Chapter 54 Section 1

New Year's Day in 1999. Akimura's mansion held a New Year's party as usual.The wall separating the living room and the living room on the first floor was originally designed to be dismantled. When the two rooms were combined, it became a banquet hall about forty stacks in size.There are tables inside, and the New Year's dishes on the table are all delivered by high-end Japanese restaurants that come and go all the year round.Sitting around the table were all relatives, including those who served as directors of Huawu. Someone was joking and laughing loudly. It was Takaji Akimura's uncle.As long as he drinks a little wine, he will talk loudly to anyone. This is his old problem, and it has become more and more serious as he gets older.

"I used to think that after entering the 21st century, we would enter the era of cars flying in the air. This is how it is depicted in comic books. Not only comics, but even those great scholars say that anyone can travel in the universe. But in reality, it has only developed to the point where everyone has a mobile phone. Cars are still crawling on the ground, and they are helpless against the dilapidated weather satellites. The so-called progress of civilization is ultimately like this.” He was still saying just now that he never dreamed that he would live to this age, thanks to his daily attention to health.Everyone was perfunctorily agreeing, and he seemed to change the topic of his speech again.

Meidong brought wine for him, and helped him fill the glass.His flushed face immediately beamed with laughter. "Ah, Ryuji is really capable. The boss is not young and he doesn't have a family. He has been making everyone worry about him. It's nothing, because there is such a beautiful woman hidden. With such an outstanding beauty, no matter what kind of person we introduce to him, of course he will be dismissive. Gu." Some people nodded in agreement, but most of them only smiled wryly.Ryuji and Mifuyu have been married for almost a year, and this uncle has always said the same thing since the day they got married.

"I'm tired of hearing this kind of talk. It's the new year, let's talk about something else." As the head of the family, Longzhi waved his hands impatiently.He was wearing a new custom-made kimono, and I heard that the fabric was selected by Mifuyu.Mifuyu is also wearing a kimono. She is very good at wearing kimonos and seems to be used to acting like this. As a result, other relatives began to talk about children, saying that if Longzhi didn't give birth to an heir soon, everyone could not rest assured.People around agree. "Even if you say so, it's the only thing that doesn't do whatever you want." Longzhi replied.Meifuyu lowered her head shyly, then went to the kitchen.

"Don't talk about it. You're making fun of someone's new daughter-in-law, really." Aunt scolded. "I'm not joking with Meidong, but I'm saying that the young president of Huawu is really happy to marry such a beautiful daughter-in-law who is fifteen or sixteen years younger than himself." "Longji is indeed happy. Meifuyu is not only beautiful, but also capable at work, and she doesn't put on airs at all. It's a pity to marry Ryuji." The cousin who is two years younger than Ryuji said, "If I knew this, I shouldn't be so If you are in a hurry to get married, you should wait patiently."

"What are you talking about? It doesn't matter if Ryuji waits until he is this age. Who will marry you with a beer belly like you?" said the wife sitting next to him, causing everyone to burst into laughter. For the new daughter-in-law who suddenly married into Qiucun's family a year ago, all family members have a good impression.When we gathered for the ceremony last summer, everyone admired her for her proper arrangement and polite attitude in dealing with people.Most people think that she is so young, she is really amazing, and she is really impeccable as Long Zhi's partner.

Today is the same, although there are two maids, but Mifuyu has been working quickly since early in the morning, directing them carefully.When greeting the relatives who came one after another, he did not forget to protect Ryuji's face at all times, which made people feel very comfortable and impeccable.Of course everyone would give her a high evaluation, only Kurata Yorie watched all this coldly.Seeing her younger brother being teased by everyone, she looked very happy, and thought to herself, no matter how old the child was, he was immature. Laijiang is three years older than Longzhi.Whether in terms of study or leadership, she never felt that she was inferior to her younger brother, but she never had the idea of ​​inheriting the Huafu.The parents appointed Ryuji as the heir.Therefore, she has developed her favorite painting since high school.When I was in college, I went to Paris to study abroad for a year, but unfortunately, I didn't become a painter, and got married two years after graduation.

