CHAPTER 721: CHAPTER 590: GODFATHER AIMING TO BE PRIME MINISTER? SUPPORT LIST (SEEKING MONTHLY TICKET)

In the evening, at the Asakai family.

Because Asai Zexi had to stay at the hospital accompanying Iihara Nishi, who had just given birth, this dinner was only shared between the couple Asai Youki and Aoyama Xiu Xin and Asai Ayumi.

Under the warm light, the dining table was filled with delicious and exquisitely prepared dishes, with a preference for hot food considering Aoyama Xiu Xin’s tastes. The four of them sat in pairs on either side of the table.

Asai Ayumi, who had just finished work, hadn’t changed her clothes. She simply took off her uniform, wearing a white blouse with black trousers. Her hair tied back in a sleek ponytail, she looked neat and vibrant.

"Have you visited the baby at the hospital?" Asai Youki, dressed in a sweater, asked casually with an air of refined gentleness.

"I have," Aoyama Xiu Xin nodded and said with a smile, "Congratulations to uncle and aunt for the adorable grandson."

"Now that you have a grandson, next you’ll be hoping for a grandchild from outside the family, won’t you?" Asai Youki said with an insinuation.

Hearing this, Asai Ayumi wore a helpless expression, "Dad~"

"Uncle, I am very traditional; having a child out of wedlock is always frowned upon," Aoyama Xiu Xin stated with restraint.

Asai Youki’s face darkened, thinking this kid was playing coy, "When are you transferring back to Tokyo?"

Previously, Aoyama Xiu Xin had said that once he transferred back to Tokyo, he would marry Asai Ayumi. But now, nearly a year of being in Hokkaido seemed to pass without any intention of moving back.

In the blink of an eye, his precious daughter was already twenty-seven, approaching thirty. She surely couldn’t wait until she was over thirty to have children. There were definite risks associated with having children at an older age.

Moreover, since women tend to age faster and Aoyama Xiu Xin was rising quickly in his career, what would happen if Asai Ayumi became too old and lost her charm, and Aoyama Xiu Xin changed his mind about marrying her?

"It’s still up to my godfather’s plans," Aoyama Xiu Xin shook his head.

Even he couldn’t decide his own fate.

When Yanchuan Shilang was mentioned, Asai Youki’s face softened a bit as he said, "Since Xichuan Hu Xi took office as Prime Minister in August, it’s been over three months, and he has focused all his energy on Cabinet personnel. The problem is, he hasn’t sorted out these matters clearly, making compromises with all parties, all of whom are dissatisfied with him, including his own camp. It probably won’t last. If Senior Yanchuan wants to advance further, maybe next year he’ll call you back to Tokyo."

"By ’advance further,’ do you mean the position of Prime Minister?" Aoyama Xiu Xin understood his meaning.

Asai Youki nodded with a hint of sentimentality, "The Xichuan Cabinet, being the first non-Liberal Democratic Party cabinet after decades of their governance, received high hopes from the populace. But now, it seems they can’t meet those expectations, and people will start to miss and trust the Liberal Democratic Party again. The next term is likely to see the Liberal Democratic Party returning to power."

"Since Xichuan and other high-rank ex-Liberal Democratic Party members left the party, Senior Yanchuan has now become one of the largest factions within the Liberal Democratic Party. If there is to be a re-assembly of the Cabinet next year, he would be a strong contender for Prime Minister."

In the past, Yanchuan Shilang had no chance, but his prospects were tied to Aoyama Xiu Xin who, through a series of events, had greatly strengthened the Yanchuan Faction’s power in a short time.

Otherwise, even if the Liberal Democratic Party returned to power in the next Cabinet, there would be no chance for Yanchuan Shilang.

"People only see the politicians blaming each other on TV, fighting verbal battles, and canvassing for votes. What they don’t see is the open conspiracies and hidden daggers behind the scenes. Power struggles can be bloody. If Senior Yanchuan truly decides to compete next year, he will certainly call back his sharpest knife - you - to pave the way for him," Asai Youki continued.

