It was past eight in the evening, and the neon lights were dazzling. The streets were bustling with traffic and teeming with people, all submerged in a cacophony.

Today was Habamoto Youko's 25th birthday.

Dressed to the nines, she held the steering wheel in one hand as she drove to meet Aoyama Xiu Xin, while in the other she held a phone, sweet-talking her fiancé, Zhongshan Taka, with a tone laced with guilt, "I'm really sorry, Taka. You rushed back from abroad just to celebrate my birthday, and now I have to work overtime and can't be with you."

Juggling two relationships was too difficult, and she had chosen to give up on Zhongshan Taka. After all, he had already spent several birthdays with her and would spend more in the future. Not celebrating together this year wouldn't matter much.

But she felt guilty for reneging on Taka's thoughtful plans for the evening, a guilt she would have to make up for another day.

As a precaution, she had already given Zhongshan Runmei a heads-up in case Zhongshan Taka called her, to make sure she wouldn't slip up.

"Sigh, you're really working too hard. Even on your birthday, you have to work. Mom's the same; she knows it's your birthday tonight but won't give you a break," Zhongshan Taka said. Although he felt disappointed, his concern for his busy fiancée outweighed it, and he couldn't help but grumble about his mother.

"It's okay, it's okay. A big case broke out tonight, and the entire headquarters is working overtime. Auntie doesn't want people to say she's playing favorites," Habamoto Youko defended Zhongshan Runmei, cajolingly adding, "Besides, we can celebrate my birthday tomorrow. As long as I'm with you, every day feels like my birthday."

"Youko, then I want to spend a lifetime of birthdays with you." Hearing his fiancée's seductive voice uttering such sweet nothings, Zhongshan Taka's last bit of disappointment vanished, as he promised with deep affection.

In her car, Habamoto Youko couldn't help but smile with happiness, but the smile faded as she thought of the impending encounter with Aoyama Xiu Xin.

Seeing the approaching turn, she wanted to focus on driving and hurriedly said, "Okay, I have to work now, Taka. I'll call you when I'm done."

"Okay," Zhongshan Taka hung up the call voluntarily.

"Knock, knock, knock." A knocking echoed.

He turned around and saw a handsome and valiant young man in a silver suit, smiling at him from the doorway. He recognized the man as the unrivaled elite detective Aoyama Xiu Xin.

And now, he was his fiancée's colleague.

"Minister Aoyama? Do you need something?" Zhongshan Taka put down the handset and approached to ask.

Aoyama Xiu Xin arched his eyebrows, feigning surprise, "I didn't expect Mr. Zhongshan to recognize me."

"Although I spend most of my years abroad, I have heard of Minister Aoyama's great reputation," Zhongshan Taka replied evenly, and then took out a business card to hand over, "I am Zhongshan Taka, son of Zhongshan Runmei. I presume Minister Aoyama is not unfamiliar with her."

He was somewhat perplexed. According to his mother and Youko, the entire police headquarters was working overtime tonight.

So why was Aoyama Xiu Xin here?

"Director Zhongshan?" Aoyama Xiu Xin feigned astonishment for a moment, and upon seeing the nod, he said with a surprised smile, "The waiter mentioned the person who reserved this room was surnamed Zhongshan, but I never imagined it would be the son of Director Zhongshan. Since we're all one of us, then that's good. I came here to make a bold request, hoping that Mr. Zhongshan could do me a favor."

A coincidence?

Not in the slightest.

For the past few days, Zhongshan Taka had been constantly followed and watched by the people Aoyama had arranged; his every move was crystal clear.

"Minister Aoyama, please speak. If it's within my capacity, I'm willing to lend a humble hand," Zhongshan Taka said heartily. Since this person was a subordinate of his mother, he thought he might as well help where he could.

Aoyama Xiu Xin glanced at the meticulously arranged private room behind him, opened his mouth, then closed it, hesitated for a moment, and suddenly changed his mind. With a wry smile and a shake of his head, he said, "Never mind, it's better not to mention it. If it were someone else, it would be okay, but since you're Director Zhongshan's son, I feel even more reluctant to ask."

