In the anime series, Goto Ichiri is actually my childhood sweetheart?

Ryoko took the water that Takahashi Kaede handed to her and drank it all. She is now the only source of income for the family. If she loses her job, it means that if she doesn't find a job before spending all her savings, she will face a family crisis.

So she could only bear it even though she was tired.

"Xiao Feng, I'm so sorry. I may not be able to go to Yili with you on Christmas Day in two days. I have to work overtime. I've been too busy at work lately."

Gao Qiaofeng hummed softly. He had nothing to say and could only take Ryoko to eat.

The smell of the food brought Ryoko back to her senses.

"What is this? It's delicious!"

"Mushrooms are delicious and fresh."

Takahashi Kaede always comes up with some new tricks, and because she is used to eating a lot of oil, Ryoko is showing signs of gaining weight.

Ryoko ate with big mouthfuls, but Takahashi Kaede was absent-minded.

He was wondering if there was anything he could do for Ryoko.

He did all the external support that could be provided, including doing housework, cooking, and going to and from school by himself.

Apart from financial support, in his current situation, he has no way to monetize his abilities.

"Xiao Feng? Xiao Feng?"

Ryoko waved in front of Takahashi Kaede, and he came back to his senses.

"Ah, what's wrong?"

"You've been staring blankly at the chopsticks you've been biting. Eat your meal. Be careful or the food will get cold and won't taste good."

Gao Qiaofeng obeyed obediently and put the food into the bowl.

"Ryoko, have you ever thought about changing jobs? With your business ability, there will definitely be a better and more relaxed company that can accept you."

Takahashi Feng suddenly asked.

Ryoko was silent for a while.

"I've thought about it, but... I still feel a little unwilling to do so. I've been working in this company for so long..."

She has already given too much in the company where she is working. If she changes jobs, her position will definitely not be as high as her current one, she will be valued less by her boss, and the interpersonal relationships around her will become completely unfamiliar.

Too many things tie her to her current company.

"Don't worry, Xiao Feng. As long as we can get through this period and the company's cash flow is healthy, I will definitely be able to relax then."

Ryoko said this to Takahashi Kaede and also to herself.

'As long as you get through it..., you will definitely...' Gao Qiaofeng had heard this kind of sentence too many times in his previous life. He himself was once a person stuck in the quagmire and controlled by his adoptive mother. He knew clearly that if he didn't make up his mind to cut off contact with the past, he would be the only one to suffer.

But it takes great determination and perseverance to break away from the past.

Takahashi Feng didn't want to force Ryoko, so he didn't say anything else.

After dinner, Takahashi Kaede went to wash the dishes while Ryoko continued working on the computer.

The clacking sound of typing continued until late at night.

......

Christmas Eve, at Goto Ichisato's house.

The Christmas tree that Goto's mother bought a few days ago arrived and was moved to the living room by Goto's father.

At this time, Goto Ichiri was standing on a chair hanging small bells on the Christmas tree. Fearing that the children would be in danger, Michiyo was the one who hung the colorful lights.

After working for a long time, Michiyo picked Goto Ichiri up from the chair and turned on the power switch.

The colorful lights light up, the whole tree is surrounded by flowing lights, the bells make a crisp "ding-ling-ling" sound, and the feeling of Christmas is overwhelming, as if Santa Claus will pull his reindeer over from the sky in the next second.

"How about it, Yili, my taste in shopping is pretty good, right~"

Michiyo picked up Goto Ichiri and asked her to grab the big five-pointed star on the top of the Christmas tree.

"Wow!"

Apart from being shocked by the beauty of the Christmas tree in front of him, Goto Ichiri could not say anything else.

"I really want Feng to see it too!"

Goto Ichiri buried his head in Michiyo's shoulder excitedly and talked to himself.

"Xiao Feng will be here tomorrow, don't worry, I'm sure he'll be able to say 'Wow!' too!"

At this time, Goto's father popped his head out from the kitchen.

He heard his daughter talk about Gaoqiao Feng every day, and even his wife praised him highly, which made him more and more curious about what kind of genius prodigy Gaoqiao Feng was.

He is mature, handsome, gentle, and can cook.

This is what he concluded from Goto Ichiri's scattered compliments. It sounds like apart from the fact that he is really good at cooking, the rest seems to have a bit of an idol filter in it.

This Christmas, in addition to helping to receive guests, he also wanted to observe Takahashi Kaede carefully.

In the past, I was the one who called out the most in Yili!

Chapter 39 Goto Ichiri's House

"Ichiri, when will the Takahashi Kaede you mentioned come tomorrow?" asked Goto Naoki.

"Feng and I made an appointment for the afternoon, and Mom promised to pick him and Ryoko up, and we'll have dinner together then!"

In Michiyo's arms, Goto Ichiri waved his hands and described.

"Ryoko may not be able to come."

Michiyo seemed to remember something and said.

Ryoko called her yesterday, and the voice on the other end of the phone sounded unusually tired.

"She has something to do at the company that day and has to work overtime, but Xiao Feng will still come, don't worry."

"That's it..."

Hearing that Ryoko couldn't come, Goto Ichiri felt a little disappointed. Takahashi Kaede loved Ryoko so much, he would definitely be very disappointed if they couldn't spend Christmas Eve together...

