Chapter 161: Returning Home

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows of room 2103, casting bright spots on the floor.

Jiang Jian Yue woke up to a dull ache in her abdomen.

Alcohol, period, and mental exhaustion—the combination made her feel like her body was falling apart.

She couldn’t even tell whether the headache from the hangover or the cramping in her lower abdomen was worse.

“Damn it…”

She muttered under her breath, bracing herself against the wall, and shuffled from the bed to the bathroom like some kind of mollusk.

Cold water splashed on her face, clearing her muddled mind a little.

In the mirror was a face so pale it was almost transparent, the dark circles under her eyes impossible to hide.

After a quick wash, she dragged that face out to the living room, wobbling slightly.

Hmm? What was that smell? So fragrant~

Jiang Jian Yue followed the aroma and saw Yuki Asahi standing with his back to her at the kitchen island, cooking something in a newly bought small pot on the stove.

Hearing her footsteps, Yuki Asahi turned around.

“Yue, you’re awake? I made some vegetable porridge… Since we drank last night, it’s better to eat something light today.”

So domestic—though somehow, a man like Yuki Asahi doing this was a bit…weird.

Well, it was a nice gesture.

Yuki Asahi served a bowl of porridge and pushed it toward her, watching her with a hint of anticipation.

Jiang Jian Yue stared at the steaming porridge.

Chopped greens and minced meat floated in the rice soup—honestly, Jiang Jian Yue wanted to say she didn’t like vegetables, or porridge for that matter.

Breakfast should be fried rice noodles or stir-fried noodles, of course.

But since Yuki Asahi made it, she might as well try a bite.

She silently picked up the spoon and took a mouthful.

Average, but edible.

After breakfast, Jiang Jian Yue withdrew the two million yen from the Storage Space, which had now been upgraded to twenty cubic meters, and placed it on the kitchen counter.

“This is…?”

Yuki Asahi looked puzzled.

“Furniture. Daily necessities.”

Jiang Jian Yue tapped the bills with her finger.

“Big items are split evenly. Personal use is accounted separately, use first.”

Yuki Asahi was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

“Got it.”

Jiang Jian Yue returned to her room, and since she still had some time, she decided to slack off for a bit and turned on the computer.

Last night, when she left the apartment, she told everyone that work wouldn’t start until 8:30 a.m.

The apartment didn’t have an internet connection yet, but for the Miracle Computer, it didn’t matter—in fact, she only realized this morning that it worked even without being plugged in.

Sailhaox, Endless Energy has been found, hurry back to Earth.

She shifted in her cheap chair—it was harder and smaller than the one in the apartment, and she couldn’t curl up on it anymore.

On the computer screen, a newly released video was playing—Kaori Onishi and Saori Saiyonji’s “ice and fire duality.”

Why did that sound a little odd?

[This really looks like Hokkaido]

[666, instant upload]

[Isn’t this the actual plot?]

[Really, I compared it, even the filming location is exactly the same]

[So Emi Jiang’s video was for us?]

[Emi, are you watching?]

Yes, I am.

Still a ways from repaying the debt.

The income from these videos plus the livestream totaled less than three thousand, all withdrawn to the Suiguan card, still short of—

After discussing the latest games in the group chat, Jiang Jian Yue went out to work, beginning another miserable day.

There was less to deal with today than yesterday—the “Cabinet” organized by Morita Ao had started to show results—but Jiang Jian Yue still had a headache.

However, certain amusing incidents made her loosen up a little—like the Osaka Expo requesting a collaboration with GSAC, allowing both sides’ mascots to appear together.

Expo mascot…that God of Old?

Jiang Jian Yue couldn’t quite understand how the JB Cat she casually drew became a mascot, but at least it was a million times cuter than the Expo’s.

Naturally, Jiang Jian Yue refused the request.

“Missy.”

Morita Ao blocked Jiang Jian Yue, who was about to get off work and escape, looking hesitant.

“Speak.”

“Missy… The Jiang Family Head asked me to deliver a message.”

As long as I surrender, DRG will guarantee me riches and a big golden ticket?

“The Family Head said, it’s fine if you don’t stay at home, but you must pay attention to your own safety.”

Safety?

For Jiang Jian Yue, who had leveled most of her skills up to twenty, those words just made her want to laugh.

Now, Jiang Jian Yue felt she could take on Sukunah.

“Got it.”

Jiang Jian Yue replied perfunctorily, walking around Morita Ao and leaving the apartment.

***

Christmas Eve in Tokyo was even more restless and noisy than usual.

