Money Can Buy Everything

021: The Protagonist is a Child

Her effort has been affirmed?

Following in the footsteps of her family and being acknowledged by them, this is what Asuna has always longed for, and all her efforts have been directed towards this moment.

Unfortunately, her family never seemed to care about her academic achievements at school, and whatever grades Asuna achieved were always taken for granted by them.

Being ignored and unrecognized for so long gradually filled Asuna with a sense of despair, and she didn't know how much longer she could persist in her efforts.

However, today, at this party, in front of Momo, whom she met for the first time, the thing Asuna desired so much was easily obtained.

Her father wouldn't lie; he must not be praising her just to flatter this person of the same age in front of him. As it turns out, her father had been praising her in his heart all along; he just never spoke it out loud.

Despite feeling a hint of resentment, Asuna's heart is now filled with happiness and joy, her face radiating a captivating glow.

Shouzou naturally noticed the change in his daughter. His eyes also welled up slightly, understanding the cause and effect of it all.

Indeed, he cared too little for his daughter, and his concern was always kept inside. He took another sip of red wine, and his gaze towards Momo gained a few more expectations.

Perhaps, Momo really could make his daughter happy. At least, the radiance on Asuna's face now, he only vaguely remembered from her childhood, the smile she used to have.

"Well, it seems Asuna is very happy with Uncle's praise! So, as it's our first meeting, I'll..."

Momo's hand reached toward Asuna's face, and though she was startled, she didn't flinch. Instead, she looked at Momo's hand, but he quickly withdrew it, revealing a rose with dewdrops in his hand.

"Ah... is this magic?"

"Just a small token of our first meeting. I hope you won't dislike it, Asuna."

Asuna blushed at the gesture; she naturally understood the meaning of the rose but dared not dwell on it now. Instead, she graciously accepted the rose. At this moment, she noticed Momo discreetly pointing at her eye corner.

Asuna suddenly realized and pretended to lean down to smell the rose's fragrance, gently wiping away the tear stains there.

At this moment, Asuna felt genuine fondness for Momo. It seemed that everything Momo said and did was always filled with warmth and care, making her heart feel warm.

"Well then, let me formally introduce myself. I am Masayoshi Momo, currently the CEO of RECT Progress. Although we're the same age, I'm actually your uncle's superior!"

Hearing this, Asuna's breath quickened, and she became even more poised and elegant as she responded, "Nice to meet you, I am Yuuki Asuna. Please take care of me in the future."

Asuna extended her hand, intending to shake hands with Momo in a formal gesture. However, Momo took her hand and gently kissed the back of it.

This unexpected action made Asuna's cheeks flush, but when she looked at Momo's calm and elegant expression, she could only interpret it as a small misunderstanding in their understanding of etiquette between two people.

However, at this moment, Momo winked at her.

She had been played!

Asuna pouted, finding that this person before her, despite appearing elegant on the surface, was actually just a big boy at heart.

Unfortunately, everything Momo did left her with nothing to criticize.

As it was merely a formal meeting at the party, they chatted for a few moments, but Asuna deliberately remained silent, pretending not to engage in the conversation, so the meeting would soon come to an end.

"We won't disturb the Chairman any longer."

Shouzou bid farewell, and upon hearing that, Asuna's frustration instantly dissipated, replaced with some regret. She was now very curious about Momo and found him quite easy to get along with, far from the impression she had of him.

"I wonder if the Chairman has any schedule for tomorrow? Since the Chairman has just taken office, I believe we will have a long time of cooperation ahead. So, if the Chairman doesn't mind, could you honor us with your presence at our humble abode tomorrow? I'll prepare a home-cooked meal for the Chairman."

Wide-eyed, Asuna looked at her father in astonishment but soon understood.

Though Shouzou rarely invited people, it wasn't unprecedented. There was a newcomer at the company called Sugou, and he had also been a guest at the Yuuki family's gatherings. So, inviting the newly appointed Chairman seemed quite reasonable.

However, only Momo and Shouzou understood each other's thoughts.

"Of course, I have the time. I'll be looking forward to it."

Momo smiled brightly.

On September 6th, the day the game was released, while all gaming enthusiasts were busy preparing to enter the game, the future game's heroine and Argus's biggest competitor, the Chairman and CEO of RECT Progress, were preparing for a lunch banquet at the Yuuki residence.

As agreed, Momo arrived at the Yuuki residence, a standalone villa located in Setagaya Ward. Although it was far from being as powerful as the Masayoshi family, it still indicated the wealth of the affluent class residing there.

