Chapter 196: Old and New
When I came back from Kyoto, it was already October.
In the blink of an eye, summer is gone and autumn is here.
Today, Shirakawa Kaede rarely threw himself into work. Instead, he came to the door of a tavern near Kichijoji in casual clothes.
"Is this the place?" Asuka Kobayashi, who had already returned to Tokyo from Fukuoka, looked up at the quaint izakaya in front of her.
"Yeah," Baichuan Feng nodded, feeling a little complicated.
"Let's go. Don't let our seniors wait too long." Kobayashi Asuka urged softly.
With a light sigh, Baichuan Feng gathered his spirits and stepped forward, "Let's go."
Asuka Kobayashi followed him into the izakaya.
Inside the noren, a waiter in kimono bowed and saluted, then led them to knock on the wooden door of a private room.
Amid the responses, Shirakawa Kaede pushed the door open with Kobayashi Asuka.
"My fellow brothers and sisters, I will not be polite today. I will definitely get drunk with you all."
“Oh~”
As soon as Baichuan Feng entered the room, his bold words immediately caused everyone in the box to cheer.
"Since Junior Brother said so, then bring the wine!" Yoshida Mako changed her usual calm and capable demeanor and waved her hand in a heroic manner, asking the waiters to prepare the wine and food.
"Senior sister is indeed a cheerful person. Everyone must enjoy themselves today. Especially Senior Brother Inoue, you must not leave until you are drunk."
Baichuan Feng's expression at this moment was no longer as complicated as it was at the door before. Instead, it was full of sincerity and emotion.
Inoue Ken smiled and nodded, "Since Junior Brother Shirakawa said so, then Senior Brother will definitely accompany you to the end."
"No problem." Shirakawa Kaede and Kobayashi Asuka sat down, and the guests in the box were finally all present.
There were no outsiders at today's drinking party, only Baichuan Feng's fellow disciples.
Yoshida Mako, Inoue Ken, Yakumo Sasaki, Kobayashi Asuka, and Shirakawa Kaede herself, all graduated from Professor Yamada's school.
So everyone changed their previous social etiquette and directly addressed each other as brothers and sisters.
As everyone arrived, the food and drinks were soon served.
As the youngest one, Baichuan Feng naturally stood up and filled the wine glasses for several seniors, oh, and Kobayashi.
"Oh, it's an honor for the president to pour the wine himself." Yoshida Mako exaggeratedly expressed her surprise.
"Hey, Senior Sister, we agreed that today's Junior Brother is the youngest."
"Hai~Hai~"
After pouring a glass for each of them, Baichuan raised his glass first, "Junior brother thanks all the senior brothers and sisters for every effort you have made for the company over the past year."
Everyone smiled at each other, then raised their glasses and said, "Cheers!"
Ding, with the crisp collision sound, the smiling face shines brightly in the light.
Putting down their wine glasses, everyone couldn't wait to taste the exquisite Kaiseki cuisine in front of them.
If the conditions permit, people don't mind a little luxury.
After three rounds of drinks, Baichuan Feng raised his glass again, but this time the person he toasted was the protagonist of the party.
"Brother Inoue, I won't say any more. Anyway, Shirakawa Electric will always remember your help."
Inoue Ken pursed his lips, his expression somewhat complicated.
"Junior brother, I am also grateful for everything I have experienced in the company over the past year.
This is my first company, and I feel honored to be able to grow with everyone here. "
"Okay, please, Senior Brother."
The two men raised their glasses and drank them all in one gulp.
That’s right, today’s banquet is a farewell party for Ken Inoue.
Before we knew it, several of my fellow brothers and sisters had joined Shirakawa Electric for more than a year.
Last year's work exchange for the purpose of training has also come to an end, and some people have stayed to officially become a member of Shirakawa Electric.
But some people have to say goodbye with regret, actively or passively.
"Brother, you have helped me a lot before. I am really sad to see you leave now."
A small number of Shirakawa Electric's high-end talents were recruited by Ken Inoue with his hoe.
Naturally smart and talkative, he is the perfect fit for human resources management.
"That's because the company is good enough. Otherwise, no matter how hard I try, I won't be able to attract talent."
"Anyway, it would be better if Senior Brother could stay."
Inoue Ken shook his head and smiled bitterly, "If I don't go back, my father will find an adult adopted son."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Baichuan Feng also knew that this senior brother's family ran a kimono business and that he was an only child.
According to Japanese tradition, it is natural for the eldest son or only son to inherit the family business.
No matter what major you studied in school, you cannot lose your ancestral family business.
Those who study science and engineering may go back to inherit a grocery store, and those who study finance may go back to run a farm.
Just like Ken Inoue now, he studied human resources but decided to run a kimono business when he returned, even though he was not interested in kimonos.
This is the tacit rule that everyone accepts, otherwise who will inherit the business established by our ancestors?
Families without male heirs would either recruit a son-in-law to marry into the family or adopt an adult son.
In Japan, it is normal to adopt an adult child, and the law and society accept the practice of non-blood-related adults becoming family offspring.
Mitsui Takatoshi, the founder of Mitsui, once said: "I would rather have a daughter than a son, because if I have a daughter I can choose a son."
This practice is still very popular today when there is no son to inherit the business.
Corporate presidents will turn to adult adoption, that is, adopting a valuable employee from the company as a son.
Suzuki CEO Osamu Suzuki is the company's fourth adopted son.
