Chapter 18

Taking a deep breath, Li Xu slowly opened his eyes, then quickly closed them again, and slowly exhaled. When he first opened his eyes, he was still a bit dazed, but after seeing the Japanese ceiling, he quickly regained his senses. He had indeed returned to Japan. He yawned and, with his eyes still closed, reached out to the side, only to find nothing there. This unexpected change made him pause for two seconds before he remembered what had happened, and he couldn't help but chuckle.

Last night, Deng Lijun's worldview had been severely shaken. After dinner, she said she wanted to be alone and stayed in the guest room, so she naturally wasn't lying next to him now.

"Oh, silly girl is still a silly girl," Li Xu muttered, lying lazily on the tatami mat, not wanting to move.

He didn't often sleep on a tatami mat. In Japan's upper class, this was either used by the elderly for nostalgia or to maintain tradition.

However, sleeping on a hard board helps adjust the body. Li Xu usually slept on a soft bed in the U.S., so every time he came to Japan, he had to sleep on a tatami mat for a few nights.

"Master." As the door slid open, Yamaguchi Momoe's voice sounded softly.

"Hmm." He responded without opening his eyes, and then a warm, damp towel was placed on his face.

Despite the Americans' efforts to transform Japan, due to its social封闭性 and its position at the forefront of the Cold War, many feudal remnants still remained.

For example, this meticulous service, which he had enjoyed since childhood, was completely hands-free and mouth-free. Initially, it was done by a personal servant, but after Yamaguchi Momoe became his... maid, she naturally took over.

The temperature and humidity of the towel were just right, and it wiped his face in a very regular and comfortable manner, taking care of every aspect of his feelings, as if it knew his face better than he did.

Then it moved down to wipe his body. Yamaguchi Momoe's hands were warm, having been specially warmed beforehand, and her technique was equally meticulous.

Of course, she had received specialized training at home, and was ordered to learn it—Momoe didn't say it outright, but Li Xu had probed and found out.

Although there were servants in the U.S., they certainly didn't provide such intimate service. Li Xu suddenly felt a bit regretful. If it weren't for the need to preserve Yamaguchi Momoe's legendary ending, he could have taken her to the U.S. with him.

After all, she was one of the best idols in Japan at the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s, and was very popular in East Asia. With so many Japanese immigrants in North America, if she were seen, it would cause a lot of unnecessary trouble.

On the other hand, being born into such a family, although it was respectable and provided a worry-free life, the responsibilities were also enormous.

Fortunately, his father was American, or else... Oh! Li Xu, with his eyes closed, suddenly drew in a cold breath, calling out several times in his mind.

Oh... no! His body tensed slightly. Having lived in the U.S. for too long, he forgot to tell Momoe that he didn't need her service this morning, so...

Although so, Li Xu didn't say anything to stop her, allowing Yamaguchi Momoe to continue. When a chill ran down his spine, making him shiver, he finally sat up after she finished, let her dress him, and then got up.

"Would you like breakfast, Master?" After Li Xu stood up, Yamaguchi Momoe knelt beside him, her body bent low, her voice somewhat muffled, as if she hadn't fully swallowed.

"Where's Lijun?" Li Xu asked, adjusting his clothes.

"Deng-san got up at 6, stayed in the garden for a while, and then went back to rest. She hasn't gotten up yet," Yamaguchi Momoe replied. The clock on the wall showed it was 9:10.

"Alright, then bring it to my room directly." Li Xu shrugged, then stretched his arms, admitting that a comfortable morning service indeed made one feel refreshed.

Yamaguchi Momoe quickly brought the breakfast, which included rice sprinkled with caviar, a fine miso soup, grilled saury with the bones removed, and two neatly cut egg cakes, simple yet exquisite.

Of course, the portion was several times larger than the previous night's meal, as he was tall and far exceeded the average Japanese person.

"Have it cleared away." After a hearty meal, Li Xu had Yamaguchi Momoe call the servants to clear the table, then looked at her face with a meaningful gaze: "What do you want, Momoe?"

Yamaguchi Momoe was taken aback, almost reflexively kneeling to apologize: "I'm very sorry, Master Li!"

Seeing her fearful and respectful demeanor, Li Xu wanted to facepalm. What kind of training had the Kujo family given her? Although Japanese women were accustomed to obedience, being so submissive was a bit exaggerated. Was this still the Yamaguchi Momoe he remembered?

