After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

As soon as she got out of the car, Toyokawa Yuu almost habitually patted Mortis's head.

Looking at the golden-eyed beauty whose face was full of displeasure and who was about to grab his sleeve and turn to leave, Toyokawa Yuu couldn't help but feel a little helpless.

This was probably the first time that Yuu Toyokawa had missed her loyal, blond-haired, purple-eyed dog.

Putting aside Hatsune's various little thoughts, at least her ability as a villa manager is truly outstanding; she is dignified, proper, and doesn't have many petty temper tantrums.

However, this thought was fleeting. Toyokawa Yuu knew that his thinking was somewhat like wanting both ways. If Hatsune Miku were really to be brought back to be the villa manager, he would probably resist even more fiercely.

At least with Ruoye Mu and Mortis around, I can at least get a good night's sleep.

"Be gentle, let Xiao Mu out. I'm not that kind of lady..."

Faced with Toyokawa Yuu's advice, Mortis muttered a couple of times, sounding somewhat aggrieved.

After all, once she stepped into this place, she could never feel good.

Although she was somewhat dissatisfied, Mortis's complaints were limited to this formality. After being lectured by Toyokawa Yuu, her movements unconsciously became much gentler.

“Xiao Xiang just passed away, and she brought her husband here to be all lovey-dovey. Xiao Xiang would be angry if she knew.”

The lights in the stairwell suddenly came on, and a voice that was hard to tell whether it was mocking or slanderous came from the second floor.

Mature, charming, and at the same time carrying a touch of worldly experience.

Light footsteps echoed as the former movie star, who had long, light green hair almost identical to Mortis's, descended the steps, her golden eyes smiling as she looked at the couple who had suddenly come to visit her home.

"Are you in such a hurry, my lovely daughter?"

"Do you think I wanted to come looking for you? If you hadn't refused to go to the Toyokawa family, I wouldn't have gone through all that trouble to bring Yuu out... I should have just stuffed you in the trunk and tied you up."

Seeing that Minami seemed eager to see him make a fool of himself, Wakaba Mutsu was furious. His temper, which had softened considerably under Toyokawa Yuu's guidance, became sharp again.

"But it seems you're still accommodating Youyu-kun, just like Youyu-kun accommodated you back then."

Wrapped in a thin nightgown, Mori Minami was not as exquisite and glamorous as when Toyokawa Yuu had met her ten years ago. Instead, she exuded a simple and even casual charm.

But that was all the change was. The smile in her eyes remained unchanged, as if even though the power of the Wakaba family had been taken over by Wakaba Mutsu and Mortis, and she herself had become a loser in her career, many things were still under her control.

Regarding what is happening now, this woman, who openly discussed her desires with Yuu Toyokawa ten years ago, seems to be pleased with the current situation and even has the mind to joke about her daughter.

"Back then, Yu-kun couldn't leave you alone because of her manager's job. Now, as the villa manager of the Toyokawa family, you really have to accommodate Yu-kun's ideas... That's great. My daughter and the young people I have high hopes for are both ambitious and career-minded."

She clapped her hands together lightly in front of her, and when Mori Minami's praise reached Toyokawa Yuu's ears, something just didn't sound right.

As for Mortis, who knew his birth mother's character better, his face had completely fallen apart at this moment.

With ten years less of experience in the relationship, Toyokawa Yuu might not have been able to understand Mori Minami's unspoken meaning, but Mortis understood the subtle sarcasm in his mother's words.

"If you're trying to disgust me, you don't need to use such euphemistic language. Minami, Yuu's care for me back then wasn't out of any work requirement, and bringing Yuu here wasn't part of my duty either."

With his teeth clenched, Mortis's displeasure was evident on his face, as he could clearly read the unspoken meaning in his mother's words.

What do you mean by saying that Youyu used to take care of me only because it was a job requirement? Is it possible for someone to take care of their family members because of a job requirement?

Mortis glared fiercely at Minami Mori in front of him, then subconsciously glanced at Yuu Toyokawa standing beside him. When he realized that the expression on Toyokawa's face had not changed, his heart, which had only been filled with indignation, suddenly jumped.

