Tokyo: From Lawless Madpolice to Minister

Two days later, the Yeharadong case was announced and caused an enormous public outcry, particularly because it implicated two police officers, including one of bureau-chief rank.

Along with the surge in public opinion, Asai Ayumi gained fame, having just made an appearance in the Sakura Formation smuggling scandal just a few days prior, and many citizens had not yet forgotten her when she made another commendable achievement, naturally astonishing everyone.

The reason for this was that under the persuasion of Asai Youki, the Police Headquarters intentionally promoted Asai Ayumi, aiming to create the image of a heroic female police officer.

Aoyama Xiu Xin, the man who shot and killed Zhongshan Akiyu, also appeared frequently in the reports, though his presence was somewhat overshadowed by Asai Ayumi's brilliance.

Nevertheless, many observant individuals set their sights on him.

One of them was Sato Rich, the chief of Division One at the Police Headquarters. Looking at the name Aoyama Xiu Xin in the newspaper, he could only feel how glaringly irritating it was.

"Since he's already been brought down, why can't he just rot away quietly? What an annoying guy!" Sato Rich muttered under his breath, his face grim, as he crumpled the paper into a ball and tossed it away.

Originally, he wanted to directly force Aoyama Xiu Xin to resign, but he never expected that the man would be so shameless, carrying such a big scandal and preferring to endure looks of disdain and cold remarks rather than resign.

In the end, Sato Rich had no choice but to reassign him to Shinjuku Police Station reluctantly, keeping him under close watch. However, to his surprise, after languishing in obscurity for a while at Shinjuku, Aoyama Xiu Xin suddenly rose to prominence.

He absolutely could not sit back and let the other party continue to develop like this. He had to nip it in the bud while Aoyama was still weak, to prevent any chances of revenge against him.

Unaware of Sato's bad mood, Aoyama Xiu Xin was having breakfast at that moment.

"My sister-in-law's cooking skills are as good as ever. Today's breakfast is delicious too," Aoyama Xiu Xin praised Aoyama Haruko, who was sitting across from him, as he ate.

Aoyama Haruko smiled, "Then you must finish it all, Xiu Xin. Otherwise, you would be lying to me."

"Okay!" Aoyama Xiu Xin solemnly, and with a serious tone, replied, "I'll prove it with action."

Aoyama Haruko was amused by his comical demeanor, laughing so hard that her slender shoulders shook, barely containing the treasures that lay beneath the thin straps of her dress.

"Is it really that funny? Sister-in-law, you're so easily amused," Aoyama Xiu Xin said with an air of helplessness.

Aoyama Haruko blinked and chuckled, "Yes, that's why I'm so happy every day, because I am easily contented."

"Ding-a-ling! Ding-a-ling!"

The phone in the living room suddenly rang.

Aoyama Haruko hurriedly put down her chopsticks and got up to answer the phone, "Moshi moshi, Ah, is it the master? Are you coming home this week? Mm-hm, okay."

After hanging up, she returned to the table and said to Aoyama Xiu Xin, "It was your older brother; he's coming back this weekend, so please try not to get into any trouble these next few days, Xiu Xin."

"Sister-in-law, what are you saying? I am always well-behaved," Aoyama Xiu Xin replied absently, seemingly preoccupied with the news of his good brother's return.

"Ding-a-ling! Ding-a-ling!"

At that moment, the phone rang once again.

"Is there something he forgot to mention?" Aoyama Haruko got up again to answer, "Master... Ah, you're looking for Xiu Xin? He's having breakfast; please hold on a moment."

Aoyama Xiu Xin, having heard this, had already gotten up and walked over, taking the receiver from her hand.

"Moshi moshi, this is Aoyama Xiu Xin."

"Mr. Aoyama, this is Nozawa Yi. I was wondering if you could come to my place right now?" Nozawa Yi's voice came through the receiver, sounding a bit anxious and helpless.

Right on cue.

A feigned calm spread across Aoyama Xiu Xin's lips, harder to suppress than an AK's recoil as he said, "Alright, I'll be right there."

With that, he hung up the phone.

"Eh, what's going on? It couldn't be that woman who left her scent on you last time." Aoyama Haruko teased him with a mischievous smile on her face.

"What are you talking about? She's just a friend," Aoyama Xiu Xin replied, clearly exasperated. Then, he pulled out Asai Ayumi's card and handed it to his sister-in-law. "The bonus from last time has been deposited. The PIN is on the back of the card. Sister-in-law, use it for household expenses. I've got to run, something came up."

As soon as he finished speaking, he ran off, not waiting for his sister-in-law to reply and leaving her calling after him, her voice shut inside with the door.

