"After a long-term investigation and with sufficient evidence in hand, in the early hours of today, the police launched a large-scale gun control operation code-named Autumn Wind across Hokkaido. Led by headquarters, it was uniformly carried out by the local police stations, precisely targeting 39 gun trafficking gangs, arresting 432 suspects on the spot, seizing over 1,300 various types of firearms and a whopping sum of more than 100 million US Dollars from the crime proceeds. Included in this were several international arms smuggling syndicates, like the Titan Gang, that had long plagued our country with their misdeeds and were completely annihilated..."

"The Autumn Wind operation is a powerful cure for the rampant gun problem in Hokkaido, rooting out this issue once and for all. This is the promise I made on behalf of the Hokkaido Police to all citizens seven days ago, and today we deliver the results. How well we've done is up to you to decide."

"In addition, despite thorough planning for this operation, there were multiple shootouts across Hokkaido, resulting in seven police officers injured and three unfortunately sacrificing their lives in the line of duty. They are heroes! Allow me here to pay my respects to these heroes! I also hope the people of Hokkaido will remember them and not forget that the peaceful, gun-free environment we'll enjoy from now on was bought with their blood!"

In the news, Aoyama Xiu Xin's expression was stern and solemn, his voice clear and compelling. As he finished speaking, he bowed deeply and then began to answer questions from the journalists.

"Minister Aoyama, can you assure us that all gun trafficking gangs within Hokkaido have been eradicated and will no longer endanger the safety of the public's lives and property?"

Which reporter is this, trying to pick a fight?

Do you have to nitpick over these words?

Aoyama Xiu Xin glanced at the person who asked the question and replied with neither servility nor overbearing pride, "Nothing in this world is absolute. Hokkaido is vast, with a population of four to five million, and the total number of police officers across Japan is less than three hundred thousand. Hence, there will always be corners that light cannot reach. What the police can do is to minimize these corners, and we are willing to sacrifice our lives for that purpose."

After all, it's not his life that's being sacrificed.

"After the Autumn Wind operation, I dare not guarantee the complete elimination of gun-related incidents, but at least we can ensure a return to the state we were in four months ago! Next question."

"Minister Aoyama, since you resolved the problem of rampant guns in just seven days, why then did the police take so long to act before? Is it related to certain leaders?" A female journalist stood up and asked, pointing the finger at Zhongshan Runmei.

Aoyama Xiu Xin remained calm, answering the question without any disturbance in his tone, "It may seem that I solved this problem in just seven short days, but in fact, this result is based on reconnaissance and investigation from the previous two to three months. Moreover, this is not my achievement alone. It is the result of the efforts of all police officers."

He only addressed the first part of the reporter's question, pointedly ignoring the second part. Not answering is also an answer, and furthermore, people won't really believe that it wasn't his doing; they would likely think he's just being modest.

Watching the morning news, the citizens in front of their TV sets were ecstatic, engaged in fervent discussion.

"It had to be Minister Aoyama. How many people did the police catch in March and April? His intervention uprooted more than thirty gangs and even wiped out several international crime syndicates. Splendid!"

"The sudden surge in guns might have been because of those international crime syndicates. Those damn American gangs selling guns in Japan!"

"Since Minister Aoyama says the problem with rampant guns is resolved, I believe him..."

The fact proved that Aoyama Xiu Xin did not disappoint the trust of the citizens. For the next half-month, residents of Hokkaido could directly sense that the gun issue had been curbed. There were no more gunshots heard in the dead of night, and the previously frequent gun-related cases did not occur at all in this half-month.

The people of Hokkaido, deeply troubled by the rampant guns, all sang praises of Minister Aoyama. Many citizens hailed him as the greatest police officer of the 19th century, a justice messenger that Japan obtained at the price of economic stagnation.

