"So it's true? You have someone you like?" Ai-yin's friend pressed, her tone even more excited.

"Hehe, we're not a couple yet, it's just that I like him." Ai Yin's voice was even lower, shy yet full of longing.

With a sudden "bang," Su Shi felt her mind go blank, and she could no longer bear to stay outside. She took a deep breath, pushed open the classroom door, and went inside.

When Aine saw Su Shi enter, the smile on her face froze instantly, and she slowly turned around, her back to Su Shi.

The other girls watching in the classroom also noticed that something was wrong, and they all tactfully returned to their seats, and the once lively classroom instantly became quiet.

Su Shi's gaze was fixed on Ai Yin's back; that familiar white shirt seemed particularly jarring at that moment. She had been in a daze all morning and hadn't paid any attention to what the teacher had said.

Has Aine found a new love?

Why so fast?

Who is she?

Is she better than me?

Even though she was the one who initiated the breakup, Su Shi was still upset when she learned that Ai Yin, who had always been around her, had quickly moved on to someone else. Her mind was in turmoil, and she couldn't even remember anything about Xiangzi.

After class, she instinctively followed behind Aine without letting her notice.

When they arrived at the school gate, they saw Ai Yin get into a taxi and leave. She was probably going to see the adulterer... This thought came to mind, and Su Shi quickly waved and got into a taxi as well.

"Driver, please follow that taxi ahead!" Su Shi said urgently.

“Miss, following other people is illegal… Uh, it’s you again?” The driver turned around, saw Su Shi’s face, and his tone was full of surprise.

Su Shi looked up and recognized the other person—wasn't this the driver she had encountered yesterday when she was following Xiangzi?

Her cheeks flushed bright red instantly, and she wished she could disappear into the ground. But thinking that Ai-yin might be meeting her new lover, she forced herself to repeat what she had said yesterday: "I... my girlfriend cheated on me, please, you have to follow her!"

The driver's gaze towards Su Shi grew even more strange. "Wait, miss, your girlfriend cheated on you again? Why does your girlfriend cheat on you every day?"

The driver felt a pang of pity and didn't say anything more. He immediately started the car and carefully followed behind the taxi that Ai-yin was in.

Su Shi slumped in the back seat, covering her face with her hands, feeling utterly ashamed to face anyone.

She followed him for two consecutive days, using the same lame excuse each time. The driver probably thought she was a strange person.

After driving for a while, the car finally stopped. Ai Yin paid the fare and got out of the taxi. Su Shi also quickly paid and got out, hiding behind a tree by the roadside and peeking out to observe.

But when she saw her surroundings clearly, she was stunned—this place seemed somewhat familiar to her.

When Su Shi saw Ai Yin walk straight to a grand gate and stop, her eyes widened instantly, her heart pounded wildly, and she was filled with shock and confusion.

Why... did Aine come to the Toyokawa family's doorstep?

Chapter Twenty-One: You like him, right?

Even though she had made up her mind to be absolutely determined before coming, Aine's legs still couldn't help but feel a little weak when she actually stood in front of the Toyokawa family's grand and imposing gate.

She had heard from others that these centuries-old Chinese families were ruthless in their actions, often throwing people to the bottom of Tokyo Bay. Although she knew it was probably a rumor, the inexplicable sense of fear still welled up in her heart as she found herself in this environment.

But when she thought of the way Banami silently endured the misunderstanding yesterday, Aine felt a force driving her.

The security guard at the gate noticed the unfamiliar young woman lingering there and immediately stepped forward, asking sternly, "Who are you? This is private property. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to linger here. Please leave as soon as possible."

Aine's heart leaped into her throat, and she couldn't help but scream "Wow!" in her mind. What era is this? To still hear "private land"—a line that sounds like it came straight out of an old-fashioned drama—it's so out of touch with modern society.

