Tokyo: Starting with a fake boyfriend

The fact that cheating on one's spouse results in receiving a ticket to the Dragon Palace signifies that offending Hojo Ryoma comes at a high price, as he can be murderous when angered.

"Is it because I forcibly left yesterday, causing Hojo Yuki and Yamabuki Minami to be upset, that they're holding a grudge against me?"

"It shouldn't be. If he really wanted to settle scores with me, he wouldn't send someone to invite me to meet him in broad daylight. Instead, he would wait until I returned to my rented apartment at night and tied me up on that section of road without surveillance cameras."

"Is it because I helped Hojo Yuki become single again that you want to express your gratitude to me?"

"It shouldn't be. I've made it clear that I don't want to see him, I don't want to have anything to do with him, and I don't want to meet him. If he has any humanity left and knows how to be grateful, he will respect my choice."

"I hope they don't want me to marry into their family and become their son-in-law."

Having ruled out several possibilities, Shiratori Osamu narrowed his eyes as he considered the few remaining options.

The main reason he forcibly left last night was this possibility.

Hojo Ryoma is an exceptionally dangerous person; even if someone refuses his invitation, they have to think twice about the consequences. If he were to express his desire to find a son-in-law to live with him, it would be wonderful if you married into the family; but if you refused, it would be tantamount to offending him.

Perhaps the culture of sons-in-law in Japan is different from that in the past. In Japan, people don't look down on those who marry into the family, and some may even think you are amazing. But once you become a son-in-law, your life is completely locked up.

The car had already started moving, heading from Shibuya to Minato Ward.

"Mr. Shiratori Osamu, I have a question that I would like to ask you to answer."

Halfway there, Takeo Fukuhara, sitting in the front passenger seat, hesitated for a long time before finally speaking up.

"Please speak."

Shiratori Osamu, who was deep in thought, responded without even lifting his eyelids.

Once inside this vehicle, although he wasn't imprisoned yet, he had already lost his autonomy, and it was best for him to be sensible and cooperate obediently.

"How did you discover that I and my men were secretly observing you?"

After successfully striking up a conversation, Takeo Fukuhara asked the question that had been bothering him.

This was a question that he couldn't figure out. Although he didn't directly observe Shiratori, but instead had his companion do it, his focus was still on protecting the two young ladies.

However, he knew his companions' professional abilities. They should not have been exposed when carrying out an operation like "observation," which did not require absolute detail but only absolute safety. So where did things go wrong?

"?"

Faced with this question, Shiratori Osamu, who was brainstorming, focused his gaze and then looked up.

He remained expressionless, but in his mind, which was as empty as the night, it was as if a shooting star flashed by, followed by a meteor shower of countless thoughts.

Chapter 113 First Meeting

Luxury apartment on the 19th floor of Kukkaka-funari Residence, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo.

The three people sat around the sofa, each lost in their own thoughts.

"beep--"

The doorbell rang, bringing the three people to their senses.

"Is it Xiu Jun who has arrived?"

Upon hearing this noise, Yamabuki Minami's eyes lit up, and she stood up with delight.

"Why did he come so fast... Dad, did you really invite him properly? You didn't force him to come back, did you?"

Although Hojo Yuki stood up happily, she had more on her mind and couldn't help but feel worried.

From the father giving the order to calling someone back, the time was too short, it went by unbelievably smoothly.

Upon hearing this, Yamabuki Minami, who had been happy to see Shu-kun, also realized what was happening and looked at her grandfather.

“I just gave the order in front of you, I repeatedly told you not to hurt him, not to go against his wishes, and not to forcibly bring him back.”

Faced with their suspicions, Hojo Ryoma felt like crying but had no tears left. He had gone to such lengths that all he could do was explain.

"sorry."

Seeing her father's helpless reaction, Hojo Yuki realized that she had probably overthought things and felt ashamed.

Upon learning this, Minami Yamabuki felt much relieved and then rushed to the entrance hall.

Before she could even open the door, she saw through the electronic peephole screen next to the door that the person ringing the doorbell was Uncle Fukuhara.

"Huh?"

Seeing this, Yamabuki Minami, who had been looking forward to it, suddenly stopped.

Not Shu-kun, but Uncle Fukuhara?

