Sapporo Medical University Hospital.

In a spacious and bright VIP hospital room.

Dressed in a patient's gown, Miyashita Hidekatsu leaned back against the headboard in a relaxed pose, his expression solemn as he looked at the unexpected visitor, gently fiddling with a business card in his hand.

Dressed in a suit and shoes, East Line Constitution wore a polite yet distant smile on his face, hands placed in front of him in a slight bow, his seemingly respectful and courteous attitude betraying a hint of arrogance and audacity.

In response to Miyashita Hidekatsu's question, he answered calmly, "I am not here in a personal capacity today, but rather on behalf of the entire Tobacco Industry Corporation, concerning your son's matter."

In his own capacity, he should show absolute respect when facing Miyashita Hidekatsu, but today, he was representing the attitude of the Tobacco Industry Corporation.

"Ri Zu?" Miyashita Hidekatsu raised an eyebrow.

East Line Constitution shook his head and said solemnly, "It's Miyashita Naoyuki. I believe you are still unaware of what he has been doing behind your back, so allow me to enlighten you."

"Please." Miyashita Hidekatsu nodded, his face growing darker as he guessed that Miyashita Naoyuki had caused trouble again.

East Line Constitution took out a document bag from the briefcase he had been carrying under his arm and handed it to Miyashita Hidekatsu, saying, "Recently, a tobacco smuggling gang has emerged in Hokkaido, and according to the clues we have now, your son, Miyashita Naoyuki, is the leader of this smuggling ring."

Miyashita Naoyuki, flipping through the documents and photos in his hands, grew increasingly grim, his breathing quickened, and his hands trembled slightly as they clutched the papers.

Not long ago, Miyashita Naoyuki had just been scolded for being suspected of arms trafficking. He had repeatedly assured that there was nothing else he was hiding, but now he was suspected of tobacco smuggling, and from the evidence provided by East Line Constitution, it seemed that he had been involved before the arms trafficking incident came to light, yet he had emphatically assured there was nothing he was hiding from him.

Legally speaking, the crime of smuggling and trafficking arms is certainly more serious than tobacco smuggling.

But in terms of actual consequences, tobacco smuggling would bring more trouble and disaster to Miyashita Naoyuki himself or the Miyashita family compared to arms smuggling and trafficking.

Because the former is just a violation of the law, while the latter offends the interests of numerous bureaucrats and powerful people.

For their echelon, breaking the law is not a big deal, because, if the legal provisions are not made by them, they are executed by them.

But offending the interests of the powerful people behind Tobacco Industry Corporation is different; it's a death wish.

"Idiot!"

Even though Miyashita Hidekatsu tried his best to keep his composure in the face of East Line Constitution and maintain dignity, ultimately he couldn't suppress it and cursed through gritted teeth.

But amidst his anger, he also felt relieved.

Because the other party did not directly take revenge, it indicated that they understood this incident was only the personal act of Miyashita Naoyuki and unrelated to the Miyashita family. Plus, since Miyashita Naoyuki had just started smuggling, he hadn't yet infringed too much on the interests of Tobacco Industry Corporation, which is why they came to him seeking a peaceful resolution.

"It's all because of my lack of discipline for this rebellious son that has led him to do such absurd things; as a father, I cannot shirk my responsibility." Miyashita Hidekatsu immediately admitted his fault, then continued, "I deeply regret the losses caused to your company by the rebellious son. How would your company like to resolve this issue? As long as it is within my capability, I will fully cooperate!"

Regardless of the reason, the other party approached him about the matter first, giving him face, and when given face, one must accept it; not to would be unacceptable.

"Our president has only two demands: first, your son must immediately stop the smuggling activities; second, he must hand over the proceeds from the smuggling," said East Line Constitution.

Miyashita Hidekatsu thought the demands were fair and agreed without hesitation, "No problem, I will immediately urge that rebellious son to stop smuggling and hand over the proceeds as compensation to your company. Please provide an account."

