Chapter 1081

Waseda University's summer vacation ended in mid-September, and Nagayama Hezi also returned to her university life.

However, Honey Snow Milk Tea didn't stop operations; instead, they hired some long-term employees and students from the school who were working part-time, and after training, they continued to operate.

Nagayama Hezi, as the store manager, came over every week to check the accounts and help out...

Although it was tiring and took up a lot of her free time, the weekly profit of this one Honey Snow Milk Tea store was too high, and Nagayama Hezi really didn't want to give it up!

After all, the price of every bag in the Shinjuku stores was quite high, and the new seasonal clothing looked like a flirtatious young girl, beckoning to her every time she passed by...

Moreover, even with just a few employees, Nagayama Hezi realized the difference between a boss and an employee; she had to care about the business situation, plan activities in advance, manage employees, pay salaries, and so on, which was a huge boost to her own capabilities.

"Summer is about to end!" Before starting work that day, Nagayama Hezi said to the employees in the store, "The 'Cool Summer' event is being canceled; let's start preparing for the autumn promotional activities!"

She looked at the few employees:

"Whoever has a good idea that gets adopted will get a bonus—10,000 yen!"

Once this was said, the employees' enthusiasm began to show, and they all started coming up with ideas.

"The temperature has dropped; how about an 'Autumn Warmth' event, focusing on hot drinks?"

"October 31st is Wan Shengjie; how about starting preparations for Wan Shengjie activities in advance? Giving away Wan Shengjie greeting cards or something?"

"Next week is the Tokyo International Film Festival; how about giving away movie tickets? A joint promotion... I know a staff member who can get discounted movie tickets! If the manager needs it, I can go beg him... just consider it a contribution to the store!"

"..."

I even know the organizer of the event! Nagayama Hezi complained inwardly, but she recorded every suggestion. She decided to discuss it carefully with her best friend after returning to the apartment before deciding on the specific promotional activity.

After putting away her notebook, Nagayama Hezi went to tidy up the daily newspapers for the customers to read and, unsurprisingly, found a photo of her sister-in-law.

The headline was in bold: "Akina Nakamori Returns with 'Passion', First Step to Co-star in a Movie with Her Husband?!", and the content was about yesterday's press conference.

*Yomiuri Shimbun*, *Mainichi Shimbun*, *Asahi Shimbun*... every major news media outlet, although the headlines were different, all reported on this matter.

"Akina-chan, she really is a big star; she made the headlines as soon as she returned!"

When she went to visit little Xia Hua before, Akina in the Shan Ying Yuan was clearly no different from her, even their ages were about the same.

But after stepping out, she became a big star watched by thousands. In truth, this was something Nagayama Hezi still felt a bit envious and jealous of; what girl doesn't dream of being the center of attention?!

"And she's going to film a movie with Nii-san..." This thought suddenly popped into Nagayama Hezi's head. "Should I ask Nii-san to give me a small role so I can get a taste of filming a movie..."

Just at this moment, the door of Honey Snow Milk Tea was pulled open, a crisp bell rang, and then the employees shouted in unison:

"Welcome!"

Such an enthusiastic welcome ceremony was something not seen in other stores, making the customers themselves a bit surprised and interested. In this era, with the economy taking off, the acceptance of novel things among the Japanese was still quite high.

Nagayama Hezi also came back to her senses, hurriedly shouted along, and then began introducing the milk tea products.

In other areas of Tokyo, some milk tea chain stores named "Black Dragon Hall" opened up at some point, as if they had suddenly appeared on the commercial streets.

The stores were full of burly men, and some looked quite fierce, but it was said that the service attitude was very good, and the milk tea products they made were also very delicious, attracting the attention of many people.

Some young people seeking excitement went to check out the stores first and then became the first batch of repeat customers; afterward, the fame of "Black Dragon Hall" spread just like that~

These milk tea stores were very enthusiastic toward customers; no matter if you were an ordinary person, a delinquent youth, or a Yakuza, you would hear an enthusiastic and melodic "Welcome~" when you walked in.

However, if you didn't pay and caused trouble, you would be thrown out!

Some well-informed underworld figures already knew that these stores were opened by the disbanded "Nagayama Group" to provide a livelihood for their brothers, so no gang dared to go and collect protection fees.

Although the Nagayama Group disbanded under the pressure of the Ichikawa Society, the Yamaguchi-gumi was still there!

Nagayama Xiong's assassination was carried out under the banner of avenging the Fourth Generation, a point that even the senior management of the Yamaguchi-gumi acknowledged.

You dare to go and cause trouble when they are just trying to find a livelihood for their brothers?

Don't want to live anymore?!

Just like that, Black Dragon Hall slowly began to blossom everywhere~

Akina Nakamori's new song release made the junior artists in the entertainment industry feel the influence of the former top idol.

