National Tide 1980.

"Sister, there is something I want to tell you."

On the second floor of Huiwentang Bookstore, the Kagawa sisters were talking across a long counter that looked like a bar during working hours.

"Say it, I'm listening."

The elder sister, Midori, responded to her younger sister without stopping her work with her hands.

She was inside the counter, operating the coffee machine skillfully, making the coffee that the customer had just ordered.

My younger sister Rinko stood outside the counter, took a plate of Chinese dim sum out of the glass case, and placed it on a tray on the counter along with some paper towels.

However, amid the strong aroma of coffee being brewed by hot water, Rinko Kagawa said something that surprised her quite a bit.

"I think...I want to quit my job."

Midori turned around suddenly.

"What? Resign? You mean the official job at the clothing company?"

"Yes." Rinko nodded without hesitation.

"Why? Don't you want to be a fashion designer anymore? Are you going to give up?"

Miyoko was a little confused about what her sister was thinking, and Rinko explained.

"Of course I want to continue pursuing my dream, but I have also faced the reality. Even if I continue to stay in the company, I will not be able to get this opportunity. Although the company I am currently working for is nominally a foreign-funded enterprise, I have long discovered that the company's internal atmosphere and operating model are still a typical Japanese company. Our President Hasegawa is not even willing to try a multi-channel clothing sales model, and is only willing to cooperate with department stores. Old people like him have completely lagged behind the times in their concepts, but they are stubborn and believe that everything the company is doing is right. If I stay there, even if I work for another ten years, I will still be just an ordinary clerk, and I have to help the front desk staff make tea and coffee for other male employees every day. Instead of this, why don't I concentrate on making coffee for customers here? At least here I am the boss, and I can often hear compliments from customers and see their satisfied smiles."

Rinko Kagawa talked about the most frustrating problems in the Japanese workplace.

In fact, the so-called "Equal Employment Law for Gender Equality" is just a decree that the Japanese government reluctantly promulgated in order to please the values ​​of the Western democratic world.

Therefore, this decree focuses more on form than content.

At most, it only gives Japanese women the opportunity to participate in work and social activities, but it does not really allow Japanese women to obtain equal rights with men in the workplace.

At this stage, male superiority and female inferiority are still a stubborn disease in Japanese society.

As for this kind of discrimination and differential treatment in the workplace that can be seen everywhere, most people respond with a tacit attitude, even most women.

After all, there are too few outstanding people, and most mediocre people are not only cowardly by nature, but also often have no higher career pursuits. They still pursue the life trajectory of getting married, becoming housewives.

As a result, those outstanding women who are truly ambitious and have a career are in trouble.

Just like Rinko Kagawa, she has all the abilities and hard work, but she will never see a chance to stand out in Japan.

"I understand your feelings, but this matter still needs careful consideration."

Miyoko sighed deeply.

"I'm not against it, but I think it's a pity for you to resign. After all, you are working for a foreign company now. No matter what the company's actual atmosphere is, the salary and benefits are much better than those of a purely Japanese company. The difference in salary between you and the male employees is only one-fourth of a cent. If you apply for a job at another company, not only will you have to start all over again, but the salary difference will be at least one-third. Have you thought about this?"

Midori is a woman who advocates acting prudently, and she considers more practical issues than her sister.

"I understand what you said, but no amount of money is as valuable as time. I am prepared and don't want to waste my time."

"Have you told the agency?"

"I haven't officially said it yet, but I've made up my mind. I plan to hand in my resignation before the end of the year. I'm going to quit anyway, so it's better to quit early than late."

Midori was silent for a long time. Now, she actually didn't think much of her sister's dream. She only knew that once her sister quit her job, her life would lose its stable guarantee.

So when she finally made the coffee and brought it over, she did not hesitate to use herself as a negative example in an attempt to change her sister's mind.

