Substitute Toyokawa Shoko, you can become stronger by breathing

Even if he mustered up the courage now and told Toyokawa Sadaharu everything about how "Toyokawa Shoko" kidnapped his family, what would happen?

In the final analysis, his loyalty is merely the loyalty of an "outsider" to a wealthy family like the Toyokawa family.

Toyokawa Sadaharu might be furious because of his "negligence" and might be troubled by his granddaughter's "out-of-line" behavior, but it is absolutely impossible for him to punish his own granddaughter in the true sense for a servant like him.

——Especially after this granddaughter showed such "value" and "potential".

In order to maintain the dignity of his family and the reputation of "Shoko", Toyokawa Sadaharu might even take the initiative to help "Shoko" deal with all the negative impacts that may follow from this incident, and completely cover up the sacrifice of his Kawai family under the shadow of family interests.

What a sad and cruel situation this is.

The car drove smoothly away from the cage-like mansion and finally stopped at the foot of a high-end apartment building in the city.

Kawai Masao parked the car, took a deep breath, turned around, and looked at the girl in the back seat who looked indifferent, as if nothing had happened. With a hint of uncontrollable trembling and pleading in his voice, he spoke with difficulty:

"Miss, I have already done what you asked me to do. My family...they..."

Kujo Renji didn't look at him, but just threw the old-fashioned mobile phone, on which all call records and text messages with Ishikawa had been deleted, back to Kawai.

"rest assured."

His voice was calm, without any ripples:

"They're fine. I just... invited them to stay somewhere quiet for a few days as my guests. Now, you can go and take them home."

He paused and added:

"Of course, Driver Kawai, I believe you are a smart person and know what to say and what... shouldn't be said. After all, your family... still needs your care, doesn't it?"

These words, spoken lightly, were like an invisible shackle, firmly fastened around Kawai Masao's neck, leaving him no room for resistance.

........

When the Maybach disappeared at the end of the street, Renji Kujo stood downstairs of the apartment building.

The evening breeze blew the girl's iconic blue twintails, bringing a hint of coolness and making his slightly drowsy mind clearer.

"What should we do next?"

To be honest, the experience of being drugged and imprisoned by her grandfather was a much bigger blow to her than it seemed on the surface.

It's not just physical control, it's emotional betrayal.

She never thought that her grandfather, who had always played the role of a "strict but reliable elder" in her heart, would use such despicable means to deal with her.

The feeling of being stabbed in the back by one's closest relatives is enough to chill any sane person to the bone, let alone Toyokawa Shoko, who is already sensitive.

"Give up your illusions and prepare for struggle."

"Struggle?" Xiangzi was stunned.

"That's right."

Jiujo Renji replied in his mind

"The Toyokawa family can no longer assist us. At least, not under the control of your 'wise and decisive' grandfather. Since he dared to use this method against us once today, there will definitely be a second and third time. The relationship between us has long been torn apart, and there is no room for maneuver."

He paused:

"Besides, Ms. Xiangzi, you should know very well that I have never been someone who likes to let things go easily."

Hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko was silent for a moment. In the past, she might have subconsciously advised Kujo Renji not to act so extreme and not to do things too decisively.

But this time, after experiencing such a humiliating experience, the pride and dignity of "Toyokawa Shoko" in her heart was completely outraged.

She just sighed softly and asked, "Before that...can I...go see my father first?"

Jiujo Renji was a little surprised when he heard this, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up with a hint of amusement:

"What do you want to see him for?"

"Father...he is...well, he is indeed a bit useless..."

Xiangzi's tone was a little hesitant, but he still insisted

"But, he's a member of the Toyokawa family after all. He should be...well aware of the dirty work going on within the Toyokawa family. At the very least...he can help us better understand who we should deal with? And who...we can win over?"

She spoke uncertainly, and it was obvious that she had spoken on the spur of the moment and had not thought it through.

However, after hearing this, a glimmer of approval flashed in Kujo Renji's eyes.

"Not bad, Xiaoxiang."

He couldn't help but teased, with a hint of joking in his tone.

"It seems this 'retreat' has really made you grow considerably. You now know how to analyze the pros and cons and identify potential 'sources of intelligence'."

"I, I'm not kidding!"

Toyokawa Shoko was a little annoyed by his attitude of treating her like a child, and retorted angrily:

"I just think... we need more information right now! Father... might actually be able to help a little!"

"Okay, okay, no kidding."

Kujo Renji dropped his teasing tone and thought seriously about Xiangzi's suggestion.

Although he still didn't think that the alcoholic father could provide any substantial help, but... as a former "insider", perhaps he could really dig out some overlooked and useful information from him about the power structure and relationships within the Toyokawa family.

"Can."

He finally nodded.

"Not now, though. We have more important things to attend to."

It is a school day and it is morning class time.

He sent an encrypted text message to Ishikawa Shunya, informing him that he had regained his freedom and asked him not to worry. He would handle the follow-up matters of the "Tanaka family" and ensure their safety, but also ensure that they would not dare to speak carelessly.

After doing all this, Kujo Renji connected to the Internet and opened the chat group of "Ave Mujica".

Sure enough, when I opened the group chat, the red number of unread messages soared to "99+".

Jiujo Renji quickly scrolled up the chat history and took a quick look at the reactions of the group members during the time he was "out of touch".

Sanjiao Chuhua: "Xiaoxiang... why didn't you come to rehearsal today? I can't get through on the phone... did something happen?"

Yutenji Wakamugi: "What?! Shoko is missing?! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ No way! She said yesterday she would be here on time today! Was she kidnapped by some bad guy?!"

Hachiman Kairin: "Maybe his phone is out of battery or something urgent happened. Let's wait and see."

