CHAPTER 447: CHAPTER 316: SUDDEN INCIDENT_2

Even if she marries below her station, it has nothing to do with them.

Hanamaru Hiroki clearly understood this as well and took a sip from the tea that had been placed on the coffee table in advance.

"It has nothing to do with them personally, but it affects their interests. The Hanamaru family is a family of police officers. Besides following the police route, they are not completely unfamiliar with business.

"The issue began three months ago when the large hotel co-managed by Hanabi’s uncle and aunt suffered a loss due to incorrect information from the Securities Company, severely impacting its vitality. This could have been managed, as money can be earned back over time. However, a criminal I previously encountered was released and deliberately set a fire in retaliation, resulting in the death of five guests. This tarnished the hotel’s reputation, bringing it to a low point and leading to negative revenue. Now, there is a desperate need for restructuring and external assistance.

"When you all went on vacation last time, I went to handle the end of this matter."

"But how does this relate to Hanabi?"

"The hotel’s loss means they owe money to the bank, and of course, the bank doesn’t want their investment to go to waste. They provided a restructuring plan, which requires system technical support from a company that sees great potential in the hotel. As long as there is restructuring, profit is inevitable due to the location near Haneda Airport. The company is willing to increase its initial investment and provide the latest hotel system, but there is one condition: the family behind the company demands a marriage alliance.

"It’s strange and abrupt, but they listened. They don’t want the family business maintained for generations to end so easily.

"The Hanamaru family has only two girls in this generation, one is Hanabi, and the other is Yuuki. Yuuki is still studying in the UK and cannot return, leaving only Hanabi. With the incident with Sakura, they seized upon this as an excuse.

"During your days of rest at home, they have all been urging me to have Hanabi break off her engagement with you."

The situation has become clear at this point.

In short, the Hanamaru family wants Hanabi to marry into the other family, firstly to save the failing family hotel and secondly for future cooperative gains.

This benefits both parties, with no loss of interest to themselves, so there’s no reason for those in the Hanamaru family to refuse.

As for the goal of marrying off Hanamaru Hanabi, there are only two obstacles.

It seems that when money is involved, everything becomes tainted.

Even calling one’s own niece a commodity for sale.

No wonder Hanabi’s uncle Hanamaru Yugetsu advised him not to get involved with the other members of the Hanamaru family.

"What does the father-in-law think?"

"Me?" Hanamaru Hiroki raised the teacup before him, his expression calm. "What do you think I would choose?"

Uesugi Sakura noticed his fingers rubbing the teacup, recalling the father-in-law’s attitude toward him.

"I understand."

...

After the father-in-law left, affected by this news, Uesugi Sakura was not in a good mood. He even sensed a pungent whiff of transactions, so after a few bites of dinner, he walked to the balcony for some fresh air.

Seeing the moon alone, he barely managed to calm down.

"Sakura-kun..."

Before he could turn around, a gentle night breeze blew by, which thankfully freshened the stifling summer air significantly.

Perhaps seeing her made him feel happy too.

Hanamaru Hanabi brought over the dessert she had made.

"Aei and the others have already eaten. Hanabi saw that Sakura-kun ate little for dinner, so she brought some over."

Hanabi is one of those rare beautiful girls who gives you an unreal dream-like feeling at first glance.

This ethereal sense of mystery probably attracted that gentleman to her.

From that guy’s perspective,

being well-matched with family benefits is ideal, and since he likes her, why not marry?

Even now, Uesugi Sakura can recall Hanamaru Hanabi curled up in the corner as a child.

Now and then, beauty and vulnerability.

He believes these are parts of life he can never relinquish.

That guy only understands her beauty, not her heart. No matter what, Hanabi cannot be happy with him.

Most importantly, he doesn’t want to let go at all.

Twice in a lifetime, he’s found happiness; twice, he encountered a girl who truly loves him.

Handing her over would not be like a man.

Uesugi Sakura put the dessert she made into his mouth. The soft and sticky sweetness suits his taste well.

"Very delicious."

"Sakura-kun... As long as you like it..."

Uesugi Sakura gazed at the timid girl before him. Memories of their years together were already vivid and clear from over a decade of interactions.

The Hanamaru family is bound to pressure him or Hanabi.

He has a vague sense of foreboding, yet he utterly refuses to yield.

This illness of his merely gave them an excuse.

An excuse that fits their wishes.

Regardless of his health, they will seek trouble.

Uesugi Sakura was contemplating how to disillusion those people.

"Sakura-kun... Are you still thinking about that matter...?"

"Yeah, I understand what you meant by saying you wouldn’t leave me a few days ago."

"It’s okay, Sakura-kun... Dad and Mom are still supporting us."

"I know, and I’m not worried about that. It’s just that your words moved me... Willing to take care of me for a lifetime even if I were paralyzed... Your father must know you well, which is why he chose to support me."

Hanamaru Hanabi was silent for a long time, then looked up at Uesugi Sakura standing under the night sky and said:

"Sakura-kun, Dad watched us grow up together..."

Uesugi Sakura was taken aback. Her words reminded him of his father-in-law’s true intentions.

Watching us grow up together, seeing us grow up together.

A true son-in-law watched from a young age, willing to generously teach his best skills and even help pave his future...

In his eyes, these matters... perhaps he already saw himself as half a son.

When given a choice between supporting an unknown boy or a familiar son-in-law, the decision is obvious.

Recalling the indifferent expression when his father-in-law left, Uesugi Sakura realized he not only supports Hanabi but also himself.

"I apologize; it was my mistake to assume otherwise."

"Sakura-kun... Actually, Grandpa’s stance isn’t clear yet..."

"Is your grandpa easy to talk to at home?"

"Mm... Uncle and aunt listen to Grandpa... But Grandpa has already retired and doesn’t meddle much in family affairs. Previously, Grandpa even called Dad to convey Uncle and Aunt’s thoughts. Dad thought it was Grandpa’s opinion and took Hanabi to see him today."

So the scene at the Meiji Shrine was discussing this matter.

"Would Sakura-kun like to talk to Grandpa? As long as Grandpa disapproves..."

Uesugi Sakura remembered that Hanamaru Yasushin wanted him to become a police officer. While nurturing the next generation, he likely wanted him to support his father-in-law within the police.

He didn’t want to be a police officer,

but to make those relatives settle down, Hanabi’s grandpa might be a good starting point.

Conversely, Uncle and Aunt should be desperately seeking Hanamaru Yasushin to speak. Once the family head speaks, they could forcibly take Hanabi away.

Of course, in that situation, the daughter-loving father-in-law would be outraged.

With his temper, he would likely take his wife and daughter away to distant lands.

As long as Hanabi is with him, Uesugi Sakura doesn’t mind where they live, and he could follow his father-in-law, but he doesn’t want his father-in-law to lose his future because of him, breaking ties with the family to such an extent.

He must fight for what can be fought for.

This is the first thing he has to do.

"Will your grandpa be willing to meet me?"

Hanamaru Hanabi shook her head, "I don’t know... But Grandpa does know about this matter..."

Uesugi Sakura gazed into the vast night sky. No stars in Tokyo City, only a boundless blue: "Even if he isn’t willing, I must try. Tomorrow I’ll go see your grandpa."

Beep beep beep...

Taking the phone from his pocket, Uesugi Sakura glanced at the name on the screen.

Hanamaru Yugetsu.

Uncle?

Why is he calling?