The power struggles within a company alone could land rivals in jail, let alone a fight involving national power, which would be more intense.

After thinking for a moment, Aoyama Xiu Xin said, "If my godfather truly has a chance, as his godson, I am naturally bound to offer him my services, no matter how meager."

"You’ll be coming back as a blade," Asai Youki emphasized, his tone grave, "Whether Senior Yanchuan wins or loses, you as his blade will offend many people, and your future achievements will be limited because of it."

"Uncle, you’re thinking too far ahead. I’m only a Senior Police Director now. Who can predict the future decades from now?" Aoyama Xiu Xin laughed off the concern, unworried about offending others since he never expected to rely on their support to achieve high positions.

His reliance would be on the military and the police, on the power of the guns.

No politician could limit his future accomplishments!

Asai Youki frowned, earnestly advising, "You’re different from the rest; you started off with a higher position. You can think about the long-term, instead of just the present and risk losing what comes after."

"Uncle, without my godfather, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Although I have many faults that are difficult to discuss, I am certainly one to repay gratitude! I cannot shrink back for a nebulous future when my godfather needs me to give it my all," Aoyama Xiu Xin asserted with a stern voice, leaving no room for doubt.

Asai Youki’s gaze was complex, feeling for the first time that Aoyama Xiu Xin was stubborn, but at the same time reassured by his sense of gratitude.

Asai Ayumi chimed in, "Oh Dad, leave him be, let’s just eat, everything has gone cold."

She, who knew just how morally corrupt Aoyama Xiu Xin was, didn’t believe a word of his pious claims, not worried in the slightest that he would delay his own plans for the sake of repaying the Yanchuan family’s kindness.

He definitely had other schemes in mind.

One could say she had a sparrow’s understanding of Aoyama Xiu Xin.

............

After dinner, Aoyama Xiu Xin received a call from Richard, whom he hadn’t been in contact with for a long time, inviting him to meet at the bar where they first encountered each other. He gladly took a gift with him and went.

This meeting was not in the main hall but in a private room.

As he pushed open the door, he saw Richard, flamboyant in a white suit, dancing to the music with a cigarette in his mouth, while Annie, dressed in a white blouse and jeans, sat on the sofa drinking.

"Hey, Mr. Aoyama, long time no see. Come on, dance with me. After this dance, we’ll talk business."

Richard waved to Aoyama Xiu Xin.

"It’s been a while." Aoyama Xiu Xin smiled, casually closed the door behind him, and started dancing with Richard.

As the dynamic and energetic music played, the two of them twisted their bodies and shook their heads, their dance moves equally flamboyant, interacting with each other from time to time, matching each other perfectly.

Though Annie looked down on Aoyama Xiu Xin, the traitor, and her supervisor Richard, who hadn’t been without corruption and bribery during his station, she had to admit that the visual of two distinctively stylish guys dancing together was pretty cool.

It was a great way to enjoy a drink.

As the music ended, a very worn-out Richard plopped down on the sofa, unbuttoned two buttons of his shirt, let out a long breath, and said panting, "Dancing really is a workout."

"You can say that again, that’s why dancers often have good figures," replied Aoyama Xiu Xin, taking a seat next to Annie, and pouring himself a glass of alcohol with a nod to her, "Miss Annie, you’re looking even more beautiful."

Her golden hair cascaded over one shoulder. The tight white shirt seemed about to pop open, and the baby-blue jeans clung to her ample bottom, her thighs were plump, calves slender, and with every movement of her high heels, her feet seemed to playfully peek out like a half-hidden pipa.

"Thanks," Annie responded perfunctorily.

"No need to thank me," Aoyama Xiu Xin shrugged, emptied his glass in one gulp, and turned to Richard, "You guys at the CIA really are something, knowing right away when I come back."

"I also know that there’s a rumor spreading that’s not quite favorable towards you," Richard said with a smile.

Aoyama Xiu Xin’s brows raised slightly, "Oh?"

