"I was just teasing your brother-in-law," Zhong Liying said, quickly letting go.
She then walked over to her younger sister and pulled up her little head. "Getting into mischief at such a young age. What were you peeking at?"
After dinner, Zhong Xiaofeng’s phone rang.
"Hi, moshi moshi!" she chirped in perfect Japanese.
Zhong Liying explained to Sun Dasheng, "That’s a call from Yoko’s mother."
"Oh, who’s Yoko?"
"’Zhong Xiaofeng’ is the Chinese na my paternal uncle gave her. Her Japanese na is Sato Yoko."
"Sato?"
"Yes, it’s the most common surna in Japan, just like how Zhang and Li are common here."
After hanging up, Sato Yoko—also known as Zhong Xiaofeng—said happily, "Sister Liying, Mom is so happy to hear you have a boyfriend! She said she’ll co visit when she has ti and wants you to introduce him."
"Of course. When Auntie cos over, just let know. I’ll make so ti to show her around our Dahu City."
"But the main point is that she wants to et your boyfriend," Zhong Xiaofeng said, her gaze falling on Sun Dasheng.
Zhong Liying also looked at him. He just smiled and nodded, indicating that it was no problem.
He’d heard Japanese wives were very hospitable and was curious to see it for himself.
"Then it’s settled! I’ll let you know in advance before Mom cos," Zhong Xiaofeng said with a slight bow. "I’ll be in your care!"
Sun Dasheng found it rather curious. So this was their legendary hereditary skill, the spirit of the "bowing master"?
"Where are we going next?" Zhong Xiaofeng asked excitedly.
Zhong Liying checked her watch. Seeing it was still early, she asked, "Brother Sun, do you have anything planned for later?"
"Work at the company is mostly sorted out for now. Wherever you two want to go, I’ll co with you," Sun Dasheng said after a mont’s thought.
He was quite intrigued by this Japanese cousin of hers. She was completely different from the girls back ho—her mannerisms, her way of speaking, everything about her was different.
"Then thank you very much, Mr. Sun, for spending your precious ti with us," Zhong Xiaofeng said, giving another small bow without a second thought.
Another small "bowing master" shock for Sun Dasheng.
"No need to be so polite, we’re family," Sun Dasheng said with a smile.
"Family?" A smile blossod on Zhong Xiaofeng’s face. "That’s wonderful!"
It was obvious her understanding of "family" differed from what Sun Dasheng ant. Then again, with the rise of short-form videos online, livestrears were constantly calling their fans "family," turning the word into a common catchphrase and severely devaluing it.
After exiting the restaurant, they walked toward the parking lot. Being a lively girl, Zhong Xiaofeng ran ahead while Sun Dasheng and Zhong Liying walked shoulder-to-shoulder behind her.
"Congratulations on finding such an innocent and cute sister."
"Are you complinting her or mocking her?"
"Haha, you’re right, ’innocent’ isn’t always a good word these days. I take it back. Congratulations on finding a cute sister, how’s that?"
"You have no idea how excited I was when I first learned I had relatives on my father’s side other than my grandparents. I’ve fallen so far behind on company work these past few days just from taking her around to have fun. I’m sorry."
Sun Dasheng stopped her from apologizing. "There’s nothing to be sorry for. It’s completely understandable."
After they had walked a few more steps, Zhong Liying said, "I want to find so ti to go to Japan and pay respects at my uncle’s grave."
Sun Dasheng looked at her. "Sure. That’s sothing you can decide on your own; you don’t have to report to ."
Zhong Liying rolled her eyes at him. "If I go sowhere so far away without letting you know, you might decide to punish with your ’family rules,’ and I wouldn’t be able to take it."
Sun Dasheng chuckled awkwardly. "Alright, ssage received. Go ahead, don’t worry about it."
Up ahead, Zhong Xiaofeng was waiting for them in front of a red BMW.
Seeing the car, Sun Dasheng asked, "Why are you driving a 1 Series? Doesn’t the company have 3 Series and 5 Series models?"
"It’s a company-provided car, why drive such a nice one?" Zhong Liying disagreed. "I’m doing it to motivate the staff. I told them in a eting that the quality of the company cars will only be upgraded when their performance improves."
"Have it your way. You’re the company manager, so these things are your call." Although Sun Dasheng didn’t agree with her perspective, he saw no reason to argue.
Seeing Sun Dasheng and Zhong Liying walk right past her, a puzzled Zhong Xiaofeng hurried to catch up. "Sister, Brother-in-law, aren’t we taking this car? Why are you still walking?" she asked, glancing back at the red BMW. She was sure her sister drove this car here.
"Oh, we’ll just leave that car here for now. We’re taking your brother-in-law’s," Zhong Liying explained.
"Oh..." Zhong Xiaofeng muttered under her breath as she followed. "They’re both cars, so what’s the difference?"
Soon, the three of them ca to a stop in front of a flashy Rolls-Royce Phantom.
As they approached, the driver’s side door opened and a burly man stepped out—it was none other than Sun Dasheng’s personal driver, Da Yong.
"Director Sun. Please, get in." He opened the rear passenger door.
Sun Dasheng and Zhong Liying filed into the car, leaving Zhong Xiaofeng standing frozen on the spot, staring at the luxury vehicle that was a rare sight even in Japan.
"I see..." Realization dawned on her. So her brother-in-law was a big shot on the level of a Japanese zaibatsu!
She felt a wave of delayed fear, rembering how she had spoken to him at dinner—she’d even threatened him. It was a good thing this tycoon-level brother-in-law was good-tempered. If this were in Japan, she would have been forced to prostrate herself on the ground in apology.
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