Other well-known companies that use this approach include Kikkoman, Canon, Toyota, and Matsui Securities.
So when Ken Inoue's father said he wanted to adopt a son, it was not just a casual remark.
If Ken Inoue insists on staying at Shirakawa Electric, his father might really allow him to have another unrelated brother.
And the kind that steals the family property.
So Ken Inoue had no choice but to compromise.
"Anyway, if you need anything from now on, Senior Brother Inoue, please don't hesitate to ask for help."
"It's a deal."
…
After seeing off several senior brothers and sisters, Baichuan Feng sat on the steps by the roadside with blurry eyes, lost in thought.
"What are you thinking about?" Asuka Kobayashi smoothed the hem of her clothes and sat down quietly beside him.
"I'm wondering who should be in charge of the human resources department behind Shirakawa Electric?" He was slightly tipsy, and even his voice was listless.
"Have you thought it through?" Asuka Kobayashi opened a bottle of purified water and handed it to him.
"Thank you." Baichuan Feng tilted his head back and took a sip. The cool water made his swollen head feel much more relieved.
"What do you think of Kobayashi?" After drinking the water, he turned his head and looked at Asuka Kobayashi.
"Huh?" Kobayashi Asuka was stunned for a moment, then quickly shook her head, "How can that be possible? I'm far from that level, and the school still has courses."
"That's true, but there is no suitable candidate for the time being. Xiaolin, please take on the part-time job for the time being.
Besides, we are almost senior year, so there are not many classes to attend. Students who are fast may have already prepared for internships.
Anyway, it's a happy decision." After saying that, Baichuan Feng patted his butt and left.
"Eh?" Asuka Kobayashi was confused. She was appointed as the head of the human resources department, but she looked bewildered.
This is too hasty.
…
Shirakawa Electric, President's Office.
Baichuan Feng is calculating his assets. As an individual, he may not be short of money anymore.
But for a company, the situation is completely reversed.
There are too many areas that require spending money in future plans, and this little bit now is just a drizzle.
As for Shirakawa's current situation, the Walkman business is developing along with the launch of new models.
It can bring Shirakawa Electric approximately 1.5 to 2 billion yen in revenue every month.
Including the first-generation Walkman released in the first half of the year, the total revenue from this business is currently approximately 12 billion yen.
Three handheld game consoles have been released, with the third just released, and total sales currently sitting at around two million units.
The profit from this part is about 4 billion yen.
The two businesses together generated 16 billion yen, and most of the costs have been deducted, so it is considered pure profit.
As for the profits brought by the headphones and their patents, they are basically on par with Shirakawa Electric's R&D investment this year.
So this is probably the only amount of money that belongs to him on the books, which is less than 100 million US dollars.
Alas, I haven’t even achieved a small goal. I need to work harder.
Think about those game companies that have opened up the North American market and have made $100 million in profits a year.
I have my own business, and after working hard for a year, I only earn a little more than half of what others earn.
As expected, the local potential is limited, and overseas markets will be the focus of future operations.
As far as he knows, Nintendo also established a branch in North America this year, two months earlier than Shirakawa Electric .
Namco even entered North America two years ago. No one is stupid.
When it comes to making money, US dollars are of course the best choice. One dollar is worth 250 Japanese dollars.
However, Shirakawa Electric is now a multinational company, and he believes that starting from the end of the year, the market there will definitely bring him surprises.
As for the current 16 billion yen, it is estimated that part of it will be spent soon.
What to do? Buy land again, but this time it is the land of Shirakawa Electric's headquarters.
Besides, he didn't want to spend his own money, so of course he would go to the bank for such a huge transaction.
When Shirakawa Feng was planning the next plan for Shirakawa Electric, an unexpected but reasonable old acquaintance came to the door of his office.
Hearing the knock on the door, Baichuan Feng said "Come in" without even raising his head.
Then the door opened but there was no sound. Baichuan Feng looked up in surprise.
"Senior Brother Yamazaki?!" Shirakawa Feng stood up in surprise.
That's right, the person standing in front of the door and looking at him with a smile was Shirakawa Electric's first top R&D student, Yamazaki Teru.
"Shirakawa-kun, long time no see. Shirakawa Electric has changed amazingly."
"Haha" Baichuan Feng laughed and walked over, "Brother, I once said that. No matter when, everything here in Baichuan remains the same.
How is it? Has Senior Brother finally decided to leave the mountain? Does Shirakawa Electric still catch Senior Brother's eye?"
Yamazaki Hui first smiled and nodded, but soon shook his head.
"Eh?" Baichuan Feng was a little confused.
Yamazaki Hui took out a document from his bag and handed it to him, and Shirakawa Feng opened it.
This was actually the equity transfer document that he had submitted earlier , except that the signature column was empty.
"Senior Brother, this...?" Bai Chuanfeng looked at the other party with a questioning look on his face.
“I heard that Shirakawa-kun has established a research institute that focuses more on cutting-edge technology, and I also heard that Shima Masa-san will be moving in there soon.
Yamazaki overestimated his own abilities and wanted to give it a try. "
Looking at Yamazaki Teru's serious yet smiling face, Shirakawa Kaede adjusted his expression.
He nodded solemnly, "Okay, let's do as Senior Brother Yamazaki said. SIC welcomes you to join us."
Be able to give up the benefits that are within reach and choose a more difficult path.
Baichuan Feng was moved by his sincerity. Perhaps only people like him could achieve academic success and calm down to study more advanced technologies.
