Evening had descended, and within the expansive dining room of the Dongye family, only Dongye Gen and his son Dongye Yuusei were present. Dongye Yuusei’s mother had died giving birth to him, and although Dongye Gen was never short on female companionship, he had never remarried.
The love he held for his wife, and that which he had for his son, had concentrated solely on Dongye Yuusei, resulting in his neglected upbringing amidst the bustling business. As a result, Dongye Yuusei had developed a character that was arrogant, unrestrained, and lawless.
The empty villa felt somewhat desolate. During dinner each night was when father and son felt most alone, neither having the desire to speak.
In the silence, only the occasional clinking of utensils could be heard.
"Dad, have you found someone suitable to mediate?" Dongye Yuusei broke the silence. Having spent just a day at home, he already felt suffocated. His nature was such that he could not sit idle.
Even though he could order delivery, which was accommodating, it was certainly not as satisfying as going out to hunt for his own meals.
While eating, Dongye Gen casually responded to his son’s question, "I’ve heard that Aoyama Xiu Xin is on good terms with the Chief Justice’s family. I’m planning to have Hashimoto Miho step in, as women are easier to handle."
"That’s good, hurry it up. I’m going crazy staying at home." Dongye Gen exhaled deeply.
Dongye Gen snorted, "You cannot stand it after just one day? This is home, not a dragon’s den or tiger’s lair."
"No Dad, I’m mainly worried that not attending school will affect my studies," Dongye Yuusei said with an awkward smile.
Dongye Gen scoffed, "With your academic record, is there even room for it to decline?"
Dongye Yuusei’s face turned a mixture of red and white. He wanted to refute, but in the end, he simply hung his head in defeat.
He was a son; he wouldn’t backtalk his father.
"Sir, people from the Police Headquarters are here," a bodyguard said as he walked in briskly to report.
"Police Headquarters!" Dongye Yuusei, hearing this, stood up in a flash, filled with anxiety. "Dad, are they here for me? What do we do now?"
"What’s the rush? Sit down! Stay calm!" Dongye Gen shot him a stern glance before coolly instructing the bodyguard, "Let them in."
He didn’t believe that Aoyama Xiu Xin had found any evidence linking Dongye Yuusei to a crime so quickly. It was probably just a scare tactic, hoping that he would panic and lose composure.
"Yes, sir!" The bodyguard turned to leave, and soon returned with Edogawa Ren Shu and five other policemen.
Dongye Gen continued to eat without distraction, not even glancing upward as he said, "Speak your business."
"President Dongye, sorry to disturb you." Edogawa Ren Shu bowed politely then raised his head to look at Dongye Yuusei, "We’ve discovered that your son Dongye Yuusei is related to a homicide. We’re here to ask him to assist with the investigation. We hope for your cooperation with the police."
"Do you have evidence?" Dongye Gen asked calmly.
Edogawa Ren Shu smiled slightly, "How can we have evidence if we don’t investigate? According to the law, we have the right to request any citizen’s assistance with an investigation for 24 hours, and citizens have the obligation to cooperate with the police unconditionally."
Dongye Gen’s expression darkened. Just as he had thought, the police had no evidence, but contrary to his belief that it was a mere pressure tactic from Aoyama Xiu Xin, they indeed intended to take his son for questioning.
"Mr. Dongye Yuusei, please," Edogawa Ren Shu gestured invitingly to Dongye Yuusei.
Dongye Yuusei looked to his father, "Dad..."
"It’s nothing, it’s just 24 hours. Go with them," Dongye Gen said. His voice dropped as he looked at Edogawa Ren Shu with a threatening tone, "If a single hair is missing from his head, I will not let them off."
"President Dongye need not worry, we will take good care of your son," Edogawa Ren Shu said meaningfully, then turned and walked away.
Two subordinates stepped forward, flanking Dongye Yuusei on either side as they escorted him out, while Dongye Yuusei kept looking back with great reluctance.
At that moment, a bodyguard hurried in, "Sir, there are many reporters outside."
Upon hearing this, Dongye Gen’s expression suddenly turned gloomy.
If those reporters disseminated the news of Dongye Yuusei being taken away by the police tomorrow, East Field Construction Corporation’s stock price was sure to be affected.
"Idiot! Aoyama Xiu Xin, that bastard!"
Yet this time Dongye Gen wronged Mr. Aoyama, who was completely unaware of the situation. It was all Edogawa Ren Shu’s own initiative; he was absolutely innocent.
Outside, reporters had already begun snapping photos excitedly, thrusting their microphones towards Dongye Yuusei.
"Please tell us why Dongye Yuusei is being taken away?"
"Is Dongye Yuusei suspected of committing a crime?"
"Mr. Dongye Yuusei, say a few words, please!"
"We are just asking Dongye Yuusei to come in for routine questioning, no further comments. Please do not obstruct our investigation," Edogawa Ren Shu stated.
He appeared to have said nothing significant, yet his ambiguous stance was precisely what piqued interest, prompting reporters to maximize their imagination and lavish space to extensive coverage.
Listenting to the noisy questions from outside, Dongye Gen within the villa grew ever more stern and aggrieved. He had to quickly extricate Dongye Yuusei and clarify the situation to the public, to prevent him from being detained for the full day.
So he immediately started contacting Hashimoto Miho through his network of connections, planning to quell the situation at all costs, even if it meant bleeding himself dry, as long as Aoyama Xiu Xin wasn’t after shares.
Meanwhile, Aoyama Xiu Xin at home was thoroughly enjoying a massage from his sister-in-law, drifting towards blissful sleep, when a sudden ring of the phone startled him awake, leaving him to begrudgingly answer with an irritable, "Mosi, Mosi."