novelhk Page 87
Page 87
He gently swirled his wine glass, the amber liquid reflecting his deep eyes: "Perhaps because... I hate being defined." He turned to look directly at Sayako, "Like you, on the surface you seem straightforward, but in reality you value relationships more than anyone else, and are gentle as water at heart."
Sayako's breath hitched slightly. She gulped down a large mouthful of wine: "Don't give me that. I'm leaving this town tomorrow."
"Why?" Chen Xiao frowned.
“There’s nothing left to cherish.” Sayako stared at the empty glass. “My parents are long gone, and Akito has become like this… the bar…” Her voice trailed off. “Maybe I should start over somewhere else.”
Chen Xiao gently took the cup from her hand: "What are you running away from?"
"I didn't!" Sayako suddenly stood up, the alcohol making her stagger.
Chen Xiao caught her waist just in time, and the two were suddenly so close that they could feel each other's breath.
"Be careful." Chen Xiao's voice was low, and the warmth from his palm made Sayako's heart race.
She tried to push him away: "Let go... I don't need..."
“You need to.” Chen Xiao’s hand remained still as he stared intently at her. “You need someone who truly sees you. Not as a protector of the Ming people, not as the bar owner, but as Sayako herself.”
Sayako's struggles gradually subsided, and vulnerability surfaced in her eyes: "What do you know... a guy like you surrounded by women..."
“I understand loneliness.” Chen Xiao’s fingers gently stroked her long hair. “Even when surrounded by many people, the soul still feels lonely.”
These words were like a key that unlocked Sayako's tightly closed heart. Her eyes suddenly reddened: "...Have you ever truly loved someone?"
Chen Xiao smiled: "I treat everyone who enters my life with sincerity." His thumb brushed against the corner of her eye, "Including you."
Sayako turned her face away: "Smooth talker..."
"And this?" Chen Xiao suddenly lowered his head and kissed her tightly pursed lips.
Sayako froze, trying to push him away with both hands.
But Chen Xiao's kiss was gentle and unwavering, as if he were handling a fragile treasure. Gradually, her resistance turned into a hesitant response.
[System notification: Sayako's emotions are fluctuating drastically]
[Affection +30, currently at 50%]
[Warning: Goal-oriented morality is conflicting with attraction]
When Chen Xiao finally raised his head, Sayako's eyes were already misty.
“This shouldn’t be…” Her voice was barely audible.
Chen Xiao traced the shape of her lips with his fingertips: "Why shouldn't we? Two single adults..."
"Hai Xili..."
“She knows what kind of person I am,” Chen Xiao chuckled. “And…” His kiss landed on Sayoko’s ear, “You responded very honestly just now.”
Sayako punched him in embarrassment and annoyance, but...
“Chen Xiao…” Her warning lacked any force, sounding more like a sigh.
"Call me A-Xiao, or Brother Xiao, or Little Xiao, it's all fine." He felt the body in his arms soften instantly. "Tonight, let me prove that you don't have to be alone."
She tilted her head back and said in a kitten-like voice, "Go...go to the bedroom..."
Chen Xiao easily picked her up, and Sayako instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. The bedroom door was kicked shut, shutting out the moonlight.
[System notification: Sayako's emotions are fluctuating drastically]
[Affection +100, currently at 100%]
"Reward: Night Phantom" skill: In nighttime environments, charm value is automatically increased by 50%, and persuasiveness towards female targets is doubled.
Special title "Twin Conqueror": When maintaining two or more intimate relationships at the same time, all attributes are increased by 15%.
[New Achievement Unlocked]
→Gain the passive skill [Fragrance of Sin]: The lower your morality value, the stronger your attraction to married women.
the next morning,
As sunlight streamed into the bedroom, Sayako opened her eyes and found herself being held tightly in Chen Xiao's arms.
The memory of last night's frenzy made her ears burn. She tried to get up quietly, but was suddenly pulled back into a warm embrace by a tightening arm.
"Good morning." Chen Xiao's voice was hoarse from the early morning as he placed a kiss on her shoulder.
Sayako froze: "Last night...we..."
“Great,” Chen Xiao added with a smile.
Sayako sat up abruptly, pulling the blanket over herself: "Chen Xiao! This...this was just a one-night stand!"
Chen Xiao remained calm and composed, propping his head up as he admired her flustered state: "So it was just a one-night stand for you? Well, I took it too seriously!" Chen Xiao then got up and pretended to leave.
"Don't go!" Sayako grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, but he caught it easily.
Chen Xiao suddenly became serious: "Sunako, look at me." When she reluctantly turned around, he said softly, "I don't regret what happened last night. What about you?"
Sayako finally nodded slowly.
“That’s enough.” Chen Xiao got up and started dressing. “However…” He turned back and smiled. “If you still want to leave the town, remember to come find me in Chiba.”
Sayako stared blankly, then suddenly asked, "What about Kaiyuri?"
Chen Xiao paused for a moment: "I will take responsibility for her, just as I did for you." He lifted Sayoko's chin. "My heart is big enough to accommodate everyone who truly cares for me."
