A cold glint flashed inexplicably in Charles Yin's eyes.
"Don't let anyone else know we've arrived." Charles Yin issued the order, then took Cici's hand and got into the car.
After thinking for a moment, Charles Yin called Alex over and whispered in his ear, "Go investigate whether the Forbidden Serum Helen Jiang used on Cici three years ago originated from the Inagawa-kai."
"Yes, sir." Alex immediately understood Charles Yin's meaning.
It seemed Charles Yin had many reasons for coming to Japan this time.
First, to reconnect with the Inagawa-kai; second, to mend things with Cici; and third, it was probably all about that Forbidden Serum from three years ago.
As for whether he had any other motives, Alex couldn't even begin to guess.
As one of Charles Yin's most capable assistants, Alex was the perfect person for the job.
The convoy carrying Cici, Charles Yin, and their group quickly left the airport, traveled a long distance, and finally arrived at a picturesque mountain forest.
Japan is a country rich in vegetation. The trees here are well protected, some decades old, others even centuries.
So as soon as Cici got out of the car, her gaze was instantly captured by the lush greenery before her.
"First time in Japan?" Charles Yin looked down at Cici.
Cici nodded. "I never had the chance or the reason before. You know, the Yun Family has always been at the forefront of resistance against the Japanese invaders. The ancestors of the Yun Family and the Mo Family both lost their lives in the war. That's why the Yun Family would never allow me to study in Japan."
A flicker passed through Charles Yin's eyes, as if he wasn't pleased to hear Cici mention the Yun Family's ties with the Mo Family.
"I know Japanese simply because I wanted to learn a language, not for business with the Japanese." Cici explained, "Family grievances and national resentment are very important in the Yun Family."
"You could still compete with the Japanese!" Charles Yin joked. "In a few days, there'll be a tea art competition here. The Yun Family's Three Treasures includes tea that's famous worldwide. Don't you want to beat the Japanese on their own turf?"
Cici's eyes lit up.
But then she remembered she came to Japan secretly, and her eyes dimmed. "Forget it. I didn't prepare anything this time. The Yun Family's tea is truly one of a kind, but the best tea isn't something you can just bring out casually."
Charles Yin just smiled, reached out to ruffle Cici's hair, smoothing a few stray strands. "If you want to play, just tell me. Whatever you want, you can have."
After saying that, Charles Yin headed up the mountain first.
Cici froze for a moment, then hurried to catch up.
Several guesthouses were built halfway up the mountain, all in the architectural style of Japan's shogunate period, giving them a unique charm.
Cici was also an anime fan and had always dreamed of seeing shogunate-era Japanese architecture in person. She never expected her long-held wish would come true under these circumstances.
As soon as she entered the gate, Cici saw several beautiful women in kimonos and wooden clogs, smiling politely as they welcomed the group.
Cici thanked the women in Japanese. When they looked at her, there was a hint of surprise in their eyes.
One particularly elegant woman said to Cici, "Your lounge is this way, please follow me. There's still some time before dinner, so you can enjoy a hot spring bath to wash away the fatigue of travel. If you're not satisfied with the food in your room, just let me know—I'll change it to suit your taste. The room has two sets of yukata, two sets of towels, both Japanese and Chinese-style pajamas, and some magazines and manga to pass the time. I heard you're an anime reader too—the bookshelf is stocked with the latest releases. I'll be waiting outside; if you need anything, just ask. I'll do my best to meet your needs."
Cici glanced at Charles Yin, who nodded in response.
Since Charles Yin had agreed, it seemed he had something to take care of—and it was something she couldn't be involved in.
Cici understood instantly, and thanked the woman in Japanese again.
After watching Cici leave with the attendant, Charles Yin turned to his assistant, Alex B. "When will Miss Clarence arrive?"
"About half an hour," Alex B replied.
Charles Yin frowned. "Hmph, the news travels fast!"
They hadn't tried to hide themselves, so as soon as they landed, Miss Clarence in Osaka found out Charles Yin was here. She contacted him through the Inagawa-kai and drove over immediately.
This time, several other important members of the Inagawa-kai came along with Miss Clarence.
One of Charles Yin's goals on this trip was to meet with the Inagawa-kai, so he didn't waste time and met them directly at the guesthouse.
Charles Yin didn't want Cici involved in anything dark, so he sent her to rest while he met with these people alone.
Led by the woman, Cici quickly arrived at a small courtyard.
