Chapter 201: Every Fat Person Is a Potential Stock

Jiang Jian Yue turned her face away uncomfortably, avoiding his burning gaze.

She muttered under her breath, “Miki did it. This kid’s eyes are practically popping out of his head.”

Meiguan’s voice, perfectly timed to ruin the mood, rang out in Jiang Jian Yue’s mind.

‘However, all things considered, this outfit really is quite good. At the very least, it fixes your flat figure and gives it a sense of high-end quality. Is this what they call the “scarcity value of a strategic airport”?’

‘Shut up!’

Jiang Jian Yue forced herself to remain calm as she turned her gaze back, looking Yuki Asahi up and down.

Then, her eyes narrowed slightly.

“…The clothes are fine,” she evaluated with feigned indifference, struggling to suppress the curl of her lips.

“Did Mr. Hattori… pick them?”

“Yes, Mr. Hattori took me to buy them.”

Yuki Asahi gave an embarrassed smile and walked over.

“He said… I couldn’t embarrass you.”

“Hmph.”

Jiang Jian Yue let out a soft snort, but the smile in her eyes could not be hidden.

“He’s meddling.”

She reached out, intending to grab the clutch sitting on the sofa, but just as her fingertips touched the strap, a slender and powerful hand picked it up first.

Yuki Asahi held the delicate black clutch and naturally stood by her side.

He slightly bent his left arm, making an inviting gesture.

“Let’s go, My Princess.”

Perhaps it was the suit that gave him courage, or perhaps the atmosphere of the moment was simply too wonderful, but Yuki Asahi offered a rare joke.

Jiang Jian Yue froze for a moment.

She looked at his offered arm, then at his face, which wore a gentle smile.

‘…Who is your princess?’

She countered in a low voice, yet she still reached out and gently took his arm.

Through the fabric of the suit, she could feel the firmness and warmth of the boy’s arm muscles.

“Sasaki is already waiting downstairs.”

***

The black Maybach drove smoothly through the night in Tokyo.

The original Mercedes S-Class had been sent in for repairs, and it was about time for a new car anyway.

Outside the window, the bustling city neons blurred past like streaks of light.

Inside the carriage, it was very quiet.

Sasaki maintained his professional driver’s demeanor as usual, looking straight ahead as if he were one with the driver’s seat.

In the back seat, Jiang Jian Yue and Yuki Asahi sat side by side.

The center armrest had not been lowered, so the two were very close.

With the slight swaying of the vehicle, their shoulders occasionally bumped into each other.

Jiang Jian Yue looked out the window, seemingly admiring the night view, but she was actually using the reflection in the glass to steal glances at the person beside her.

Yuki Asahi sat upright with his hands on his knees, looking a bit nervous.

“Nervous?”

Jiang Jian Yue suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.

“Ah? A little bit.”

Yuki Asahi turned his head with a wry smile.

“After all, it’s such a grand occasion, and I’ll be meeting so many important people…”

“Don’t worry about them.”

Jiang Jian Yue’s voice was flat, carrying an innate arrogance.

“They’re just… boring people.”

She turned her head and looked directly into Yuki Asahi’s eyes, saying seriously, “You just… need to stay with me. You are the Captain of the Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu, and… you are mine.”

The words were spoken with a hint of dominance, but they miraculously caused the majority of the tension in Yuki Asahi’s heart to dissipate.

“Yeah.”

Yuki Asahi nodded, his gaze becoming soft and determined.

As if possessed, he reached out in the dim carriage and gently covered Jiang Jian Yue’s hand, which was resting on the seat.

Jiang Jian Yue’s fingers trembled slightly, but she did not pull away.

Instead, she turned her palm over, sliding her fingers between his and interlacing them.

Their palms pressed together, and their temperatures merged.

***

The Tokyo Imperial Hotel, “Peacock Room.”

A massive crystal chandelier cast a brilliant yet soft glow, and the air was filled with the scent of expensive champagne and the melodious sound of orchestral music.

The top figures from Japan’s political and business worlds, and even the underground, were gathered here.

Although it was ostensibly an official banquet to celebrate the smooth convening of the GSAC, everyone knew in their hearts that this was the final dignified probe before the deck was reshuffled.

When the black Maybach stopped at the hotel’s main entrance, the flashes from both sides of the red carpet instantly lit up like a torrential rain.

The car door opened, and Yuki Asahi stepped out.

He took a deep breath, not intimidated by the dizzying array of camera flashes.

He turned and extended his hand into the car with extreme gallantry.

A hand as white as jade rested in his palm.

Jiang Jian Yue stepped out of the car.

In that instant, a vacuum-like silence fell over the noisy red carpet area for one second.

She wore a minimalist black gown, her pale grey hair was pinned up, and her blood pupils were soul-stirring under the night sky.

She wore no jewelry; her existence itself was the most dazzling gem.

She took Yuki Asahi’s arm, her chin slightly raised.

Her gaze did not linger on any single camera.

That innate indifference and arrogance made her look like a queen inspecting her territory rather than a guest attending a banquet.

“Let’s go,” she said softly.

Her arm tensed slightly as she led a somewhat stiff Yuki Asahi onto the red carpet.

The aura she had developed from her months of commanding work ensured she did not show any cowardice.

