I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 238 Let Me Trouble Your Life

The countryside was already quiet at night, but for Zhao Ri, the lights were just beginning to come on.

The boy, who had changed out of his school uniform, stood outside the bar looking at his phone.

Countless men and women passed by, and many of them couldn't help but glance at the boy, their eyes filled with curiosity or envy.

They covet it, or are even more daring and restless.

"Hey handsome, are you alone? Want to come in for a drink?"

A young girl with heavy makeup held her phone and smiled beautifully.

Actually, a slightly heavier makeup look isn't a problem; you can tell she has a good foundation. But in this era, anxiety exists about everything, whether it's appearance or finances. It always makes people busy chasing after things because of a lack of confidence.

In the end, they didn't even know what they were chasing, yet they tried to package themselves in a way that even their parents wouldn't recognize.

Gen Tsukino did not answer immediately.

The girl's companions chuckled secretly, seemingly finding the scene amusing and considering it part of their evening's entertainment. Tsukino Gen was bewildered, wondering what people were happy about these days, and what they were seeking by lingering at night.

"Give me some face, I'm just sitting here all alone anyway, aren't you bored? Look, if you don't like me, I have lots of other girls~"

Gen Tsukino glanced at her companions behind her, who seemed less impressive than the girl in front of her.

However, Gen Tsukino never makes choices in such matters, nor does he simply choose someone he finds agreeable since things have come to this.

But it seems this time it's not the boy's turn to speak.

"Who said he was alone, little sister?"

A taller, more slender figure appeared casually beside Tsukino Gen, even raising an arm to gently drape over the boy's shoulder. The gesture seemed intimate and natural, accompanied by a slightly flirtatious tone.

The girl looked over there.

The woman, wearing black patent leather high heels, a dark-colored pencil skirt, and long, straight legs that resembled whitewashed telephone poles, exuded a powerful aura. She also wore a leather jacket over her outfit.

Add to that her cold demeanor and those sharp eyes that had long scrutinized all sorts of prisoners.

It seems that the moment you see her, you should be forced to take two steps back by her imposing aura.

What's more, this woman is excessively beautiful.

She hooked her arm around the boy's shoulder, smiled, and said to the young girl whose expression was starting to turn awkward, "Are all young girls these days so bad at flirting? Or do you think you're so pretty that you don't need any skills?"

The girl was speechless for a moment, stammering.

This young yet powerful woman is clearly a prime example of taking advantage of someone's weakness and trying to destroy them.

"Sorry, I haven't even won over this man yet, so you'd better step aside for now."

As she spoke, she smiled and took the boy's arm.

Gen Tsukino tried to struggle, but the other person held her even tighter, so she simply gave up.

The girl immediately replied, "Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you."

She and her companions left hastily, looking incredibly embarrassed, even going into a bar. The faint sound of her companions laughing could still be heard on the street.

What game it was, what it was mocking, whether it was her, or himself and this woman—Tsukino Gen had no idea. Of course, he never paid attention to the affairs of strangers.

The young woman next to her, who smelled of perfume, laughed and said, "Your charm is truly undeniable. If you arrive even a little late, some 'cats' will come sniffing around and stealing your scent."

Gen Tsukino didn't respond to such things. Of course, his charm was undeniable, and no amount of lying could change that; it would be a lifelong source of trouble for him.

"So why were you a little late? Was it on purpose?"

Chinatsu Morita scoffed, "Shouldn't you be more concerned about my outfit today?"

"You're dressed beautifully, but is there any connection?"

"Of course, if I didn't come a little later, how would I see my great outfit? Besides, is it embarrassing to wait a little bit late for a woman like me?"

Gen Tsukino couldn't help but laugh. "I don't really have the habit of waiting for others; usually, it's others who wait for me."

"Look at you, so vain. Come on in, we've reserved a table, let's talk while we drink."

As she spoke, she grabbed Tsukino Gen's arm and led him into the bar.

Gen Tsukino frowned slightly. "Let's get this straight, don't drink too much. Otherwise, don't expect me to drink with you again."

Chinatsu Morita pouted, somewhat displeased. "You make it sound like I'm always drunk. Fine, I promise you. You're such a stingy person, always acting like I have ulterior motives towards you."

"Isn't this an obvious fact?"

"You can think that way in your heart, but can't you at least give me some face when you say it?"

"So Officer Morita does care about saving face."

"Of course, no matter what I say or do to you, I still need to save face."

"So, you can do anything, but I can't get arrogant because of it?"

"As expected of an outstanding student from Zhaori Private High School, their comprehension ability is truly strong."

"I'll go to yours."

In a conversation that resembled a stand-up comedy routine, the two arrived at their spot in the bar.

It wasn't a paper airplane, nor was it a bar that happened to participate in the anniversary celebration last time. It seems this woman always seems to be meeting new bars; I wonder what she does besides work.

However, the atmosphere of this bar is clearly different from other places; it's more of a quiet bar with whiskey and cocktails.

