After their confessions were rejected, they regretted it for the rest of their lives.

"What can you do to help? Can you cast a curse on her to shorten her lifespan?"

Ke Yueci rubbed her temples, realizing that it was virtually impossible for her to get Duan Rong's things from Xia Weichan.

Even if he dies and the shares are redistributed, according to his will, they will probably indeed become state-owned.

But I thought it would be easier to talk about what's on my mind.

The girl still said to Zhu Xuening beside her:

"There's a piece of property that I really want; it's very important to me. But it seems that no matter what I do, he won't let go."

"Oh, is that what it is? So, what about your fundraising?"

"That won't work either. I don't have a good impression of him, and he doesn't trust me at all." Ke Yueci shook her head.

"Hmm..."

Zhu Xuening looked up thoughtfully, watching the Northern Longtail Tits hopping around in the treetops.

"Then...don't you want to consider making him yours?"

This statement, completely unaware of the actual situation, earned her a glare from Ke Yueci. She deliberately flashed her wedding ring and said:

"I have a lover."

"I didn't mean that..."

Zhu Xuening explained softly:

"There must be some job opening around you, the lure of power, or you could find a pretty and gentle girl, the kind guys like, even use your charm, right?"

"..."

Ke Yueci paused for a moment, then glanced at Zhu Xuening, who seemed lost in thought.

"That's definitely feasible..."

"Hmm~"

Zhu Xuening stood on tiptoe, a smug look on her face, and coughed lightly every now and then.

"..."

Ke Yueci looked at the pretty young woman in front of her, whose appearance was quite similar to her own.

In contrast to her leisurely life, he was constantly busy.

However, there's no point in being envious, since Zhu Xuening's health isn't very good.

The girl had previously joked that she wouldn't live long...

But a wicked thought quietly took root in Ke Yueci's mind.

"That guy is pretty good-looking, you should give him a try sometime."

"?"

.........

At 6 p.m., in the training room,

After several hours of getting used to each other, Azusa Funagi has gradually adapted to spending time with Tsuruo Kurimaki.

The only thing to note is...

That is, the two cannot get too close. Kurimaki Tsuruo hates anyone being within 1 meter of her and never personally helps the girl adjust her posture during training.

He simply stood there and spoke.

This training room doesn't have air conditioning, since it's a spare room that's been vacated.

After a long training session, Azusa Funaki inevitably felt a bit hot, but Tsuruo Kurimaki strangely wore an outer garment.

If you stand for a long time, it's inevitable that fine beads of sweat will appear on your forehead.

She would occasionally grab her left arm and gently rub it, making her delicate and aloof face appear somewhat unnatural.

"Aren't you... hot?" Zhou Juzi couldn't help but ask.

"Don't worry about me, your primary task is to get yourself in the right position," Tsuruo Kurimaki said calmly.

This guy has a real talent for learning, and he's already showing the basic qualities of an idol.

This made her ask:

"Have you studied dance?"

"no."

Zhou Juzi answered honestly that the girl had only practiced stringed instruments like the guitar, and she wasn't interested in dancing or anything like that, plus she didn't have the financial means for it.

"Alright then..."

Kurimaki Tsuruo didn't ask any more questions, and her tone softened for once:

"Today's training is over. You can go home now."

"Huh? I thought we'd be staying longer."

"Don't keep your boyfriend waiting too long."

"oh…"

Although Azusa Funagi found it a little strange that Kurimaki Tsuruo would suddenly say such a thing, she didn't think too much about it.

After Kurimaki Tsuruo explained the situation, Funagi Azusa's attitude towards her gradually shifted towards that of an eccentric senior.

Even that cold, lifeless face of his was starting to look somewhat pleasing to the eye…

As Tachibana was packing her things to leave, she suddenly remembered something and called out to Tsuruo Kurimaki, who had already reached the door:

"Um, Tsuruo...senpai, it's only been six months since you officially became a singer?"

"..."

Her fingers slid gently off the doorknob. Without turning her head, Kurimaki Tsuruo said calmly:

"Well, why are you suddenly asking this?"

"It's really nothing..."

Zhou Juzi scratched her cheek with one hand, remembering the words Xia Weichan had said to comfort her during her first interview...

"Xia Weichan said that you were nervous when you first went on stage... right? Did you get coached by others later?"

"..."

Kurimaki Tsuruo fell silent, facing the door. No one could see the girl's expression clearly, but her voice was somewhat muffled:

"Did Xia Weiyu tell him this?"

"Actually, I don't know much about his brother..."

"I'm different from you. Xia Weiyu didn't find anyone else to teach me these things... he taught me himself."

After saying that, Kurimaki Tsuruo turned the doorknob and walked out without looking back.

Only Azusa Furutani remained in the room…

……

out the door.

Kurimaki Tsuruo walked silently down the corridor, her eyes lowered.

Everyone else in the company would instinctively avoid this aloof young woman.

It's not that she's isolated; no one is actively distancing themselves from an idol singer who's almost a superstar.

Rather, it was Kurimaki Tsuruo who always isolated others.

Xia Weiyu would tell Xia Weichan everything.

But he rarely tells himself about his past…

She never felt that she truly understood Xia Weiyu.

Even in their daily interactions, even though everyone thought Xia Weiyu was pursuing her,

But only Tsuruo Kurimaki could sense that this attentiveness was mixed with a more complex feeling.

It's hard to explain, hard to define...

This love affair, from beginning to end, only drained her own energy, even after his death…

arrive home,

The girl gripped her left arm tightly with her right hand, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Standing in the entryway, seemingly lost in thought, I was actually enduring the sense of disconnect between reality and illusion…

After a long while, she bent down, took off her brown leather shoes, and pulled her black stockings down her calves, setting them aside.

Then she unbuttoned that... Zhou Juzi was curious during training why she always wore that outer garment.

He casually tossed it on the ground.

The girl's fair, slender arms, no longer concealed by her sleeves, revealed faint, red welts from scratches inflicted by fingernails.

At this point, the reason why Tsuruo Kurimaki always wore an outer garment was also explained.

Looking at the glaring scratches on his left arm,

This was not due to any accident, but rather an instinctive struggle of Kurimaki Tsuruo herself in her confusion and pain.

Just like when a person is dreaming, pain can force them to wake up.

After the death of Natsumi Yu, Kurimaki Tsuruo

Whenever I fall into that nightmare-like state, I try to use this method to stabilize my consciousness.

The girl remained expressionless, just as she had been in the training room.

It seemed that this body no longer belonged to him.

The days Xia Weiyu has been away... have been enough. I've been in this place for far too long...

The stinging pain in my arm was nothing compared to the agony of having my heart ripped out.

The girl's dependence on Xia Weiyu goes beyond mere support in her idol career...