Xiu Xin Aoyama had only ever threatened others.

But today, he himself was threatened by someone else.

Could he tolerate this? He had to kill that person!

"I want money, I want a hundred million, in US Dollars!"

The criminal at the other end of the line said, trying hard to keep his voice calm, but his suddenly rapid breathing betrayed his agitation.

Clearly, at this moment, he was excited, thrilled, and nervous.

"Are you asking me for money?" Xiu Xin Aoyama was stunned, his mind buzzing, and it took him a while to respond incredulously, "You're actually asking me for money?"

He just couldn't understand, if someone was bold enough to make such a big move with that kind of determination and capability, why not extort a wealthy businessman instead, which would be simpler - why risk extorting a police officer?

Was it purely for the thrill? A personal challenge?

But he quickly regained his composure, patted Jin Yucheng on the shoulder at the driver's seat, and pointed to the storage compartment of the co-pilot's seat.

Jin Yucheng immediately understood, taking out a recording pen that they always kept on hand from the storage box and turned it on to hand it over.

For a person who lacked a sense of security and liked to record things, it made sense to have a recording pen ready, right?

"Correct, I'm asking you for money! You have three days to raise the funds. I'll call you again after three days, and if you fail to deliver the money then, don't blame me for being cruel and causing another explosion. Minister Aoyama, you wouldn't want more innocent citizens to die because of you, right? Nor would you want to be held accountable, would you?"

The criminal finished and gave a sinister, cold laugh.

"Hold on!" Sensing that the person on the line was about to hang up, Xiu Xin Aoyama immediately spoke out, saying quickly, "I don't know what made you think of extorting me, but have you considered whether or not I can produce such a large sum of a hundred million US Dollars? I'm just a head of the Criminal Department, how much do I earn?"

Asking him for money without using some incriminating evidence to extort him but threatening to make bombs was just too audacious!

"Don't play poor with me, you've made plenty in Hokkaido this year," the criminal snorted coldly.

Xiu Xin Aoyama continued, "Do you know how much a hundred million US Dollars is? Can you even move that much money? Be realistic, how about ten million US Dollars?"

"That's not for you to worry about. Just get the money ready, then wait for my call. Nothing else is your concern," the criminal replied and hung up abruptly.

"Beep~Beep~Beep~"

Listening to the busy tone that followed,

Xiu Xin Aoyama's face constantly shifted through expressions.

Half an hour later, in the police headquarters meeting room,

Xiu Xin Aoyama looked at the senior executives gathered and said, "On my way back to headquarters, I received a call from the bombing suspect, extorting me for one hundred million US Dollars, threatening another bombing otherwise—and daring to attack malls and police stations."

No sooner had he relayed this when the meeting room erupted into chaos.

"What? He's actually extorting you, Minister?"

"God damn it! This guy is insane! To extort a police leader, he must be sick of living."

"And boasting about bombing a police station, he's truly deranged. We must bring him to justice!"

"Enough!" Xiu Xin Aoyama interrupted the pointless speculation of the crowd with a stern voice, "He gave me three days to raise the money, saying he would call again after three days. I've recorded the conversation; listen."

He then took out the recording pen and played the dialogue.

The recording was short and ended soon.

"What are your thoughts after listening? Let's hear everyone's opinions," Xiu Xin Aoyama said, looking around the room.

Shinichi Nakamura was the first to stand, frowning as he said, "This person seems to know quite a bit about you, Minister, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to say with certainty that you've made a lot in Hokkaido this year."

"And he bears you malice. Otherwise, with his capability to create such a heinous event, he could have extorted a businessman rather than you. Targeting you has a certain vengefulness to it," Kogoro Yamashita added calmly.

Following that, the Head of the Security Department said, "There's likely more than one criminal involved. After all, even if they loaded a hundred million US Dollars onto a vehicle, it would take some time to move, and it seems improbable that a single person could create such a horrifying bombing incident and threaten to extort you."

"Based on what everyone has said, I have a bold conjecture about the suspect's identity," Habamoto Youko raised her hand, her voice tentative.

In an instant, everyone's eyes focused on her.

Habamoto Youko carefully moistened her lips and spoke, "The criminal might be a local police officer, which would explain how he got hold of your contact information and had the expertise to make a bomb. Knowing the police system's internal distribution, he was sure that you've made a good income this year."

Upon hearing this, everyone frowned.

While there was some logic to her deduction, it seemed a bit far-fetched.

"At present the identity of the criminal is unknown; this is one line of investigation," Xiu Xin Aoyama tapped the desk.

He had this feeling since taking the call.

Hattori Bantuang promptly said, "If it's an inside job, then their position likely isn't very high; otherwise, they wouldn't need to resort to bombing to extort the Minister."

Everyone nodded subconsciously because if the other party's status was high enough, they could often produce some evidence of the division of spoils within the Hokkaido Police system. Wouldn't it be better to use that to threaten Aoyama Xiu Xin?

"The Minister didn't change the allocation method initially set by Director Fujimoto; from top to bottom, people were compensated according to rank and contribution. The rank-and-file police officers were too grateful for the extra income to support their families to even think of being ungrateful and disloyal! Such things never happened in the many years that Director Fujimoto was in charge, so if it really was an inside job, it would have to be a disgruntled ex-cop who had been dismissed because of a mistake, who was dissatisfied with the Minister or the entire Hokkaido Police system," Mikuriya Shouta analyzed confidently.

Listening to these people brazenly discussing internal corruption, Yamashita Kogoro was used to it, while Zhongshan Runmei, who had been forced on board, remained expressionless.

