Tokyo Three Generations

Xiangzi felt both shy and happy after being praised like that.

Almost everyone who gets close to her only sees her from the perspective of "Miss Toyokawa," but this guy has always focused more on himself as a "person." He was initially obsessed with her looks, but now he can discover the shining points in her as a person, which makes him happier than any compliment.

Only he kept telling himself that, apart from being Miss Toyokawa, he was also a very nice person.

To hide her joy, she immediately praised the other person, "In my heart, Chun is also very impressive. Putting aside what happened before, just look at today. Being suddenly thrown into a place like that, anyone would be nervous, but you were so calm and composed, and handled it properly. Even in front of so many important people, you were not intimidated at all. For your age, you are really amazing! I hope to learn these strengths from you."

After a round of mutual flattery, the two couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Just now, in front of Toyokawa Kiyoshi and Shirasawa Tsubaki, they had to keep their composure and not appear frivolous. Now that it's just the two of them, they can resume their usual way of getting along.

Honestly, this kind of interaction is more interesting; who likes to always be in a work-oriented state?

The two regained their original way of getting along, chatting casually for a while, and by then it was already noon.

The air conditioning is on all day, and the temperature is around 25 degrees Celsius, so Jun Takasaki doesn't feel hot. However, looking at the sun high in the sky, he still subconsciously loosened his tie.

Then, he turned to look at the swimming pool in the center.

"Want to go swimming?" Xiangzi asked casually. "There are swimsuits here, you can change anytime."

swimsuit?

This word seemed to trigger some kind of switch, causing Jun Takasaki's eyebrows to twitch slightly.

"Do you have women's styles?" he asked instinctively.

"What are you thinking? How could there be no women's clothes here..." Xiangzi answered without thinking.

Then, she suddenly understood what it meant, but gasped in shock.

“You…” She glanced at the swimming pool not far away, then turned to him and asked incredulously, “What are you thinking about that’s so rude?!”

Although she appeared slightly angry, she wasn't actually angry; rather, she felt embarrassed and unable to face the situation.

After all, for a young lady studying at the Moon Forest, showing off her swimsuit in front of men was a bit too much for a supermodel; she wouldn't even dare to think about it normally.

Seeing Xiangzi's slight anger, Takasaki Jun also felt a little remorseful, inwardly cursing himself for speaking without thinking.

"Ah, sorry, I admit I was overthinking things... um, it was really rude of me." He explained somewhat incoherently, "But I'll erase all these strange thoughts and imaginings from my mind, don't worry, it won't leave a trace!"

……

When he apologized, Xiangzi regretted that she had spoken too harshly, but she didn't know how to make amends.

"Use it if you want, I... I won't participate, I'm not really interested right now."

Jun Takasaki didn't really want to go swimming; after all, it wasn't the height of summer yet, and it wasn't the right time.

Besides, after this little bit of interference, even if he was really interested, he wouldn't be able to let loose now.

"Forget it, I was just saying it casually, I don't really want to." He shrugged.

It seems I really disappointed him... Xiangzi secretly regretted it.

Sigh, I should have been more amiable...

Frustrated, she spoke softly.

"Actually, I've never swum here before... so I'm not quite used to it yet. Maybe I'll see how it goes if I have the chance in the future. Maybe I can give it a try sometime when I feel like it."

Although the words were phrased tactfully, they were already implying a concession, which was the limit of what Xiangzi could do at the moment.

Unfortunately, her efforts went unnoticed. Having already learned her lesson, Takasaki Jun dared not provoke her again and quickly shook her head, "Hey, don't take my words to heart. I was just saying it casually. Actually, I didn't really want to see it; I was just saying it offhand—"

Xiangzi's face darkened again, and this time he was genuinely angry.

After finally mustering the courage and overcoming the shame, the hint I made was rejected in an instant, and so casually at that.

Jun Takasaki's refusal was simply that he didn't want to watch, but Shoko interpreted it as "there's nothing to watch anyway," which made her a little annoyed.

In particular, she remembered that this guy used to swim on the beach with Chihaya Aine when they were kids.

I've already watched everything I wanted to watch, so I don't want to watch anything else?

She couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

It's a shame that you can't live with yourself. Sometimes having a good memory isn't a good thing. When you're already angry, thinking about those unpleasant things often makes you even angrier.

"Hmph, don't look down on me..." she muttered under her breath, biting her lip. "Am I any worse than anyone else?"

This inexplicable remark left Jun Takasaki even more bewildered.

He couldn't understand why Xiangzi had suddenly become so unpredictable, and he didn't know what he was struggling with.