Yu Yu... he wouldn't actually take those words seriously, would he?

"It's been a long time, Ms. Minami."

Seeing that Mortis seemed to be arguing with Minami Mori, Yuu Toyokawa promptly intervened and joined their conversation.

"Oh my, Yuu-kun, it really has been a long time."

Seeing that Yuu Toyokawa had taken the initiative to intervene in her conversation with Mortis, Minami Mori's smile became even brighter, and her voice even sounded somewhat surprised.

However, as soon as the pleasantries were finished, those golden eyes, which were exactly the same as those of Ruoye Muku and Mortis, narrowed slightly, with a mixture of doubt and amusement.

"Why are you coming to me, this old hag, now that things have come to this? Even if you want to seek help because of Xiangzi's death, my daughter is the most powerful person in the Wakaba family right now."

“That’s right. If Yuu wants to do something, she can just tell me directly. There’s no need to go to Minami.”

Mortis found Minami's barbed compliments particularly grating. Although she didn't want to agree with her even once, she would rather Yuu Toyokawa leave as soon as possible.

She knew her mother's character all too well. Even though she had stayed at home obediently for the past few years and hadn't done anything to cause trouble, some things would never change—Mori Nami was a woman with a heart of stone.

As for his past rivalry with Minami Nami in the industry, he only won, not defeated her... On the contrary, Yutenji Wakana never acted with him again until he semi-retired.

"...Mortis, I need to speak with Ms. Minami alone."

After hesitating for a moment, this time Toyokawa Yuu did not respond to Mortis's words, nor did she try to mediate the conflict between the mother and daughter. Instead, she decided to talk to Mori Minami alone.

He had already realized that the mother and daughter could never have a proper conversation when they were together.

Why......

Mortis was about to argue, but his expression froze abruptly just before he could speak.

It didn't seem like she suddenly realized the issue of etiquette and became more careful; rather, it looked like someone suddenly snatched her away, preventing her from completing her next action.

"I know... Minami, Yuu, I'll be right outside. Call me anytime if you need anything."

A voice, indifferent yet with a touch of softness, echoed in the hall of the Wakaba family's house. Unlike Mortis's voice, which was full of distinct and passionate emotions, it was like a clear spring making a soft murmur.

If Ye Mu quickly seized control of Mortis's body, nodded to Toyokawa Yuu, and obediently walked out the door, leaving the villa's hall.

Her submissive demeanor made her seem less like the "true head of the Wakaba family" as described by Minami and more like a young and obedient villa manager.

Suddenly, the somewhat arrogant and domineering Mortis was replaced by the obedient and docile Wakaba Mutsu. On the contrary, Toyokawa Yuu and Mori Minami, who were already sitting across the coffee table, felt a little uncomfortable and looked at each other after the door closed.

However, the sound of the door closing hadn't been quiet for long when the door of the Wakaba family was opened again, and the beautiful woman with golden eyes walked in once more. This time, it was Mortis with an unhappy expression, holding a blonde doll in her hand.

"Youyu, you left your things in the car and forgot to take them."

Mortis placed the doll in his arms on the sofa where Toyokawa Yuu was sitting, glared fiercely at Mori Minami again, and then turned and left.

"She's still like a little kid, just like before. Having a daughter like that is really a headache. Xiao Mu is much more well-behaved, right, Youyu-kun?"

Her golden eyes reflected Mortis's departing figure. Only when her daughter's shadow was completely shut out by the closed door did Minami lower her eyes and compose herself of the subtle emotions in them.

"I do remember that when I first met Ms. Minami, you said something like, 'I don't know which one, Wakaba Mutsu or Mortis, is my daughter.' Seeing that you've been idle at home for a few years and have actually started to care about your daughter, I'm actually happy for Mutsu and Mortis."

Taking in the subtle emotions in Minami's eyes, Yuu Toyokawa didn't take the tea that the former movie star had brewed and personally pushed in front of her. Instead, she reached out and smoothed the hair of the doll that Mortis had placed next to her.

