Chapter 60
At the Atobe Manor on the outskirts of London, the night gently wraps around the ancient stone walls.
Inside, the long dining table shone warmly in the candlelight. Atobe Keigo gracefully cut into the steak on his plate, his knife and fork clinking against the bone china plate, making a subtle, crisp sound. He was the only one dining in the vast restaurant, leaving it feeling somewhat empty and quiet.
The silence was suddenly broken by the sound of footsteps. As the butler respectfully led the two people in, Atobe's hand holding the dinner knife paused almost imperceptibly.
He raised his eyes, saw who was coming, and a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes, but then it was covered by his usual calmness. He put down his knife and fork, gently pressed the corner of his mouth with his napkin, and stood up.
"Father, Mother." Atobe Keigo nodded slightly, "I didn't expect you to come here so suddenly."
His tone was calm, without much emotion, as if he was just talking about the weather.
Tatsumi Atobe looked at his son with a businessman's sharp scrutiny, which eventually gave way to a smile of approval. He walked over to the dining table and patted his son's shoulder, neither too hard nor too soft. "Keigo, you're doing well."
Atobe Keigo raised his eyebrows slightly, waiting for the next step.
"This Yamamoto family business in the UK," Tatsumi Atobe pointed out directly, his tone a bit amused. "You've only been in charge for less than a year, right? You're quick and clean. You're resolute and decisive, yet every step is upright and aboveboard, making it impossible to find fault. I'm afraid old Yamamoto must be chomping at the bit."
Faced with his father's sudden visit and straightforward praise, Atobe Keigo simply curled his lips slightly, sat back in his seat, and signaled the butler to add tableware.
"It's not a big deal," he said flatly, as if stating an established fact. "Yamamoto himself gave others a handle, and there are so many loopholes. You can't blame others for following the rules and exposing them to market regulations. This is just a normal business error."
At this time, Atobe Eiko also sat down slowly. Her well-maintained face showed a gentle insight into the world, but her eyes were equally sharp.
"Speaking of the Yamamotos," she said, looking at her son, her voice soft but packed with information. "Lately, the Yamamoto family seems to be in even greater trouble at headquarters in Japan. I don't know who's behind this, but they've lost several major projects they were determined to win, and the losses are considerable. The Yamamoto family is now in a state of panic, scrambling to put out fires everywhere."
She paused, her eyes sweeping over her husband and son. "Luckily, the core project we're collaborating on with them has remained stable and unaffected. But now Yamamoto is tied up in the troubles in Japan and can't spare any attention. I'm afraid the British side will be caught between two priorities."
What this means is that Yamamoto's business in the UK, which was taken over by Atobe, will be unable to recover in the short term.
Upon hearing this, Atobe Keigo gently stroked the glass's rim with his fingers, a glint of understanding flashing in his deep eyes. He didn't respond immediately, but simply gazed thoughtfully at the deep red wine in the glass.
"What's going on?" Tatsumi Atobe keenly noticed the change in his son's expression and leaned forward slightly, asking inquiringly, "Do you know who's 'helping' the Yamamoto family lose the project?"
Atobe Keigo raised his eyes, met his father's gaze, and nodded calmly: "Well, it should be... Xiaoyin."
"She?" Eiko Atobe was slightly stunned. The name came out of her son's mouth with a certainty that surprised both Atobe and his wife.
They knew that their son had a close relationship with the girl named "Xiao Yin", but they didn't expect it to involve such a level of business game.
"Yes." Atobe Keigo didn't evade the question, explaining calmly, "The Yamamoto family's failures in those domestic projects were very skillful and their timing was precise. The forces behind them were fully aware of the market trends and Yamamoto's weaknesses."
"Given her background and current situation, it's most likely that she could do it so cleanly without leaving any traces."
Atobe briefly mentioned that I was from the Long family. These few words were enough to shock his parents.
"The Long family..." Tatsumi Atobe repeated the surname in a low voice, and the expression on his face gradually changed from initial surprise to a deep emotion.
He looked at his wife and they exchanged a knowing look.
"He's quite the hidden talent," Atobe Shinichiro exclaimed, a subtle hint of respect in his tone. "Unfazed, yet swift and decisive. He truly is someone who comes from a powerful family. He keeps a low profile on ordinary days, but when the chips are down…"
He didn't finish, but his unfinished words were clear enough.
At this moment, the butler appeared at the door of the restaurant again, holding a package that looked quite exquisite and had obvious cold chain transportation marks.
"Master Jingwu, we have just received an international package addressed to you. We have checked it as per the usual procedure and it is confirmed to be safe."
Atobe Keigo was also a little confused. Who would send him a package across international borders?
He gestured to the butler to place it on the side table. After removing the outer protective layer, he discovered a cleverly designed refrigerated container.
When you open the lid, a sweet and elegant fragrance comes out faintly.
Inside the box are several extremely delicately shaped pastries, which vividly present the shapes of peonies and peonies, with layered petals and warm colors, like miniature works of art.
Next to the refrigerator box, there is a simple and elegant piece of paper with clear and powerful handwriting on it: [Enjoy the golden autumn festival with you].
There was a photo underneath the note.
The girl in the photo, wearing a slightly oversized kitchen apron and a smudge of flour on her face, beams at the camera, flashing a victory sign. Carefully, she holds a tray of freshly made pastries, the very prototypes of the Chinese dim sum in the freezer. A beautifully furred golden retriever crouches at her feet, its head tilted upwards in curiosity, a dab of flour adorning its nose, its eyes lively and animated.