"Rinko, I know you have been strong and hardworking since you were a child, and you have never given up. You have never thought of relying on a man. But the problem is that there will be a lot of things that will be difficult to deal with after you quit your job. Things that you think are unimportant now may be completely different by then. Look at me, what will happen after I get married? Your brother-in-law and I overestimated ourselves, and at the same time underestimated the financial guarantee required for marriage. Fortunately, you let me work part-time here, so that we can live a decent life. Now I miss that job very much, but it's too late to regret it. If I can choose again, I will definitely not quit so rashly. So think about it again, how about it?"

This time Rinko didn't say anything, but a bitter smile appeared on her face.

Looking at her sister's uneasy expression, Midori sensitively realized that something must have happened.

"Are you hiding something from me? Is there something wrong at work?"

"Nothing. It was just that after the year-end party a few days ago, our department boss refused to leave and dragged everyone to a karaoke 'second party'. I don't know if he was really drunk or used drunkenness as an excuse, but he deliberately sat next to me, hugged me and forced me to sing, and even touched me, so I slapped him hard. As a result, everyone in the department was dumbfounded and left unhappily."

Rinko spoke quietly, briefly describing the situation to her sister.

He spoke in a rather calm tone, and then went to deliver something to the guest.

But despite this, as the elder sister, Midori still felt her sister's grievance and anger in surprise.

Only then did she realize that her sister was being harassed by her boss and that the tone she used just now was one of seeking comfort and craving for her approval.

Damn it! How could I have such a disgusting boss?

Why are you bullying my Rinko!

Midori deeply regretted not showing the attitude her sister expected.

So when Rinko came back to the counter, Midori changed her story completely.

"Rinko, I'm sorry, I didn't know this happened... How should I put it... This is really abominable, and you have been wronged. In this case, sister fully supports your decision. I remember that a similar thing happened once before, right? It's better not to stay in a company like this."

"It's okay, it's not your fault. I also know that my sister is doing this for my own good. As expected, my sister still understands me." Rinko was obviously relieved, otherwise there would not be such a relieved and relaxed expression on her face.

The more Midori thought about it, the angrier she became.

"But this is still unfair. This bastard can enjoy a high salary steadily, but forces you to leave. How can this be? Why don't we go talk to President Ning? Isn't he also a senior executive of your company? He should be able to do justice for you, right?"

"No, no, sister, you don't understand. Chairman Ning is from the Huaxia branch, and we only have a cooperative relationship. Chairman Hasegawa himself doesn't like Huaxia very much. Our company is very unhappy about the sales of Huaxia's trolley suitcases in Japan, and the negotiations with Chairman Ning were not pleasant because of the licensing fee. Chairman Hasegawa even thinks that the headquarters is too biased towards Huaxia. So don't tell Chairman Ning about this matter, it will make him embarrassed."

Rinko's words convinced Midoriko, and she realized that although they both belonged to Pierre Cardin, there was already such a gap between the Japanese company and the Chinese company.

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

"I see. Then... have you thought about your future plans? Do you plan to interview at other clothing companies? If so, I'll help you keep an eye out for job postings."

Rinko was very satisfied with her sister's efforts to comfort her and give her advice.

"I haven't made up my mind yet. If I choose a clothing company, I'll have to wait until next year. Also, President Ning has started to publish some Chinese books translated into Japanese under the name of the bookstore, and I can help design the book covers. I've been busy designing these things recently, so I'll consider looking for a new job after I finish these things and the New Year."

Unexpectedly, Midoriko happily made another suggestion.

"That's right. How could I have forgotten that there is also President Ning's bookstore? Fortunately, Rinko will have no problem living on the income of the store manager. To be honest, I think Rinko should consider being a full-time bookstore manager. President Ning will definitely agree, and that would be great."

"Eh? Why do you think so, sister? This is not good, right? Bookstores don't make much money. If I were to work full-time, it would increase the financial burden on President Ning, right? I don't want that..."

