Chapter 277: Meeting

“Sorry, I’m busy tonight.” Seeing this man lean in with a smile, she panicked slightly and took a hurried step back.

“No problem, tomorrow night works too. It’s settled then; I’ll pick you up after work tomorrow.” Lei Li said with a smile.

“Sorry, I’m busy tomorrow night as well.” Despite his striking appearance, the secretary still felt uneasy.

Lei Li was about to continue persuading her when he suddenly sensed someone standing right next to him.

Startled by someone getting so close without him noticing, he instinctively took a quick step back while reaching into his suit to prepare for any threat. Standing before him was a rugged man in his thirties, wearing a slightly yellowed short-sleeve shirt. His messy hair and stubbled chin made him look like a drifter who might have spent the night in a park.

Despite his disheveled appearance, Lei Li was deeply alarmed. Although he hadn’t practiced martial arts in years, his foundational skills were still strong. Other than his master, no one had ever approached him so stealthily.

If this man had intended to kill him, he would already be dead. Moreover, the oppressive aura emanating from him, like the calm before a storm, revealed that he was not only a martial artist but one of extraordinary caliber—possibly on the same level as Lei Yin.

Lei Li couldn’t believe that such a master existed in this era when martial arts were in decline. He wasn’t even confident he could draw his gun in time if this man attacked.

Although Lei Li’s nervous reaction puzzled the secretary, she respectfully greeted the man, “Good afternoon, Mr. Kuang.”

“Hmm,” Kuang Dao grunted, his gaze never leaving Lei Li.

After a moment, Kuang Dao coldly asked, “Are you Old Ghost Lei’s disciple?”

Judging by his tone, Lei Li couldn’t tell if this man was a friend or foe of his master, so he cautiously replied, “Yes, I am. May I ask if you’re an acquaintance of my master?” Despite the man looking only a few years older, Lei Li instinctively addressed him as “senior” due to the vast difference in their abilities.

Kuang Dao sneered, “Who would be friends with that old bastard? Hmph, it seems even Old Ghost Lei’s disciples are mediocre at best.”

Lei Li felt his face flush with embarrassment but couldn’t find the words to refute him. Even without a confrontation, allowing someone to get so close had already put him at a disadvantage.

Ignoring him, Kuang Dao strode straight into Lei Yin’s office. Curious about the man’s identity, Lei Li followed.

Opening the office door, Kuang Dao called out loudly, “What do you want this time?”

Lei Yin looked up from the documents he was reviewing and said directly, “Old Kuang, there’s another fight brewing. I’ve received intel that some hotel bosses are recruiting people to stir up trouble in China Town. I want to preemptively strike before they cause any chaos.”

Kuang Dao’s eyes lit up with excitement. “When?”

“I’ll notify you of their gathering time and place later. The scale is much smaller than last time—probably only sixty or seventy people. They suffered a loss before, so they’re not daring to come for a full fight, just to drive away customers.”

Although slightly disappointed, Kuang Dao shrugged, “Fine, better than nothing. Just a chance to stretch my muscles. And hey, don’t fight me for it this time.”

Lei Li interjected, “Master, these are just some small-time thugs. Can’t Akamatsu Ryuichiro take care of it with a few people?”

Before Lei Yin could respond, Kuang Dao shot him a glare and barked, “Nonsense! If they stop causing trouble, where am I supposed to find fights?”

Lei Li, sprayed with his spit, nearly reached for his gun in frustration.

Lei Yin explained, “I don’t want any ties between China Town and the Japanese underworld, so it’s better to handle it ourselves.”

Just as he finished speaking, his secretary’s voice came through the intercom: “Mr. Gennai, Ms. Hasegawa is here. Should I let her in?”

“Let her in,” Lei Yin replied.

Moments later, Naoko entered, dressed in a light purple, elegant long dress and carrying a thermos.

Hesitating briefly upon seeing others in the room, Naoko seemed unsure if she should come in.

Lei Yin reassured her, “Ignore them. They’re just bystanders.”

Naoko chuckled softly and closed the door behind her.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Kuang. Hello,” she greeted Kuang Dao and Lei Li politely before walking over to Lei Yin’s side.

Suddenly, Lei Li stepped forward, bowed, and said with a grin, “Lei Li greets Master’s wife! May you always remain youthful and as beautiful as ever.”

When Naoko saw the man, who looked older than herself, suddenly address her as “Shimu” (Master’s wife), she was startled and didn’t know what to say. She could only look helplessly at her lover standing beside her.