Morita Aoya and Akimoto Miki were already waiting to the side.

Like the most loyal of guards, they followed the two into the venue, one on each side.

The moment they entered the Peacock Room, an even thicker atmosphere of power surged toward them.

“Is that Miss Jiang Jian from the DRG? She truly is as impressive as the rumors say.”

“Who is the boy beside her? I haven’t seen that face before.”

“I heard he’s the Captain of the newly formed First Team of the Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu. His name is Yuki Asahi?”

Whispers spread through the crowd.

Countless gazes filled with inquiry, envy, and jealousy, and even malice, were cast their way.

Yuki Asahi suppressed his curiosity, choosing not to activate his Chantui ability.

Jiang Jian Yue ignored it all.

She skillfully dealt with several cabinet ministers who approached them, her face wearing an impeccable social smile.

Her words were polite yet maintained a subtle distance.

Although Yuki Asahi had undergone crash training with Koji Hattori, he still appeared somewhat green in this setting full of “old foxes.”

He could only try his best to maintain an upright posture and stay close to Jiang Jian Yue, acting as a competent companion.

“Missy, there are several representatives from the Mitsui Group over there. We should go over and say hello,” Morita Aoya reminded her in a low voice.

Jiang Jian Yue frowned slightly but eventually nodded.

Just as she was about to turn, she felt her skirt snag on something.

“Ah! I am so sorry!”

A clear voice rang out, followed by a hand quickly and gently helping her straighten her skirt.

Jiang Jian Yue looked down and saw a boy wearing a waiter’s uniform.

The boy was slender, perhaps even a bit thin.

His short black hair was neatly styled, and his features were delicate and handsome, exuding a scholarly air.

However, his face was slightly pale, and he looked somewhat nervous.

“I am truly sorry, Lady Jiang Jian! I wasn’t paying attention—”

The boy looked up, revealing a pair of somewhat timid but very clean light blue eyes.

Jiang Jian Yue froze as she looked into those eyes.

Those eyes… that timid yet hardworking expression… and that voice.

“…Mizuki?”

Jiang Jian Yue spoke with uncertainty.

The young waiter’s body stiffened abruptly, and then an expression of joy erupted on his face.

He lowered his voice and said, “Yes! Lady Jiang Jian! You recognized me?”

It was really Mizuki Kotaro?!

“Hello, Master Yuki.”

Yuki Asahi asked in confusion, “You are…?”

“We’ve met several times. It’s me, Kotaro!”

“What?”

Yuki Asahi looked at the “beautiful boy” in front of him in disbelief.

Was… was this really the same person?

The fat otaku who used to weigh over 100 kilograms and would pant just from walking?

“How did you… get here?”

Jiang Jian Yue arched an eyebrow, her gaze scanning him.

This transformation was more dramatic than plastic surgery.

Did Mark’s “hell training” include bone shaving and liposuction?

“That’s… because the Southern Cross is also a performing guest at this banquet…”

Mizuki Kotaro scratched his cheek awkwardly, a gesture that still carried traces of his former self.

“Manager Naito said they were short-staffed and asked me to help with some backstage coordination and service work… I thought it would be a good chance to build my confidence, so…”

“Also, Instructor Mark said my basal metabolism has increased, and a little bit of exercise makes me look much firmer.”

As he spoke, he puffed out his chest bashfully.

The fat that once threatened to burst his clothes had now turned into smooth, though not exaggerated, muscle.

“So it’s true that fat people are all stocks with potential,” Yuki Asahi whispered.

Meiguan whistled in Jiang Jian Yue’s mind.

‘With this look, he doesn’t even have to worry about being doxxed anymore. He could turn into a boy group idol on the spot.’

‘Shut up.’

Jiang Jian Yue withdrew her gaze and nodded faintly.

“Not bad.”

Receiving the Missy’s praise, Mizuki Kotaro’s face turned red with excitement.

“Yes! I will continue to work hard!”

“Miss Jiang Jian, I have heard much about you.”

Just then, a voice that was slightly aged yet full of vigor interrupted.

Several elderly men wearing tailcoats and medals on their chests walked over.

The leader was the current Secretary-General of the ruling party.

“Regarding the security issues for the GSAC, we still have some details we would like to discuss with you…”

Jiang Jian Yue’s eyes instantly returned to their cold state.

She patted the back of Yuki Asahi’s hand and said in a low voice, “You rest here for a bit. I’ll be right back.”

“…Okay.”

Yuki Asahi nodded and released her hand.

Jiang Jian Yue was surrounded by the group of important figures as they walked toward the other end of the banquet hall.

Mizuki Kotaro was also called away by a floor manager for work, giving Yuki Asahi a polite smile before he left.

Yuki Asahi was left alone.

The surroundings remained noisy with the clinking of glasses, but he suddenly felt a massive sense of emptiness and loneliness.

Holding a glass of sparkling water handed to him by a waiter, he stood by a massive marble pillar, looking somewhat out of place.

Most of the people who passed by him only let their gaze linger for a fleeting moment, filled with scrutiny and dismissiveness, before moving on without any interest.

On the Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu training grounds, he was the Captain who spoke with his fists.

But in a place like this, he was just a high school student with no background—an “accessory” attached to the eldest daughter of the Jiang Family.

This realization made him feel quite uncomfortable.