My love index is at its maximum.

"My aunt asked me to go back home."

"Lie down properly!" Hoshino Hanami suddenly pulled him back onto the bed, holding him tightly with both hands: "You're not allowed to see that woman!"

There was another rustling sound from the bedding, which stopped after a while. In the quiet, dimly lit room, the faint chirping of birds could be heard from outside.

Tazaki Tsukasa felt the warm, squeezing sensation on his chest and gently slapped her bottom.

"It's just a meeting," he said with a laugh. "You're hopelessly petty."

"He's just petty."

Hoshino Hanami immediately pouted and punched him in the nose, less forceful than a massage. After pulling her hand back, she complained, "That woman is no good. I won't let you see her!"

"Don't worry, what happened at Tori Horse Farm last time won't happen again."

Can you guarantee that?

“Yes.” Tsukasa Tazaki nodded and explained, “My aunt wants to mend my relationship with the family. Someone as smart as her must understand this—respecting my older sister is the prerequisite for me to go back.”

Hoshino Hanami narrowed her eyes in satisfaction: "At least you have a conscience."

"Can you let me out of bed now?"

"Sleep a little longer," Hoshino Hanami said lazily, a feeling of contentment and warmth flowing through her body, making her not want to move a finger.

It wasn't until nine o'clock in the morning that Tsukasa Tazaki finished washing up and went out.

A jet-black Cullinan had been waiting at the entrance for a long time. The windows were dark blue, so you couldn't see inside from the outside. The brand-new paint gleamed with a glossy black sheen in the sunlight.

The middle-aged driver, dressed in a crisp white shirt and gray tie, stood at attention by the car door. When he saw Tsukasa Tazaki come out, he bowed respectfully and said, "Good morning, Young Master Tsukasa."

Tsukasa Tazaki took a closer look at the almost brand-new Cullinan and realized that it wasn't the one that Yui Kikawa usually rode in.

"This is a car specially assigned to Young Master Si," the driver explained. "Regarding your treatment within the clan, everything is currently being handled according to Miss Wei's standards."

"Is it the head of the family's decision or the aunt's decision?"

"That's not something we can know." The driver gently opened the car door, and only closed it after making sure Tsukasa Tazaki was fully seated before getting into the driver's seat himself.

"How about we listen to some music?" he suggested.

"Whatever."

"clear."

The driver reached under the seat and pulled out a cassette tape, pressed the play button on the dashboard, and a cello sonata quietly flowed out from where it was not visible.

The sound system in luxury cars has impeccable sound quality.

The car moved slightly, like flipping a deck of cards, and slowly started moving, heading towards Chiyoda Ward.

Rolls-Royce is just great...

Tazaki Tsukasa thought to himself with a sigh, and got off the bus in front of the Kikawa house thirty minutes later.

"If you need a car in the future, just contact me." The driver carefully opened the car door and handed over a card with only his name and contact information printed on it.

"it is good."

Tsukasa Tazaki took the card, stretched, took a deep breath, and then walked through the door.

A few wisps of white clouds dotted the azure sky, and the sunlight bathed the spacious house in vibrant green.

The neatly trimmed lawn, the swaying green pines and cypresses, the rose vines climbing the fence, and the cobblestone path winding and twisting to the backyard.

Passing through a fence gate, we arrived at the flower field.

Sister Xingzi and her aunt are planting flowers together in the sunshine.

“These English roses have a strong fragrance and vibrant color.” Kurisu pointed to a bunch of roses in full bloom and introduced them to Sachiko Tono: “They have large petals, beautiful shapes, and long blooming periods, making them perfect for decorating a café.”

"Besides roses, are there any other flowers used for decoration?"

"It mainly depends on your decorating style," said Kurisu Kawakami. "If it's more European, then Rosaceae flowers are the most appropriate. If it's more Japanese, then jasmine and similar varieties with delicate and understated flowers that look elegant and noble are the best."

“I’m also having a headache over the decorating style.” Sachiko Tono stopped what she was doing. “Tazaki-kun doesn’t care about anything and just leaves me to do all the work without even a word of encouragement.”

“He needs someone to keep an eye on him.” Kurisu rubbed her forehead, looking quite troubled. “He’s already keeping two mistresses now, and who knows how bad he’ll become in a few years.”

"Kuriko, judging from Tazaki-kun's personality, what kind of job do you think he'll do when he grows up?"

"Cowherd?"

"Eh? Now that you mention it, I think so too..."

"I heard everything."

"Yeah~"

The two older girls exclaimed in surprise at the same time, turned around, and then smiled like young girls.

"Why are you saying bad things about me?" Tsukasa Tazaki came to the two of them.

“I didn’t say anything bad about you.” Kurisu looked at him with delighted eyes, her smile particularly bright in the sunlight. “Sachiko and I were just discussing what profession would be most suitable for you when you grow up. Don’t you think that if you became a male escort, you could definitely become the top star in the entire sex industry?”

"..." Tazaki Tsukasa didn't know what to say to her, so he simply shifted his gaze to Tono Sachiko.

The shop owner, dressed as a flower grower, took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her forehead and said thoughtfully, "I think... judging from Tazaki-kun's current performance, he could become a writer when he grows up."

“Sachiko’s idea is good.” Kurisu Kawakami gritted her teeth and spoke through her beautiful lips, “Being a great writer gives you a high social status. That way, even if you openly have a lover, people will think it’s just a romantic affair, just like Tanizaki Jun'ichirō back then.”

Tazaki Tsukasa scratched his cheek helplessly.

"Oh, Xiao Si, were you moved by what your aunt said?"

"No."