Whether in record stores, TV programs, or professional music reviews, the record *Passion* received a large amount of praise, and sales figures climbed steadily.

Even in some areas where Akina's fans were particularly concentrated, record stores had already shouted the slogan that they were out of stock, demanding that the record company rush the next batch of records over.

For a time, it seemed the entire Tokyo area was echoing with the brainwashing loop of "burning love" and "get up, get up...", and even children were humming a few lines.

In the Kamichi mansion in Setagaya, Seiko Matsuda touched her belly and watched the new song MV on TV, her eyes filled with envy and unwillingness.

As a top idol herself, seeing her competitor return to the stage with such a vibrant posture naturally brought up some small emotions...

And unlike her own forever-sweet style, Akina Nakamori's ever-changing style, along with the novel lyrics and stage presence of *Passion*, brought an unparalleled sense of freshness to the fans.

"Watching Akina Nakamori's new song, huh."

Seiko Matsuda's mother brought a stack of fruit to her side and also looked at the screen on the TV, feeling somewhat unable to accept it.

"What kind of look is that? A kimono that isn't a kimono, and she's actually wearing high heels... the necklace is also too tacky..."

As a relatively traditional elderly person, Mrs. Kamichi could not accept this kind of novel culture from Akina Nakamori.

"Oka-san, this is trend culture..." Seiko Matsuda said. She was also someone who led the trend culture in Japan and was very sensitive to the changes in trends. "It has the luxury of Western culture while blending with Japanese-style culture; Akina-chan is worthy of being my rival!"

"Sigh... you young people..."

Although Mrs. Kamichi didn't understand, she didn't want to change the young people's thinking; instead, she looked at Seiko Matsuda (real name Noriko Kamichi).

"Noriko... your due date is at the end of October; why don't you move into the maternity center at the beginning of the month?!"

"... I'll think about it again..."

If she were an ordinary person, moving into a maternity center to get better care would indeed be a good choice.

However, Seiko Matsuda knew that with her fame, if she stayed in a maternity center, the situation she would have to face would be very complicated.

Although it was a private hospital, she would not only have to be careful about paparazzi or even obsessive fans who might appear at any time, but she would also have to maintain her professional image in front of outsiders at the hospital... it would be better to just relax at home~

Just at this moment, the phone in the house rang. Mrs. Kamichi hurriedly went to answer it, and after saying a few words, she said to Seiko Matsuda:

"Noriko, it's Masaharu's call!"

"Ah, hai..." Seiko Matsuda stood up with difficulty and came over to take the phone.

Living in Setagaya, she and her husband were actually living apart, and they couldn't even see each other once a week, as Masaharu Masaki Kanda was a famous artist and was usually very busy with work.

"Darling..."

"Mm-hmm, my health is very good, and there are no problems with the baby."

"This week... you can't come again?"

"Hai... I understand..."

Her voice went from happy at the beginning to slowly becoming low. Seiko Matsuda sighed when she hung up the phone.

After getting married, she felt the situation was different from when they were dating; even the sweet honeymoon phase was gone, leaving only routine greetings...

After returning to the main hall, Mrs. Kamichi asked suspiciously:

"What's wrong, Noriko? Why is your complexion so bad?"

"Daijobu, it's just that Masaharu can't come over this week..."

"Ah... men, work comes first..." Mrs. Kamichi could only comfort her like this; it had always been like this...

And at this time, the TV was broadcasting a clip of Akina Nakamori's interview from yesterday, just playing the reporter's question and Akina's reply.

"In the near future, I will be attending the opening ceremony of the Tokyo International Film Festival with Naoki-san."

"Before the end of the year, I will be co-starring in a movie with Naoki-san."

"..."

Seiko Matsuda saw the happy smile that Akina Nakamori couldn't hide at the corners of her mouth, and at this moment, the jealousy in her heart reached its peak... Why are Akina Nakamori and Naoki Nagayama so happy?!

Why is it that after they get married and have a baby, they can still openly attend the opening ceremony together and film a movie together?!

While she and Masaharu Masaki Kanda have to live apart and cannot see each other for a long time?! Even their marital relationship has encountered some crises?!

"..."

Seiko Matsuda looked at the TV screen, her mood becoming increasingly low, and then she felt her stomach suddenly start to hurt...

She originally thought it was Braxton Hicks contractions, but this time she didn't expect it to get worse and worse; even after a few minutes, it didn't ease, and it became more and more painful...

Cold sweat appeared on her forehead, and she called out to her mother:

"Oka-san... something seems wrong; my stomach is hurting more and more..."

"Eh?!!"

Seeing that Seiko Matsuda's condition was getting worse and worse, Mrs. Kamichi hurriedly called her husband, then called the hospital, and hurriedly sent her daughter to the hospital...

