Christmas concluded successfully, and although everyone still wished for more, they eventually dispersed.
After one night, the Christmas atmosphere slowly faded with time.
The next day, shortly after dawn, while the chill of the previous night still lingered in the air, the doorbell of Fang Wuwei's house was relentlessly pressed.
The sound of the doorbell echoed through the room, more nauseating and annoying than any holiday renovation by neighbors.
In any case, Fang Wuwei was furious, leaping out of bed with a terrifying aura as he stormed downstairs.
I don't care who you are; if you don't give me a reasonable explanation, I'm not done with you.
Fang Wuwei violently pushed open the door, his face etched with boundless anger, but as he looked closely, his anger subsided considerably.
Outside the door stood the Ikenouchi Family, with the Ikenouchi couple and Maki, all looking at him in terror.
"Master..." Maki, still groggy from sleep, checked her phone, then looked at Fang Wuwei's messy hair and disheveled pajamas. "It's already almost eight o'clock."
A hint of complaint was hidden in her tone; perhaps she, too, had been woken up from a sound sleep.
It's normal for winter nights to be longer; although it was past eight, it was indeed just after dawn.
"Mr. Fang!"
Unlike Maki's dazed appearance, the Ikenouchi couple's faces were etched with terror and unease. Upon seeing Mr. Fang, they immediately rushed forward, their emotions so agitated they were practically unrecognizable.
"This thing! Where did you get this thing you gave to Maki?!"
Fang Wuwei frowned, looking at the 'thing' the Ikenouchi couple was referring to. Wasn't it the badge he had obtained from Totsuka Matsuo, the one from the corpse?
"Is this... very important?"
"Very important! Extremely important!!"
Fang Wuwei glanced at the deep dark circles under the Ikenouchi couple's eyes, and their clearly haggard and terrified faces.
"...It's cold outside, you two come in first. I'll go wash up."
After ushering the Ikenouchi Family into the house, Fang Wuwei motioned for them to sit wherever they liked before heading upstairs.
Although he wasn't fully awake yet, seeing the Ikenouchi couple's appearance, this matter was probably not that simple... Indeed, leaving things to professionals makes them easier to resolve.
But seeing the Ikenouchi couple's hesitant and uneasy expressions, as if they had seen something terrifying, it seemed that 'thing,' or rather, what the badge represented, was likely not something benevolent.
The Ikenouchi couple watched Fang Wuwei go upstairs. Even in his home, the Ikenouchi couple didn't feel safe.
Ikenouchi Maki didn't understand what that thing meant to them. Last night, after she gave that thing and the amethyst from Totsuka Matsuo to her parents, they had been like this ever since.
But they refused to say what it meant, and the Ikenouchi couple spent the night in terror... Now it seemed they hadn't slept at all. If they hadn't considered that Fang Wuwei also needed rest, they probably would have come knocking in the middle of the night yesterday.
Maki saw it, but she couldn't do anything. She could only stand by, stroking her parents' shoulders and softly comforting them.
"Mom and Dad... Although I don't know what you're afraid of, Master is here. Master is very strong."
The Ikenouchi couple looked up. Before they could say anything, they saw Fang Wuwei coming downstairs.
Having washed up and tidied his messy hair and face, Fang Wuwei now looked full of vigor. Though he hadn't slept enough, he no longer needed extended sleep.
Fang Wuwei had already put on his outdoor clothes and came downstairs, tidying his jacket as he went.
"Let's go."
"Where?"
"To meet the person who obtained this badge."
Fear suddenly appeared on the Ikenouchi couple's faces. They exchanged glances, their gazes gradually firming, then turning to anger.
...............
What does it feel like to have your sleep disturbed?
Not only did Fang Wuwei experience it, but Totsuka Matsuo did too.
Having received a call from Fang Wuwei early on, Totsuka Matsuo, despite his displeasure, groggily got out of bed with his wife, arranged for his servants to prepare, and made sure they were quiet so as not to disturb their little Sanae.
The Totsuka Family Family welcomed the arrival of Fang Wuwei and his party.
"Mr. Fang wuwei, Miss Ikenouchi, welcome. And these two are..."
