"No way," Habamoto Youko pouted and rolled her eyes, "Taka, how long are you going to stay in Sapporo?"

"At least for a week, to celebrate your birthday with you," Zhongshan Taka replied with a slight smile.

Habamoto Youko inwardly sighed at his words.

She had just confirmed her relationship with Aoyama Xiu Xin tonight.

Next, she would definitely have to go on frequent dates with him to reinforce the night's achievements, while at the same time, she had to entertain her fiancé, Zhongshan Taka, who had finally returned from abroad, all the while preventing him from discovering her affair with Aoyama Xiu Xin.

How was she going to manage her time?

Especially on her birthday, when both men would surely offer to celebrate with her, what was she to do!

Suddenly, she really admired those women who date several men at the same time and yet never get caught.

Dealing with just two was already proving to be a handful.

.........…

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

In the morning, the president of the Tobacco Industry Corporation was woken up by the ringing of his phone. In a daze, he groped around for a few moments until he found his mobile phone, grabbed it, and put it to his ear to answer, "Mosi Mosi."

"President, the man we sent to Sapporo to investigate the smuggling of tobacco has sent word. He reports that there has indeed been a recent increase in the amount of unidentified cigarettes on the market in Sapporo City, and the quantity is growing over time. Although there is no explicit evidence yet, all clues are pointing towards Miyashita Naoyuki. It seems that the anonymous report we received was true. What do you want to do?"

"Idiot! This shameful thief!" The president instantly woke up from his drowsiness, sat upright on the bed, and said grimly, "You go to Sapporo yourself now. Take those clues and confront Miyasita Hidekatsu directly. Make two demands: stop the smuggling activities immediately, and hand over all the profits gained from smuggling. There is no room for negotiation; he must agree!"

Being in a monopoly business was just that domineering, especially when in the right. It didn't matter if it was Mayor Miyashita Hidekatsu; even the Governor of Hokkaido would not be allowed to harm the interests of the Tobacco Industry Corporation.

"Okay! I've already looked at the tickets. The earliest flight is in two hours, and I'll give you an outcome before you finish work," his subordinate assured with full confidence.

Miyashita Naoyuki was blissfully unaware of the impending strike and was self-satisfied with his recent success in business, proud and spirited. Right in the middle of the day, he joyously led the key members of his smuggling crew to a celebratory lunch.

His success in business had even dissipated much of the bad luck that Aoyama Xiu Xin brought him. Even if the absence of Yatada Haojie led to a loss of future offerings, it didn't matter because he had now found a way to make money and provide for himself.

In a private room, around a dozen people were merrily drinking and clinking cups, with a constant flow of laughter—a picture of jovial harmony.

"Bang!" All of a sudden, Miyashita Naoyuki slammed his cup down on the table, capturing everyone's attention, and announced, "I have a dream."

Immediately, everyone put down their cups and chopsticks, sitting up straight in anticipation of their boss's impromptu speech.

"And that is to make sure that someday every citizen can afford cigarettes, afford quality cigarettes!" Miyashita Naoyuki stood up and proclaimed in a loud voice, draping a sacred veneer over his smuggling operations. He poured himself another drink and raised his glass, "Here's to everyone, hoping that in the coming month, my gentlemen, you will redouble your efforts to ensure our cheap goods fill every street and alley!"

"Great! Well said! We are truly benefiting the public!" Yuan Guzhu led the chorus of approvals.

The room erupted in vigorous applause.

At that moment, Miyashita Naoyuki was intoxicated, not just from the alcohol, but also from the elation of his business success and the adoration of his subordinates.

Next door, Aoyama Xiu Xin and Habamoto Youko were dining. However, Youko was obviously distracted, frequently glancing at her watch.

This was because she had promised to have lunch with Zhongshan Taka at noon, but an unanticipated invitation from Aoyama Xiu Xin had forced her to lie to Taka, claiming a last-minute work delay and that she would join him later. Now, she was just hoping that the lunch with Aoyama would end soon so she could make it to the next one.

"What's wrong, an emergency?" Aoyama Xiu Xin noticed her little movements and asked with a smile.

