Who are you calling a stable boy?!

"Senior, you can just call me Zhuzi..."

"Zhu Zi, don't be so formal. Come on, call him Brother Zheng!"

"Stop, stop, stop, why are you calling me 'brother' all of a sudden?"

Pi Shou stood between Zheng Jing and happy Zhu, and Yoruichi glared at Zheng Jing.

"Kisuke and I have never distinguished between elder and younger siblings since we were little. How am I supposed to expect Kisuke to call you 'brother'?"

Zheng Jing grinned.

"Hehe, Hajime, if you want to shout too, do you think I, Old Zheng, can refuse you? Hmm?"

"Don't I know you?"

Yoruichi reached out and poked Zheng Jing's chest hard, then turned her face to glare at Kisuke.

"Don't call me 'senior,' a gorilla is a gorilla, no need to be so polite!"

"Hey? You happy night, it's been a year, haven't you just grown up with the ability to exhale?"

"Huh? Some people haven't even improved their verbal skills, have they?"

"Oh? You want to try out my old Zheng's stick?"

"Heh, I'm just afraid you're no longer capable of winning!"

One was rubbing his hands together, the other was baring his teeth; the two were facing each other head-on, looking like they were about to start fighting on the spot.

"Lord Yoruichi."

The respectful voice coming from outside the door made Kisuke Urahara breathe a sigh of relief.

After exchanging a glare with Zheng Jing, Ye Yi turned away and asked the doorway, "What's wrong?"

"The fourth seat of the Fifth Division, Aizen Sousuke, requests an audience."

Upon hearing this, Yoruichi raised an eyebrow and looked at Zheng Jing.

"What are you standing there for? Let Lao Lan in."

As he spoke, he untied the gourd from his waist.

"You two are lucky to have a good meal today because of Lao Lan."

As Zheng Jing opened the lid, the aroma of monkey wine immediately wafted out.

With a twitch of her nose, Yoruichi's eyes suddenly lit up, and in a flash, she appeared beside Zheng Jing, reaching out to grab the Fire Gourd.

"What are you doing? What are you doing?"

With six hands gathered around, Zheng Jing turned to the side to protect the gourd.

"Where did you get this good wine? Let me have a sip first!"

"It's not like I'm not going to give it to you, what's the rush? Go, have someone bring Lao Lan in. Oh, and have someone cook two more dishes. I've prepared the wine, but you'll have to do some cooking, right?"

"Tch, stingy..."

With a smirk, Yoruichi opened the door, gave a few instructions to the person kneeling outside, and when she returned, she didn't even bother to close the door.

Before long, when Aizen arrived with the guide, eight or nine dishes were already laid out in the forbidden room.

Zheng Jing and the other two sat around the eight or nine dishes, facing east, west, south, and north. By this arrangement, there was just enough space left for Aizen to sit down.

"Old Lan! I've been waiting for you forever! Come on, come on!"

Hearing Zheng Jing's invitation, Aizen took his seat and sat down directly next to Zheng Jing.

"Come on, don't be shy with Hakiye, the food here is better than when we were in school!"

As Zheng Jing spoke, he used both hands to put food into the small dish in front of Aizen and poured wine into Aizen's cup.

Yoruichi sat there, holding her wine glass, glancing at Zheng Jing and then at Aizen.

"You two... you've gotten back together already?"

"Ah? Oh!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Jing was taken aback at first, then realized what was happening.

"That's just how Old Zheng is, isn't it? Captain of the Four Maple Academy."

Taking the full wine cup from Zheng Jing, Aizen tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. He then put down the cup and took the small dish containing two pieces of tender tofu from Zheng Jing.

"Even so, I'm actually quite worried that this time I might hurt him..."

Seeing the somewhat bitter smile on Aizen's face, Yoruichi smiled and swirled the wine glass in her hand.

"Don't worry, he's in high spirits with me. I reckon the captain's so-called six months will be shortened later. Even if he really is confined for six months, I at least won't skimp on his food, clothing, or other necessities. If you miss him, just go through the motions like today, and I'll give the order so it'll be easier for you two to meet."

Thank you.

"Don't mention it."

Yoruichi waved his hand.

Aizen held the small dish and turned his gaze.

"May I ask who this gentleman is?"

"Oh! Right, you haven't seen it yet either."

Yoruichi squinted at Urahara Kisuke.

"...Nice to meet you, Aizen-senpai. I've heard so much about you. I'm Urahara Kisuke. Please take care of me."

"He is my childhood sweetheart. He entered the Spirit Arts Academy a year later than us and will probably graduate in two years."

"I see."

Aizen nodded slightly, looking at Urahara Kisuke with a gentle smile.

"I am unworthy of your kind consideration. It is a pleasure to meet you, Urahara-kun."

-

The feast lasted until Zheng Jing's gourd was almost empty before it ended.