"Then we'll just investigate all the police officers who resigned from the various police stations in Hokkaido within the past year, paying particular attention to those who were dismissed for their mistakes," Aoyama Xiu Xin decreed, pointing out the direction for the investigation and said to Nakamura Shinichi, "You'll be responsible for this matter."

"Yes!" Nakamura Shinichi immediately stood up to respond.

Aoyama Xiu Xin continued, "Starting today, we will increase patrol forces all over Hokkaido. Its specific effectiveness remains to be seen, but at the very least, we need to give tourists and residents a sense of security."

"Furthermore, all surveillance around the jewelry stores must be reviewed, and we'll try to lock down the suspect's movements captured on camera to see if we can discover anything. Everyone has been working hard lately."

"Yes!" The crowd stood up and responded in unison.

.........

At night, while his subordinates busied themselves with identifying the bomber, Aoyama Xiu Xin was at a high-end izakaya at home, hosting a welcoming party for Yanchuan Xianyou and Asakawa Xia.

He had Jin Yucheng drive to the hotel to pick them up.

Meanwhile, he waited in the private room.

After about twenty minutes or so, the door to the room was pushed open, and the Yanchuan couple walked in hand in hand.

"Brother Xianyou, Sister-in-law, please have a seat."

Aoyama Xiu Xin quickly stood up to greet them.

"Um," Yanchuan Xianyou nodded and casually crossed his legs to sit on the soft cushion of the tatami.

Asakawa Xia first removed her scarf and coat and hung them up, then took her place next to Yanchuan Xianyou, kneeling properly. Her white turtleneck sweater tightly hugged her voluptuous upper body, creating incredibly enticing lines, with her peach-like buttocks over her heels under her jeans.

Those buttocks would probably be highly efficient at grinding soy milk.

"Serve the dishes," Aoyama Xiu Xin instructed the waiter at the door before folding back to his seat across from the couple. He smiled and said, "This place is very famous locally, and the taste is also good. They serve local specialties, so I hope Brother Xianyou and Sister-in-law like it."

"If you think it's good, it can't be that bad. I'm already looking forward to it," Yanchuan Xianyou responded with a chubby, smiling face.

With an elegant smile, Asakawa Xia said, "Your Brother Xianyou is always thinking about food. The main reason I came to Hokkaido was to see the sights; he, on the other hand, can't forget the dishes here."

"Brother Xianyou has always been a gourmet; it's just that he entered politics to serve the people. Otherwise, he would have been celebrated in the culinary world," Aoyama Xiu Xin complimented with a sycophantic smile.

"Ha ha ha ha, too kind, too kind," Yanchuan Xianyou laughed heartily, enjoying the flattery from others more and more as his family's power increased and he became a legislator. After a while, he regained his composure and changed the subject, "Let's not talk about food anymore; it makes me sound like a glutton. Let's discuss something else. I've heard about that explosion case; how is it going, any clues?"

"There aren't many clues at the moment," Aoyama Xiu Xin replied with a wry smile as he shook his head, then perked up and added, "But there is no perfect crime in this world. The culprit will inevitably slip up. Up to now, there hasn't been a case I couldn't crack."

"It's good that you have this confidence," Yanchuan Xianyou nodded, and then changed the subject, "This time, grandfather also asked me to give you a message; take care of things in Hokkaido and be ready to take up a post in Tokyo at any time."

"Grandfather is going to..." Aoyama Xiu Xin started in surprise at the message, then his eyes widened in excitement.

With a restrained smile, Yanchuan Xianyou nodded and said lightly, "Xichuan Hu Xi's coalition cabinet is barely hanging on and is expected to crumble within the year. Amidst the political turmoil and national crisis, grandfather has to step forward on behalf of the Liberal Democratic Party to take up the banner and stabilize the situation."

"Grandfather should have stepped forward long ago; that bunch of vermin should have made way for him!" Aoyama Xiu Xin laughed heartily, filled with fighting spirit, "When I return to Tokyo, I will be grandfather's vanguard, sweeping away those corrupt power-mongers who try to stop him from revitalizing Japan. I would not regret it even if it costs me my life."

"It's not that serious; it's good that you have this resolve, but grandfather can't bear to see you get hurt for his sake," Yanchuan Xianyou kept shaking his head.

"Knock knock knock!" Suddenly, a knock at the door interrupted them.

Yanchuan Xianyou instantaneously fell silent.

Aoyama Xiu Xin called out, "Come in."

The waiter pushed open the Changzi Gate, bowed slightly, and said, "Excuse the interruption, we're serving the dishes."

She then stepped aside, keeping her head down.

Waiters carrying platters began to enter one after another.

"Please enjoy your meal."

After serving the dishes and drinks, the waiter left the room.

"Brother Xianyou, let's eat and drink. As we do, let's chat. Here's to you, welcome to Sapporo."

Aoyama Xiu Xin poured a glass of wine and raised his cup.

"Cheers," Yanchuan Xianyou responded, lifting his glass.

"I'll join you for one too," Asakawa Xia said with a charming smile, lifting her glass and downing the drink in one go. The spilled liquor slid down her cheek, tracing a path along her fair neck and disappearing into her neckline. She gave Aoyama Xiu Xin a seductive glance as she gently wiped her lips with her hand.

After three rounds of drinks and a variety of dishes, Yanchuan Xianyou was tipsy and, with Asakawa Xia's deliberate encouragement to drink more, he soon passed out.

With flushed cheeks and a dazed look in her eyes, Asakawa Xia's gaze burned hotly on Aoyama Xiu Xin. It was as if there was a fire blazing within her, and her heart held a flame as well.

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