“Can…can I?”
Happiness came too suddenly, leaving Kayako a little stunned. “God, please forgive me. I never expected you to be so kind even though I lied. Thank you so much.”
“Well, my parents aren't home anyway, and you can wait until they come back. But it's better to call first. What if they've already come back?”
For a moment, Kayako felt the urge to wish for her parents to meet with an accident. But looking at Lin Ze’s gentle gaze, she still used his phone to dial her mother’s number. “God, please be kind to me again. I beg you, don’t let the call connect.”
After a series of rings, the call went unanswered and disconnected. Kayako’s heart leaped with joy.
Seeing Kayako’s obvious mood improvement, Lin Ze thought, “If this could last forever…it would really be pretty good. Why does she have to go through all those things in the future? Since fate has brought her here, I’ll do what I can to change this girl's future.”
“No answer? Okay, let’s go to my place then.”
“Okay.” This time, Kayako answered readily. Maybe she was afraid he'd change his mind? Regardless, Kayako felt that him being willing to talk to her meant he didn't dislike her; him being gentle to her meant he also liked her; and him being willing to let her enter his home meant he accepted her. That meant…marriage? In that moment, Kayako was overwhelmed with happiness. Her mind had already started imagining their life after marriage.
What should they name their child? Kayako was lost in thought when Lin Ze interrupted her. “Come on, eat. After we’re done, we'll go back.”
Snapping out of her daze, Kayako’s face flushed slightly. Her fair skin made the blush even more noticeable. She lowered her head and ate, her mind full of nothing but finishing the meal and going to Lin Ze’s house…alone!
A bowl of ramen isn't much to begin with, and Kayako finished it in three bites, silently gazing at Lin Ze. This scene made Lin Ze’s heart race. If she weren’t a vengeful spirit, having such a girl who liked him and was so well-behaved would be amazing! This damn world!!!
“Let’s go.” Lin Ze grabbed a bag to put the towel in and, holding up an umbrella, motioned for Kayako to follow.
Kayako quickly stepped forward. “Kayako, I think you're very pretty and your personality is great, but you seem a little insecure. You can’t be like this. Be more confident and make more friends. That way, your life will be more exciting.”
His words of concern brought her warmth, a feeling she’d never experienced before. Even the cold wind blowing against her wet clothes didn’t seem cold anymore. “I’m not pretty…everyone thinks I have a strange personality, so they don’t want to be friends with me.”
Looking at Kayako, who was a bit embarrassed, Lin Ze didn't hesitate to say, “Who says so? Aren’t we friends now?”
“Friends…um!” Kayako mumbled those two words and then nodded firmly. Lin Ze…is truly an angel.
The rainy road was a bit muddy, inevitably getting their shoes dirty. Entering the courtyard, Lin Ze opened the door. “I’m back.” “Excuse me.”
Kayako looked down at her own shoes, afraid of getting Lin Ze’s entrance dirty. She hastily took them off, only to reveal a pair of white socks with a hole. The embarrassment and shame made her want to die.
She froze in place, but Lin Ze didn't. He noticed her distress, took out a pair of slippers, and then, under her astonished gaze, bent down and squatted. “No one lives here usually, so I don’t have guest shoes. Wear mine for now. You’re really a good girl, Kayako. Whoever marries you in the future will be very happy. You’re thrifty and good at managing a household.”
Lin Ze gently removed Kayako’s damp white socks. Her jade-like feet were revealed before him. After putting the slippers on her, Lin Ze picked up the socks and stood up, ready to leave.
“Lin…Lin Ze, the socks…just throw them away.” Wuwuwu, Lin Ze…how could you touch something so dirty? I should have died. I only have three pairs of socks, but I'd rather throw them away than let them pollute your hands again!
Lin Ze was pulled back. He turned to look at Kayako’s already blushing face, thought for a moment, and nodded in agreement. This made Kayako breathe a sigh of relief and finally let go of the corner of his clothes. She closely followed behind Lin Ze.
Lin Ze said that whoever married me would be lucky. Was he hinting at something? Tonight…will Lin Ze eat me?
Lin Ze was unaware of Kayako’s colorful thoughts. He let Kayako sit down freely, then turned and went to the kitchen. Kayako sat obediently in the living room, motionless, her mind full of whether or not she would be eaten.
A sweet ginger scent wafted in, interrupting Kayako’s thoughts. Lin Ze came out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of ginger ale soup. “You got wet and caught a cold, even after eating ramen, you should still drink some ginger soup. It’s mixed with Coke, so it won’t be too bad.”
“Thank you.” Too bad? Even if it were poison, Kayako would drink it without hesitation. Of course, Lin Ze didn’t have such morbid thoughts. “No, no, Kayako can’t keep thinking like this. Lin Ze is upright and reliable. How can I think of him with such lewd and shameless thoughts?”
She was already feeling warmed by Lin Ze, and now a bowl of ginger soup went down, Kayako felt like she was about to burst into flames, like a moth drawn to fire.
“Why don’t you…watch some TV?”
“Okay.”
Lin Ze didn’t know what was playing on TV. He was busy thinking about Kayako. Would everything be safe if things continued like this? But he always felt it wasn't that simple.
Kayako wasn’t watching TV either. She only wished time would slow down, just a little bit slower. Today was a terrible day. She had been discovered by Lin Ze and thought she would be disliked, but instead, it turned out to be so wonderful. She was alone, and this was the first time she was spending time alone with someone she liked. Usually, she only had a little black cat to keep her company. Right! Little black…don’t worry, don’t worry, you'll have to endure it for one night. I’m sure he’ll forgive me.
Too many questions gave Lin Ze a headache. He glanced at the time. It was already nine o’clock. He told Kayako to call her parents again. Kayako reluctantly picked up the phone and called her mother. Despite her fervent prayers, the call went through.
“Hello…Mom…it’s me, Kayako.”
“Oh…it’s…it’s Kayako. I’m not going back tonight…don’t call me. I’m busy…just…like this.”
As the call ended, Lin Ze remained silent. He hadn’t heard wrong. Kayako’s mother was drunk, and…there were some noisy male voices beside her. He looked at Kayako, who lowered her head and hid her face in her long hair. He spoke soothingly, “Kayako? Are you okay?”
Behind the hair, her face couldn’t help but show a smile. Though she knew she shouldn’t, she felt a strange sense of gratitude towards her good-for-nothing mother. Did this mean…
“Why don’t you…stay here tonight? I’ll fix up a room for you.”
For a moment, Lin Ze thought he saw Kayako smiling as she raised her head. But it might have been an illusion. The young girl’s eyes were filled with tears, her face flushed red. She kept apologizing. “I’m sorry, Lin Ze. I’ve caused you so much trouble.”