"Um, I am..." Ai Yin opened her mouth, intending to say that she was Ms. Xiangzi's friend, but she swallowed the words back. Given Ms. Xiangzi's level of anger yesterday, if she found out that she was lying about being her friend, she would probably explode on the spot.

With her mind completely blank, Ai Yin blurted out stupidly, "Uh, I'm Miss Xiangzi's rival in love?"

"Huh?!" The security guard's expression instantly became more vigilant, his sharp eyes scanning her up and down, his hand already stealthily reaching for the walkie-talkie at his waist.

Ai Yin wished she could disappear into the ground right then and there. Ugh, what an idiot! Why did I say something like that? Now the security guards must think I'm even more suspicious!

But just as tensions were about to rise, a cold voice suddenly rang out from behind: "Why are you here?"

Ai Yin froze, turned around abruptly, and saw Xiangzi's face ashen. The girl was dressed in simple home clothes, her hair casually tied back, lacking some of yesterday's elegance and gaining a touch of aloofness, but the coldness in her eyes remained undiminished.

"Miss Xiangzi!" Ai Yin rushed forward as if she had seen a lifeline, and said urgently, "I...I have something I want to tell you! Something very important!"

Xiangzi looked at the pink face in front of her that made her grit her teeth in hatred, and her eyes instantly turned bloodshot.

So, she actually dares to come knocking on my door? Is she trying to show off her victory? Is she going to chase me down and kill me?

She almost couldn't resist calling security to tie up this arrogant girl and throw her into Tokyo Bay.

But when she saw Aine lower her head and say in a pleading tone, "Please, Miss Xiangzi, this is really important, and I have to make it clear to you."

Xiangzi paused. Looking at Aiyin's sincere yet somewhat timid expression, she remained silent for a moment before finally coldly instructing the security guard, "Let her in."

The security guard immediately obeyed the young lady's instructions and silently pressed the switch. The gate slowly opened, and Ai followed Xiangzi inside, feeling a heavy sense of dread, as if she were entering a prison.

Although being able to see Miss Xiangzi and have the opportunity to explain things to her relieved her anxiety, stepping into this antique and imposing mansion still made Aine feel uneasy, as if she had stumbled into a den of thieves.

This unease was soon confirmed. As she followed Xiangzi to a wide lawn in the courtyard, Xiangzi suddenly turned around, a cold smile playing on his lips: "Tell me, if I killed you and threw you into the back hills, how long would it take for anyone to find out?"

Ai Yin's face turned ashen instantly, her body trembled slightly uncontrollably, and even her movements became timid and hesitant.

Xiangzi scoffed, his eyes filled with disdain: "Yana Miyu's taste is getting worse and worse. She actually likes a coward like you."

Ai Yin felt a little unconvinced and pouted slightly, but she didn't dare to argue back. Her pitiful little face actually made her look rather cute.

Although Xiangzi was sarcastic, he knew in his heart that this pink-haired girl was brave enough. After all, not everyone had the courage to break into the Toyokawa family home alone.

"Look at that guy, he doesn't dare to do it," the girl thought with a hint of resentment.

Soon, Xiangzi sat down in a pavilion in the courtyard. Aiyin hesitated for a moment, then walked shakily to the chair opposite her, just about to sit down—

"Who told you to sit down?" Xiangzi's expression suddenly changed, his tone turning icy.

Ai Yin jumped up from her chair as if she'd been burned. But Xiangzi suddenly laughed: "Just kidding, sit down."

Ai-yin's eyes instantly reddened, and she almost cried. With a sob in her voice, she complained, "Miss Xiangzi, you are really... mean-spirited."

Xiangzi ignored her complaints and instructed the maid to prepare tea and snacks. After the maid left, she looked up at Aine, her tone tinged with lingering resentment: "Is it because Banami didn't have the guts to come see me that I sent you here as a mediator?"

Aine's heart skipped a beat, and she became even more certain that she had made the right decision to persevere.

