By nine in the morning, a flight from Sapporo to Tokyo touched down right on ti, and Aoyama Xiu Xin, along with Nakamura Shinichi, erged lightly from the crowd at the airport.
Jin Yucheng followed behind them, carrying their luggage.
"Xiu Xin!"
Asai Ayumi had already been waiting outside and, upon seeing Aoyama Xiu Xin, quickly strode forward to et him.
Although it was still March, Tokyo’s March was much warr than Sapporo’s, especially towards the end of the month. Therefore, Asai Ayumi was not wearing bulky clothes; underneath she had on a blue spaghetti-strap bodycon dress that contoured her curves and reached just past her knees, with her calves encased in flesh-colored stockings fully on display. Over the top, she wore a petite white cardigan—enough to keep her warm and add an air of elegance.
Aoyama Xiu Xin smiled, waved to her, and went to et her as well. He picked her up, spun her around once, and then set her down. "Long ti no see."
"Mmm." Asai Ayumi looked at him, her eyes brimming with watery affection that seed on the verge of spilling over.
"Senior Police Director," said Nakamura Shinichi as he approached and bowed slightly. Then, turning to Aoyama Xiu Xin, he added, "Senior Police Director, I’ll head ho first and leave you two be."
"Go on, a short separation is as good as a wedding night, I know you’ve been itching to get ho," Aoyama Xiu Xin said, unable to help a chuckle as he waved Nakamura off.
"Hey!" Nakamura Shinichi turned and left imdiately.
Asai Ayumi stepped out from Aoyama Xiu Xin’s embrace and instead looped her arm through his. "Let’s get going too."
"To your place? It’s still early for lunch," Aoyama Xiu Xin said, glancing at his watch.
Asai Ayumi replied succinctly, "Hotel."
Aoyama Xiu Xin had been away from Tokyo for so long, of course, she needed to make up for lost ti with vigor.
"Senior Police Director, not letting rest after getting off the plane, huh? I didn’t even have breakfast today, I’m starving," Aoyama Xiu Xin shook his head.
Asai Ayumi gave him a seductive look. "Think of it as an appetizer before the al, what do you say?"
Aoyama Xiu Xin clucked his tongue and flashed a mischievous smile, "Well, I suppose I could start by whetting your appetite."
Asai Ayumi’s cheeks turned a faint pink, and upon hearing those words, her throat felt a searing ache.
But she missed that feeling a bit.
anwhile, Nakamura Shinichi had taken a taxi, rushing ho to find his wife’s car not there. She must have gone out, which was perfect. He took out his key, entered the house, took a shower, and then went to the supermarket nearby to buy groceries and tools.
While his wife was out, he began setting up for a candlelit dinner, planning to move her to tears with the surprise he had prepared. Although it was a hassle, preparing surprises for his beloved made the process itself a joy for Nakamura Shinichi.
Days went by and, after a long break from their hotel rendevous, Aoyama Xiu Xin and Asai Ayumi finally paused their passionate reunion. Asai Ayumi lay in Aoyama Xiu Xin’s arms, her pretty face flushed, her body dripping with sweet sweat, her hair a tangled ss, and her gaze empty as she lay there, breathing gently with no consciousness.
In the presence of Aoyama Xiu Xin, whom she hadn’t seen for a while, her enthusiastic hospitality featured the freshest ingredients as a way to welco him, and Aoyama Xiu Xin, not a man to forget favors, knew how to reciprocate—the payoff for both was plentiful.
Several minutes later, Asai Ayumi finally recovered, let out a long breath, and cuddled Aoyama Xiu Xin even tighter, her face glowing with a happy smile.
Hmm, not just a happy smile.
There was sothing else too.
Aoyama Xiu Xin touched her slightly damp hair and asked, "Did you prepare the birthday gift for grandpa?"
He had ntioned that he would prepare a great gift for Yanchuan Shilang but hadn’t really taken it to heart, instead entrusting the task to Asai Ayumi. As long as it was presentable, that was enough.
After all, Yanchuan Shilang wouldn’t value him more for a precious gift, nor would he think less of him for an average one.
"It’s ready, a famous painting from the Chinese Song period," Asai Ayumi answered weakly.
