My daily life is getting weird because I am caught between being in a band and being an idol.

. .

"Um... what happened?"

It's Monday, and Chaoyang has started picking up and dropping off lights again in the morning, but I think he probably won't be doing it for many more days.

Today, while I was halfway to the streetlight looking at the rising sun, I timidly asked a question.

"......ah......"

He pondered whether or not to tell Deng that Xiangzi might come back.

It's not even close to being settled yet. What if Xiangzi still runs away by then? I'll still have to lock her up so we can't meet, which would just make her happy for nothing.

"Nothing's wrong, just like usual. Tomori, have you been bullied by Hina lately?"

"...No... Senior Hikawa... Very good..."

"That's good."

However, Akari probably wouldn't even realize what bullying means, while Hina didn't intentionally bully anyone. That kind of straightforward language actually suits Akari quite well, since her writing is also very direct.

Because of the lamp, Chaoyang's thoughts rarely strayed from Xiangzi.

As usual, I took him all the way to the intersection near the school.

Then he turned back and walked to the station.

The target is the firm.

Upon arrival, most of the employees were already present, except for those on leave.

Being able to come to the firm at this time is a privilege reserved for Chaoyang District.

Chaoyang sat absentmindedly in his seat. If it had been Qinyin yesterday, he might have had sex with Pikachu on the spot.

She might not even come to work today... and continue playing music for a whole day and night.

But he and Xiangzi have always had a distant relationship. Although he tried to get closer yesterday, Xiangzi was already in an abnormal state at the time. Who knows what will happen to her after she wakes up?

Is it a matter of settling scores with Chaoyang, or pretending nothing happened, or a complete overhaul to truly move closer to Chaoyang?

Of course, if Xiangzi still intends to run away, Chaoyang will resolutely go to the blacksmith shop to make a chain.

"morning......"

As he passed Xiangzi's workstation, Xiangzi noticed Chaoyang's appearance, looked up, and spoke calmly as always.

"...Yes, good morning, Xiangzi."

Before Chaoyang could finish speaking, she lowered her head.

"..."

"Ahem..."

It probably took less than 10 minutes to sit down in Chaoyang.

Xiangzi had already cleared his throat four or five times.

And every now and then, she would steal glances at the rising sun, and if her eyes met the sun's, she would immediately look away.

Upon realizing this, Chaoyang felt relieved.

It seems she cares about it quite a bit.

It seems we can postpone buying the chains for now.

. .

lunch break.

"Wait a minute!? Shouldn't you be in class today? Why are you here so early in the morning!?"

Just after lunch break, Chaoyang and Xiangzi naturally went to a restaurant outside for a meal.

It wasn't until halfway through the meal that I remembered it was Monday, a school day. I had delivered the lamp that morning, but when I saw Xiangzi, I completely forgot about it.

"I've taken leave, and please don't make any noise."

Xiangzi complained in a low voice.

"You're really bold."

Although Chaoyang said that.

But actually, Chaoyang skipped classes more than anyone else in his past life.

Taking advantage of the fact that universities and language schools don't require attendance, I chose courses that didn't require clocking in and only attended the first and last classes of the semester. At the end of the semester, I would treat my friends to a nice meal, and then, as if it were only natural, I would take their notebooks, print them out, and cram at the last minute.

"...There's still a chance to back out...Are you sure you want to get involved in my affairs? If one wrong step is taken, we could all fall into the abyss."

"Who do you think I am...?"

Xiangzi rubbed his temples lightly as if he had a headache and sighed.

"Stop talking big... Here's the thing..."

10 minute later.

Xiangzi succinctly and clearly recounted the feud between the Toyokawa family.

"Internal strife within a wealthy family...?"

Actually, I didn't feel much about Chaoyang.

After all, the methods used seem acceptable; at least the reasons appear to be legitimate.

There was no physical method used to make someone disappear.

"Hmph, if you're scared, it's not too late to back out. This is your last chance."

"You keep saying it's annoying."

While still pondering, Chaoyang unusually scolded Xiangzi.

Xiangzi said in a low voice, displeased.

"You really don't listen to people."

"Well, it's not a big problem. To put it bluntly, it's still about money."

"...You make it sound so simple...Have you forgotten where you stand?"

"Hmph, if I can pay back 3 million, then 4 million is definitely no problem. If I can't pay it back, then having more debt won't be a burden. But your old man is really something. It would be one thing if he spent so much money on eating, drinking, and visiting brothels, but he spent so much money and didn't even get to do anything."

"If he really only ate and drank, he wouldn't have accumulated so much debt."

"But at least it's for you."

Considering that Xiangzi never abandoned his father.

Chaoyang could only act according to his own understanding.

"...You've been deceived by him. He's just using me as an excuse to escape his guilt. As long as his intentions are good, he can forgive even if it brings disaster to his family. Even if his family is dragged into the mire by him. He doesn't consider what others really need, he's self-righteous, clearly incapable but thinking he can defy fate. Why would Mom fall for someone like that..."

Xiangzi grew increasingly indignant as he spoke.

"......and you......"

Chaoyang was just about to ask why he didn't abandon his father.

