Tokyo: They say it's just dating, but they're serious about it.

"Don't make such scary jokes," Mikoto said with a laugh, slapping Masako, then pulling Haruko up and pushing her into Katsuhiko's arms. She continued, "I think Kotoha and Eiyo are quite convenient there. They were really upset by Masako this morning."

This morning on their way to work, Kotoha and Eiyo deliberately passed by Mikoto's convenience store and saw Shiraki Masayuki dressed in maternity clothes. She imitated Mikoto and Sayuri's demeanor and movements, gently stroking her belly and looking down at Eiyo and Kotoha with an air of superiority.

Eiyo and Kotoha were already green with envy at Mikoto and Sayuri's smug way of touching their bellies, and they were secretly competing with each other, thinking they would be the third. But then Shiraki Masaie was randomly inserted into the mix. She was the seventh child. What right did she have to be the third child?

Eiyo was furious on the spot. She put her hands on her hips and approached Shiraki Masayuki, looking down at her. Then she bumped into her with her chest and asked if she had cheated on her. Why was it so fast?

Shiraki Masako suddenly said, "Are you trying to make things difficult for my son and me?"

Eiyo was furious and was about to grab Masayuki's hair. After all, she was only a week pregnant and was no bigger than a grain of rice. It wouldn't hurt if she punched her in the stomach a couple of times... Mikoto was so bored that she would hit her child for fun. How could Masayuki lose her child just by touching her?

However, she was still dragged away by Qin Ye, who was still irrational and furious... Because she was a pregnant woman, she really couldn't lay a hand on her.

After getting off work today, the two of them didn't go to the convenience store to suffer, but went straight home.

Of course, they also learned from Mikoto that Katsuhiko was using Shiraki Masako's life to date his new girlfriend and even spend the night outside... which made them even angrier.

He has two wives at home who are crying for milk, but he doesn't care about them and even goes out to find new ones... However, considering that he has his own days to live, and that yesterday and the day before were just over, he didn't lose his temper and call to bother them. After all, if he upsets them and they mistakenly think he's jealous, he won't be able to handle it when he gets home.

At seven o'clock in the evening, the streetlights came on. Somewhat dazed, Haruko cautiously followed Katsuhiko toward Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.

"Husband...I...Is there something I did wrong?" Haruko secretly glanced at Katsuhiko's face and asked cautiously.

"No, no, that's just how the wives in the family are. Didn't I say I'd treat them all equally? No matter how much you make a fuss, I won't take sides."

Katsuhiko did this because he was certain the ladies were all aware of their place and hadn't done anything outrageous. Of course, he wouldn't choose those who had. For example, Sato Ikuyo exuded an arrogant, spoiled young lady's temperament, looking down on everyone. Just like what she said to Shiraki Masako, "Who do you think you are? How dare you sleep with my idol?" After all, her family background and upbringing were what they were; nobles don't associate with commoners...

"Do you...do you like me...?"

Haruko received no comfort from Katsuhiko's response; instead, the sense of security she had felt from last night's experience was quickly dissipating.

She felt she shouldn't have asked such a blunt question. After all, she hadn't initially planned to ask for too much; she just hoped for an opportunity to become a star, enough to pay rent and settle her debts, and that would be enough for her.

My mother once said that rich people like them don't care about money, nor do they care about feelings, much less women. In their eyes, women are just desires; they use them when they feel like it, and forget about them once they've forgotten the woman in front of them. After all, new women will come one after another, like moths to a flame...

But Haruko couldn't help asking, she just couldn't help it. There was no one better than him, she would die without him, she would never love anyone else again, her mind was filled with him...

“Of course, you’re the cutest.” Sheng Yan shuddered, immediately put his arm around her shoulder, pulled her into his arms, and continued, “I’ll let you know how much I like you when we get home.”

Katsuhiko decided to secretly drink several bottles of [Recovery Potion] tonight, and then not give any to Haruko... She's even more clingy than Sayuri was back then...

"Really..." Haruko felt that Katsuhiko was just brushing her off.

"I'll find out when I get home. I'm going to Qinye's house."

As for choosing Qinye's family, Yingdai usually lives with Qinye and only goes home on her special days.

Meanwhile, Yuzuru is busy drawing comics, while Yumi and Oriko are still at the company...

Katsuhiko didn't ring the doorbell; he took out his key and opened the door to Kotoha's house.

The door was open, and as soon as the door opened, Qin Ye ran to the door with a piece of bread in her left hand and looked around. Ying Dai was sitting at the dining table drinking porridge.

The purpose of Katsuhiko bringing Haruko here is self-evident.

"Honey, is she your new girlfriend?" Qin Ye's eyes widened as she looked Qing Zi up and down. "Aren't you going to introduce her?"

This kind of conversation just sounds so strange...

Haruko was a little downcast, but she still bowed at a ninety-degree angle and said softly, "Kotoha-neechan, hello, I, I am Saionji Haruko."

"Oh, Haruko-chan, hello, hello," Kotoha paused, looking puzzled, and asked, "Why do you have that expression? Are you unhappy? I don't think so, after all... um... everyone knows."