"Mayor Miyashita is truly wise and understands the big picture. I am impressed," praised East Line Constitution, before quickly changing the subject, "How long will it take to resolve this?"

"Seven days," blurted out Miyashita Hidekatsu.

After East Line Constitution left his account number, he bowed and took his leave, maintaining etiquette throughout.

No sooner had he left than Miyashita Hidekatsu flew into a rage, cursing while smashing everything he could get his hands on into pieces.

Once he had calmed down from his outburst and attempted to make a phone call, he realized that the phone was smashed too and, in a fit of fury, called for a nurse to bring a new one.

"Get out!" After receiving the phone, he chased the nurse away in irritation and directly called Miyashita Naoyuki.

Miyashita Naoyuki, fresh from a loss of face and holding back anger, answered the phone with impatience and snapped, "What do you want? Speak!"

"Come see me immediately," the voice of Miyashita Hidekatsu was as icy as the winds of Hokkaido's harsh winter. He didn't wait for a response and hung up.

Miyashita Naoyuki's heart sank. Could it be that Aoyama Xiu Xin, that bastard, went and complained to dad because of the recent incident?

The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed; otherwise, why would his father suddenly summon him with such an obviously hostile tone? He felt both frustrated and resentful.

"That damn guy! Better never fall into my hands, or I'll make your life a living hell!"

Miyashita Naoyuki spat out the words venomously and then set out for the hospital with a heart full of anxiety.

...

Upon reaching the door of the hospital room, he looked through the glass on the door and saw that Miyashita Hidekatsu was alone, which sank his heart even further.

Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Miyashita Naoyuki pushed the door open and before Miyashita Hidekatsu could speak, he blurted out, "Dad, it's really not my fault this time, it was Aoyama Xiu Xin deliberately causing trouble..."

"Aoyama Xiu Xin? What else have you gotten yourself into today?" interrupted Miyashita Hidekatsu.

Miyashita Naoyuki's voice halted abruptly, his face stiffened, "No... It's not about this?"

"Go on," said Miyashita Hidekatsu emotionlessly.

Miyashita Naoyuki inwardly cursed his luck for confessing without being pressed and, hardening his resolve, he continued, "I've been doing some business recently, and since it's been doing very well, I had a dinner with my subordinates today..."

He didn't notice that his mention of this caused Miyashita Hidekatsu's temple to twitch, but he kept talking about himself.

"I had a few too many drinks and went out to use the restroom where I met a pretty policewoman and wanted to make friends, but I didn't expect Aoyama Xiu Xin to interfere. He obstinately gave me a beating without reason, and I didn't fight back at all!"

Like father, like son, Miyashita Hidekatsu had already concocted the truth in his mind: Naoyuki had a few drinks and, spurred by desire, harassed a subordinate of Aoyama Xiu Xin. After being obstructed, he refused to let it go and ended up getting a thrashing.

As for not fighting back...

"Why didn't you fight back, then? Did you not want to?" Miyashita Hidekatsu asked mockingly.

Naoyuki felt a mixture of shame and annoyance, hanging his head and mumbling, "In a civilized society, it's ultimately not good to resort to violence."

He swore it wasn't because he couldn't win.

"Heh." Naoyuki just laughed.

Miyashita Hidekatsu's cheeks were burning hot, and if there had been a crack in the floor, he would have crawled into it out of embarrassment right then.

At this moment, he felt even more resentful towards Aoyama Xiu Xin.

"You said today you were celebrating the success of a company business. What business was that?" Miyashita Hidekatsu asked in a calm, indifferent tone.

Naoyuki hadn't expected his father to suddenly ask about this. Unprepared, he stammered an on-the-spot fabrication, "It's just import-export trade..."

"Does your import-export trade refer to smuggling cigarettes from abroad to sell domestically?" Miyashita Hidekatsu bluntly and unceremoniously exposed his lie.

Boom!