A young lady is still a young lady; she's not so easy to please. Besides, girls her age are naturally unpredictable; there's nothing you can do about it.

He could only sigh inwardly.

The two of them fell silent at the same time, neither of them speaking for a moment.

After a long silence, Jun Takasaki asked in a low voice.

"Xiangzi, are you still angry?"

"I'm not angry," Xiangzi replied, clearly saying one thing but meaning another.

She didn't actually know why she was so angry, but she was just angry.

Maybe he's just angry that he's not ahead enough.

Jun Takasaki was now in a bit of a predicament. He was always straightforward in his actions, and coaxing people was neither his style nor his forte.

Moreover, he'll get impatient if you keep trying to coax him.

"Okay, I know I misspoke, and I'll be more careful in the future." In the end, he could only apologize again. "But at least tell me what I should do, right?"

What should she do? Actually, Xiangzi hadn't figured it out either. She couldn't very well admit that she had suddenly become jealous.

Moreover, she herself didn't want to make a fuss over such a small matter.

"I... I just want you to admit that you really want to see it, but I'm just unwilling to give it to you. When I'm willing to give it to you, you have to see it, and you have to praise me lavishly!" After a moment of inner turmoil, she launched into a barrage of words at Takasaki Jun, as if in despair. "Is that okay? You can't just start a conversation and then run away, pretending you don't care, right? That's too cunning!"

“Yes…” Jun Takasaki was both surprised and embarrassed, but he knew how to answer, “I’m so excited! I’m waiting with my life on my hands.”

137, Suspicious of gains and losses

"I'm so excited! I'm waiting with my life on the line."

Under Xiangzi's aggressive pressure, Takasaki Jun had no choice but to respond with such exaggerated words.

Although his words were corny, they were effective. Under his comforting words, Xiangzi, who was originally fuming, finally calmed down a little.

Jun Takasaki took the opportunity to look her over again.

At this moment, her cheeks were slightly flushed with anger and agitation, her brows were furrowed, and her golden eyes were filled with a piercing, stern gaze. Just one look at her gave off a feeling of cold indifference that kept people at a distance.

Even when the young lady gets angry, she has a unique charm.

If she's angry at someone else, then she's somewhat cute (like a harmless, hissing kitten). But when she's angry at herself, then something's wrong...

Moreover, now is not the time to stand idly by.

Regardless of the reasoning, this is Xiangzi's territory, and as a guest, he shouldn't anger the host. Besides, Xiangzi and her father have been extremely kind to him, so he shouldn't treat them badly either.

Perhaps realizing she had lost her composure, Xiangzi clearly regretted it, but she found that she had received the response she wanted after speaking her mind, and she felt somewhat satisfied.

She herself felt that it was time to give the two of them a way out, and if they continued to argue, she would seem too heartless.

"Hmph, that's more like it." She then gave another light snort, her tone softening. "Then you just wait and see, I'll show you what I'm made of!"

That's enough. With your meager "abilities," what's there to see? Jun Takasaki couldn't help but think to himself.

Even now, he still feels that Xiangzi is being unreasonable and throwing a tantrum for no reason. But there's nothing he can do; that's just how girls are, they often have inexplicable mood swings, and he can only accept it.

So, to appease Xiangzi, he could only continue to appease him, feigning anticipation, "Then it's a deal, you can't go back on your word—"

"From childhood to adulthood, I have never gone back on my word!" Xiangzi replied confidently.

Of course, this is a lie, but she really doesn't intend to go back on her word about it.

However, after making those boastful claims, she secretly began to have doubts.

Although she had absolute confidence in her looks and temperament, she was limited by her age and lacked confidence in her figure. She also felt that she couldn't possibly bewitch someone with just her swimsuit appearance.

But then I thought about it again. I had seen Chihaya Aine before, and in my memory, her figure was only worse than mine.

So, no matter what, I'm better than her, so I win!

Just now, the "Learning of Losing" had taken over her, causing her to lose her composure and become vulnerable. Now, the "Learning of Winning in the Void" has actually made her feel better.

Chihaya Aine would never have imagined that, without her noticing, she would be used as a target in someone's mind twice in just a few minutes. It can only be said that her childhood friendship with Shoko had left her with a deep psychological scar (which she was unwilling to acknowledge, so she kept it bottled up inside, making the scar even harder to dispel).

So, Xiangzi, who had just been keeping a straight face, once again showed a humble and considerate smile.

Feeling she had "won," she rediscovered her usual warm and gentle demeanor as a young lady.

