Sapporo Medical University Hospital.

The corridor outside the emergency room was crowded with people.

There were relatives of Miyashita Hidekatsu, as well as numerous lower-level bureaucrats from the city hall and secretaries of some bigwigs, all concerned about the illustrious and valiant mayor.

As for the reporters, they had been kept out of the hospital by Miyashita Hidekatsu's secretary on police instructions, though they had the right to interview, it couldn't compare to the power of law enforcement.

"Minister Aoyama has arrived."

"Minister Aoyama."

The moment Aoyama Xiu Xin stepped out of the elevator, many of the lower-ranking individuals took the initiative to greet him.

Aoyama Xiu Xin nodded in acknowledgment and then bowed and greeted those of higher status one by one.

This was the food chain.

Finally, he approached the family of Miyashita Hidekatsu and earnestly said, "Mrs. Miyashita, Young Master Miyashita, and Miss Liangzi, please don't worry too much. Sapporo City owes its present to Mayor Miyashita's remarkable contributions; surely, those with good fortune have heavenly protection, and the heavens will ensure his safety."

Mrs. Miyashita, who was being supported by Miyashita Ryouko, seemed overwhelmed with sorrow, her eyes red-rimmed, and responded to this merely by nodding her head without saying anything.

"Minister Aoyama, I want to know why, if your police were conducting a massive manhunt, Mitsuo Mutou was able to slip through the encirclement?" Miyashita Ritsuzo, the eldest son of Miyashita Hidekatsu, asked with a dark expression and unfriendly tone.

"This..." Aoyama Xiu Xin showed a troubled expression and hesitated before explaining softly, "The new Director Zhongshan Junmei appointed by the higher-ups arrived today. Deputy Director Yamashita arranged for a car to pick her up, but Director Zhongshan disdained the modest vehicle and refused to get in. We had no choice but to pull some police from the encirclement to block the road to the airport to welcome her, which allowed Mitsuo Mutou to escape during this diversion. Our police force is to blame."

Although Mitsuo Mutou's escape and subsequent injuring of Miyashita Hidekatsu was unintended, it can't be denied that this incident made his plan against Zhongshan Junmei more successful, at least alienating the mayor's family.

"Hmph!" Miyashita Ritsuzo grimaced and snorted coldly, but he didn't dwell much on this issue, which made it hard to grasp his thoughts. Instead, he continued, "What did the culprit Mitsuo Mutou say?"

"According to Mitsuo Mutou, he did indeed shoot at Mayor Miyashita, but the critical fourth shot was not his doing. There was another gunman on scene. I believe there's no reason for him to lie, so we have already created a composite sketch based on his description and have sent people to investigate," Aoyama Xiu Xin replied with a serious face and a steady tone.

Miyashita Ritsuzo had nothing to say, but Miyashita Hidekatsu's secretary couldn't contain himself, "Another gunman?"

Aoyama Xiu Xin solemnly nodded.

The expression of Miyashita Hidekatsu's secretary fluctuated uncertainly, but he said nothing more.

This led Aoyama Xiu Xin to suspect that he knew something, but since the secretary did not speak, he couldn't ask more, especially since the secretary was no ordinary person.

He didn't ask, but Miyashita Ritsuzo, who also noticed this, had no such reservations and directly asked with a frown, "Mr. Xiaolin, Do you know anything?"

"Master Ritsuzo, let's wait until the mayor wakes up before discussing," replied Kobayashi Nagashima with a bow.

Seeing this, Miyashita Ritsuzo could only give up on pressing further.

Then the corridor fell silent again.

The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

Aoyama Xiu Xin glanced at Miyashita Ryouko, whose tear-stained beauty was even more poignant; but her heart was entirely focused on her actual father, obviously not concerned about him, who was only her father in the bedroom; she stared at the operating room with tightly pursed lips, not noticing his gaze.

He observed the expressions of others, confirming that those still here were genuinely concerned about Miyashita Hidekatsu's safety, as most of their fortunes and futures were closely linked to his.

Miyashita Naoyuki didn't show up, which was unexpected. Aoyama Xiu Xin guessed that Miyashita Ritsuzo didn't allow him to come.