This time, it was Minami's turn to be slightly stunned. She seemed to have been recalling things carefully before digging out the details that happened ten years ago from the depths of her memory.

"I didn't expect that Yu-kun would still remember something from so long ago. Should I envy young people's memories?"

The curve of her lips became more genuine, and Mori Minami looked somewhat emotional, but Toyokawa Yuu dared not believe that the venomous beauty in front of him, who had colluded with him ten years ago and later constantly oppressed him to the point that he had no choice but to take Wakaba Mutsu in his home, would so easily reveal her true feelings.

However, there is one thing that can test whether the person in front of you, Minami Nami, is actually acting.

Yuu Toyokawa gently stroked the long hair of the doll in her hand with some reluctance. In any case, now that Shoko Toyokawa had passed away, this was one of the few things she had left behind.

With her eyelids slightly lowered, Toyokawa Yuu made a firm decision and held the doll in front of Mori Minami.

According to Toyokawa Kiyoko's diary, ten years ago, Toyokawa Shoko used this doll left behind by Toyokawa Mizuho to get Mori Minami to agree, so this thing must be particularly important to Mori Minami.

“There’s nothing to envy. Some things, if you remember them for too long, can make you feel uneasy when you’re staring at the ceiling alone at night. It would be better to forget them all… Ms. Minami, may I entrust this doll to you?”

Meeting the incredulous look in Minami's eyes, as if she had never expected to hand over this doll to her, Toyokawa Yuu pulled at the muscles on her face, forcing a wry smile.

“You know my situation. After all, this is one of Xiangzi’s most cherished possessions. I’m afraid I won’t be able to protect it properly for a while, but I think you can.”

"How generous of you, Yuu-kun, to bring this to me like this..."

With a hint of trepidation, Mori Minami accepted the doll that had briefly belonged to her ten years ago, only to be taken away by the man in front of her who was then a boy. Her golden eyes became even more complicated.

She was indeed somewhat shrewd, but she had to admit that the couple, Toyokawa Yuu and her husband, were indeed very good at controlling their desires.

Whether it was ten years ago or now.

"Speak, what do you want me to do? We were accomplices for a time and enemies for a time, after all. You wouldn't be so eager to help me for no reason. As for not being able to protect this doll or anything..."

Looking up into Toyokawa Yuu's eyes, Mori Minami's gaze sent a chill down his spine.

"If I remember correctly, Yu-Yu-Jun should be the kind of person who would try his best to protect anything he considers his own, and if he really couldn't protect it, he would rather perish with it than let go."

Chapter 137 Mortis, We'll Stay at Your House Tonight

If we truly cannot protect them, we will not even consider letting go, even if it means destruction together...

When Mori Minami's comments reached Toyokawa Yuu's ears, his first reaction was to refute them.

He doesn't like others casually judging him, especially people like Senmina Nami who are particularly fond of judging others.

However, Minami Mori's way of judging people is somewhat special. In the past, rather than directly defining people with her own words, she actually preferred to lure others into the direction she judged them to fall. This is why she said more than once ten years ago that she would always be willing to leave a collaborator or accomplice position for Yuu Toyokawa.

It's rare to see someone so open about Toyokawa Yuu's personality like this.

That's why Toyokawa Yuu swallowed the rebuttal that was already on the tip of her tongue.

Unlike Hachiman Kairin and Wakaba Mutsumi, who were girls who had been deliberately guided by her gentler side ten years ago and had long since formed a fixed impression of her, she was different.

Minami Mori knew what type of person she was from the very beginning.

Although she doesn't know her own nature perfectly, the kind of evasive words I used to use to fool Ruoye Muku and the others probably won't work on her.

After a moment of silence, Toyokawa Yuu finally gave up on arguing with Mori Minami about her definition of her personality. There was no point in getting entangled with her on this topic; it would only make her more and more passive in Mori Minami's conversation.

Mortis said she won, so how come this old hag doesn't look like a loser at all?

With her eyelids slightly lowered, Toyokawa Yuu finally raised her hand and gently tossed a piece of cloth, its surface polished to a matte finish, which traced an arc in the air above the coffee table before being caught in Mori Minami's hand.