"Lai Jiang, you don't have anything to worry about now, right?" the cousin sitting next to him said, "Kang Yi has become a talent, and Long Zhi has finally married." Guangyi is Lai Jiang's eldest son. He is twenty-five years old this year. After graduating from medical school, he worked in a university hospital. "Guangyi can't be said to have become a talent, and I have never worried about Longzhi." "Do you believe he will find someone he likes sooner or later?" "Not really. I think if you mess up, you might as well be single. Anyway, there is no inconvenience if you have a maid."

"But you can finally rest assured that you have married such a young and capable person." "Yes." Even though her cousin's opinion was completely different from Lai Jiang's, she still agreed. Their father died seven years ago.Not long before his father died, he called her to his side and told her to take care of Longzhi in the future.My father has realized that he is seriously ill, and his days are numbered. "The kid is fine at work, and I think he can run the Huawu well." The father said with his skinny throat trembling, "I'm mainly worried about his family. I only teach him how to work, but I didn't teach him how to have a family. If your mother Living, maybe it’s not like this.”

Lai Jiang's mother died nearly twenty years earlier than his father. "I will help him find a good wife." Lai Jiang said to his father. Father nodded. "Please. That child is not as strict as I imagined. I always worry that he will be entangled by bad women. Only women understand women's affairs, so I can only ask you." "I know. Dad needs to get better soon, let's find a wife for Longzhi together." After hearing her words, the father smiled weakly.His eyes seemed to say that this sentence was only a formal comfort. Until his death, my father's biggest worry was that he would not have an heir.The father founded Huawu through his own efforts, and wanted his direct descendants to inherit it.