Wasn't Uncle Fukuhara fired for reporting Dad's infidelity to Mom? Why is he suddenly ringing the doorbell at our new house?

"Fukuhara-san?"

Following behind her, Hojo Yuki was initially surprised to see the person on the electronic peephole screen, but then her heart sank to the bottom.

Takeo Fukuhara was her ex-husband's driver and bodyguard. They had known each other for twelve years. Although their relationship wasn't particularly close and they rarely spoke, they were still old acquaintances.

Moreover, Fukuhara-san is a very good person. After discovering her ex-husband's infidelity, he immediately told her. He is a very trustworthy and good person.

An old friend visiting is usually a good thing, but given the current situation, Hojo Yuki thought of a possibility: Could Fukuhara be one of her father's men?

If that's the case, it means that her father wasn't just secretly observing Shiratori-kun, but had also been observing her and Minami for many years.

Although she knew her father was doing this to protect her from harm, she suddenly felt suffocated when she thought of Shiratori-kun's desperate attempt to avoid her last night. She truly felt the pressure of being watched.

Both mother and daughter are very sensitive and kind-hearted, with a strong sense of empathy.

After her initial confusion, Minami Yamabuki also thought about this aspect, and felt a chill run down her spine.

She had known him since childhood, and he had even bought her candy. Uncle Fukuhara, who was always very kind and friendly to her, turned out to be her grandfather's man.

At that moment, she felt firsthand how terrifying her grandfather was.

Why aren't you opening the door?

At the same time, Hojo Ryoma, dressed in a kimono, walked up with his hands behind his back. When he saw them standing there in a daze, he asked them a question. Then, he put on wooden clogs and opened the door of his house.

"Master, Mr. Shiratori Osamu has arrived."

Takeo Fukuhara stood outside the gate, and after many years, he saw Ryoma Hojo. He bowed and greeted him before turning to the side and extending his arms.

Hojo Ryoma looked along his outstretched arm and saw Shiratori Osamu, whose appearance was exactly the same as in the photos and videos.

Compared to the photos, Osamu Shiratori is even more handsome in person. He has blond hair with black undertones, a tall and well-built physique, three-dimensional and deep-set features, a distinct profile, a striking presence, and particularly beautiful dark eyes.

"No wonder Xiao Nan likes him so much; this kid has nine-tenths of my style when I was young."

I finally met him in person. Although Hojo Ryoma was furious about what he did last night, my first impression of him was still good.

The main reason was that this kid did him a huge favor, clearing the Yamabuki family in seven days and curing his daughter's obsession with love.

"Is he Hojo Ryoma? Just as I guessed, he's rigid, domineering, arrogant, and has a sense of superiority."

As he scrutinized him, Shiratori Osamu also looked at him.

Thick, black hair flowing down his back like dragon whiskers; sharp, angular features; sword-like eyebrows and eagle-like eyes; three-dimensional facial features; his everyday attire consists of a black kimono and wooden clogs.

People who dress differently from the crowd usually have a high degree of self-identity, a very strong personality, an extremely strong inner strength, and are confident and aloof.

"Mr. Hojo, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Osamu Shiratori. I am here at your invitation. I hope you will take good care of me."

After exchanging glances, Shiratori Osamu, being very polite, bowed slightly to him and greeted him.

In Japan, the senior-junior culture plays a very important role in interpersonal communication. When a junior faces a senior, they must greet them first; otherwise, it will be considered a great disrespect.

"I am Hojo Ryoma, hello."

Hojo Ryoma noticed that he was very polite and nodded with slight satisfaction, treating him with courtesy in return.

As expected, his conclusion from the investigation report was correct. Although the boy became a delinquent after high school, he was actually a super top student before that, with excellent grades, respect for elders and love for children, and a humble personality.

Moreover, Shiratori Osamu excelled in both his studies and his delinquency, demonstrating the quality that "a talented person can do anything well," showing great potential.

"Come in, sit down for a while, and let's chat?"

After exchanging greetings, Hojo Ryoma, as the elder, stepped aside and extended an invitation.

"It would be my great honor."

When dealing with this kind of person, Shiratori Osamu even uses formal and cautious language.

After saying that, they went into the Hojo residence together.