Naturally, Tatsumi Atobe and Eiko also saw the photo and the box of exquisite pastries. They looked at each other, and a gentle and understanding smile appeared in their eyes.
Atobe Keigo's gaze fell on the girl's face in the photo, whose face was covered in flour and had a bright smile, and then he looked at the feelings in the box that came across mountains and seas.
At that moment, stars seemed to fall into his deep eyes, and his usual assertive confidence was replaced by a deeper and softer glow, which was almost overflowing with love and pure joy.
He picked up the photo and gently brushed his fingertips across the girl's smiling face in the photo. The curve of her lips was clear and gentle.
That night, Keigo Atobe's personal INS account was updated.
There was no elaborate description, only a single photo: Under the light, those exquisite peony cakes, like works of art, were carefully arranged on a bone china plate, next to a cup of steaming black tea. The accompanying text contained only five simple words:
【We share this moment】
This photo and these five short words instantly set off another heated discussion in the comment section.
Time flows silently like the fine snow falling in the exquisite handmade Christmas snowball sent by Atobe.
A snow globe sits quietly on a corner of my desk, its miniature Tower Bridge and falling "snowflakes" capturing the winter mood. In a blink of an eye, the scenery outside the window changes from bleak to the chill of spring, and another Spring Festival arrives amid the bustle and warmth of family reunions.
In the spacious dining room of the ancestral home, the long table was filled with sumptuous New Year's dishes and the air was filled with laughter and chatter.
My fifth brother has returned and has taken over his complex financial empire again. The burden on my shoulders has suddenly become much lighter. At this moment, I am listening to the elders chatting with a long-lost sense of relaxation.
My uncle took a sip of wine and listened to my fourth brother excitedly describing their family's just-concluded trip to Western Europe, his eyes revealing undisguised envy.
"Oh," he sighed deeply, deliberately put on a stern face, put his chopsticks on the table, and pointed his finger at his two sons - the eldest brother and the second brother.
"Look at the fourth child! And then look at you two! Besides going to work, you just stay home with your wives and watch the kids do their homework! Do you even have eyes for us, your parents?"
He was like a child throwing a tantrum, his tone full of "accusations," "We want a vacation too! We want to go out and see the world too! We're tired of being around you all day!"
This rare display of "old naughty boy" caused everyone at the table to burst into laughter.
The eldest brother quickly smiled and comforted him: "Dad, look at what you said, aren't you worried that you two old people will be tired from the journey?"
"Why are you so tired? I'm in good health!" My uncle straightened his back unconvinced, and then his eyes lit up, as if he had found a very legitimate reason.
"Hasn't the internet been buzzing about the 'return of overseas cultural relics' craze lately? It's got my blood boiling! I've decided, I want to go to the British Museum too! To cultivate some patriotic feelings in my old bones! This is called... this is called a field trip!"
The moment the word "Britain" entered my ears, my heart skipped a beat. My fingers gripping the teacup subconsciously tightened, the warm wall of the cup caressing my palm.
Without any hesitation, I put down my teacup. The sound was not loud, but it clearly drowned out the conversation at the table.
"My uncle and aunt want to go to England to relax. This is a great idea."
"It just so happens that I just recently finished handing over Fifth Brother's affairs, so I have some free time." I met my uncle and aunt's slightly surprised gazes, and said with the consideration and initiative of a younger generation, "How about I go with you two? I can take care of you on the way."
My uncle's eyes lit up instantly, and my aunt also smiled happily: "Having Xiaoyin accompany you is really great!"
After the dinner, I returned to my quiet room, with the sparse lights of the city outside the window.
I picked up my phone and clicked on the familiar profile picture. My fingertips paused on the screen for a moment before sending the message:
"In the spring, I'm traveling to England with my uncle and aunt, probably to London. If it's convenient... I'd like to stop by and see you?"
The message was replied almost instantly.
[Of course! You are most welcome!]
Then came Keigo Atobe's signature response, filled with undeniable excitement and a desire for control:
I'll take care of all the itinerary arrangements. When will you arrive? How long will you stay?
[Are there any places your uncle and aunt particularly like to visit, or do they have any dietary preferences or dietary restrictions?]
What are your accommodation requirements? Do you prefer a quiet or bustling area?
A series of questions came at him, and I could feel his seriousness and eagerness even through the screen.
In the following days, Atobe seemed to have transformed into the most professional travel planner.
In his free time, his information is always timely.
My uncle loves historical artifacts, so the British Museum is definitely top of the list. What about the National Gallery? Interested?
What about Auntie? Interested in a garden or afternoon tea? I know a few that are very authentic and relatively quiet.
The weather is still a bit chilly, so a fireplace would be cozy. How about a manor-style hotel with a private garden? It's not far from the city, but quiet enough.
[As for Chinese food, there are several excellent Cantonese and Huaiyang restaurants, all with chefs hired from mainland China. Or perhaps your uncle and aunt want to try authentic British cuisine?]
I couldn't help but laugh as I reminded him, "My uncle and aunt are both very low-key and down-to-earth people. They don't like to be ostentatious. Comfort, convenience, and safety are paramount. As for food, clean and hygienic Chinese food is best. British... I guess they'll just try it. Accommodation should be quiet and comfortable, no need to be overly extravagant."
[Understood.] He replied simply, [Don't worry, I'll make the arrangements.]
Finally, the day of departure arrived.
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