"I'm sorry, Chun. I was a little agitated just now, so I said some inappropriate things and offended you. Please don't take it to heart..." Her tone was soft, and there was no trace of the sharpness from before. "Actually, I really didn't mean to be angry with you. I was just unprepared. If you want to see them, of course I don't mind. After all, I've already shared some childhood photos with you... I just need a little time to adjust."

After she finished speaking, she put her hands together and looked at Takasaki Jun pitifully, as if she was begging for forgiveness.

"Can he switch between joy and anger so quickly? He's still just a child," Jun Takasaki thought to himself.

He couldn't really hold a grudge against Xiangzi. Since she had already given him a way out, he was naturally happy to accept it.

So he reached out and touched Xiangzi's forehead. "It's alright, I don't mind... It's just a small matter. Besides, haven't we already reached an agreement? So let's just follow the agreement from now on."

Actions always have a greater effect than words. When that hand touched her forehead, she felt the warmth emanating from it, and the last vestiges of her anger vanished instantly.

In particular, she recalled the last time the two of them did the same thing, and that deep-seated sweetness instantly overwhelmed her original jealousy and worries, making her absolutely certain that she was the one who was the most cared for and the most loved.

Besides, there are only two people here now, which doesn't violate the agreement at all...

She can't accept swimwear yet, but she's completely used to this level of intimacy, and even enjoys it a bit.

She squinted slightly, offering no protest, her expression like that of a kitten being gently stroked.

Thus, this minor argument was quelled and vanished in an instant thanks to the efforts of both of them.

The two resumed their normal conversation, reading and waiting as time slowly passed.

In the afternoon, the gate slowly reopened, and Bai Zechun walked back.

"Gentlemen, the president is about to leave. You may come with him."

Since she said so, they all put aside what they were doing, walked to Bai Zechun's side, and left the lounge with her.

Then, the group followed the same route back to the president's office.

By this time, Toyokawa Kiyotaka had finished packing. When he saw the two of them, he waved gently, signaling them to come with him.

At that moment, Jun Takasaki suddenly spoke up.

"President, I won't leave with you after get off work. I can go home by myself. If you need anything, just call or email me."

Toyokawa Kiyoko was taken aback. He had originally planned to have the kid come home with him for dinner, but since the kid asked to leave first, and they weren't family yet, there was no reason to force him to stay.

So he glanced at his daughter first, then nodded gently, "Okay, you can go now. You can come with me next time."

After speaking, Jun Takasaki bowed to him, then waved goodbye to Shoko, before turning and striding away with his head held high.

Xiangzi stared blankly at his departing figure for a moment.

"What's wrong? Still reluctant to part? Didn't we spend so much time together today?" Bai Zechun teased her softly beside her. "Should we call him back right now?"

"No, please..." Xiangzi quickly shook his head. "I... I was just a little worried. We just had a fight."

"Huh? Why are you arguing?" Bai Zechun was taken aback.

"It wouldn't be so bad as to say we argued. Rather, I just lost my temper and upset him too..." Xiangzi lowered his head, clearly feeling dejected.

Then, she whispered the whole story to Bai Zechun.

After listening, Bai Zechun wasn't nervous for the young lady. Instead, she almost laughed so hard she almost bent over backwards. However, since the person opposite her was the young lady, she didn't dare to actually laugh. She could only desperately hold back her laughter and forcefully keep her expression in check.

The young lady is really a naive girl, getting jealous for no reason. But after all, she was young once, so it's understandable.

"Auntie, what should I do? Should I apologize?" Xiangzi asked cautiously after saying that.

After the last "consultation," she had come to regard Bai Zechun as her emotional advisor, and since she didn't have any better people to confide in, she could only seek advice from him again.

"What's there to apologize for? You're a young lady, you have the freedom to throw tantrums, you can do whatever you want." Bai Zechun said dismissively. "Others should be adapting to you. In my opinion, you still lack confidence—"

“You can’t say that,” Xiangzi quickly shook his head. “I don’t want to seem bossy. Besides, with Chun’s temper, if I’m too arrogant, he’ll definitely be even more unhappy, and the situation will only get worse… I still think I should be more gentle.”

Bai Zechun had only meant it as a joke, but seeing Xiangzi's response, she immediately changed her tune, "Alright, I understand how you feel. But let me tell you, there's no need to apologize for this kind of thing. The more you apologize, the more unforgettable it will become for both of you. Since this matter is over, don't bring it up again or think about it anymore; just let it go. Of course, I'm not saying there's no point in showing any remorse. If you really want to apologize, you might as well give him a reward... Men are very forgetful creatures; a little coaxing will do the trick. Besides, in my opinion, Young Master Chun is very magnanimous; he can easily forgive such a small matter!"