Chapter 743

The Go exchange event was extremely lively, and Nie Sheng, as the German Go Saint who once defeated a series of Japanese "top-tier" players so badly they were left searching for their teeth, was naturally the most sought-after, though as previously mentioned, Nie Sheng's strength had greatly declined after his painful loss to Cao Xunxuan in the first LG Cup, leaving him mentally and physically scarred and far from his former peak; added to that, he had encountered some off-board issues (extramarital affairs and health problems), so although he still participated in some international tournaments in the 1990s, he was now only at the level of a second-rate player, merely playing occasional games with some second-line retired players, and Nie Sheng had the nickname "Invincible in the First Hundred Moves," which not only indicated his exceptional opening skills but also implied that his level often dropped in the middlegame, making him prone to mistakes. Chang Gong's table was much quieter, with mostly serious-minded young people watching.

Zhen Lao's table presented quite a different scene—about half the gatherers were young students, holding up their phones to film, while someone whispered about internet slang like "comparing sweat Lily Lily" or "live stream clips."

As a rising star in German Go, Zhen Lao, the current eight-time crown champion, defends Germany's last glory in Go; besides his profound skill in Go, he frequently participates in live streams, and when facing Google's developed AI "Asam," he played the "Eagle's One Move" to reverse a desperate situation and win a point for humanity, naturally making him a popular player beloved by the crowd.

Uesugi Sadanori naturally liked Go, and at this moment his expression relaxed somewhat—perhaps because Go, an activity requiring high concentration, allowed him to temporarily escape from his own heavy consciousness.

Uesugi Muneyuki, on the other hand, had no interest in Go or baseball at all, and occasionally watched football and basketball.

"Uesugi Chief! You really came!"

A clear female voice cut through the crowd, landing precisely beside the three of them.

Uesugi Muneyuki turned his head toward the sound.

Eto Miyabi was walking toward them.

She wore a smoke-gray cashmere sweater, soft in texture, perfectly outlining the gentle lines of her shoulders, neck, and chest.

Below, she wore a brocade satin horse-face skirt, its deep navy base embroidered with gold and silver threads depicting the surging waves of Kanagawa Surfing Inside—the wave pattern undulating along the hem, where classical and contemporary strangely merged.

Beneath the skirt, her straight legs were wrapped in thick black silk stockings, which shimmered faintly under the light, her ankles slender, tapering into a pair of black velvet-suede embroidered high heels—the shoe surface adorned with delicate silver plum blossom patterns, echoing the Eastern essence of the horse-face skirt in a distant resonance.

She was twenty-seven or twenty-eight, in the prime of a lightly mature woman's allure.

Her features were not the sharp, striking kind, but rather the kind that bears close inspection—moist and lustrous, touched with a hint of charm.

The corners of her eyes slightly lifted; when she smiled, there was a fine sparkle; her lip color was a pale coral pink, not deliberately made up, more like a natural healthy glow. Most striking was her aura—that of a married woman's unique ease, no longer needing to flatter anyone, yet fully aware of her allure and how to wield it.

As she approached, a faint, almost imperceptible scent drifted in the air—not perfume, but more like the natural warmth exuded between cashmere and skin: "Uesugi Chief, do you like Go too? Are you from the Wu Qingyuan school, or the Miki Jitsu school? Or perhaps… the Yongjia school, the An'an school, or… the Yan Abhidharma's Capital school?"

Uesugi Muneyuki's pupils contracted slightly.

She even knows that?

She really read Ming history!

Standing beside him, Eirina almost instinctively shifted half a step forward—a tiny movement, but enough for her elbow to lightly brush against Uesugi's arm.

Eirina didn't know why, but she instinctively felt a sense of crisis.

And his brother… Uesugi Sadanori's gaze lingered on Eto Miyabi for about two seconds, then shifted, landing on an empty corner behind her.

His expression didn't change, but his Adam's apple rolled once.

For some reason, he had always had no interest in women, but seeing NHK's beautiful anchor Eto Miyabi appear, Uesugi Sadanori suddenly felt something.

Born and raised in the ivory tower, he disliked women with a heavy worldly air, but when facing someone like Chika—completely traditional, gentle, obedient, a noble lady—he couldn't muster enthusiasm; instead, Eto Miyabi, who combined a married woman's gentle aura with the boldness to unleash her feminine charm and vitality, stirred in him a long-dormant fondness.

But his brother was just thinking—women are troublesome; better to dig graves in archaeology, dealing with silent artifacts and unchanging ancient texts, which is where he feels at ease.

"Miss Eto." Uesugi Muneyuki's voice was calm.

"How wonderful—I was still worried I wouldn't meet you today." Eto Miyabi slightly tilted her head, the corners of her eyes curving into a lovely arc, "Last month on NHK's interview program, thanks to you making time despite your busy schedule, ratings hit a quarterly high. The producer has been saying he wants to thank you in person." "It's just that the production team prepared thoroughly." Uesugi Muneyuki said politely, though his tone remained detached.

