Reborn in Hong Kong Island, I can see loyalty

Chapter 572 Kusakari Ichiro: Don't call me sir, call me father-in-law!

Nanako Kusakari's voice was soft and gentle, yet clear and distinct in the quiet guest room.

As dawn approached, the chill of the night lingered in the gaps between the tatami mats. The warm light from the wall lamp was somewhat diluted by the morning mist, falling on Ye Haoxuan's face and reflecting the lingering weariness in his eyes, but without a trace of panic.

He slowly sat up, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the pattern of the tatami mat, and said in a deep voice:

"Okay. Thank you for making this trip."

Nanako Kusakari stood at the doorway, not immediately coming in, but gently closing the door to block the cool breeze from outside, and softly said:

“Father is already up and waiting in the courtyard. He said, ‘When you wake up, have some hot food first. There’s something important I want to talk to you about.’”

"Okay." Ye Haoxuan replied, and as he stood up, he picked up the coat that was draped over his shoulder and put it on.

The mornings in Japan are much cooler than in Hong Kong. The wind carries the cool fragrance of cherry blossoms, which I slip into my collar as soon as I open the door.

He paused, took out the packet of dried tangerine peel from his pocket, poured out a piece and put it in his mouth—it was dried by Luo Huiling, the orange scent carrying warmth, suppressing the dryness in his throat.

Nanako Kusakari followed half a step behind him, caught a glimpse of his movements, and asked softly, "Is this dried tangerine peel?"

"Yeah, my family packed these for me. They're good for when I get carsick or airsick." Ye Haoxuan turned to look at her, a rare gentleness in his eyes. "I didn't sleep well last night, so I took one to perk myself up."

"I asked the kitchen to make some hot ginger tea, I'll bring it to you in a bit." Nanako Kusakari didn't stop walking. "Father knows you're thinking about Hong Kong, so he's asked Yamamoto to check for the latest news. He'll let you know as soon as there's any development."

The two walked along the pebble path. The morning mist hadn't dissipated, and the cherry blossom trees were tinged with a hazy gray-white. The flames of the stone lanterns flickered precariously. Stepping on the fallen petals felt soft and made almost no sound.

Beside the stone table, Kazuo Kusakari was already seated, holding an unlit pipe in his hand, stroking the texture of the pipe.

Seeing them approach, he looked up and smiled, "Brother Ye, didn't you sleep well?"

“When you have something on your mind, it’s easy to wake up early.” Ye Haoxuan sat down and glanced at the tea set on the stone table—the teapot was still warm, and there were two plates of Japanese sweets and a few Hong Kong-style char siu buns next to it.

“I already know about what happened in Hong Kong.” Kazuo Kusakari poured Ye Haoxuan a cup of hot tea. “A camel can’t make waves. Your men are all capable fighters. Han Bin led the people to the warehouse, which means he knows what’s going on. You don’t need to rush back.”

Ye Haoxuan took a sip of tea, the warmth creeping up his fingertips: "Mr. Kusakari is right. It's not that I don't trust the brothers, it's just that Ah Le is too quiet."

"That Ah Lok from Wo Luen Shing?" Kazuo Kusakari raised an eyebrow. "He's a master at using others to do his dirty work, hoping to profit from your mutual destruction. But he's miscalculated; your people aren't so easily defeated."

Nanako Kusakari brought over ginger tea and handed it to the two of them. Hearing this, she quietly interjected, "I've heard my father say that A-Le is a deep thinker, but no matter how deep his thoughts are, they can't beat real strength."

Ye Haoxuan looked at her; her eyes were clear and firm, without a trace of coquettishness.

Remembering how she reminded me last night that the steps were steep, and how she specially prepared char siu buns this morning, a warm feeling welled up in my heart.

Kazuo Kusakari, observing this, suddenly changed the subject, picked up his pipe, lit it, and smoke rings dispersed in the morning mist:

"Brother Ye, let me ask you a question honestly—how much sincerity do you have for my Cai Cai Zi?"

