After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

After doing all this, the waiter quickly disappeared from their sight, turning the place into a world where they could choose freely.

"That's quite a generous gesture, Ms. Minami."

Regarding what Minami Mori had just done, Yuu Toyokawa neither spoke to stop her nor intervened, nor did she pull Mutsumi Wakaba away.

Seeing the tenderness and concern that Mori Minami was putting on, Toyokawa Yuu merely offered a lukewarm compliment.

"After all, last night was the first time my daughter stayed out all night, so as her mother, of course I had to take good care of her."

As Minami Mori finished speaking, Yuu Toyokawa could clearly feel that Mutsuya Wakaba gripped her hand even tighter.

The girl's slight trembling was constantly transmitted to Toyokawa Yuu, who was standing close by, through her palms.

The situation seemed even worse than when I was surrounded by the noise of the crowds on the bustling street.

It seemed that her birth mother, with her doting smile, elegant and poised demeanor, was more terrifying than the crowd that made her instinctively fearful.

"It seems that Xiao Mu trusts you a lot, Yu Yu Jun, which makes me feel a little more at ease."

Besides Yuu Toyokawa, who was right next to her and could personally sense the changes in Mutsuki Wakaba, Minami Mori, who knew her daughter very well, also noticed the girl's unusual behavior.

A hint of jealousy crept into Minami Mori's gaze as she looked at Yuu Toyokawa.

She knew very well what kind of person her daughter was: quiet, reserved, and not good at expressing herself. Even if she was hurt by unintentional words from outsiders, she would silently endure it and slowly digest the unhappiness and sadness in her heart.

In other words, while Wakaba Mutsu is not as lively as she was when she was a child, she no longer shows her vulnerability to others, including herself, her mother.

In Minami's memory, Wakaba Mutsu never complained to her. Although she was as obedient as a doll, she never showed any weakness.

Yuu Toyokawa is truly unique in being able to get so close to Mutsuka Wakaba. Even Sho, who always says that he and Mutsuka are like half of each other, probably doesn't receive this kind of treatment.

The quiet and uninteresting daughter in her own hands, who was like a doll, became interesting in the hands of Toyokawa Yuu.

As a mother, Minami Mori naturally felt a subtle sense of jealousy.

"However, Xiao Mu didn't even greet her mother. That will make her very sad."

For the first time, Minami Mori's gaze bypassed Yuu Toyokawa and focused entirely on her daughter.

Staring at her with that familiar, stern gaze, as if not going along with her wishes would be a grave mistake, Ruo Yemu's body stiffened, but she immediately stopped trembling.

This is not because she is no longer uneasy about her current situation, but because her long-standing habitual compliance has come into play at this moment.

Just like last night when Minami threw two choices in front of her, she could only choose between "going to the hospital" and "going to the film set"...

Just like how Sho didn't want Soyo to know her location after she transferred from Tsuki no Mori to Haneoka, so he would have to help her keep it a secret...

Just like long ago, when Minami wished she could accompany her as a child star to those shows...

All I need to do is act like a puppet, responding to the expectations of those threads... that's all.

Reluctantly releasing the hand that had given Yuu Toyokawa a sense of security, Mukaru Wakaba gently moved his feet and stepped out from behind the boy's back, which had partially concealed his body.

"Minami, good morning..."

Before the most ordinary greeting could be fully uttered, a warm hand rested on the top of Wakaba Mutsu's head.

The hand that Ruoye Mu had just released was now on her head. The boy's fingertips gently brushed her light green hair, bringing a sense of reassurance while interrupting her greeting that she hadn't finished speaking.

"Xiao Mu...bring Metis out."

The boy's voice was not as gentle as it had been on the street before; it even carried a hint of command.

When Momoko raised her head to look at Yuu Toyokawa's face, she found that he was not looking at her, but had kept his gaze on Minami Mori the whole time.