In order to abide by his father's last words, Laijiang often introduced objects to Longzhi, but Longzhi didn't listen at all. "I find my lover by myself, and I don't want others to help me." "I always say this kind of thing, but before you know it, you are already in your forties. Don't let no one marry you in the end." Her sister's intimidation had no effect either. "If you can't find someone you like, then forget it. You still have friends, enough to avoid loneliness when you get old. In short, I will not compromise to get married, that would be too stupid." "But if you don't have children, what about Huawu?" "There will be a solution at that time. It's not the royal family, even if there is no blood relationship, it can be entrusted to excellent people. The idea of ​​a family continuing to control the company is too backward." Not only Lai Jiang, but all the people who introduced him to him have been refuted in this way.Later, no one mentioned this matter to him again, and even Lai Jiang almost gave up.At this moment, Ryuji suddenly proposed to get married. In the evening, relatives went back one after another.Everyone has a packed schedule for the next day, and it has been the norm for years to end the New Year early. After seeing off the last guest, Lai Jiang rubbed his shoulders and neck.Ordinarily, she should also go back to her own home, but when doing things, she always feels that she is her mother's family, intentionally or not. "Oops, finally freed from the New Year's tasks." Ryuji was sitting on the sofa in the living room stretching his legs to rest.Although he was drinking a lot, his face was a little red at this time.The table has been roughly cleaned up, and the sound of washing dishes can be heard from the kitchen. "Where's Mito?" "It's tidying up. I told her to let the servants do these things." Long Zhi showed an impatient face, but his tone was obviously boasting of his wife's virtuousness. Lai Jiang also sat down and looked at the shelves on the wall.She cares about what is put on it. "Is that a New Year's card?" Lai Jiang asked his brother. "What? Ah, yes." "So many, how many are there?" "I don't know, I haven't counted them. There should be more than a thousand." "It was all sent to you?" "It's all there. I hardly read the content. Finally, there is nothing to send to Dad." Until two or three years ago, I still received several New Year's cards addressed to my father. "Have you also received the New Year's card sent to Meidong?" Lai Jiang asked in a low voice. "Of course. The forwarding procedure has been done." "Is everything related to work sent to the company?" "Guess so." "Oh... how many are there?" "How many?" "I'm asking about the New Year's card sent to Mifuyu." Ryuji frowned. "How would I know? I only looked at who the sender was. If it was sent to Meidong, I put it aside. There are too many, and it would be exhausting just looking at the sender." "The exact amount doesn't matter, at least you should know whether it's more or less?" "Of course less than mine." "Fifty?" "It shouldn't be that much. Why do you ask this?" Seeing his younger brother staring at him sullenly, Lai Jiang thought, this expression has not changed at all from when he was a child. "I wonder how many cards she gets from friends or former acquaintances." "Why are you talking about this again?" Longzhi cocked his mouth and reached for the cigarette case, "Sister, why are you talking endlessly?" "But I always feel that something is wrong." "That's why I say you have weird ideas. You know her family was hit by the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake, and her parents died because of it, and since then, all relationships have come back to square one. What's wrong with that?" "It is true that she said that her parents' house has collapsed. But Meidong didn't grow up there. Could it be that because of the earthquake, she cut off her previous acquaintances?" "Didn't I say it before, she originally planned to live with her parents when she went back, but there was an earthquake, her address and photo album were all lost, and she came to Tokyo helplessly. People who used to associate with her didn't know about this, and they couldn't contact her if they wanted to. up." "Others are indeed like this, but if Meidong wants to contact, there should be a way, even if the address book is burned." "Hey, sister, what do you want to say?" Long Zhi put the cigarette back to his mouth, and his voice was a little impatient. "It's nothing, I just feel a little strange." Ryuji sighed, shook his head and stood up. "Where are you going?" Lai Jiang asked. "It's inconvenient to move around in a kimono, I'm going to change." He walked towards the door, stopped halfway, turned his head and said, "I remind you, never tell Meifuyu what you just said, and don't tell anyone else. Don't mention it." "Won't." Ryuji walked out of the room with his mouth tightly shut. After the door was closed, Lai Jiang stood up, walked to the shelf, looked down at the pile of New Year's cards, and looked at a few random ones, and they were all sent to Longzhi.She looked around and even opened the drawers, but she didn't find the New Year's card sent to Mifuyu. In the autumn of the year before last, Ryuji suddenly told her that he was going to get married.At that time, Lai Jiang was only happy from the bottom of his heart.It would be great if the younger brother could find his ideal lover by himself.When she learned that the woman was a company operator who had recently established a cooperative relationship with Huawu, she was not particularly disgusted.There will be more female entrepreneurs in Japan in the future, but the younger brother's partner happens to be such a person.To be precise, as the wife of the president of Huawu, it is definitely better to be proficient in business than to be ignorant of the business.She is only worried that if the woman is