In Fuuto: Starting as a Kamen Rider 01

Page 12

That perfectly measured composure only deepened the intensity of Sonozaki Ryubei's gaze.

Finally, Sonozaki Ryubei, seated at the head of the table, slowly put down her knife and fork.

The silver cutlery clinked against the fine bone china, producing a crisp, light sound that echoed like a signal in the quiet restaurant.

He gently wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, and his face, which had been slightly smiling, gradually became serious.

His true purpose is about to be revealed.

"Su Chenjun, you are an absolute genius."

Sonozaki Ryubei spoke, his voice deep and magnetic, like a kind elder who truly appreciates his juniors.

"Your Zero One Technology has demonstrated the potential to change the current state of the world."

“However,” he changed the subject, “one person’s strength is ultimately limited. No matter how powerful an individual is, it is difficult to resist the torrent of the times and the vast and complex forces at play.”

Have you ever thought about joining us?

"Combining your wisdom, your technology, with the vast resources and unfathomable influence that 'museums' have accumulated over decades?"

He revealed his true intentions and formally extended an olive branch to recruit them.

This is no longer an implication, but a blatant attempt to appease the government.

"We will give you a position second only to mine."

A confident light, as if in complete control, shone in Sonozaki Ryubei's eyes.

"You will be fully responsible for the entire 'museum's' technology development department, and all resources will be directed towards you."

"At that time, you will get everything you want—"

His voice had a seductive power.

"Countless riches allow you to squander them recklessly."

"Supreme power makes your words law."

"Even, it's the right to participate in defining the rules for the future of this world."

This is undoubtedly a proposal that could drive any ambitious person crazy.

Money, status, power—it even touches on the level of changing the rules of the world.

At that moment, everyone's eyes in the restaurant focused on Su Chen.

Saeko Sonozaki's eyes held a complex, inquisitive look.

Sonozaki Wakana stopped fiddling with the cutlery and looked over curiously.

Sonozaki Kirihiko unconsciously held his breath, and fine beads of sweat even appeared on his forehead.

However, faced with this earth-shattering temptation...

Su Chen's expression remained calm and undisturbed.

He simply picked up a napkin and slowly wiped his mouth, as if he had just heard nothing more than a casual greeting.

Then, he looked up.

He met Sonozaki Ryubei's gaze, which was full of pressure and seemed to be able to see through people's hearts.

He gently shook his head.

"Thank you very much for your appreciation, Mr. Ryūbei."

Su Chen's voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear and accurately reached the ears of everyone in the restaurant.

That calmness stood in stark contrast to the imposing tone in Sonozaki Ryubei's words.

"But, I refuse."

Just three simple words.

There was no further explanation, no hesitation whatsoever.

But it was like an invisible hammer, striking hard into everyone's heart.

The air in the entire restaurant seemed to freeze instantly at that moment.

Even the flowing light seemed to have stopped.

The smile on Sonozaki Ryubei's face disappeared inch by inch.

The mask of that kind elder was completely torn apart.

Instead, there was an extreme, bleak coldness.

He stared intently at Su Chen, his gaze as if he wanted to see right through Su Chen, inside and out.

The temperature inside the restaurant seemed to drop several degrees as a result.

a long time.

So long that even Sonosaki Saeko felt a little uncomfortable.

He managed to squeeze out a sentence, one word at a time, through gritted teeth.

Every word was like an ice shard coated with deadly poison, carrying a chilling cold and an undeniable threat.

"Young man, you will regret your decision today."

Chapter Eleven: Aftermath and the Shark's Fangs

As Su Chen's figure completely disappeared outside the gates of the Sonozaki family mansion, the heavy, carved wooden door slowly closed, isolating him from the outside world.

The air inside the luxurious restaurant felt like solidified lead, making it hard to breathe.

The next moment, the suffocating silence shattered with a deafening roar.

"asshole!"

Sonozaki Ryubei's voice sounded like a wild beast's roar squeezed from the depths of its throat.

He could no longer maintain his "Godfather"-like elegance.

He hurled the wine glass in his hand onto the polished marble floor.

"Bang—Crack!"

The crisp cracking sound was particularly jarring.

The crimson wine, like spilled blood, splattered everywhere, staining the expensive carpet red.

The shattered glass glittered with a cold light under the crystal chandelier.

"A wild kid who appeared out of nowhere!"

Sonozaki Ryubei's chest heaved violently, and the veins on her forehead throbbed.

"How dare you refuse me to my face!"

"Who does he think he is!"

His deep roar contained a volcanic rage.

Deeper still, there was a sense of unease that even he himself was unwilling to face or even admit...

This unease stemmed from Su Chen's calm, unwavering eyes, and from that composure that seemed to see through everything.

He had ruled Fengdu for many years and had never seen such a person.

The eldest daughter, Sono Saki Saeko, remained silent.

She bent down and silently picked up the shards of glass on the ground, her slender fingers carefully avoiding the sharp edges.

Her movements were very light, as if she were afraid of disturbing something.

But in her mind, like a movie replay, the scene of Su Chen saying "I refuse" kept flashing back and forth.

His tone was calm and undisturbed.

His demeanor, however, was full of absolute confidence, as if his words were irrefutable truth.

That domineering spirit that dared to face his father's thunderous wrath and the immense power of the Sonozaki family.

This domineering aura made her involuntarily compare him to her nominal fiancé, Sonozaki Kirihiko.

Kirihiko.

The man who was always humble, obedient, and even somewhat cowardly in front of her father.

Even when expressing their own opinions, they were always careful, afraid of offending their father.

And this man named Su Chen...

He seems to be more charming than Kirihiko.

What attracted her was not just his composure and confidence.

It is an indescribable power.

A dangerous thought, like a seed, quietly sprouted in her heart and quickly took root and grew.

Sitting on the other side of the dining table, the second daughter, Sono Saki Wakana, maintained a perfect smile like a delicate porcelain doll.

At that moment, her beautiful eyes were fixed on the phone screen.

On the screen were news entries she had just found about "Su Chen" and "Zero One Technology".

She wasn't particularly interested in the tense atmosphere that had just been building up.

In her eyes, neither her father's anger nor her sister's silence were as attractive as Su Chen's impeccably handsome face.

And his mysterious identity as the "President of Zero One Technology".

This sparked a deep, almost fanatical curiosity in her, towards this super popular idol in Fengdu.

This man made her heart race more than any other male celebrity she had ever worked with.

"quiet!"

Sonozaki Ryubei's roar, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, abruptly interrupted the sisters' thoughts.

His gaze was cold as he swept over his two daughters.