Sanjiao Chuhua: "But... I can't get in touch with her for a whole day. This is so unusual. She's never been like this before."

Yutenji Wakamugi: "Wow, is something really wrong with Xiangzi?! What should we do?! Should we call the police?! Or... should I mobilize my fans and post online to find him?! Maybe we can create public pressure and get the kidnappers to release Xiangzi!"

Big Cat, you have a very rich imagination.

Seeing this, Kujo Renji couldn't help but complain.

But... in a sense, she really was kidnapped?

Hachiman Kairin: "The situation is unclear right now. Don't act rashly and create chaos. Also, if this is truly a kidnapping, creating public pressure might only anger the other party."

——No, why you too?

Yutenji Wakamugi: "Well... what should I do? I'm so worried about Xiangzi! She's so fragile, what if she runs into a bad guy... (crying cat emoji)"

Mikado Hatsuka: "...It's a bit worrying. Have you asked the office? What did Mr. Nakamura say?"

Yawata Kairin: "Mr. Nakamura said that Ms. Xiangzi asked for leave this morning, saying that there was an emergency at home and that she couldn't be contacted for the time being. But he didn't know what it was specifically."

Yutenji Wakamugi: "Is there a family emergency?! What kind of emergency would make her turn off her phone?! This is definitely a problem! No! I can't just sit there and wait for death! I've got an idea! We can go to Xiangzi's house and take a look! Chuhua, do you know where Xiangzi's house is?! Hailing, do you know?! Let's go together!"

Sanjiao Chuhua: "...I don't know."

Hachiman Kailing: "I don't know Ms. Xiangzi's exact address. Besides, if I go to her house rashly and it's just something going on at home, it will disturb her."

Yutenji Wakamugi: "Uaaaaa! What should I do then?!"

Yutenji Wakamugi: "Could it be that she's been confined at home?"

You guessed it, inspiration is a big success?

Yutenji Wakamugi: "Should we call the police? I feel like Xiaoxiang is in danger right now!"

Hachiman Kairin: "...Calm down."

Yutenji Wakamugi: "At worst...at worst, I can just take out all my savings! It's enough to hire a security company! I'll have them send someone to her house to kidnap Xiaoxiang!"

As Kujo Renji looked at Yutenji Wakami's fantastic and outrageous "rescue plans", each one more ridiculous than the last, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.

Although his loyalty is evident, isn't there something wrong with his train of thought?

However, Sanjiao Chuhua's attitude made him feel a little strange.

Although he expressed concern, there was an inexplicable awkwardness and... alienation between the lines. Was it because he was jealous of the last time he saw him and Miao Meng being so "close"? Or was it because of... something else?

Only Hachiman Kailing, as always, remained calm and rational, trying to bring the topic back on track, although the effect was minimal.

As for Wakaba Mutsu...

Jiujo Renji quickly flipped through the chat history and found that from beginning to end, Mu's avatar never lit up and she didn't send a single message.

Is it because you have received his text message to let him know you are safe, so you feel more at ease?

He took a deep breath and sent a short message to the group using his own account:

Toyokawa Shoko: "I'm fine, don't worry. It was just a small incident at home, which has been resolved. I'm sorry for causing you worry."

The moment the message was sent, the group chat, which was originally in the midst of a heated discussion, suddenly became quiet.

After a few seconds.

Yutenji Wakamugi: "!! Xiaoxiang!! You finally replied!!! Uuuuuuuuu——I thought I'd never see you again. ?ヽ(?'Д`)ノ?.!"

Jiujo Renji looked at the various greetings and exclamations that instantly flashed across the screen, pressed his temples, and did not reply to the messages in the group. Instead, he directly exited the group chat interface.

He opened the private chat box with Wakaba Mutsu.

I sent a message to report that I was safe, but the other party did not respond.

Mu is not the kind of child who would not reply to messages for no reason.

Especially in a situation like this where she must be worried about herself.

Unless...something happens to her.

An extremely dangerous possibility immediately emerged in Jiujo Renji's mind—

During the time I was away, was it possible that Minami Mori and Sadaharu Toyokawa reached some kind of cooperation?

You know, Mori Minami has long wanted Mu to return to her.

He didn't dare to think any more, and immediately got up and rushed back to the apartment where he and Mu now lived together as quickly as possible.

He rushed all the way, and the moment he opened the door of the apartment with his key.

A petite figure with a familiar cucumber fragrance stood up from the corner, and then walked straight towards him with hurried steps.

Before Kujo Renji could react, the girl who was always immersed in her own world and had very little emotional fluctuation... threw herself directly into his arms.

Kujo Renji's body stiffened slightly.

Mu buried his head in his chest, his small body trembling slightly with some indescribable emotion.

She didn't say anything, but just hugged him tightly in an almost dependent manner.

Kujo Renji could clearly feel the girl's soft hair rubbing against his chin, and the faint, fresh scent of her body, a mixture of grass and sunshine.

To be honest, it was extremely rare for Mu to express his emotions so directly and strongly as he did now.

In the past, this kind of "intimate" behavior of jumping on someone without hesitation seemed... only "Mortis" could do it.

It seems that his "disappearance" this time really made this taciturn girl feel deeply uneasy and...fearful.

Kujo Renji breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the worst situation did not happen.

He reached out his hand, gently patted Mu's back, and asked in the gentlest tone possible:

"Mu, what's wrong? What happened?"

Mu nuzzled into his arms for a long time before speaking in a sullen voice:

"...Lian Si is gone."

Kujo Renji said patiently:

"I'm sorry for worrying you. I just...had a little trouble, but I'm fine now."