The car drove swiftly along the winding mountain Daos.

The atmosphere inside the car was enchanting and romantic.

Madam Kaori deliberately loosened the simple yet elegant kimono she was wearing.

The collar slipped down her rounded shoulders, revealing a large expanse of snow-white, delicate skin.

Under the dim, yellowish light inside the car, that expanse of snow-white was dazzlingly dizzying.

The way she looked at "Mr. Matsutake" was thick and burning, as if her gaze had been thickened with starch.

Zhou Huai felt his throat go a little dry.

He forcedly shifted his gaze away to look at the rapidly receding scenery outside the window.

"Madam, what is this..."

"Aren't we going to attend a banquet?"

His voice sounded a bit stiff.

Madam Kaori's fingers lightly brushed across his tense cheek like a slippery snake.

The temperature of her fingertips gave him goosebumps.

"Rest assured."

Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying a trace of lazy amusement.

"There is still at least half an hour before we reach the banquet location."

"Why don't we take advantage of this time to do something meaningful."

Her face slowly drew closer, and her warm breath brushed against Zhou Huai's auricle.

Her words carried undisguised teasing.

"I'll tell you a secret."

"Underneath this kimono of mine, I'm wearing absolutely nothing, oh."

Zhou Huai's body suddenly stiffened.

Madam Kaori's red lips were almost pressed against his earlobe, and her voice lowered even further, like a demon's whisper.

"If you don't believe me, untie it and see."

Zhou Huai couldn't help cursing inwardly: "What the hell."

Were these adult film plots that he had only ever seen on his phone before going to be witnessed firsthand today?

And the male lead was none other than himself.

It was somewhat thrilling, more or less.

That being said, did this Avatar of his actually have that kind of function?

Zhou Huai had never thought about this question before.

He instinctively glanced down at his crotch.

Well, it certainly looked the part.

Just as his mind was wandering, a pair of boneless, soft hands had already begun wandering over his body.

Those hands became increasingly bold, even attempting to untie the sash around his waist.

Zhou Huai silently sighed inwardly.

It seemed this Madam was truly hungry.

He quietly raised his hand, his fingertips making an imperceptible touch against her smooth back.

A Parasite, so tiny it was almost invisible, silently burrowed into Madam Kaori's body along his fingertips.

The next second.

Madam Kaori, who was just about to lower her head and display her lifelong skills, suddenly went limp all over.

Her entire body slumped into Zhou Huai's arms like a puddle of mud.

Zhou Huai hurriedly reached out, supporting her limp body to the side and leaning it against the car window.

He silently breathed a sigh of relief.

Secretly exclaiming how close that was.

He had finally resolved this trouble before things became irrecoverable.

He reached out and straightened the collar that had been tugged somewhat messy by her.

He pulled the kimono that had slipped to her arms back up onto her rounded shoulders, covering that seductive expanse of snow-white.

After finishing all this, Zhou Huai finally leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes to rest.

In the driver's seat, Madam Kaori's exclusive driver, a taciturn middle-aged man, glanced at the situation in the back seat through the rearview mirror.

His brow furrowed slightly.

"Mr. Matsutake, is Madam... alright?"

Zhou Huai didn't open his eyes, simply replying calmly with Matsutake's characteristic, slightly husky voice.

"She's fine."

"Madam is just a bit tired, let her sleep for a while."

Though filled with doubt, the driver didn't dare ask too much.

He withdrew his gaze and refocused his attention on the road conditions ahead.

Half an hour later.

The luxury car stopped in front of a lavish hotel.

Zhou Huai turned his head and gently woke the woman beside him.

"Madam, we have arrived at our destination."

Madam Kaori's eyelashes trembled slightly as she woke from her brief slumber.

A trace of bewilderment lingered in her eyes.

"Huh? How did I fall asleep?"

Zhou Huai wore Matsutake Gen's characteristic gentle smile on his face.

"Perhaps Madam was too tired."

Madam Kaori rubbed her temples without thinking too much about it.

"I haven't been resting very well lately indeed."

She stretched lazily, her plump curves fully revealed beneath the kimono.

"Yet this nap in the car was unexpectedly comfortable."

Finished speaking, she silently pulled a small lipstick out of her handbag and gracefully touched up her makeup in front of the mirror.

After doing all this, she gracefully stepped out of the car with Zhou Huai's support.

The hotel's luxury exceeded Zhou Huai's expectations.

Huge crystal chandeliers hung from the dome tens of meters high, their brilliant light reflecting off the mirror-smooth marble floor like a lake under the night sky.

The air was filled with a cool fragrance mixed with precious flowers and some kind of Advanced incense.

Attendants in crisp uniforms stood quietly on both sides, every bow precise to thirty degrees, with a trained smile on their faces.

The two did not linger in the lobby. Guided by an attendant, they took the exclusive elevator straight to the top floor.

The elevator doors opened, revealing an open-air rooftop banquet hall before their eyes.

The evening breeze was slightly cool, blowing the white gauze curtains.

Melodious classical music drifted through the air.

At a glance, Zhou Huai saw quite a few big figures specially mentioned in the intel.

Most of them wore formal kimonos or suits, gathering in groups of three or five, whispering to each other with calm smiles on their faces.

Almost all of these people came from the Kujo Family or vassal factions closely related to it.

The Level of the surrounding guards was also quite high.

Among those seemingly ordinary attendants and guests, Zhou Huai sensed the Qi auras of quite a few Advanced Classer.

He felt somewhat puzzled inside.

Judging by the looks of it, today's banquet shouldn't be some ordinary Family gathering.

Just as Madam Kaori was about to lead Zhou Huai into the core area of the banquet hall.

Two guards in black suits with stern expressions reached out and blocked their path.

One of the guards bowed slightly to Madam Kaori with a respectful posture.

"Apologies, Madam. Today, only distinguished guests holding special invitations from the Kujo Family can enter."

His gaze subsequently fell on Zhou Huai.

"As for this Mr. Matsutake, I'm afraid we cannot let him pass."

The gentle smile on Madam Kaori's face instantly froze, replaced by a trace of anger.

"Not even someone invited by me?"

The guard bowed again, lowering his posture further, yet his tone remained firm.

"Very sorry, Madam Kaori. This is the order of the head of the Family."

The order of the head of the Family.

These five words were like a basin of cold water, instantly extinguishing Madam Kaori's anger.

She might disregard these guards, but she dared not defy that man's will.

Seeing this, Zhou Huai immediately and considerately stepped forward.

He revealed a comforting smile toward Madam Kaori, his voice gentle.

"Madam, it's alright."

"You go in and attend the banquet first, it'll be fine for me to wait for you here."

The expression on Madam Kaori's face softened.

She returned an apologetic smile and gently patted "Matsutake Gen's" back of the hand.

"Gen-kun, you've really been wronged."

After saying that, she didn't linger any longer, tidied the hem of her kimono, and walked gracefully into the bustling crowd of clinking glasses.

Zhou Huai was left alone at the entrance.