The atmosphere at the Saeki family's doorstep solidified.
Saeki Takeo's face changed color; living in a place like Japan, how could he not be exposed to such information?
"Mr. Saeki, I feel a strong connection with you. So, how about this: if you accept the challenge, these 1 million Yen are yours..."
Yang Tao pulled out a stack of brand new Yen from his pocket. This was cash he had exchanged before his last trip to Oshima.
"And if you succeed in the challenge, the prize money will increase to 5 million!"
Japan was currently in an economic downturn, with the collapse of the real estate bubble leading to a massive evaporation of assets, which triggered a series of problems.
The living standards of all citizens had dropped by several levels.
One million Yen was enough to significantly alleviate the pressure on Saeki Takeo, but Takeo's gaze reluctantly moved away from the banknotes as he said, "Please leave. I will not accept such a thing."
Saeki Takeo's refusal was within Yang Tao's expectations.
"It seems Mr. Saeki is a man of principles..."
Yang Tao's gaze fell upon the small boy who appeared behind Saeki Takeo, recognizing him instantly. Kayako's son, Saeki Tashio, was also a cute yet terrifying presence in "The Grudge."
He looked about five or six years old now, clearly indicating that the beginning of the plot was imminent.
"Since Mr. Saeki doesn't agree to my challenge of staying here for one night, then never mind..."
With that, Yang Tao turned to leave, but Saeki Takeo called out to him, "Wait... you an the challenge is just for you to stay one night?"
"Of course, what else did you think?"
"If that's all it is, then I accept the challenge."
A smile appeared on Yang Tao's face. Everything has its price, just a matter of how much, just like him, running between various worlds for the sake of 'mods' and 'energy values.'
"Then I'll be troubling you."
Yang Tao handed the banknotes in his hand to Saeki Takeo, who looked at the thick stack of money in his hand, feeling it was sowhat unrealistic.
He walked into the house.
The Saeki house had a small yet exquisite feel. Upon entering, there was a not-so-large entryway and stairs leading to the second floor. Looking at these familiar stairs, Yang Tao couldn't shake the feeling that Kayako would crawl down from upstairs, her body distorted.
However, Kayako was on the first floor. Although she was a bit surprised to see Yang Tao enter, as Ms. Saeki Kayako, she didn't say anything impolite. She simply smiled and nodded before re-entering the kitchen.
Yang Tao took off his shoes and followed Saeki Takeo into the living room on the first floor.
"Um..."
"This is my business card."
Yang Tao once again displayed his money-wielding ability, pulling out a business card and placing it on the table, pushing it towards Saeki Takeo.
Saeki picked up the business card and, seeing Yang Tao's na, asked with so confusion, "Yang Tao? Is Mr. Yang Chinese?"
"Yes, that's right."
Saeki Takeo nodded slightly; he didn't have any particular feelings about nationality. He placed the business card on the table, and Saeki Tashio curiously picked it up and played with it.
"You probably haven't eaten yet, right? How about we eat together?"
"Indeed, I haven't. Then thank you for the hospitality."
He had been out all day and only ate so glutinous rice balls for lunch. Although they tasted good, Yang Tao still preferred things with stronger flavors.
For example, at, at, and more at.
Yang Tao pulled out a piece of chocolate he had purchased from Level 176 from his pocket, placed it on the table, looked at Toshio, and asked with a smile, "Is the child not allergic to chocolate?"
Before feeding a child, one must obtain the parents' consent. This is basic courtesy.
In Western countries, with their peculiar allergies, one mooncake with five kinds of nuts could basically knock out 40% of the people.
Toshio's gaze was fixed on the chocolate on the table, but he didn't Rumble; he just watched quietly, so well-behaved it was heartbreaking.
Saeki Takeo glanced at his son and said, "Thank you, Toshio is not allergic to chocolate..."
He opened the chocolate wrapper and handed it to Toshio. The little guy reached out, took the chocolate, and shyly said, "Thank you, Uncle..."
This kid is very polite!
Before, he had only seen Saeki Tashio naked and exposing himself. It was a bit disorienting to suddenly see Saeki Tashio dressed and with a normal expression.
Soon, Kayako brought out so dishes and placed them on the table. Looking at her man, Kayako smiled and said, "Husband, are you drinking tonight?"
Saeki Takeo looked at the smile on Yang Tao's face and imdiately shook his head, saying, "Not drinking today!"
Drinking too much easily leads to trouble.
Kayako was a bit puzzled but still nodded lightly. She sat beside Saeki Takeo, reached out, and took the chocolate from Toshio's hand, saying, "Eat your al first. You can have chocolate after you're full."
Then, she noticed the business card next to Toshio and picked it up: "Yang Tao?"
"That's my business card, Ms. Saeki Kayako."
Yang Tao glanced at the dishes on the table and praised with a smile, "Your cooking looks excellent, madam."
Kayako was a pure housewife, usually responsible for taking care of the child and cooking at ho. Coupled with her sowhat pathological personality, she rarely interacted with outsiders. Hearing Yang Tao's praise, Kayako's face flushed slightly as she said, "Thank you."
Yang Tao only said a few words, but Saeki Takeo had many more things to consider in his heart.
The few of them ate together. Takeo occasionally lowered his head to look under the table, though it was unclear what he was looking at.
Soon after they finished eating, Kayako got up to clear the dishes from the table. Yang Tao said with a smile, "I'll help you!"
Takeo's gaze was sowhat evasive, and he imdiately said, "You are a guest; there's no need to be so polite."
Although he said he would help, Yang Tao didn't even move, clearly confirming his guess. Looking at the expression on Takeo's face, he finally understood why he would kill Kayako.
Saeki Takeo truly loved Kayako too much, to the point of being sowhat pathological... and another main reason was his inner insecurity.
His diagnosis of oligospermia from the hospital and Kayako's diary were the final straws that broke his sanity.
Thus, he accidentally pushed Kayako down the stairs, inadvertently killing his deeply beloved wife.
"Mr. Saeki, in the future, you should watch fewer movies that can be acted out by just two or three people; those are just plots."
"For example, how could there possibly be people stuck in washing machines in this world..."
Saeki Takeo, whose thoughts had been exposed, blushed slightly, and his eyes were sowhat evasive as he said, "Ah? There aren't any?"
Yang Tao: "..."
"Alright, Mr. Saeki, besides wanting to stay for a night, I have sothing else I need to discuss with you. Although it might be presumptuous, I feel it's better to say it for the sake of your relationship with Kayako."
"You likely have oligospermia, but this isn't azoospermia. It just ans it's difficult for you to have children, not that you're 100% unable to have children. Do you understand what I an?"
Saeki Takeo's expression froze. Weren't we just talking about washing machines? How did it turn into having health problems?
"This... how is this possible? The company just arranged for a physical examination at the hospital today, and my body is very healthy."
Ring ring...
Takeo's phone rang.
"Excuse , I need to take this call first."
Saeki Takeo stood up and walked out of the room, but he quickly returned with a livid face, staring intently at Yang Tao as he said, "The hospital called and asked to go back tomorrow, saying they found so issues..."
"If you don't trust Kayako, you can take Toshio for a paternity test together. That's much better than you guessing wildly on your own."
"Then... then how did you know?"
"Because I also work part-ti as a fortune teller."
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