Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 59

After hearing Nianqing’s account, Lan Qing was a little shocked.

“Sis, you…”

“Haha, don’t worry—I was just tricking him.”

“But… how did you know about his background?”

“I had someone look into it. It’s pretty well-known that Nishikawa Goro’s mother got pregnant before marriage and then married Nishikawa Heiji. Goro is the youngest son of the Nishikawa family, and his two

older brothers always saw him as a burden. They often bullied him. Because Heiji felt guilty over his late wife’s death, he didn’t want to scold his older sons and instead sent Goro to Australia.

Actually, Heiji treasures his youngest son very much. The name ‘Goro’ is proof of that. But who would’ve thought this kid would be so ungrateful? His father kindly sent him abroad for education, yet he saw it as abandonment—and even doubted if he was really his biological child!

Heh… Qing’er, how could your sister possibly let you marry such a fool?”

“So, you were lying to him!”

“I simply took advantage of his insecurity. Marrying him was just a temporary strategy—to give myself a way out in the future.”

“Big Sis… am I just being too immature?” Lan Qing leaned into her sister’s arms, heart aching after hearing her plan.

Nianqing sighed and continued,

“Qing’er, a lot has happened while you were away. Grandpa was ‘retired’ because he questioned the newly issued military policies. The Iga family isn’t what it used to be. Some of the smaller factions within the Iryu

Society are stirring up trouble and constantly causing disruptions. A few even grew disloyal and were handled by Father. People from the Iryu Society are constantly in and out of the house now. Father’s been in a foul mood—always frowning, temper worsening.

At a time like this, the Nishikawa family proposing a marriage alliance is clearly not out of goodwill. On the surface, their investment bank in Osaka looks successful, but it’s all a bubble. With the economy in a slump these years, Nishikawa Heiji wants to rely on our Iga family’s influence to stay afloat. And Father? He just sees them as a new tool for laundering money.”

“But… isn’t our family already…”

“Not doing well? Even without the military backing us, with Father’s years of hard work, the underworld still respects the Iga name. Dealing with Nishikawa Heiji’s petty schemes? That’s child’s play.”

“Sis, I’m sorry. I was being selfish…”

“Good girl. This is the burden of our family—someone has to bear it. I just didn’t want you to get dragged into all this. I want you to love the person you love and live a peaceful life. Your happiness is the true

happiness of our family.”

The two sisters stayed up talking late into the night, their bond growing even deeper. Meanwhile, Jing Xuan had finished paying respects to the elders and returned to rest.

After washing up, Jing Xuan lay flat on the bed, silently reflecting on everything that had happened recently—Junye’s and Gao Zhe’s warnings, Jing Cheng’s sudden appearance, Nianqing’s wedding, today’s ambush, Nishikawa Heiji, Iga Jonin… These seemingly disconnected events all felt faintly tied by an invisible thread. And now, here she was in the Iga residence. What was the real conspiracy behind it all?

As she mulled over these thoughts, Jing Xuan finally drifted off to sleep. A gentle breeze fluttered through the curtains, adding a dreamlike quality to the night. Just then, a shadow silently slipped through the window and crept toward Jing Xuan’s bed.

Holding his breath, he reached to lift her blanket—only to have the person on the bed spring up, locking his neck tightly between her legs and twisting him onto the bed before he could react.

Jing Xuan had never really fallen asleep. She had sensed the intruder the moment he entered. With no weapons nearby, she gathered her strength and, when he approached, pushed off the bed with both hands and scissored his neck with her legs in a quick reverse twist.

“Who are you?” she demanded.

The intruder’s face was pressed into the bed, her legs tightly clamped around his neck, cutting off his breath and voice. He tapped her calf frantically, signaling that he meant no harm. She loosened her grip slightly, and the man finally turned his face, gasping out,

“Young Master—it’s me!”

The moment she heard the voice, Jing Xuan released him at once.

“Xiaofeng?”