Xiangzi acted as if he had already anticipated this.

"...Because he's my father...and even though I hate him...he was genuinely kind to me before I was kicked out..."

"Forget about unpleasant things. Now we're practically in the same boat. Either we sink together, or we live in the Grand House together."

"Hmph... All talk and no action."

Xiangzi said softly, his eyes fixed on the ground beside him. He dared not look directly at the rising sun.

. .

Back at the office, Chaoyang and Xiangzi found a group of people gathered at the entrance, discussing something. Chaoyang felt a little suspicious and walked over with Xiangzi. Upon seeing Chaoyang, the crowd immediately quieted down and turned their attention to him and Xiangzi.

In the crowd, a familiar figure made Xiangzi's face turn cold instantly. Standing in front of them was her father.

"Why aren't you resting in the hospital? What are you doing here?! Didn't the doctor say you need to be observed for two days?!"

Xiangzi strode forward, his voice filled with dissatisfaction.

Xiangzi's father had a gloomy face. He glanced at her indifferently, then turned his gaze to Chaoyang and said in a deep voice.

"I'm fine. But you, kid, I never thought opening a shop would be enough, you even started a company... I have something to talk to you about."

"What are you trying to do now! Leave the things at home to me. If you're bored, you can always drink more. Just stay put."

Xiangzi's tone was unusually cold and sharp, clearly indicating that she did not want her father's affairs to be discussed in front of her colleagues.

Seeing this, Chaoyang quickly signaled the two to calm down, while secretly thinking of a solution.

Let him finish what he has to say... Maybe this is a test for my future father-in-law.

"Okay, calm down first."

He spoke softly to Xiangzi, gesturing for her to back down a little, and then smiled and nodded at Xiangzi's father.

"If there's anything you need to discuss, why don't we go inside and talk about it?"

Chaoyang led the two into the conference room. A perceptive employee immediately brewed three cups of tea and brought them over, then quietly withdrew, gently closing the door behind him. The moment the door closed, the noise outside was shut out, and the room became exceptionally quiet.

Chapter 124 A Community of Shared Destiny!

The atmosphere in the meeting room grew increasingly tense. Xiangzi's father put down his teacup, stared intently at the rising sun, and asked in a cold but direct tone.

"Hey kid, do you like my daughter?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiangzi glared at his father, his voice cold and filled with undisguised anger.

"Are you out of your mind? You come all the way here and ask such a ridiculous question!"

However, her father ignored her anger, still staring intently at the rising sun, and continued speaking in a calm and unhurried tone.

“I urgently need 50 million. This is just a temporary cash flow problem. I promise to repay double the amount.”

He gripped the teacup tightly, his eyes revealing a certain determination and obsession.

"As long as I have this money, I'm sure I can win back everything I've lost; I can take it all back. I^"

"Snapped!"

Unable to contain his anger any longer, Xiangzi raised his hand and slapped his father hard across the face.

"What do you mean by 'win back everything'? That's laughable! You've ended up like this because you couldn't do it! You're asking for fifty million right off the bat. Father, do you even understand that money is more important than life itself?"

Her voice trembled slightly with anger, and her eyes revealed deep disappointment and pain towards her father.

"What do you know! Do you think I'm doing this for myself? I am..."

"It's the father who doesn't understand. Do you really understand what money is?"

Xiangzi interrupted coldly, her voice regaining its chilling calmness, as if all her emotions had instantly frozen into ice, and her eyes were devoid of any further emotion.

"Whether people like it or not, they still spend the majority of their lives making money. Most people in this world are cutting short their lives for money. Do you know what the amount you mentioned means? It's the life of those so-called elites."

As Xiangzi spoke, he glanced at the rising sun, recalling his hard work up to this point.

"They get into top-tier middle schools, prestigious high schools, and top universities. After entering top-notch companies, they compete, flatter their bosses, and work hard for decades to save money. But you squander several times that amount of money time and time again, and you even dare to ask Chaoyang for more this time?! Are you out of your mind?! Remember, you never earned that money through your own abilities. You were only able to squander it because of the Toyokawa family's protection, and now the Toyokawa family has long since abandoned you."

"If you really want that fifty million."

There was no warmth left in her eyes, only endless anger and indifference. She stared directly at her father, her voice calm yet carrying a deadly force.

"Don't underestimate me. You think you can get 5 million just by mentioning my name? If you're really willing to give up everything for money, then you'll have to fight to the death! Use your blood and your organs to exchange for it!"

Xiangzi's resentment towards her father finally erupted. Although her voice was not loud, every word hit her father's heart hard, leaving him speechless for a moment.

In that instant, Xiangzi's father seemed to realize that the girl in front of him was no longer the daughter he used to rely on, but an adult who had completely seen through his failures and selfishness.

Chaoyang looked at the man in front of her, who was once arrogant but was now crushed by reality, and silently stepped forward, gently patting his shoulder, her tone calm but filled with firm concern.

"Uncle, that's enough. You've fulfilled your mission. Leave the rest to me and Xiangzi. You've done your best. Now you can rest. Xiangzi has grown up."

He added softly.

"Drink less alcohol, live longer."

"I...I..."