Another thunderstorm occurred in the afternoon. Standing on the veranda and breathing in the fresh, humid air, Naoki Nagayama couldn't help but exclaim:

"Time flies so fast; autumn is coming... the temperature is going to drop, it's time to drink the first cup of milk tea of autumn!"

Eitaro beside him didn't understand, only slapping his tail on the wooden floor, indicating boredom and frustration, because it was raining, so his master wouldn't allow him to go into the yard to frolic, saying he would dirty the floor or something~

The big and small mistresses of Shan Ying Yuan were both taking an afternoon nap. Akina attended a press conference yesterday and then recorded some interviews and photos; after all, she hadn't worked for a long time, so she was a bit tired.

Little Xia Hua was currently sleeping her second nap of the day in the crib in the bedroom with her mother; it was truly a baby-like sleep, so sweet.

"Ding-a-ling~"

The phone in the living room rang.

"Moshi Moshi Moshi Moshi, this is Shan Ying Yuan."

Naoki Nagayama picked up the phone, and as the words came from the other end, his expression gradually began to become fascinating.

"What? She suddenly gave birth?"

"More than a month early? This counts as premature, right? Is she okay?"

"..."

On the other end of the phone was Yoshimura Otomo. As one of the best-informed people in the entertainment industry, he received the news at the first opportunity and then quickly notified Naoki Nagayama.

He heard that an ambulance rushed directly out of Seiko Matsuda's residence and sent her to the hospital.

Because it was still a month away from the due date, even the paparazzi who were staking out hadn't expected it, and they were currently notifying media reporters to go and block the hospital entrance, which was how the news got out.

"It should be full of news tonight." Yoshimura Otomo said. "I heard that some paparazzi have already disguised themselves as patients and mixed into the hospital to sneak photos..."

"Tsk tsk tsk... the media doing this is too inhumane~"

The media doesn't care if there's an accident; they just want the first-hand news.

These media outlets will do anything for exposure and scoops, let alone this being major news about a former idol... Honestly, if Seiko Matsuda were to die in childbirth, these media outlets might be even crazier.

After Yukiko Okada jumped to her death in her previous life, it was said that the first paparazzi, in order to get a front-facing photo, even used his foot to flip the corpse on the ground to take pictures...

"The entertainment industry has everything, except for a little bit of conscience and humanity." Yoshimura Otomo said. "Naoki-san, with something like this happening, as colleagues, we should send some condolences."

"That's only right." Naoki Nagayama nodded. "Let's send someone to offer condolences once the exact news comes out."

"By the way, what if the Sunny agency asks us to help block the news?"

"Then of course we have to help."

"Good."

Seiko Matsuda's agency should also be caught off guard; such an accident could cause all kinds of rumors, so for the sake of the artist herself and her family, it was very likely they would unite with colleagues to help pressure the media not to report it widely before the official press conference.

The Shu-Yu agency was now also one of the large agencies, so naturally, they had a say.

After hanging up the phone, Naoki Nagayama was still lamenting the impermanence of the world. In fact, his first pot of gold was actually given by Seiko Matsuda; if she hadn't bought his songs, he wouldn't have been able to establish himself in Tokyo, and his subsequent good development would have been much more difficult.

"Naoki-san..."

While Naoki Nagayama was in a daze, Akina walked down from upstairs.

"Akina, you're awake?"

"Mm." Akina walked to Naoki Nagayama's side. "What's wrong? You seem to have something on your mind?"

"Nothing... it's not my business."

Naoki Nagayama told her the news he had just received.

"Otomo-san just called and said Seiko Matsuda went into labor early and is now in the hospital."

"Seiko-chan?"

"Yeah, wasn't the report saying the due date was in November? I don't know why today suddenly..."

"Eh?!!"

Akina was extremely surprised. She had actually always been quite concerned about this top idol who was the same as her.

After all, they were both at the peak, and there was only each other~

"So sudden?!"

"Yeah... I heard that reporters are all gathered at the hospital waiting for news..."

"Then did Masaki Kanda-san go over?"

"He should have gone, but I'm not sure of the details..."

"..."

Akina fell silent. This is the bad thing about being a celebrity; every move will attract too much attention.

She had Naoki Nagayama's full companionship during her pregnancy and childbirth, as well as strong protection, which was why she was spared from this kind of thing... while Seiko Matsuda and her husband didn't seem to have such good luck...

The baby they gave birth to would also have to face flashes and cameras from the moment it was born.

"Seiko-chan... I hope she is safe and sound and can give birth smoothly..."

Akina had become a mother, and she had a sense of empathy for other babies and mothers, appearing a bit sad.

"She definitely will..."

Naoki Nagayama patted Akina's back to comfort her.

Then he hurriedly changed the subject, talking about how they needed to learn how to make pottery for the filming of *Ghost*...