Will the plagiarism girl be a substitute for the preference for women?

"Haha... My cooking skills aren't bad, are they?" It's really rare to get praise from this child.

"She's definitely someone who cooks at home often," China added.

Upon hearing this, Su Shi's smile faded slightly, her eyes showing a thoughtful expression, but she still retained a smile.

"Actually, I often order takeout too. I only cook for myself when my mom comes home."

"But Mom is often busy outside too."

After hearing Su Shi tell her the truth, Qian Nai immediately understood how precious and sincere the three dishes in front of her were.

"Thank you, Sushi."

"Come on, have some more..."

After being fed a potato pancake, China regained some strength thanks to the delicious taste on her taste buds and took the chopsticks from Soseki.

"Does Chizuru still want to do it herself? That's great!"

Su Shi sat down next to Chi Nai, but still didn't serve herself any food. Instead, she rested her chin on her hand and watched Chi Nai eat.

He sipped soup with one hand and ate potato pancakes with the other, thoroughly enjoying his meal.

She no longer ate like a spoiled princess like her sister used to; she must have been very touched.

Finally, I have a chance to use her... No, let's not think about that now.

"Su Shi...aren't you going to eat?"

After pausing briefly from enjoying her meal, China noticed that Sose hadn't touched her chopsticks yet.

"I'm not actually that hungry~"

Su Shimi smiled and then poured herself a sip of soup.

"But it seems a bit lonely to leave Chika alone, let's eat together."

After having dinner with Su Shi, China remembered that the guest room hadn't been cleaned yet.

"Then I'll go upstairs and tidy up the guest rooms first..."

"Isn't the bed that Chizuru sleeps in big?"

Su Shi stopped Qian Nai and asked a question, while the latter blinked silently.

Seeing this, Su Shi quickly waved his hand again.

"Haha, I just wanted to stay with you because I was worried that China would cry when she went to sleep at night. If China thinks it's too crowded, then you don't need to."

Chapter 55 Stable Overflow

China's bed is spacious and comfortable. Whether you spread out in a starfish shape or toss and turn, there is still plenty of space, enough for two people to sleep together.

However, as night fell, China longed for a moment of peace and solitude. She also wanted to avoid certain unnecessary troubles.

Despite her depression, China felt warmed by the sincere care she received from Su Shi.

At the same time, she didn't want this care to suddenly disappear after experiencing these things.

She had deduced the original owner's personality based on Su Shi's description of the original owner and the lyrics written by the original owner.

Perhaps it's due to a somewhat self-centered and aloof personality, which can become even more pronounced when the illness flares up.

From the very beginning, she tried to imitate the original owner's behavior by using these clues, ordering Su Shi to move things, and speaking her own opinions frankly and without reservation.

Judging from Su Shi's reaction, even though Su Shi had been deliberately taking care of him since they met, if his words and actions were not in line with the original owner's, Su Shi might be a little stunned or surprised.

But when faced with these words, she showed no surprise whatsoever, as if she were used to it, which meant she had probably imitated them correctly.

On the contrary, when she stopped imitating and spoke to Su Shi in her own way, Su Shi felt quite strange and was quite certain that she was faking it.

Assuming that Su Shi did not do anything excessive to the original owner, but was simply aloof and indifferent... then, spending nearly a semester with such an original owner would probably exhaust even the most patient and kind person.

I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. It's all my depression's fault for making me think like this. Please punish me if I'm wrong...

After making such assumptions about the original owner during her depression, China repeatedly apologized to her in her heart.

At the same time, I will ensure that after getting to know her better, I will have some more objective and comprehensive views under normal circumstances.

Enveloped in pessimism, when China broke down in tears, she thought that because Su Shi had been tormented by the original owner's illness in the past, she would be unable to bear seeing her suddenly cry again and would slam the door and leave. She would also be unwilling to carry out the plan of "taking care of China for Xiangzi's sake".

As a result, Su Shi chose to approach her and offer her warm care. Even when she couldn't help but throw herself into Su Shi's arms, Su Shi showed no disgust, but instead held her tightly.

Perhaps "taking care of Qiannai for Xiangzi's sake" is just an excuse for being tough on the outside but soft on the inside.

Or perhaps the original owner had left a positive impression on Su Shi, which prevented Su Shi from completely abandoning him.

It's also possible that... Su Shi is still pretending, but her acting skills have reached a level that is so superb that it is impossible to recognize her.

Chika didn't want to have this third thought at all, but damn her depression made her come up with this negative view.

Can't she just genuinely want to protect me? Why should I remain skeptical?

China shouted this in her heart at Depression.

However, she still refuses to sleep in the same bed.

"No need, thank you. I don't sleep well at night..."

Nai hesitated for a moment, then politely declined Su Shi's offer. She then turned and went upstairs to make the bed in the guest room.

Her refusal was not because she didn't need this care; on the contrary, she knew how precious this care was, and therefore hoped to maintain it carefully.

She was taken care of because her crying touched Su Shi's heart.

But if, when it's time to sleep, the child falls into sadness or excitement two, three, or even more times, and keeps making a fuss in bed, then the care and love from the world may no longer be as considerate as before.

After all, everyone's energy and patience are limited, and when it's time to rest at night, this energy becomes even more limited.

Perhaps Su Shi is still immersed in the beautiful fantasy of taking care of China late at night... imagining China unable to sleep at night, silently shedding tears because of recalling past sorrows, and Su Shi comforting her with gentle and tender words until she peacefully falls asleep. In this way, she hopes to make China remember and rely on her deeply.

However, China also understood that once it was truly late at night, when Su Shi was awakened by sobbing or by an elbow strike during a chaotic run, she would no longer think that way.