Haruko blushed and stammered, unsure how to respond.

Katsuhiko pulled Haruko into the room and said, "She felt insecure and worried that I would dump her. She kept asking me if I liked her the whole way."

Haruko's mind went blank; she just blushed and lowered her head, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her skirt.

Katsuhiko seems to know everything...

"Uh... so that's the reason..." Qin Ye was stunned for a moment, her face flushed, she tilted her head and scratched her scalp with her index finger, her eyes rolling around, and asked, "Then, what does husband decide to do?"

"You definitely need to let her know that your husband isn't the kind of person who turns on you as soon as you're done with your pants up."

"Won't she die?" Qinye blurted out, but her eyes were full of excited laughter.

Kotoha's previous experience was still fresh in her mind. Even though she pretended to be indifferent, she couldn't help but feel ashamed and embarrassed when Eiyo opened the door and saw her. So she pulled the sheet over her head.

Katsuhiko first pulled Haruko to the dining table.

Without getting up, Eiyo glanced at Haruko's slightly protruding chest, a hint of superior smugness flashing in her eyes. Then, she slightly puffed out her enormous breasts and asked, "Haruko-chan, have you eaten? Sit down and eat with us!"

Katsuhiko introduced Haruko to her, saying, "This is your older sister, Eisho."

Haruko's gaze lingered on Eiyo's chest, her eyes fixed on it. So large, yet showing no signs of sagging... she murmured, "Such amazing breasts..."

"Oh dear, don't say that, it's embarrassing," Yingdai subconsciously did a chest-expanding exercise, then rubbed her shoulders, saying, "There are also some troubles that you can't possibly experience!"

Qin Ye had just walked over when she turned her head and spat softly. She deeply loathed Ying Dai's boasting.

Now, Mikoto, Masa, and Sayuri are showing off their maternity clothes and bellies, Eiyo is showing off her large and shapely breasts, and Yuma and Yumi are showing off because they look exactly alike. Kotoha realizes she has nothing to show off... If she wants to change this situation, she'll try her best to show off her maternity clothes and belly, joining the line at the convenience store entrance before Eiyo does.

The four of them sat around the dining table and ate together, with Qinye even having an extra meal.

Eiyo and Kotoha not only didn't show any aggression, but were also very enthusiastic. This eased Haruko's tension considerably, including Katsuhiko's occasional feeding of food. She felt the atmosphere here was much better than in the convenience store. Eiyo and Kotoha were so nice, it's just that their gazes were strange. While calling them perverted wouldn't be appropriate and would make her seem despicable, they just seemed perverted, making her feel inexplicably ashamed…

After dinner, I watched TV for a while. The entertainment gossip program was still broadcasting news about Katsuhiko. It was about his scandals and speculation about who his mysterious wife was... Then, it suddenly switched to the topic of "Xia Ying She" filming the movie "Paradise Lost" on July 1st, and then introduced Kuroki Hitomi, who plays the female lead Rinko. Then, a photo of Katsuhiko and Kuroki Hitomi sitting under the Tokyo Tower was shown.

It was taken from a misaligned angle, making it look like they were kissing... Coincidentally, at that time, Hitomi Kuroki was performing lines from a script about bedtime interactions, and she was quite expressive about it. The photo was even zoomed in for a close-up of her facial expressions.

The host commented on Hitomi Kuroki's acting: "Such powerful acting! Any man who sees her expressions will feel a surge of romantic attraction, followed by a headache! Rumor has it that Ms. Kuroki has stated she's willing to sacrifice herself for art if necessary. What does 'sacrifice herself for art' mean? Could it be that she's actually taking it too far?! Oh dear! As for the box office, well, it's definitely not suitable for bringing underage children to see it..."

It was probably Tanaka Yutaka who spent money to promote Kuroki Hitomi. I don't know if he designed the sales pitch or if the host improvised, but it had a pornographic feel to it. The host also looked familiar; he was the sleazy middle-aged man who participated in the "parent-child activity" with Mikoto last time.

After the entertainment gossip program ended, Kotoha grabbed the remote, turned off the TV, stretched, and said, "Oh, I'm a little sleepy, Haruko-chan, wanna take a bath together..."

Haruko didn't dare to look up at the TV the whole time. She was sandwiched between Eiyo and Kotoha on the sofa, her mind a jumble of thoughts, wondering what would happen next.

Of course, Eiyo was also extremely uncomfortable. If she hadn't been provoked by Shiraki Masayuki, she would have already fled back to her place... But today, Haruko seems even more vulnerable than me, so I can stand up for myself...

Tonight is destined to be a night that Haruko will never forget...

At one point, Haruko seemed very depressed. Her mouth was wide open as she gasped for breath, and her wide-open eyes were full of pleading, but she just wouldn't make a sound.

Sheng Yan placed his hand on her heart and said, "If you don't know what to do, you can call for help."

Then Haruko actually started screaming "Help!"...

After an unknown amount of time, Katsuhiko gave her some mineral water with a slow-recovery potion...

