"Therefore, those superpowered individuals who betrayed their country, their new groups, are targeting the royal family!"
"Then why don't they just assassinate your Emperor?" Chen Xiao scoffed.
As he said this, a flash of anger suddenly appeared in Takeuchi's eyes, and he roared, "Chen Xiaojun! Although you are not Japanese, please respect me! Do not insult His Majesty the Emperor in front of me!"
Chen Xiao sighed, "Alright, let's agree to disagree. I won't argue with you. Just get to the point." Logically, superpowers can only be countered with superpowers. The original, unified superpower organization, after splitting, had one group continue to exist with an attitude of hostility towards the Imperial Family, aiming to overthrow their rule in Japan. The other group, presumably, aimed to protect the Imperial Family. Unfortunately, for certain reasons, the upper echelons of the Imperial Family have consistently neglected these loyal superpower users, and another reason is that these still loyal users have been hesitant to formally declare their allegiance to the Imperial Family.
"Why? Aren't they loyal to your Emperor?"
“No.” Old Takeuchi shook his head with a wry smile: “As you know, our country of Japan still retains many ancient customs of feudal clans, and the direct allegiance of each clan or organization is passed down through generations. Before that supernatural organization split up, its direct allegiance was to its leader… This is quite normal. Even in our Kamishin family, without my approval, neither the government nor the imperial family has the right to mobilize my disciples. This is the power of the head family that we Japanese respect!”
Chen Xiao suddenly understood: "You mean..."
"Princess Chiyoko's father was originally a prince from a collateral branch of the imperial family. Back then, to win over that organization, the previous generation arranged for this prince to marry a person with superpowers. Since that prince's status within the imperial family wasn't particularly prominent, this method isn't surprising. However, Chiyoko's mother, the person with the superpower, was the direct leader of that organization, and she has passed away. According to the organization's tradition, Chiyoko is the first in line to the throne! That means, as a woman, she has no chance of inheriting the Emperor's throne, but she can rightfully become the leader of the superpower world in Japan!"
Chen Xiao sighed: "Just say 'but' directly."
Takeuchi Fumio's expression turned grim: "But... because of her background, Princess Chiyoko has always hated supernatural abilities, and it's a deep-seated hatred that no one can erase. Therefore, she resolutely refuses to accept the identity of the heir. As a result, the organization has become increasingly fragmented. More and more people have been lured away by those traitors, while those who remain have no leader to guide them, no one to whom they can pledge their loyalty, so naturally they have become a disorganized mess."
"Why?" Chen Xiao frowned. He suddenly remembered that when the white-gloved man entrusted him with protecting Sato Chiyoko, he did say that Chiyoko hated superpowers, so he asked a newcomer like him to complete the task.
“For two reasons.” Takeuchi Fumio smiled bitterly: “First… her father, that prince, was killed by his mother, who had supernatural abilities.”
"Pfft!" Chen Xiao nearly spat out his tea: "What did you say?!"
"This is a secret of the royal family! It is also a shameful thing, so please keep it a secret!" Takeuchi Fumio's expression was very serious: "Because of this, one of the royal princes died, which greatly changed the royal family's attitude towards superpowers. Their attitude has also become somewhat subtle, from recruiting them to gradually becoming somewhat hostile. At the same time, Miss Chiyoko has always hated the existence of superpowers because of her parents' tragedy."
Chapter 210 of the main text: [The Summer Promise]
Hearing this, Chen Xiao genuinely felt some sympathy for Sato Chiyoko. Her own mother had killed her own father. Such a tragedy would be enough to break anyone, even warp their personality.
In comparison, Chiyo Sato seems relatively normal. Although she is a bit cold, she is quite strong considering her tragic background.
With a sigh, the prejudice I had against Sato Chiyoko vanished.
"Then, what's the second reason?" Chen Xiao asked.
"Well... the second reason... I'd rather not say." Old Takeuchi smiled.
Chen Xiao shut his mouth, lowered his head and thought for a long while. When he raised his head again, he stared into Takeuchi Fumio's eyes: "I don't understand. Why do you value me so much? You put on such a show in front of me just now. You deliberately punished your granddaughter severely—don't tell me you've always been so selfless in the Shangchen family. You're not a saint; everyone has a protective instinct. You'd rather let your granddaughter suffer so much than let punishing her satisfy me. You're going to such lengths to curry favor with me. Old man, what are you really thinking?"
Old Takeuchi smiled slyly: "You are my honored guest. Of course, I must show you my utmost respect."
Chen Xiao snorted: "Old man Takeuchi. I gave you a chance to speak. If you don't speak, I won't ask! You need something from me. If you don't speak now, I won't agree so easily if you ask later."
To Chen Xiao's surprise, Takeuchi Fumio seemed completely unconcerned, simply smiling calmly and remaining silent. His confident demeanor, however, made Chen Xiao somewhat uneasy. But then he steeled himself; the initiative was in his own hands. No matter how good he was to him, if he made any unreasonable requests, he could simply refuse. Could he force him to do anything?
Thinking of this, Chen Xiao suppressed his unease, picked up his teacup, finished his tea, and stood up, saying, "Alright. I've said my piece, so I'll take my leave. You won't have to take the long way this time, and I don't want to stay in Japan any longer. I've been away from home for almost a month. I should go back soon; my summer vacation is almost over, and I'm still a student."
