Chapter 3310: Backstab

Ye Chen's remark that it was not protection but production immediately caused the onlookers to nod involuntarily.

Protecting a group's legitimate rights is naturally justified, but using subtle propaganda to greatly increase the group's numbers instantly changes the nature of the matter.

Tavana has always been a staunch supporter of the latter, and calling her a vanguard is no exaggeration.

Previously, everyone thought she merely cared deeply about this group, but viewing the issue from another angle, she is indeed fanning the flames, trying to make the group grow larger—her true motive is hard to discern.

Even Mitsui Yoshitaka unconsciously stroked his chin, wearing a thoughtful, solemn expression.

His wife could not help but ask their daughter Mitsui Kokomi: "Kokomi, in the U. S., can one really bypass guardians to give minors gender-affirming surgery?"

Mitsui Kokomi pondered, then said softly: "Oh-ga-san, I have indeed heard similar rumors; likely some U. S. states have such laws."

Mitsui Kokomi's mother exclaimed in shock: "What law could allow such a thing?! Minors are still children, lacking full civil capacity; major matters must be supervised by guardians. They actually bypass guardians—even if minors truly wanted such surgery, they could wait until adulthood to decide! Making such a major, irreversible decision hastily for a child—what motive could this be? Simply unreasonable!"

"Well..." Mitsui Kokomi also shook her head somewhat bewildered: "I'm not entirely clear on their motives, but you're right—what Mr. Ye said makes more sense; such a major decision should wait until the person has full civil capacity, not be rushed into guiding them to act."

Mitsui Kokomi's mother said angrily: "An idol neglecting her duties, daily publicly supporting these—I personally cannot understand; I think it necessary to greet her. How she promotes in her own country is none of our business, but in Japan, in Tokyo, at the Mitsui family's performance, she absolutely cannot promote those things. If Japanese youths present are influenced by her and later make lifelong regrettable decisions, the Mitsui family bears responsibility too."

Mitsui Kokomi hesitated: "Well... I'll find a chance to speak with her later."

Mitsui Kokomi's mother rarely used a mildly reproachful tone: "Kokomi, you are the Mitsui family's eldest daughter; you must mind your influence. Best not to get too close publicly to certain people. Your father and I have never aligned with any group over the years, and we try to keep no movement tied to us, because the world has too many variables—we can keep ourselves clean, but those around us may not. In the U. S. these past years, many similar cases have surfaced: many seemingly upright social elites are actually devils behind the scenes. Once you inadvertently get close to such devils, and they are exposed, you will inevitably be affected—and if you are affected, the Mitsui family will be affected."

Mitsui Kokomi lowered her head in shame: "Oh-ga-san's criticism is noted; I will pay more attention in the future and avoid excessive contact with public figures."

At this moment, Trevor did not expect the opponent to rebut from this angle, leaving him speechless, while Tavana beside him visibly panicked.

Seeing Trevor at a loss for words, Tavana could only steel herself and say: "Mr. Ye, I think this may be an East-West cultural difference; in the U. S., no one would hold your view."

As she spoke, she knew her defense was feeble, so she thought to end the conversation quickly with Ye Chen, then added: "Mr. Ye, we need not argue endlessly on this—you have your view, I have mine. I support LGBT, and whether you support it is your freedom; if you don't, I have no right to force you. Let's stop discussing this—what do you think?"

Tavana now regretted deeply; having just received verbal support from Xiao Churan and Dong Ruolin, plus Trevor's recorded video, she actually had enough—she should not have provoked Ye Chen, trying to "persuade" him, resulting in her being unable to save face before so many.

Seeing Tavana initiate a truce, Mitsui Yoshitaka beside her hurriedly stepped in as peacemaker, chuckling: "Your debate just now truly opened my eyes, but the pre-show party time is tight—I suggest we stop discussing this. What do you think, Mr. Ye?"

Ye Chen shrugged indifferently and smiled: "As the guest follows the host—since Mr. Mitsui said so, I naturally have no objection."

Tavana finally breathed easier; she glanced at Trevor beside her, saw him silently put away his phone, and felt somewhat more at ease.

Unexpectedly, Ye Chen then looked at Trevor and said lightly: "If I'm not mistaken, this gentleman should have recorded the full video, right?"