“That’s not how it is!” Aine quickly shook her head, clenched her small fists on her knees, and said seriously, “Miss Shoko, Hanami-kun didn’t ask me to do anything. I came here without his knowledge.”

Xiangzi looked a little suspicious. Just then, the servant brought out tea and snacks. The girl took a sip of Darjeeling tea and said calmly, "So you really came here to show off, right? I might as well just dump your body in the back mountain."

Aine was almost in tears. Why was this woman so troublesome? How did Banami manage to deal with her?

"I...I didn't mean that. I came here to explain what happened yesterday," Aine quickly said.

Aine took a deep breath and began to slowly recount what had happened—from her failed attempt to rent a boyfriend, to going to an izakaya to drown her sorrows, and then being carried back to her rented apartment by the kind-hearted Hanami.

She deliberately concealed Su Shi's identity, not wanting to involve more people or speak ill of Su Shi. Apart from that, she told everything else in detail.

As for the real reason why Hanami and Shoko divorced, she didn't mention it. She knew it was Hanami's decision, and his way of protecting Miss Shoko; she had no right to speak for him.

Xiangzi listened quietly, his brows gradually relaxing as Aiyin narrated.

But when she heard that Aine had changed into the white shirt that she had given to Hanami without permission, her eyes instantly sharpened, and she glared at Aine with a murderous look, which made Aine's eyes immediately well up with tears.

"Do you think I'd believe your nonsense?" After Ai Yin finished speaking, Xiangzi put down his teacup, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Ai Yin lowered her head and said softly, "Miss Xiangzi, you clearly already believed it."

"Huh?! What did you say?!" Xiangzi's eyes sharpened instantly, and his tone became angry.

This time, however, Aine wasn't intimidated. She suddenly raised her head, mustered all her courage, met Shoko's gaze, and said with a stiff upper lip, "If you really understand Hanami-kun, then you should know that what I'm saying is true!"

Aine stared intently at Xiangzi, her gaze resolute. This was the first time in her life she had ever been so brave.

Xiangzi remained silent. Just as the pink-haired girl had said, Xiangzi believed her after she finished explaining, because this stupid thing was exactly the kind of thing that Banami Yu would do.

Just like how she helped me back then.

Even though they are in a difficult situation themselves, they can't help but abandon those in need.

That was precisely the reason why the boy's personality so deeply attracted this sheltered young lady.

Seeing Xiangzi remain silent, Aine breathed a sigh of relief. Great, she had finally achieved her goal for coming here today. Although she couldn't tell Miss Xiangzi the real reason for Hanami's divorce, at least she had stopped Miss Xiangzi from continuing to hate Hanami.

This will cause the boy a lot of pain.

But the next moment, Xiangzi suddenly raised his head, staring intently at Aiyin, and asked, word by word, "You want me to believe you? Fine. But you have to tell me the truth."

"What did you say?" Aine nodded quickly, thinking to herself, "As long as you're willing to believe in Hanami-kun, I'll tell you whatever the truth may be."

Xiangzi's thin lips parted slightly, and the words that came out were like a pebble, instantly stirring up a thousand waves in Ai Yin's heart: "You... like that guy, don't you?"

"Huh?" Aine was suddenly stunned, her whole body frozen in place.

Chapter Twenty-Two: Su Shi: Aine likes... Saki-chan?

"You... like that guy, don't you?"

Xiangzi's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves in Aiyin's heart. Aiyin froze on the spot, her eyes wide open, her cheeks flushing uncontrollably, and even her breathing became a little rapid.

Do you like...?

Ai Yin had asked herself this question countless times in her heart.

Is her liking for Yanami Yuu the same kind of liking for Nagasaki Motoyo?

His kindness to strangers, his character of not being greedy for money despite his own poverty, the safety and warmth I felt when I was on his back, and the gentleness he showed when he prepared hangover tea for me.