"Alright, Momoe, no need to be like that. I'm asking you a question," Li Xu said calmly.

"Yes, Master," Yamaguchi Momoe seemed to realize he wasn't angry, and finally straightened up, though her head was still bowed. "Master Li, the production team... the production team has my scenes today. I hope... I hope I can go in the afternoon... to complete my... work."

"Is that it?" Li Xu said lightly. "Of course, go ahead. Finish and come back. Do your best."

"Yes, Master." Yamaguchi Momoe bowed deeply and backed out of the room.

Li Xu followed her out and paused at the door. Deng Lijun had come over at some point, standing there, staring blankly at Yamaguchi Momoe as she backed out.

Yamaguchi Momoe didn't stop, merely bowed slightly to her and quickly left.

"Have you had breakfast?" Li Xu asked.

"Ah? Yes... I've had it. The servant... the servant brought it to my room," Deng Lijun stammered, though she seemed calm, her hands were constantly twisting together.

"Let's go. We'll tour Tokyo today, then stay at the Shizuizan area, which is less oppressive than here," Li Xu said casually, pretending not to notice her discomfort.

He had hoped Deng Lijun might show some change, but from the conflicted, resigned emotions hidden behind her face, he knew she was fundamentally no different from Yamaguchi Momoe.

"O... okay." Deng Lijun nodded and didn't speak, standing cautiously until Li Xu led her away.

Tokyo in 1980 still had plenty to see. Being such a large city with 23 wards, even a cursory tour of all 23 would take a whole day.

Deng Lijun was very cautious throughout the day, always nodding in agreement to whatever Li Xu said, far less lively than she had been in the U.S.

Li Xu could roughly guess her thoughts. Before this, although she had been forcibly kept, she was at least a caged canary he had worked hard to obtain, and he had no other women around.

Moreover, in the U.S., he had almost always granted her requests and protected her from the Baomu people. Although surprised by his family background, it at least showed that he cared for her.

However, after seeing Yamaguchi Momoe, she realized it wasn't that he had no interest in other women, but that he could have anyone he wanted, even top Japanese idols, with just a word. So, it wasn't that he had no other women around.

The feeling of loss was evident, and in her anxiety, it gradually turned into various worries about the future.

Li Xu didn't plan to say anything comforting. Deng Lijun's imagination had already run wild, and anything he said would only make things worse.

They toured until late afternoon, and he brought her to the villa in Shizuizan.

Shizuizan, located by Tokyo Bay, was a famous wealthy area, like New York's Long Island or Los Angeles' Beverly Hills. The villa was smaller than the old house in the Toshima area, but its modern architectural style and minimalist decor made it no wonder Li Xu preferred living there.

"Ah, Li Xu just went to Shizuizan without a word, which really makes Mom sad," Li Xu heard his mother's complaining voice through the phone, making him grind his teeth.

"That's because Mother has work to do and can't be disturbed. I left a message with Uncle Hattori," he replied respectfully.

After all, his mother, Michiko, managed the Kujo Chamber of Commerce, which had nothing to do with the yakuza. She had to deal with many things every day, and as a woman, she faced various internal and external issues over the years. So, when Li Xu woke up, she had already left early.

This time, Li Xu returned to Japan to visit his mother, handle his affairs, and take Deng Lijun shopping. The first task was done, and he didn't need to advise his mother, so he took the opportunity to get as far away as possible. Was he supposed to stay and be a masochist?

"Alright, alright, Li Xu is a grown-up now and can make his own decisions," Michiko sighed, playing the role of a mother who was sad to see her child grow up.

"If there's nothing else, please allow me to hang up," Li Xu replied, rolling his eyes.

"Really..." his mother complained, then added, "Oh, there's one thing I haven't told Li Xu yet. Nintendo's Yamauchi Hiroshi called the old house today. Shōhei wasn't there, so the call was forwarded to me, and I gave them Li Xu's address in Shizuizan."

"Ah?" Li Xu was taken aback. "Mother, you don't mean..."

"Yes, Yamauchi Hiroshi said he would come to visit you later," his mother chuckled.

I knew you wouldn't let me off so easily... Li Xu's lips twitched, but he quickly sneered. Do you think I'm unprepared? Impossible! If Yamauchi Hiroshi comes alone, it's one thing, but if he brings Yokoi Gunpei... hmm!