Under the direction of ManranyamaSouren, Van brought Sugasui into the room.
Accompanying Sugasui was a very large suitcase.
Chongzong didn't need to guess what was in the suitcase.
To transport such a large person quickly, the suitcase was undoubtedly the preferred choice for coming up with and executing a method.
"Let me introduce you, this is Eiji Hayamizu, my classmate, no, my classmate from middle school." (Chongzong)
To facilitate the upcoming conversation, Chongzong began introducing everyone to each other.
"This is Miss ManranyamaSouren, a friend I met by chance, already a successful merchant at a young age, very impressive." (Chongzong)
"This is Van, Miss ManranyamaSouren's chief secretary, very capable, can handle all kinds of work." (Chongzong)
ManranyamaSouren and Van both nodded slightly.
"Sugasi-kun, your introduction lines seem to be prepared in advance, spoken so smoothly?" (ManranyamaSouren)
"No, no, because we're short on time, I just kept it simple. Please bear with me if it's not well said." (Chongzong)
"No need for courtesy, let's sit in the living room and talk." (ManranyamaSouren)
Following ManranyamaSouren's arrangement, the three sat on the sofa in the living room. Van had quietly prepared tea at some point and served it to the three promptly.
— Truly the versatile Van.
Then the conversation officially began.
"Let's start, what happened? Tell me, I know you're in a hurry." (ManranyamaSouren)
Right from the start, ManranyamaSouren directly broached the topic.
Chongzong thought he had concealed it well, but to his surprise, ManranyamaSouren saw right through him.
"Sugasui, can the box be opened now?" (Chongzong)
"It can." (Sugasui)
"Then open it." (Chongzong)
Under Chongzong's instructions, Sugasui dragged the box to the center of the living room and slowly unzipped it.
Inside the box was a woman who was asleep and curled up.
"Uhaku, how did she end up in your hands?" (ManranyamaSouren)
ManranyamaSouren recognized this woman at a glance. She knew the ins and outs of Bai Yaxin's subordinates very well.
Whether it was about the person in the box or their identity, ManranyamaSouren didn't appear too surprised.
"This is going to be a long story..." (Chongzong)
Clearing his throat, Chongzong briefly recounted the whole incident, starting from being attacked by Kuroda's group, investigating the Yamada group, kidnapping the boss of Kuroda's group, threats from Uhaku to Suiyuan, and finally, the disappearance of the Uesugi family members.
"...So that's how it is." (ManranyamaSouren)
"It's been about 40 minutes since it all began, if we make a move, there might be a chance..." (ManranyamaSouren)
ManranyamaSouren gently pinched her chin with her fingers, lost in thought and mumbling to herself.
From her fragmented muttering, Chongzong had no idea what ManranyamaSouren was planning to do.
"In the worst-case scenario, the Uesugi family members could be used as hostages in negotiations... I have some manpower available... Hmm... but missing the opportunity would be a shame..." (ManranyamaSouren)
"Sigh..." (ManranyamaSouren)
Letting out a long sigh, ManranyamaSouren, at that moment, Van instinctively took a step closer to her, already seeming to understand the general idea of what needed to be done.
"Van, make arrangements for fishing first." (ManranyamaSouren)
"Understood." (Van)
Receiving ManranyamaSouren's instructions, Van had no questions, nor did he need any further details, and he simply walked out.
Meanwhile, Chongzong and Suiyuan had no clue and did not know what "fishing" meant.
"Uesugi, you should have called me first thing." (ManranyamaSouren)
It was only then that ManranyamaSouren resumed talking to Chongzong.
"Do you know we missed a golden opportunity to bring down Bai Yaxin?" (ManranyamaSouren)
Chongzong shook his head.
"It seems you still don't understand what you've done, or how everything fits together." (Manranyama Souren)