Although it was widely known that he was Miyashita Hidekatsu's illegitimate son, Miyashita Hidekatsu had never publicly acknowledged him, and in such a public setting, Miyashita Ritsuzo wouldn't allow him to come for the sake of family dignity.

An illegitimate child, even if Miyashita Hidekatsu died, he couldn't send him off with the rites of a son.

"Clang!"

Suddenly, the operating room doors opened.

Everyone approached eagerly.

"Doctor, how is my father!" Miyashita Ritsuzo stepped forward and grabbed the doctor's arm.

The doctor, who had just finished the surgery and was exhausted, didn't shake off Miyashita Ritsuzo impatiently but answered respectfully and patiently, "Mayor Miyashita is very lucky, the bullet hit his chest but didn't reach his heart, it has been removed, and the bleeding has been stopped. Once the anesthesia wears off, he should wake up, and his recovery shouldn't interfere with his future work."

"Whew—thank goodness, thank goodness."

"I knew the mayor would be fine, after all, a million citizens of Sapporo are praying together for him."

"Amaterasu surely will protect a good officer like Mayor Miyashita who has served the country and the people so well."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and their faces brightened.

They were happier about the doctor's last sentence than the medical details; as long as his ability to work normally wasn't affected, he would soon return to his position, and everyone's prospects and wealth wouldn't be disrupted by the introduction of a new mayor.

So it is said, one must have power. With great power, there genuinely are more people who care about you.

"Thank you, doctor!" Miyashita Ritsuzo squeezed the doctor's hand firmly, then turned and bowed deeply to the crowd, "Thank you all for your concern and care for my father. Once he wakes up, I will definitely convey this to him. Now that he is out of danger, you need not stay here anymore. So, except for Minister Aoyama, please feel free to leave."

Hearing this, everyone felt a bit envious of Aoyama Xiu Xin for being able to stay because of his official duties—who wouldn't want to be seen by the mayor immediately upon waking?

But since the mayor's son was dismissing them,

no one wanted to overstay their welcome, so they bid their goodbyes, saying they would visit again once the mayor had recovered.

In the blink of an eye, the previously crowded corridor suddenly became spacious, and the air felt much fresher.

"Thank you for staying, Mr. Aoyama. Please convey the content of the interrogation of Mitsuo Mutou to my father when he wakes up," Miyashita Ritsuzo said with a slight bow.

"Hi!" Aoyama Xiu Xin quickly returned the greeting.

A moment later, a few medical staff members wheeled out Miyashita Hidekatsu, who had finished his surgery, to move him to a high-level VIP ward, and Miyashita Ritsuzo and others followed.

Once in the ward, Miyashita's family went inside to wait for Miyashita Hidekatsu to wake up, while Aoyama Xiu Xin and Kobayashi Nagashima, being considerate outsiders, stopped at the doorway.

"Mr. Aoyama, care for a cigarette?" Kobayashi Nagashima offered a cigarette pack to Aoyama Xiu Xin.

"Thank you." Aoyama Xiu Xin took one and put it in his mouth, then took out a lighter to first light Kobayashi's cigarette and then his own amidst Kobayashi's words of gratitude.

Kobayashi exhaled a puff of smoke, glanced back at the hospital room door, and said, "Luckily, there's nothing wrong."

Aoyama Xiu Xin could tell that he truly breathed a sigh of relief and felt fortunate. As a secretary, if Miyashita Hidekatsu were to be in trouble, then his own career prospects would be directly ruined.

Because a newly appointed mayor would definitely have his own secretary, and wouldn't kindly arrange a good position for him, the former secretary, likely relegating him to being an ordinary civil servant for the rest of his life.

"Yes." Aoyama Xiu Xin's feelings were naturally not as deep as Kobayashi's, but he still nodded in agreement.

Just then, the door to the hospital room opened.

Miyashita Ryouko came out, her eyes red.

"Miss Liangzi."

Aoyama Xiu Xin and Kobayashi Nagashima quickly snuffed out their barely started cigarettes and bowed to her.

"Mr. Aoyama, walk with me," Miyashita Ryouko said to Kobayashi with a nod, before turning to Aoyama Xiu Xin.

Aoyama Xiu Xin bowed and replied, "Yes!"

Watching the two walk away, Kobayashi Nagashima naturally thought of Aoyama Xiu Xin's romantic escapades.