"Welcome."

To Momo's surprise, the one opening the door was not the Yuuki family's servant, but Asuna, dressed casually.

Although she was dressed informally, Asuna was a bit nervous as the host in her own home. She thought of their interaction yesterday and Momo's status, wondering if she was being too unreserved.

However, at this moment, Momo, who was the only one present, discarded the elegant smile on his face and instead peeked playfully.

"Um... Momo-san, is this..."

Asuna couldn't help but laugh and cry.

"Oh, you should have told me earlier. I won't pretend to smile when it's just you; it's uncomfortable for my facial muscles. Are Uncle and Aunt in the living room? Also, just call me Momo."

"Ah, Momo-san..."

"Momo, Momo, Momo. It's important, so I'll say it three times. Don't make me say it a fourth time. Isn't the clever Miss Asuna capable of mimicking a parrot?"

With the change from elegant to lively, Asuna found herself unable to be angry; instead, she felt a little more at ease. She was now certain that Momo's true identity matched her as a genuine peer, unlike her parents, who were social elites.

"Okay then, Momo, is this good enough? Come in, but let's keep our voices down; my parents can still hear us from here."

Momo immediately closed his mouth, and seeing this behavior, Asuna burst into laughter.

"Forget it, let's continue with the pretense. We can't leave a bad impression on Uncle and Aunt. By the way, here's a gift for you. Should I open it now?"

Asuna shook her head and led Momo into the living room.

Shouzou naturally didn't need many words, and Momo was meeting Kyouko for the first time. From a quick glance, he could tell she was a person who considered herself exceptional, following elite principles in life and work while secretly harboring some feelings of inferiority.

Many so-called elite individuals from humble backgrounds had this flaw.

Of course, as long as they didn't mention the past in their work, they were good subordinates, good pawns. It was just unfortunate for Asuna that Kyouko forced these elite principles upon her, resulting in a beautiful 15-year-old girl losing much of her smile.

This was also the first time Kyouko had seen Momo. Judging from Momo's appearance, actions, and considering what her husband had said, she nodded slightly.

Regardless, Momo was much stronger than Sugou, whom she didn't have any real close relationship with. So, she immediately shifted her attention to Momo.

If the Yuuki family were to become in-laws with the Masayoshi family, they would indeed become a true prestigious family.

The meeting between Momo and Kyouko was rather uneventful, consisting of formulaic greetings and responses. Shouzou wasn't much of a talkative person either, and as work wasn't a suitable topic for discussion during the family banquet, the atmosphere cooled down once they all sat together.

Momo, seemingly oblivious to the situation, continued to smile. Kyouko and Shouzou felt a bit awkward, unsure of how to engage in conversation with Momo.

Should they talk about life?

Would two people in their forties engage in small talk with a teenager? Considering the age and status difference, their lives were certainly worlds apart.

Should they talk about studies?

Come on, Momo was their guest; it would be strange for two people in their forties to discuss studies with him. Were they trying to quiz the younger generation on their homework?

Kyouko frowned, feeling awkward for the first time.

After all, she couldn't put up a senior's demeanor when facing Momo, but she could still act like an elder when dealing with Sugou.

Among the four of them, only Momo seemed at ease. In fact, he held the initiative, knowing that if he opened any topic, Kyouko and Shouzou would surely respond. However, Momo chose to remain silent.

A little awkwardness was fine; Momo didn't intend to engage in any deep conversation with Kyouko and Shouzou right now.

"Oh, by the way, Momo, can I open the gift you gave me?"

Asuna also noticed the awkwardness and immediately spoke to liven up the atmosphere. Her voice carried a magical charm that instantly dissipated some of the awkwardness in the room.

"Of course, it's a gift, and it's already yours, Asuna."

Momo responded warmly to Asuna, which caused Kyouko and Shouzou to exchange glances, calculating in their minds.

The calculation that they made was not about them; it was about the two children.

Especially for Kyouko, who noticed that Asuna, who usually didn't like to interact with the opposite sex, showed no resistance to Momo and even called him by his name. From both a personal and social standpoint, this was not appropriate at all. However, it appeared completely natural between the two children.

Having this realization, the two of them decided it was best to say less.

Asuna opened the gift box and exclaimed in surprise because inside was a collection of plump, aromatic black truffles.

Even though the Yuuki family was considered affluent, they were also astonished. The box clearly contained top-grade black truffles, worth at least several million yen, or even tens of millions of yen.

Such an expensive gift erased the last trace of Kyouko's nostalgia for Sugou.