Substitute Toyokawa Shoko, you can become stronger by breathing

The "Shoko Toyokawa" in front of him was no longer the child he could control at will.

He witnessed her transformation with his own eyes, her incredibly sophisticated methods and unfathomable scheming, and the undisguised ambition in her eyes and a maturity beyond her age.

Toyokawa Sadaharu sadly discovered that he no longer had absolute certainty that he could control the granddaughter in front of him again.

Therefore, he had no choice but to become tougher and try to re-establish his authority with an unquestionable attitude, and pull this "wild horse" that seemed to be about to run away back to the track he set.

"Grandpa..."

Jiujo Renji's voice broke the silence, with a hint of sarcasm:

"I'm a little surprised by your arrangement today. You didn't even give me a decent reason. Could it be that... you still think I'm still the same Toyokawa Shoko who you can manipulate at will?"

Toyokawa Sadaharu's eyes narrowed slightly, then he regained his composure.

He put down the teacup, looked directly into Kujo Renji's eyes, and said in a calm tone:

"Xiangzi, it's precisely because I know very well that you are no longer the same person you used to be that I... won't tell you the real reason."

Upon hearing this, Kujo Renji scoffed softly, leaned back on the soft sofa, folded his arms across his chest, and put on an attitude of listening attentively:

"Oh? Really? Then I'm even more curious. What on earth could have caused you, Grandpa, to be so wary of me that you'd even resort to this almost 'house arrest' method to restrict my movements?"

He deliberately emphasized the word "house arrest" and directly characterized the other party's arrangement, which seemed to be "for your own good", as a dishonorable restriction.

Toyokawa Sadaharu's brows furrowed slightly, but he was not angered by Kujo Renji's words. He simply said slowly:

"Xiangzi, this isn't house arrest, it's... protection. There are some things you're not suitable to know right now, let alone get involved in. It won't benefit you or the entire Toyokawa family."

"Protection?" Kujo Renji raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me, but I don't need this kind of 'protection', and I... don't want to accept it."

"From what I've heard, the Toyokawa family's ship isn't quite as peaceful right now. I'm afraid some termites have already eaten away at the core of the hull. If they're not removed soon, I'm afraid... it could capsize at any moment."

These words were no longer just hints, but were almost explicit.

He was telling Toyokawa Sadaharu that he was not completely ignorant of the crisis within the family, and even... might know more than he thought.

There was finally a hint of fluctuation in Toyokawa Sadaharu's eyes.

He had not expected that the granddaughter before him was so perceptive that she seemed to have seen through even the most secretive struggles within the family.

He was silent for a moment, and his old voice carried a hint of imperceptible fatigue:

"Xiangzi, some things are much more complicated than you can imagine. This isn't something you, a child... well, this isn't something you should get involved in right now."

He changed his words in time to avoid angering the girl again.

"If that's the case, then I'm afraid there's no need to continue our conversation today."

He stood up and made a move to leave.

"sit down!"

Toyokawa Sadaharu's voice suddenly rose a few notches, carrying a long-lost sense of dignity that belonged to the head of the family.

Jiujo Rensi paused, but did not sit down immediately. He just looked at him leisurely, waiting for his next words.

Toyokawa Sadaharu took a deep breath, as if trying to calm himself down.

He knew that using a tough stance would not be enough to make his granddaughter surrender.

He had to... do it another way.

"Xiangzi."

His tone softened, a hint of helplessness and...probing. "I know you're capable and have great ideas. However, some enemies are...very dangerous, and their methods are far more filthy and cruel than you can imagine."

"so what?"

Kujo Renji asked back:

"Grandpa, are you trying to tell me that because the enemy is so dangerous, I, the 'heir to the Toyokawa family,' should hide in a safe place and watch the family foundation be eroded while you bear all the risks alone?"

"What I mean is that before we completely resolve the hidden dangers within our family, we shouldn't create new powerful enemies. And some of your recent actions... have attracted some unnecessary attention."

