Chapter 147: Even Penniless, You Can’t Stop Going on Dates!

As everyone knows, shame brings a certain strange sense of stimulation.

Otherwise, where did so many exhibitionists in the world come from?

This was the most thrilling—twice… up to nine times.

Until the OVA ended, the girl collapsed, drenched in sweat, on the net cafe bed, her trembling fingertips pressing to stop the auto-play.

The frame with her own “G8 Declaration” flashed by without sound—but she wasn’t in the mood to care about the animation now.

So tired, so good, so tired, so good!

As the afterglow faded, fatigue and hunger suddenly became painfully clear.

Take a shower and order something to eat.

Japanese net cafes have showers. Jiang Jian Yue climbed off the sticky bed and, supporting herself on the wall, walked to the shower at the end of the corridor.

The shower was free, but towels cost money.

She tossed her clothes into the Storage Space, exposing a back already covered in Red Veins.

Some red lines even stretched to her chest, as if she had tattoos there—it had to be said, it gave a strangely alluring vibe.

After a quick rinse, she used her old clothes to dry off, letting the blow dryer pass roughly over her hair, leaving it half-damp.

Unable to endure her hunger, she ran back to the room and ordered food, then used tissues to wipe away traces of battle from the bed.

Storage Space was just too useful, especially as a trash bin.

Eight Hundred Yen Fried Rice was delivered to her room.

Before opening the door, she instinctively sniffed the air—only after confirming there was no strange scent did she relax and pull the door open.

When you’re hungry, everything tastes delicious.

Jiang Jian Yue felt the fried rice was chef-level, but at this price and with these ingredients, it was obviously Pre-made Dishes.

She randomly pulled some secondary creations on the screen as side dishes.

Ever since living a life of comfort, she rarely did this anymore.

Maybe only when you’re poor do you try to squeeze every drop of joy from every second?

Even watching a few seconds of video at triple speed felt like a luxury.

“Review of the Leg Deliciousness of Female Group from Bang to Lari: Jiang Jian Yue’s Hokkaido Boots Ranked as ‘Bang’.”

Please, Ark player, calm down. But why is Saionji Shou ranked in the female group?

“Sora2, ai animation—Emi-chan Went Bankrupt”

Well, honestly, there’s not much difference between a runaway girl and being bankrupt.

“Emi Thirteen Shots”

Ugh, can you say out loud the things you wrote yourself?

“Speculation on Emi-chan’s Abilities”

This UP Master guessed her power was copying—not bad, triple liked.

“[MMD] [Misunderstanding] [Sun Moon] I Became Someone Else’s Lover”

Impressive!

Seeing Yuki Asahi, who’d been beautifully P-shopped into the screen, Jiang Jian Yue’s hand unconsciously reached for her phone on the table.

The screen lit up, showing several unread messages from Yuki Asahi:

“Senpai, I miss you.”

“(A little cat tilting its head emoji)”

“Senpai? Are you busy?”

“If anything happens, please tell me too!”

“Senpai, good night.”

The last message was sent half an hour ago.

Jiang Jian Yue’s finger hovered over the reply box, hesitated for a long time, and finally only sent, “Good night. See you tomorrow.”

Shoving the last bite of fried rice into her mouth, Jiang Jian Yue rubbed her tired eyes and lay flat on the bed.

***

At the same time, Mejiro, fourth floor of Jiang Jian Apartment.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling window was the dazzling night view of Tokyo.

Nine-Tails Seiji stood in front of the window with a glass of red wine, dressed in a finely made silk robe.

On the tablet before him, a high-definition video played—a hidden shot of the Ikebukuro street, Jiang Jian Yue standing expressionless as she was struck, then picking up a One Man Yen bill before leaving.

The filming angle was both concealed and professional.

The video ended at the moment police appeared and Jiang Jian Yue’s figure disappeared.

Nine-Tails Seiji’s gray eyes were deep, revealing little emotion.

He swirled the wine in his glass, crimson liquid trailing elegantly on the glass wall.

He picked up his phone and dialed a number.

The call connected quickly.

A respectful voice answered:

“Nine-Tails-san.”

“Missy is very safe now, currently at Starlight Net Cafe in Ikebukuro, room 517.”

Nine-Tails Seiji’s voice returned to its usual gentle calm:

“Make sure she isn’t disturbed.”

“And also, investigate those two who acted tonight, and the guy who wanted to get hit.”

“Understood.”

The reply was crisp and decisive.

“And one more thing.”

Nine-Tails Seiji paused, gazing at the video’s frozen image—Jiang Jian Yue’s furrowed brow as she ‘endured’ pain. A chill flashed in his gray eyes.

“Give the one who acted some special ‘care.’ Make sure he can never use that hand to hit anyone again.”

“Yes!”

The call ended.

Nine-Tails Seiji drained the remaining wine in his glass.

He looked out the window again, where ten thousand lights flickered in his eyes.

“You’ll be mine, sooner or later…”

The words were soft, but in the dim room, they felt suffocating.

***

The next morning, Ikebukuro, “Starlight” Net Cafe.

A piercing alarm tore Jiang Jian Yue from an uneasy sleep.