Xiaofeng exhaled deeply. “Whew—Young Master, your leg strength is terrifying! I nearly died!”

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to apologize. I almost injured you today…”

“Today? So, it was you! I should have strangled you!” Jing Xuan scolded with both anger and amusement.

“Heh, sorry! But I did it to warn you—Jing Cheng also came to the wedding. He knows your true identity. I’m afraid he’s here to kill you.”

“What? How did that happen?”

“It’s a long story. You told me to stay in the U.S. to track down Mr. Movis. During a deal in the black market, I accidentally helped someone. He was grateful, and we became friends. Turned out, he was one of Jing

Cheng’s fighters. Thanks to his referral, I ended up helping Jing Cheng win an underground match. Impressed, Jing Cheng made me his bodyguard and driver.

But since I have to be with him all the time, I can’t easily send messages. That’s why I faked an attack on you tonight.”

“Hm. Now that you’re by his side, you’ll have to be even more careful. Jing Cheng’s not an easy man to read.”

“These days, I’ve seen a lot. Jing Cheng has two sets of men—one in the open, one in the shadows. They don’t interact. I’m in the open group, not yet trusted with deeper secrets. I still haven’t found Mr. Movis.

Recently, Jing Cheng’s been losing his grip here. He’s asked me to monitor you closely. He’s planning something big.”

“How was my identity exposed?”

“Li Miaolan got a sample of your blood. I tried to switch it but didn’t succeed. I couldn’t risk raising suspicion… From what I’ve heard, even if you aren’t his niece, you’re still Jing Cheng’s target.”

“I understand. Xiaofeng, you’ve done well. You can’t stay here long—go back quickly and stay vigilant.”

“Young Master—may I ask a favor?”

“What is it?”

“If something happens to me… please don’t harm Li Miaolan. And… please take care of her.”

“Oh? You’re in love with her?”

“No! Not like that. Actually… she’s my sister.

I was sold to Thailand as a child to learn Muay Thai. Later I was trafficked to the U.S. for underground fighting. If it weren’t for Mr. Movis, I’d be long dead. Back home, I only had my grandmother and my sister.

We’ve been separated for over ten years. They’ve been searching for me all this time, but I still can’t reunite with them.”

“How can you be sure she’s your sister?”

“She has a star-shaped scar on her neck—I gave it to her when we were kids, being mischievous.”

(Previously, Jing Cheng had ordered Xiaofeng to buy a scarf to cover the bruise on Li Miaolan’s neck. That’s when Xiaofeng saw the scar.)

Jing Xuan gently patted his shoulder. “I promise. But whether Jing Cheng will spare her—that, I can’t guarantee. Go now, and protect her.”

She winked playfully. Xiaofeng nodded and slipped back out the window.

Jing Xuan flopped back onto the bed, rubbing her forehead with a sigh.

Life… why is it always so dramatic?

________________________________________

The next morning, both Jing Xuan and Lan Qing showed up to breakfast with panda eyes, joining the Iga family at the table. The atmosphere was subtle and tense. Hasegawa Xiu gave them a teasing glance, while

Iga Jonin glared with open disdain—his attitude toward Jing Xuan still cold.

Jing Xuan occasionally glanced at Nishikawa Heiji. Nianqing and Goro, meanwhile, seemed stiff and awkward—not at all like a couple about to be married. Sensing her friend’s discomfort, Lan Qing tightly held

Jing Xuan’s hand under the table. Despite the lavish spread, no one had much appetite.

After breakfast, Lan Qing linked arms with Jing Xuan and took her for a stroll through the gardens. The Iga residence, once a shogun’s mansion during the Edo period, boasted intricate landscaping. The scenery was elegant yet grand. Lan Qing played the role of guide, recounting the many stories that had taken place there.

As she listened and observed, Jing Xuan memorized every landmark, every corner. All the while, her thoughts churned—

Just what kind of game are Jing Cheng and Iga Jonin playing?