National Tide 1980

"Mama-san, it's amazing that Maria can open a nightclub in this prime location building. The area here seems to be about the same as Candlestick! She is indeed Candlestick's top lady. She has just started her own business, and her starting point is such a high one."

"Yeah, it's quite nice here. I didn't expect your store to be so tastefully decorated, especially the combination of these red flowers, which are spectacular and romantic. They are as beautiful as the maple leaves in autumn. It immediately reminded me of the maple trees in Rikugien Garden. Yeah. Chixia, this name is really appropriate. Maria is very artistic."

"Thank you for the compliment, teacher. It's just... these are all the work of Mama-san from before."

Facing the smiling compliments of the two painters, Maria, who served them wine, covered her mouth with her hands and smiled, showing off the ladylike look that men love most.

"It should be because I was lucky enough to take over such a store with both scale and style. I'm really ashamed. I seem to have stolen the fruits of other people's labor."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, we don't know what the situation is..."

"What are you talking about? Even though it is not my fault, after taking over this store, I will share the joys and sorrows with Chixia. I am still very happy to hear such comments from the two teachers. But I can't deceive the two teachers. Ah, people always need to be sincere in their interactions. In any case, I will definitely regard the teachers’ praise as an encouragement to me, and I will work hard to run this store better.”

"Well said, even after becoming a mamasan, Maria has not changed. She has always been so honest and forthright in her actions."

"Yeah, no problem. If it's Maria, she will definitely be able to run the store well. I'm looking forward to it. I will find time to come and visit in the future. Come, let's drink to Maria for finally becoming a mamasan !”

The two painters expressed their relief and took the initiative to raise their glasses.

While talking, several people picked up the glasses filled with whiskey and soda and clinked them together.

Everything seemed natural, but in fact it reflected Maria's extraordinary personal charisma and business skills.

Because of her modesty just now, it was the reverse operation of the so-called "self-exposure" method, using the special words of this industry.

The reason is - if I can open up to you and face my bad side, it means that I really trust you.

This certainly gives both painters the feeling that she is seeking their approval.

The human heart is very strange. When a person hears another person's privacy, out of compensatory psychology, he himself will increase the extent to which he exposes his true self and inner self.

Especially whenever a woman makes a revealing move first, a man will feel that he has the initiative, feels more secure, and is more likely to trust the opposite sex's feelings towards him.

Sure enough, even though they had just sat down, the two painters had already found a sense of relaxation in the unfamiliar shop, started to talk and laugh, and talked about the embarrassment they encountered in this art exhibition while drinking. And little bumps in the road.

For this reason, Harue Sawaguchi, who was well aware of the mystery, stared at Maria without any scruples, and said with quite complicated emotions, "You really have a mama-san posture, you look very majestic."

"Thank you, Mama-san, for the compliment. It's all because of your good teaching."

Maria looked confident and responded in a neither humble nor condescending manner.

At this time, she was extremely happy and very happy.

This is not only because of her current status change, she is now on an equal footing with Mamasang from other clubs.

Especially because judging from the expressions of past bosses, it was not just polite words.

Sawaguchi Harue's eyes were obviously full of surprise.

Thinking about it, she probably felt that there was an essential difference between a mamasang and a bartender.

Perhaps I didn’t expect that Maria’s identity transformation would be so natural and she would adapt to her new identity and job functions so quickly.

This is also a kind of recognition.

Soon, the facts confirmed that Maria’s guess was correct.

Because then, Sawaguchi Harue's eyes turned to the decorations in the store and the responses of the escort girl and the bartender. He also looked at the customers who came to the store to spend money, and even casually explored Maria's financial backers.

As early as a few days ago, when Maria came to the Candlestick Club to face Harue Sawaguchi to submit her resignation and said that she also wanted to be an operator, Harue Sawaguchi asked her.

"It's a different story if you open a store in other places, but to open a store in Ginza you need huge funds. Do you have that much money? Or is there someone behind the scenes?"

