Chuo Ward was one of Tokyo's twenty-three special wards. It got its name from its location right in the center of the twenty-three wards.
As one of Tokyo's twenty-three wards, Chuo Ward was in a completely different league from places like Adachi Ward and Nerima Ward. Not only was it located in the heart of Tokyo, it was also a center of Japan's economy, information, and commerce.
Japan's economic pillars, including famous banks and stock exchanges, were all located in Chuo Ward. In addition, Ginza, Japan Bridge—where major textile wholesalers and department store headquarters gathered—and Tsukiji, famous for its fish market, all fell within the ward.
Because of its economic status, it ranked in Tokyo only below Chiyoda, Japan's political and economic center, and Minato, its international core district. Of course, Shinjuku and Shibuya Ward, bustling commercial districts overflowing with charm, were not necessarily inferior to it in some respects.
Inside an international financial company in Chuo Ward, a middle-aged man in his late thirties, perhaps nearly forty, was leisurely drinking tea in his office.
Any company able to establish itself in Tokyo's Chuo Ward was obviously extremely powerful. Japan also had a lifetime employment system, so being able to work at a company like this—and even become a manager with one's own office—was enough to make someone a successful man.
Besides having worked at the company for over a decade, there was another important reason he had climbed this far: he had graduated from the University of Tokyo.
As Japan's most prestigious institution, getting into the University of Tokyo was enough to prove his ability. After graduating, major companies had competed to recruit him, and after carefully weighing his options, Sato Xilei had chosen this financial company.
His choice had proven to be a very good one.
His high