Yasushi stepped out of the limousine, his eyes wide, his breath caught in his throat. Before him stood a colossal home, dwarfing any he had ever seen. It towered above, casting a long shadow, far more immense than his own house in Japan. Jingliu's previous home, though grand, paled in comparison to this behemoth. The driveway alone stretched endlessly, a winding path that had taken a full five minutes to traverse, lined with towering trees that stood like silent sentinels.
"How do you stop yourselves from being robbed?" Yasushi's voice broke the silence, his gaze darting around, absorbing the vastness, the opulence.
As he scanned the grounds, his eyes fell upon three other substantial homes, neatly positioned around the property. Each was a mansion in its own right, yet they were merely the abodes for the servants. The realization hit him like a wave, leaving him momentarily speechless. "Are those the houses your staff live in?" he asked, his tone a mix of incredulity and awe.
Yinhaie's laughter rang out, light and melodic. "Yes and yes," she said, clearly amused by his reaction, her eyes sparkling with delight at his astonishment.
"W-what does yes even mean? That doesn't answer my question," Yasushi stammered, the remnants of sleep vanishing from his mind as he stared, wide-eyed, at the expanse before him.
Heinz, a composed figure amidst the luxury, offered a smile. "You might not see it now, but there are extensive, towering fences encircling the entire property. Each section boasts a guard tower, manned year-round. Surveillance cameras are strategically placed, complemented by various other security measures. Over the years, many have attempted to breach our defenses, but all have been quickly apprehended."
"Unbelievable," Yasushi muttered, still processing the scale of security. The opulence of his residence in Japan already felt overwhelming, but this, this was on another level entirely. The Yang family's wealth and power loomed large, casting a shadow that left him feeling a touch uneasy.
"Furthermore, we brought Azari along. She's already settled in your room," Yinhaie added, her smile widening as she observed Yasushi's reaction.
"Even our cat? Looks like she's about to enjoy the high life for the next month," Yasushi replied, a wry grin forming as they finally began to walk.
The walk from the gate to the front door stretched endlessly, Yasushi counting each step, estimating it took another five minutes. The door loomed ahead, extravagant and ornate, a fitting entrance to the colossal mansion. As they crossed the threshold, Yasushi's breath caught in his throat.
Words failed him. Everything screamed opulence. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a dazzling light that reflected off pristine white statues. Marble floors gleamed beneath his feet, each tile a testament to wealth. Paintings adorned the walls, each frame meticulously chosen, every brushstroke a whisper of affluence. Other luxurious décor filled the space, creating an almost overwhelming sense of grandeur.
A line of maids and butlers stood to the sides, their uniforms immaculate, their posture perfect, welcoming them with synchronized bows. Yasushi felt a wave of displacement wash over him. This world was so far removed from his own, it felt almost alien. He couldn't help but wonder how Furuya would react when he visited Xinyi's home in China in a few days.
"I'll bring Yasushi to our room. Please rest up," Jingliu said, her voice firm yet kind. She grabbed Yasushi's wrist, guiding him with a gentle but insistent pull. Turning to the staff, she offered a warm smile. "I'm home."
The staff froze, their eyes wide with shock. Seconds passed in stunned silence before some of them began to silently weep, overwhelmed by the sight of her return. They quickly composed themselves and welcomed them back with heartfelt warmth. Jingliu, without missing a beat, led Yasushi away, his mind still reeling from the sheer magnitude of everything he had seen.
He scarcely registered the path they took, the twists and turns of the mansion a blur. Before he knew it, they had arrived at their shared room, a space twice the size of their bedroom in Japan. An enormous bed dominated the room, its sheer size and opulence fitting for the mansion. Jingliu dashed to her walk-in closet, reappearing moments later in her pajamas.
She rummaged through Yasushi's backpack, pulling out clothes suitable for sleep. Handing them to him, she watched as he changed, her eyes soft with affection. Once he was dressed, she tugged him toward the bed, pulling him close and wrapping him in a tender embrace.
"I don't—" Yasushi started, his voice trailing off.
"Good night," Jingliu interrupted with a yawn, nestling her head on his chest. Within moments, her breathing deepened, and she drifted off to sleep.
Yasushi stared at the ceiling, feeling the weight of the day's events pressing down on him. Then, to his surprise, the lights dimmed and turned off by themselves, plunging the room into darkness. He hadn't known that such advanced technology was integrated into the home, but the convenience of it was undeniable.
