"Alright, let's do it this way!" Fujiwara Hirofumi nodded.
Uehara Junpei continued, "Sir, we have prepared a welcome banquet at the Wujiang Hotel tonight..."
Before he could finish speaking, Fujiwara Hirofumi waved his hand to interrupt him: "Uehara-kun, I don't want to be too conspicuous this time I'm in Shanghai, so let's skip the welcome banquet."
Upon hearing this, Uehara Junpei hesitated. Fujiwara Tomohito had already arranged everything at the Wujiang Hotel, but he hadn't expected that Fujiwara Hirofumi had no intention of going at all.
“Sir, it’s just a small welcoming banquet. Tomohito has been preparing for it for a long time. You should…” Uehara Junpei advised again.
However, Fujiwara Hirofumi shook his head and said, "Uehara-kun, I appreciate your kindness, but I'm a bit tired after disembarking, so I won't bother you any longer!"
Upon hearing this, Uehara Junpei could only nod in agreement helplessly. Just as he was about to take his leave, Fujiwara Hirofumi suddenly asked, "Tomohito is your sworn nephew. Did you know each other back in Japan?"
When Uehara Junpei heard Fujiwara Hirofumi ask the question, he was delighted, which meant that Fujiwara Hirofumi was still somewhat interested in Fujiwara Tomohito. He quickly perked up and replied, "It was shortly after Tomohito came to Shanghai from Japan that we met by chance through a friend of mine. Although Tomohito is young, he has a calm demeanor and is very talented. We hit it off immediately and began to address each other as uncle and nephew."
Seeing Uehara Junpei praising Fujiwara Tomohito, Fujiwara Hirofumi smiled and said, "Uehara-kun is also a person who appreciates talent. It is not easy for Tomohito to gain your favor. Why don't you call him in? I also want to have a chat with him."
Uehara Junpei hurriedly nodded in agreement, left the study, and came to the living room, where he said to the other generals, "Tonight's banquet is canceled. Mr. Fujiwara is tired from his journey and does not wish to cause any more trouble."
The generals exchanged disappointed glances and could only nod in agreement.
Uehara Junpei then looked at Ning Zhiheng beside him and said, "Zhiren! The master wants you to come in; he wants to talk to you!"
“Yes, Uncle!” Ning Zhiheng quickly nodded in agreement, picked up the gift he had prepared earlier, and followed Uehara Junpei to the door of the study.
"Zhi Ren, be careful and seize this opportunity!" Uehara Junpei instructed. He had finished his work, and the rest was up to Ning Zhiheng.
Ning Zhiheng nodded in agreement, then knocked on the door and entered. He bowed deeply before Fujiwara Hirofumi and said, "Uncle!"
"Zhi Ren, come, sit down and let's talk!"
Fujiwara Hirofumi said kindly, gesturing for Ning Zhiheng to sit down in the chair next to him.
How long have you been in Shanghai?
“It’s been almost three years. I came to Shanghai in early 1943, then spent a year in Hong Kong, and then returned to Shanghai, where I’ve been ever since,” Ning Zhiheng answered cautiously.
"How old are you this year? Are there any other family members?" Fujiwara Hirofumi asked, as if he were a family member chatting casually, in a very approachable manner.
“I am 21 years old this year. I have no relatives left. My parents passed away one after another in the epidemic in Kyoto Prefecture in 1949. My sister married far away, and I have been living alone ever since. After graduating, I responded to the Emperor’s call and immigrated to China.”
In 1945, a large-scale epidemic broke out in the Kyoto and Osaka prefectures, killing many people. Fujiwara Hirofumi knew this clearly, and his face darkened when he heard Ning Zhiheng say this.
His gaze toward Ning Zhiheng softened. His parents died early, and he had to live alone at such a young age. What a pitiful child!
"How is life in Shanghai? Are you having any difficulties?" Fujiwara Hirofumi asked kindly, then realized that since he had become Uehara Junpei's adopted nephew, he must be living a worry-free life.
As expected, Ning Zhiheng waved his hands repeatedly and replied with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Uncle. After all, I am a member of the Fujiwara family and have the protection of Uncle Uehara. I have no difficulties in life. I have opened a Fujiwara company in Shanghai, which mainly deals in import and export trade. The business is doing very well, and I am very satisfied with my current life."
"But I am far away overseas, away from my hometown, and I miss my family. When I heard that you were coming to Shanghai, I specially asked Uncle Shangyuan to introduce me. I am extremely grateful to have the honor of meeting you!"
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