"Your helpless look is so cute, it makes me want to pamper you even more. Very good, very good~ Come on, let Auntie pat your head~"

Kurisuki suddenly reached out to pat Tsukasa Tazaki's head, but Tazaki dodged it by leaning back.

"Damn it, they won't even let Auntie touch it!"

Sachiko Tono looked at the two of them with a smile, like a kind and approachable older sister.

Having a beautiful older sister smile at you is a rare experience, and it feels amazing. Tazaki Tsukasa dodged Kurisu's clutches, turned around and went to the shop manager's side, taking her hand: "Don't try to do what Aunt Kurisu does, she's a really mean person."

"How dare you talk about your aunt like that? You're angry!"

Kurisu gave him a charming glare, then turned and went to the dining table in the corridor to enjoy the exquisite snacks served by the servants.

"Be more polite to your family," Sachiko Tono admonished Tsukasa Tazaki, then couldn't help but smile, her charm overshadowing all the flowers in the flower field.

The sun gradually grew hotter, and Tsukasa Tazaki pulled her onto the veranda. The three of them sat at the dining table chatting and gazing at the blue sky above.

A few small wisps of cloud, distinct and simple, resemble an inconspicuous background in a landscape painting. A gentle breeze blows from afar from time to time, as comforting as the soft white fluff of dandelions.

As Sachiko Tono sipped her tea, she whispered to Tsukasa Tazaki about her life these past few days.

In the morning, I spend an hour helping my aunt plant flowers, learning about flowers and flower arranging. After planting, I use the time before noon to practice tennis, golf, piano, and enjoy coffee and wine. In the afternoon, I accompany my aunt to various businesses owned by the Qichuan family to familiarize myself with the processes of large corporations, learn management, and build connections.

In the evening, I also need to take some time to go to the coffee shop to check on the renovation progress.

I'm already exhausted after a long day, but even so, I can't stop working in the evening.

I accompanied my aunt to various banquets, learning how to behave in upscale restaurants, how to order food, drinks, and desserts, and how to deal with waiters and strangers who approached me.

She needed to be thoroughly familiar with the proper use of knives, forks, and spoons, and demonstrate it with meticulous ease and confidence.

In the fragrant courtyard, the beautiful shopkeeper leaned closer and whispered, while Tsukasa Tazaki listened attentively with a tender expression, just like an ordinary couple whispering secrets.

"You're so busy every day, aren't you very tired?"

"It's alright, a lot of them are experiences I've never had before, so the novelty makes it all worthwhile." Sachiko Tono sat up straight and said with a smile, "Besides these, Kuriko also taught me a lot, such as how to choose clothes, how to wear jewelry, and how to do a sophisticated makeup look..."

On the other side of the corridor, a blonde girl slowly walked over.

Her steps were graceful, and the way her shoes trod across the wooden floor was as quiet as brushing dust off a table with a glove.

It wasn't that she was intentionally tiptoeing; it was all a habitual, cultivated elegance that made Tazaki Tsukasa and Tono Sachiko, who were talking, not even notice her approaching.

The only one who noticed was Kurisu Kawakawa. When she arrived, she was already standing behind Tsukasa Tazaki, silently looking down at his head.

"Isn't your aunt good enough to your lover?"

A suddenly cheerful voice came from behind. Tsukasa Tazaki looked up, and Kurisu Kawa gave him a flirtatious wink: "As a reward, how about you sleep in your aunt's bed tonight, Tsukasa?"

Tsukasa Tazaki was about to refuse.

Her fragrant body immediately leaned closer, and as if afraid others would hear, she covered Tazaki Tsukasa's ear with her hand, her luscious red lips almost biting him as she whispered, "Yui is watching, hehe~"

As soon as she finished speaking, Kurisu shrugged and sat back in her seat, her face flushed. Her demeanor was no different from that of a shy high school girl, but she also possessed a mature and charming allure.

The blonde girl stood behind the two of them, her face expressionless, and asked, "What did you two say?"

The sound was so cold it was as if the air itself was about to liquefy.

"Sigh..." Tsukasa Tazaki sighed with a headache.

For a moment, he even began to doubt whether Qichuan Wei was really his aunt's biological daughter, otherwise why would he spend all his time making his daughter jealous?

Sachiko Tono covered her mouth, her body twitching slightly.

It was obvious that the shop manager wanted to laugh, but she was afraid of being affected by Yui's anger, so she could only hold it in.

"My aunt said you're coming and she wants me to annoy you a little," Tsukasa Tazaki answered honestly.

Yui Kikawa glanced at her biological mother.

“Xiao Si lied again.” Qi Chuan Li immediately leaned her shoulder against Tazaki Tsukasa’s shoulder: “Xiao Si and I were just discussing what position would be better. Xiao Si said he likes the position where he sits on the table with his right leg raised and his left leg splayed out, like at 6:45.”

Tsukasa Tazaki: "..."

Can we still use a clock as a metaphor?

I've learned something new.

One is never too old to learn...

Furthermore... Tazaki Tsukasa imagined the hour and minute hands at 6:45 in his mind and was deeply shocked—Auntie, why do you understand me so well?

"You're making another pointless joke!" Yui Kichikawa's eye twitched. She moved a chair over from the side and squeezed herself between Tsukasa Tazaki and Kuri Kichikawa, separating the two of them.

“I’m not kidding.” Kurisu’s eyes were filled with uncontrollable laughter. “It’s normal that Yui doesn’t understand anything about this kind of thing and can’t compare to her mother. But don’t worry, Mom will help you train Tsukasa and then return him to you.”

Under the table, Yui Kikawa stomped hard on Tsukasa Tazaki's foot.

Tazaki Tsukasa looked at his aunt in despair: "If you keep talking, someone might die."