The ceremony had started at eleven in the morning and it lasted the entire day. It wasn't until dinner time that Dubian Che found some time to rest.

"The night is still young," Jiutiao Meijie said from within the bedroom.

"We have to kneel again?" Dubian Che asked in surprise. "I've never knelt for so long in my life!"

"You might as well get used to it; in your next life, you'll be kneeling even longer," Jiutiao Meijie, leaning on the armrest, appeared equally exhausted.

"I'll give you a massage," Dubian Che offered immediately, ready to cash in this month's 'massage' skill as soon as Jiutiao Meijie nodded.

Due to previous "massage" misunderstandings, a clearly mistaken Jiutiao Meijie simply waved her hand: "Don't bother me, go out for a stroll. I'm going to sleep for a while."

"I'm serious."

Jiutiao Meijie didn't respond and closed her eyes to sleep, leaving Dubian Che no choice but to leave.

The rainy season persisted outside, not having intensified or lessened since the morning.

"Nature truly is amazing to be able to maintain the rain at this constant level for so long," Dubian Che mused under the eaves in front of Jiutiao Meijie's room, his mind wandering in idleness.

"Young master, Mr. Dubian!"

Dubian Che looked towards the source of the voice: "Uncle Shen Jie."

Addressing him by name wasn't a sign of closeness between them, it was more like what Kiyono Lin had said during a family trip: "Everyone in the Jiutiao Family is a Jiutiao; you wouldn't know who to call out to without saying their names."

Jiutiao Shensheng, also dressed in a kimono, had a bit of style. But compared to Dubian Che, to whom 'everything seemed to suit', the distance was significant.

"You've been working hard today!" Jiutiao Shensheng greeted him enthusiastically.

"Hardly."

"There's still an hour before it starts again, want to go out for some fresh air?"

"Go out?" Dubian Che thought about maybe taking a walk, browsing through a bookstore, but then he considered the hassle of changing clothes.

"Never mind," he said.

Jiutiao Shensheng, quick-eyed, immediately suggested, "Go for a drive; no need to change your clothes. Just an hour, and your shoes won't even get wet."

"Shoes won't get wet?" Dubian Che repeated.

"I'll have someone carry you right away!" Jiutiao Shensheng gestured as if to call a servant.

Both men shared a smile, and Dubian Che asked, "Where to?"

"Just a drive around, find a clean place to sit for a while, and an hour will fly by!"

"Then I'll be troubling Uncle Shensheng."

They got in Jiutiao Shensheng's car without changing clothes and headed toward the Central District.

The evening was hazy, rain streaming down, lights on in every household.

Upon reaching the destination, Jiutiao Shensheng got out first, an umbrella provided for him by a bodyguard.

Dubian Che stepped out a moment later, also with a bodyguard holding an umbrella for him.

Jiutiao Shensheng leaned in, introducing the location. In doing so, he stepped out from his own umbrella, and his kimono dampened with rain.

"Have you been here before, young master?"

"Is this Ginza?" Dubian Che glanced around, the place ablaze with neon lights.

"Yes," Jiutiao Shensheng said. "Please follow me."

They walked on rainwater reflecting neon lights into a shop.

The storefront wasn't large, but the interior decor was tasteful.

Upon entering, a slender kimono-clad beauty approached them.

"President Jiutiao! It's been a long time since you've visited! Oh, that kimono looks lovely on you!" The kimono beauty seemed to be about twenty-five.

"Madam, the true beauty is right here!" Jiutiao Shensheng introduced Dubian Che, "The noble gentleman, our family's future young master!"

For a while, Madam could only stare open-mouthed.

Though Dubian Che was handsome and indeed capable of making lovesick girls gape, a Ginza club Madam doing so was surely an act.

Yet, her act was incredibly natural, or perhaps it was just going with the flow; it did not only prevent the clients from feeling it's fake but even satisfied their vanity.

Dubian Che nodded slightly.

The Madam in front of him was indeed pretty, but he didn't spare another glance.

Not due to discrimination, simply personal preference; he simply didn't mesh well with this type of woman.

Even when Meiji kissed him upon meeting at Ochazuke, he had felt uncomfortable.

"Madam, come back to reality!" teased Jiutiao Shensheng.

"Ah!" Flustered, Madam covered her mouth, "Really now, President Jiutiao, you should have told me earlier how handsome the young master is. You've made me lose face!"

"Hahaha!" Jiutiao Shensheng laughed heartily. "Madam, you've missed out; the young master isn't just handsome, but also the most intelligent man in the Island Country!"

"How could I tell from a first meeting? Please visit more often, and I'm sure I'll see it!" Madam said stubbornly, puffing up.

Jiutiao Shensheng then introduced Madam to Dubian Che.

"Young master, this is the most beautiful Madam in Ginza! This place has many beautiful women, but all the patrons come for Madam!"

"Oh, you shouldn't say such things!"

"Let's find a place to sit," Dubian Che said after standing for a while.

"Look at me!" Madam said, chiding herself and leading them inside while speaking, "I haven't seen President Jiutiao for so long, and I got so carried away looking at the young master, I actually made you both stand the whole time."

They sat down in a private room.

"What would you like to drink today?" Madam didn't have any other women attend to them but kept them company herself. "The fine wines President Jiutiao has stored here or something else?"

Jiutiao Shensheng looked at Dubian Che.

"No alcohol," said Dubian Che, observing the decor and the well-dressed patrons.

Though he didn't fancy it, he thought it could be an opportunity to broaden his horizons.

Hearing Dubian Che's response, Jiutiao Shensheng quickly said, "We still have things to do later, just came out for a breather. Consider the place lent to us, Madam."

"Please, feel free to come! It would be my honor!"

Madam had the manager bring some snacks, juice, and high-class fruits.

Even though no alcohol was consumed, her company remained delightful.

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