Only Zhongshan Runmei was disdainful, for she knew that the gun trafficking gangs were nurtured and supported by Aoyama Xiu Xin himself. As the master who raises his own pigs, it's naturally easy to slaughter them precisely. Those ignorant and foolish citizens were played in the palm of this ambitious man's hands.

However, now that her heart was entirely devoted to her disabled son, she no longer had the courage to compete with Aoyama Xiu Xin for power. Therefore, she merely watched from the sidelines, silently acting the part of a clay model and a rubber stamp.

Habamoto Youko was also privy to the matter and, back when she was with Zhongshan Junmei, had burned with rage at Aoyama Xiu Xin's actions, despising him to the bone and swearing to bring this utterly conscienceless, corrupt official to justice.

As the current Senior Police Director handpicked by Aoyama Xiu Xin and the beneficiary of the spoils from this operation, her feelings were complicated, but she certainly wouldn't think of exposing the matter anymore.

Since ancient times, where one sits has always determined where one stands.

Different standings lead to different perspectives on issues.

At this moment, the youngest newly promoted Senior Police Director in Japan was lying over her office desk, hands tightly gripping the edge, biting her red lips and sobbing quietly in a fit of pique.

The frail woman wanted to escape on numerous occasions, subconsciously, but her slender waist was tightly encircled by Aoyama Xiu Xin's large hands, marking it with red welts that made it difficult for her to break free.

"Huff—"

Aoyama Xiu Xin let out a breath and sat back with a thump in his chair, his chest rhythmically heaving.

It really was a physically demanding task.

Habamoto Youko took a moment to recover, then dragged her exhausted body up and knelt on the ground, silently cleaning up after Aoyama Xiu Xin.

"You're much more obedient now than before," Aoyama Xiu Xin said, patting her face, his eyes brimming with pride.

Habamoto Youko felt both ashamed and humiliated, but she didn't dare say anything. Her promotion to Senior Police Director was a delight, but she aspired to a higher position; otherwise, the more glory she had now, the more ridiculous she would be in the future.

After all, being the youngest Senior Police Director to follow Aoyama Xiu Xin and Habamoto Youko was very conspicuous, even if Aoyama Xiu Xin intended to keep it low-profile.

She had been elevated to heights that weren't meant for her.

She must continue to climb higher.

Over the course of this period, she had accepted a painful truth—that her capabilities were mediocre. So, to achieve her goal, she could only rely on Aoyama Xiu Xin.

For this, she had completely bowed her once proud head and bent her spine, striving to serve with her body.

In this regard, her talent was indeed quite remarkable.

"There's no need to feel shame or guilt. You have made significant contributions too," Aoyama Xiu Xin consoled.

Habamoto Youko looked at him with confusion. She didn't even know what she had done to merit a promotion.

Aoyama Xiu Xin's mouth curved into a smirk, "Your contribution is pleasing me, putting me in a good mood to throw myself into work, which then enables me to solve more cases and benefit the people. Thus, the peace and order we have now in Hokkaido can be largely credited to you, Youko."

"But you mustn't get arrogant," Xiu Xin began, "You have to keep up the effort, persist in learning more new techniques, and strive to always keep me in good spirits. Just now, the burden on your shoulders wasn't just me, but the lives and safety of a million civilians. How great is that?"

Hashimoto Youko's face turned various shades, like an overturned palette, first pale then flush, as she kept her head down and stayed silent.

To pander when fed, to speak sweetly when dined.

She had received and enjoyed more than her fair share of Aoyama Xiu Xin's largesse.

Now, confronted with his mockery, she naturally lacked the bravado to glare back or even to counter as she had in the past.

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

The sudden ring of a telephone broke the silence.

"Moshi moshi?" Aoyama Xiu Xin answered.

"Ha ha ha ha, Xiu Xin, I've seen the news today. You did very well," Yanchuan Shilang's hearty voice emerged from the receiver.

"Hi!" Aoyama Xiu Xin responded and waved Hashimoto Youko away, signaling that she could leave.