Fang Wuwei and his group arrived in the Ikenouchi Family's car and were warmly welcomed by Totsuka Matsuo upon alighting. One was a mysterious and powerful magician, and the other was from a prestigious family of magicians. Neither was someone he could afford to offend now.
Maintaining a high degree of etiquette, Totsuka Matsuo perfectly carried out what a businessman should do.
"These are Maki's parents. They have some questions to ask."
Totsuka Matsuo's eyes widened. Miss Ikenouchi's parents, the legendary magic family, came in person?!
"Please ask! I will tell you everything I know, but for now, let's go inside! It's quite cold outside."
Totsuka Matsuo's face broke into a wide smile. He had only picked up some magic books and reached this level; if he could further his relationship with them and get some professional guidance, wouldn't he soar?
It's just... these two don't look happy, do they?
Under Totsuka Matsuo's arrangement, the group walked from the main gate to the reception room, where everything was already set up: tissues and tea were ready, emphasizing the importance of the meeting.
"You've arrived so early, you all probably haven't had breakfast yet, have you?"
To avoid awkwardness, Totsuka Matsuo specially replaced the small square table in the reception room with a round one, to prevent discomfort caused by improper seating arrangements and to facilitate adding more people if needed.
Totsuka Matsuo rang a bell, and the servants outside pushed trolleys into the room, placing various abundant foods on the table.
Unlike the already prepared tea, what was now presented were various small pastries and small-sized foods, exquisitely arranged and placed before everyone. Some cooked foods were even divided into small plates for each person, avoiding the awkward situation of wanting something far away.
From the moment Fang Wuwei called to inform Totsuka Matsuo of their visit until now, only half an hour had passed, yet Totsuka Matsuo had managed to arrange the reception so exquisitely. This showed how much Totsuka Matsuo valued this meeting.
When the Ikenouchi couple saw Totsuka Matsuo's golden hair, they were already relieved, and now, the numerous refreshments on the table, along with Fang Wuwei's nod of approval, allowed their long-strained nerves to relax slightly.
"Miss Ikenouchi's parents, two great magicians, may I ask... how should I address you?"
Magicians?
Mr. Ikenouchi scoffed self-deprecatingly, a hint of helplessness and pain on his lips, but he did not deny the title... In front of mortals, they still held a little pride. The knowledge they possessed was their capital for arrogance... even if they had failed.
"Ikenouchi Toyohiko, and this is my wife, Ikenouchi Nami."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ikenouchi. I am Totsuka Matsuo. Please forgive any shortcomings in my hospitality."
Ikenouchi Toyohiko glanced at Fang Wuwei, seemingly confirming his attitude, and Fang Wuwei remained still until all the servants had left, then turned back and nodded to Ikenouchi Toyohiko.
Having received Fang Wuwei's affirmative reply, Ikenouchi Toyohiko felt a bit more confident. He took out the badge and the amethyst from his pocket and placed them on the table.
"Mr. Totsuka, Mr. Fang said this item was obtained from you. May I ask... where did you get it from?"
Mr. Fang?
Totsuka Matsuo raised an eyebrow. With the topic brought up, Fang Wuwei had to clarify.
"Mr. Ikenouchi, when outside, please remember my name is Fang Wuwei."
Totsuka Matsuo understood. Just two names, no big deal... Only a fool wouldn't remember them.
"I see... Mr. Ikenouchi, there's nothing to hide about the origin of this item, but before that, may I be so bold as to ask... may I know what these items actually are?"
Ikenouchi Toyohiko looked at Totsuka Matsuo, who seemed innocent, then turned back to look at Fang Wuwei, who was happily enjoying the tea and pastries. For a moment, he felt a bit flustered and uneasy.
It wasn't until Fang Wuwei noticed Ikenouchi Toyohiko's predicament that he quickly nodded.
Ikenouchi Toyohiko swallowed, adjusting his breathing...
"We... the Ikenouchi Family are a fallen magical family, pursued by various families from the Other World, and we fled to this world.
This badge is the symbol of one of those families, one of the families that pursued us at that time."