He was referring to the investigations by the tax bureau and the cultural department, as well as...the deeper, secretive investigations targeting "Toyokawa Shoko".

"I know Xiuyan's death has nothing to do with you..."

Although Toyokawa Sadaharu had suspected this, he did not find any direct evidence.

Moreover, based on his understanding of "Xiangzi", he did not have the ability to plan such a meticulous "accident".

"But others don't think so." He changed the subject: "Now, many people want to link Xiuyan's death to you and our Toyokawa family. They want to use this incident to attack us."

"So, I asked you to stay out of the spotlight for a while, not to go to school anymore, and to suspend the band's activities. This is to protect you, and also to... not leave any opportunities for those people to take advantage of you."

Toyokawa Sadaharu finally gave a relatively "reasonable" explanation.

Kujo Renji did not refute immediately, but let the "reasonable" explanation ferment in the air for a while, until a hint of imperceptible expectation began to reveal in Toyokawa Sadaharu's eyes.

Then, he spoke slowly:

"Grandpa, your words about 'for my own good' and 'for the good of the family' really sound...very well-intentioned."

"They've imprisoned me here, euphemistically calling it 'keeping me out of the spotlight,' isolating me from the outside world, and making me 'pause' all my ongoing work... Do you think I would willingly accept this kind of 'protection'?"

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on Toyokawa Sadaharu's, and his tone suddenly became tough:

"Are you kidding yourself, or...are you really getting senile?"

The phrase "you are getting old and confused" is sharp and almost mean without any respect.

Toyokawa Sadaharu's expression instantly darkened, and a hint of anger flashed in his eyes, but Kujo Renji seemed not to notice.

"You want me to 'lay low', so they'll think we're 'weak and vulnerable'? And then what? Wait for them to press further, step by step, until they've completely devoured us? Is this the most brilliant response you can come up with as the head of the Toyokawa family?"

He sneered softly, his laughter filled with disdain and disappointment:

"You think that by temporarily removing me, this 'unstable factor', from the chessboard, you can sit back and relax and deal with your so-called 'internal risks'?"

His voice suddenly rose:

"Rather than lingering in the false illusion of your so-called 'safety' like a frog in warm water, I would rather... proactively overturn this chessboard!"

"You want me to put everything on hold, stay here obediently, and let you do whatever you want?"

"You said it well, Grandpa. I heard your worries, your concerns, your 'hard work'..."

He paused and chuckled:

"But I refuse."

"Besides, you are not qualified to do it."

Toyokawa Sadaharu looked at his "granddaughter" in front of him, whose aura was so strong that it even made him feel a little pressured. He felt mixed emotions and did not speak for a long time.

He knew very well the meaning behind Xiangzi's words, and he also knew that the word "not qualified" was not an empty promise.

A complex and inexplicable light flashed in his deep eyes, showing surprise, admiration, helplessness, and even a hint of...imperceptible fear.

For a long time, he seemed to be shocked by the other party's powerful aura, and seemed to be really convinced. His originally straight back seemed to be slightly hunched.

The aura of authority that had long held a high position and which came from without anger also quietly receded like the tide.

At this moment, he no longer looked like the iron-fisted helmsman who controlled a huge business empire. Instead, he looked more like an ordinary, frail old man who was worried about the future of his family and his descendants, as was his age.

He sighed slowly, his voice a little hoarse and tired, his eyes softened, and when he looked at Jiujo Renji, there was even a hint of pleading in his eyes:

"Xiangzi... since you've said so, Grandpa... won't force you."

He waved his hand, as if a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders, and his tone became more casual:

"Then... let's have a simple meal with Grandpa. It's been a long time since we, the two of us, have sat together and talked quietly like this."

His eyes revealed a genuine trace of love and...nostalgia from an elder to a younger generation.

"You...are exactly like your mother, Mizuho."

Toyokawa Sadaharu's voice deepened, carrying a hint of nostalgia:

"They are all so stubborn. Once they make up their minds, even ten bulls can't pull them back... Alas..."

