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Gangye Yoshiko drove the car, hidden in the darkness of the night, steadily moving forward.
The winter night didn't have the restlessness of summer; everywhere exuded a sense of deathly stillness.
Beichuan Si gave Beichuan Huili a phone call.
Upon learning that she was still on her way home, he imparted a few words, telling her to be extra careful while outside.
Beichuan Huili clearly hadn't noticed the police following her yet and remained in her usual state.
As soon as he hung up the phone, Beichuan Si noticed a peculiar gaze from Shen Gu Mirai.
"Is there something on my face?" Beichuan Si asked coldly.
Shen Gu Mirai didn't immediately answer Beichuan Si. She just stared at him thoughtfully for about two minutes before saying enviously,
"Mr. Temple has never spoken to me in such a gentle tone as you just did."
"Really?" Beichuan Si replied indifferently. He knew his own temperament and couldn't change it for the time being.
"See! You're talking like that again!"
"Instead of caring about my tone, you should listen carefully to what I'm about to tell you," Beichuan Si nonchalantly revealed the matter, "I'm planning to take a trip to Yashan City soon, for two days at least, maybe four or five. I might not be able to fulfill today's promise."
"What?!" Compared to Beichuan Si's impassive expression, Shen Gu Mirai's reaction was much more animated; she almost jumped out of her seat.
"Are you in such a hurry?"
Originally wanting to ask Beichuan Si why he was so sudden, Shen Gu Mirai thought of the contents of the notebook today and could only suppress the urge to complain, meekly asking.
"..." Beichuan Si remained silent, only giving her a silent glance.
"Ahem..."
Shen Gu Mirai clearly realized how silly her question was.
If there were a murderer roaming with a knife near your home all day and you suddenly had the means and ability to apprehend them, wouldn't you take action immediately?
"If you understand, then that's all the better. Once you... have a lead on the suspect, you won't have to worry about encountering danger again," Beichuan Si originally intended to say capturing the suspect, but out of respect for the police officer driving in front, he naturally shifted the topic.
But in fact, Gangye Yoshiko still heard it.
Beichuan Si could even see her baring her teeth, clearly displeased, in the rearview mirror.
Yet Beichuan Si didn't mind. His gaze fell on Shen Gu Mirai, waiting to hear her response.
"Even if you say you want me to understand—" Shen Gu Mirai, ever the optimist, rarely showed a troubled expression.
Letting her go home to sleep alone was absolutely impossible. Given the current circumstances, going home alone would be like throwing oneself into the lion's den.
As Shen Gu Mirai was torn with indecision, Beichuan Si suddenly spoke up,
"You could actually stay at my place."
"Can I?!"
Shen Gu Mirai was even more surprised; she hadn't expected the usually cold Beichuan Si to say something so considerate.
"If you want to go home alone, I have no objections."
Upon hearing this, Shen Gu Mirai immediately stood up to express her stance, "No! Staying at your place would be much better than mine!"
She never imagined that there would be a day when Beichuan Si would show concern for her.
Shen Gu Mirai felt as if a great surprise had struck her in the head, making her dizzy, and she didn't even notice Beichuan Si silently extending his hand until a moment later.
She looked at his hand, blinked, puzzled, and asked, "What for?"
"A decent rental place in Tokyo costs one hundred and fifty thousand yen a month. Converted, it's five thousand yen a day, but I'll charge you thirty-five thousand yen. I think it's a worthwhile deal," Beichuan Si replied expressionlessly.
Pfft—
Gangye Yoshiko, who had been listening in the front, couldn't help but laugh.
"...Beichuan," hearing Gangye Yoshiko's laughter, Shen Gu Mirai couldn't help but twitch her lips.
"What is it?"
"You know, what you're saying doesn't match your expressionless face at all, right?"
"Really?" Beichuan Si looked coldly at Shen Gu Mirai and straightforwardly said, "But personally, I still prefer a relationship bound by financial terms."
What a blockhead!
Hearing the detached indifference in Beichuan Si's voice, Shen Gu Mirai's pretty face almost turned purple from anger.
He always managed to interrupt her pleasant fantasies every time she thought kindly of him.
Beichuan Si remained silent, only quietly staring at her, seemingly awaiting her answer.
Gritting her teeth, Shen Gu Mirai said word by word, "I'll pay."
Beichuan Si nodded, his gaze clear and forthright, "I'll stay at home for three or four more days. I'll leave after taking care of school's business, and during this time, no one can hurt you. This applies both at school and my house. So strictly speaking, you're still coming out ahead."
I'm coming out ahead?
Yeah, I'm coming out ahead! I'm almost giving you all the money I've saved up over the years!
Thinking she had to pay another fifty thousand yen to Beichuan Si as today's compensation for dispelling grievances, Shen Gu Mirai felt like her heart was bleeding.
She couldn't vent her frustration because she realized Beichuan Si spoke from the heart, not as a shrewd opportunist.
After all, staying at the Beichuan family without charge was something Shen Gu Mirai's pride couldn't tolerate, even if Beichuan Si could.
From a certain angle, Beichuan Si had seen through her little thoughts, and that's why he proactively voiced such words.
Yet Beichuan Si's directness, not beating around the bush, only made her uncomfortable, with a complaint stuck in her throat she couldn't swallow.
...
Beichuan Si had no intention of concerning himself with Shen Gu Mirai's feelings. Having obtained her promise, he closed his eyes, calming his mind.
Once Beichuan Si's steady breathing was audible, Gangye Yoshiko's voice came from the front seat,
"Beichuan has always been like this."
"Don't be deceived by his sharp tongue and rogue behavior. This guy... this guy..."
Gangye Yoshiko frowned, trying to add a few good words for Beichuan Si.
But upon seriously considering the events since meeting Beichuan Si, she suddenly slammed the steering wheel hard, gritting her teeth in frustration. "Actually, this guy is really just stubborn and tough! Sharp-tongued and unwilling to lose out!"
"...." Shen Gu Mirai.
"I wasn't asleep yet." Beichuan Si wasn't bothered by Gangye Yoshiko talking behind his back, simply turning his head to look at the street.
The car had entered the residential area, with the Beichuan family's place just ahead.
Gangye Yoshiko quickly drove to the door and stopped, eager to kick Beichuan Si out.
However, she finally withdrew her foot reluctantly and, while still sitting in the car, couldn't help but say to Beichuan Si, "No matter what, Beichuan, if you're really planning to investigate Yashan City alone, be careful."
This might be a case of a sharp tongue and a tender heart.
Shen Gu Mirai sighed.
"I'll be careful," Beichuan Si replied.
"No matter when I say it, that's all you ever respond with, you this gu—" Gangye Yoshiko was about to tease a bit more when her pupils suddenly shrank, and she shouted loudly,
"Watch out! Beichuan! Behind you!"
Behind Beichuan Si, a shiny metal baseball bat descended rapidly, aiming right for his head!
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