Even as he walked out of the courtyard, Chen Xiao thought that Old Takeuchi might call him back at the last moment, but as he walked out, Old Takeuchi sat behind him, smiling as he watched him leave... What was that old guy up to?
He had so earnestly invited me to stay, only to treat me to a cup of tea, watch me punish Takeuchi Yako in front of me, vent my anger, and then tell me some juicy gossip... and that was the end of it?
Well, the only suspicious thing is that he "sent" another granddaughter to his side. However... Takeuchi Yako's skills are only so-so, and he doesn't seem to be very bright. If he wants to send someone to follow him for some purpose, Takeuchi Yako isn't a very suitable "undercover agent." In comparison, if old Takeuchi really sends Tang Xin to his side, that's what's worrying! That girl Tang Xin looks delicate and gentle, but she's actually very cunning. Of Takeuchi's three granddaughters, she's the weakest in health, but the most intelligent.
Filled with questions, Chen Xiao returned to his room. Zhang Xiaotao was still asleep. Chen Xiao sat in the room for a while, then thought of Phoenix again, and couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
The day passed just like that. Chen Xiao sat with his head in his hands for almost the entire night without sleeping, and only managed to close his eyes and take a short nap when dawn broke.
The next morning, Chen Xiao woke up and saw Zhang Xiaotao lying by his bedside, chin in hand, her big eyes blinking as she stared straight at him, her little face flushed, as if she were still a little shy.
Chen Xiao took a deep breath, turned his head to look directly at Zhang Xiaotao, and smiled: "Good morning. When did you get up?"
Zhang Xiaotao seemed a little flustered, her eyes darting around before she chuckled and said, "I got up a long time ago. The sun's already high in the sky. Lazybones."
Chen Xiao stretched lazily and said with a wry smile, "You slept for a whole day and night. I didn't fall asleep until almost dawn. Of course, my energy can't compare to yours." He paused, then looked at Zhang Xiaotao's rosy cheeks and asked curiously, "Why is your face so red?"
It would have been better not to ask, because after she did, Zhang Xiaotao's face turned even redder. After a while, she said hesitantly in a low voice, "I... I've never slept in the same room with a boy before. I saw you sleeping in the room this morning. I..."
Her eyes held a shy, bashful look, which stirred Chen Xiao's heart. He sat up, gently took Zhang Xiaotao's hand, and softly called out, "Xiaotao..."
Zhang Xiaotao's heart softened instantly when he grasped her hand. She hummed in response, then stared at Chen Xiao with wide eyes: "What?"
"It's nothing," Chen Xiao said with a smile, shaking his head.
Zhang Xiaotao nestled closer to Chen Xiao's chest, whispering in his ear, "I...I saw you here this morning. My heart...I was so happy. I always feel like being with you is unreal, like I'm afraid I'll wake up and it's all a dream. All those things on the ship, all those things on the island, and that day you held me on the roof...it all feels so unreal..."
She spoke softly, possessing a delicate, pitiful charm that belied her youth. Chen Xiao looked at her and was deeply moved. He leaned closer and gently kissed her delicate cheek, softly saying, "It's not a dream. Don't worry."
Zhang Xiaotao's eyelashes trembled slightly. After Chen Xiao's kiss, her body went limp. She leaned against Chen Xiao's chest, a small hand gently hooking around his neck. She whispered, "I...I like it when you hold me like this."
Chen Xiao smiled deliberately and blinked. "Then I'll hold you and not get out of bed. But... those Japanese guys have probably been waiting outside for a long time. Seeing us, a man and a woman alone in a room, they might have some dirty thoughts."
To everyone's surprise, Zhang Xiaotao straightened her chest and said, "What's there to be afraid of? We've already slept in the same room for a night. If I had any ideas, I would have already had them. I don't care what others speculate about."
Even so, he didn't dare to hug her for long. After a while, Zhang Xiaotao broke free from Chen Xiao's embrace. She gently tossed a pile of clothes onto Chen Xiao's head and giggled, "Get up and get dressed. I know you don't like wearing Japanese clothes. I asked someone here for an iron this morning and washed and ironed your Tang suit."
Chen Xiao got up and put on his clothes. Although he wasn't naked, he was wearing only underwear. Zhang Xiaotao blushed with embarrassment and turned away, not daring to look at him.
Chen Xiao had only dressed halfway when Zhang Xiaotao suddenly seemed to remember something. She turned her head and said in a strange tone, "Oh, right. I woke up early this morning and heard you talking in your sleep."
"Huh?" Chen Xiao was taken aback.
Zhang Xiaotao's tone became increasingly strange, as if she were glancing at Chen Xiao with a meaningful look: "Phoenix... what is that? Is it a person's name? When you were talking in your sleep, you seemed to call out 'Phoenix' several times."
Chen Xiao's movements froze for a moment, and the smile on his face became forced. Feeling guilty, his eyes darted around, avoiding Zhang Xiaotao's gaze. He stammered a few words and casually said, "I don't know what kind of weird dream I had. I've forgotten."
He couldn't help but curse himself for being despicable.