Chapter 934

In the private room of the club, the charcoal fire beneath the iron grate emitted a fine, insect-like chirping sound.

The fat of the Kobe beef slowly seeped out under high heat, dripping onto the charcoal fire and rising as a wisp of white smoke carrying a roasted aroma.

"Mr. Uesugi, Ms. Eto, please enjoy." The female proprietor brought over a specialty dish.

Uesugi Muneyuki glanced at it, and his eyes lit up.

It's a famous Vietnamese dish! Renowned Vietnamese fermented tofu fish-patterned boba!

The surface of the fermented tofu is large, full, and white—large, full, white—and it's also double-distilled, with fine, dense fish-scale patterns on the surface; it's soft and chewy when eaten, and he hasn't had it in a long time!

"I heard you like this, so please enjoy slowly." Eto Miyabi smiled radiantly.

"Thank you." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded with a smile, he hesitated for a moment, but still said: "I still have one thing to remind you: Souda Sosuke's favorable public opinion won't last long; a second reversal is coming soon."

Eto Miyabi set down her wine cup, her gaze withdrawing from the courtyard outside the window and settling on Uesugi Muneyuki's face; what he had just said sobered her more than that cup of sake.

"Mr. Uesugi, do you think public opinion regarding Souda Sosuke's matter will reverse again?"

Uesugi Muneyuki raised his wine cup: "It's still too early. Everyone is sympathizing with him because he's a victim. But once the heat dies down, once people start re-examining those old accounts, they'll discover one thing after another: Souda Sosuke cheated. He had an affair during his marriage, maintaining a relationship with another woman for several years, and even during their separation, he continued to be in contact with that woman. Regardless of whether he was framed, this fact is true. When that time comes, public opinion will say: 'He was indeed framed, but he's also not a good person.'"

"Then, all the previous sympathy will turn into a more vicious boomerang."

Eto Miyabi picked up a piece of grilled beef with her chopsticks, placed it in her mouth, chewed slowly, swallowed, wiped the corner of her mouth: "So his tragic persona setup won't hold?"

"It won't hold. A tragic persona setup requires three conditions: first, the victim must be completely innocent; second, the perpetrator must be completely evil; third, the event must have a clear endpoint. Souda Sosuke doesn't meet the first condition. He was indeed framed, but he's not innocent. He cheated. Once this label is stuck on him, it can't be peeled off. So his tragic persona setup will eventually be overturned by public opinion itself."

Eto Miyabi's fingers traced circles on the rim of her wine cup: "Then what about my situation? I'm his wife, I'm the one who was cheated on. Logically, I should be standing on the moral high ground! Why aren't you guiding Souda, but guiding me instead? I'm not wrong!"

Uesugi Muneyuki looked at her and snorted: "You are the one who was cheated on, that's correct. But you used his infidelity, used his schedule, used the opportunity of him being framed, to gain more benefits for yourself. You can logically prove yourself righteous, but public opinion doesn't care about logic. Public opinion cares about intuition. People's intuition about you is: 'This woman isn't a teakettle either.' Once Souda's tragic persona collapses, you'll also get dragged in—you being right doesn't matter; you've profited."

Eto Miyabi set down her chopsticks, raised her sake cup, took a sip, and said softly: "Then what can I do?"

"Do nothing. Don't issue statements, don't accept interviews, don't try to clarify your position. Every word you say now could later be dug up and used as material to attack you. What you need to do is silence. Wait for public opinion to cool down on its own, wait for new news to emerge, wait for no one to remember Souda Sosuke is your husband, then you can start anew."

"Before that, stay silent and make a fortune—saying not a single word is the best approach."

She put her wine cup back on the table: "Mr. Uesugi, you're right. I should indeed keep a low profile for a while. Sometimes, doing nothing is the best response."

But Eto Miyabi's face clearly showed displeasure: "But I feel this is too lenient toward him! For example, his 2.3 billion yen compensation—I get nothing, and I'm the perfect victim! Don't I deserve to speak up for all married mothers?"

"Want to learn boxing from Ueno Chizuko and Night Come Hui?" Uesugi Muneyuki sneered: "Not everyone is as smart as you, able to understand what 'cyber witch-hunt' means. Today's netizens need such a carnival every few days, find a safe public figure, tie him to the 'cyber burning stake,' burn him thoroughly, burn him completely, then disperse satisfied. A few days later, there'll be a new topic, a new target, a new burning stake. They'll soon forget you. Forgetting is the best outcome."