Lei Yin held her hand and said, “This guy is named Lei Li. He is indeed my disciple, so it’s only fitting for you to accept his courtesy.”

Hearing this, Naoko looked confused at this “disciple” who was clearly much older than her lover.

Lei Li grinned and said, “Master’s wife, you are so beautiful. No wonder Master doesn’t dare casually introduce you to us.”

Lei Yin glared at him and said, “A dog’s mouth can’t spit out ivory. Hey, Kuang, do you want to test my disciple’s skills?”

Kuang Dao’s eyes lit up immediately, and he looked at Lei Li with interest. Although this kid’s earlier performance was lacking, given that he was Old Ghost Lei’s disciple, Kuang Dao was genuinely curious to spar with him.

Lei Li shuddered under Kuang Dao’s gaze and quickly protested, “Master, I was just joking. There’s no need to be so harsh.”

Lei Yin smirked. “A hundred moves. If you can withstand one hundred of Kuang’s moves, I’ll do whatever it takes to help you win over Ms. Situ and even make sure she stays by your side unless there’s something urgent. What do you say? Willing to bet?”

Hearing this, Lei Li was tempted but tried to negotiate. “Senior Kuang is a top-tier expert. A hundred moves is too many. How about cutting it in half?”

“Cut in half? You’re joking. Eighty.”

“Sixty.”

“Fine, sixty.”

Lei Li was surprised at how smoothly this negotiation went, but seeing his master’s amused expression, he realized he had been tricked.

He quickly pleaded, “Master, can’t we reduce it a bit more? How about thirty?”

Lei Yin cursed, “Nonsense! We’ve already agreed. Now you want to back out? If you don’t want to bet, just forget it.”

Lei Li hurriedly replied, “Fine, I’ll bet! Master, remember, if I win, you must help me get Miss Situ.”

“When have I ever gone back on my word? But you’d better win first. Kuang, you can do whatever you want with this kid. He’s got some decent reflexes.”

Kuang Dao smiled insincerely and said, “Don’t worry. Since he’s your disciple, I’ll make sure to ‘take good care’ of him. Kid, let’s go.”

Lei Li grew more and more nervous but, thinking of that alluring figure, gritted his teeth and followed the rough-looking man out.

After they left, Lei Yin burst into laughter.

Rarely seeing him laugh so heartily, Naoko held his hand and smiled at him.

After laughing, Lei Yin pulled her into his arms and said gleefully, “That kid is so blinded by lust that he didn’t even assess his opponent before agreeing. He definitely won’t last forty moves against Old Kuang. He’s in for a tough time.”

Naoko, both amused and exasperated, said, “What kind of master does this to their disciple?”

Lei Yin lowered his head to kiss her cheek and said, “Do you really believe he’s my disciple?”

Naoko rested her head against his chest and softly replied, “If you say so, I’ll believe it.”

Filled with affection, Lei Yin whispered into her ear, “Do you want to know everything? I can tell you.”

Naoko gently shook her head and said, “I’ve passed the age of needing to know every detail. I made some chicken soup today; drink it while it’s hot, okay?” With that, she casually turned around and began opening the thermos.

Lei Yin smiled and hugged her slender waist tightly as she poured the soup.

After drinking the soup, Naoko carefully wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, as usual.

Lei Yin leaned close to her ear and said, “Don’t forget—tonight, wear that black miniskirt and those high-heeled sandals you wore last time. I really like that style; it looks great on you.”

Naoko blushed, wrapping her arms around his neck as she coyly replied, “Got it.”

Suddenly recalling something, she said, “Oh, I almost forgot. Aiko called me this afternoon and asked you to call her back.”

“Why didn’t that little rascal call me directly?”

“She said your phone was off.”

Lei Yin took out his phone and realized it was indeed off, likely because the battery had died.

Naoko smiled and handed him her phone.

“Hello, Aiko? It’s Gennai. Did you need something?”

After ending the call, Lei Yin’s expression turned puzzled. “Aiko said her friend, who was hospitalized due to a car accident, wants to see me. Strange. Why would she suddenly want to see me?”

Naoko thought for a moment before saying, “That girl, Aikura Ai, has met you a few times before. Perhaps she wants to say goodbye to all her friends before going abroad for treatment.”

Lei Yin nodded and said, “I’ve arranged to visit her with Aiko tomorrow morning.”

Naoko looked at him tenderly and said, “Drive carefully.”

Lei Yin lowered his head and kissed her soft lips.

Naoko gently wrapped her arms around his neck, responding to his kiss with deep affection.