Chapter 603

After many years of moving to Tokyo, Xiao Yinghua still recalls that afternoon when she stood by the roadside in Kyushu Kagoshima, gazing at the distant beautiful sea view.

Is Kagoshima a good place?

Yes, Kagoshima is undoubtedly a good place; here the sky is pure, the sea water is azure blue, although the local products are barren, the people's spirit is tough, the martial atmosphere is strong, and the famous Satsuma Shimazu clan marched onto the battlefield from here.

As the saying goes, poor mountains and evil waters produce cunning people.

After the Black Ship incident, the British army, just like in the Opium War, launched an active attack on Kagoshima because merchants were killed, wanting to force the Japanese to trade with them; however, the terrifying and brave Satsuma people fought a major battle with the British army here, once half of Kagoshima was burned by artillery fire, the British army suffered 63 casualties, the Satsuma people suffered 17 casualties, and the Satsuma domain lost its steamship and all factories producing artillery batteries.

However, the terror and bravery displayed by the Kyushu people in this battle deeply shocked the British; afterward, the British abandoned their invasion plan, instead forming an alliance with the Satsuma domain, both sides negotiated peace, and the Satsuma people largely preserved their dignity and sovereignty, paying only a small indemnity.

Is Kagoshima a good place?

No, it doesn't seem that good.

There it is poor, backward, antiquated and conservative; young people have all gone to Fukuoka, Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya, and even Tokyo, leaving only the elderly and children in the countryside; although the basic infrastructure here is acceptable, it lacks sufficient vitality; whenever Xiao Yinghua sits alone on a roadside bench, gazing at the nearby desolate city and roads, and the empty trams.

Her heart always surges with intense resentment.

I shouldn't be here; I should have been born in Paris, New York, or at least in Tokyo Metropolis, right?

Given the intensity of Japan's exam-oriented education, Xiao Yinghua can of course easily get into Kagoshima University, then find a job with an annual salary of three million yen, then marry an honest person, and the couple's annual income would be about six million yen—tight in Tokyo Metropolis, but quite comfortable in a place like Kyushu.

But what Xiao Yinghua wants is not this kind of happiness that can be found anywhere!

She has read the old magazines at home! The five-item set that Tokyo girls should naturally enjoy, she remembers them all!

Michelin restaurant candlelit dinner! Roppongi shopping spree! Tokyo Disneyland princess tour! Hakone hot springs one-night two-day trip! And romantic dates at Tokyo Tower!

I want them all!

As for on what basis?

Because I am so kawaii!

Kawaii is justice! Kawaii is productivity! Kawaii is GDP!

A girl as kawaii as me, in Tokyo Metropolis where opportunities are everywhere, wouldn't just casually stroll around Harajuku or Shibuya and have a talent scout come up to discover me, then smoothly sign a contract to debut as a magazine model.

Even, possibly directly selected by an entertainment agency, directly begin acting in stage plays as an actress, then start appearing in late-night slots to brush up my face!

Xiao Yinghua thinking of this, her heart isn't yet blissfully happy.

Dreams are beautiful, but reality is cruel.

Girls like this who harbor dreams and move to Tokyo are truly too many, too many, too many—so many that it's like mud cows entering the sea, so many that it's like big waves washing away sand.

This part has already been mentioned earlier; here we won't repeat it.

In short, she had lived enough in the cold, damp basement, eaten enough cheap bean sprouts; the monthly salary of underground idols is only fifty thousand, but daily work hours reach as high as seven or eight hours, not counting studies, and worse, Xiao Yinghua was only 14 years old at the time, unable to work part-time; each month, besides income from underground idol activities, she also had to rely on family support.

Whenever family members ask her how she is doing in Tokyo, she always says she is very good.

Really good?

Really good.

But she cannot lower her head; if she lowers her head, tears will flow, and the crown will fall.

"So this is the reason you promised to become a public security informant?" Mai Xuejie listened and laughed through tears: "Do you even know what becoming a public security informant really means? These public security people are the kind who eat people and don't spit out bones; you risk life and limb for them, yet they can unhesitatingly abandon your Justice Cutter; besides, many of the public security's overseas and domestic intelligence networks are almost realized through extortion and blackmail of domestic enterprises and overseas branches; but when foreign countries really discover espionage activities, when has public security ever admitted to it?"

"What the senior says is correct, and besides, regarding the burning bar incident last time, the outcome was also public security intervention; as for those girls who possibly went missing or were harmed, when has public security ever cared about them?" Uesugi Muneyuki also said helplessly.

"I know, but…… being able to become a pawn means having value, isn't that right?" Miyawaki Sakura, with her cute face still bearing some baby fat, showed a trace of resentment on her pure little face as she spoke in a low voice: "Uesugi Mr., Mai-sama, I ultimately…… am not like you; I must give my all to exchange for an opportunity, a not-too-likely Messiah……"

Upon saying this, Uesugi Muneyuki and Bai Chuan Mai fell silent.

Yeah, what qualifications do they have to criticize Xiao Yinghua?

Uesugi Muneyuki himself is from a noble family; although not a top-tier great clan, neither very rich nor very powerful, but already considered top-tier; he could rise not because his family has connections that could back him up?

Mai Xuejie is even more so.

Although she sent her master away, just the fact that she was selected by her master due to talent is something Xiao Yinghua cannot compare to.

Moreover, to put it bluntly, what attracts people most about Xiao Yinghua is not her endless ambition flame and that drive to rise above others?