Eto Miyabi nodded helplessly: "Cyber burning stake... you're absolutely right. I used to think those who engaged in online harassment were all bad people, but later I realized most of them aren't bad people—they're just bored people. They need entertainment, need to vent, need something that makes them feel morally superior."

"Now you understand why, no matter how strictly the medieval Church prohibited it, people still loved 'witch hunts'?" Uesugi Muneyuki smiled: "Yes. They need slogans. The shorter the better, the simpler the better. Making them remember a word over seven characters is too much to ask. 'Souda-san, does your hand hurt?'—eight characters is just barely acceptable. Too long to remember. Too complex to bother remembering. So the 'other-power vow' of the Repeating One Sect becomes popular precisely because you don't need to think—just need to shout along. Those who ultimately support you and speak for you are only your fans. Meanwhile, those who oppose you are everyone else."

"But precisely because some support you and praise you, it triggers nationwide backlash. This is a kind of reverse psychology: the more you're lifted up by one group, the more another group wants to pull you down."

"I understand, just like after Zhang Juzheng's strong rule ended, whether it was Zhang Siwei, Xu Guo, or the Wang Jiaping, Wang Xijue, Li Tingji faction—no matter what they did, they'd face frenzied attacks. Only relatively moderate figures like Shen Shixing and Zhao Zhigao could maintain long-term rule, because they said nothing and did nothing?" Eto Miyabi mused: "Is the only way to resolve hatred and controversy simply time—whether in favor or opposition, essentially only exacerbating contradictions?"

Uesugi Muneyuki laughed.

"You really do understand the History of the Ming, Ms. Eto."

"You're welcome, Mr. Uesugi. Can we find a dedicated place sometime to study and discuss?" Eto Miyabi raised her cup in a toast: "I'm very interested in the Altan Khan tribute—was he inherently a case of talent exceeding ambition, or did he, because he wasn't from the Golden Family, especially rely on Yellow Sect Buddhism to fabricate his family's bloodline concept?"

"Definitely next time."

In the lobby of Kobe Port Ōkura Hotel, afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, scattering across the floor in warm patterns of light and shadow. Uesugi Muneyuki walked out of the elevator dragging his suitcase, preparing to complete check-out procedures.

By then, all members of the Special Mission Division had already finished check-out; Minami and the others had gone to the Hyogo Prefectural Police Headquarters to handle follow-up matters, while Uesugi Muneyuki, not participating in follow-up handling, didn't need to go there.

Japanese inns differ from those in other countries.

Many Japanese hotels and inns have check-out as late as 9 a. m. or even 10 a. m., whereas in many other countries, the standard is usually noon 12 p. m. or even 1 p. m.

But Uesugi Muneyuki didn't care—after all, the expenses were reimbursed by the Metropolitan Police Department, so what if I check out in the afternoon?

You should know, I personally slashed the Police Agency's budget from 1 billion to 230 million yen in one go!

He wore that dark gray Armani coat, unbuttoned, his steps slower than usual, carrying a unique relaxation after completing a mission.

Checking out°

Just as Uesugi Muneyuki was preparing to check out, a sudden rush of footsteps came from the hallway.

He turned his head and saw Kashiwagi Misa quickly walking toward him from the elevator entrance.

The icy beauty wife police officer today wore a mellow white long wool coat, underneath a dark gray knit dress, with the skirt hem positioned a few finger-widths above her knees.

Her legs were clad in a pair of 40D dark gray pantyhose, soft sheen, glowing with a delicate micro-light under indoor lighting, beautifully accentuating her beautiful legs and feet from ankle to above the knees, under warm yellow light emitting a fine, velvety-like sheen; on her gray-silk feet were a pair of black pointed-toe side-open high-heeled shoes, the slender heels like two sharp swords, the shoe shape excellent, delicately yet powerfully outlining her ankle line.

Her usual iceberg-like cold beauty face was now somewhat softer than usual, her lips coated with a thin layer of lipstick, a shade between bean paste and rose, and she also applied a touch of purple eyeshadow.

She walked up to Uesugi Muneyuki and stopped at a close distance, her eyes carrying a rare hint of anticipation: "Checking out?" "Yeah, I'll meet up with Minami and the others this afternoon." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded and said.