Naoyuki was as if struck by lightning, abruptly lifting his head to look at Miyashita Hidekatsu. Meeting his father's disdainful and stern gaze, his face instantly turned deathly pale, his mind in chaos, unable to utter a word.

How... how could Father know?

"Naoyuki! You've really got some nerve! First smuggling guns behind my back, and now tobacco. I might not get shot dead by others, but I'll end up dying by your hands!" Miyashita Hidekatsu was red-eyed with fury as he shouted violently.

Naoyuki's legs gave way, and he knelt on the spot, trembling as he said, "Dad, I was wrong. I shouldn't have kept it from you. I was blinded by profit. I won't dare again; never again."

He had never seen his father so angry before, so he didn't even dare to defend himself.

He instantly knelt and begged for forgiveness at the speed of light.

"Not dare? I see nothing in this world you wouldn't dare to do!" Miyashita Hidekatsu laughed bitterly in his anger, his tone icy as he spoke, "If you truly didn't dare, you would have confessed to me about the gun-smuggling fiasco when it was exposed, or you would have secretly stopped on your own. But you continued, clearly having no regard for me!"

"No, no, Dad!" Naoyuki was sweating profusely, scrambling and crawling to the bedside, kneeling as he said, "At that time, I had already invested too much and couldn't turn back. I just wanted to earn a little more money, Dad. I didn't harm anyone."

"But you almost killed me! Killed the entire Miyashita family!" Miyashita Hidekatsu had completely lost hope and faith in his son, feeling only disgust and hatred as he gasped, "Just how powerful do you think your backing is? Daring to touch the tobacco industry. Are you worthy?"

"Do you realize they came directly to me demanding an explanation! I've never been so humiliated in my life! At my age, having to admit fault in front of a junior! This is all thanks to you, truly a 'fine' son you are."

"Dad..." Naoyuki reached for his hand.

Miyashita Hidekatsu brushed him off and coldly said with his eyes closed, "Stop your smuggling business immediately today, reimburse all the earnings from smuggling to the Tobacco Industry Corporation, and then go abroad. Never come back again. Our family can't withstand your turmoil."

One incident after another, each more serious than the last.

If Naoyuki remained in the country, who knew when he might bring utter catastrophe upon the Miyashita family.

Thus, banishing him to fend for himself abroad.

He didn't want to see this son for the rest of his life; it was clear how little affection he had left for him.

"Dad! No, I can't go abroad! I don't want to leave! I want to stay by your side and honor you! Dad, please, I was wrong. I won't dare again..." Naoyuki never imagined his punishment would be so severe. To cough up all the profits was one thing, but to be exiled was another.

In the country, with the status of Miyashita Hidekatsu's illegitimate child, he could prosper, but abroad, unfamiliar with the land, who would acknowledge him? Although he would not lack money, it was never about just money for him.

Money was not what he needed most; he craved what money could bring him.

So he truly didn't want to be banished.

But Miyashita Hidekatsu, as a politician, a bureaucrat who could sacrifice his own lover and son, would not be easily moved once his heart hardened. Faced with Naoyuki's pleas, he responded indifferently, "You can go now. Do as I have instructed, and within seven days, I want to hear that you've left Japan."

He was a man with political ambitions, and any factor that could jeopardize his career had to be decisively eliminated.

Not to mention he had more than one son, including a successor far more capable than this failure.

So how could he allow this failure, time and again, to pose a threat to himself and to his successor?

"Dad..." Naoyuki wanted to make a last desperate struggle, trying to awaken the bond between father and son.

Miyashita Hidekatsu, with a steely gaze, commanded, "Get out!"

Naoyuki knew it was utterly over. With no room for maneuver, he reluctantly stood up and left the hospital room, head bowed in dejection.

At that moment, he thought he was already very miserable.

But little did he know, this was just the beginning.

Once the protective barrier around him shattered, the long-brewing strike from Aoyama Xiu Xin would soon come crashing down upon him.

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