At that time, Maria only told Harue Sawaguchi that she owned someone else's old store.

Probably Harue Sawaguchi mistakenly thought that she bought it as some poorly managed small place.

This situation is not uncommon in Ginza, and opening a store also depends on the size.

If we rent a basement in the building and set up a small bar-style bar, it can seat about twenty people.

As long as you hire a bartender instead of a girl to sit at the table, you can start it without much capital.

Many Ginza girls who are eager to become bosses like to do this kind of thing.

So Harue Sawaguchi responded with an ambiguous tone, "Huh? It's very hard for a woman to open a bar with her own funds. Don't think that this industry is so easy to do. You might be busy working in vain and still make a lot of money." Not as much as you do now. I advise you to stay and work hard for a few more years, and then you can open a store like that."

Now, Harue Sawaguchi really came and saw Chixia's store and the environment inside. Only then did he understand why Maria left the Candlestick Club without any regrets and gave up the two to three million she could earn every month at Candlestick. first salary of yen.

Of course, she was also speculating that Motoko must be supported by a financial backer, and was trying her best to sniff out clues from Maria's dress, appearance, and the appearance of the store.

"What is going on? Which big boss opened the store for you? How did you meet the man? Such a store with so many employees would cost more than 10 million yen per month to operate... "

Feeling more and more surprised and strange, Harue Sawaguchi finally couldn't help his curiosity. On the pretense of going to the bathroom, he grabbed Maria, called her to the corner, and asked her bluntly.

Maria had no choice but to tell some partial truth to make an explanation.

"Mama-san, let me tell you the truth. In fact, it was the mamasang from this store who came to find me. Because there was a more profitable business to do, Chixia's mama-san couldn't take care of this place, so she entrusted it to me. She entrusted it to me. He said he believed in my reputation and my ability to work. This should be considered a bargain for me..."

"Cheap? Humph, don't think too good. Where can a woman find a man to deal with? Men can still be fascinated by you. Women only see benefits. So you have to be more careful and don't be deceived."

Harue Sawaguchi's tone was filled with jealousy, and he was obviously annoyed that he didn't understand clearly and let Maria leave so easily.

"No, Mama-san, the mutual agreement has been written into the contract. I'm very cautious."

"Hey, in that case, I can't say anything."

Harue Sawaguchi shook her head and sighed. She also knew that nothing could be changed now.

In the end, he only shook Maria's hand and left a few words.

"Maria, I don't mean anything else. I'm just worried about you when something goes wrong. You should know how I've treated you in the past few years? Candlestick Club is like your home. Candlestick's door will always be open to you. Be open, if you are not happy here, or one day, this store is robbed by others. Then you will come back. I am old, and you can actually take over my job. There will be a place for you in the candlestick , don’t feel embarrassed..."

"Yes, I have written it down." Maria nodded and said a little emotionally, "I have always been grateful to Mama-san for taking care of you, and I will not forget the candlestick."

In this way, when the two Ginza women went back together and chatted for a while, it was time to break up the meeting.

"We should go."

A painter noticed Sawaguchi Harue's anxiety and wisely stood up.

Maria and the other waitress also stood up.

"Oh, why don't you sit down a little longer?"

Faced with Maria's polite request to stay, another painter also said, "No, Mama Sang's shop is busy and she has to go back to the shop. Next time, we will make a special trip to have a good chat with you."

To follow the painter, you have to take out your wallet.

Seeing this, Maria quickly stopped her, "I'm here to treat you this time. It's an honor for me that these two teachers are willing to come here. If you don't agree, then I can only think that the promise you just made is just talk."

After this, the painter smiled, thanked him, and gave up.

However, Harue Sawaguchi carefully took out a paper bag from his body at this time. Just by looking at the thickness, he knew it was worth millions of yen in cash.

"Maria, this is a store opening gift for you."

Maria did not expect such a generous gift and was quite frightened.

"Oh, you don't have to be like that."