Those heartwarming moments played back in her mind like scenes from a movie, and every detail made her heart beat faster involuntarily.

She truly loved Hanami. She loved his gentleness, his kindness, and his stubbornness in helping others despite his own predicament.

Even more than when I liked Su Shi.

After a long while, Aine took a deep breath, as if she had made some difficult decision.

She raised her head, meeting Xiangzi's gaze. Her eyes held a hint of shyness, but also a hint of determination. She nodded gently: "...Yes, I like Hanami-kun."

Upon hearing this affirmative answer, Xiangzi's eyes darkened slightly, but he did not immediately react.

Aine quickly added, "But I never intended to ruin anything! I know that Hanami still has feelings for you, and I know there are many misunderstandings between you two. My feelings for him are my own business, and I won't let him suffer because of them. I will like him in my own way, quietly stay by his side, and just be his friend."

Until he's willing to accept me.

Her voice was soft, yet incredibly earnest. This pure and restrained affection stirred a complex emotion within Xiangzi.

That bastard, why does he always end up with such good women (of course, his first good woman was her).

Xiangzi's gaze toward Aiyin still held a faint hint of hostility.

She knew that guy, Yana Miyu, all too well. He was as soft-hearted as cotton, unable to bear seeing others suffer, and even more unable to bear seeing others treat him well.

With Aine's gentle yet persistent personality, if she stayed by his side for a long time, it's hard to guarantee that the guy wouldn't fall for her.

No, Banami Yuu is hers, and can only be hers.

If she can't have it, no one else can have it!

Xiangzi was silent for a moment, then stood up, his tone returning to its previous indifference: "Let's go, I'll see you out."

Ai Yin was taken aback, not expecting Xiangzi to suddenly change his attitude, but she still obediently followed. The two walked one after the other, the wind in the courtyard blowing through the leaves, making a rustling sound, and the atmosphere was somewhat dull.

Soon, they arrived at the front gate of the Toyokawa family's house. The security guard was still standing straight at his post. When he saw Xiangzi bringing Aine out, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he didn't ask any questions.

Ai Yin stopped and turned to Xiangzi, saying, "Miss Xiangzi, thank you for believing me, and thank you for listening to me finish. I..."

"Wait a minute," Xiangzi suddenly spoke, interrupting her. Her gaze fell on Ai Yin's flushed cheeks, a hint of inquiry in her eyes, and she slowly asked, "Tell me, have you secretly kissed that guy?"

"Huh?!" Aine's body stiffened abruptly, as if struck by lightning. Her face turned bright red instantly, and even her ears burned.

Her eyes darted away, unable to meet Xiangzi's gaze, as the images of that night uncontrollably resurfaced in her mind—

While Hanami was fast asleep, she secretly leaned close to his cheek and gently kissed his forehead.

That kiss, filled with a girl's pure affection and timidity, was the deepest secret hidden in her heart.

She never imagined that someone would ask her such a direct question.

"Why...why do you ask that?" Ai-yin's voice stammered slightly, carrying a hint of barely perceptible panic.

Seeing her flustered appearance, Xiangzi already knew the answer. She said calmly, "Because I secretly kissed him before we were even officially a couple."

She could even picture the scene: that clueless idiot, completely unprepared, falling asleep in front of a strange girl, and then... being kissed on the lips without even realizing it.

The sweetness of the past, the bitterness of the present, and a touch of resentment and jealousy welled up in Xiangzi's heart.

“So it’s not surprising that you would do something like this,” Xiangzi added, his tone knowing.

Aine's fingers clenched into fists. She raised her head, her eyes hardening, and bravely admitted, "Yes, I did kiss him secretly. I know it was wrong of me, and I know it's terrible."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "But, Miss Xiangzi, there's nothing wrong with liking someone. I know I shouldn't have done something that crossed the line, and I won't do it again. When I see Hanami next time, I will tell him about it and sincerely apologize to him."

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