Ye Haoxuan was taken aback, then nodded frankly: "Miss Nanako is independent, capable, and sincere. I admire her."

“It’s not admiration, it’s liking.” Kazuo Kusakari put down his pipe and said solemnly, “I can tell that Nanako has also fallen for you. You didn’t sleep well last night, so she had the kitchen make ginger tea three times, just in case you caught a cold; knowing that you don’t like raw food, she specially asked the kitchen to make char siu bao.”

Nanako Kusakari's cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't flinch. She looked up at Ye Haoxuan, her eyes filled with anticipation.

“Mr. Ye, I know you have many people around you who truly care about you, but I am willing to be like them, to accompany you and support you.”

Ye Haoxuan felt a warmth in his heart.

The women around him were all sincere, and Nanako Kusakari's honesty and independence truly moved him.

More importantly, Kusakari Kazuo's approval is a trust from the martial arts world, which is more valuable than a thousand words.

He could also see that Nanako Kusakari still liked him very much, and in a short period of time, their intimacy level soared to 86.

“Miss Nanako,” Ye Haoxuan stood up, his tone solemn, “I, Ye Haoxuan, never mistreat those who are truly kind to me. If you are willing, I want to marry you. From now on, you will be my woman, Ye Haoxuan’s woman, and I will protect you for the rest of my life.”

Nanako Kusakari's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously: "I do!"

Kazuo Kusakari laughed heartily and slammed his hand on the stone table: "Good! Excellent! Butler, prepare for the wedding immediately! Use a Japanese ceremony, simple and solemn, with the core members of the Yamada Group as witnesses!"

“Father!” Nanako Kusakari’s cheeks flushed even more, but she couldn’t hide her smile.

"This is no child's play!" Kazuo Kusakari's smile vanished, his tone turning serious. "Once you marry Brother Ye, Hung Hing and the Yamada Group will be one family. There's no need to sign any alliance agreements; the marriage certificate will be the covenant! From now on, anyone who dares to touch Hung Hing is touching the Yamada Group; and if anyone dares to touch the Yamada Group, Brother Ye will definitely not stand idly by!"

Ye Haoxuan was startled, and then he understood the deeper meaning behind Kusakari Kazuo's words.

People in the martial arts world value loyalty and righteousness above all else; marriage alliances are more effective than any other terms.

This was not just entrusting his daughter to him, but also binding the future of the Yamada Group to him.

“Mr. Kusakari,” Ye Haoxuan bowed respectfully, “Rest assured, I will treat Nanako well. From now on, Hung Hing and the Yamada Group will share both honor and disgrace!”

"No need to call me 'sir,' call me 'father-in-law'!" Kazuo Kusakari helped him up, laughing heartily. "Hurry up and eat something to fill your stomach; the wedding is about to begin!"

Breakfast was eaten quickly, and the butler and servants had already decorated the courtyard.

Cherry blossom branches were trimmed into an archway, a red cloth was laid on the stone table, and incense sticks for prayer were lit, with wisps of smoke rising gently.

The core members of the Yamada Group arrived one after another, dressed in formal attire and with solemn expressions.

Nanako Kusakari changed into a red Japanese wedding dress, her long hair was styled in an updo with a simple silver hairpin, and she looked beautiful and charming.

Ye Haoxuan also changed into a dark kimono, his posture upright, with a touch of gentleness between his brows.

The ceremony was simple, yet exceptionally solemn.

The two knelt before Kazuo Kusakari, accepted the marriage certificate handed to them by the butler, and wrote their names on it.

Kazuo Kusakari handed Ye Haoxuan a short sword symbolizing the Yamada-gumi's heritage, saying:

"This knife is the one I used when I was young and roaming the martial world. Now I'm passing it on to you. From now on, Nanako is in your hands. If you dare to betray her, I'll be the first to not forgive you."

"Don't worry, father-in-law!" Ye Haoxuan took the short knife and solemnly promised.

Nanako Kusakari looked at him, her eyes full of smiles.