Chapter 152: You’re Not Qualified to Speak to Me as an Equal

“Dis… Disappeared?”

The bodyguard rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

In his earpiece, a companion’s urgent voice rang out.

“Akasaka! What happened?”

“I… I don’t know! She disappeared like lightning! Vanished into thin air! I didn’t even see her move!”

“Report to Mr. Kujou immediately! The situation has changed!”

At the same time, in Mejirocho, on the fourth floor of a high-end apartment, inside the largest guest room.

Nine-Tails Seiji stood by the window, the half-glass of red wine in his hand untouched for a long time.

Every night at this hour, he would have a little wine to help him sleep.

The satellite phone on the table buzzed.

He pressed the answer button.

Akasaka’s panicked voice came through.

“Mr. Kujou! The young lady, she… she suddenly disappeared! Right in front of me! Like she teleported! She told me to deliver a message—’I’m coming right away!'”

“And… she ordered all surveillance to be withdrawn, or else…”

“Or else she’d kill you.”

Nine-Tails Seiji finished for him, his voice calm and steady, without the slightest hint of surprise or anger.

“Understood. Pull back the perimeter. Maintain minimal alert.”

“If she says she’ll come, she’ll come.”

He hung up.

In a low voice, he said, “Truly astonishing efficiency, Yue.”

As the words fell, the half-open door was quietly pushed open.

Jiang Jian Yue leaned against the doorframe, hands in her pockets.

“So impressive… Nine-Tails Seiji.”

Jiang Jian Yue said softly, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

“Impressive?”

Nine-Tails Seiji turned gracefully to face her, his usual gentle smile on his face.

“I think you’ve misunderstood. I’m merely fulfilling my duty to protect you.”

He walked slowly to the small bar by the floor-to-ceiling window, his movements unhurried.

“That thug hurt you. His methods were foolish, but the pain was real.”

“As your future husband, or at least the one your father entrusted to look after you while you experience society on your own, I cannot tolerate anyone harming you in any way.”

He picked up the decanter and poured himself another half glass of red wine, the scarlet liquid swirling in the cup.

Jiang Jian Yue wasn’t angered by his condescending words. She simply shook her head.

“You have no right.”

The smile faded slightly from Nine-Tails Seiji’s face, his gray eyes growing deep.

He set down the glass, bracing both hands on the bar’s edge, leaning forward to look straight into Jiang Jian Yue’s blood-red eyes.

“No right?”

He repeated, his tone clearly off.

“Yue, look at you now! Penniless, spending the night in internet cafes, letting strangers beat you in the street for a mere ten thousand yen! You even risk dealing with the yakuza in Kabukicho, selling firearms!”

“Do you know how dangerous that is?”

His voice carried a suppressed severity and heartache.

“The head of the family sent you out to experience the harshness of reality, not to wallow in the mud and prove your ‘independence’ in extreme ways!”

Getting flustered, huh.

Jiang Jian Yue felt Nine-Tails Seiji resembled one of those guys online who gets baited into revealing their combo by a single auto attack.

Whether his words made sense or not, outsiders would still see him as the agitated one.

Jiang Jian Yue stayed silent, not because his words hit home, but because she saw no point in continuing the conversation.

He didn’t even understand what she meant by “no right.”

“You think you’re rebelling? No, you’re just self-destructing.”

“Using the most childish way to prove to everyone you don’t need anyone… But in reality, you need protection more than ever right now.”

His voice grew lower, tinged with a mesmerizing pull.

“Return to where you belong, Yue.”

“Let go of that boy who only brings you danger. Work with me. Use your talents for the right cause.”

“Together, we can create an unprecedented event and even surpass your plan.”

Sigh… Talking about work even at a time like this?

Nine-Tails Seiji, you’re a real workaholic.

Jiang Jian Yue shook her head slightly, took her hand out of her pocket, and aimed the P320 at Nine-Tails Seiji’s hand.

She fired without hesitation.

Bang!

“Ah!”

The confidence and warmth on Nine-Tails Seiji’s face vanished.

He clutched his arm, collapsing onto the bar.

The wine bottle toppled, shattering on the floor.

“I said, you have no right… to speak to me as an equal.”

Having accomplished her purpose, Jiang Jian Yue couldn’t even be bothered to say more.

She turned and left.

The bodyguards who came in response to the commotion didn’t dare block her way.

“Excellent.”

Nine-Tails Seiji straightened up, sweat streaming down his pale face as he clutched his arm.

He hadn’t been shot during his years in America, but after only a few days back in Japan, he’d taken a bullet.

Yet he felt no anger or emotional turbulence—only growing clarity.

The family head’s claim that Jiang Jian Yue liked strong men was false information, and could be ruled out.

Like completing an experiment, Nine-Tails Seiji mentally reviewed his “experiment notes” as the doctor treated his wound.

Next time, he’ll try a gentle persona.

But first, he needed to pull their relationship back from absolute zero.

Only then would it be effective.

Nine-Tails Seiji analyzed his future actions like a precise computer, devoid of emotion.