"The rumor says that your former subordinate, Tanaka Noriaki, has evidence of your criminal offenses and that you are trying to find and silence him," Richard reported truthfully.

"Fake News," Aoyama Xiu Xin denied without hesitation, leaning back and saying, "Sure, I’m trying to find him and I really do want to kill him, but there’s absolutely no evidence in his hands. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be this widely known. I guess he’s spreading the rumor himself to protect his own skin, hoping to attract some people who hate me to offer him shelter. It’s a clumsy trick; it will only make his death more miserable."

He called Tanaka Naoko afterwards and learned that the recording pen had been destroyed.

So he scoffed at that kind of rumor.

"All right, all the better that way. I certainly don’t want Mr. Aoyama getting into trouble, which would be a loss for both the United States and Japan," Richard exhaled and said.

Aoyama Xiu Xin heard something different in those words, "What do you mean by that?"

"The reason I called you here today is that I’ve got some good news for you. After numerous petitions by me, Mr. Aoyama, you’ve been added to the United States’ list of ’Pro-American Talent Support Abroad,’ and it’s at a very high level. So, our friendship is going to grow even stronger and more unbreakable," Richard said with a beaming smile.

"That really is good news!" Aoyama Xiu Xin’s eyes lit up, overjoyed, and he quickly poured another drink, "Thank you, Richard. It’s an honor. What does the support include?"

Being on this list was like being acknowledged by the United States as a traitor, wasn’t it? If he were to become Prime Minister later, they had no reason not to recognize him, right?

Aoyama Xiu Xin swore to himself that no politician in all of Japan dared to betray their country more thoroughly than him.

After all, it’s selling someone else’s country; there’s no pain in that.

"Funding, intelligence, connections – support in all aspects," Richard’s voice fell, pointing to the silent Annie, "From now on, you can contact Annie for anything you need. I’ve been recalled, and she will soon take over my position."

Annie gave Aoyama Xiu Xin a slight nod.

Although she disliked such a traitor, for the sake of her country’s interests, she had to maintain good relations with him.

"What? You’re going back to your country?" Aoyama Xiu Xin’s surprise and regret were mixed, and he said with a melancholy look, "Richard, I really don’t want to lose you, but regardless, I wish you a promotion."

"Thank you, Mr. Aoyama, we’ll have a chance to meet again," Richard patted Aoyama Xiu Xin on the shoulder and pointed to Annie, "Besides, I believe you’ll enjoy dealing with a beautiful woman like Annie far more than dealing with a man like me."

"Damn it, do I really look like the kind of person to you who values women over friends?" Aoyama Xiu Xin pretended to be disgruntled and shook his head, then took out a bank card he had prepared in advance from his pocket and handed it over, "I didn’t expect this to be my parting gift to you, have a smooth journey."

"Thanks, my brother," Richard accepted with his usual smile, slipped it into his pocket, and then hugged Aoyama Xiu Xin, jokingly saying, "Another benefit of dealing with Annie is that you can save a lot of money—she won’t be bought by you, young man."

"I think that’s a downside," Aoyama Xiu Xin glanced at Annie and sighed helplessly.

Annie rolled her eyes and stood up, leaving her drink behind as she headed out, "I’m going to the restroom."

"She has a passion for traditional Chinese culture, treasures ancient paintings as if they’re her life. Look, staying with her has even got me using idioms," Richard remarked to Aoyama Xiu Xin as he watched Annie leave, giving him a piece of information.

He had been handing over the American-friendly talents he had cultivated over the years to Annie to maintain, but he had only informed Aoyama Xiu Xin of this, for Aoyama Xiu Xin was generous, giving him more gifts than anyone else combined, and he needed to reciprocate.

Aoyama Xiu Xin smiled slightly, "Thank you."

There’s hardly anyone who doesn’t take gifts. If they don’t, it means the gift didn’t hit the spot, didn’t scratch their itch.

After Richard left, it was critical to forge a good relationship with Annie; she was his bridge for communication with the United States.

Otherwise, he would have no channel to sell out his country in the future.