However, Harue Sawaguchi said extremely firmly, "Just accept it. The rules of Ginza have always been like this. Remember what I said today, my promise is true."

In this case, Maria could only accept the gift and express her sincere thanks.

"Thank you. Mama-san, I'm really sorry that you came here to see me despite your busy schedule."

In the end, Maria walked several people to the door downstairs step by step. Even though she was shivering in the cold wind, she watched them go until they were gone.

After returning, her mood was somewhat complicated.

Because although Mama-san brought two well-known painters to give gifts in the past, and his motive of taking the opportunity to observe her subsequent condition was obvious, such a heavy gift also showed a certain degree of true love.

After all, they have been together for a long time and have always been at peace with each other. They must have a mutual dependence on each other.

Now that he has become an equal competitor, I think Harue Sawaguchi will be very conflicted in his heart.

And this seems to be the fate of Ginza women.

They will always stick together for warmth, rely on each other, and make money from men together, but they will always cultivate tomorrow's opponents for themselves through their own hands.

However, this kind of indecision is just a temporary emotional wave.

After stepping into the elevator again, Maria's slender phoenix eyes shot out sharp light and she strengthened her will again.

She had more important things to do tonight.

It was probably the most important deal she had ever made in her life.

Not long after, she walked into the booth at the deepest part of the store.

And there, there were two people drinking in silence, facing each other, still waiting for her.

One of them is Ning Weimin who poached her, and the other is Chixia's former mother Sang Axia.

Just as they finished their glass of whiskey and soda, Maria came over and sat next to Ning Weimin, and poured drinks for them both diligently.

"Mr. President and Madam President, I'm sorry, I'm late. I couldn't get away just now, and the entertainment took a long time to end..."

Maria said with a familiar attitude and a teasing tone, completely different from the gentle and pleasant professional image she had just now.

"You don't have to be so polite to us. We are all our own, so please be free." Ning Weimin greeted him cordially.

However, maybe it's because women love to embarrass women, or maybe they can't stand the way she gets close to Ning Weimin and shows off her coquettishness.

However, Axia couldn't help but frown and chose to make a fool of herself, asking a bit aggressively.

"Is there anything special that you have to invite us here today? Is it just to show off to us that you have improved Chixia's business level? Yes, I admit that you did a good job. After all, even your past boss came to praise you Well, she looks like she really wants you to go back, right? Unfortunately, this is impossible. You have already joined, you can’t quit, and you can’t raise any more conditions. We have already signed a contract. , isn’t it?”

The location of this deck is quite wonderful. Although it is inconspicuous and will not attract the attention of others, it can clearly see the situation of the entire venue.

When Axia feels tired on weekdays, she likes to sit here and take some time off, while still being able to control the whole place.

So the interaction between Maria and Candlestick Mama Sang just now fell into her eyes.

It doesn't matter that she doesn't know Mamasang from the Candlestick Club, it's enough that Ning Weimin knows him.

That's why she made such heart-wrenching remarks at this time.

"You misunderstood. This is just a rule of Ginza. For every female publicist who opens a store in Ginza, their former mamasang will do this. Otherwise, mamasang will appear to be impersonal and impersonal. This kind of reputation must be maintained in Once word spreads in Ginza, it will be difficult to find an excellent female publicist. I just happened to meet her today, that's all."

However, Maria was not nervous and explained very calmly. Judging from her expression and body language, there were no flaws at all.

"Yeah, it's not that serious! It's human nature and it's completely understandable."

Ning Weimin came to smooth things over at this time.

He didn't want his two female generals to become tense over such a trivial matter.

Suspicion of others for no reason is not conducive to unity.

However, what he never expected was what Maria said next. This time, even he was stunned and could hardly believe his ears.

"But Mr. Chairman and Mr. President. I invited you here today because I have something special to discuss with you. Although it has nothing to do with Chixia's management, it is related to what you are busy with now. I have been busy with you these days. I'm thinking...can I also join your new business? In this case, we can be considered true partners, right?" (End of Chapter)