She took another half step forward, the distance now even closer than before, a faint blush of allure rising on her face: "Then... I have something I want to say to you—shall we go into the room to talk? Just twenty minutes, or... we still have an hour? Anyway, whether you check out early or late doesn't matter much?" After saying that, Kashiwagi Misa, unable to wait any longer, snatched the room key from Uesugi Muneyuki's hand and swiped it again to open the room door.

Uesugi Muneyuki naturally understood what Kashiwagi Misa meant, but his face instantly darkened.

"No, Misa, not now at least!"

"?" Kashiwagi Misa's hand hovered in midair, she looked somewhat startled.

This man actually doesn't want to?

She looked into Uesugi Muneyuki's eyes—there was no evasion, no difficulty, only a steady, emotionless refusal. Her gaze moved from his face to his hand, then back to his eyes, then she lightly bit her lip, unwillingly pulling her hand back: "You've changed, Uesugi. Before, you'd at least have a cup of coffee before leaving... or... do you think Old Ren is just..." Uesugi Muneyuki's face was grim.

I really can't do this now! Truly can't!

He's currently in a state of impotence! Needs to wait until returning to Tokyo for Senior Student Mai to treat him!

Damn, he already rejected Eto, now he's rejecting Misa, and when he gets back he'll have to reject Eirina and Minami too!

Senior Student Mai, you'd better hurry up and prepare the mouth medicine!

Kashiwagi Misa stood in place, watching his back for a moment, her breathing slightly faster than before, but soon returned to normal: "Uesugi Muneyuki. Are you really busy, or just unwilling? Or... are you dissatisfied with me?"

"I'm busy. Not an excuse." Uesugi Muneyuki said with a bitter face: "You should also head back early."

Kashiwagi Misa watched him walk a few steps, then said softly: "Then when you're done, come back to Tokyo and we'll talk. Anyway, you can't run away."

After saying that, Kashiwagi Misa rather unwillingly bit her lip, thinking: I specifically spent half an hour doing my makeup, and only found this opportunity after everyone else had left!

This dog of a man, eats it and then doesn't cherish it, right?

Hmph!

The former beauty of the Metropolitan Police Department left in a huff, and Uesugi Muneyuki also began preparing to check out.

However, the two of them were unaware of this.

Old Ren didn't leave either.

When Kashiwagi Misa arrived at the lobby to check out, Kashiwagi Jin came out, holding a cup of coffee he had already drunk half of.

He saw the interaction between his wife and Uesugi Muneyuki—she reached out to help him with his luggage, and he sidestepped to avoid it.

The movement was small, but he saw it clearly: Uesugi Muneyuki came out of the room, Misa tried to help him with his luggage, but Uesugi Muneyuki refused.

Uesugi, you are truly a gentleman!

I, Kashiwagi, have you as a brother for a lifetime—enough!

Kashiwagi Jin walked closer with his coffee cup in hand. "Misa, what are you doing here?"

Kashiwagi Misa never expected Old Ren to be here! Isn't he already checked out? Her whole body trembled instantly.

But women are born actors, and she had already faced her husband's doubts 1,145,140 times.

She quickly glanced at him, then replied indifferently: "I came to see if Mr. Uesugi needs help with his luggage. He's carrying so much alone, it's not convenient. Guess what? He said no. What a busy man—he won't even drink a cup of coffee. Isn't today his day off?" Kashiwagi Jin nodded in agreement: "He really is busy. There's still a pile of reports waiting for his approval at the Special Mission Division."

He paused: "Misa, go back and pack your things first. We'll return to Tokyo together, and we also need to cancel leave at headquarters." "Alright." Kashiwagi Misa nodded naturally.

In front of the hotel lobby, one couldn't help but sigh: these two truly are a perfect couple!

When Uesugi Muneyuki finished checking out and turned around, he happened to see Kashiwagi Jin standing there, holding a coffee cup.

Their gazes met in an instant within less than three meters.

"You didn't leave?" Uesugi Muneyuki stared blankly, then gave a slightly embarrassed laugh.

Oh no, Old Ren didn't leave!

Good thing I didn't agree to Misa's request!

Should I thank Ahiru then?

"You didn't leave either?" Kashiwagi Jin patted his shoulder, his heart full of emotion: "Waiting for you, we are the Absolute Dual Pride." "Hmm!" Their hands clasped tightly together.

Old Ren's heart became even more certain.

Uesugi good! Misa bad!

Alice is a little cute one!