China knew this, so she chose to sleep in separate rooms.

She needs to maintain a distance to cherish this hard-won care.

"That's it, then..."

Faced with China's polite refusal, Su Shi quickly devised the following approach:

If you sleep in a bad position at night, it's easy to kick off the blanket and catch a cold. I can cover you with the blanket next to Chizuru.

But since China had already gone upstairs, Su Shi didn't say anything and silently started clearing away the dishes.

China's family has a dishwasher, but the two pots for making soup and stir-frying are too big to fit. Since it's just the two of them eating, there aren't many dishes to wash, so they simply put the pots and pans into a basin and then hand wash them in the sink.

After losing the opportunity to take care of China at night, Su Shi felt a sense of emptiness.

But soon, she reflected on this emptiness.

Why did he suddenly start taking such good care of China? Was it just because of the moment she threw herself into his arms?

Does the saying "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" hold true?

But does that mean all the times she yelled at me, told me to get out, and said all sorts of hurtful things can be wiped clean?

Su Shi doesn't quite understand herself.

Perhaps they don't have a complete family, but they yearn to find a sense of home in a group and are willing to play the role of a caregiver in that group.

This wish seems to have become an instinct through gradual cycles.

Because this instinct is almost unconditional, and rationality, driven by self-interest, gives it another layer of meaning: it tells you that taking care of others will make them dependent on you, and then you can take advantage of them.

When the thought of "I don't really want to use China right now" popped into my head, rationality returned, allowing Souyo to begin to think and reflect:

If not motivated by self-interest, then the intense desire for care aroused by this sudden embrace clearly transcends the realm of reason.

It was because, deep down, Su Shi had longed for someone who resembled Xiangzi to rely on her.

However, she tried many times but was repeatedly thwarted and met with indifference and rejection. This regret and resentment at not being able to get what she wanted continued to accumulate and settle in her heart.

This time, when her sudden need for dependence was met, she seemed to have found an outlet, and began to pour out her care in an almost retaliatory way.

It's like someone who hasn't had a phone or computer to play with for a long time suddenly gets the device and starts playing it like a revenge game.

But so what? Why must everything succumb to reason?

Even if the concern stems from a desire for revenge, shouldn't that emotion be satisfied and released?

Su Shi gently shook her head, trying to shake off these chaotic thoughts.

She took a deep breath and refocused her attention on the bowl and plate in her hands. The water gently caressed her fingertips, carrying away the residue from the tableware.

However, her mind didn't seem to be entirely on this; the water level rose silently without her noticing, until…

"Oh, that's bad."

When Su Shi came to her senses, she realized that the water had overflowed the sink and was dripping down the countertop into the basin. She quickly turned off the tap and continued wiping the dishes.

Chapter 56 Room

Upstairs, China quietly squatted in the corner of the bed, checking the latest progress of the artist drawing her virtual avatar.

Then she switched to her own tweet announcing her virtual streamer debut, her fingertips lightly swiping across the screen as she browsed the comments below. The words of praise and anticipation made her lips curl into a slight smile.

After experiencing heartfelt care, the time spent resting alone in the room became less lonely, because there was still someone else in the house.

At the same time, the door provides personal space, allowing one to do their own thing relatively freely before falling asleep.

The reason it's relatively free is because there are people behind the wall, so you still need to control yourself a little when it comes to "sound".

If someone falls ill late at night and uses their bedroom as a karaoke room to sing loudly, it might disturb others.

She needs some time to be completely alone and let herself go like this, but for now, she prefers to enjoy these moments of freedom that are slightly restricted, but not lonely.

Especially the other person, who washes vegetables and cooks for you, showing you care.

When she was in the house, the house felt more like "home".

Therefore, there are also more things that people want to hide.

China glanced at her left wrist. After a few days, the scab that had formed was starting to fall off, but the knife scar had not yet disappeared.

Although she had carefully hidden the medical records and medications in the room, she could only truly feel the sense of security of not being discovered when no one entered the room.

She wanted to hide it, fearing to admit her illness, and as a result, she was labeled as mentally ill and gradually alienated. She had this feeling when facing Aine.

However, after Aine uttered those words of "protection" over the phone that night, China chose to open her heart to her the following day and tell her the truth.

Why is it that Su Shi, who also cares about him, has become afraid to be honest with him...?

Do you believe that there are some differences between Soseki and Aine?

Is it that they still lack complete confidence in the world's concerns?

Is it fear that Su Shi will use his illness as leverage against him?

Perhaps it's because I'm going through a period of depression, I always have some negative thoughts about everything, especially when I'm facing someone who frankly said they were taking care of me for Xiangzi one second, and then suddenly shows me genuine concern the next.

Depression is really something. Just a moment ago, you were crying and begging others not to leave, and you were still immersed in someone's embrace. Now, you're starting to doubt others.

Even if the motives are impure, there are still "pure" parts within that impurity.

Besides... it's more like she's forcing an impure reason onto herself, whose motives were pure.

In short, let's enjoy some personal time without feeling lonely for a while.

A moment later, the sound of dishes being cleared downstairs stopped, and footsteps echoed in the hallway.

China was slightly taken aback, and then she heard Su Shi gently knocking on the door from outside.

"China, why don't you go to sleep now?"

Su Shi's voice came through the door, carrying a hint of concern.

China quickly snapped out of her daze and replied, "No."

"May I come in?" Su Shi asked.

"Um, please give me a little more time."

China tamed her lethargic body, which was sluggish with depression, and slowly got off the bed.

Su Shi was a guest who had just calmed her down and cooked her a meal; there was no reason to turn her away.

Of course, you need to make sufficient preparations before letting it into your bedroom to play.