Couples walked arm in arm, stores played endless loops of Christmas songs, and colored lights lit up the streets like daytime.

Jiang Jian Yue pulled her coat tighter around her and walked through the crowded streets with a blank face.

Work, work, work.

Whoever likes this crappy job can have it!

The young girl’s face was lifeless, as if going to work was a funeral.

As she passed a fruit shop, she stopped unconsciously.

Her gaze fell on the beautifully packaged “Christmas Apples.”

Holidays were always like this—wrap something ordinary and the price goes up, but people still buy it.

She thought that, but her body honestly walked in, picked the biggest, reddest one.

Big fruit, juicy.

She paid, then slipped it into the Storage Space.

Jiang Jian Yue didn’t like eating fruit—this was for the person at home. It was Christmas Eve, after all.

When she returned to room 2103, the entryway light was still on for her.

The familiar aroma of food from the kitchen chased away her cold and fatigue.

But the muffled “bang, bang, bang” from the living room made her frown.

She went past the entryway and saw a brand-new sandbag in the center of the living room.

Yuki Asahi was shirtless, covered in sweat, practicing clumsy punches and kicks on the sandbag.

On the newly bought dining table in the distance was his phone, playing a martial arts tutorial from a YouTube creator.

The blond host was yelling energetically: “One, two! Jab! Cross! Hook!”

Bang!

Yuki Asahi’s side kick hit the sandbag, which only wobbled.

He, on the other hand, stumbled back a few steps from the lost balance.

“Huff…huff…”

He panted, then saw Jiang Jian Yue standing there.

His face turned bright red, and he frantically grabbed the T-shirt draped over the chair.

“Yue! Y-you’re back!”

Uh…the youth’s bare body was both strong and a little immature…ahem, ahem!

Jiang Jian Yue’s gaze flicked to the sandbag, then couldn’t help but notice the lines on his arm, flushed from exertion.

“Ah, this…”

Yuki Asahi scratched his head in embarrassment.

“I bought it with my own money.”

He glanced at Jiang Jian Yue’s expressionless face and hurried to explain.

“GSAC registration is coming up, so I thought… I should prepare properly. I can’t just rely on abilities…”

With your base stats, do you even need to practice fighting?

Just stack numbers—a force that breaks all techniques—that’s the power of the doghead.

Jiang Jian Yue walked over, poked the sandbag with her finger.

It was solid, but it seemed Yuki Asahi was holding back his strength.

Given his stats, the sandbag probably couldn’t take it if he went all out.

She glanced at the flashy YouTube host on the tablet.

“Learning from this kind of…show-off?”

She said flatly.

“Why not…spar with me?”

“Eh? Maybe not.”

Yuki Asahi said quietly, his eyes subconsciously darting to her lower abdomen.

“You’re…still not well.”

“………”

Jiang Jian Yue froze, an inexplicable emotion welling up inside—was this guy worried about her?

Or looking down on her?

She snorted, didn’t argue, and turned toward the kitchen.

“Eat.”

“Okay! Coming!”

Yuki Asahi quickly turned off the video and dashed to the bathroom for a quick shower.

***

Dinner was on the new dining table.

Yuki Asahi had clearly put in effort—tonight’s meal was ginger pork and miso soup, the hot dishes warming Jiang Jian Yue’s cold stomach.

Halfway through, Jiang Jian Yue remembered something.

She took the apple from the Storage Space and set it on the table with a “thud.”

“This.”

Yuki Asahi stopped with his chopsticks, staring in surprise at the big, red apple.

“For me?”

“Christmas Eve.”

Jiang Jian Yue answered briefly—an explanation.

“Thank you!”

Yuki Asahi’s silly smile made Jiang Jian Yue a little uncomfortable.

She looked away and kept eating.

“I…always come home this late… From now on…you can…eat first.”

She felt a bit guilty for making him wait so long.

“It’s okay!”

Yuki Asahi didn’t mind at all.

To change the subject, he suddenly remembered something and placed a stack of money and receipts on the table.

“This is the money left over after buying furniture, and, uh…these are the receipts.”

Receipts, huh?

Is he worried I’ll think he embezzled?

“You keep it…but keep the accounts straight.”

Right now, Jiang Jian Yue didn’t lack for food, clothing, or shelter, and Yuki Asahi took care of the meals.

She didn’t need much money.

“Understood. I have everything recorded.”

After dinner, as always, Yuki Asahi took it upon himself to do the dishes.

Jiang Jian Yue didn’t fight him for it—she was so tired she didn’t want to move a finger.

