Chapter 91 Let's go, I'll escort you to the Zhang family.

Akina Nakamori carefully placed the paper bag she was carrying on the coffee table.

Then she straightened up, her gaze sweeping across the expert's face on the screen as he spoke with spittle flying, finally landing on Kitahara Iwa, who stood to the side with a calm expression.

Looking at Kitahara Iwa's profile, which remained completely still in the light, Nakamori Akina felt as if something was gripping her heart tightly.

How could Kitahara Iwa not care?

How delicate and sensitive must a writer be to produce a work like "The Scream"?

Faced with the overwhelming malice and framing from the whole society at this moment, those words of venomous insults would be enough to crush anyone.

But Kitahara Iwa acted with such nonchalance.

In Nakamori Akina's view, this excessive calm was not true indifference at all.

Rather, it was a facade that Kitahara Iwa forced down, swallowing his grievances and stubbornly maintaining his adult dignity.

After all, when he was fiercely attacked, smeared, and even morally judged by the media, public opinion, and some viewers, he had considered harming himself. Moreover, the attacks that Kitahara Iwa is currently enduring are far more terrifying than those he faced back then.

Therefore, the more Kitahara Iwa remained silent, the more her nose stung with tears.

"Kitahara-kun... if you find it jarring, there's no need to force yourself to listen."

Looking at Kitahara Iwa's calm face despite being targeted by everyone, Nakamori Akina bit her lower lip and said in a very low voice, "Those people outside are cursing so viciously, anyone would feel a little uncomfortable in that situation."

Upon hearing these words, Kitahara Iwa was slightly taken aback.

I feel terrible.

No way?

I'm so happy right now!

However, Kitahara Iwa followed Nakamori Akina's gaze and glanced at the expert on the screen who was still hysterically cursing, before he realized what was happening.

My detached, spectator mentality, stemming from my understanding of history's trajectory, was perceived by someone like Akina Nakamori, who cared about me, as a forced act of swallowing all my grievances.

This careful protection stirred a tender feeling in Kitahara Iwa's heart.

Kitahara Iwa didn't rush to explain anything. Instead, he picked up the remote control on the coffee table and pressed the power button.

The noisy scene instantly went dark, and the ear-piercing din in the living room came to an abrupt end.

In the suddenly quiet room, Kitahara Iwa put down the remote control, looked at Nakamori Akina with gentle eyes, and said in a calm but sincere tone, "Ms. Nakamori, I really don't care about these noises."

Akina Nakamori clearly did not believe Kitahara Iwao's words.

In her view, this was just a facade that Kitahara Iwa deliberately put on to avoid making her worry.

Then Nakamori Akina took a deep breath, her previously lowered gaze suddenly rising, and said with a stubbornness that showed no regard for anything else, "Kitahara-sensei, I've made up my mind."

"Tomorrow morning, I'll contact several media outlets I know. I'm going to issue a public statement, even if those media outlets attack me along with them, even if I'm condemned by the entire public tomorrow, I absolutely cannot stand by and watch you bear this unreasonable malice alone!"

Looking at the woman in front of him, who had just escaped the mire and whose career was finally starting to improve, yet was willing to give up everything for him without hesitation, Kitahara Iwa felt an overwhelming surge of emotion.

This is Akina Nakamori.

For the people she cares about, she always habitually gives her all, even at the cost of using herself as a shield.

In her past life, it was precisely because of this pure and unreserved personality that she was hurt so deeply.

Kitahara Iwao took a step forward, reached out his hand, and gently placed his palm on Nakamori Akina's thin shoulder, which was trembling slightly with excitement.

"Ms. Nakamori, I appreciate your kind intentions, but there's really no need to do this."

Kitahara Iwao's tone remained calm, yet it conveyed a reassuring composure as he said, "You've finally managed to get your life and career back on track; there's no need for you to wade into this media mess for my sake."

"And I'm not stopping you out of bravado; I'm well aware of the current situation."