He shook his head to himself and began to talk about some past events in the youth of Toyokawa Shoko's deceased mother, Toyokawa Mizuho.

All those memories about his daughter's stubbornness, willfulness, and... the tragedy that was ultimately irreversible, which had been buried deep in his memory, now came to his mind, causing this usually dignified old man to reveal his fragile and sad side.

And the Shoko Toyokawa in my mind softened instantly when she heard her grandfather mention her mother.

"Grandpa..."

Xiangzi's voice was a little low

"Actually, it's not easy for him either..."

Although this old man is strong and domineering, he also supports such a large family alone and endures pressure and loneliness that ordinary people can hardly imagine.

Kujo Renji sighed inwardly.

It seems that Toyokawa Sadaharu's "warmth card" is quite effective on Xiangzi himself.

He had already stood up, but had no choice but to sit down again.

After all, the show has to be complete.

Moreover, he also wanted to see what tricks this old fox was up to.

In this way, in a slightly subtle, even warm atmosphere, the grandfather and grandson began this "long-awaited" dinner.

The maids brought out carefully prepared dishes, all of which were light and delicious Japanese dishes that suited the tastes of the elderly.

While eating, Toyokawa Sadaharu continued to recall some things in the past. From time to time, he would pick up some food for "Xiangzi" and tell her to eat more and take care of her health.

His kind and gentle appearance was completely different from the majestic and powerful head of the family just now, making people almost think that the previous tense confrontation was just an illusion.

Kujo Renji also ate cooperatively, occasionally responding a few words, playing the role of a "temporarily reconciled" and well-behaved granddaughter.

The atmosphere seemed to have really relaxed.

After the meal, the maid cleared the tableware and refilled the tea for the two.

Toyokawa Sadaharu picked up the teacup and smiled gently at Kujo Renji:

"Xiangzi, try this tea. It still tastes like the one you loved the most."

Kujo Renji looked at the clear black tea in the cup that exuded a faint fragrance, and the vague sense of vigilance in his heart was never completely let go.

He picked up the teacup and shook it gently. The color of the tea turned a beautiful amber under the light.

Maybe... I'm really overthinking it?

Was this old man really convinced by me, so he decided to play the sympathy card to ease the relationship?

He brought the teacup to his lips and took a small sip.

The black tea has a mellow taste with a familiar aroma of flowers and fruits. It is indeed the taste that "Shoko Toyokawa" likes in her memory.

However, the moment he swallowed the tea—

A sudden, intense feeling of dizziness shot through his brain like an electric current.

The scene in front of my eyes began to distort and blur, and bursts of sharp buzzing sounds came from my ears!

His body shook uncontrollably, and the teacup in his hand fell to the carpet with a clang, making a dull sound.

The reddish-brown tea quickly soaked the expensive handmade carpet.

"you..."

Kujo Renji suddenly raised his head and looked at Toyokawa Sadaharu opposite him. His vision had begun to become blurred, but he could still clearly see that on Toyokawa Sadaharu's originally kind and gentle face, a hint of... a complex expression of success, coldness, and even a bit of sadness was slowly emerging!

Damn? That old fox Toyokawa Sadaharu actually put drugs in my tea?!

This was the only thought left in Kujo Renji's mind!

My strength is rapidly draining away, and a strong sense of sleepiness is coming over me like a tide, and my eyelids are becoming increasingly heavy...

Finally, everything went black before his eyes and he completely lost consciousness.

When he regained consciousness and returned to reality, Jiujo Liansi did not feel too much resentment. Instead, a sense of absurdity arose in his heart.

He really couldn't understand why Toyokawa Sadaharu did this. It gave him the same ridiculous feeling as when he was interacting with other people in the band.

Are these still human beings living in the same worldview?

In his previous life, he had struggled in the treacherous world of the underworld, fighting wits and courage with countless cunning and treacherous people. He thought that calculating people's hearts and seeing through opportunities were commonplace, but he never expected that one day he would fall into such a place.