"Xiu Xin has really grown up," Aoyama Haruko mused, her gaze landing on the bank card in her hand as she curved her lips into a beautiful smile.

Half an hour later.

Aoyama Xiu Xin made his third visit to the Yoshinaga family home.

"Mr. Aoyama." Nozawa Yi, who had been anxiously waiting in the living room, hurriedly stood up to greet him when she saw him.

"Mrs. Yanahara." Aoyama Xiu Xin nodded slightly in greeting before sitting down on the sofa, a puzzled expression on his face. "The case is closed, what's the matter that you called me over so urgently? You seemed quite distressed over the phone."

"I'm really sorry, Mr. Aoyama, I didn't know who else to turn to, so I had to trouble you," Nozawa Yi apologized profusely, bowing deeply.

"You're being too polite, Mrs. Yanahara." Aoyama Xiu Xin stood up, helped her to the sofa, and sat down beside her, the fragrant scent wafting from the mature woman leaving him somewhat stirred. "What exactly is the problem?"

Yehua Yiren had recently finished the funeral, still dressed in mourning attire, wearing a white flower in her hair—a sight that tantalizingly itched at his heart.

Nozawa Yi was indeed in a panic, so much so that she hadn't even noticed how close they were sitting, her small hands clutching her skirt as she spoke indignantly, "The Noguchi Group is taking advantage of our vulnerability to try and take over my husband's company. I refused them, and now they are threatening to drive the company to ruin. I'm at my wits' end, Mr. Aoyama, please help me."

The Noguchi Group was quite calculating, waiting until the Yoshinaga family had finished the funeral before getting ready to make their move.

"This..." Aoyama Xiu Xin showed a troubled look.

Seeing his expression, Nozawa Yi was startled and asked with nervous, bitten lips, "What is it? Is it difficult? Even you can't handle it?"

Aoyama Xiu Xin sighed, shook his head with a wry smile and a sense of helplessness. "I won't lie to you, Mrs. Yanahara. Because of your husband's case, I killed Zhongshan Akiyu, and many of his friends at the Police Headquarters are displeased with me. Now, I'm quite ostracized and suppressed. If it weren't for our chief protecting me, I would already be in a difficult position."

"The Noguchi Group surely has backing from people inside the Police Headquarters too. I've just offended a bunch of people because of Zhongshan Akiyu, and if I make enemies of another group..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the look of difficulty on his face said it all.

"This... I'm sorry, Mr. Aoyama. I didn't realize my husband's case would bring you so much trouble," Nozawa Yi said remorsefully, feeling guilty. She had thought that Aoyama Xiu Xin's resolving the case and his commendation would lead to his being favored, but she hadn't expected the situation to be so complicated.

Then she felt a wave of despair, tears slowly sliding down as she cried out with a plaintive look, "Is there really no other way? That's the inheritance left by my husband. I must protect it at all costs."

"I could take the risk to help you, Mrs. Yanahara," Aoyama Xiu Xin said, giving her a glimmer of hope with his words, but then he took a sharp turn, "However, as I said, it's risky for me. What are you willing to offer?"

"Money..." Nozawa Yi blurted out instinctively, but then quickly remembered that Aoyama Xiu Xin, being honest, didn't care much for money, leaving her somewhat bewildered, murmuring to herself, "What else can I offer, indeed?"

"Forgive me for my impudence, Mrs. Yanahara, but from the moment I first saw you, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. If you don't find me objectionable, please let me be the man to protect you," Aoyama Xiu Xin suddenly took her hand.

Nozawa Yi was momentarily stunned, her face turning to one of disbelief as she quickly blushed, pulling her hand away in shock and embarrassment, and scolded him as she stood up, breathing heavily, "Mr. Aoyama, how could you, my husband just died and you… you are shameless!"

Anger caused her chest to heave violently, and as she grew more intolerable of the thought, she raised her hand to slap Aoyama Xiu Xin.

"Mrs. Yanahara, you don't want to lose your husband's inheritance, do you?" Aoyama Xiu Xin grabbed her pale wrist firmly, putting pressure on her, "Would you really let someone take over the business your husband worked his whole life for? That might be the only proof that he ever existed in this world."

Nozawa Yi froze in place, her eyes red and teary as she stared at him, tears falling like beads off a string.

Aoyama Xiu Xin knew the moment had come, and he pulled her into his arms, "You're doing this to protect what Mr. Nozawa left behind, he wouldn't blame you from the beyond."

"Stop it, don't speak of him," Nozawa Yi shut her eyes, her face filled with shame and anger as she sobbed.

Half-push, half-pull, Aoyama Xiu Xin took his chances.