"Eh, Minister Aoyama, you just said we're all on the same side. Since that's the case, why be so polite and distant?" Zhongshan Taka feigned displeasure and declared with grandeur, "Just tell me. If I can help, I certainly will. If I can't, we'll pretend you never mentioned it, and I won't stand on ceremony with you either."

"Mr. Zhongshan, you're so frank, it makes me seem less so," Aoyama Xiu Xin shook his head and let out a sigh. "To tell you the truth, tonight is my newly met girlfriend's birthday. It's the first birthday I'm celebrating with her, which is very important. But due to work commitments, I didn't have time to prepare anything. I thought that dining here with her would suffice as a celebration."

"But just now, I heard from the wait staff that someone had decorated the private room next door, so I thought of coming over to negotiate some compensation and take over the room..."

"I see," Zhongshan Taka suddenly said, interrupting Aoyama Xiu Xin's words. He turned to look at the decor he had arranged himself, then turned back to Aoyama Xiu Xin with a proud air, "Minister Aoyama, I'll give you my private room for today. Go ahead and use it."

"This... how can I accept this? What about you?" Aoyama Xiu Xin pretentiously declined.

Zhongshan Taka gave a bitter and resigned smile, shook his head and said, "I was planning to celebrate my fiancée's birthday tonight, but she couldn't make it due to work commitments. Every piece of decoration, every flower here, I arranged myself according to her tastes. I thought it would all go to waste, but if Minister Aoyama can make use of it, it would be a good thing for me too."

Anyway, even if he didn't give it to Aoyama Xiu Xin, he couldn't use it himself, so he might as well extend a favor.

"This..." Aoyama Xiu Xin said, visibly astonished, then after a moment, added, "Then I shall not refuse your kindness. Thank you, Mr. Zhongshan, for helping me out greatly."

"Don't mention it. I wish Minister Aoyama and your girlfriend a lasting relationship. I'll take my leave now," Zhongshan Taka exhaled, offered his blessings, grabbed his briefcase, and a beautifully wrapped gift box, preparing to leave.

Aoyama Xiu Xin coughed and said somewhat sheepishly, "I hadn't had the chance to prepare a gift either."

Zhongshan Taka's expression froze; he certainly understood what Aoyama Xiu Xin meant. But the gift in his hand was carefully chosen for Hashimoto Youko; even if they didn't celebrate together today, he intended to give it to her as a birthday present.

How could he give it to Aoyama Xiu Xin?

Besides, this guy was shameless!

It was bad enough leeching off the venue, but now even the gift as well.

Heh, later you'll want to mooch off my fiancée too.

"Mr. Zhongshan, I can pay for it, please!" Aoyama Xiu Xin bowed deeply.

He couldn't believe he was being so shameless.

There was no way Zhongshan Taka could refuse him.

Considering his mother's work still required this man's cooperation, Zhongshan Taka had no choice but to part with it reluctantly, feigning generosity as he handed over the gift box. "It's not worth much anyway, forget about buying it. I'll just follow through today; Minister Aoyama, you take it and use it."

If he could foster a relationship with Aoyama Xiu Xin over a mere ten thousand US Dollars, then that money was well spent.

As for Youko's gift, he could always buy another one.

"Mr. Zhongshan, you are truly a good person!" Aoyama Xiu Xin took the gift with both hands, his face full of gratitude as he spoke. He even repeated his praise for emphasis.

"I'm glad to have been of help to you, Mr. Aoyama. I'm staying in Sapporo for two more days before I leave. Let's have a drink together sometime," Zhongshan Taka said with a smile, waving his hand, "See you later."

Aoyama Xiu Xin bowed, wanting to see him off, "Please take care."

Watching him leave, Aoyama Xiu Xin shook his head.

Who asked your mother and wife to offend me?

Since Hashimoto Youko had decided to celebrate her birthday tonight with only Aoyama Xiu Xin, she naturally informed him of her plan to deceive Zhongshan Taka, to show how much she valued Aoyama and her indifference to Zhongshan Taka.

Therefore, after learning of this, Aoyama Xiu Xin made the plan he was now executing. The room number he had given Hashimoto Youko in advance was the very one booked by Zhongshan Taka.