Sayako wanted to refute this absurd statement, but found herself actually seriously considering the proposal.
Chen Xiao seemed to read her mind, and chuckled as he kissed the tip of her nose: "No rush, take your time to think it over."
Sayako watched Chen Xiao get dressed. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, illuminating his profile and highlighting his perfect features. She bit her lip, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.
"Chen Xiao," she finally spoke, her voice a little hoarse, "Do you really think this is okay?"
Chen Xiao turned around, a smile on her lips that made her heart race: "What's the problem?"
“You and me… and Haiyu.” Sayako gripped the bedsheet tightly. “This is absurd.”
"Feelings are never black and white, Sayako. I like you, and I also like Kaiyuri, and that doesn't conflict with anything."
Sayako turned her face away: "But society won't accept it."
"Society?" Chen Xiao chuckled. "Who cares? We decide our own lives."
Sayako fell silent. She had to admit that Chen Xiao's words had a strange magic that made her waver. From a young age, she had been bound by labels such as "protector of the Ming people" and "bar owner," and had never truly lived for herself. But last night, Chen Xiao had given her an unprecedented sense of freedom.
"...What am I supposed to do with you?" she murmured, more like asking herself.
Chen Xiao gently stroked her cheek with his fingers: "Just be yourself. There's no need to rush into a decision. I'll wait for you."
Sayako looked up at him, her eyes flashing with struggle and longing. Finally, she took a deep breath: "...You don't need to wait for me anymore, let's go find Kaiyuri!"
Hai Xili waited for Chen Xiao to arrive at home; now she was all alone in the house.
After Chen Xiao arrived and explained the situation, the two women chose to return to Chen Xiao's villa together.
Chen Xiao took Sayako and Haiyuri back to Chiba Prefecture. His private villa was located halfway up a mountain, in a quiet and luxurious yet cozy environment.
When Sayako and Kaiyuri stepped into the villa, they were surprised to find that quite a few women were already living there.
"Welcome back, Chen Xiao-jun~" Greeting him was Ren Nai, one of Chen Xiao's women. A girl in casual clothes jogged over and affectionately took Chen Xiao's arm.
"And who is this...?" Sayako raised an eyebrow, her tone subtle.
Chen Xiao introduced with a smile: "Childhood sweethearts."
Hai Xili remained calm, as if she had anticipated this situation, and simply smiled gently: "It seems we're not the first."
Chen Xiao put his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear, "But you are special, and you won't be the last."
Sayako gave a soft hum, but the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.
The women in the villa quickly accepted them, and the atmosphere was incredibly harmonious.
Sayako had expected a scene of jealousy and rivalry, but instead found that everyone got along like sisters who had been together for years.
“What exactly is going on…” Sayako muttered to herself.
Chen Xiao wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder: "Because they all understand that love is not about possession, but about sharing. And being able to receive my love, Chen Xiao, is their pride."
Sayako rolled her eyes: "Nonsense."
But her body honestly nestled into Chen Xiao's arms.
The following night, Mingren stood on a high point in the countryside and jumped to his death.
The death seemed bizarre and inexplicable.
Sato Miwako held the file and looked at the contents of the document. "Chen Xiao!! It's you again!!"
The next day, Chen Xiao returned to Zongwu High School.
As he approached the school gate, he noticed a young woman in an elegant suit anxiously looking around. She was around thirty years old, with a full figure and a mature woman's charm, but at that moment she seemed very uneasy.
Chen Xiao smiled slightly and stepped forward: "Madam, are you waiting for someone?"
The young woman was startled by his voice. When she turned her head and saw Chen Xiao's handsome face, she was clearly taken aback for a moment, then nodded somewhat flusteredly: "Yes, yes, I'm waiting for my husband's younger brother. He forgot to bring his medicine..."
"Oh? What's his name? Maybe I can help you," Chen Xiao said with a smile.
“Takayanagi Koji, his name is Takayanagi Koji,” the young woman replied, her eyes filled with gratitude. “I am his sister-in-law, Takayanagi Mitsuko.”
A hint of amusement flashed in Chen Xiao's eyes.
Koji Takayanagi? That gloomy boy who always kept his head down and was bullied at school?
"I see." Chen Xiao's smile deepened. "I know him. He should still be in the classroom. I'll go and call him for you."
Mitsuko bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you so much!"
As soon as Chen Xiao turned around, he saw Gao Liuguang walking out of the school gate. His face was pale, his figure was thin, and his eyes were gloomy. He looked like the type who had been ostracized for a long time.
However, when Guang Er saw his sister-in-law standing with Chen Xiao, the most popular male god in the school, his expression froze instantly.
"Sister-in-law...?" Guang Er's voice trembled slightly.
Mitsuko rushed over: "Koji! Why did you go out without your medicine? I was so worried!"
Koji's gaze darted back and forth between Mitsuko and Chen Xiao, finally fixing on Chen Xiao: "You...you two know each other?"
Chen Xiao gave a friendly smile: "We just met, and your sister-in-law is very worried about you."
Kouji's expression turned even uglier.