"Xiu Jun".

When Minami Yamabuki saw Shiratori Osamu arrive, her fear and unease at discovering that Uncle Fukuhara was her grandfather's man immediately subsided.

"Shiratori-kun".

Although Hojo Yuki felt the pressure just now, she felt more guilty.

No wonder Shiratori left so decisively last night; realizing that he had been constantly being watched was truly terrifying.

Seeing this, Hojo Ryoma remained silent, but felt very resentful.

His granddaughter saw him this morning and didn't say a word, but when she saw Shiratori Osamu, she was overjoyed. That was exactly the reaction he wanted to see.

"Good afternoon, class monitor, Aunt Hojo."

After pausing, Shiratori Osamu responded to each of their greetings.

He called her "Auntie" again, and Hojo Yuki was a little unhappy, but she glanced at her father and didn't show it. There was a reason why Shiratori-kun called her that.

It's alright. After Father leaves and the door is closed, Shiratori-kun will call her Mother-in-law affectionately, just like before.

"Xiujun, these are your slippers."

Minami Yamabuki no longer cared about the title of class monitor. She just noticed that her mother wasn't moving and saw Osamu Shiratori walk over and take the pair of black slippers that her mother had bought for her from the shoe cabinet next to her, placing them on the steps between the entrance and the hallway.

"###"

Seeing this, Hojo Ryoma remained silent, but veins bulged on his forehead.

Although he knew that his granddaughter was infatuated with Shiratori Osamu, and with her love-struck mind taking over, she was probably head over heels in love, the difference in their treatment was just too great!

His granddaughter not only didn't say a word when she saw him, but also cried and punched him a lot. However, when she faced Shiratori Osamu, she had a happy and reassuring smile and thoughtfully handed him slippers.

What do you mean by "your slippers"? There aren't even any slippers for him in this house.

"Thank you."

Faced with Yamabuki Minami's warm hospitality, Shiratori Osamu tensed up slightly and could only offer his thanks.

After changing into slippers, the four of them filed into the living room.

Even large apartments have their differences. After Shiratori Shu entered the house, he only subconsciously looked around, and the background music of "I have mistakenly entered the Heavenly Palace, I advise you to put down the sand in your hand" automatically played in his mind.

Because this house is too luxurious. It is visibly spacious, with a very luxurious feel to the decoration, and it is a duplex design with stairs and a very high ceiling.

The sofa area is located on a low platform with varying elevations, and the wall in front of it is a floor-to-ceiling window at the same height as the wall, providing excellent natural light.

Upon arriving at the sofa, everyone took turns sitting down, in room 211.

"Shiratori-kun, the reason I invited you here is because there is a misunderstanding between us that needs to be cleared up."

Sitting alone in the main seat of the single sofa, Hojo Ryoma didn't mince words and went straight to the point.

"Please speak."

Shiratori Osamu took his backpack off his shoulder and put it aside, listening attentively.

He wasn't too surprised by this opening remark.

Through his conversation with the bodyguard on the way, he had realized the situation: the reason Hojo Ryoma had invited him to meet was because Yamabuki Minami and Hojo Yuki had misunderstood something.

If that's the case, then things will be much easier. His biggest fear was that Hojo Ryoma would be completely unreasonable, insisting on seeing him even if he refused to see him.

To cheer up his daughter and granddaughter, Hojo Ryoma, who had already carefully prepared his words, directly stated his thoughts:

"First of all, I am very grateful to you for helping Xiaoxue see Yamabuki Tomoya for who he really is and for helping her get a divorce. Thank you."

“Mr. Hojo, this is unacceptable. I helped Aunt Hojo get a divorce simply because I was paid to do it, and I have already received my due compensation.”

Faced with his thanks, Shiratori Shu was immediately flattered and widened his eyes, quickly replying.

"Then I want to clarify something: I have never had any intention of hurting you. On the contrary, I admire you because you are very outstanding. The reason why someone is observing you is just basic security work. I value the safety of my daughter and granddaughter and must ensure that everyone who gets close is safe."

“I understand. I never thought you would hurt me, because I am the class monitor’s helper, not your enemy.”

"If that's the case, then why don't you want to see me or have anything to do with me?"