The Japanese woman knelt on the ground, opened the door for Cici, and Cici took off her shoes outside, walking in barefoot.
As soon as she entered the corridor, Cici couldn't help but exclaim, "Shogunate-era architecture really is iconic."
"Yes, these houses date back to the 16th century. They were later restored and put back into use." The woman answered respectfully, still kneeling.
"No wonder." Cici smiled and nodded at her. "Thank you."
Cici stepped inside, while the woman knelt to the side and slowly closed the door.
Walking barefoot on the tatami, Cici quickly found a towel in the closet, stripped off her clothes, and wrapped herself in the towel before heading to a small courtyard on the other side.
The courtyard had a stunning bath paved with clean, smooth pebbles. Steam rose from the hot spring, and its unique scent instantly filled the air.
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Cici slowly stepped into the bath, settled in comfortably, and relaxed all her muscles.
Mist swirled before her eyes, and through the haze she could see the courtyard's scenery—every flower and plant was meticulously cared for.
This guesthouse must be expensive, she thought.
Cici splashed water over herself, enjoying this leisurely and pleasant moment.
"Miss, would you like something to drink?" The woman kneeling outside the door was joined by two others, both holding a selection of drinks.
"Just some juice, please," Cici answered, tilting her head.
"Of course." came a gentle reply from outside. The door slid open, and two women walked in slowly with tea trays. When they reached Cici, they knelt down and placed the different kinds of juice within easy reach.
After setting down the juice, the two women began massaging Cici's shoulders and arms, their attitude extremely respectful.
While Cici was enjoying the pampering, Charles Yin's room received several guests with unfriendly expressions.
"Mr. Yin, you're truly unpredictable. If someone hadn't reported that you'd landed, the Inagawa-kai wouldn't have gotten the news so fast." A man in his thirties, short and stocky, looked at Charles Yin with a dark, calculating gaze.
Charles Yin looked up. "Well, you know now, don't you?"
The man gave a cold snort.
Miss Clarence entered the room with the man and knelt down to one side.
Soon, someone brought in tea.
"Miss Clarence is, after all, an honorary advisor to the Inagawa-kai. Mr. Yin, even if you don't care about her status, for the sake of this trip to Japan, let Clarence accompany you." the man continued.
A cold smile appeared at the corner of Charles Yin's mouth. "Mr. Kobayashi, are you questioning my influence in Japan?"
Mr. Kobayashi's face darkened even further.
"I'm not as powerful as the Inagawa-kai here, but Japan isn't the only market for me." Charles Yin continued leisurely, pouring himself more tea. "I've secured the markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. If I have to put Asia on hold, so be it."
Mr. Kobayashi's expression grew even uglier. "Mr. Yin, that's not what I meant."
"Glad to hear it." Charles Yin replied, still smiling. "I'm here to discuss cooperation with the chairman. I hope you don't think that's inappropriate, Mr. Kobayashi?"
Mr. Kobayashi's face burned with embarrassment, his gaze growing even more sinister. "Miss Clarence is the chairman's adopted daughter. Please show some respect for the chairman, Mr. Yin."
"Of course." Charles Yin kept his polite smile. "It's a pity, though—I heard the chairman isn't in Japan right now?"
Mr. Kobayashi's eyes flickered, but he didn't answer.
The whereabouts of the Inagawa-kai chairman aren't something you reveal lightly.
Charles Yin continued, "There's no need to trouble the chairman with such minor matters. You're a key member, Mr. Kobayashi, so you can handle it just as well. But since this concerns the cooperation between Yin Enterprises' Japan branch and the Inagawa-kai, I'd prefer to deal with the actual local leader, not just an honorary advisor like Miss Clarence. Win-win is our goal, isn't it?"
Unable to outtalk Charles Yin, Mr. Kobayashi could only snort coldly.
Miss Clarence, sitting to the side, did her best to hide the murderous look in her eyes.
Ever since she heard Charles Yin brought that Chinese woman to Japan, she hadn't stopped feeling murderous.
Back in England, that woman always acted so high and mighty, which really annoyed Clarence.
Now that she's in Japan, Clarence won't let that woman off easily!
Clarence acted as if nothing had happened, smiling as she said, "Yin, you've never worked with me before. How do you know I'm an outsider? Maybe after working with me, you'll never want to work with anyone else."
Charles Yin gave a faint smile. "Too bad, Miss Clarence—you're British, not Japanese."