Yama Reborn

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Eight: Buying Insurance

An assumption.

Could it be that Lu Xixi didn't understand Japanese?

Chen Nuo quickly dismissed this idea himself.

How could that be!

It was best not to count on such a fluke.

As Chen Nuo stood at the doorway, phone clenched in his hand, staring blankly, Maki appeared somewhat at a loss as she gazed at the young man before her.

His age seemed to be somewhere between a teenager and a young adult—but the strong impression from the elevator incident earlier that night, particularly President Higashida's respectful demeanor towards this man, likely amplified this effect. So, in Maki's eyes, he involuntarily seemed a bit older.

"Um..." Maki hesitated, her voice as soft and fragile as always—a voice and tone she used intentionally. This woman knew very well where her charms lay.

Chen Nuo glanced at her, then suddenly said, "You, come in!"

With that, he almost roughly grabbed Maki's arm and pulled her into his room.

Huh? Is he this rough?

Maki was somewhat taken aback, likely misunderstanding something. Aren't young men always this impatient? Shouldn't they chat for a bit first, say a few words?

Bewildered, Maki was dragged into the room by Chen Nuo, bracing herself for what she expected to be rough treatment.

And then... Chen Nuo dragged her into the living room and pointed to the sofa. "You, sit here and don't move!"

"Huh?" Maki was stunned for a moment but quickly responded like a frightened quail, "Yes, yes!"

Chen Nuo stood before Maki, observing her.

Her makeup was artfully applied, with fine brows and a light touch, making her appear even more delicate and submissive. The white dress, seemingly conservative, was actually quite alluring.

Well, after a moment's thought, Chen Nuo immediately guessed what was going on...

A white dress, huh?

That Higashida... he was being far too "thoughtful," wasn't he...

Damn it!

Thoughtfulness should have its limits! This was practically asking for trouble!

"Higashida sent you, right?"

"Um, yes, yes," Maki replied hurriedly. Seeing her look as if she might get up, Chen Nuo pointed his finger. "You, sit properly!"

"...Ah, yes!"

Chen Nuo thought for a moment, then picked up the phone to redial Lu Xixi.

Of course, the call didn't go through.

On Lu Xixi's end, her phone had been smashed in anger.

Putting down his phone, Chen Nuo sighed.

Is she... angry?

Fuck!

What's this woman so angry about?

Does she really think of me as her husband now?

However... considering how irrational she gets when she's upset, she couldn't be reasoned with.

And... Chen Nuo had a fair understanding of many things himself. The slight entanglement between them clearly had some unspoken elements. That night he was thrashed... Lu Xixi had clearly held back.

So then... should he try to coax her? Explain? Tell her Higashida sent the girl over on his own initiative, that it wasn't his idea?

But that would require Lu Xixi to answer the phone first.

If the call wouldn't connect, then he'd stop trying for now. She was probably angry and not answering, or had her phone off. Then he'd just wait. Wait until her anger cooled a bit and she turned her phone back on, then he'd call again.

"Sir..."

As Chen Nuo was pondering, Maki, sitting on the sofa feeling somewhat at a loss, finally spoke up, "...Sir, I..."

"You don't need to say anything." Chen Nuo glanced at the woman. "I understand. Your purpose... um..."

After thinking for a moment, Chen Nuo shook his head. "Higashida got it wrong. I'm not interested in you."

"..." Maki looked at Chen Nuo, somewhat taken aback.

Not interested?

Although she felt relieved, she couldn't help feeling a twinge of disappointment. This man clearly held a much higher status than Higashida. For Maki, the thought of seizing this opportunity to connect with him and find a powerful patron wasn't entirely absent.

He... wasn't interested?

At this thought, Maki suddenly became anxious.

Then... had her uninvited visit angered him?

Thinking this, Maki quickly stood up, bowing repeatedly like a chicken pecking at grain. "I... I was too presumptuous! Please, you absolutely must not blame me! I, I... President Higashida, he... I..."

Towards the end, she wasn't sure how to phrase her words. Clearing her own name was definitely necessary, but she dared not overly shift the blame onto Higashida Ichiro.

"Alright, I'm not angry," Chen Nuo shook his head.

"Then, I... I won't disturb your rest. I'll leave right now!" Maki said, getting up to leave.

"Wait a moment!" Chen Nuo shook his head, his tone gentle yet resolute. "You don't need to leave."

"Ah?"

Maki's heart skipped a beat—was he accepting her?

"Then, I..." Maki was unsure what to do.

Should I act flustered and passive? Or should I be proactive and approach him?

"Just sit here and wait! Don't move around, just sit properly!" Chen Nuo sighed.

