Chapter 3579

Two people entered from the underground parking garage, and when they reached the first floor, Ito Takehiko saw Ye Chen and immediately stepped forward happily.

Regarding Ye Chen, he found him pleasing to look at no matter how he looked, and now that he knew Ye Chen's wife had run away, he found Ye Chen even more agreeable, and the more he looked, the more he thought Ye Chen resembled a son-in-law of the Ito family.

He then patted Ye Chen on the shoulder and said with a cheerful smile: "Long time no see, Mr. Ye."

Ye Chen smiled and said: "How have you been lately, Mr. Ito?"

"Very well, very well!" Ito Takehiko said cheerfully: "I moved into a new house, much more spacious and comfortable. Recently I've been tinkering with my garden, and I plan to gradually transplant some precious tree species I cultivated in Japan to Jin Ling. If you like any variety, just tell me—I'll definitely find the best specimen and have it shipped over for you!"

Ye Chen thanked him: "Thank you, Mr. Ito, but I might not have much energy to care for plants."

Nanaiko also said from the side: "Dad, Ye Chen-kun is usually busy with affairs, unlike you who has so much time to fuss over trees and flowers."

Ito Takehiko laughed heartily, nodded, and said: "That's right. Now I no longer worry about any work matters at all—each day I just enjoy my retired life. Recently I've taken to visiting the vegetable market, walking there every day to buy fresh ingredients, then walking back, and it feels wonderful."

Ye Chen asked him: "How are you adapting to life in Jin Ling, Mr. Ito?"

Ito Takehiko laughed and said: "I'm adapting, very well. My current attire when going out differs greatly from my previous habits—I've shaved my beard and dyed my hair black. Every day I move through the most crowded places in Jin Ling, and everyone takes me for an ordinary middle-aged man; no one can recognize my true identity. This way I don't have to worry about anyone seeing through my healed legs, and I feel completely relaxed."

Ito Takehiko truly enjoys his life in Jin Ling—this ease and comfort is something he has never experienced in his entire life. Although the young people of this city are busy and hardworking every day, middle-aged and elderly people with certain financial conditions truly lead leisurely lives.

At this moment, Ito Takehiko's aunt, Ito Emiko, walked out from the kitchen and said respectfully: "Onee-san, Mr. Ye, Nanaiko, dinner is ready—please enjoy."

Ito Takehiko laughed and said: "Mr. Ye, Nanaiko brought back many premium ingredients from Japan, including the famous Uji matcha from Kyoto. She said she wanted to wait for your arrival to enjoy them together, so she has long been looking forward to inviting you to dinner at our home."

Ye Chen sensed Nanaiko's feelings toward him. Upon hearing Ito Takehiko say this, he instinctively glanced at Nanaiko, his eyes carrying a hint of gratitude.

Nanaiko, shy yet excited, quickly said: "Ye Chen-kun, please come to the dining room!"

In the dining room, many Japanese dishes had already been arranged on the table.

Japanese people value ceremonial presentation, so the plating and decoration of each dish are very meticulous, making them indeed pleasing to the eye.

However, Ye Chen is not particularly interested in Japanese cuisine—its flavor is relatively bland, and the seasoning is rather monotonous. The entire nation's dining style resembles a large chain restaurant: over and over, it's mostly combinations of Japanese soy sauce, wasabi, miso, and citrus vinegar.

Nevertheless, since he is a guest, Ye Chen naturally does not reveal this attitude. So when Nanaiko enthusiastically introduces various ingredients and cooking methods, Ye Chen responds with generous praise.

Throughout the meal, Ito Takehiko kept wanting to gossip about Ye Chen's wife's sudden departure, but fearing he might say the wrong thing, he held back and did not bring it up.

Only when the meal was nearly finished did he finally utter: "Mr. Ye, during the recent period when those ninjas came from Japan to help, did they provide you with substantive assistance? If you find them inadequate, I will contact domestic sources to replace them with another batch."

This question shows a certain level of tact.

Instead of directly asking about progress, he asked whether the ninjas had brought substantive help—though the topic is the same, the approach and feeling are quite different.

Direct questioning would inevitably seem abrupt and gossipy, whereas this approach is much softer and more natural. If they helped, it means progress has been made; if not, it means the matter remains unclear.

Ye Chen responded honestly: "Thank you, Mr. Ito, for your help. These ninjas are currently working under the direction of Lieutenant Li Yalin of the Li family, and I am not yet clear on their specific progress."

Ito Takehiko nodded, feeling relieved in his heart.

Having been a boss for many years, he understands the basic logic of subordinates well: if someone proactively reports progress, it proves they are performing well; if they do not report proactively, it surely means things are in disarray.

He thinks this is good—Ye Chen has been unable to find Xiao Churan, and sooner or later he will lose confidence in her. Losing confidence leads to giving up, and the next step after giving up is naturally to replace her.

In high spirits, he showed no sign of his thoughts and said sincerely: "Mr. Ye, if you need any assistance from the Ito family, please do not hesitate to ask—we will spare no effort!"

Ye Chen casually thanked him, his expression hard to hide his melancholy.

Ito Takehiko is a shrewd man; from Ye Chen's expression he already obtained the answer he wanted, so thereafter he did not mention even half a word about it.

Because his thoughts were entirely on Lin Wan'er, after finishing his meal Ye Chen immediately said goodbye to Ito Takehiko and his daughter.

Leaving Shanhe Yue, he drove toward Zijin Mountain Villa while sending Lin Wan'er a message: "Miss Lin, are you available? I have some new findings I'd like to discuss with you in person."

Lin Wan'er quickly replied: "Young Master Ye, come anytime—I've always been staying at the mountain-top annex."

Ye Chen then replied: "Alright, see you later."

As Ye Chen drove toward Zijin Mountain Villa, Lin Wan'er sent a WeChat message to An Chengxi: "Xiao Xiao is coming to find me, saying she has some new discoveries."

An Chengxi replied: "I suppose it should have nothing to do with the stray cat group or the Black Forest King, and is likely related to me."

Lin Wan'er sent a tongue-out emoticon: "I think so too."

An Chengxi asked her: "Did the real Xiao Xiao buy it back?"

Lin Wan'er replied: "The real Xiao Xiao is right beside me, but it wasn't bought—it was adopted."

After sending the message, she reached out and stroked the three-month-old calico cat lying beside her. The little cat, looking utterly content, rolled over and paddled its four paws as if swimming in midair.

An Chengxi replied: "Then let's talk after Xiao Xiao leaves."

"Alright."

The "Xiao Xiao" referred to by Lin Wan'er and An Chengxi is Ye Chen's alias.

And Ye Chen himself knows nothing of all this.

Upon arriving at Lin Wan'er's mountain-top villa, he immediately noticed the difference from before—the calico cat beside Lin Wan'er.

He asked in surprise: "Miss Lin, where did this little cat come from?"

Lin Wan'er looked at him and smiled sweetly, saying: "Young Master, this calico cat is one I just adopted. It previously lived on Zijin Mountain with other stray cats, but it was constantly bullied by them, so I brought it home to raise."

Ye Chen thought the calico cat was quite handsome, its eyes scanning everywhere, appearing quite intelligent.

He stepped forward, stroked the cat's head, and then asked Lin Wan'er: "What is this little fellow called?"

Lin Wan'er coquettishly laughed and said: "In reply, Young Master, I call it Xiao Xiao."