At this moment, the mother's request clashed with Toyokawa Yuu's order. Wakaba Mutsu stood there for a moment, pondering, and then slowly nodded.

When its golden eyes closed and reopened, they became lively and agile, staring fiercely at Minami Mori not far away.

His emotional fluctuations were so extreme that they would leave most people speechless; it was as if he had become a completely different person.

However, despite being stared at by her daughter with a gaze that was a mixture of resistance and fierceness, Mori Minami showed no anger on her face. In fact, her golden eyes, which were just like the girl's, revealed a kind of genuine joy.

The "Wakaba Mutsumi" whose emotional expression is more obvious and more attention-grabbing is the daughter she truly wants.

Just as she was about to step forward, Mori Minami noticed that Toyokawa Yuu had already turned her body to the side, placed her hands on her daughter's shoulders, and blocked her view with her back.

"Metis, can you hear me?"

Looking at the girl in front of her, who seemed to have a different personality taking control of her body, Toyokawa Yuu couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

He hadn't expected that his words would have such an effect on Wakaba Mutsu, even overshadowing Mori Minami's words, and causing her to temporarily hand over control of her body to Metis without saying a word.

Moreover, she never asked why.

“Yes, Mr. Yu Yu, I am Metis.”

Looking at the boy who had placed his hands on her shoulders, Metis nodded vigorously. Her more energetic voice made it easy to distinguish her from the quiet and reserved girl she had been before.

At the same time, Metis slightly turned his head, his gaze bypassing Toyokawa Yuu who was blocking his way, and looked at Mori Minami who was standing not far away.

An elegant and beautiful figure stood quietly not far away, her eyes revealing a genuine joy, but also containing displeasure at Toyokawa Yuu's meddling.

But perhaps Minami also noticed that her daughter was closer to Yuu Toyokawa at this moment, so she did not rush over, but instead looked at her with a gaze that was somewhere between affection and satisfaction.

However, whenever he saw Minami's face, Metis's face would reveal an undisguised rejection and resistance, and the way he gently clenched his teeth looked just like an angry kitten.

As a supportive personality for Wakaba Mutsu, Metis exists because of her role of "taking on Wakaba Mutsu's pain".

Before joining Ave Mujica and having to step into the spotlight again, the person who forced the still-young Wakaba Mutsu into the spotlight, and who had to let Metis bear that pain for her, was Minami Mori.

For others, becoming a child star who can work alongside award-winning actress Minami Mori would be something they would love to do, but for Mutsumi Wakaba, it would only make her feel depressed and uncomfortable.

Naturally, Minami Mori, who could almost be called the source of Wakaba Mutsumi's suffering, wouldn't receive a pleasant look from Metis.

Fortunately, Minami Mori was sensible enough not to go forward directly, otherwise Metis's reaction might have been even more intense.

However, before Metis could glare at Minami for long, Toyokawa Yuu grabbed his head with both hands and forced him to meet her gaze.

"Metis, now it's your turn to shine. Help Xiao Mu pick out some clothes she likes."

To the surprise of Wakaba Mutsu and Metis, and even to Mori Minami, the purpose of Toyokawa Yuu calling out this more lively and outgoing personality was simply to have her pick out clothes.

"Mr. Yuu, what about Minami...?"

Although he didn't want to admit it, Metis still felt somewhat afraid when facing Minami.

With that woman, whom he perceived as nothing less than an old hag, watching over him, even the most cheerful Metis would feel extremely uncomfortable.

"It's okay, I'll have a good talk with Ms. Minami. You just happily pick out your clothes, and after that we're done, we'll go buy bed sheets, blankets, and other things. Then, like you said, we'll go out and have some fun together, okay?"

"But......"

Seeing that Metis was still saying "but", Toyokawa Yuu immediately straightened her face and frowned into a rather frightening knot.

“Metis, we are friends. Don’t you believe I will stand by your side?”

