"In the span of a year, he killed twelve people and wasn’t caught by the police. This guy is ruthless!" Aoyama Xiu Xin exclaid after hearing the report.
An average of one murder per month.
"Looking at Xiao Chiyexiong’s client records, there actually is a pattern. He takes one to two jobs each month, and this month, being just the beginning, he hasn’t accepted any yet. Police Chief, if we don’t go public with this case for now, he will still contact Matsuboto Takashi for jobs. By laying an ambush around the target’s surroundings, waiting like guarding a stump, waiting for the rabbit, we will surely capture him!" Nakamura Shinichi suggested in a deep voice.
"Let’s do as you said, secretly apprehend the clients and the murderer on the list. Let’s not disclose the case yet, and also, let’s post several high-reward bounties to lure Xiao Chiyexiong," Aoyama Xiu Xin instructed.
Although he had originally intended to use this case to take the heat off the bombing incident, if he wanted to catch a big fish like Xiao Chiyexiong, he had no choice but to abandon that thought.
Nakamura Shinichi snapped to attention and bowed, "Sir!"
In the evening, after dinner, and as agreed, Aoyama Xiu Xin brought a box of tea leaves to visit Takizawa Shikou’s ho.
"It’s Mr. Aoyama, please co in quickly! My husband has been waiting for you, he’s checked his watch several tis already."
Opening the door was Hashimoto Miho, adorned in an embroidered teal kimono, her hair styled in a classic Japanese bun with a few strands gently cascading down her fair neck. Even her voluminous kimono could not conceal her ample figure, and her legs wrapped in flesh-colored silk stockings were faintly visible, with veins distinctly outlined.
"Sir!" Aoyama Xiu Xin bowed in response with a slight smile.
On the living room sofa, Takizawa Shikou called out, "I’ve been looking forward to this, Police Chief Aoyama!"
"Dean Takizawa," Aoyama Xiu Xin walked over respectfully and bowed deeply before presenting the tea leaves he held, "These tea leaves were sent to by a friend from China, brought here for you to taste."
"Police Chief Aoyama, you are thoughtful. Qian Yu, let’s use the tea leaves brought by Police Chief Aoyama tonight," Takizawa Shikou said with a warm smile, turning to speak to his daughter.
"Yes, Father." With long hair draped over her shoulders and dressed in a champagne-colored slip dress paired with black stockings, the innocent-faced Takazawa Chiyu responded, stood up, and took the tea leaves from Aoyama Xiu Xin’s hand, "Mr. Aoyama, please wait a mont."
She then went off to prepare the necessary tools for brewing tea.
Takizawa Shikou got up, twisted his neck, and stretched, "Mr. Aoyama, let’s go to the tea room first."
Hashimoto Miho quickly ca forward to help him, displaying the virtuous and tender care expected of a wife.
Anyone looking in would see a couple deeply in love, but who could have imagined that Hashimoto Miho was cheating on her husband?
"Sir!" Aoyama Xiu Xin bowed again, following the couple to the tea room.
After entering the tea room, Hashimoto Miho and Takizawa Shikou naturally sat together, while Aoyama Xiu Xin sat alone on the other side. Takazawa Chiyu, carrying the tea brewing tools, entered and sat down beside the empty seat next to Aoyama Xiu Xin.
A light, refreshing fragrance wafted through the air.
Takazawa Chiyu’s tea-brewing movents were graceful, like clouds flowing elegantly. As Aoyama Xiu Xin and Takizawa Shikou chatted leisurely, three steaming cups of tea were soon pushed forward by her delicate hands.
"Mr. Aoyama, please enjoy the tea," Dean Takazawa said, lifting his tea cup.
"Dean, your wife, please," Aoyama Xiu Xin said.
Just as Aoyama Xiu Xin lifted his tea cup, he suddenly felt his thigh being stroked. Looking up, he saw Hashimoto Miho opposite him, with eyes full of seduction.
She was sitting cross-legged, and while Takizawa Shikou was drinking his tea, she took advantage of the kimono’s hem to extend her foot from under the table to Aoyama Xiu Xin’s thigh.
Aoyama Xiu Xin broke out in a cold sweat. This was happening right under Takizawa Shikou’s nose. He gave her a fierce glare, and Hashimoto Miho withdrew her foot.
Damn, the Takizawa’s ho was like a chemistry lab, with a large beaker and a small one too.
"Yoish! Excellent tea, it leaves a lingering fragrance on the lips!"
Takizawa Shikou seed not to have noticed the little maneuver that had just taken place under his eyes and sincerely expressed his admiration.
"As long as the Dean likes it, I’ll supply the tea leaves for your family. I assure you that you’ll have good tea to drink all year round," Aoyama Xiu Xin said.
Hearing this, Takizawa Shikou laughed heartily and putting down his tea cup, said, "Then I won’t be modest with you."
"Of course, the Dean has helped a lot, the lady treats like a brother, and Qian Yu regards as kin. What’s a little tea in comparison?" Aoyama Xiu Xin said with an earnest expression.
"As I get older, I appreciate this sincerity from Police Chief Aoyama," Takizawa Shikou spoke and then his tone shifted, "Actually, the reason I invited Police Chief Aoyama here tonight is that I have an awkward favor to ask."
"Please speak freely, Dean," Aoyama Xiu Xin sat up straight, adopted a listening posture after putting down his tea cup.