"Have you seen this before? I mean, before I gave it to Xiangzi at the wedding."

There were no more polite small talk; this time, Toyokawa Yuu went straight to the point, as he had come specifically to find out what was going on.

Although theoretically, Toyokawa Yuu has quite a few "elders" nowadays, most of them are hoping he dies quickly so that everyone can officially start their meal. Moreover, his relationship with the main family has never been close, so they can't be counted on.

As for Minami Mori... to be honest, Yuu Toyokawa didn't believe that she was really as indifferent to worldly desires and living a secluded life at home as she was now, at least he didn't believe that she really had no contact with the branch families.

According to Mortis's account, the news that the branch families used the information about Hatsune Miku's identity provided by Hachiman Kairin to bring down Toyokawa Sadaharu was told to her by Mori Minami.

But everything has to be compared. Just like how, compared to Hatsune Miku, who is more meticulous in her work, Toyokawa Yuu would prefer Master and Wakaba Mutsu, who can help her get a good night's sleep, to be the villa managers.

Rather than seeking out branch families who clearly wished for his demise, Toyokawa Yuu would rather go to Mori Minami.

As for whether her words are true or false... I've been tricked to death more than once or twice. When there's no other way, even if you don't believe it in your heart, you have to remember it in your mind. The worst case scenario is just to verify it with your life or death.

The biggest problem right now is whether Senmina Nami knows the truth and whether she is willing to speak out.

"This thing..."

Minami turned the pocket watch face up and looked at the markings the hands were pointing to.

"Has it already pointed to [VI]? I remember back then the pointer was always at the origin and didn't move at all."

He held the pocket watch that Yuu Toyokawa had tossed to him in his palm and rubbed it, his fair fingertips brushing against the slightly rough but comfortable brass case, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes.

This expression made Toyokawa Yuu secretly breathe a sigh of relief, at least it meant that Mori Minami did recognize this thing.

"This thing isn't exactly a secret, but now, whether it's Lord Sadaharu, Mizuho, ​​or Kiyoko, they're all familiar with it. But right now... it seems like I'm the only one who can speak."

Quickly composing herself with a nostalgic expression, Mori Minami tossed the pocket watch back to Toyokawa Yuu, a hint of cunning in her eyes that seemed all too familiar to him.

They looked exactly the same as they did ten years ago when they were still in cahoots, but also trying to find an opportunity to tear a piece of flesh from each other.

Toyokawa Yuu sighed inwardly, feeling a sudden headache coming on.

Even though Mori Minami didn't say anything, he knew that he probably wouldn't get what he wanted without paying a price today.

"It seems that Ms. Minami has conditions."

"Of course, I'm not doing charity work. You Yu-jun, you haven't forgotten how I lived under the same roof as my daughter back then, have you?"

Mori Minami squinted and smiled, seemingly unaffected by the passage of ten years; she was still the same vixen she always was.

“I think that doll is enough as payment. I originally planned to bury it with Xiangzi as a burial item.”

Yuu Toyokawa narrowed her eyes, her voice sounding somewhat displeased, but she was actually quite relaxed.

No matter how many times you go back to ten years in the future, or even if this period is the starting point of everything, it will not change the fact that Toyokawa Yuu spent a longer time ten years ago.

To be fair, the people I meet ten years later are inevitably different from the people I was more familiar with ten years ago, which makes Toyokawa Yuu have to be a little cautious when getting along with them.

As for Minami... to be honest, her obvious attempt to trick him actually made Toyokawa Yuu feel somewhat familiar and at ease.

“But Yu-kun just now entrusted this doll to my care.”

He still had that treacherous smile, and his ability to take advantage of others had become even more skillful.

Minami picked up the doll beside her, her golden eyes seeming to be looking at a familiar face.

"In this respect, Youyu Jun owes me two favors this time."

"If I were to take this doll back now and use it as a burial item for Xiangzi, I'm sure Ms. Minami wouldn't be reluctant to part with it... So, what are your conditions?"