"Uesugi Mr., I am still a virgin, I understand! I understand completely!" Xiao Yinghua said very seriously at this moment, her small pure face showing a moving determination: "Girls like me, the most attractive and moving thing is virginity! I know what you big shots are thinking in your heads; if I weren't, you'd just be playing around, but if I am, you'll definitely, at least take it seriously……"

"Take it seriously, spend more time, after a few years when age increases, the outcome will still be being played into wilted flowers, freshness gone, finally unable to stay in Tokyo, bringing a body full of illness back to the countryside, marrying an honest person." Uesugi Muneyuki held back laughter, shook his head: "Alright, let's not talk about this for now; since you're willing and Mai Xuejie vouches for you, I believe you are the one, and I also need your help."

"But before that, you first call the operations team, tell them, directly tell them, your home has been invaded and you're being followed." Uesugi Muneyuki first gestured for Xiao Yinghua to call the operations team: "According to what you said earlier, YKC48 actually suspected you and investigated you, but now you're turning the tables, actively reporting, so they become passive instead!"

"Sakura-chan, are you willing to believe we won't harm you?" Mai Xuejie said with interest.

"Sakura-chan, jing ti jing ming!" Xiao Yinghua excitedly clenched both fists; she really didn't know what she could do, thought about it, then simply stood straight, waist erect, and gave a fierce salute.

"Zhong! Cheng!"

……………………

After briefly settling in at Sakata Bridge Tower, Miyawaki Sakura, under the guidance of Bai Chuan Mai, dialed the phone of her operations manager.

She did not use a tone of confronting with accusations, but used a voice that, after being greatly startled, forced calm yet could not hide fragility.

Just acting!

"Manager-san…… very sorry to disturb you so late. I…… I just returned home nearby when I felt like I was being followed, and…… I also suspect someone entered my apartment……" Xiao Yinghua's voice carried just the right tremor, and she described those previously discovered tiny yet unsettling traces—undried water stains on the door handle, minute displacement of objects.

She deliberately did not mention anything related to public security or investigation, but attributed everything to "possibly overly fervent fans" or "public security issues," and expressed deep fear and insecurity.

"I'm really scared…… I don't know what to do…… that place feels no longer safe."

As Uesugi and Bai Mai had expected, upon hearing her statement, the operations side was first shocked, then showed a mixed attitude of apology and eagerness to soothe.

Due to losing documents, they had indeed suspected Xiao Yinghua, then internal investigation indeed might have startled the snake, or left traces during monitoring; at this moment, Miyawaki Sakura's "encountered danger" report made them subconsciously think their own actions indirectly caused all this, producing a "guilty conscience" psychology.

The person in charge immediately responded in a caring tone: "Xiao Ying! Are you alright? This is truly terrifying! It's all our negligence, we failed to protect you! Where are you now? Absolutely safe?"

After receiving Miyawaki Sakura's vague reply of "temporarily at a friend's place," the other party immediately followed up: "That apartment really can't be lived in anymore! We must immediately arrange a new residence for you, find a place with the highest security level, absolutely private! We'll handle this right away! You rest well these few days, calm down; if needed, the company can arrange a psychological doctor……"

Miyawaki Sakura secretly breathed a sigh of relief, her tone still weak: "Thank you…… for troubling you……"

"No trouble no trouble! This is what we should do! Your safety is most important!" The operations manager busily assured.

After hanging up, Uesugi Muneyuki nodded satisfied: "Good, next tell the public security side, just say you encountered danger and sought my help, I value you greatly, not only did I come to help you in the rain at the first moment, but I also brought you back to my residence to protect you; tell the public security side, for your safety and out of my fondness for you, I am willing to assist your matter and really want to investigate what exactly happened behind all this!"

"Good." Xiao Yinghua picked up the phone again; at this moment she only felt her heart beating very fast.

"Don't rush, take a deep breath, Mai, take a deep breath." Mai Xuejie said.

Miyawaki Sakura nodded, took a few deep breaths, her small chest rising and falling slightly, and finally dialed the phone: "Hello, Detective Kino-shita, this is Sakura. I have escaped the threat... yes, yes... I received help from Mr. Uesugi... yes, after I got your call, I immediately sought Mr. Uesugi's help. He took it seriously and came in the rain... He not only provided me with a safe house but also said he would do his utmost to clarify my situation, yes..."

Fifteen minutes later, National Police Agency Public Security Secret Facility.

Kino-shita Tōya reported this "breakthrough progress."

Hasegawa Section Chief's eyes gleamed, his expression excited: "Uesugi Muneyuki... he's willing to help? Although the motive is said to be for a woman, a little idol, but it also opens up the situation. If what Miyawaki says is true..."

Ikeda Management Officer's eyes were sharp: "As long as he's willing to be tested, there's a chance to find the truth behind Nakamura's death and pull out the killer lurking in the shadows. This is much better than us bumping around like headless flies. Agree to his terms, but ensure the entire process remains under our supervision... no, under 'protection.' Miyawaki Sakura did well this time; it seems her influence over Uesugi is even more effective than we estimated."

"Immediately notify Miyawaki Sakura, reveal most of what we've encountered to Uesugi Muneyuki, just say we desperately need his help, but due to national security, he must keep it confidential! As for Miyawaki... let her get closer to Uesugi, at least first get a bed photo of her!"

Three forces intersected, a small cherry blossom standing precisely at the center.

Before the parent company, she is a victim needing protection and compensation; before public security, she is a valuable informant who successfully broke through the key link.

But her true stance has quietly shifted toward the camp of Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai.

Through her mediation, Uesugi Muneyuki successfully established contact with the public security police, and a vague, unlikely alliance is forming!

The red and black alliance!

(Chapter End)