Takizawa Shikou grew serious, and without avoiding his wife and daughter, stated frankly, "The Chief Justice of the Supre Court is about to resign due to his wife’s accusations of taking bribes. The Cabinet is giving him a dignified exit soon. The position should be mine by right, but I’ve received word that the Personnel Agency of the Cabinet is persuading Pri Minister Miyazawa to nominate another Justice nad Jun Panasonic, who has always been at odds with . Mr. Aoyama, do you have any good strategies?"
While he asked for strategies, it was clear he wanted Aoyama Xiu Xin to handle his rival, Panasonic Jun, for him.
The Chief Justice of the Supre Court’s appointnt process was nomination by the Cabinet, approval by the Heavenly Locust, who was essentially a rubber stamp—the crux was the Cabinet’s nomination.
Whoever the Cabinet nominated, that was who would take the seat.
"If Panasonic Jun loses his eligibility, are you confident you could advance even further, Dean?" Aoyama Xiu Xin inquired.
Takizawa Shikou nodded confidently, "Aside from Chief Justice Panasonic, there’s no one else competing with ."
"The Dean has helped greatly, and I will co up with a way to alleviate your worries," Aoyama Xiu Xin bowed.
Takizawa Shikou returned the bow with a respectful nod, "Then I shall depend on you, Mr. Aoyama. If you succeed in this matter, I will be eternally grateful and will certainly not be stingy in repaying the favor."
"Xiu Xin will do his utmost!" Aoyama Xiu Xin, equally solemn, made a serious commitnt.
Takizawa Shikou lifted his head, his stern expression gradually softening, "Now that we’ve discussed serious matters, let’s continue with our tea, speaking only of poetry and scenery, not mundane affairs."
"Yes, Dean, please," Aoyama Xiu Xin responded.
They chatted about various topics for a while until Takizawa Shikou suddenly slapped his forehead, "Idiot! I just rembered I need to write a report. Mr. Aoyama, please forgive for leaving your company. Please enjoy the company of Miho and Qian Yu."
With those words, he rose to leave.
"Business is certainly more important, Dean. There’s no need to concern yourself with ," Aoyama Xiu Xin stood up quickly to see him out.
Watching the Changzi Gate close, Aoyama Xiu Xin furrowed his brow, suspecting for the second ti the ridiculous thought that the other party might know about his affair with Hashimoto Miho and Takazawa Chiyu, and might even be deliberately indulging it.
No, that’s impossible. If he had really found out, he would have been eager to carve up.
"Master, what’s wrong?"
Hashimoto Miho hugged him from behind and asked.
"Slap!"
Aoyama Xiu Xin ca to his senses, turned around with a cold face, and delivered a vicious slap across Hashimoto Miho’s face.
"Ah!"
Caught off guard, Hashimoto Miho cried out in pain and fell onto the tatami, then crawled on her knees to bow at Aoyama Xiu Xin’s feet, "Master, I know I was wrong."
"I don’t wish for there to be a next ti," Aoyama Xiu Xin said emotionlessly, lifting his foot to press on her delicate face, pinning her down, motionless.
Hashimoto Miho’s face turned pale as she nodded repeatedly.
"Rember this, there will not be another ti,"
Aoyama Xiu Xin withdrew his foot, speaking indifferently.
However, what he didn’t know was that Takizawa Shikou hadn’t gone to his study at all but was in the next room, separated only by a wooden Changzi Gate.
If the door were opened, Takizawa Shikou could clearly see the absurd and indecent scene in the tea room.
Old and cunning, Takizawa Shikou had long discovered the affair between his wife and Aoyama Xiu Xin and even allowed it deliberately, for he derived pleasure from it.
It seed that Aoyama Xiu Xin had the advantage, but in reality, he unknowingly beca a tool for Takizawa Shikou’s enjoynt.
Takizawa Shikou felt like he had won at mahjong.
Aoyama Xiu Xin was none the wiser, or else he would surely praise wholeheartedly, "Truly Japanese!"
...
Deep into the night, the city lights were extinguished.
The night at Tokyo Port was eerily quiet.
Yet Tokyo Port was still bustling.
A loaded international cargo ship filled with cigarettes and liquor slowly left the port under the guidance of a tugboat by night.
Once it was far from the port, the vessel gradually increased its speed, and soon the city skyline disappeared from view, the full-speed cargo ship slicing through the waves on the boundless sea.
"Woo woo woo!"
Just then, sirens blared, red and blue lights colored the sea surface, and several fast boats from the Mariti Security Bureau, fully staffed, ca barreling through the waves.
The personnel were fully ard, weapons at the ready.
Accompanied by the loud noise of helicopter rotors, an ard helicopter flew overhead, circling while issuing a warning to the international cargo ship below.
"To the cargo ship below, this is the Japan Coast Guard. We have received a report that you are carrying contraband. Please cooperate imdiately with our inspection!"
"Idiot! How could this happen?" The person in charge of the cargo ship, hearing the noise, ran out of the cabin to the deck to look at the circling helicopter, both shocked and angry.
There had never been a problem before.
From the Mariti Security Bureau’s actions, it was clear this wasn’t a routine check but a targeted strike.
And this ti, no one had tipped them off.
The cigarettes and liquor on their ship hadn’t been properly declared for export. Being arrested was the least of their worries since they had connections to get them out.
But the loss of the goods was a huge blow.
As the helicopter started to land, the person in charge gritted his teeth and picked up a satellite phone to send out a ssage.
It wasn’t just this ship; several others were also targeted by the Mariti Security Bureau. Forced to return, all their goods were confiscated.
Many were sleepless that night because of Aoyama Xiu Xin.
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