Without a word, Hashimoto Youko got up, dressed silently and with great care, then left the room, closing the door behind her.

"Previously, several other officers insisted on having the Iron Maiden handle Hokkaido, overriding my proposal to promote Yamashita Kogoro. And the result? The problem of rampant firearms has only worsened, and public grievance is rising!" Yanchuan Shilang recounted bitterly.

"Now, you've managed to tackle this chaos in one fell swoop, and it's seriously vindicated me! It's also shut up those eyeing my position and criticizing me for negligence as the head of public security, suggesting I failed to act. You've done an excellent job."

If only he knew that the issue of rampant firearms in Hokkaido was originally orchestrated by Aoyama Xiu Xin himself, it was doubtful he would still be so pleased and approving of his results.

"It is my honor to alleviate Grandfather's worries!" Aoyama Xiu Xin made his position clear. "Zhongshan Runmei exacerbated the firearms issue in her hasty quest for power, which only worsened it. She handed it over to me when she saw it was futile. Now she's certainly learned her lesson."

"Good, good. When the bosses can't shoulder the responsibility, a subordinate must be brave enough to share the burden," Yanchuan Shilang understood the implication in Aoyama Xiu Xin's words and encouraged his power-grabbing behavior.

The policing system in Hokkaido, now under Aoyama Xiu Xin's control, was essentially in the Yanchuan family's hands.

"Hi, I will certainly heed your teachings and not let down your expectations," Aoyama Xiu Xin replied.

"You do well in Hokkaido, and I think Xichuan's multi-compromised Cabinet won't last long. If I make further progress in the next Cabinet, I'll call you back to Tokyo," Yanchuan Shilang offered a lofty promise.

A transfer back wouldn't be a lateral move, but a promotion—otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered mentioning it.

"Hi! Then let me wish Grandfather every success in climbing even higher," Aoyama Xiu Xin said flatteringly.

Yanchuan Shilang's ultimate standing in his original timeline was unknown to him, but Aoyama Xiu Xin had undoubtedly expended much effort on behalf of the Yanchuan family, and history had already diverged. If Yanchuan Shilang's luck took off in this timeline and he reached the Prime Minister's seat, wouldn't Aoyama Xiu Xin benefit too? So his wishes were indeed sincere.

"Very well, I'll take your auspicious words," responded Shilang.

...

After work, Aoyama Xiu Xin returned home early.

With Haruko's due date approaching, he had been trying not to stay out late this month.

Just in case the stork decided to knock on the door unexpectedly.

"I'm home."

"Welcome home. You've worked hard," Aoyama Haruko greeted as always, beaming as she took Aoyama Xiu Xin's briefcase and coat. Due to her pregnancy, she was no longer able to bend down to fetch his slippers.

Aoyama Xiu Xin changed shoes himself and patted her round belly, "Has he been behaving today?"

Alongside the growing belly, her already ample bosom had become even more plump and fertile, and they had already begun to secrete the baby's sustenance, all of which had so far been reserved for Aoyama Xiu Xin.

After all, he had also regularly 'nourished' her.

It was only fair.

And in terms of color, not much difference there.

"He has been kicking again; he can't wait to come into this world," Haruko said with a smile, putting down the briefcase and coat, cradling her belly.

Aoyama Xiu Xin chuckled, "Perhaps he too knows he's coming into this world just to enjoy life and won't suffer. He's eager."

Someday, his son could proudly say to the common people, "My dad has already endured enough hardships for me, so it's only right that I enjoy life. You can envy, but don't be jealous."

"He won't suffer, but you, as a dad, better go wash up and eat, or your own stomach will start suffering," Aoyama Haruko gave him a playful glance.

Under the warm tangerine glow of the lights, the couple dined at the table, their hearts awaiting the arrival of new life together—the fruit of their illicit affair.

No, their love affair.

After all, when an affair culminates in happiness, it's love, and if it doesn't, it often becomes a criminal case.

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