Her cries for help never stopped...

Chapter 137 Little Lily Inspects the Company

Early the next morning.

For some reason, Yingdai fled back to her own home next door early on.

Sheng Yan was washing up in the bathroom.

Qin Ye looked very happy, her eyebrows dancing with joy. Wearing an apron and humming a lullaby, she walked back and forth between the kitchen and the dining room.

She prepared breakfast for three people, then opened the bedroom door with a sly grin and called out loudly, "Haruko-chan, breakfast is ready!"

"Ah..." Haruko, who was still lying on the bed recovering from her shock, suddenly jolted, grabbed the sheet and covered her whole body, then curled up.

"Haruko-chan, what's wrong with you?" Kotoha walked to the bedside with a grin and poked her shoulder with her finger.

Haruko's shoulders trembled, but she remained silent.

Kotoha whispered again, "Katsuhiko asked me to ask you if you feel safe? And do you want to know if he likes you?"

Kotoha and Eiyo both agreed that their husbands already had seven legal wives, and there was no need to register any more. After all, there were only seven days in a week, and dividing it by month would take too long. Therefore, when addressing their husbands to Haruko, they should use their names and let her figure it out herself, so as not to give her any inappropriate thoughts.

Of course, given Haruko's current situation, even if she had such thoughts, her mother wouldn't agree. Her mother, Mrs. Saionji, had learned from observing various mistresses and used this experience to teach Haruko: a woman should know how to be content; never reach for what you shouldn't, especially not other men's wives, or you'll get nothing…

"I...I already know..." Haruko's voice trembled with undisguised shame as she waved her hand behind her back. "I'll never ask again."

I think I almost died last night. I don't even know when I fell asleep. Before I knew it, it was dawn. But when I think back on it, I feel so ashamed that I bang my head against the pillow...

Haruko was initially delighted by Katsuhiko's behavior, then bewildered, followed by panic, then dizziness and terror... and finally screamed for help.

Then, a figure rushed in, claiming to have come to rescue someone...

Why are they so eager to help others? They're even worse than those three in the convenience store...disgusting! I can't bear to look at their faces again.

As for everything Katsuhiko has done, one can only say that Katsuhiko is not someone that one person can possess alone.

Why not just say you don't like your girlfriend being too clingy? Why make it so complicated and embarrassing? It's so frustrating.

No wonder Kotoha and Eiyo didn't seem jealous at all.

Breakfast was finished amidst Haruko's shy expression.

When she went to work, Eiyo also came over, acting as if nothing had happened. Apart from her face being slightly flushed and a hint of embarrassment occasionally flashing in her eyes, she didn't speak to Haruko at all. She and Kotoha didn't want to go to the convenience store to see the three pregnant women showing off, so they went straight to the company.

Katsuhiko needed to go to the convenience store as usual, then drive Mikoto's Mazda to the company, and take Haruko, whose eyes were still a little unfocused, to Mikoto's house, also to let her get acquainted with the homes of each of the wives.

After leaving Kotoha's house, Katsuhiko pointed out each of the houses they passed: "This is Yuma's house, this is Yumi's house, this is Eiyo's house, in the next alley is Sayuri's house, then Mikoto's house, and in another alley is my parents' house, then Sayuri's parents' house..."

Haruko looked around at the surrounding houses. The walls were all low, and taller people could stand on tiptoe and see the neighbor's yard... It was like seeing each other all the time. She was greatly shocked.

"Once you start singing, you'll probably make money quickly, so let's buy an apartment around here! That way, we can look out for each other if anything happens."

"Okay, okay, I, I'll work hard... Can I afford it here...?"

They're all detached houses, and even with a huge price reduction, one unit would still cost at least 60 million yen... Right now, I can't even afford the monthly rent of 150,000 yen...

"Don't worry, you have a very good foundation in music theory. Yumi didn't know anything at first, but she became famous all over Japan in less than two months. You also have a very good foundation in dance, which gives you an advantage over Yumi. She still can't do the splits. Your splits last night were so beautiful..."

"Please don't say it, it's so embarrassing..." Haruko hugged Katsuhiko's arm and buried her head in his chest.

Just as Katsuhiko and Haruko entered the alleyway leading to Mikoto's house, Shiraki Masayuki, Sayuri, and Mikoto happened to be holding the reluctant Chinatsu's hand and opening the door.

When Chinatsu saw Haruko, she stared in disbelief and screamed, "Haruko-sensei, what are you doing here? Are you here to take me to school? I don't want to go!"

Haruko blushed and, facing the four-year-old child, stammered in a low voice that she had changed jobs and was no longer a teacher...

Chinatsu thought she didn't have a teacher anymore, and clapped her hands happily, saying she didn't need to go to school anymore because there were no teachers...

Mikoto slapped her, and she quieted down.

Sayuri said that she would take Chinatsu to school so that someone wouldn't run into a new teacher while taking Chinatsu there and end up becoming someone's girlfriend again.

Mikoto and Masako chuckled to themselves, while Haruko lowered her head in embarrassment.