There was no noisy atmosphere or human voices; everyone seemed to be deliberately keeping their voices down.

There wasn't even anyone rolling dice.

The lighting was dimmer, and there was a distinct sandalwood-like scent inside. The music playing was more soothing and relaxing jazz.

It seemed more like the kind of place where successful people could showcase their taste, but as I walked along, I saw quite a few young men and women chatting casually and elegantly. "Changed style, actually came to a bar like this?"

As she looked at the drinks menu, Chinatsu Morita smiled. "What's wrong with this kind of bar? Does it not suit my style?"

"I thought you would choose a more bustling place."

After all, people like contrasts. For someone like Chinatsu Morita, whose job is serious and stressful, it seems that she should release stress in a more intense way during her leisure time.

After ordering her drink, Chinatsu Morita smiled at the boy and said, "Really? Actually, I like coming to places like this when I'm drinking alone. Because I'm not often bothered, I can drink and think about things in peace."

Gen Tsukino shook his head. "When I'm drinking, the things I think about don't seem very reliable. It's like making a decision alone in the middle of the night, and then forgetting about it or giving up on it in the morning."

"You're quite experienced, Tsukino-kun. You know all this?"

"Is there anything so hard to understand? I'm not the kind of pampered young master who has no worries and doesn't need to think. In the end, I'm just an ordinary person."

These words made Chinatsu Morita smile even more brightly.

"If you are an ordinary person, then most people in this world are not even mediocre."

"It's not about ordinary people thinking about their own ideas, but about defining things by other people's standards."

"On the contrary, I think this standard is defined by others. For example, I think you are not ordinary at all, and even a bit excessive."

"Excessive?"

"Yes, of course it's excessive. It's to the point where you feel it would be a great pity to miss out on it once you've encountered it."

Looking into her shifting eyes, it seemed she had specially applied eyeliner and mascara today. Her eyes looked like deep whirlpools, possessing a mysterious allure that drew your gaze deep into their depths.

Such a look is certainly not something that is revealed casually; it is definitely meaningful.

But Gen Tsukino didn't intend to get involved in that meaning. He turned his gaze away and said, "He's acting like he's drunk even before he's had a drink."

Chinatsu Morita didn't mind her younger brother's 'escape' behavior, and said casually, "Don't worry, I said I wouldn't drink too much, and I won't. Do you think I'd come out every day and let you take care of me?"

"It would be best if you thought that way."

"It seems you've already come to this realization. So, knowing you might have to take care of me, you still chose to come and keep your appointment. Does this mean you also yearn for something deep down?"

It is becoming increasingly aggressive.

She's always been this kind of woman, never knowing how to restrain herself. She won't give up until she says something, unlike those scumbags who are good at manipulating relationships. They always know that sometimes knowing when to stop is the best way to preserve the beauty of the relationship.

For her, there seemed to be only two outcomes: gain or complete destruction.

A woman who is somewhat frightening to think about.

Gen Tsukino, however, did not intend to deny it outright.

"It's perfectly normal for men to have desires, isn't it? You say I'm special? Do you mean you think I'm a particularly upright gentleman?"

Her smile was alluring, and under the ambiguous lighting, it exuded an even richer charm.

"Of course I don't think so, but I think your bottom line is quite clear. You won't have a meaningless relationship."

"What's the point?"

"Maybe deep down, it's just feelings of attraction or liking? Like those text-and-image games you guys like to play, right? They usually have some kind of 'affinity' system, right? Maybe for you, the 'affinity' level hasn't reached that limit, and you won't cross certain boundaries?"

Just then, the waiter brought out the drinks.

Two single-serving glasses of Bruichladdich and six bottles of craft beer.

It seems that this is already considered quite a restrained amount in her world.

The two toasted briefly, and Tsukino Gen looked at her slightly flushed face.

"You see right through me, as expected of Officer Morita."

She certainly doesn't lack analytical skills, but sometimes, when she's involved in a relationship, she's too caught up in it to analyze things clearly, because once there's an emotional inclination, there will be preconceived biases that interfere.

In other words, no one can be objective in matters of the heart.

We are all just pieces on a chessboard, or cards in a deck of cards.

"So you're not denying it anymore?"

"You've analyzed it so thoroughly, what's there to deny? I'll just plead guilty."

The boy took a sip of wine, but he didn't have a strong feeling about these things.

I can't say I like it, nor can I say I particularly dislike it.

The woman, holding her wine glass, smiled and said, "Since you've pleaded guilty, then be prepared to be punished."

"What ruling?"

Do you remember that ring?

"remember."

"Are you still there?"

"Still."

Of course it wasn't lost; Gen Tsukino doesn't have the habit of carelessly throwing things away.

Then he saw the woman opposite him gracefully extend her beautiful, fair hand and say to him.

"Then you shall be sentenced to willingly put this ring on my finger, so that I may entangle you for the rest of your life."

……

(End of this chapter)