.

By then, who will have the leisure and inclination to research those time-consuming and laborious imperial dishes?

"You mean·--"

"That's right." Seeing that he understood immediately, Takuya continued, "With the economic downturn, cutting expenses will be the main theme for every family. Viewers' needs will shift from 'how to eat well' to 'how to eat economically without sacrificing too much.' We can keep the studio kitchen, but the theme of the show will change from 'Tasting Chinese Cuisine' to ' The Money-Saving Battle.'"

Nakagawa Jun's eyes lit up, and he leaned forward slightly. "Continue."

"We can invite ordinary housewives or celebrity guests, set a low budget, such as 3,000 Japanese yen, and have them rush to the supermarket within a limited time to buy groceries for their family's dinner."

To highlight the themes of "thrift" and "wisdom," the rules could require the purchase of at least two "near-expiry special offer" items.

9"

"When checking out, whoever's total purchase amount is closer to their budget will have an advantage in the cooking process. For example, they can remove a key ingredient from the other person's basket, or—put their own near-expiry ingredients into the other person's basket, forcing them to use them!"

Takuya got more and more excited as he talked, as if he could already see the hilarious scenes when the show aired.

"The cooking segment is the core source of humor and entertainment. The two housewives have to rack their brains to come up with clever solutions using ingredients that are intentionally designed to be more difficult to prepare."

Prepare a decent dinner. The audience will then taste and rate the food to determine the winner.

"This adds a competitive element and humor to the show. More importantly, it brings in a new major sponsor: a supermarket. Production costs won't increase by much, but the show's topicality and relevance to real life far surpass what it used to be."

Nakagawa Jun looked at Takuya with undisguised admiration and praise in his eyes.

This young man not only saw the limitations of the program itself, but also found a new direction for the program based on the general trend of the social economy.

After a long while, he finally let out a long sigh, leaned back on the sofa, and said with emotion, "No wonder Eri always talks about your talent. I used to think it was just love blindness, but now it seems she hasn't praised you enough."

He looked at Takuya, his gaze shifting from scrutiny to genuine approval.

Nakagawa Jun picked up his teacup, took a sip, and as if making a decision, slowly said, "I'm at ease knowing that Eri will marry you. However, even if you support her work, a woman's energy is ultimately limited. You'll need to help her manage things at the TV station from now on."

This is no longer just about marriage; it's about entrusting the future of the entire television station.

Takuya's heart skipped a beat, and he nodded solemnly. "Uncle, don't worry, it's my duty."

Nakagawa Jun nodded in satisfaction, his facial features softening completely.

Looking at the composed and confident young man before him, he seemed to see a brighter future for TV Tokyo.

Nakagawa Takako's gentle voice came from the other end, interrupting the conversation in the living room. "Honey, Takuya, the meal is ready."

The group moved to the dining room, where an exquisite Japanese-style family dinner was already set on the long dining table.

The menu wasn't extensive, but you could tell the housewife had put a lot of care into every dish.

After taking her seat, Eri tilted her head at Takuya with a sly smile and said, "Takuya- kun, guess which dish I made?"

Takuya's gaze swept across the table: Japanese stew, tempura, sashimi—all classic Japan home-style dishes. Finally, his eyes settled on the unique tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet). The tamagoyaki was neatly cut, but what set it apart was that each roll was filled with a dark reddish-brown filling, with the outlines of shredded meat and bamboo shoots faintly visible in the center.

He didn't answer immediately, but tilted his head slightly, as if savoring something, before pointing confidently to the plate of tamagoyaki. "If I'm not mistaken, it should be this one."

Both Eri and Nakagawa Takako looked surprised.

"Huh? Why? How did you guess it right away?" Eri was a little unconvinced; she had thought she could stump Takuya.

"Auntie's cooking is authentic Kansai style, emphasizing the original flavor of the ingredients, light and elegant," Takuya explained with a smile. "But as soon as I entered, I smelled a very special aroma, a perfect blend of sour, sweet, spicy, and salty flavors, yet not the kind of seasoning commonly found in Japan cuisine. This is the only dish on the table; it seems like an outsider, bold and imaginative, very much like your style."

He paused, then added, "If I remember correctly, this flavor is called 'fish-fragrant.' This should be—fish-fragrant shredded pork and tamagoyaki rolls, right?"

