Chapter 132

"You and your wife are close, I know, but we made an appointment with Professor Yamamoto. If we don't leave now, we'll be late."

"All right, let's go."

Gu Jinshui patted Li Xing on the shoulder. They had originally arranged to meet Yamamoto a few days earlier, but Yamamoto had felt unwell that day, so they had postponed it.

Now Gu Jinshui and Li Xing were finally on their way to Yamamoto's home.

Property in Tokyo was said to cost a fortune.

Yet Professor Yamamoto's residence was remarkably spacious. Plum trees grew in the courtyard beyond the gate, and a path of small stones crossed the grounds. Li Xing tugged Gu Jinshui's sleeve and whispered, "Gu, Professor Yamamoto is seriously rich. Do professors in Japan make that much money?"

Gu Jinshui pulled his sleeve free. "Of course not. Just look at the other professors at their university. Yamamoto's probably the only rich one."

"Mr. Gu, Mr. Li, this way, please."

The butler spoke fluent Chinese. He stopped outside an elegant study and gestured for them to enter.

Li Xing looked embarrassed, but Gu Jinshui nodded without batting an eye. He knocked on the door, then went in.

A faint scent of sandalwood hung in Professor Yamamoto's study, mingled with something bitter Gu Jinshui couldn't identify.

Yamamoto sat in a wicker chair beside the green silk curtains, one hand resting on the armrest. Hearing them enter, he turned, saw Gu Jinshui and Li Xing, and nodded in welcome.

After Li Xing translated, Gu Jinshui smiled. "Professor Yamamoto, your house is beautiful. It can't have been cheap."

Once Yamamoto understood, he smiled candidly. He picked up a cigar from beside him and offered one to each of his guests.

Both declined with a shake of the head, so Yamamoto lit one for