This woman couldn't leave yet. He still needed to call Lu Xixi again. He'd have this woman explain things personally to clear his name!

Maki, however, was completely bewildered.

Waiting?

Her mind buzzed with a thousand questions, but she didn't dare to ask. She sat obediently on the sofa, legs together, hands resting demurely on her knees, her back straight. Actually, sitting in this position for a long time was a bit tiring.

However, Chen Nuo showed no interest in even glancing at her again. He paced around the room a few times, making several more calls during this period—naturally, none connected. After thinking it over, Chen Nuo simply composed and sent a few explanatory text messages. Then he waited a while longer and called again... still switched off.

Just like that, an hour passed.

Maki's lower back and shoulders were aching from sitting for so long, but in Chen Nuo's presence, she didn't dare show the slightest hint of fatigue. She quietly shifted her legs twice, still maintaining the posture of a straight back and hands on her knees. Chen Nuo was preoccupied with his phone and ignored Maki entirely, which made Maki feel even more that the situation was absurd—but she really didn't dare to speak up.

Finally, after about two hours, Chen Nuo concluded that Lu Xixi probably wouldn't answer his calls for now. Who knew how furious she was, or what crazy idea had gotten into her head.

He glanced at Maki sitting on the sofa, desperately trying to hide her panic.

"Um... Maki-chan, right? Maki is your name, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is!" Maki promptly gathered her spirits.

"Do you... have any other matters tonight?"

"No, nothing! According to President Higashida's wishes, my only task right now is to serve you well!"

"..." Chen Nuo sighed and nodded. "Okay, I understand. I do have something I need your help with."

"Yes! I can do anything for you! You can command me as you wish," Maki said, her voice intentionally tinged with an alluring softness.

Chen Nuo pretended not to understand her implication and shook his head. "Then just wait here for a bit."

Saying so, Chen Nuo walked to the side, picked up his phone, and dialed Higashida Ichiro's number.

Higashida Ichiro had already returned to his residence. When he received Chen Nuo's call, the chairman was reviewing some documents regarding the company's board personnel changes. Then, hearing his phone ring and seeing who was calling, Higashida immediately answered and stood up.

"Sir, do you have any instructions... Mm? Huh?... Ah! Yes! No problem! Okay! I'll arrange it right away! Yes!"

After hanging up, Higashida was about to make another call when he suddenly slapped his forehead!

What an idiot I am! Something like this, I should handle it personally! What a golden opportunity!

However, a sliver of doubt did creep into his mind.

That Maki... did she really possess such immense charm? It seems this woman is no simple character! She was, after all, the woman who had captivated Domoto Hideno for so long. She really had a way with men!

It took Higashida Ichiro only half an hour to rush back to the hotel. In the lobby, he called Chen Nuo, and soon after, Maki came down in the elevator.

At this moment, Maki was still utterly perplexed.

To be inexplicably asked to serve that man. To inexplicably enter his room and then sit on the sofa for two hours. Even more inexplicably, the man had fiddled with his phone for two hours, completely ignoring her. And most inexplicably of all, now she was being ordered to leave, go down to the lobby, and meet Higashida Ichiro again.

When Higashida Ichiro saw Maki coming out of the elevator, he breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly walked over to her. At the same time, Higashida Ichiro subtly shifted his expression from its usual sternness to one that was noticeably more affable.

On his way over, Higashida Ichiro had already carefully questioned the men he had left stationed at the hotel. The woman had entered the Special Commissioner's room...

And she had stayed inside for two hours!

Higashida Ichiro instantly felt he understood! Two hours... Clearly, the Special Commissioner was very pleased with this little surprise gift. Two hours... he must have thoroughly enjoyed the gift.

And furthermore...

"Maki-chan!" Higashida Ichiro approached Maki, his face showing a kind and friendly smile. "You... you did very well."

"...Huh?"

Did very well? I... I didn't do a damn thing!

"Maki-chan, you don't have any other engagements, do you?"

"...Uh?"

"Never mind, regardless of anything else, cancel it all."

"???"

"I've prepared a room for you in the hotel," Higashida Ichiro said with a smile. "For the next few days, you won't have to do anything. If there's any work or other matters, I'll instruct Fukuda to cancel them all for you. Hmm, you'll just stay here, on 24-hour standby. Understand?"

I don't understand a damn thing!!

Maki screamed in her heart, frustrated, but still maintained a soft and submissive expression on her face. "Um... what is this..."

"The gentleman must be very satisfied with your service, so... for the next few days, you'll stay here! I've already had a room prepared for you; it's on the same floor as the gentleman. You'll stay there! The gentleman might call you to serve him at any moment! You must exert all your effort, use your utmost abilities and best attitude, to ensure the gentleman remains in a pleasant mood! Do you understand?"