Zheng Jing's side was, in the end, supposed to be confined to his room to reflect on his mistakes, so it was Yoruichi and Kisuke, both slightly tipsy, who saw Aizen out of the Second Division.

"Miss Yoruichi, have you mentioned me to these two seniors before?"

Until Aizen's figure completely disappeared from sight, Kisuke suddenly asked Yoruichi this question.

"No, those two, one of them would be jumping around with a stick on his back, and the other could sit still all day with a book in his hand. They didn't have much of a chance to talk about you when they were in school. But after the gorilla... what happened?"

Concealing the look of reminiscence in her eyes, Yoruichi frowned slightly and looked at Kisuke, sensing that he was implying something.

"It's nothing, I just didn't expect the legendary Spirit Arts Academy [Twin Heavens] to accept someone like me so easily."

Seeing Kisuke's smile, Yoruichi narrowed her eyes.

"Snapped!"

The crisp sound showed that Yoruichi had really put force into that slap on his back.

"Hiss—Miss Yoruichi?!"

"What do you mean by calling me someone like that? I don't like hearing that!"

Yoruichi poked Kisuke's nose, and her stern face instantly broke into a bright and cheerful smile.

"Don't worry, Aizen might be a bit cold on the inside but he has Gorilla Kyouko by his side right now. Just get along with them at your own pace, and you'll be fine!"

After saying that, Yoruichi turned around and skipped ahead.

She seemed to be in a really great mood today; I wonder if it was because Zheng Jing's century-old monkey wine made her feel good.

"..."

Slowly straightening up, Kisuke Urahara touched the tip of his nose.

Although he found Zheng Jing's lively personality somewhat overwhelming, as Ye Yi had said, he could clearly sense the cheerful and innocent nature of the other party, just as he had described.

However, what Aizen-senpai said...

Kisuke shook his head, swayed slightly, and took off to follow.

"Miss Yoruichi, this wine is really strong! Please, please don't walk so fast..."

Chapter 138: Please accept the title and assume the position of captain!

"Up so early? You didn't sleep all night, did you?"

Upon arriving, Ye Yi saw Zheng Jing sitting on the side of the corridor, seemingly resting with his eyes closed in the sunlight. She walked over to him, propped her head up with one hand, and lay down on her side.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that? You're someone who can get up early too?"

Zheng Jing opened his eyes and glanced at Yoruichi.

"Could it be that you've been eyeing my Monkey Bar since early morning? Let me make this clear, there's really not much left in the gourd right now!"

This is the truth.

He drank to his heart's content yesterday, almost exhausting all the contents he had previously poured into the gourd. Even in a place like Soul Society where free energy is relatively abundant, Zheng Jing estimated that it would take at least half a month for the Conqueror Fire Gourd to gather enough for another gourd of Hundred-Year Monkey Wine.

"Even if I had some, I wouldn't give it to you first thing in the morning. Goodness, it's been a year, and you're already drinking early in the morning?"

"It's not like all I know is how to crave alcohol."

Ye Yi glanced at Zheng Jing and then waved the few sheets of paper she was holding in her hand.

"I knew I shouldn't have rushed to deliver this letter to you. My good intentions have gone unappreciated."

"letter?"

Zheng Jing turned to the side, took the letters, and unfolded them to read.

"The news of your return to Soul Society has spread by now. Some of the soldiers you saved back then wanted to thank you, but now you're not someone anyone can just meet. Even the thank-you notes that these soldiers wrote as a second choice have to be reviewed by me before they can be delivered to you."

Listening to Yoruichi's words, Zheng Jing carefully read the letters.

Some are well-written, while others are awkwardly worded.

Some characters are elegant and graceful, while others have clumsy strokes.

Without exception, each one was a testament to his gratitude.

Seeing Zheng Jing carefully examining each letter, Ye Yi also quieted down, closed her eyes, and lazily enjoyed the morning light.

A moment later, Zheng Jing, having finished reading the last letter, folded the letters and placed them beside him.

Thanks.

"Humph."

Opening her eyes, Yoruichi propped herself up and whispered in Zheng Jing's ear, "Don't just talk the talk, let's get down to business, hmm?"

As she spoke, her hand reached towards Zheng Jing's waist—

He poked the fire gourd that was vying for the lead.

"It's really gone, really gone..."

Zheng Jing shook his head.

"Once we have it, you'll definitely be there for me. Don't be silly."

"whispering sound."

With a slight pout, Yoruichi sat up straight and stretched.

"Seriously, where did you get this wine? I've been to at least most of the taverns in Seireitei and Rukongai, if not all of them, and I've never tasted wine this good."

"Then you definitely won't find it."

Zheng Jing rolled his eyes and gave himself a thumbs up.

"A family secret recipe!"

Yoruichi rolled her eyes.

"Fine, don't tell me then. Just remember to keep my copy if you get any more."

She jumped up; it seemed she was about to leave.

Where are we going?