Imagining that he couldn't spend Christmas with his parents, Goto Ichiri suddenly felt sorry for Takahashi Kaede.

"I will definitely let Xiao Feng have a happy Christmas!"

Goto Ichiri clenched his fists and looked very motivated. Michiyo was a little confused after hearing this, but she quickly understood.

"No, Xiao Feng shouldn't be that fragile...right?"

Thinking of Takahashi Kaede's usual mature behavior, Michiyo found it hard to imagine him showing his lost and sad emotions, but he was still a child after all, and it was inevitable that he would feel sad without his family around during the holidays.

"Is this Ryoko you are talking about the mother of Takahashi Kaede?"

Goto's father asked, wanting to know about Takahashi Kaede's family situation.

Michiyo shook her head.

"No, she's his aunt, his mother's sister. Xiao Feng's parents died not long before he was born, and his current legal guardian is Ryoko."

"...That's it."

Goto's father, also known as Goto Naoki, understood and did not continue the topic.

Back in the kitchen, while washing the pots and preparing the many dishes for tomorrow's banquet, he reflected on his doubts about Takahashi Kaede.

Perhaps it is the children from this kind of family that appear to be precocious.

......

Dense, fine snow fell from the sky and landed on Takahashi Kaede's gloves, but it took a long time to melt.

Gently pick up a piece, the snow-white hexagonal crystal looks like an unfolding flower, making people marvel at the wonders of nature.

Takahashi Feng was already standing on the street waiting. It was not far from the time he had agreed with Goto Ichiri. Since he didn't have a cell phone, he was afraid that Goto's mother would not see him and would come up to look for him again.

The Christmas present was so big that he put it in a bag and placed it on the ground.

The area below the apartment building was full of parked cars, all covered in thick snow. If Goto's mother wanted to park, she wouldn't know where to park.

He simply went downstairs early and waited.

By the way, when he went downstairs, he saw Yuta's father came back. The family was talking in the house and it seemed very lively.

Unfortunately, Ryoko has to work overtime, and Christmas is not a legal holiday in Japan.

The pedestrians on the roadside are mostly families or couples, walking in groups of three or four, playing and fighting, and there are also naughty children throwing snowballs.

A vehicle with fog lights on drove in. Takahashi Kaede pulled up the brim of his hat and the car body appeared in front of him. It seemed that Goto and the others had arrived.

"Xiao Feng, why are you standing outside? Get in the car!"

Rolling down the car window, Goto's mother shouted to Takahashi Kaede through the heavy snow.

Picking up the bag, Takahashi Feng walked to the back of the car.

"Auntie, open the trunk!"

Gao Qiaofeng shouted towards the front, the taillights of the car flashed, and then the trunk slowly opened.

He grabbed the bag with both hands, lifted it high and stuffed the things into the trunk, then jumped up and reached the trunk door, closing it with the force of falling.

Goto Ichiri had already opened the car door at this time. He brushed off the snow on his body, lifted his left foot and put it into the car. He turned slightly sideways, and Takahashi Kaede got in, then gently closed the door.

"Hello Auntie."

Takahashi Kaede lifted his hat and greeted Goto Michiyo who was sitting in front of him, and Goto Michiyo smiled.

"It's snowing so hard, why are we standing outside waiting? Why don't we just go upstairs?"

"No, I really like standing in the snow. The snow scenery is pretty beautiful today."

"Feng, aren't you cold?"

Looking at the white hot air exhaled by Takahashi Kaede, Goto Ichiri asked with concern.

"It's not cold. I'm wearing very warm clothes. I've got a hat, a down jacket, and gloves."

Gao Qiaofeng stretched out his hand to gesture. The red mittens had white fur edges and looked very warm indeed.

"I don't believe it." Goto Ichiri shook his head, "Unless you let me touch it."

Takahashi Feng chuckled and pulled his hand out of the glove. Goto Ichiri held it, felt the warmth of his palm, and then let go with satisfaction.

"Yeah, it's hot. I believe you."

Takahashi Feng had reason to suspect that she just wanted to touch his hand, but he had no evidence.

"Xiao Feng, you don't have to leave in a hurry tonight. We can go for a walk on the street after dinner. I heard that there is a market on the central street, and there will probably be fireworks to watch."

"Don't be in a hurry to leave. I really want to see the fireworks, too."

"Then Xiao Feng, where are you staying tonight? Can you stay at my house? My bed is very big!"

Goto Ichiri asked expectantly.

"Forget it. I didn't bring any change of clothes, and Ryoko will be back in the evening, so I have to keep her company at least."

"But I will still stay at your house for a long time, so please take good care of me when the time comes."

For various reasons, Takahashi Kaede refused.

"All right......"

Although they couldn't live together, Goto Ichiri was still very happy that they could play together for a long time.

"By the way, Xiao Feng, what did you put in the trunk just now?"

Goto's mother, who was sitting in the front, suddenly asked.

"It's a Christmas present for Goto."

"So big?!"

Michiyo was shocked, and since the gift was in a bag, it couldn't be a children's toy, because those things have handles on them.

Talking about gifts, Goto Ichiri was a little nervous. She didn't know whether Takahashi Kaede would like the gift she gave.

"No, it's just a little toy I made myself. It's not something very precious."

It's not something precious.