Even Nakagawa Jun, who had been smiling silently to the side, raised an eyebrow.

Eri's eyes widened in surprise. "You even know about 'fish-fragrant'? I learned that from a master Sichuan chef in China. There are no authentic Sichuan restaurants in Tokyo. Takuya, how do you know about this dish?"

"A few years ago, I went to Hong Kong on a business trip, and my local business partner treated us to a private restaurant. The owner was a retired master chef of Sichuan cuisine." Takuya's tone was very calm, as if he were talking about something insignificant. "I tasted it once and never forgot it. I never expected Eri to combine it with tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet). This idea is fantastic."

These words were perfectly worded, explaining the origin while subtly praising Eri's ingenuity.

Nakagawa Jun picked up a piece of "Fish-Flavored Shredded Pork Tamagoyaki Roll" and put it in his mouth, savoring it slowly. The sweetness and softness of the tamagoyaki balanced the spiciness of the fish-fragrant sauce, while the fresh, sweet, salty and fragrant shredded pork made the whole taste more layered.

He nodded slowly, a look of enjoyment on his face, and praised his daughter's cooking skills without reservation, "Being able to absorb the advantages of others and integrate them into oneself is not only the key to cooking, but also the foundation of doing business. Eri, you made this dish very well."

The meal proceeded in such a harmonious atmosphere. Takuya's conversation was witty yet not frivolous, and his knowledge was extensive yet unpretentious. Whether discussing current affairs and economics or anecdotes from the streets, he could always find the most appropriate angle, making the Nakagawa couple feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze.

After dinner, the group returned to the living room for tea. Nakagawa Jun, still feeling unsatisfied, couldn't help but tell his wife and daughter about Takuya's "Money-Saving Battle" that he had just proposed.

"--Limited budget, scrambling to buy near-expiry items, and then sabotaging each other! Tell me, how did Takuya get into this mess?"

Eri and Nakagawa Takako were stunned, then burst into exclamations of amazement.

Especially Eri, as a top-tier producer, instantly recognized the enormous potential and commercial value of this program.

Her gaze towards Takuya was a mixture of admiration and a hint of resentment. "Dad, this is nothing compared to what I've come up with. Takuya gave me an even more impressive project proposal before."

"Oh?" Nakagawa Jun's interest grew even stronger.

"That project was called ' Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'" Eri said, her voice filled with regret. "That project was much grander. I did a preliminary assessment. It required building a high-tech studio, complex lighting and computer systems, compiling a question bank, and most importantly, the grand prize was ten million Japanese yen! The initial investment was too huge. Moreover, before the program gained popularity, it would be difficult to secure enough sponsorships in advance like ' Cooking Master Boy,' so the risk was very high. I thought I'd wait until I accumulated more experience and prestige at the station before proposing this project."

She muttered, "Who knew that, it hasn't been long, and he's already come up with another ' Money-Saving Battle '."

"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?"

Nakagawa Jun sat up straight instantly; the station director's keen senses allowed him to immediately grasp the explosive potential hidden behind the name.

A program that can be associated with "millionaires" is enough to stir up a discussion throughout society just from its name!

"Where's the proposal? Quick, Eri, go get it for me!" His tone carried an undeniable urgency, and the president's authority unconsciously shone through.

"Hey, you—" Nakagawa Takako finally couldn't stand it anymore, reaching out to stop her daughter who was about to get up, and giving her husband a reproachful look, "Takuya is here today, and you two keep talking about work. Why can't you look at the proposal anytime? Why do you have to rush to do it now?"

"No more talking about work."

Nakagawa Jun chuckled, then realized what he'd said, smiled a little sheepishly, and leaned back on the sofa. "You're right, you're right, I was too impatient."

After being "scolded" by his future mother-in-law, the atmosphere in the living room actually became more relaxed and friendly.

It wasn't until evening that Takuya got up to say goodbye.

Eri escorted him to the entrance, straightened his coat collar, and said softly with a slightly flushed face, "My dad hasn't been this excited about a new show in a long time."

"He only saw the value in a good idea." Takuya looked at her, a smile in his eyes. "But even the best idea needs a good producer to bring it to fruition."

He made a pointed remark, Eri immediately sensed his intention, her cheeks burning even hotter.

Watching Takuya's taillights disappear around the street corner, Eri turned and went back into the house. Leaning against the door, she couldn't hide her smile.