"You're too modest." Eto Miyabi pressed her lips into a smile, her gaze lingering on his face as if savoring something: "I roughly guessed you'd definitely come today, after all, it's Uesugi Professor's retirement day… but today I came with 'private motives.' Ah, I was rude."

She seemed to only just notice Eirina and Uesugi Sadanori's presence, giving a slight bow.

"This must be Ikeda Deputy Section Chief? I often see you on TV—you're always beside Uesugi Chief, energetic and sharp, leaving a deep impression." Her smile was just right—neither rude nor overly enthusiastic.

Eirina gave a slight nod, the corner of her mouth lifting in a polite arc: "Miss Eto, you overpraise me. I often watch your news program." Her tone was even, but the hands resting on her skirt hem had whitened knuckles.

For some reason, whenever Eirina faced Eto Miyabi, she felt toyed with and led around, and could only stay silent.

Eto Miyabi turned toward Sadanori.

"This is…"

"My elder brother, Uesugi Sadanori." Uesugi Muneyuki introduced: "Also the next-generation head of the house."

"Ah, so you're the eldest son of the Uesugi family—pleasure to meet you." Eto Miyabi bowed slightly, her gaze resting on Sadanori's face for an instant, warm and polite: "I apologize, desu!"

Uesugi Sadanori gave a slight nod, saying nothing.

His eyes fell on the wave pattern of her skirt for about half a second, then moved on.

Kanagawa Surfing Inside.

Eto Miyabi seemed to sense something, but she didn't pursue it, merely smiling and withdrawing her gaze, returning it to Uesugi Muneyuki's face—this time closer: "Uesugi Professor, actually, today I came boldly with a request."

She slightly lowered her voice, the mask of official business slipping away to reveal the alluring truth beneath.

"Has Fuji Bureau's 'Hand of God' already prepared to go on air? I've heard."

Uesugi Muneyuki's brow twitched slightly.

"The news spread fast."

"There are no secrets in the industry." Eto Miyabi chuckled lightly: "The flagship Monday 9 drama, backed by the network's full resources, has a per-episode budget breaking the hundred-million-yen mark, starring national-level actress Shirakawa Mai, with the Metropolitan Police Department and Tokyo University already committed to full on-location filming—this is already the year's biggest topic in broadcasting."

She paused, her eyes gaining a hint of earnest enthusiasm.

"And you, Uesugi Chief—as the legendary forensic doctor, the last line of defense for the Metropolitan Police Department, are the sole designated technical advisor for this series, appearing as yourself in a fixed ten-minute cameo per episode, right?"

This wasn't a question—it was confirmation.

Uesugi Muneyuki did not deny it.

"Fuji Television President indeed said that—I'm swamped with work, so I certainly can't be the lead, and we need full support from the Metropolitan Police Department, so naturally the lead must be a police officer from there, hence after discussion, Mai Xuejie was cast as the lead, and I do the fixed cameo."

The funniest part? Sakura will play Eirina's role, leaving Sakura practicing martial arts for months.

"That's great." Eto Miyabi lightly clapped, the motion brisk yet tinged with deliberate coquettishness: "Frankly, I came today to ask—does the script have a role suitable for me?"

She paused, her eyes softening with a layer of gentle pleading.

"I don't need much screen time—one or two episodes would do. Even as the female lead's colleague, a forensic assistant, or an interviewer covering cases… I just want to leave a trace in this work."

As she spoke, her gaze drooped slightly, her lashes casting fine shadows on her eyelids.

"I've hosted news programs for three years, always in the 'recorder' position. Sometimes I also want… to stand on the side being recorded." She spoke sincerely, but when she lifted her eyes, the faint smile at her corners clearly went beyond sincerity: "Our station not only allows this, but as long as NHK can assist Uesugi Chief, you're free to speak up anytime!"

Uesugi Muneyuki fell silent for two seconds.

This wasn't Eto Miyabi's request—it was NHK's request.

Moreover, the prefecture… next year's relaunched Taiga drama 'Sanada Maru,' in which Uesugi Sadanori and Uesugi Muneyuki will also cameo as Uesugi Kagekatsu and Uesugi Kagetora, two brothers.

TMD, is our Uesugi family really an entertainment dynasty?

"I will convey it to the production side." He said.

"Not 'convey'." Eto Miyabi gently shook her head, her voice soft as if soaked in warm water: "Please recommend me one by one." She looked at his eyes, without looking away.

"If the Uesugi Chief is willing to speak up, this matter will be settled, and we at NHK will be eternally grateful!"

The air fell silent for a moment.

Eirina's fingertips tightened slightly.

She still maintained that composed and proper demeanor, but in her slightly widened beautiful eyes, a signal of vigilance had already lit up like a red light. This woman's caliber is simply comparable to Minami!

Uesugi Sadanori remained silent, his gaze falling elsewhere, but his shoulder line tensed slightly.

After thinking for a while, Uesugi Muneyuki spoke, his tone calm as usual: "I will give it serious consideration."

Eto Miyabi looked at him for two seconds, then suddenly smiled.

That smile was much more relaxed than before, with fine laughter lines blooming at the corners of her eyes.

"Then I'll trouble you."