too busy, it will not be conducive to maintaining the family.Ryuji just laughed it off. "I'm sorry, sister, I don't have the consciousness of establishing a family. I just chose the simple way because I wanted to be with her as much as possible. I don't want her to do housework, and I don't want to force the old rules of the Qiucun family on her. After marrying her, I still hope to maintain a good partnership." This is indeed like Ryuji's usual style.Lai Jiang wondered what his father would say if he was still alive.She didn't say anything, as long as her younger brother wanted to get married, it was something to be happy about. A few days later, an appointment was made to meet the woman.Judging from the younger brother's words, it should be a hard-working professional woman.Since he started his own company at such a young age, he should have a strong personality, and perhaps exude an aura all over his body, wanting to show that he will never stick to the rules.Lai Jiang decided not to say much. But the woman brought by Longzhi is completely different from Lai Jiang's imagination. Xin Hai Meifu looks quiet and introverted, and she responds fluently when talking, and has her own opinions. It can be seen that she is a very independent person.However, from her attitude that was dominated by Takashi from the beginning to the end, and her posture that she tried not to show off, she could not tell that she was an entrepreneur.I thought it was because she was a little nervous, but after chatting for a while, Lai Jiang realized that was not the case.She felt a kind of calmness from Xin Haimei Fuyu, which showed that she got pleasure from talking with her fiancé's sister. But to put it bluntly, she looked like she was acting.It is true that at this time, people will be somewhat acting, but Meifuyu's performance is not purely instinctive, but has carefully outlined the image of the daughter-in-law of the Akimura family who will be liked by everyone, and perfectly interpreted it.At least that's how Lai Jiang sees it. Later, Lai Jiang asked Ryuji if she was always like that. "It seems a little reserved. I usually talk a little more, because I must be afraid of my sister." Long Zhi said cheerfully. Lai Jiang thought, Xin Haimeidong is not restrained at all, and she is definitely not afraid of herself.Seeing that his younger brother couldn't even see this, Lai Jiang remembered his father's words: "That child is not as strict as I imagined." Out of a woman's intuition, Lai Jiang felt that that woman was not suitable for Longzhi. But Longzhi's marriage is advancing step by step, and Lai Jiang can't intervene too much.If he was asked the reason for his objection, and he answered his intuition, Ryuji would definitely sneer at him. Lai Jiang regrets it now, at least he should have investigated Xin Haimeidong's life experience at the time.It's not that she didn't expect it, but she just said that her parents' house was hit by an earthquake, so she decided that it would be impossible to investigate.After the wedding ceremony, it was some time before she learned that Mifuyu had grown up in Kyoto. As the president of Huawu, Longzhi's wedding ceremony was held in a very low-key and small scale.It is said that it was Ryuji's intention, but Laijiang felt that it mainly reflected Meifuyu's intention.There were surprisingly few attendees on the bride's side, and they were all related to BLUE SNOW, not to mention relatives, and none of my friends from school days were seen. It was from then on that Lai Jiang deepened his distrust of Meidong.Even though I lost contact with my former friends due to the earthquake, it is still incomprehensible to completely cut off all previous interpersonal relationships.She felt like Mifuyu was hiding the past. "Thinking too much." Regarding Lai Jiang's worries, Ryuji expressed his displeasure blatantly, "The low-key wedding was decided by the two of us after discussion. I'm already my age, and I don't want to do those fancy things. She just listened to me. idea." "Even so, you should call relatives and friends, right? Doesn't Meifuyu have anyone who can be called a friend? If so, I think there is still a problem." "She has notified the people she wants to invite, isn't that enough?" "Old friends from before—" Her words were interrupted by Ryuji. "Don't be so careless. Didn't I tell you the pain she suffered in the earthquake? There are people in this world who don't want to be bound by the past." No matter what Lai Jiang said, Long Zhi couldn't listen at all. After marriage, Meidong perfectly played the role of the daughter-in-law of the Qiucun family, but Lai Jiang always had a knot in his heart: there are too many strange things about Meidong. A few years ago, when the foul smell incident occurred in the Hanaya, Hamaka, who was in charge of the floor at the time, was arrested.His suspicion was not directly related to the stench incident, but because of stealing a subordinate's letter.Moreover, another incident occurred in Huawu, where several female shop assistants were followed by unidentified men. At that time, the female shop assistant whose letter was stolen was Mifuyu.In the end, Hamaka was found to have nothing to do with the stench incident and was released, but needless to say, he was naturally expelled from the company.It is true that he stole Meifuyu's letter, but he once explained to some superiors that Meifuyu is his lover, and other stalking behaviors have nothing to do with him.Mifuyu completely denied it, and the superiors also believed that it was a lie made up by Hamaka as a last resort. Lai Jiang heard about this after Longzhi and Meidong got married.The speaker just said it as a joke, but Lai Jiang cared very much.Recently, I heard another strange thing—Hamaka appeared in BLUE SNOW last spring. Is there really nothing between Mifuyu and Hamaka?Lai Jiang tried to ask Ryuji about it.As expected, he was