1993, January 1st, overcast.
Today and the next two days were the New Year for the Japanese. The entire nation was on holiday, including the Police Headquarters.
Of course, there were still the unlucky ones who had to be on duty.
Early in the morning, Aoyama Haruko, dressed in a red kimono embroidered with cherry blossoms, decorated the living room with various Chinese New Year ornants, making the ho joyously festive. She knew Aoyama Xiu Xin adored Chinese culture, so she had specifically purchased these items.
She wanted to give him a different kind of New Year celebration.
Despite her petite stature and short height, she had to stand on a chair and stretch on her tiptoes to hang the decorations up high, toes straining and cheeks puffed, face flushing red with effort.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching and, turning her head, she swept the hair from her ears and revealed a radiant, gentle smile, "Good morning, Xiu Xin. Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year, sis," Aoyama Xiu Xin said, showing a spontaneous smile as he looked around the living room filled with Chinese New Year vibes. "Thank you for such a thoughtful arrangent, it’s beautiful. I really like it."
"That’s good; it wasn’t in vain then, all my hard work," Aoyama Haruko replied, wiping a bit of sweat from her forehead. After hanging the final Chinese knot, she exhaled and said, "Okay now, Xiu Xin, you start with so milk, I’ll go prepare breakfast."
"Alright." Aoyama Xiu Xin nodded, sat down on the living room sofa, and started sipping the warm milk his sister-in-law had prepared while dialing his elder cousin.
"Mosi mosi, this is Asai Zexi."
"Brother, it’s Xiu Xin," Aoyama Xiu Xin started, then added in a grave tone, "There’s sothing I think you need to know. Last night after I escorted you to your room, your wife tried to seduce , but I didn’t take the bait."
"I see," Asai Zexi said, glancing at his newlywed wife enjoying breakfast deliciously in the dining room, a trace of darkness crossing his eyes as he spoke solemnly, "Next ti just go for it. Since she’s using her body as a tool, you might as well treat her as a toy. Let’s not waste resources outsiders would benefit from."
Xiu Xin suddenly choked on his milk, coughing uncontrollably, "Cough, cough, cough... What are you saying, brother? Are you out of your mind? How could I possibly touch your woman?"
"I’m not joking, nor am I speaking out of anger," said Asai Zexi calmly and coolly, "She’s just a woman who shares my bed but not my dreams. Her greatest use is to bear a child and to help gain the support of the Iihara family in my career. If she’s not with in heart, why would I care about her? Anyway, it’s up to you."
Aoyama Xiu Xin was at a loss for words, internally exclaiming that his elder cousin was indeed capable of achieving great things.
This made Iihara Nishi seem all the more naive and ridiculous.
She thought she could manipulate two n with her beauty, seeking to drive a wedge between them.
Little did she dream that neither Asai Zexi nor Aoyama Xiu Xin took her seriously at all.
"Well, brother, since you put it that way, if one day I really can’t hold back, don’t bla ," Aoyama Xiu Xin half-jokingly retorted.
A aningful glimr twinkled in Asai Zexi’s eyes as he muttered softly, "We are family, no need for formalities. It’s idle anyway. When I’m not using it, feel free to use it, just don’t let it get out."
"Wife, who are you talking to? Breakfast is getting cold; co eat," Iihara Nishi cooed from the dining room.
"Coming right away," replied Asai Zexi, turning around with a gentle smile but then hanging up the phone as he walked over, casually ntioning, "It was Xiu Xin."
"Ah!" Iihara Nishi startled, the guilt causing her muscles to tense as she forced a smile, "What’s he talking about so early in the morning?"
"It’s New Year’s Day, what else? Of course, he’s sending his greetings," laughed Asai Zexi lightly, then turning sharp, "But speaking of him, why do you seem a bit off? Is there sothing you’re hiding from ?"
Iihara Nishi had just breathed a sigh of relief that Aoyama Xiu Xin hadn’t exposed her attempt to seduce him. Hearing this made her heart leap to her throat again.
Her mind raced, body sweating profusely.
She decided to strike first to gain the upper hand.
"Husband... I... I..." Iihara Nishi hesitated, struggling to speak, tears welling up in her eyes and soon streaming down her cheeks. She dropped her utensils and leaned over the table, sobbing, "Last night after I brought you ho, Aoyama took advantage of your intoxication to speak rudely to and he molested , hassling for a while before he left."
By blaming Aoyama Xiu Xin first, she hoped to take control should the situation erupt, preventing herself from being at a disadvantage.
Moreover, she thought that over the past few months, her efforts in courting Asai Zexi would have surely had so effect; and knowing how sensitive n are about being cuckolded, he would likely believe her.
"Is that true?" a hint of scorn flickered through Asai Zexi’s eyes, yet anger appeared on his face. He turned around and headed toward the living room, "I’ll ask him right now!"
"No!" Iihara Nishi sprang up, grabbing his sleeve, her voice tearful, "He didn’t really harm , maybe he was just drunk. I don’t want to ruin your relationship because of , otherwise how can I face Ling? Husband, let’s just let it go."
"Well, if that’s the case, I guess we must trouble Nishi," Asai Zexi said with a sigh, pausing as his expression shifted several tis before taking her hand.
Nishi looked up, smiling through her tear-stained face, which was quite striking, "We are husband and wife; what’s a little suffering for your sake?"
"Nishi, to have married you is the greatest blessing of my life," Asai Zexi pulled her into his arms, uttering sweet nothings, yet his gaze remained unflinching, his face void of any emotion.
