They all have hidden attributes!

Makoto Takahashi shook his head and said with a smile, "Let's go, Sachi."

"How far have things progressed between you and Saya?" Tachikami Yuki grabbed his arm, eager to exercise her rights as his girlfriend.

"It was probably a kiss, something that happened last night," Makoto Takahashi said frankly.

"Last night? You're not allowed to do that again."

Realizing she had said something pointless, Tachibana Yuki immediately cleared her throat and adopted a girlfriend-like demeanor: "Isn't it Yoru who's been doing the cleaning? From now on, leave it to Reiko. And lunch and dinner time can be left to her."

"I thought you would be eager to make me break off my relationship with Maya."

Will Cheng-jun agree?

“No,” Makoto Takahashi said confidently.

"I won't do anything annoying, um, it's okay, I know you don't like me right now."

As if convincing herself, Tachikami Yuki nodded and hugged his arm tightly: "You will like me, and I will always be your girlfriend."

For some reason, it sounds like a smug little dog.

Chapter 98 Two Equilateral Triangles

"So, Saionji Aya is a member of the Uesugi family?"

"She is Saya's father's lover. Because of Saya's guardianship responsibilities, Uesugi Tomoya was unable to marry her."

"This also involves issues like public opinion, which is quite troublesome."

"Would Cheng-kun find it dirty?"

"It's alright. If I had to say, it's about protecting one's reputation?"

As Makoto Takahashi chatted with Yuki Tatsumi, they walked through the hotel's long corridor. Two waiters waiting by the door bowed respectfully before opening the door, revealing a professional pillarless banquet hall.

The chandeliers hanging high above cast a bright yet gentle light, and the air is filled with an atmosphere of high society that is both elegant and sophisticated. Guests dressed in exquisite gowns clink glasses and chat, while waiters carrying drinks move among them. Behind the violinist, the floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay and the city skyline.

Because they had confirmed their relationship, the two arrived late. As soon as they entered the door, their stunning charm became the focus of everyone's attention.

Good evening, everyone.

With confidence, Tachibana Yuki raised her swan-like neck, a perfectly timed smile on her pure face, and waved gently in greeting.

Compared to her princess-like demeanor and beautiful appearance, everyone present knew about the eldest daughter of the Li Jian family, and most of their attention was focused on the boy she was arm in arm with.

He is tall and upright, with a rugged and handsome appearance. His features are as exquisite as a work of art. Even though his expression is somewhat casual and his eyes look a little cold, people subconsciously feel inferior to him.

The presence of two young people in this setting was already conspicuous, but someone so close to the eldest daughter of the Tachimi family... While the others were speculating about the guests' identities, a tall woman came forward to greet them.

"Good evening, Mr. Shinnobu. I was quite surprised when I heard that you would be attending with Miss Tatsumi."

The woman wore a tailored, fitted pantsuit, her bright brown medium-length hair loosely draped over her shoulders, and her eyeliner-lined eyes gave her a somewhat assertive look, exuding an aura of a powerful woman.

When Saionji Aya, the initiator of this dinner party, came forward to greet us warmly and politely, the banquet hall instantly quieted down.

The Uesugi and Tatsumi families are both powerful families, and any move they make is crucial. Together, they can easily crush many people and families present.

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Saionji."

Despite the polite conversation, Makoto Takahashi still performed the junior's greeting with courtesy, since Kotoha Tachimi, an elder, was also at the banquet.

He exchanged a glance with Tachibana Yuki, a clear smile spreading across his face, and said frankly, "If you bring another female companion, Yuki will definitely be jealous."

"Are you two dating? At my age, I really envy young love." Saionji Aya touched her cheek enviously.

"The painting 'Tokyo After the Rain' that your mother lent you for the exhibition was painted by Makoto for me."

Tachimi Yuki smiled and took over the conversation, chatting briefly with Saionji Aya. Since there were no young people at the dinner party, the two went directly to the dining area to have dinner.