He felt it necessary to mention it to Mayor Miyashita.

He wasn't trying to speak ill of Aoyama Xiu Xin; as a secretary, he was merely reporting everything he saw.

As for what the mayor would do, that was the mayor's decision.

...

Aoyama Xiu Xin and Miyashita Ryouko went up to the rooftop in the elevator. The afternoon breeze was strong, causing Miyashita Ryouko's hair and dress to flutter. She wore only a red spaghetti strap dress, its thin fabric clinging to her body under the wind's influence, revealing her smooth, shapely curves, even showing the patterns on her underwear.

Who says wind is shapeless?

Not only does it exist, but its shape is also quite sexy.

"I was preoccupied with my father's safety earlier, so I didn't greet you, Mr. Aoyama. I truly apologize," Miyashita Ryouko said, turning to face Aoyama Xiu Xin and bowing apologetically.

As she bent over, a glimpse of her fair skin flashed.

Aoyama Xiu Xin quickly said, "I understand your feelings, Miss Liangzi, rest assured, I will definitely catch the person who attempted to assassinate the mayor."

"I believe in your abilities, Mr. Aoyama, that's why I called you up here, not to discuss that," Miyashita Ryouko said as she stood up and shook her head, her face showing a vulnerability never seen before, "The moment I heard that my father was shot and his life was uncertain, I felt as if the sky had fallen. For the first time, I considered how I would live if my father died, but couldn't think of anything..."

Aoyama Xiu Xin knew she just wanted to express her feelings after a rollercoaster of emotions rather than seeking advice, so he just listened without interrupting.

"Anyway, the mayor is fine, and even if something were to happen to him, you still have your brother and many relatives," Aoyama Xiu Xin pulled her into his arms.

Miyashita Ryouko looked up teary-eyed and asked, "Am I just a useless person?"

"It's unfair, but some people are born just to enjoy life, not to work," Aoyama Xiu Xin said softly.

The world is just that fucked up.

Miyashita Ryouko suddenly broke into a fit of emotion and tiptoed up to him, saying, "Kiss me."

Aoyama Xiu Xin obliged without hesitation.

The two entangled on the rooftop, gradually shedding their clothes until nothing was left.

Miyashita Ryouko was leaning on the wall, lowering her pride in the presence of Aoyama Xiu Xin, acting desperately submissive and ultimately got her desires fulfilled.

Aoyama Xiu Xin, who had just been listening to her silently moments ago, ultimately couldn't help but put in a word.

It was truly a passionate encounter.

They didn't finish for nearly an hour.

After getting filled with positive energy by Aoyama Xiu Xin, previously downcast Miyashita Ryouko appeared much more cheerful, her cheeks flushed and her breathing prolonged.

"How was it?" Aoyama Xiu Xin asked with a smile.

Miyashita Ryouko murmured, "It hits deep to the stomach."

That was a lesson learned; she'd rather face a confrontation head-on than ever expose her back to an enemy again.

The feeling of being stabbed in the back is too awful.

"Thump, thump, thump!" The door leading to the rooftop was suddenly knocked on, and Kobayashi Nagashima's voice followed, "Miss Liangzi, Minister Aoyama, the mayor has just woken up."

Aoyama Xiu Xin and Miyashita Ryouko glanced at each other.

Just in time, which meant Kobayashi Nagashima wasn't just arriving but had purposely awaited their finish.

"Alright! We'll come down immediately," Aoyama Xiu Xin replied, and listened as the footsteps faded away. He then whispered to Miyashita Ryouko, "Liangzi, will there be any trouble?"

"He will definitely tell my father, but I am an adult now, it'll be fine," Miyashita Ryouko replied nonchalantly, and then began to get dressed.

Aoyama Xiu Xin looked at her in surprise.

It made sense when she was lying down, but standing up and still managing to lock in moisture without any leaks, Miyashita Ryouko must possess the unblemished body described in cultivation novels.

"What's wrong?" Miyashita Ryouko asked, noticing his staring gaze, somewhat perplexed.

"Nothing," Aoyama Xiu Xin shook his head, then added, "Remember to take medicine if you don't want to get pregnant, especially since you seem to be quite fertile."

Dressed neatly, the two hurried back to the hospital room.

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