"No, I don't distrust Mr. Youyu."

Hearing Yuu Toyokawa's seemingly angry tone, Motis immediately gripped his clothes nervously and hurriedly defended himself.

"But... I don't know what Xiaomu likes."

At this point, Metis lowered his head in shame, not daring to look Toyokawa Yuu in the eye.

But what frustrated Metis was that she really didn't know what Wakaba Mutsu liked.

As Wakaba Mutsumi's supportive personality, Metis knows exactly what Wakaba Mutsumi dislikes, but as for what she likes...

Unfortunately, apart from the guitar that served as an anchor for his personality, even Metis had never seen Wakaba Mutsu show any liking for anything.

Therefore, even she felt that Toyokawa Yuu's request was somewhat unreasonable.

"Well then, pick some that you think I'll like... It's okay, relax, I'm here."

"Speak," Toyokawa Yuu released her hands from Wakaba Mutsu's shoulders, gently patted the girl's back, and watched her walk past Mori Minami not far away and disappear into the rows of clothes racks.

After doing all this, Toyokawa Yuu turned her gaze to Mori Minami standing to the side.

If Ye Mu's mother, a film queen, remained standing there, her golden eyes watching Toyokawa Yuu and Metis' conversation with great interest, she did not choose to insert even a single word between the two.

Even when Metis cautiously and deliberately kept his distance as he walked past her, she made no move or indication, simply keeping her golden gaze fixed on her daughter without ever leaving her side.

"Isn't it cute, Yuu-kun?"

Seeing that Toyokawa Yuu had already walked up to her, she gestured with her chin toward the sofa next to her, which was used for customers to take a short break, indicating that they should talk over there.

Sitting on a sofa that was far more comfortable than their own homes, Yuu Toyokawa and Minami Mori sat with one seat between them, but their eyes were both drawn to Metis, who was carefully selecting clothes from the racks.

"I do not deny that, whether in appearance or talent, she is as perfect as if she were born as a gift from the gods."

Toyokawa Yuu, unusually, did not retaliate against Mori Minami's words, but instead nodded in deep agreement.

He is not so blind as to ignore objective facts simply because he is wary of certain people.

"To actually get Yu-kun's approval is truly an honor, but you should say 'but' now, right?"

Glancing at Minami Mori beside her, who seemed to have anticipated what she was about to say, Yuu Toyokawa did not interrupt her original speech because of her words.

"However, when the wicked god gave her this gift, she also turned these things into her curse, and also gave her a mother who was malicious and did not love her."

“That’s a really harsh accusation, Yuu-kun, but there’s one thing you’re wrong about.”

With a hint of reluctance, Mori Minami looked away from Metis's lively figure and turned to Toyokawa Yuu beside her. Her tone was still flippant, but her golden eyes held a newfound seriousness.

“Xiao Mu is my daughter. Of course I love her. I am jealous of her and afraid of her. At the same time, I cherish her very much… You Yu Jun, you don’t really think that Xiao Mu was able to cross half the city and successfully arrive at your door in the early hours of last night without my tacit approval, do you?”

As she spoke, Mori Minami chuckled again, and the hostility and seriousness in her eyes as she looked at Toyokawa Yuu lessened considerably, replaced by a hint of curiosity.

"Even I didn't expect that Xiaomu would actually make such a decision... You've changed her quite a bit, Yuyu-kun."

"Isn't it because Xiaomu preferred going to the hospital to going to the film set that you chose to let her leave and then make other plans?"

Yuu Toyokawa remained noncommittal regarding Minami Mori's statement.

After Metis explained the situation to him last night, he knew that the girl's ability to run away from home so easily in the middle of the night was definitely not that simple.

Toyokawa Sadaharu gave the order, and Mori Minami also took the initiative to chat with her. Under such circumstances, which had already been given an ultimatum, it was impossible to continue to let Wakaba Mutsumi's behavior continue as before. It was only natural to send some people to secretly keep an eye on her.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have been possible for Mori Minami to arrive right after he and Ruoye Mutsu stepped into the clothing store.

