Tokyo: They say it's just dating, but they're serious about it.

"Little Lily, are you here to welcome me?" Katsuhiko said as he strode over, then added, "As expected of my wife, so cute."

As he spoke, Katsuhiko reached for Sayuri's hand.

"Eiyo-neechan, Mikoto-neechan, welcome, welcome!" Sayuri seemed to ignore Katsuhiko, turning away from him with a serious face. Then, she flashed a bright smile, grabbed Eiyo's hand with one hand and Mikoto's with the other, and said, "Dinner is about to start, let's go in quickly!"

She also ignored Qin Ye at the very back, whose eyes were filled with panic and whose face was a little pale.

Yingdai maintained the expression of a professional lawyer, nodding without looking to the side.

She was currently at a loss, her mind filled with the thought that when she sat down, she hoped she wouldn't sit next to Mrs. Kudo...

Mikoto's eyes twitched slightly. Holding Sayuri's hand, she whispered, "Sayuri-chan, ignoring Takenaka-san like this will make him lose face. What if he gets angry?"

As for Sayuri's attitude towards Kotoha, Mikoto felt a lot of pressure. It wasn't just about whether Kotoha would help her out of a predicament, but also about the fact that her relationship with Katsuhiko would be exposed one day, and Sayuri would probably give her the same "cold treatment" then.

It's still a lingering issue: his status as a legal wife is ultimately a step below that of Xiaobaihe, since he obtained it through trickery...

"I don't know either, anyway, let's teach him a lesson first..."

As Sayuri spoke, she quickly glanced at Katsuhiko, who was looking at Kotoha, whose face had turned pale. Sayuri's gaze suddenly froze. She grabbed Eiyo and Mikoto's arms, stomped her foot, and shouted, "Never mind them! Let's go in..."

"Let's go in first, ignore the three of them,"

Before Sayuri could finish speaking, Katsuhiko stepped in front of her, quickly pushed aside Eiyo and Mikoto, grabbed Sayuri's shoulder, pulled her into his arms, and walked straight into the store.

Little Lily struggled, her face flushed, trying to break free.

“Let’s not air our dirty laundry in public, let’s talk inside the private room,” Sheng Yanfei quickly blew into her ear and then whispered, “Everyone here is Mom’s colleague, they all know you, you’ll be laughed at…”

"Don't blow on my ear..." Sayuri's body went limp, her ears turning red from the breath, and she leaned against Katsuhiko, whispering in a trembling voice, "You're the one who caused this family scandal, don't talk to me..."

Katsuhiko took the opportunity to turn around and raise an eyebrow, signaling the three of them to follow.

The three people standing side by side at the door looked at each other, but none of them took the first step.

Mikoto gently nudged Eiyo, glanced at Kotoyo who was looking down, and whispered to Eiyo, "You're a lawyer, you've done them a favor, they won't make things difficult for you."

Eiyo stood still, glanced at Kotoha who was looking down, then tugged at Mikoto and whispered, "You're closest to Sayuri-chan, and she trusts you the most, so you're the safest."

"But I'm not familiar with her mother..."

Although the two were talking to each other, their eyes were both drawn to Kotoha.

Anyone with a brain could see what happened at the door just now: Katsuhiko was helping Kotoha out of a predicament... On the way here, Katsuhiko kept saying he wouldn't care, so why did he suddenly change his mind?

The contrast is huge. I wonder if Katsuhiko will lend a hand when I'm exposed someday?

Qin Ye's situation is now crystal clear; the banquet turned out alright, albeit with some trepidation. Perhaps this misfortune will actually bring her good fortune, freeing her from all pretense and scruples... Suddenly, I felt a pang of envy, even jealousy...

"Since they're here for me, I'll leave first!" Qin Ye's smile vanished, her small fists trembling slightly as she clenched her fists as if facing death, before she strode into the store. "You guys follow me."

There was even a hint of laughter in her voice.

"I really hope she'll be just as fierce when she's in the private room," Mikoto said with a helpless smile, shaking her head.

Qin Ye had a big secret about being a legal wife. If she continued to be so smug after entering the private room, she probably wouldn't pull her away anymore, right? She was worried that Qin Ye would use it to blackmail her. After all, the power of being a legal wife couldn't be used casually, otherwise it would become addictive and she would never be satisfied.