Poor Taka, being toyed with so easily.

Ten minutes later, Hashimoto Youko pushed open the door to the private room. Soothing music started playing, and what met her eyes was a floor covered in her favorite pink roses, with fresh rose petals continuously falling from the ceiling.

A shower of petals came down with the music.

She stood there stunned, foolishly still, unable to imagine that Aoyama Xiu Xin would set up such a thoughtful arrangement for her birthday.

And he had obviously taken the time to learn her preferences.

How attentive was this?

She pursed her lips, feeling for the first time a twinge of guilt towards Aoyama Xiu Xin, but her determination soon returned. Her stance of seeking justice could not be swayed; she must bring him to book!

"Happy Birthday," said Aoyama Xiu Xin with a smile, coming up to her and asking, "Do you like it?"

"Yes," Hashimoto Youko replied, her eyes reddening, one part sincerity to nine parts pretense, covering her mouth with her hand, nodding continually as if about to cry from being so moved.

"I arranged all this with my own hands," Aoyama Xiu Xin said proudly, basking in his own accomplishment. Then he brought out a hand from behind his back, holding a gift box, "Here, you open it."

Hashimoto Youko took the gift box with both hands. When she opened it and saw what was inside, she gasped with disbelief, "How did you know?"

Inside was a necklace designed by her favorite designer, one she had recently been eyeing.

"When you love someone, you become the worm in her belly," Aoyama Xiu Xin said with deep affection.

Hashimoto Youko's eyes filled with a complicated mix of emotions. She had to admit that there were indeed moments tonight when her heart had fluttered.

"Let me put it on you," said Aoyama Xiu Xin. Without waiting for her refusal, he picked up the necklace and walked behind her.

Her short hair left her pale, jade-like neck fully exposed, so Aoyama Xiu Xin had no trouble fastening the necklace and, taking advantage of the moment, pulled her into his embrace.

Hashimoto Youko had deliberately worn a champagne-colored slip dress that evening, very thin, so when he held her tightly from behind, he could clearly feel the bounce of her flesh, making one dare not think how exhilarating it would be to take control later on.

Aoyama Xiu Xin could tell she was a bit stiff and slightly trembling. With a waiter still in the room, he didn't overdo it and after holding her for a while, he let go, taking her by the hand to the dining table.

"Let's eat first, the food is getting cold."

"Okay," Hashimoto Youko obediently nodded her head.

The waiter pulled out chairs for them both, then uncovered the dishes and, after wishing them an enjoyable meal, pushed the cart away and closed the door.

Hashimoto Youko's heart skipped a beat. The food on the table was not particularly exquisite or expensive, but it was all her favorite. Aoyama Xiu Xin had put too much thought into it.

Aoyama Xiu Xin smiled gently, unapologetically continuing to take credit for Zhongshan Taka's efforts, "These should all be dishes you like. Let's see how they taste."

"Yes," Hashimoto Youko nodded, using her fork to cut a piece of beef and slowly chewed it. Her mouth was small, moist, and bouncy—utterly delicate.

Aoyama Xiu Xin wished she wasn't eating the beef.

But rather his...

He looked at Hashimoto Youko. The skimpy dress was held up by only two shoulder straps, the scant fabric struggling to contain her substantial assets, a large expanse of pale skin appealingly on show.

"Why aren't you eating?" Hashimoto Youko felt odd when she saw Aoyama Xiu Xin just staring at her.

Aoyama Xiu Xin smiled tenderly, "I'm not hungry."

Your dinner is on the table.

And my dinner is sitting beside the table.

Tonight he was going to have Hashimoto Youko.

"Take your time eating. I've got another surprise for you," Aoyama Xiu Xin said softly.

"Isn't... isn't all this surprise enough?" Hashimoto Youko was taken aback, somewhat astonished as she gestured around.

She had thought the surprise Aoyama Xiu Xin mentioned before was all of this, and indeed, she had been very surprised.

But she hadn't expected there was more.

Aoyama Xiu Xin shook his head, "This is just the appetizer. You'll see the rest later."

Hashimoto Youko's curiosity was indeed piqued.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.