When Xia Zhi heard that familiar, cool voice, her body stiffened slightly. Without saying anything more, she handed the phone in her hand to Ryuzaki Makoto beside her.
The person on the other end of the phone was her boss, Kyoko Sasaki.
As Kyoko's personal butler for many years, unconditionally obeying all of her instructions, even unreasonable ones, has long been an instinct ingrained in Natsuki's bones.
From Kaori's unusually respectful demeanor and cautious movements, Ryuzaki Makoto could roughly guess the other party's identity.
The only person who could inspire such seriousness and even some fear in Xia Zhi is probably Yu's mysterious older sister—the eldest daughter of the Sasaki family, Sasaki Kyoko.
Ryuzaki Makoto showed no surprise or anything unusual. He calmly took the phone and said in a calm and steady tone:
"Hello, I'm Ryuzaki Makoto."
On the other end of the phone came a clear, pleasant voice, yet tinged with indifference and detachment:
"Hello, Mr. Ryuzaki. I am Kyoko Sasaki. I apologize for bothering you, but would you do me the honor of meeting me today?"
...
In the western suburbs of Huya, there is a private farmhouse hidden among green hills and clear waters.
Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, surrounded by lush bamboo forests and farmland, this place boasts a tranquil and elegant environment with a unique charm.
In the center of the courtyard, there is a simple pavilion built of logs and thatch, rustic and natural.
Ryuzaki Makoto was wearing a simple white shirt and was sitting cross-legged on a futon in the pavilion.
Opposite him sat a young woman with long, flowing hair and a cool, aloof demeanor—it was Kyoko Sasaki.
Just as the two were speechless, a simple peasant woman wearing a coarse cloth apron and with a rosy complexion walked over with a big, steaming tray in her hand and a big smile on her face.
The tray didn't hold any delicacies, but rather a pot of tenderly stewed radish and beef, a plate of vibrant green stir-fried vegetables, and a large bowl of fragrant white rice.
Although these dishes are simple, they exude a strong rustic flavor that makes them incredibly appetizing.
The peasant woman carefully placed the food on the low table in the center of the pavilion, then looked at Sasaki Kyoko with a fawning expression, rubbing her hands together as she said:
"Miss Kyoko, these are fresh ingredients I specially picked out at the morning market today. This radish and beef stew has been stewing all morning according to our old country recipe. Would you like to try it and see if it suits your taste?"
Kyoko didn't look up at her; her gaze remained fixed on the food in front of her, and she said in a flat tone:
"You've worked hard, you can go now."
The peasant woman showed no displeasure at Kyoko's coldness; on the contrary, she seemed quite used to it. She quickly nodded, respectfully took two steps back, and added:
"Please enjoy your meal, guests. If you need anything, just let me know. I'll be waiting for you in the kitchen."
After saying that, she tiptoed out of the courtyard, not daring to make a sound.
After the peasant woman left, Kyoko picked up the delicate wooden chopsticks beside her. Instead of immediately using them to eat, she looked up at Ryuzaki Makoto, who had remained silent, and said:
"Won't you try some? This radish stew is very flavorful, and it's especially good for warming the stomach in this season."
Ryuzaki Makoto looked at the table of farm-style dishes and a smile appeared on his face.
"I was just a little surprised that the famous young lady of the Sasaki family in Tokyo would invite a 'gang leader' like me to meet in such a simple and unpretentious place, and to eat such plain food."
Before coming here, Ryuzaki Makoto didn't expect a state banquet-level reception, but he thought it would be at least a high-end private club or some secluded top restaurant.
It's not that Ryuzaki is being pretentious, but rather that this is more in line with Kyoko's identity.
But to his surprise, the place Kyoko brought him to was just an ordinary-looking farm in the suburbs.
Moreover, Kyoko's attire today was very casual, unlike the glamorous look he had seen at the nightclub. She was simply dressed in a white casual outfit, her long hair casually tied back, and her face bare, yet her natural beauty and elegance were still undeniable.
When Kyoko heard Ryuzaki's teasing, she simply said calmly:
"If Mr. Ryuzaki feels that this place is too shabby and does not match your current status, we can change places right now. The most luxurious hotel in Toaru, or my private estate, are not far away and can be arranged for you at any time."
Ryuzaki Makoto smiled and shook his head, picked up his chopsticks, and unceremoniously picked up a piece of stewed beef that was tender and flavorful, and put it in his mouth.
After chewing carefully, the natural freshness of the ingredients and the rich broth burst in his mouth, making him squint his eyes in satisfaction.
After swallowing his food, he put down his chopsticks and said earnestly:
"It tastes very good. Miss Kyoko knows that's not what I meant. For people like us, as long as we can fill our stomachs, this is already a rare delicacy."
Seeing this, Kyoko stopped being polite and picked up a bite of vegetables. After eating it slowly, she put down her chopsticks and looked at the distant, rolling mountains, as if she were lost in some kind of memory.
