A Hero Saves the Beauty

This resulted in "unfinished buildings" becoming a common "feature" in Japan during this period.

Mifune City is a city located in Tokyo. In the suburbs of this city stands a building like this.

Like many unfinished buildings, this building has an exterior, but that's about it. Its interior is completely unfinished, with the walls and floors just bare cement.

According to the original plan, the completed building should have been a six-story building, but currently, the floors above the fourth floor do not exist. Generally speaking, it is most efficient to start building high-rise buildings from the top floor, but this building should still be built using the old method. Since it was abandoned halfway through construction, the five floors that had already been built became the roof.

Although the building is surrounded by high concrete walls, it wouldn't be difficult to break in. It's a miracle it hasn't been used as a secret base by nearby children.

Although it was an unfinished building, it was recently bought by a mysterious buyer who was reportedly a very attractive woman.

"So, what were you thinking when you finally chose this place?"

Wang Xiaoming, slumped on the sofa like a salted fish, said this.

His target was Aozaki Touko, who was sitting on a bar stool not far in front of him with her legs crossed—the mysterious buyer who had purchased the unfinished building.

At this moment, Touko Aozaki was wearing black trousers that were as tight as a skirt and had no decorations, along with a brand-new, crisp white shirt. Her hair was short, just long enough to reveal her neck.

Wang Xiaoming had commented on her outfit more than once, saying that Touko Aozaki dressed like that, as if she wanted to become a mistress for some company boss.

Why do you care so much?

After being interrupted by Wang Xiaoming, Touko Aozaki glanced at him with some displeasure.

Looking at Touko Aozaki's fierce expression after she took off her glasses, Wang Xiaoming figured she could never do that kind of job.

"Don't be so cold. We've known each other for quite a while now. I just heard you opened a firm, so I came here specifically to celebrate for you."

"Oh--"

Touko Aozaki scoffed at Wang Xiaoming's explanation, "Who would come to someone's door empty-handed to help them celebrate?"

"Isn't the fact that you came in person enough to show your sincerity?"

After hearing Touko Aozaki's "sarcasm," Wang Xiaoming sheepishly explained to her.

However, Touko Aozaki clearly wouldn't accept this explanation. With her arms crossed, she expressed her attitude with a sarcastic remark:

"Ha, men—"

Sakura, who came out of the kitchen carrying tea, couldn't help but smile slightly when she saw the two people staring at each other.

"Uncle, please stop joking with Sister Touko Aozaki."

Upon hearing Sakura's words, Wang Xiaoming clutched his chest, looking heartbroken. "Sakura, you actually called her 'older sister,' when she's clearly more mature than me..."

After punching Wang Xiaoming, who was trying to "courte himself," into the sofa, Touko Aozaki turned her inquisitive gaze to Sakura.

"Ever since I heard from you, Touko Aozaki Sister, that you were opening a firm, Uncle has started looking for gifts for you!"

"Tsk, are all you men so fussy and indecisive?"

After casting a sharp glance at Wang Xiaoming, who was still curled up on the sofa and refused to get up, Touko Aozaki complained and put her glasses back on.

"It's a surprise! I wanted to give you a surprise, you know?"

Upon hearing this topic involving male dignity, Wang Xiaoming, feeling somewhat embarrassed, straightened up from the sofa and argued his case.

"And what about the surprise?"

Under Touko Aozaki's rather amused gaze, Wang Xiaoming said hesitantly, "I had my eye on something that was just unearthed, but it hasn't arrived yet. You know how things are with customs..."

"Alright, then I'll wait a few days with great anticipation."

Touko Aozaki shrugged, which meant that she would not pursue the matter for the time being.

"But speaking of which... what about Shirou?"

Touko Aozaki hadn't seen Little Shirou since Wang Xiaoming came in.

"When I got to the door, I realized I hadn't brought anything with me, so Shirou volunteered to go to the store to buy some things."

"I can't believe you ran into two such sensible children. I wonder what good deeds you did in your past life."

Seeing Wang Xiaoming's leisurely appearance, Touko Aozaki shook her head and couldn't help but sigh. They had been together for quite some time now, and Touko Aozaki had a certain understanding of what the two children had gone through.

"Well, speaking of which Shirou has been gone for a while now, he should be back by now."

Looking up at the approaching evening sky, Wang Xiaoming didn't answer Touko Aozaki's question but instead brought up another topic.

"They should... no, they're already back."

Seeing that Wang Xiaoming didn't seem to want to mention this matter in front of the children, Touko Aozaki, understanding his thoughts, changed the subject. However, she had only said half of what she was saying when Touko Aozaki suddenly made a strange expression.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Touko Aozaki's expression, Wang Xiaoming couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"It's nothing, I just saw some interesting things."

Touko Aozaki waved her hand. Since she had already bought the building, the relevant protective measures were naturally complete. It was through the barrier outside the building that Touko Aozaki saw a rather interesting scene.

"Baffling."

Seeing Touko Aozaki's silent smile, Wang Xiaoming shrugged and didn't press the matter. Just then, a series of clattering footsteps sounded from outside the door:

"Dad, I'm home."

The sound reached Wang Xiaoming's ears through the not-so-sturdy door of the firm.