"Oh, why do you think so? I can see that the number of customers here is increasing. Everyone is attracted by the unique atmosphere, reading materials and tea and snacks here. This customer base is very stable, and the business will get better and better in the future. The current profit has reached 10 million yen a month, and sooner or later the monthly profit here will be stable at more than 15 million yen. What's the problem with paying the salaries of several people? Besides, you can't just look at the business content of the bookstore to determine the income. The arts and crafts sold by President Ning here should also be counted. After all, they also create profits for him as the boss. The key is that I think President Ning's expectations for this bookstore may not be whether it is profitable or not, otherwise he would not be indifferent to the operation of the bookstore. As for the operation of the purchased bookstore being on the right track, it may just be an extra gain for him. I think you should at least mention this matter to him, talk about your business ideas, and listen to his opinions. Maybe he will have higher expectations for the future of the bookstore, and your goals can be consistent. If you can really reach an agreement, it will be a good thing for both of you."

As expected of a sister who is a few years older than Rinko, Miyoko's suggestions are mature, at least in terms of social skills, giving Rinko more perspectives to think about.

After a moment, Rinko nodded earnestly with a humble attitude.

"Okay, if I have the chance, I will follow my sister's instructions and talk to the president. I just hope that I won't be too arrogant and let the president laugh at me."

"Don't be so unconfident. President Ning has said publicly more than once that the bookstore's prosperity is all thanks to you." Miyoko smiled and encouraged her sister.

Unexpectedly, Rinko also said sincerely, "Actually, sister is also a very good candidate for store manager. Your suggestions are always so practical, no wonder you were once the top broker of Aoba Real Estate. I think it would be better for me to suggest to President Ning that sister be the store manager. It would also be good for me to find another job. Or I can stay and help sister..."

These words were undoubtedly a kind of recognition, and Midori felt warm in her heart, but she knew even more clearly that this was completely impossible.

"Okay, okay, stop making fun of me. I have a family now, how can I compare with you? This part-time job is already very reluctant."

Then she subconsciously glanced at the wall clock.

"Ah, it's almost time. Oh, Rinko, I have to get off work first and go home to prepare dinner. Otherwise, if I get home late and your brother-in-law finds out, he will definitely ask me where I was."

"So what?"

Seeing her sister cared so much, Rinko said a little dissatisfied, "You have made such a great sacrifice for this family, why don't you let him know? Do you want him to always think that it is his salary that supports our family? And feel at ease being the master at home?"

"What nonsense! How come you don't show any consideration for your brother-in-law now? It turns out you are not like this..."

"So he's not like that, sister. Have you ever thought about whether you've spoiled him? Did you find a man to marry him just to be his babysitter and let him lose his temper with you at will?"

"Don't say that. Your brother-in-law's career has been a bit difficult recently. Although he didn't buy stocks, the stock market crash affected many people. Some of his clients cancelled their insurance policies, which made him very embarrassed. And it seems that President Ning didn't give him the insurance policy for Xindian. He couldn't figure it out..."

"That's even more unreasonable. Who says that Chairman Ning's insurance policy must be handled by him? I mean, my brother-in-law is always so self-righteous and wishful."

"Okay, okay, I shouldn't have told you. Okay, I'm leaving now. Let me make your favorite fish stew today, okay? I'm not busy preparing dinner for Yujiro, I'm doing it for you. Okay, okay, stop pouting and be happy. You're the store manager."

Having said that, with a light laugh, Midori left like a gust of wind.

Like most housewives, she went straight to the supermarket.

Only Rinko, who was full of disgust towards married life, was left behind.

At the same time, Yujiro Sakai was at a bank branch in Tokyo and got the credit card he urgently needed.

No one knows that if he hadn't relied on the relationship with Yasuo Nagase, he would have finally applied for this thing in time.

He may not even be able to pay the interest for the month due to the debts he owes to those microfinance companies. (End of this chapter)