very angry: "Bringing up these old things now, what do you want to do? I also heard about that incident. Meifu said it gave her a very headache. It's Hamaka's unrequited love for Meifu. Fuyu didn't mean that at all. That person showed up in BLUE SNOW purely to find trouble. In order to prevent him from getting close to Mifuyu, I have already taken measures." When Laijiang pointed out that what Meifuyu said may not be true, Ryuji became even more angry. "At that time the police conducted a massive investigation, do you think it's okay to lie all the time in that situation? It's true that Hamaka acted weirdly towards the other female shop assistants, and he claimed to have a special relationship with Mifu because he was stealing Mifu He was caught when he wrote the letter. If the harassing behavior of other female shop assistants is discovered, he will definitely come up with another statement. In short, I believe in Meifu and have no doubts about her. Sister, don't say this again That's kind of the point. She's already hurt a lot about that." Although these words were blurted out by Long Zhi when he was angry, they still made sense, but Lai Jiang still couldn't agree.Perhaps the first impression of Meidong distorted her feelings, she felt that there was always a kind of unknown terror in Meidong. Sometimes she wanted to re-investigate Meidong, but she just thought about it and didn't implement it.It's okay until you get married, and you can't hire a private detective after you get married.If this causes some gossip, it will be troublesome. In this way, day by day, Lai Jiang always said to herself, now that her younger brother has been married for a year, it is useless to think about anything, but she still encounters strange things from time to time.The same goes for greeting cards.Could it be that Meifuyu really broke off all her former friends just because she couldn't get in touch? Just as Lai Jiang was sitting on the sofa thinking about this, Meidong came back from the kitchen.She put on an apron over her kimono, and when she saw her eldest sister, the hand that was about to untie the apron stopped for a moment. "Ah, sister." "Mifuyu, you really worked hard today, are you tired?" "My sister is the one who has worked hard, and she has to greet famous guests. It's a pity that my brother-in-law didn't come today." Lai Jiang's husband, Shigeki Kurata, is a doctor of aeronautical engineering. He is currently participating in a research project jointly promoted with a local aircraft manufacturer in Seattle, USA.This is the third year he has been working there, and he returns to China once or twice a year. "I'm not tired at all. Anyway, I'm a relative I've known for a long time. Ryuji should also take care of you more." "No, I'm fine." Meidong also sat on the sofa. "Mei Dong, don't you want to go back to Kyoto to have a look?" Lai Jiang tried to ask, "Should you have friends over there? At least you should go back and have a look during the Chinese New Year." Ryuji, who said he was going to change clothes, never showed up, so now is the time to say that. "You said...Kyoto?" Meidong looked away from Lai Jiang, as if looking into the distance, "I haven't gone back for a long time. Even if I want to go back, my house is gone." "Then go back and have a look. My friends from school should still live there, right?" "Not sure, there is no contact at all." Mei Dong looked at Lai Jiang and shook her head. "It would be too lonely if no one informed about such a big event as marriage. Especially Kyoto, it should be a place worth remembering for you." "Well, that's true." "If that's the case, I think I should go back." Lai Jiang said in a slightly tough tone, observing Meidong's reaction. "Yeah," she said without hesitation, "I also want to find a chance to go back and have a look. I am too busy with work and always put it off, but now may be a good opportunity." There was no sign of wavering in her attitude. "By the way, I'm also planning to go to Kyoto. Anyway, how about going together? Let's have fun there for two or three days. I also want to see the city where you grew up." Lai Jiang thought, if Meidong had some ulterior secrets in the past, she would definitely hate such a proposal and would politely decline it. However, Meifuyu's expression suddenly brightened. "What a good idea. If I go with my sister, I won't be lonely." Lai Jiang was quite disappointed by her reaction. "I haven't been back for a while. I guess Kyoto has changed a lot, but some old shops with a long history should still be there. I'll show you around." From her words, there was no sense of wanting to avoid this proposal at all. "Then, it's settled now. When will I go? I can do it anytime." "Well, I don't have the schedule at hand, so it's hard to say." Meidong thought for a moment, "I should be free at the end of this month." "Hey, can't it be during Chinese New Year?" "I want to accompany Longzhi during the Chinese New Year." "Oh……" "When the annual vacation is just over, our company will be busy for a while. It is estimated that it will be difficult to spare two or three days, but it should be possible at the end of the month. Isn't it convenient for you then?" "No, as I said just now, I can do it anytime. Let's fix it at the end of the month." "Okay, it's very exciting." Just as Mifuyu answered with a smile, there was the sound of footsteps going down the stairs.Lai Jiang hurriedly said to Mei Dong: "What you said just now must be kept secret from Long Zhi, and you must not make him jealous." Meifuyu looked a little surprised, but then nodded with a smile on her face. Lai Jiang thought, this would be all right, maybe we can find something when we go to Meidong's hometown together.It would be great if everything actually works. "What are you two whispering about?" Long Zhi came over and asked. "It's nothing, right?" Lai Jiang looked into Meidong's eyes and said.