She took a step back, resuming the distance of official business.

"Ah, right, NHK hopes to arrange a formal interview next month as a warmup for the Taiga drama's pre-promotion. If you're convenient…… 'Let the Promotion Department and the University of Tokyo Public Relations Department coordinate the timing.'" Uesugi Muneyuki said.

"Alright, I will send an official letter." Eto Miyabi nodded, then turned toward Eirina, her smile gentle: "Assistant Police Inspector Ikeda, today's first formal conversation is truly an honor. The color of the silk scarf you're wearing is chosen very well, it complements your complexion."

Eirina slightly bowed: "Thank you for the praise."

"Oh right, since it's like this, could the Uesugi Chief give me a phone number? It just so happens to be convenient for contact……" Eto Miyabi said smoothly. What a formidable woman!

Uesugi Muneyuki and Uesugi Sadanori both showed expressions of surprise; this beautiful host's timing in proposing contact methods was just right! Simply impossible to refuse!

Uesugi Muneyuki became interested, he immediately reported his phone number at an extremely fast and somewhat muffled speed, so fast that he didn't even give Eto Miyabi time to react or pull out her phone!

However, Eto Miyabi's reaction was even faster; she instantly pulled out an eyebrow pencil from her bag and, at lightning speed, directly wrote down the entire phone number on the back of her hand!

"Thank you, Uesugi Chief, I will call you later!" Eto Miyabi said with a smile.

Eto Miyabi nodded to Uesugi Sadanori as a greeting, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

The horse-face skirt embroidered with giant waves swayed gently with her steps, the waves of Kanagawa's sea seemed to come alive, surging wave after wave toward an unseen distance, and beneath the skirt, her jet-black, jade-like thick black silk beautiful legs, under the bright spring sunlight, faintly glimmered with a hazy spring light at the ankles, the pointed high heels on the satin surface swaying one after another, making Uesugi Muneyuki a bit dazed.

The three fell silent for a few seconds.

"... Didn't she marry Souda Sosuke?"

Uesugi Sadanori's voice was very soft, as if talking to himself.

Uesugi Muneyuki glanced at his brother; Uesugi Sadanori still stared in the direction Eto Miyabi had left, his face expressionless, but his brows slightly furrowed, as if trying to understand some unsolvable chemical equation, or perhaps the secret method of the Mormon faith.

"Souda Sosuke is the starting shortstop for the Seibu Lions," Uesugi Sadanori said, unusually uttering a full sentence: "Three consecutive Gold Glove Awards, last year's batting average was. 290, annual salary over 300 million. When they got married two years ago, sports news broadcasted it for a week straight."

He paused.

"Her husband has money, fame, and social status. She has her own career, NHK's anchor position, how many people strive in vain to get in. Their child was also born last year."

He didn't finish speaking, but the implication was very clear:

She lacks nothing. Why then does she do this?

Uesugi Muneyuki softly exhaled a breath.

"Perhaps precisely because she lacks everything." Uesugi Muneyuki sighed: "First, a baseball player's career…… they generally need to prepare to earn decades of savings in just ten years. Second, I recall that Eto Miyabi probably met Souda during an interview, right? And then they flash-married in less than half a year."

"You mean……" Uesugi Sadanori suddenly understood a bit: "Just marrying for the sake of marriage?"

"Back then, Takarazuka actress Kuroki Hitomi met a Dentsu man, he appreciated her, Kuroki Hitomi only said one sentence: saying you work in Osaka now is inconvenient, if you could transfer to Tokyo it would be fine, he agreed, three months later this Dentsu man transferred to Tokyo, and they married immediately; after marriage and having a child, they immediately separated, thereafter meeting fixedly once every two weeks." Uesugi Muneyuki said casually.

"Money, fame, status—all belong to her husband." Uesugi Sadanori said.

"She herself is 'Souda's wife.' She is 'NHK Host Eto Miyabi.' But before her name, there is always a modifier." Uesugi Muneyuki paused.

"'Hand of God' is different. If she can leave a role in this work, even just one or two episodes, five minutes one by one, that is her own earned achievement. The camera won't write 'Souda Sosuke's wife' in the cast list."

Uesugi Sadanori remained silent for a long time.

"... I don't understand." He finally said.

This is not false modesty, but a statement.

He truly doesn't understand why someone would so desperately want to be seen, while he, after twenty years, only wants to learn how not to be seen.

Women, truly troublesome creatures!

Some things Uesugi Muneyuki didn't say, while Uesugi Sadanori thought for a long time before finally working around this bend, knowing that after marriage Eto Miyabi had already secured half her husband's assets and, in the case of having children, could obtain substantial alimony, began pursuing her own "career" and "freedom." The brother's hanging heart finally died.

Indeed, female charm is the most boring and disgusting thing in this world! It only makes my blade dull!

"I understand, Muneyuki." Uesugi Sadanori earnestly said to Uesugi Muneyuki: "Indeed, between men and women there is only the instinctive desire for reproduction, that is not true love! True love indeed only appears between same-sex......"

Uesugi Muneyuki: "?"