I don't understand a thing!!

Maki couldn't help but grumble inwardly. Still, she dared not show it on her face. "But, but..."

"No buts!" Higashida Ichiro's face hardened as he said sternly, "This is what that gentleman wants! Just do as you're told!"

"..."

"You will stay in this hotel! When the gentleman doesn't summon you, you can move around freely within it, and the company will cover all expenses. You can consume anything here; all of the hotel's facilities are at your disposal—food, accommodation, anything! Besides, if you need anything else, you can ask at any time. I will leave a few people in the hotel on standby, and you can tell them whatever you require. Beautiful clothes, cosmetics, any food... you can ask for absolutely anything. The only requirement is that you cannot leave the hotel and must always await that gentleman's summons! Do you understand?"

Maki wore a complex expression on her face.

However, Higashida Ichiro's face seemed to become gentle suddenly, and he even spoke in a very amiable tone, "Maki... this is a very rare opportunity! As long as you satisfy that gentleman, your future prospects are boundless. In the future... perhaps even I will need you to speak well of me in front of that gentleman."

She understood the implication of his words.

But... that's not how it is at all! That man isn't even interested enough to give me a second glance!

Maki instinctively wanted to say something... Suddenly, a thought struck her! She looked at the amiable Higashida Ichiro before her. She recalled how, at the elevator earlier that evening, this same President Higashida had worn an indifferent, superior expression, coldly ignoring Fukuda's desperate, kneeling pleas... Yet now, facing her, he was as affable as a family elder. Maki even faintly sensed a hint of ingratiation behind this amiability! Instantly, for reasons she couldn't quite pinpoint, Maki swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

She bowed seriously and spoke softly, "President Higashida, you are too kind. I will certainly serve that gentleman well."

Was this a case of borrowing someone else's prestige? It seemed so. And... I haven't lied. That man didn't say anything, and neither did I. If there's a misunderstanding, it's President Higashida's own doing. It has nothing to do with me.

Higashida Ichiro immediately had his subordinates escort Maki upstairs to her room. He then gave careful instructions to the trusted men he had stationed at the hotel: they absolutely had to treat this woman with the utmost courtesy! Moreover, as long as this woman obediently stayed in the hotel without wandering off and properly served that distinguished guest... then, beyond that, any request she made was to be fulfilled!

For Maki, her experience tonight felt like a dream. The formidable, cold, and arrogant President Higashida had completely changed his tune, his earlier arrogance replaced by deference. President Higashida's subordinates, who escorted her to her room, were also respectful to the core. They escorted her all the way, fawning over her. Even as she closed her door, these men remained standing outside, still bowing! Just two hours prior, these same men had brutally thrown her boss, Fukuda, against the wall like a stray dog!

All these changes were attributable to that peculiar young man...

Hmm, that man was currently staying in the largest suite at the very end of this floor.

But... what exactly did he mean by all this? Not touching me, yet making people keep me here, not allowing me to leave?

At this moment, neither Maki nor Higashida Ichiro knew that Chen Nuo had ordered Maki to stay at the hotel with a very simple purpose in mind. To Chen Nuo, this woman was merely a tool to explain things to an angry tigress. Chen Nuo's intention was simple: whenever Lu Xixi was willing to talk to him, he would immediately have this woman come over and personally explain to Lu Xixi over the phone!

Just a tool for explanation, nothing more.

When Higashida Ichiro left the hotel, his mind was also somewhat conflicted.

That Maki... she really possesses such great charm. Or is it... that the Special Commissioner is simply that lecherous by nature? A few days ago, it was that girl Xicheng Xun. One night at the hotel wasn't enough; he actually ended up sleeping at her house for three days. And today... he had Maki serve him for two hours. And then... he just ordered me to keep Maki at the hotel, not to let her leave, to be on standby at all times! Is this... has he gotten addicted to her?

In the hotel room, Maki sat alone for a while, trying to organize her chaotic thoughts. She didn't dare contact anyone outside. Higashida Ichiro had warned her not to casually tell anyone about staying at the hotel to serve that gentleman, or any related information. Naturally, she couldn't contact Fukuda either. After pondering for a while without any clear ideas, she simply stopped thinking about it.

She went straight into the bathroom, removed her makeup, changed clothes, and took a bath.

While soaking in the bathtub, Maki was suddenly struck by an idea!

That young man... He... He... he couldn't be impotent, could he?!

Feeling as if she'd suddenly discovered a crucial, overlooked point, Maki shot up from the bathtub with a start!