Immediately afterwards, a boy walked into the house, carrying two packages in his hands.

"Sister Touko Aozaki, it's been a long time."

The boy who entered the house nodded to Touko Aozaki, but was met with Touko Aozaki's slightly mocking gaze and Wang Xiaoming's gloomy voice:

"Shirou..."

Feeling uncomfortable being stared at Shirou instinctively asked, "W-what's wrong?"

"Can you explain to your father who that girl behind you is?"

Upon hearing Wang Xiaoming's voice, the people in the agency turned their attention to Shirou's back—to a pretty girl in a serious-looking girls' school uniform.

(An update is definitely needed.)

Chapter 156. Hero Saves the Beauty

"Please help me wrap this, this, and that up."

On the shopping street of Mifune City, a boy stood in front of a vegetable stall, thought for a while, and then pointed to a few vegetables that looked good and said.

"Okay!"

Standing behind the stall was a kind-looking middle-aged man who, after hearing the boy's words, readily put the items he had selected into a bag and handed it to the boy.

"Thank you for your help."

The boy bowed slightly to thank the man who took the bag from him.

"It's alright, child, did you come here alone?"

The vegetable vendor waved his hand, but the boy's polite behavior earlier had earned him many points, so he casually asked another question.

"Yes, that's right."

That's really impressive.

After receiving an affirmative answer, the uncle looked at the boy, who appeared to be about twelve or thirteen years old, and couldn't help but sigh. He glanced at the sky and then said to the boy, "It's getting late, kid. You should hurry home after you've finished shopping."

"Yes, thank you, uncle."

After thanking the vegetable vendor again, the boy turned and left the shopping street.

As the sun sets, the boy carrying the bag gradually disappears from the vegetable vendor's sight.

"Mushrooms, spring vegetables, and fish... buying these should be enough, right?"

Walking down the street as dusk settled, the boy looked down at his "haul" from the shopping street, then recalled what that person had told him earlier—

[Shirou, whether your old man will get a beating from Touko Aozaki later depends entirely on your skills (thumbs up)]

"Well..."

Thinking of his father's unreliable behavior in the past, the boy couldn't help but shake his head and smile wryly. However, for the sake of Sister Touko Aozaki, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, and considering the number of people and the food they had, the boy finally decided on the dinner menu—

"Then let's make sukiyaki."

Having made his decision, the boy quickened his pace on the way back. However, before he had taken more than a few steps, his attention was suddenly drawn to a faint strange noise coming from the alleyway beside him.

With a shift in his gaze, the boy noticed that, under the cover of night, several figures seemed to be moving about in the depths of the dark alley.

"The young lady of Asagami Construction?"

In a dark corner, a man dressed as a thug looked the unconscious girl up and down with suspicion, then asked the young man beside her in a questioning tone, "Hey, Keita, you're not kidding me, are you?"

"No, no!"

Upon hearing the man's question, the young man named Keita instinctively shuddered, then respectfully replied, "Don't worry, boss, I've thoroughly investigated!"

"Really? Well done."

The gang leader stroked his chin, his gaze returning to the girl, his smile deepening. "I doubt Asagami Construction would want news of their young lady being humiliated to circulate in society."

"Brother, could it be that you're thinking of...?"

The henchman beside him lit up after hearing the gang leader's words, clearly thinking of the same thing.

However, although the idea was good, when they thought about the other party's identity and the consequences of failure, a hint of fear appeared in the eyes of their subordinates.

"What's there to be afraid of!"

The leader immediately sensed his subordinate's fear and his face darkened as he snapped, "Think it over carefully. If we threaten the Asagami Family with exposing the humiliation of this young lady, we'll have money to spare!"

"This..."

Under the leader's instigation, the fear in the eyes of the several henchmen who were looking at each other was gradually replaced by an emotion called greed.

For the sake of 100% profit, it dares to trample on all human laws;

With a 300% profit margin, it would dare to commit any crime, even risking the gallows.

"Don't worry, as long as I have meat to eat, you'll definitely get a sip of soup!"

Seeing the eager expressions on his men's faces, the leader nodded in satisfaction and then patted his chest, assuring them.

"But before that..."

Turning his gaze to the girl on the ground who seemed to be waking up, the leader licked his slightly dry lips. "Let me be the first to taste this young lady!"

But before he could even take a step, a voice suddenly rang in the ears of the thugs surrounding the girl:

What are you doing?

"Who--?!"

The thugs were startled by the unfamiliar voice, as they were already engaged in shady activities. When they came to their senses, they found a boy of about ten years old standing not far from the alley entrance, carrying a bag and staring at them.

"What are you looking at, kid? You want to try the taste of a woman too?"

The leader, equally startled, asked with a forced smile after regaining his composure. His words drew a burst of laughter from his men.

"Oh, so you were doing something bad!"

After seeing the other person's behavior, the boy suddenly realized what was going on.

"Since you know that, why don't you get lost!"

The leader's face instantly darkened, and he gave a wink to his subordinate beside him.

"You brat, get out of here right now!"

Upon receiving orders from their leader, the subordinates, understanding the unspoken message, stepped forward, intending to teach the child an "unforgettable lesson" so that he would "forget" what he had witnessed.