The plane landed smoothly at a somewhat remote military airfield near Kyoto.
The hatch opened, and a foreign night breeze carrying a salty, damp scent rushed in.
“The three of you have arranged a safe place to stay.”
Su Lan stepped off the gangway first and said to Zhang Shaozhong and the other two who followed behind, "Let's rest tonight and adjust our state. We'll formulate an action plan tomorrow based on the specific situation."
Zhang Shao nodded. After such a long flight, although he wasn't tired, he did need to relax a bit.
He glanced at Ling Qingxue and Ye Meier beside him.
Ling Qingxue remained as calm and composed as ever, as if she had simply changed her meditation location.
Meanwhile, Ye Meier curiously surveyed the completely unfamiliar surroundings, her nostrils twitching as if trying to discern a "smell" in the air that differed from that of China.
The car that Su Lan had arranged was already waiting for a long time; it was a very ordinary-looking black sedan.
After the group got into the car, it quietly drove away from the airport and merged into the traffic of Kyoto at night.
The scenery outside the car window rushed past, revealing buildings, signs, and pedestrians full of Japanese characteristics. Ye Meier clung to the car window, watching with great interest: "Tsk tsk, this small place in Japan, the houses are built so densely, but it feels... a bit stingy."
Zhang Shaozhong helplessly pulled her back to sit down: "Wife, keep a low profile. We're here on business, not for tourism."
Ye Meier rolled her eyes at him in dissatisfaction, but still sat up straight, though her fingers were restlessly drawing circles on his thigh.
Ling Qingxue kept her eyes closed and rested the whole time, ignoring the noise from the outside world.
The car eventually stopped on a quiet, traditional street, in front of a well-established hot spring inn with a "takerigar" lantern hanging in its walls.
"This hotel is a reliable point of contact for us, and it's very safe."
Su Lan explained in a low voice, "The boss is one of our own."
As the group entered the inn, the elegant landlady, dressed in a kimono, was already waiting at the entrance. She bowed slightly to Su Lan and then said to Zhang Shaozhong and the others in fluent Chinese, "Welcome. The rooms are ready. Please follow me."
The inn's interior is in a typical Japanese style, with wooden structures, tatami mats, and sliding doors, exuding a tranquil and elegant atmosphere.
Ye Meier began to look around curiously again, finding the tatami room and low table quite novel.
"Is this where the Japanese sleep? They just sleep on the floor?"
She stepped onto the soft tatami mat and found it quite comfortable.
The landlady arranged two adjacent rooms for them. Logically, Zhang Shaozhong should have had one room by himself, while Ling Qingxue and Ye Meier should have shared one.
But before Zhang Shaozhong could speak, Ye Meier grabbed his arm and said to the landlady, "The three of us can stay in one room, and it has to be a big one!"
The proprietress had clearly been instructed beforehand; her face showed no sign of distress. She smiled and bowed, saying, "Okay, please follow me to the largest room, 'Moon View'."
Su Lan watched from the side, her lips twitching slightly, but she still didn't say anything.
The largest Japanese-style room was indeed spacious; even with three sets of futons laid out, it didn't feel crowded at all, and there was also an outer corridor facing a small courtyard.
"Please rest, everyone. Dinner will be served shortly." After making the arrangements, the proprietress quietly withdrew.
Su Lan also said goodbye, "I also live nearby. Contact me anytime if you need anything. Let's meet again tomorrow morning."
She glanced at Ling Qingxue, but ultimately said nothing more and turned to leave.
Only three people remained in the room.
Night Enchantress immediately revealed her true colors, cheering and rolling around on the soft bedding: "Wow! This mattress is so soft! It's just as good as our bed at home!"
Zhang Shaozhong shook his head helplessly, walked to the outer corridor, looked at the carefully trimmed pine trees and stone lanterns in the courtyard, and felt the tranquility of the night in a foreign land, but his heart was not at peace.
Ling Qingxue had somehow walked up to him and stood beside him, gazing at the same night sky.
"Husband, are you worried about tomorrow?"
Her cool voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet night.
Zhang Shaozhong sighed, making no attempt to hide it: "A little. After all, it's his territory."
"It's alright."
Ling Qingxue said calmly, "Mei'er and I will assist each other."
Her voice carried a reassuring power.
Zhang Shaozhong turned to look at her cool profile, which seemed to glow in the moonlight. The unease in his heart gradually dissipated, replaced by a surge of heroic spirit: "Yes! Who cares what kind of leader he is? If he dares to provoke us, we'll destroy his lair!"
"That's right! We destroyed his stronghold!"
Ye Meier had somehow gotten close, hugging Zhang Shaozhong from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder, and raising her eyebrows triumphantly at Ling Qingxue. "You hypocrite, don't you dare try to steal my kills this time! I want that old man's life!"
Ling Qingxue glanced at her indifferently without replying, but her eyes clearly said, "It's up to each of us."
Just then, the proprietress gently knocked on the door and brought in an exquisite Japanese-style dinner.
Sashimi, tempura, grilled fish, miso soup... filled the low table.
Ye Meier looked at the raw fish slices and wrinkled her nose: "This thing... can we eat it? It's all bloody."
Zhang Shaozhong seemed quite interested. He picked up a piece of food, dipped it in wasabi soy sauce, and popped it into his mouth. Instantly, a spicy sensation shot straight to his head, and tears welled up in his eyes: "Cough cough... That's strong!"
Ling Qingxue only tasted a little bit of grilled fish and rice before putting down her chopsticks, clearly showing little interest in these culinary delights.
Seeing this, Ye Meier's eyes darted around, and she picked up the largest tempura shrimp, held it to Zhang Shaozhong's lips, and said in a sickeningly sweet voice, "Husband~ Ah—try this, it's fried, it should suit your taste!"
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