Aoyama Xiu Xin nodded. Giving these old bureaucrats antiques was definitely the right move, especially such a high art, high monetary value antique.
After cuddling for a while longer, they showered, dressed, and headed to the Asai family’s house for lunch.
Since Shinichi knew Aoyama Xiu Xin was returning that day, Asai Youki made a point of being ho for lunch. Big brother-in-law, Asai Zexi, also ca back specially with his pregnant wife.
"Uncle, aunt, big brother, sister-in-law," Aoyama Xiu Xin greeted all four after entering and bowing, placing the gifts he’d brought on the coffee table. "I’ve also brought so local specialties from Hokkaido for you."
"You’re so thoughtful, Xiu Xin. Please, have a seat, I’ll go check on the dishes," Mrs. Asai said with a smile full of wrinkles, taking the gifts he’d laid down to put away.
Aoyama Xiu Xin and Asai Ayumi sat down side by side.
Looking at Iihara Nishi’s slightly rounded belly, he had a mont of distraction, curious whether the child inside belonged to his big brother-in-law or himself.
Iihara Nishi gave him a cold, surreptitious glare. Ever since the trip to Sapporo, when she realized she’d beco a joke, a toy for both Aoyama Xiu Xin and Asai Zexi, she was completely subdued. Held tight by Asai Zexi, she had extinguished her desire for revenge and was behaving herself as the dutiful daughter-in-law of the Asai family.
Of course, that didn’t an she no longer hated Aoyama Xiu Xin and Asai Zexi; she simply had no choice.
"It’s almost four months now, very healthy," Asai Zexi noted Aoyama Xiu Xin’s gaze and gently touched his wife’s belly, speaking in a warm tone.
Aoyama Xiu Xin ca back to his senses and smiled, "Congratulations, big brother. When the child is born, I’ll send a generous gift."
In this regard, he and Asai Zexi’s son could be considered old acquaintances, after all, they both ca from the sa place.
"Okay, then I’ll rember that, haha, please thank your son for ," Asai Zexi finished speaking and then started to urge marriage again, "As for you and Ayumi, you should really hurry up too. The pri ti for fertility is only a few years, so you’d better get married and start preparing for pregnancy soon."
"Ayumi is not getting any younger," the normally silent Asai Youki nodded his agreent.
Asai Ayumi also turned to look at Aoyama Xiu Xin.
Aoyama Xiu Xin knew that the Asakai family was a bit worried that, with his rising status, he was getting a bit carried away. He grabbed her hand without hesitation and said, "I’ve had this in mind for so ti, but being separated by distance for the ti being is ultimately inconvenient. Why don’t we just get married when I am transferred back to Tokyo? I do want to marry Ayumi and bring her ho soon."
With his current status and position, he could certainly choose a better marriage partner, but no one was more suitable for him than Asai Ayumi. The two of them knew each other inside and out.
"Who said I want to marry you? Did you ask for my opinion?" Asai Ayumi snorted coldly and pouted her lips.
Asai Zexi asked, "So, will you marry him?"
"I will," Asai Ayumi answered without hesitation.
Everyone couldn’t help but laugh.
The living room was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
Aoyama Xiu Xin’s stance also put Asai Youki at ease. He said with a faint smile, "Xiu Xin, I believe no one is living in your old house in Tokyo, right? Not sure how many days you’ll stay, but you might as well just stay here. There are empty rooms, and we can just ask the maid to tidy one up."
"Hey! Then I’ll impose on uncle," Aoyama Xiu Xin agreed. He estimated he’d stay for three to four days before returning to Tokyo, so it wasn’t worth the hassle.
After dinner, Aoyama Xiu Xin went alone to the villa’s balcony to enjoy the breeze and called Land Guard Chief of Staff Ito Sei, "General Ito, this is Aoyama Xiu Xin."
"Mr. Aoyama, long ti no see. You actually have ti to call today. I guess you must be back in Tokyo?" Ito Sei said, smiling.
"General Ito is truly prescient. I am indeed in Tokyo," Aoyama Xiu Xin laughed and then added, "Tonight, are the generals of the Land Guard Staff free to have a drink? I have so good news to share about everyone’s investnts."