The charity gala was indeed as boring as Tatsumi Yuki had described.

In her opening remarks, Aya Saionji, the organizer, introduced Makoto Takahashi to the guests. Everyone was surprised by his youth and showed great respect to the Tachimi family.

Then there are artistic performances: musicals, piano, classical music... Makoto Takahashi has a strong sense of aesthetics, so it's not too boring.

The following silent auction and networking reception was the most boring. His gaze wandered through the crowd, but he couldn't find his target. So he put his arm around Tachibana Yuki's slender waist in the sofa area, ate the fruit she handed him, and yawned boredly.

“We’ll have to wait a little longer. At this time, Mother is probably playing mahjong with the Uesugi and Fujiwara families,” Tatsumi Yuki reassured her.

"I thought the Sparrow Offering Gold only happened in TV dramas."

Makoto Takahashi took a bite of the grape she had picked up with a fork, his gaze suddenly fixed on the dimly lit grand piano, his expression frozen on his face.

"Cheng Jun?"

Yuki Tachibana's gaze followed his line of sight, and he saw Maya Uesugi, dressed as a hotel waitress, mingling into the banquet, her tall figure walking along a secluded path.

Because she had never participated in similar social occasions before, she was not recognized by anyone except for Takahashi Makoto and Tachimi Yuki, who were relatively familiar with her.

The atmosphere between the two, who had just become lovers, gradually became somewhat subtle.

Just then, taking advantage of the opportunity to display the auction items, the lights in the entire hall slowly dimmed. On the second floor of the banquet hall, Makoto Takahashi saw the old man who had delivered his invitation walk out of a hidden room.

“I’ll go by myself,” Takahashi Makoto said.

"I'd also like to chat with Xiaoye for a bit. Remember to come find us later."

Yuki Tachibana stood up and walked straight towards Maya Uesugi.

Makoto Takahashi watched her retreating figure, sighed with mixed feelings, and then looked up at the spiral staircase, where he immediately saw Kotoha chatting with several faces he often saw on television.

He had seen Uesugi Tomoya once in the courtyard of Tsurumizawa, recognized him at a glance, and after taking a glass of whiskey from the waiter, Takahashi Makoto walked straight over.

Uesugi Maya saw his strong and upright figure under the lamplight, and she also saw Tachimi Yuki heading straight for her.

She retreated into the shade cast by the tall, green foliage plants, her caramel-colored eyes fixed on Makoto Takahashi, and crossed her arms, waiting for Yuki Tachimi to come looking for her.

"I didn't expect your first social occasion to be as a waitress, Yoru." Tachimi Yuki, holding a glass of wine, stopped in front of her, casting a playful glance at her with a smile.

"Don't block my way."

"If you're worried about him, why don't you just come with him?"

“It’s none of your business.” After seeing Makoto Takahashi and Kotoha Tatsumi talking, Maya Uesugi approached her father, her caramel-colored pupils trembling slightly with tension.

Yuki Tachibana glanced back, took a sip of wine, and said, "Your worries are a bit unnecessary. Makoto and I have already decided to date."

"He might have feelings for you, but he definitely doesn't like you." Uesugi Maya glanced at him coldly.

"I know, but being moved can also be a reason for getting to know someone."

Yuki stepped forward, completely blocking her view, and said slowly and deliberately in a sweet voice, "In the war of love, any strategy is allowed."

In other words, only a minority of relationships in this world are truly based on mutual attraction.

Most people develop feelings for someone because of their good looks, and some people fall in love with someone simply because of their beauty. After showing interest, some "lucky ones" will receive a response. It is also not uncommon for couples to date because they are compatible or want to be in a relationship.

Makoto Takahashi was cautious enough, and Yuki Tachimi was indeed impeccable. He couldn't treat the young lady as a "sycophant" and treat her casually, so it's not surprising that he ultimately chose to date her.

Maya Uesugi stared into Tachibana Yuki's azure eyes, which were filled with a smile. Her expression gradually darkened, and she exuded an aura like a blizzard, which almost froze the air.