Startled, Habamoto Youko forced a smile, shook her head, and replied, "Not at all, what makes you ask that?"

Aoyama Xiu Xin put his bowl and chopsticks down, stood up, and walked behind her, gently placing his hands on her shoulders.

Hashimoto Youko's delicate body trembled, her hand clenching the chopsticks tightly, her toes curling inside her high heels.

She was wearing her uniform today, and from the back, one couldn't see the view within the collar, only the curve of her round, full figure. Aoyama Xiu Xin leaned down to her ear and said, "You're in a hurry to be with Zhongshan Taka, aren't you?"

"You... How did you know?" Hashimoto Youko asked in shock and anger, "Are you spying on me?"

"I am not spying on you, just on Zhongshan Runmei," Aoyama Xiu Xin replied calmly.

In fact, it was Hashimoto Manami who had told him; she had cultivated a very close friendship with Hashimoto Youko through relentless effort and had informed Aoyama Xiu Xin the moment she learned of it from Hashimoto Youko that morning.

Hashimoto Youko then breathed a sigh of relief, but quickly explained, "Mr. Aoyama, he came over suddenly, I didn't tell you because I was afraid you would misunderstand."

"I think it's you who can't let go of him," said Aoyama Xiu Xin, his tone calm but with a chilling edge.

"I haven't!" Hashimoto Youko immediately denied, grabbing Aoyama Xiu Xin's hand from her shoulder, "Mr. Aoyama, the person I like now is you, it's just that I haven't figured out how to tell him."

"Is that so?" Aoyama Xiu Xin was skeptical. He pushed her head forward towards himself, a jealous look on his face as he bit his teeth and said, "Then prove it to me."

"Don't!" Hashimoto Youko realized what he wanted her to do, felt disgusted and angrily pushed him away, then hastily tried to smooth things over after realizing the move was too hurtful, "It's... it's too soon..."

"You stayed with him last night," Aoyama Xiu Xin said emotionlessly, staring at her with resentment.

Hashimoto Youko opened her mouth, "I..."

"Heh," Aoyama Xiu Xin chuckled, casually fastened his undone belt, and without looking back, turned and walked away.

"Don't go! Please don't go!" Hashimoto Youko knew if she let him go now, it would really be the end; in a rush of desperation, she threw herself onto him and quivered as she spoke, "I will... I will do it."

She knew Aoyama Xiu Xin was probably blinded by jealousy. If she couldn't prove that she loved him more, then their relationship would be irreparably broken.

But Hashimoto Youko didn't see the mad smile on Aoyama Xiu Xin's face as he turned his back on her.

If Zhongshan Taka hadn't come, he might not have been able to coerce Hashimoto Youko into giving in so soon.

Hashimoto Youko let go of him, took a deep breath, walked in front of him, and slowly knelt on the plush, high-end carpet, not daring to raise her head to look at the person in front of her. Her fair, boneless hands trembled as they stretched out.

Inside, she felt humiliated, not wanting and unwilling to do this, but she couldn't bear the thought of throwing away the achievements she had worked so hard for, so she had no choice.

Taka, I'm sorry.

I'm doing this for Aunt Runmei, for the million citizens of Hokkaido, please forgive me.

The more she invested herself in this honey trap, the greater the progress she made, the lower her bottom line was forced to descend.

Aoyama Xiu Xin looked down at her, at Hashimoto Youko in her black police uniform, her short hair cut at the ear, cheeks flashing red, eyes misty, lips tightly bitten, enduring a mix of emotions—shyness, humiliation, disgust, and more.

Hashimoto Youko mustered the courage to lift her head and look up at Aoyama Xiu Xin, fighting back disgust and anger, trying hard to conjure a gaze filled with shyness, tenderness, and love.

Half an hour later, she stormed out toward the restroom.

Watching her flustered departure, Aoyama Xiu Xin couldn't suppress his smug grin. Tch, what a silver-tongued woman, a born strategist. If she were a professional lobbyist, there would probably be no man she couldn't persuade.

But sadly, she had met him, who not only got to enjoy things for free but also made her pay a painful price for trying to outsmart him.

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