***

The biting wind swept through the west exit of Ikebukuro Station, carrying the city’s dust and restless energy.

Jiang Jian Yue pulled her coat tighter, standing alone at the entrance of the Convenience Store as promised.

There were ten minutes left until ten o’clock.

She stared at her blurred reflection in the glass window.

Her face looked paler than usual, with faint dark circles beneath her eyes.

Even makeup couldn’t hide her exhaustion.

A dull ache radiated from her abdomen—not hunger, but her period.

…Well, hunger too, actually.

She gritted her teeth in frustration.

When it rains, it pours.

She’d woken up in the hotel to find the sheets stained red.

Why did the tumor have to disappear at a time like this?!

Damn it!

All the remaining money had been given to the hotel, leaving just enough for a pack of pads.

She’d hidden in the bathroom, searching online tutorials for a long time before emerging hungry.

But with no more money, Jiang Jian Yue could only endure until now.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket.

A message from Yuki Asahi.

Asahi: Senpai! I’m almost there! Did you sleep well last night? (。6_o)

Jiang Jian Yue’s fingers twitched. She replied with a single character.

Yue: Mm.

She didn’t want him to worry.

A few minutes later, Yuki Asahi came running over, breathless.

Today, he wore a dark blue hoodie with a warm jacket over it.

He looked in good spirits, though concern flickered in his eyes.

“Yue!”

He hurried over, his gaze searching her face.

“You don’t look so good… Are you okay? That hotel…”

“I’m fine.”

Jiang Jian Yue cut him off, her tone flat.

She glanced at his rather thin clothing.

“Let’s go. Time… is short.”

She still needed to figure out how to get more money this afternoon.

She walked ahead toward the furniture store.

The weight in her lower abdomen slowed her pace.

Yuki Asahi quickly caught up, sensing something was off, but didn’t ask.

He quietly matched his steps to hers.

The furniture store was warm and crowded.

The rows of mattresses, sofas, and tables felt like an overwhelming financial burden.

“Yue, let’s look at mattresses first? The bedroom needs one.”

Yuki Asahi suggested, trying to lighten the mood.

“I read online that used ones are okay too, some are in great condition…”

“No.”

Jiang Jian Yue immediately rejected it.

Some things, like beds, shouldn’t be compromised on.

Other things could slide.

Her gaze lingered on the rows of new, pristine mattresses.

She finally pointed to one at a moderate price, known for its support—an independent pocket spring mattress.

The monthly rental apartment came with a bed frame.

“This one…”

She pointed.

Yuki Asahi checked the price and nodded instantly.

“Okay! This one!”

Next came the purchase of daily essentials—pots, pans, everything.

Yuki Asahi calculated every expense, comparing prices multiple times.

In the end, they only bought the basics: two mattresses, two bedding sets, a computer desk and chair (specially requested by Jiang Jian Yue), a few bowls and plates, kitchenware, and bathroom supplies.

Yuki Asahi had less than a hundred thousand yen left in his wallet.

He stared at the long shopping list, heavy-hearted as he saw all the items they couldn’t afford, crossed out for now.

They hadn’t even bought a washing machine or fridge…

“Delivery address filled in. The stuff will be at the apartment this afternoon.”

Yuki Asahi finished the paperwork and looked at Jiang Jian Yue.

“Yue, are you hungry? Let’s eat something?”

He noticed her hand seemed to rest lightly on her stomach.

Jiang Jian Yue was tired and hungry, and the pain in her abdomen was growing worse.

She nodded.

They found a cheap diner in the mall’s food court.

Jiang Jian Yue ordered the simplest oyakodon.

But she barely touched it, putting her chopsticks down after a few bites.

Her period’s discomfort left her listless.

“Yue, that’s all you’re eating…?”

Yuki Asahi looked at her in concern.

“I’m full.”

Jiang Jian Yue closed her eyes, leaning back in the plastic chair, brows slightly furrowed.

“I’ll pay you back for the furniture.”

Jiang Jian Yue glanced at the storage space.

Her Nikon D850, which had accompanied her through the trip to Hokkaido.

She really didn’t want to sell it…

But the money spent was all Yuki Asahi’s. She needed to repay him.

Yuki Asahi understood.

Jiang Jian Yue-senpai liked to keep things clear—not to be distant, just her way.

He didn’t refuse.

***

That afternoon, the furniture they bought was delivered to the new apartment one by one.

The empty living room was cluttered with cardboard boxes, making it feel even colder.

Yuki Asahi directed the workers, having them assemble and place the furniture in their respective rooms.

Once the workers left and only the two of them remained, a slightly awkward silence filled the apartment.

“I… I’ll make the bed!”

Yuki Asahi broke the silence, picking up Jiang Jian Yue’s new bedding and heading to the master bedroom.

Jiang Jian Yue didn’t stop him.

Inside, Yuki Asahi clumsily spread the sheets and fitted the duvet cover.

By the time he managed to stuff the fluffy comforter inside and collapsed, sweating from the effort…

He looked up.

Jiang Jian Yue was leaning against the bedroom doorframe, watching him silently.