Shiyu Xiazhikou pinched the cheek of Xue Jianyuan.
It felt as if she had taken a big bite of honey, sweetness flooding from her heart to her limbs.
“Really, all my previous worries were completely unnecessary.”
She muttered to herself.
Xue Jianyuan tilted his head, looking at Xiazhikou in confusion.
Xiazhikou was immediately charmed by the boy's head tilt.
If it were in the past, she would have definitely pulled the boy into her arms and given him a solid face wash.
Although doing that now might not be appropriate, Xiazhikou could still cup his face with both hands and gently rub and tease it.
After satisfying her urge, Xiazhikou finally let go of Xue Jianyuan.
She gazed into Xue Jianyuan's eyes.
Xiazhikou Shiyu said slowly:
“If you can see it, how could I possibly miss it?”
“Dear ex-boyfriend, while I'm happy that you're jealous for me,”
“next time, don’t get jealous over everything, or it’ll make you look cheap!”
Upon hearing Xiazhikou's words, Xue Jianyuan blinked.
“So, did the senior not agree?”
Xiazhikou Shiyu flicked Xue Jianyuan's forehead.
“Of course not, what are you thinking? It was definitely a rejection!”
“That kind of club that sounds unreliable at first glance is just a waste of time.”
“Do you think, with my personality, I would join?”
Xue Jianyuan shook his head.
“That’s exactly it.”
Xiazhikou Shiyu shrugged her shoulders.
The two exchanged glances and then shared a tacit ‘pfft’ laugh.
Xue Jianyuan retrieved the kitchen knife and twirled it in his hand, creating a beautiful flourish.
Xiazhikou continued to handle other ingredients.
“Xiazhikou-senpai, come join my club, we’re making a beautiful girl game.”
Xue Jianyuan suddenly said.
Xiazhikou Shiyu was taken aback at first.
Then she smiled helplessly.
“Isn’t that a bit childish?”
Xue Jianyuan nodded.
“Yes, I am indeed that childish.”
“You have no idea, on my way back, I was so angry I almost cried.”
“I can’t just keep all this anger to myself, it has to go somewhere!”
Xiazhikou Shiyu nodded helplessly, like an older sister comforting a child.
“Alright, alright, I get it, I’ll join.”
Upon hearing Xiazhikou's words, Xue Jianyuan immediately broke into a happy smile.
A child who isn’t pampered is just being naughty.
Xue Jianyuan’s behavior could at most be considered reasonable pouting.
After all, he was younger, so it was fine.
“By the way, senpai, if that guy comes looking for you again, remember to tell me.”
Xue Jianyuan skillfully sliced open the live fish with the kitchen knife, removing the innards and cleaning the scales.
“If that guy bothers you again, I’ll take care of him!”
Under Xue Jianyuan's deft knife skills, the fish meat was quickly extracted and arranged.
Watching Xue Jianyuan's swift and clean technique,
Xiazhikou pondered.
“Ex-boyfriend, it seems you’ve become quite extreme during our time apart.”
Xue Jianyuan paused for a moment while reaching for the clay pot.
Have I really become extreme?
The answer was undoubtedly yes.
After all, it was for survival.
To break free from the scene of being surrounded by wolves three years ago.
To avoid being left as nothing but scraps of bones.
Xue Jianyuan made the necessary changes.
“A little, after all, people aren’t unchanging creatures; growth always comes at a cost.”
Xue Jianyuan responded.
“Speaking of which, what exactly happened after we separated?”
Xiazhikou Shiyu asked, almost as if talking to herself.
‘After breaking up, what did he encounter after giving up shogi?’
‘What could have forced him to change and become who he is now?’
Xiazhikou thought.
For the Xue Jianyuan who could now laugh and say ‘let him drown in his fantasies’,
Xiazhikou Shiyu felt no fear, only heartache.
Really, what on earth happened?
“If senpai wants to know, I can tell you.”
Xue Jianyuan said with a smile.
Of course, the smile was a bit unnatural.
It didn’t matter to share the dark history.
But the fact that he had dated so many girlfriends in the past two years,
was something he should probably keep from Xiazhikou Shiyu for now.
“No, if I hear it from you, it feels meaningless; I’ll investigate myself.”
Xiazhikou Shiyu concluded.
...
Two flowers bloom, each reflecting their own branch.
“I’m back.”
“Welcome home... huh? Did Eiri encounter something unhappy today?”
A mother knows her daughter best.
Especially since Eiri was someone who couldn’t hide her feelings.
The girl’s bright blue eyes were usually filled with joy.
Just a glance would make one fall for her.
But today, those eyes clearly lacked the excitement of a young girl.
There were even traces of bloodshot that hadn’t completely faded.
It was obvious that something had happened.
Realizing this, Koyori furrowed her brows.
Eiri was everything to her.
To hurt Eiri was to touch Koyori’s bottom line.
So, who was this person who dared to cross that line?
To be honest, it was easy to guess.
After all, there were very few people who could truly matter to Eiri.
Koyori asked tentatively.
But in her heart, she felt that this possibility was very low.
Because she still had some understanding of Xue Jianyuan’s methods.
Upon hearing Xue Jianyuan’s name,
Eiri quickly shook her head.
Even in her bright blue eyes, a hint of life appeared when she heard Xue Jianyuan’s name.
Koyori thought to herself, as expected.
It wasn’t Xue Jian-kun.
Rather, Xue Jian-kun was doing quite well.
Well, it was worth her special trip to Toyozaki.
To quietly transfer her daughter from Class B to Class E.
But since it wasn’t Xue Jianyuan,
Koyori, although still smiling,
had a hint of murderous intent brewing in her eyes.