"Before my father became wealthy, he made his first fortune by reselling agricultural products. When I first came to Huyaliu, I accidentally discovered this farm and felt a strange sense of familiarity with everything here."
"In addition, this place is far from the city center, so it is very quiet and undisturbed. I bought it and come here to sit and relax when I have nothing to do."
Ryuzaki Shin didn't reply, but simply nodded in understanding.
Everyone has a certain amount of sentimentality, especially someone like Kyoko who is in a high position and has to face deceit and intrigue every day. Deep down, she may yearn for a simpler, more authentic life.
However, he came all this way today not to accompany this young lady in reminiscing about the past, nor to admire her stunning beauty.
He was more curious about what this woman was really up to by suddenly asking to meet him at such a sensitive time.
Kyoko seemed to have seen through Ryuzaki's thoughts. Her beautiful and sharp phoenix eyes slowly withdrew, meeting Ryuzaki's slightly probing gaze directly, and she suddenly asked a question.
"Mr. Ryuzaki, where would you like to go in the future?"
Ryuzaki Makoto stroked the delicate earthenware teacup in his hand, his eyes narrowing slightly as he quickly pondered the deeper meaning behind Kyoko's words.
He certainly wasn't naive enough to think that Kyoko was actually asking him which tourist destination he planned to visit next, or where he planned to inspect the territory.
In fact, ever since he received that phone call, he had been secretly assessing and speculating on Kyoko's intentions.
Are they here to demonstrate?
Are they here to win me over?
Now that he's heard this question, he seems to understand its meaning.
Don't be fooled by Kyoko's seemingly cryptic and Zen-like opening remarks.
That's because this was only their second formal meeting; their first meeting was back at the nightclub.
The two were not close friends, so some testing was inevitable.
Kyoko's question was less about asking for directions and more about asking about the "way"—about Ryuzaki's true ambitions and his plans for the future.
However, for a clever person like Kyoko, insincere pleasantries would seem rather low-class.
Instead of hiding things, it's better to speak frankly and openly, which makes you appear more open and confident.
Ryuzaki Mako put down his teacup and stared intently at Kyoko.
"I want to be able to touch the sky with just a wave of my hand."
Upon hearing this, Kyoko raised her long, slender eyebrows slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
She looked at Ryuzaki Makoto, a slightly amused smile playing on her lips, as if she were recalling some interesting past event.
"Do you remember when we first met? I told you I wanted you to be my bodyguard, and the terms I offered were top-notch even in Tokyo, but you refused without hesitation."
"When Xia Zhi came back, she complained to me, saying that I was too ungrateful and a hothead."
"I never expected that after so long, that ungrateful bodyguard is now sleeping in the same bed with my personal butler. This world is truly amazing."
Ryuzaki glanced helplessly at the woman opposite him who was smiling like a fox.
This young lady looks aloof and noble, so why does she speak so unrestrainedly in private?
That's a bit too intense.
This left him momentarily speechless, so he could only awkwardly touch his nose and mumble a reply:
"Sigh... Life is unpredictable, and when it comes to feelings, who can say for sure?"
Kyoko looked at his slightly embarrassed appearance, shook her head gently, and said with a touch of emotion.
"Yes, life is unpredictable."
"Who would have thought that the kid who used to hang out on the streets and was just a delinquent at Suzuran High School could rise to your current level in such a short time? You've turned the entire Toyaru and even the Kowloon Group upside down. It's truly impressive."
Kyoko was serious when she said that.
There's plenty of free time in Toyaru.
Because Yu works for Ryuzaki Makoto.
Therefore, she often kept track of Ryuzaki Makoto's movements.
Ryuzaki Makoto's recent handling of the casino bill has indeed earned her her admiration.
A sudden autumn wind arose in the afternoon, scattering the fallen leaves in the courtyard and ruffling the long hair of the woman in the pavilion.
A few strands of her dark hair danced gently in the wind beside Kyoko's fair, jade-like face, creating a breathtaking beauty that was almost too stunning to look directly at, complementing her cool and noble demeanor.
Ryuzaki Makoto then put aside his thoughts and, for the first time, carefully and meticulously examined the woman in front of him.
She is truly beautiful, but not in a gaudy or vulgar way; rather, she possesses an innate nobility and elegance that emanates from within.
Even though she was dressed in the most ordinary plain casual clothes today, it couldn't hide her unique temperament, which was like a snow lotus.
She has a slender and well-proportioned figure, with all the right features, and her facial features are so exquisite that they seem to be a work of art carefully sculpted by God.
Just as Ryuzaki was brazenly scrutinizing the other person, Kyoko seemed to sense something. She suddenly looked up, her bright eyes meeting Ryuzaki's gaze without flinching. A half-smile played on her lips as she parted her red lips slightly:
Is it pretty?