"Mr. Aoyama, with you saying that, we’d find the ti even if we didn’t have any," Ito Sei agreed and then changed the subject, "However, this ti, let’s not trouble you to pay for it. Let arrange everything. How about nine o’clock tonight? I’ve booked a place and will send you the address."
"Great, then nine o’clock tonight, let’s not miss each other," Aoyama Xiu Xin said respectfully.
After Ito Sei hung up, Aoyama Xiu Xin called Hashimoto Miho to arrange a Xiongcheng Association internal eting for the next evening.
This return to Tokyo, besides attending Yanchuan Shilang’s birthday celebration, was mainly about socializing and maintaining relationships. Even couples who have been apart for a long ti could easily stray; let alone "friends" who co together due to mutual interests.
"Chief of Police Qing Mountain really is busy and has wide connections, even having dealings with the Land Guard Chief of Staff and the Vice President of the Tokyo District Court," Iihara Nishi said, arms folded, her expression cold as she walked onto the balcony.
Hashimoto Miho had already been promoted to Vice President of the Tokyo District Court. Her work ability might not be that strong, but her husband was the President of the Supre Court.
Aoyama Xiu Xin had already heard footsteps and turned around after putting away his phone. Iihara Nishi was wearing a loose pale green dress, her hair tied up in a bun, and her belly slightly protruding—whether it was an illusion or not, after getting pregnant, her heavy conscience seed fuller, especially as the wind pressed her dress against her body, accentuating her curvaceous figure.
"My son hasn’t been mischievous, has he?" Aoyama Xiu Xin said, smiling faintly as he walked over and reached out to touch her stomach.
"Smack!" Iihara Nishi slapped his hand away without hesitation, took a step back, and coldly said, "This is Asai Zexi’s son! I ca here to tell you, let the past be completely in the past. Our grudges end here. I won’t cling to you anymore, and you shouldn’t co to bother either."
"Fine, just take good care of my son," Aoyama Xiu Xin retracted his hand with a smile. It seems like a big brother really has so skills, being able to make this crazy-in-love woman completely settle down and obediently beco the Asakai family’s good daughter-in-law.
Iihara Nishi snorted and turned to leave, but she no longer deluded herself into denying the child was his.
After all, as the mother of the child, she knew the score. Asai Zexi’s visits were plenty but brief; Aoyama Xiu Xin’s visits were few but deep and heartfelt.
.........
As night fell and the lights ca on, Tokyo outshone Sapporo with its dazzling neon, befitting its status as an international tropolis.
Guessing the ti his wife would get off work, Nakamura Shinichi had already set the stage, preparing a full table of dishes, and then turned off the lights to wait for his wife to co ho.
Past seven, the sound of keys opening the door was heard.
"Click," the light switch was flipped on.
The room instantly beca as bright as day.
A drunken Yoshino Hazuki didn’t notice Nakamura Shinichi in the dining room because she was embraced and kissing a man so intently that even the door closing was done hastily by the man using one available hand.
Nakamura Shinichi, holding an exquisite gift box, watched this scene with a dumbstruck gaze. The smile on his face slowly solidified until it disappeared, and with a clatter, the gift box fell to the ground, and a necklace tumbled out.
This unexpected sound also startled Yoshino Hazuki and the man. They parted lips, stretching a string of spit, and both turned their heads to look at Nakamura Shinichi.
Being apart, one shouldn’t play with surprises too much—it’s good for all three parties. This saying was truly a pearl of wisdom.
"Ah! Shin... Shinichi!" Yoshino Hazuki exclaid in shock, hastily breaking free from the man’s embrace, her expression embarrassed and frantic as she rearranged her skirt that had been flipped to her waist, "Why did you suddenly co back?"
"Idiot! Hazuki, tell who he is!" Nakamura Shinichi recovered his wits, his eyes raging fiercely as he rebuked angrily, glaring at the still fairly handso young man, panting like a bull, his chest heaving violently—clearly, he was enraged to the extre.
"Mr. Nakamura, I believe I know you," the young man wasn’t embarrassed at all about being caught in the act, instead, he wrapped his arm around Yoshino Hazuki while reaching to buckle his belt and smirked, "I’ve seen the wedding photo by your bed. You know, you should have called before coming back; what’s with the surprise, right? Now it’s all awkward. Tsk, how do you suggest we resolve this?"
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