"Are you envious of her?" Yingdai smiled crookedly. "Then why don't you just be honest?"

Yingdai wanted to confess, but the secretive way of doing it was too stifling, yet she didn't dare...

Mikoto smiled but didn't say anything.

Qin Ye stepped onto the wooden steps and went up to the second floor. The sliding door of the private room was open.

From inside came the sounds of Katsuhiko and Mrs. Kudo chatting and laughing, along with Mr. Kudo's voice echoing their agreement.

Katsuhiko kept calling her "Mom" and "Dad"...it was so endearing.

They seemed so happy and harmonious as a family, while I felt like an outsider…

Kotoha suddenly missed her parents, wondering if Katsuhiko could call out to them so affectionately...

Kotoha felt uneasy and only started walking after Eiyo and Mikoto had come over.

All three of them pricked up their ears and walked silently toward the open doorway.

Kotoha walked in the middle, slightly ahead, while Eiyo and Mikoto lagged behind by a small half-step to the left and right.

As they reached the doorway, Qinye quickly stepped back, then placed her left and right hands on the lower backs of Yingdai and Mikoto respectively, controlling the force, and pushed forward, following closely behind.

The private room suddenly fell silent.

A private room with tatami mats, about ten tatami mats in size, can accommodate up to ten people for a meal.

It is divided into a barbecue area and a dining area.

The barbecue area is at the far end, consisting of a huge rectangular barbecue table where two young waiters are grilling meat with their heads down.

Upon entering, you'll find the dining area, featuring a dark brown rectangular low table surrounded by ten dark blue fabric cushions.

The alcove directly opposite the entrance is the seating area, where Mr. Kudo, wearing a white shirt, sits.

The extremely short hairstyle revealed a shiny, dark scalp.

His dark skin was made even darker by the white shirt. At first glance, he looked like a forty-something insurance salesman who spent his days in the sun and wind. But upon closer inspection, his muscular arms made him look like a fitness instructor. Yet, looking at his honest face, the suit seemed out of place on him; he should be wearing work clothes from a construction site…

To Mr. Kudo's right sat Mrs. Kudo, dressed in simple yet elegant clothes. She possessed an extraordinary air about her, exuding both the diligence of a rural woman and the poise honed over decades of life in the city after moving from the countryside.

She was a very studious woman in her forties, skilled at disciplining Mr. Kudo and catching him cheating...

To Mr. Kudo's left, in the VIP area, the dark blue cushion was empty. Further to the left was Sayuri, who had a stern face. To Sayuri's left was Katsuhiko, the two sitting close together.

Eiyo, Mikoto, and Kotoha suddenly appeared at the door. After a brief silence, everyone stood up at the same time.

Mrs. Kudo, as the actual organizer and a strong-willed wife who knew how to manage her husband, spoke first, calling out the names of the three people with a kind smile on her face.

Mikoto, with a worldly smile on her face, bowed in response.

The British representative maintained what she considered a lawyer's expression and responded with a bow.

Qinye, bewildered, glanced quickly at Shengyan and hurriedly bowed in response.

Since it was nominally a welcome banquet, Yingdai's status as a lawyer and benefactor meant she was a VIP, so she was naturally invited to sit in the seat of honor to Mr. Kudo's left, next to Sayuri.

Although she wasn't next to Mrs. Kudo, being next to Sayuri still made Eiyo feel uncomfortable. After all, in reality, Sayuri's status as Mrs. Kudo was the real mountain weighing on Eiyo's head.

Moreover, if I were exposed in such a prominent seat, it would be even more embarrassing... What if Mr. Kudo punched me? Katsuhiko, separated from Sayuri, couldn't save me in time...

Eiyo repeatedly declined, but Mrs. Kudo insisted, and Mr. Kudo gratefully agreed. Sayuri followed suit, and Katsuhiko echoed her sentiments with a hint of schadenfreude...

"Alright... I'll respectfully comply..."

Eiyo wanted to insist a little longer, but when she saw Mrs. Kudo's eyes suddenly narrow slightly, her throat tightened, and she almost cried as she agreed.

"I'll sit here!" Mikoto said with a smile, pulling over the lowest seat closest to the door. Katsuhiko was to her right. "I'm here to freeload..."