She shot upright, rubbed her temples, and pulled out her phone.

Aside from a few unimportant notifications, there was only Yuki Asahi’s “Good night” emoji sent after her own message last night.

Time to go out and make money again.

Today’s goal: earn One Hundred Thousand Yen, then find a cheap place to rent.

Taking advantage of the last moments, Jiang Jian Yue searched for keywords like “Tokyo, daily pay, high salary, no experience” on the net cafe computer.

Most of the results were for suspicious “high-income part-time jobs,” “host club recruitment,” or physically demanding jobs.

Paid beatings as an Innovative Project still had low market acceptance and high risk—better think of something else.

She frowned in thought.

Should she use knowledge from her previous life?

As she racked her brain, her phone vibrated—another message from Yuki Asahi.

“Senpai! Good morning! Are you free today? I bought two movie tickets! For the afternoon! I want to invite you! (≥V≤)”

Since when did you start using emoticons too?

Jiang Jian Yue stared at the message, stunned.

A movie? A date?

She was penniless right now—okay, she still had four thousand yen, but clearly, that was emergency money.

Reject?

She’d just said “See you tomorrow” last night, then would stand him up today—not good.

Though honestly, that was just an excuse.

Deep down, she really… wanted to see him.

Though she didn’t want to rely on Yuki Asahi, she really wanted to see him—was that a contradiction?

But… in her current state, barely affording meals, could she spare time for a date?

Adults always had so many reasons to convince themselves.

Muttering “adults must learn to adapt” and other incomprehensible things, Jiang Jian Yue lowered her head and typed quickly:

“Okay! What time in the afternoon? Where should we meet?”

After sending it, she began calculating: He’d definitely pay for the movie tickets, but they’d probably eat afterward.

And then shopping…

She hadn’t given Yuki Asahi a gift in a long time…

All of that needed money.

Jiang Jian Yue didn’t want to spend his money—in fact, she wanted to pay for the tickets herself.

Money… she’d have to earn more before afternoon!

She stood up abruptly, began packing her things into the Storage Space, and then checked out at the front desk.

What method could she use to earn money?

Best if it’s daily pay.

Jiang Jian Yue was suddenly struck by genius.

She had it!

***

The morning light of Kabukicho had washed away the night’s noise and illusion. Jiang Jian Yue stood before a building.

“Dragon Palace.”

Aside from this sign, the building’s outer wall was covered in portraits of women.

She straightened her decently presentable coat, took a deep breath, and strode toward the employee entrance on the side.

Sure enough, a small gap was open.

A young man with a tattoo snaking up his neck leaned by the door, smoking, his gaze wary.

“Hey, we don’t open during the day.”

He blew a smoke ring, blocking the entrance, his eyes lingering briefly on Jiang Jian Yue’s delicate face.

“Oh~ are you here to apply as a ‘Princess’?”

Jiang Jian Yue’s hand trembled slightly, almost unable to resist acting out—but for a young girl to come here during the day, there could be no other reason.

“No, I’m looking for Momose Tadayoshi.”

The man’s brow furrowed in annoyance.

“Is the Team Leader’s name something you can call directly? If you’re not here to apply, then get lost! Bastard…”

Jiang Jian Yue didn’t move.

She simply lifted her chin a little, those alluring yet icy eyes staring straight at him.

“Tell him.”

Jiang Jian Yue’s voice wasn’t loud, but it pierced the morning stillness:

“Jiang Jian Yue is here.”

“Heh! Never heard—”

The man’s sneer stopped abruptly, his face going pale.

“Jiang Jian…”

He repeated the name in a low murmur, then jerked upright, the cigarette falling from his hand.

The yakuza youth snapped to attention.

“S-sorry! Missy! Please wait! I’ll notify him immediately!”

In a panic, he stomped out his cigarette and stumbled inside.

Less than two minutes later, hurried footsteps echoed down the passage.

The door slammed open.

The man from earlier crashed against the opposite wall like a ragdoll, clutching his stomach and curling up on the floor, still struggling to bow his head and wail toward Jiang Jian Yue.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”

A foot stepped forward first—Momose Tadayoshi appeared like a whirlwind.

The cruel look on his face vanished instantly when he saw Jiang Jian Yue, replaced with genuine respect and fear.

“Missy, you honor us with your presence. Forgive me for not welcoming you properly! My subordinate was rude—please forgive him!”

Several other staffers behind him bowed as well, not daring to breathe.

Uh… wait, isn’t this a bit much?

Jiang Jian Yue’s forced aura deflated instantly, a wave of embarrassment and awkwardness washing over her.

***

A few minutes later, inside Momose Tadayoshi’s office.

“Missy, why did you come here alone at this hour? Are you in trouble?”

Momose Tadayoshi knelt on the floor, voice serious.

“Uh…”

Jiang Jian Yue looked at Momose Tadayoshi kneeling before her and quickly said:

“Don’t do that.”

“Haai!”

Momose Tadayoshi rose respectfully, but his subordinates behind him remained obediently kneeling.

Paralyzed…

This kind of scene only existed in Taiga drama film sets in the 21st century!