Trevor hastily shook his head: "No, no—I was just looking at news on my phone, didn't record any video."

Ye Chen smiled: "No matter—I mean, if you did record a video and plan to upload it online, I hope you can do two things: first, if uploading, upload the full process—don't cut head or tail, or it's no different from fakery; second, I and these two ladies beside me are not public figures, so please blur our faces in the video—now video upload tools have AI one-click mosaic; as for Miss Svet, whether to blur is your choice."

Trevor fell silent for a moment, then nodded lightly: "Okay, Mr. Ye, I understand."

Ye Chen smiled faintly and said nothing more.

At this moment, Mitsui Yoshitaka's assistant hurried to his side and whispered: "Sir, Miss Fee's car has entered the venue."

Mitsui Yoshitaka's eyes lit up immediately: "Come, let's go to the entrance to welcome Miss Fee."

Speaking, he summoned his wife and daughter to come along.

As for Ye Chen and Tavana here, Mitsui Yoshitaka hesitated momentarily—he did not know whether to invite one side or both to welcome Miss Fee together.

After all, the two had just been at odds, the atmosphere truly tense; if they again disliked each other and argued before Miss Fee, it would likely be inappropriate.

After thinking it over, he still decided to invite Ye Chen—after all, Miss Fee came because of Ye Chen and them; this is who she truly values.

Thus, he said to Ye Chen, Xiao Churan, and Dong Ruolin: "If you're willing, let's wait together at the entrance for Miss Fee."

"Very well." Ye Chen nodded lightly; logically he need not welcome Miss Fee, but her sudden visit surely gives him face, so he naturally should return the favor.

Immediately, Mitsui Yoshitaka turned to Tavana and Trevor beside him and said apologetically: "Honored guests, please wait here a moment; I will later introduce you to Miss Fee."

Tavana also clearly understood in her heart: Ye Chen is Miss Fee's friend, she is not; at such a time, she naturally should not join the crowd, so she nodded and smiled: "No problem, Mr. Mitsui—we'll wait here."

Seeing Mitsui Yoshitaka and Ye Chen's group walk out, she hastily told Trevor beside her: "Honey, later edit the video you just took—keep only the first two women, cut out the part with that Ye-surname man."

Trevor frowned, thoughtfully replying: "Oh, okay."

But in his heart, he had already formed his own calculation.

Tavana, unaware of Trevor's other thoughts, pouted displeased: "That Ye-surname man is really overmuch—using the illegal immigrant issue to rebut me, simply outrageous! Earlier he kept arguing stubbornly, leaving my mind unable to turn, unable to think of a rebuttal—I don't know how these Japanese view me."

Trevor blurted out: "I think what he said makes sense..."

"What did you say?!" Tavana suddenly widened her eyes and questioned: "You mean he's right? Then my view is wrong?"

Trevor nodded, earnest: "I think what he said is indeed correct—we can support sexual minorities, but we shouldn't overly promote; when we spare no effort promoting something, many youths will treat it as a fashion and deliberately gravitate toward it."

As he spoke, Trevor added: "I thought carefully—this is like when I was young, not knowing the specific meaning of tattoos, but famous athletes and hip-hop artists all had cool tattoos, so I thought then that tattooing was the coolest thing in the world, and what I most wanted was to get large cool tattoos on my legs and arms; my mother forbade it, but I wouldn't give up, ran to a tattoo shop, but the owner saw I was a minor without a guardian and refused my request; what we're doing now—would it not have a similar guiding effect on some minors?"

"Look, now we support minors with gender disorders getting gender-change surgery—is this not the same as my childhood tattoo desire? Tattoos still need guardians, so why can surgery bypass guardians? This is unreasonable! So I've been reflecting..."

Tavana instantly felt betrayed, shouting: "We've been together so long—I flew you across U. S. airspace on a private jet, and now you stab me in the back, saying a stranger I just met makes more sense than I do?!"

Trevor embarrassed: "Emotionally, I naturally lean toward you, but rationally, I indeed think he's more right..."

Tavana coldly: "Okay, Trevor—shut your mouth now; I don't want to hear you speak! When you figure it out, come talk to me then!"