Mikoto's current identities are Sayuri's business partner, best friend, and former convenience store owner.

She had clearly recognized her current status and deliberately chose the lowest seat to ensure her safety; otherwise, Mrs. Kudo might have arranged for Sayuri to sit there.

Mrs. Kudo glanced at her and said, "Then you can sit there!"

Mikoto's throat tightened, and she sat down with an awkward laugh.

According to normal etiquette, we should at least be considered guests, but Mrs. Kudo didn't even bother with formalities... Speaking of which, the three of us hadn't even entered the door yet, and they were already seated. That's not normal. Could it be that we've been completely exposed?

Thankfully, my wife's identity wasn't exposed. If it had, even if she were Mrs. Kudo, she would have screamed, right?

"Kotoha-chan, come, sit here with Auntie."

Mrs. Kudo, with a warm smile, beckoned to Kotoha, inviting her to sit to her right, facing Katsuhiko.

Qinye realized she had no choice, so she sat down with her head down, resigned to her fate.

It's a fairly formal banquet, so wine is a must.

Draft beer is a must-order for Mr. Kudo and Katsuhiko, it's a men's exclusive, and they both ordered medium-sized ones.

Lily wanted beer too, and she even ordered a large one...

Mrs. Kudo's eye twitched, seemingly with a hint of disdain, as if she were saying, "She's hopeless."

Chapter 59 Qinye Sauce, have a big shrimp, Auntie will peel it for you.

The bottles of wine were all filled to the brim.

Besides Mr. Kudo, Katsuhiko, and Sayuri, they also drink draft beer.

The other four ladies, Mrs. Kudo, Eiyo, Mikoto, and Kotoha, had shochu mixed with oolong tea in their glasses.

Although the wine has been poured, we cannot drink it first. We must wait until all the dishes are served and the elders raise their glasses to speak before we can start eating.

However, Xiaobaihe had a lot of grievances to vent and was feeling very uncomfortable. She also thought that since there were no outsiders here, why bother with formalities? She might as well drink this glass first and vent her anger...

Then, as soon as the waiter placed the beer mug, which was bigger than her head, in front of her, she picked it up and was about to drink it.

"Hey, stop fooling around." Sheng Yan whispered, quickly snatching the wine glass and placing it on the table. He then grabbed her left hand and pressed it tightly against his thigh. "Our mother will be angry..."

Sayuri's face turned bright red. She struggled but couldn't pull her hand away. So she used her left hand, which was being held by Katsuhiko, to keep pounding on his leg, panting heavily with her head down.

Right next to Sayuri's right side, Eiyo seemed to have become a puppet, her eyes fixed straight ahead.

Mikoto, sitting right next to Katsuhiko, was fiddling with her wine glass. Kotoha, sitting opposite Katsuhiko, also had her head down, her hand beside her wine glass, her eyelashes fluttering as she glanced at Katsuhiko and Sayuri.

Mr. Kudo was bending down, adjusting his white shirt, looking very focused.

Mrs. Kudo, to Mr. Kudo's right, twitched her eye again, but she pretended not to see it and then tilted her head to signal the waiter to bring the food as soon as possible.

There were no individual speakers in the private room, but the singing from the lobby could be heard clearly. It was Izumi Sakai's song "Don't Give Up," which was playing on repeat.

An old-fashioned wall-mounted air conditioner in the corner was humming, but its cooling effect wasn't very good, and the private room was a bit stuffy.

A few minutes later.

Two young barbecue chefs brought the last grilled dish to the table.

Mrs. Kudo nudged Mr. Kudo with her elbow, then picked up her wine glass. Mr. Kudo, with a blank expression, picked up his beer glass as well.

The two elders spoke up, first thanking their benefactor, lawyer Hideyo, for her selfless help, which allowed the troublesome Mr. Kudo to escape his predicament.

Yingdai entered a serious mode, holding his wine glass with both hands, kneeling upright, and repeatedly nodding and bowing to the two elders.

Then, the two elders handed Sheng Yan a cup to express their gratitude.

Basically, it was Mrs. Kudo who spoke, the gist of which was: "Thank goodness for Katsuhiko, we found such a professional lawyer... And your son-in-law is truly a talent, not only good at making money but also a family man! He treats Sayuri-chan very well! We parents are so relieved!"