That must be it!! That man is completely impotent!! But to hide it, he deliberately kept me in the room for two hours! Then, he even had someone arrange for me to stay at the hotel, to serve him at any time... Actually, it's all just a cover-up!! A cover-up for his impotence! I'm... I'm just a tool he's using to hide his impotence! Yes! That has to be it!!

Maki, standing naked in front of the mirror, suddenly started laughing, a happy laugh.

This... this is actually pretty good! I don't have to give up anything! Maybe I can even use this to gain a lot of benefits!

Chen Nuo made another call to Lu Xixi before going to sleep. Then he called again when he woke up in the morning. Both attempts were fruitless.

Chen Nuo decided not to bother anymore.

It was just a misunderstanding. I called to explain, and I sent texts to explain. Why is she so incredibly upset? Forget it! I don't care anymore! When Lu Xixi is willing to talk, she'll at least reply to the messages. I've already sent several explanatory texts. If she still wants to be angry, then there's nothing I can do.

With that thought, Chen Nuo simply pushed the matter to the back of his mind.

I have real business to attend to!

Bei Tiaojie, male, currently thirty-seven years old. An expert in cellular biology, specializing in the field of brain neurology. Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at Tokyo University, obtained his PhD from Munich University's medical school, and was previously employed by the Bayer Group with a high salary to lead a research team. He also led the development of two new drugs targeting mutations in brain cell division. Later, he returned to Japan, was appointed as a senior professor at Tokyo University's Faculty of Medicine, and led an important research project.

It could be said that Bei Tiaojie was a top expert in the field of brain cells. At the age of thirty-seven, in the prime of his life, he was in the golden period most conducive to producing significant results. And indeed, that was the case. Last year, his paper on chromosomal telomere mutations in cells garnered widespread attention within the field. It was also due to this paper that he received the full backing of Tokyo University, which summoned him back from Germany to Tokyo to conduct specialized research.

At just thirty-seven, Bei Tiaojie couldn't yet be called an established giant in academia; he was more of a rising star on the path to becoming a leading authority. He had his own area of expertise and had achieved some preliminary progress. A bright future potentially lay ahead of him.

In his past life, Chen Yanluo had heard of his name. Indeed, in his past life, Chen Yanluo, tormented by a brain tumor, hadn't failed to seek solutions. It could be said he had explored every avenue he could think of... He had sought out almost all the world's top researchers in neurology. However, Chen Nuo in his past life had never met Bei Tiaojie. He had only heard of Bei Tiaojie's name.

In his past life, in his quest for a cure for his brain tumor, Chen Nuo once received help from a professor at Harvard Medical School. The result, of course, was disappointing. But in his past life, that professor had mentioned Bei Tiaojie's name to Chen Nuo. The exact words the professor told Chen Nuo were:

"Within our field, there was a Professor Bei Tiaojie who, a decade ago, proposed a related research topic and direction concerning chromosomal telomere mutations in brain cells... Furthermore, I've read several of his papers from that time, in which he put forth some very intriguing hypotheses and conjectures. Professor Bei's subsequent research was aimed at verifying these hypotheses and conjectures. If he had succeeded in proving them, it might have held the key to solving the problem you face. It's just... such a pity."

In his past life, Chen Nuo had not met Professor Bei Tiaojie because... he had met with an accident.

On the afternoon of July 16, 2001, Professor Bei was conducting business at a bank near Tokyo University when he was caught in an unexpected robbery. During the incident, Professor Bei was accidentally injured, and this injury resulted in permanent disability to his right hand. After several months of treatment, Professor Bei recovered and was discharged from the hospital, but his disabled right hand brought hidden dangers to his research. Finally, a year later, a mishandling due to his disabled left hand in the laboratory led to an accident. Harmful gases were released, injuring two lab personnel. One of them suffered severe poisoning that damaged their nerves, resulting in blindness. And that blind person was none other than Bei Tiaojie himself.

The blindness, coupled with his hand disability and the major laboratory accident, formed a series of devastating blows that completely crushed this brilliant scholar, who had the potential to become a leading research authority. He never recovered and died two years later from alcohol poisoning. Looking back at his life, the ultimate root of his changed destiny was that bank robbery incident, the one that disabled his left hand.

One might say... if only... If Bei Tiaojie hadn't been injured and disabled in that robbery, perhaps his subsequent research wouldn't have met with an accident, and he wouldn't have become blind. Then his research might have smoothly progressed and achieved brilliant results. And then... maybe it could have played a positive role in curing Chen Nuo's brain tumor in his past life!

Although in this life, Chen Nuo currently showed no signs of a brain tumor.

But... 'preparing for a rainy day,' as they say, Chen Nuo decided to make some preparations in advance!

Just consider it buying myself some insurance.

[BANG BANG BANG, asking for monthly tickets!]