"You're not lying to me?" she asked through gritted teeth.

"Actually, I didn't expect things to suddenly come to this. Mr. Cheng, really." Tachimi Yuki raised his hand to his chest, and a smile that seemed to bring tears of joy naturally appeared on his face.

“I knew it. Every time I get involved with the Uesugi family, it’s a mess. Every single time.”

After complaining for a few minutes, Uesugi Maya closed her eyes, took a deep breath to calm herself down, and pushed Tachimi Yuki away.

She cast a sharp glance at the two people on the second-floor spiral staircase platform, recalling the unnecessary suffering the Uesugi family had caused in their past lives.

It's always the same.

Those self-righteous "for your own good" pronouncements always backfired on her.

Friends that might have been made in kindergarten, isolation during elementary school, a first book that could never be published... Now, a crucial advantage has been lost.

—In Uesugi Maya's view, the Uesugi family provided the opportunity for Takahashi Makoto and Tachimi Yuki to get together.

If it weren't for that invitation... I hope this is the last time, Maya Uesugi prayed in her heart.

Her intense, attention-grabbing gaze caught the attention of the two men.

Uesugi Tomoya looked down at his daughter, who was dressed as a hotel waitress and whose eyes were filled with resentment. His eyes filled with disappointment: "You're right. I've made too many mistakes, and now it's too late to make amends."

Maya wants to completely sever ties with the Uesugi family.

Makoto Takahashi swallowed a mouthful of whiskey, somewhat worried about the atmosphere between the two below, and wanted to end things quickly: "I will take responsibility for her life. You can supervise me, but please don't disturb the life she wants anymore."

"When I was young, I thought I had found love, but I abandoned my responsibilities."

Uesugi Tomoya took a car key from the old man and handed it to Takahashi Makoto: "Actually, love is responsibility. I was just bored with arranged marriages and blinded by desire."

"I know Maya is a bit obsessive and extreme, but I believe she will ultimately be stronger and gentler than anyone else. Anyway, thank you for your trust, but there's no need for that."

Makoto Takahashi took the car keys and casually tossed them into the trash can: "She wouldn't want to see those old things again. I'll buy her a car just for her to ride in."

I will email her later.

"Goodbye."

Things went more smoothly than Makoto Takahashi had imagined. After all, Maya Uesugi's attitude on her birthday had already summarized her long-standing rejection and resistance towards the Uesugi family.

After saying goodbye to Uesugi Tomoya, Takahashi Makoto went straight downstairs to Tachimi Yuki and Uesugi Maya. Before he even got close, he could already smell the tension in the air.

Seeing that he signaled "everything is OK" with his eyes, Uesugi Maya breathed a sigh of relief. The thought of being able to sever ties with the Uesugi family soon quickly lifted her spirits.

Her nerves, which had been tense from hearing about the two dating, relaxed, and rationality and wisdom reappeared in her beautiful caramel-colored eyes.

She met Tachibana Yuki's gaze directly, her tone resolute: "In the war of love, any strategy is permissible, and I agree with your statement."

Upon hearing this, a hint of danger flashed in Li Jianxing's eyes.

"What are you talking about?" Takahashi Makoto asked, putting his arm around her slender waist.

"We're talking about the legitimacy of using any means necessary."

Maya Uesugi's lips curled into a cold smile as she stared into Yuki Tachimi's eyes. Her delicate face, hidden in the shadows, resembled that of an evil villain from a manga: "I was originally thinking that merely making him fall in love with me wouldn't be a true victory."

She toyed with her long hair that fell over her shoulder with her slender fingertips, tilted her head and shot a cold look at Takahashi Makoto: "If I steal your boyfriend, no matter how much you deny it, I will be the ultimate winner."

"Saya, you've gone too far." Tachimi Yuki pushed up his blond hair, his eyes giving off a terrifying feeling.

“I admit it’s a temporary victory for you, but don’t forget we still have a child,” Maya Uesugi said.

"child?"