Zongman: Beginning and Snow under the Rain Escape from Raccoon City

Of course she knew what her daughter was thinking.

All of this, did it come from nowhere?

As evening fell, Asuna cooked in the spacious kitchen.

The kitchen here is several times larger than her old home, fully equipped, and even has an oven that she had only dared to dream about in advertisements.

She was slicing carrots, but the knife was trembling slightly.

Izumi Sagiri squatted by the dining table, quietly drawing.

Her silver hair fell over her shoulders, and she was so quiet that it seemed out of place for someone her age.

"Sagiri, what do you want to eat today?"

"……casual."

"Don't always be so casual."

Asuna said softly, "Mom bought beef today, how about we make some curry?"

Izumi Sagiri nodded without looking up.

The only sound echoing in the kitchen was the chopping of vegetables.

……

Back to a few days ago.

Dim yellow light.

The rental apartment is a two-story old wooden apartment.

However, the roof seemed to be leaking due to years of disrepair, so a layer of sheet metal was specially added to prevent rain.

However, judging from the water stains on the ceiling, this sheet metal doesn't seem to be very effective.

Raindrops pattered against the tin roof eaves, making a loud crackling sound, which made the small house, which was less than forty square meters, seem even more desolate.

There were two ceramic cups on the table, their white glazes originally intended to have patterns.

However, it seems that because it has been used for too long, the pattern on it has been worn away and is no longer visible.

Asuna Izumi gripped the cup tightly with both hands, her fingertips turning white.

Across from her, Yukino sat upright, her smile as composed as ever, yet chillingly indifferent.

"You've already seen the conditions."

Yang Nai's voice was unhurried, as if he were discussing a routine real estate acquisition.

"A two-story duplex, a stable job, and a secure future for you and your daughter. The price... you know it too."

Asuna pursed her lips, her long silver hair falling over her shoulders, obscuring her slightly trembling eyes.

"I...I can."

She spoke with difficulty, her voice trembling with emotion: "I'm not bad-looking. I'll do anything for Sagiri."

She paused, her voice growing softer and softer: "Please... don't let Sagiri get involved."

This is a plea.

She raised her head, her eyes almost humble, yet carrying the only stubbornness a mother could muster.

"Please, let me bear this alone... She's just a child, she doesn't understand anything. As long as you promise not to involve her, I'm willing—I'm willing no matter what."

There was a brief silence in the air.

Yukinoshita gently closed the file and tapped her fingers on the table.

That perfect smile remained unwavering, but her eyes were as cold as ice.

"Ms. Asuna."

She spoke slowly, her tone still gentle, but to Asuna it sounded as heavy as a hammer.

"You must understand that one day you will grow old and lose your beauty."

These words pierced Asuna's heart like a knife.

Her body trembled violently, and her face turned deathly pale instantly.

She bit her lower lip, which was still pink even without lip balm, until it bled, but she dared not argue.

Because she knew what the other person was saying was true. Her youth was fading away. No matter how much she dressed up, she would eventually grow old.

But she refused. She would rather sacrifice herself than see Sagiri...

"I...cannot accept it."

Asuna's voice trembled, yet carried a hint of resolve: "She's my only daughter. I'll do anything you ask, but don't—"

"Mother."

A soft, delicate voice interrupted her.

The two were taken aback and turned their heads at the same time.

The wooden door to the room had been pushed open a crack at some point.

Izumi Asuna thought Izumi Sagiri was already asleep, but she was standing there barefoot, her silver hair falling to her shoulders, the strands of hair slightly sticking to her cheeks because of the stuffy room.

She held the drawing board, her eyes timid, yet she tried hard to muster her courage.

"Mother……"

Sagiri took a deep breath, her voice trembling, but she spoke each word clearly.

"If... if it's so that you don't have to work so hard, I'm willing to do it."

The soundproofing in the rented room was poor to begin with, so Izumi Sagiri could hear everything.

Asuna's eyes widened suddenly, as if struck by lightning.

"Sagiri! What nonsense are you spouting!"

She cried out, her eyes instantly reddening.

Sagiri just shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes: "I'm all grown up now, Mom. You're too tired on your own. I don't want you to do those things for me anymore."

"If... if it would be possible for me to help you share the burden, I would be willing."

Asuna rushed forward and hugged her daughter tightly.

She was trembling all over, and tears streamed down her silver hair.

"No...no...you're still just a child..."

Yukino watched this scene quietly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

She said nothing, because she knew that the mother and daughter had been driven to the brink of despair.

She did it.

Mrs. Izumi hasn't received any illustration orders on the platform for a month.

Yukino Yukinoshita made an unexpected discovery: Yukinoshita Realty happened to own a portion of the platform's shares.

Although it wasn't much, it was enough for them to do some underhanded things.

That slight difference was enough that even with her low asking price, Mrs. Izumi couldn't find anyone to draw illustrations for her.

Because no one else can see her quote.

finally.

They compromised.

They moved into a brand new two-story duplex detached house.

The room was very bright.

The furniture is also complete.

Yukinoshita Haruno prepared everything for them.

All they need to do is give themselves.

(I guess I'm better suited to writing lighthearted, mind-blowing stories.)

Chapter 189 Recognized at a Glance

A night breeze swept through the courtyard of the two-story detached house, where raindrops still clung to the green branches.

Asuna Izumi stood by the window, her slender fingers gripping her phone, on the screen an email from Haruno Yukinoshita.

That was Ye Hai's schedule.

They specify exactly what time they leave home, which street they walk down, and even the convenience store they most often go to for lunch.

"Ye Hai..."

She murmured, her voice so soft it was almost carried away by the night breeze.

"I...have to get close to him."

She uttered those words softly, her heart pounding.

—For Sagiri.

Even if it means selling herself out, she has to grit her teeth and persevere.

If possible, she hoped that Ye Hai's gaze would be entirely focused on her, so that...

Then her own daughter wouldn't have to sacrifice herself anymore.

……

Early the next morning.

Sagiri nestled in her upstairs room, hugging her easel and curled up in a small ball, her silver hair falling over her shoulders.

She knew her mother was going out.

Although her mother didn't say it explicitly, she understood what she overheard on the phone in the hallway last night.

"Mother……"

Izumi Sagiri buried her face in the easel, tears silently streaming down her face.

She knew it was all because she wasn't capable enough.

If I could have earned money through drawing earlier, if I could have been more sensible, my mother wouldn't have had to go through this.

Asuna Izumi changed into a beige trench coat over a fitted knit sweater; the light gray fabric accentuated her curves.

She looked at herself carefully in the mirror, pulled her loose silver hair back up, and applied a light layer of lip gloss to her lips.

She doesn't wear makeup often.

But today, she had to make herself look young and attractive.

She took a deep breath, put on her high heels, and walked out of the house.

Ten o'clock in the morning.

Ye Hai walked down the street, carrying a convenience store shopping bag in his hand.

"It's not even the rainy season lately... why is it raining again?"

He sighed, holding up his transparent umbrella, and walked past the bookstore at the corner.

at this time--

"ah!"

A soft exclamation suddenly rang out.

A mature woman with silver hair, carrying several picture books, stumbled and slipped down the steps. The rain had soaked the stone steps, and she almost fell.

Ye Hai raised an eyebrow and reached out to support her.

Her soft body nestled in his arms, carrying a faint fragrance, yet mixed with a hint of paint and paper.

The woman quickly steadied herself, her pretty face slightly flushed, and hurriedly whispered, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, it was so careless..."