She returned to the master bedroom, collapsed onto the soft mattress, not even bothering to shower—just wanting to pass out.

When Yuki Asahi finished cleaning up the kitchen and walked in, he saw her curled up on the bed, still wearing her coat, her breathing even.

He smiled helplessly and walked over softly, trying to help her take off the coat and cover her with the blanket.

“Don’t touch…”

As soon as he got close, the girl on the bed mumbled, frowning.

Yuki Asahi’s hand froze in mid-air.

He watched her for a few seconds, then simply picked up the blanket and gently draped it over her.

“Good night.”

He quietly turned off the master bedroom light, leaving only a new desk lamp on by the computer table.

Then he left the room and went back to the second bedroom.

Tomorrow…was Christmas.

It was also the day to visit that “Jiang Family Old Residence.”

Lying on his mattress, holding the cold apple, Yuki Asahi felt both nervous and a little strangely expectant.

What were they going there for, anyway?

***

The next morning, Jiang Jian Yue, who had given the entire group the day off, rarely slept in.

After lazing in bed for a while, she went to the shower for a quick rinse.

She was going to throw on a black hoodie, but after thinking about it, she pulled out the black dress she’d worn on her first date with Yuki Asahi and put a trench coat over it.

At least…it looked more formal.

She was going to mourn a “stranger,” a “Mother” she had no real feelings for.

The feeling was absurd, but also carried a subtle heaviness.

At exactly 10 a.m., a low-profile black Lexus stopped in front of the apartment building.

Morita Ao stood by the car.

When he saw Yuki Asahi next to Jiang Jian Yue, his eyes flickered with complex emotion, but quickly returned to respectful calm.

“Missy.”

He opened the door.

“Yuki-kun, thank you for accompanying the Missy.”

Yuki Asahi nodded nervously and followed Jiang Jian Yue into the back seat.

Inside the car, it was unusually quiet.

Morita Ao watched them through the rearview mirror but didn’t ask anything.

Yuki Asahi looked nervously out the window at the passing scenery.

He asked Jiang Jian Yue in a small voice.

“Setagaya…is it far?”

“It’s fine.”

Jiang Jian Yue closed her eyes.

In her heart, taking Yuki Asahi to see a “memorial tablet” felt a bit weird no matter how she thought about it.

Forget it. He wasn’t exactly an outsider, anyway.

The car left the bustle of the city center and turned into a quiet residential area.

Eventually, it stopped in front of a huge estate hidden behind tall walls and ancient trees.

It was a traditional Japanese manor, with black-tiled gates that looked simple and solemn.

“Missy, I’ll wait for you outside.”

Morita Ao got out, opened the small side gate beside the main entrance.

“Shima-sensei is already waiting for you.”

Passing through the side gate, a moss-covered stone path led them in.

The main house was hidden behind carefully trimmed pines and cypresses, the air filled with the scent of old wood and earth.

At the entrance, an old man in a dark kimono, his hair white but meticulously combed, stood quietly, bowing.

“Missy, you have returned.”

His voice was old and hoarse, as if he hadn’t spoken in a long time.

“Shima-sensei.”

Jiang Jian Yue nodded, relying on her memory.

The old butler’s gaze fell on Yuki Asahi, a trace of surprise flickering in his cloudy eyes.

“This is…”

“Yuki Asahi.”

Jiang Jian Yue replied simply.

“Came with me.”

The butler Shima-sensei’s surprise deepened.

He bowed deeply.

“Master Yuki, welcome. The Missy…has not brought a friend home in many years.”

Friend?

Jiang Jian Yue snorted internally. With how she was before, how could she have had friends?

Yuki Asahi quickly bowed in return.

“Hello, sorry to intrude.”

They changed into slippers and walked along the cold wooden corridor.

The manor was empty and silent, sunlight filtering through paper doors to cast soft shadows on the tatami.

“You have changed a lot, Missy.”

The butler led the way, speaking slowly.

“Your eyes are much clearer.”

He could tell that?

Yuki Asahi looked at Jiang Jian Yue curiously.

“Before, you were very quiet.”

The butler seemed lost in memories.

“You would spend whole afternoons sitting on the veranda, staring at the koi in the pond, not saying a word.”

Jiang Jian Yue kept a blank face—she was still pretty quiet, all right!

A faint smile appeared in the butler’s cloudy eyes.

“I still remember, once you squatted by the pond with a picture book, as if you were…trying to teach the koi to read.”

Yuki Asahi couldn’t help it.

“Pfft.”

He laughed.

Jiang Jian Yue whipped her head around, glaring coldly.