However, although their actions seemed similar—both involved asking Wakaba Mutsu to temporarily leave Ave Mujica and away from herself and Toyokawa Shoko—Mori Minami and Toyokawa Sadaharu definitely had differing ideas.

Yuu Toyokawa was all too aware of the ambitions that Minami Mori had for Mutsuki Wakaba.

Whether it was Toyokawa Shoko pulling Wakaba Mutsu into forming Ave Mujica, or Toyokawa Sadaharu demanding that she be sent to the hospital to temporarily separate her from him, in Mori Minami's eyes it was all a waste of that girl's talent and time.

Therefore, regarding the escape attempt by Mutsumi Wakaba, which perhaps even Minami Mori herself hadn't anticipated, she chose to let it go and even encouraged it, using herself as a shield.

“Xiao Mu ran away to my place under cover of night, and I couldn’t just let her be taken away like that. This way you can shift the blame onto me, giving you room to maneuver regarding Xiao Mu’s situation, and you’ll also have an explanation to that old man, Toyokawa Sadaharu. Even if that old man sees through the deception, he won’t have any strong reason to accuse you.”

Yuu Toyokawa paused, watching Metis walk among the clothes racks, sometimes looking troubled and sometimes comparing the clothes, and silently lowered her voice.

"Now you can openly stand on Toyokawa Sadaharu's side and put pressure on me together to show your loyalty. At the same time, given Mutsu's personality, she won't just stand by and watch me bear this pressure alone. When she's penniless, the only bargaining chip she can think of is herself... All you need to do is stay in front of your phone and wait for Mutsu to compromise with you, that's enough, right?"

“Absolutely right. Yu-kun truly lives up to his reputation as someone who will assist Xiao-xiang in managing the Toyokawa family in the future. My little tricks can't be hidden from you at all.”

A pair of fair hands gently touched, and Minami clapped silently, her words full of praise for Yuu Toyokawa.

But to Yuu Toyokawa, her praise sounded utterly pretentious and sarcastic.

After all, in this way, Minami has completely absolved herself of any responsibility, and the hot potato has indeed been taken into the arms of Yuu Toyokawa.

That old woman is probably feeling quite smug inside.

"So, Yu-kun, how about we cooperate? You can admit to withholding Xiao-mu's name, but hand her over to me and let me take her to the film set. I'll also cover her expenses."

Her fair fingers reached towards Toyokawa Yuu's face, and Mori Minami's eyes were full of admiration for the boy.

It's not that I admire his ability to easily figure out the key points, but rather that even after understanding all of this, he still took in his daughter without hesitation.

Whether it was out of elation at the impending success of his plan or out of his act of helping his daughter, Minami Mori couldn't find a single fault with Yuu Toyokawa.

It's a pity that such a pragmatic young man, who suits my taste, is destined to be Xiao Xiang's son-in-law.

If it weren't for this relationship, Minami Mori wouldn't mind changing her surname to "Wakaba".

With his help, Xiao Mu should be able to surpass him easily.

Although she felt a little regretful, Senmina didn't stop what she was doing, either with her hands or her mouth.

"In return, I will quietly stand by your side. When Ave Mujica needs to perform, I will send Xiao Mu back to play the guitar... Although it will be a bit busy, as long as the schedule is arranged properly, we can manage to do both without any problems, right?"

Reaching out and grasping Minami Mori's wrist, this time Yuu Toyokawa didn't even let her fingertips touch his cheek and neck, unlike when they first met in Ave Mujica's office.

With undeniable force, Yuu Toyokawa pried Minami's outstretched hand aside, his voice as resolute as his actions.

The boy's eyes met Mori Minami's complex and astonished gaze without flinching, and the words that came out of his mouth were as hard as iron hitting the ground.