Resigned to the strangeness of his new surroundings, he closed his eyes. He didn't have much of a choice in the matter, and with a full schedule awaiting him the next day, he needed the rest. So, he let himself surrender to sleep, the unfamiliar yet oddly comforting embrace of the bed lulling him into slumber.
+-+
"Lord Yasushi... Lord Yasushi... wake up," a voice called out, accompanied by a gentle shake on his shoulder, pulling him from the depths of sleep.
"Five more minutes..." he mumbled, his voice heavy with sleep as he turned away, trying to cling to the remnants of his dream.
Yinhaie sighed softly, her patience wearing thin. Reaching for a small bottle of water, she poured a cold trickle down his back.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!?" Yasushi jolted upright, a scream of surprise escaping his lips as the icy water shocked him fully awake. He looked around wildly, his eyes finally settling on Yinhaie holding the water bottle, confusion etched on his face. "W-what was that for?" he stammered, still shaking off the remnants of drowsiness.
Yinhaie smiled, an amused glint in her eyes. "Everyone is awake, it's eight in the morning now. Let's start the day."
"E-eight? I'm usually up earlier than this... I guess I was tired from jet lag," he muttered, rubbing his eyes. He glanced around the room, noticing Jingliu's absence, a small frown creasing his forehead as he tried to piece together his surroundings.
Yasushi finally rolled out of the massive bed, the sheets whispering against his skin as he dressed. Yinhaie waited just outside the door, her posture relaxed but alert. When he stepped out, she fell into step beside him, guiding him through the sprawling mansion's corridors towards the main dining room.
"Just out of curiosity, how many rooms and floors does this place have?" Yasushi asked, stifling a yawn.
"Twelve floors above ground and twelve below. In total, there are three hundred and fifty-two rooms," Yinhaie replied, her tone matter-of-fact.
Yasushi's jaw dropped, his mind struggling to comprehend the sheer scale. "Three hundred and fifty-two rooms... That's insane."
Yinhaie continued, her voice calm and measured. "For comparison, Istana Nurul Iman in Brunei has an estimated one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight rooms. Buckingham Palace in London has around seven hundred and seventy-five. So, relatively speaking, we're not that extravagant."
The weight of her words sank in, leaving Yasushi even more astounded. "The world of the extremely rich is a scary place. They basically rule the world if they're smart," he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief as they continued walking.
"Indeed. The fact that Master Laing Yang and Lady Yuhan Yang are so down to earth and laid back is extremely beneficial for the people of Mengyinhu. They could have easily ruled with an iron fist," Yinhaie said, her voice steady.
"Why didn't Jingliu's grandparents do that then?" Yasushi asked, genuine confusion knitting his brows. The stories he had heard painted them as cruel. Why wouldn't they rule through fear and force?
Yinhaie nodded, understanding his confusion. "You've touched on it before in multiple conversations. The old crave power, but they also want to maintain their image. They didn't need to crush this town through brute force. As long as they could present a façade of benevolence to the outside world while subtly intimidating the residents here, that was enough for them."
Yasushi thought about this, the pieces falling into place. "It's like domestic abuse," he said slowly, the analogy forming in his mind. "Abusers often hide their actions by hitting where it won't show. The victims are too embarrassed and ashamed to speak up, so the abuse continues in a vicious cycle."
Yinhaie's eyes met his, a solemn agreement in her gaze.
They finally reached the main dining room, a space that dwarfed the one back in Japan with its grandeur. The room was a symphony of opulence, every detail meticulously designed to impress. Yasushi saw Jingliu waiting at a long, polished table, surrounded by staff who stood like silent sentinels, their eyes trained on him as he entered.
He walked over to Jingliu, feeling the weight of their gazes, and took a seat beside her. Breakfast was served almost immediately, the dishes set before him with practiced precision. To his surprise, the meal was simple and familiar, a comforting touch amid the extravagance.
"Good morning. I see you slept well," Jingliu said, a playful glint in her eyes as she poked his cheek.
Yasushi offered a weary smile, nodding. "Yeah, but like in Hawaii, jet lag is something I'll never get used to." He picked up his fork and began to eat. "So, what's the plan for today?"
Jingliu leaned back slightly, her expression thoughtful. "We'll be taking it slow. I'll be showing you around Mengyinhu with Layena, Yinhaie, and another staff member. It will take the entire day, so we'll have snacks and drinks packed in our bags. Of course, we can also stop at various shops and restaurants to try the local food."
Yasushi nodded, appreciating the thoughtfulness behind the plan. As he continued his meal, the anticipation of exploring the town with Jingliu and the others began to grow, mingling with the lingering awe of his surroundings.