Feeling the warmth on her shoulder, Akina Nakamori tilted her head slightly, a hint of uncertainty still lingering in her eyes, and said, "Really? You really... you're not just saying that because you're afraid of implicating me?"

"Of course not."

Seeing the doubtful look on Nakamori Akina's face, Kitahara Iwao smiled and said, "If you don't believe me, how about we make a bet?"

"bet?"

Nakamori Akina was stunned for a moment upon hearing this.

"Yes, let's set January 4th of next year as the deadline."

Kitahara Iwato withdrew his gaze and turned to the neon-lit Tokyo night view outside the floor-to-ceiling window, saying with unusual certainty, "We'll wait until early January."

Kitahara Iwa paused, then looked at Nakamori Akina again, and solemnly promised, "If the situation remains unchanged after January 4th, I will still be the target of everyone's criticism."

"When that time comes, I will never stop you from speaking up for me. Okay?"

Akina Nakamori stared intently at Iwata Kitahara for a long time, trying to find a trace of bravado in his eyes.

But there was nothing there.

There was no reluctance or feigned panic in Kitahara Iwa's eyes, only a certainty that made people want to believe him.

Seeing Kitahara Iwa's composed demeanor, Nakamori Akina's shoulders, which had been tense due to anxiety and worry, gradually relaxed.

Although she still felt somewhat uncertain, she nodded slightly.

"Okay, it's a deal then. But if the situation hasn't improved by January..."

Akina Nakamori raised her head, a stubborn look returning to her eyes, and said, "When the time comes, you absolutely cannot stop me from speaking out."

"Okay, as you wish."

Kitahara Iwa smiled and withdrew his hand, his gaze gently falling on the paper bag on the coffee table: "Since you braved this cold wind to bring over some late-night snacks, let's get started."

The two sat down in the living room and shared a simple, warm late-night snack.

Outside the window, Tokyo remained bustling and vibrant, but inside, there was a tranquility and warmth that shielded one from all the storms.

After having a late-night snack, it was already very late.

Kitahara Iwa walked to the entrance and naturally took down the long coat from the hanger.

Just as Kitahara Iwa was about to open the door to send Nakamori Akina home, he suddenly stopped, turned around and looked at Nakamori Akina who was tying her scarf. His expression changed from the previous amiable one to an extremely serious one.

"Ms. Nakamori."

Kitahara Iwa lowered his voice, his tone carrying an undeniable seriousness, and said, "If you trust me, during this time, convert as much of your yen assets into US dollars as possible."

Akina Nakamori paused slightly as she tied the scarf, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

In this era, the Japanese yen is recognized worldwide as the strongest currency. Even the Ministry of Finance is advocating that the yen will continue to appreciate. Countless people are scrambling to exchange foreign exchange for yen to speculate in stocks and land. Why would they suddenly reverse course and exchange for US dollars?

"I have received some extremely reliable inside information."

Kitahara Iwao looked at Nakamori Akina, but did not explain the complex logic of macroeconomics. He simply said, "The current prosperity is very abnormal."

"Listen to me, don't ask why, go exchange for US dollars."

Looking into Kitahara Iwa's eyes, Nakamori Akina swallowed the doubt that was on the tip of her tongue.

Akina Nakamori already had an unusual level of trust in the man in front of her, especially since he had just made a one-month promise with her.

Under these circumstances, Akina Nakamori would naturally not question Iwao Kitahara.

Moreover, so what if Nakamori Akina's words caused her assets to shrink considerably?

I can just earn it back myself!

Akina Nakamori nodded emphatically, her tone filled with unwavering trust, and said, "Okay, I believe you. I'll contact my financial advisor first thing tomorrow morning to handle this."

Hearing Nakamori Akina's reply, Kitahara Iwao's eyes flashed with admiration. He smiled, turned around, and opened the apartment door: "Let's go, it's late. I'll take you home."