Unaware of this, Nishi nestled against Asai Zexi’s chest, thinking she had truly won his affections, smug and scoffing to herself.
Just wait, you and Aoyama Xiu Xin will pay dearly for trying to break Jian Er and apart!
On the other side, Aoyama Xiu Xin had yet to recover from the shock his elder cousin had caused, sitting dazed on the sofa with the phone in hand, finally exhaling deeply, acknowledging his elder cousin’s formidable nature.
If it had been him, even if the wife were just nominal and there weren’t any real feelings involved, he absolutely wouldn’t accept her cheating.
His elder cousin was truly a born politician.
If he doesn’t succeed in politics, who will?
Having obtained the authorization from his uncle, Aoyama Xiu Xin didn’t mind joining hands with him if Iihara Nishi tried to seduce him again, advancing side by side.
.........
"Human joys and sorrows do not communicate; I only find them noisy," Lu Xun truly had said this.
Sitting on the steps at the entrance of the casino, watching people co and go, this was exactly what Dongye Yuusei was thinking now.
He had gone bankrupt. Shares, real estate, vehicles, and so on had all been sold off within the month. He had lost everything in the casino and had also accumulated a huge debt.
At this mont of the New Year, when all was supposed to be cheerful, he was holess, without food, and found the smiling faces of passersby unbearably irritating.
Why am I so miserable?
And why are you so happy?
Suddenly, soone kicked him hard from behind. Losing control, he fell forward awkwardly onto the ground. Turning his head, he saw it was people from the casino.
"If you don’t have money, get lost! Why sit here, bringing bad luck? Go scrounge up so money! If you can’t pay it back, we will take your organs instead!"
Two casino bouncers stood on the steps, looking down at Dongye Yuusei from their elevated position, taking perverse pleasure in humiliating those who once shone bright but were now pitifully penniless.
After all, they rarely got such chances!
"You..." Dongye Yuusei felt a deep humiliation inside, glaring at them with tightly clenched fists. He still rembered how these two had groveled and fawned over him every day.
"What’s wrong with us?" one of the brawny n sneered with mockery in his eyes, "Did you think you’re still the big boss, the rich young master, who can pull out money from his pocket? If you could, we would bow down and apologize imdiately, but sadly, you’re broke! Here, only money talks; without it, you are less than a dog!"
"Exactly." The other one cheerfully chid in, "Mr. Dongye, we used to cater to you all the ti, serving you tea, doing your bidding. Now it’s our turn to vent a bit. Isn’t that fair? Get lost, you’re affecting our business!"
Dongye Yuusei, his face red with anger, dared not say much. He picked himself up and staggered away.
He borrowed a few coins from passersby and used a public telephone to call his forr friends for a loan.
But without exception, all of them refused.
They all knew too well about his recent situation; seeing no advantage to gain from him anymore, they had long distanced themselves from him.
"Idiot!"
After being hung up on for the fourth ti, Dongye Yuusei cursed angrily. These people had spent his money without restraint, and yet now they were so heartless!
Looking at the last coin in his hand,
he decided to try it, calling the person he least expected to lend him money.
"Is... is that Mr. Kitano?" After the call connected, he asked tentatively, his voice lacking confidence.
"Mr. Dongye? Is that you, Mr. Dongye?" The person on the other end recognized his voice, sounding sowhat excited, "Mr. Dongye, is that really you? It’s been so long since we last spoke, how are you doing?"
Hearing the concerned words from the receiver, Dongye Yuusei nearly broke into tears. This person was Kitano Keiji, who ca from a modest family background. He was his follower in school who would run errands for him. Dongye often bullied and insulted him, though sotis he would give him a little money for living expenses.
Besides those fair-weather friends, this man was his deepest "friend."
"Ki... Mr. Kitano, I... I haven’t been doing well recently. Could you lend so money?" Dongye Yuusei stuttered, overwheld by sha.
"Where are you? I’ll co over right now!"
Dongye Yuusei gave his address with trembling lips.
He then waited by the phone booth, hunched over due to the cold. About half an hour later, an old motorcycle stopped in front of him.
"Mr. Dongye?"
Dongye Yuusei slowly lifted his head at the sound.
"Mr. Dongye! Is that you, Mr. Dongye? What happened to you!" A young man with dark skin and about the sa age hurried off the motorcycle and helped Dongye Yuusei up, his face full of concern.
Dongye Yuusei was deeply touched, grabbing the man’s hand tightly, his eyes brimming with tears as he said, "My family has gone bankrupt, I’m holess, I made four phone calls to borrow money, and I never thought you would be the one to co see ."
"I may co from a poor family, but my parents taught to repay kindness," Kitano Keiji said with a simple smile, then continued, "Let’s go, have you eaten yet? Let’s have a al and talk."
"Mmm, mmm, mmm." Dongye Yuusei nodded eagerly, unable to contain his excitent. Then he hugged Kitano Keiji tightly, his voice choked with emotion, "Mr. Kitano, true colors are shown with ti, adversity reveals true friendship. Thank you. Though I’ve lost my wealth, I’ve gained invaluable friendship. I’m still blessed!"
The arrival of Kitano Keiji was like a beam of light in the darkness, brightening his increasingly gloomy life.
"Mr. Dongye, this is what I should do. You’re my benefactor," Kitano Keiji replied sincerely, but a hint of mockery and disdain flashed deep in his eyes, quickly concealed as he smiled warmly, "Alright, let’s go have that al."
Dongye Yuusei rode away on his motorcycle.
Unaware of what was waiting for him ahead.
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