"There's one more thing," Dubian Che spoke to Kiyono Youko.

"Hmm?" Kiyono Youko gestured for him to speak frankly.

"About you and Kiyono..."

"Which Kiyono? Me? Lin's aunt Kiyono Lizzi? Lin's young aunt Kiyono Wanzhi? Lin's..."

"I didn't realize you were so dense," Mrs. Jiutiao said sarcastically.

"Hmm~" Mrs. Kiyono mischievously blinked and teased Dubian Che, "Which Kiyono?"

"About you and Lin...."

"Hmm." Kiyono Youko nodded in satisfaction.

"About the promise between you and Lin, could you reconsider it?" Dubian Che paused before speaking, "To have Kiyono... Lin take over the Kiyono family, you must have tried all possible methods by now. This so-called half-year promise is just a forced attempt, with no real assurance."

Kiyono Youko remained silent, and Dubian Che continued to say:

"Since I was able to reconcile her with Meiji, I must be the person in the world most likely capable of having her take over the Kiyono family."

"I won't deny it, you might be the likeliest candidate, but there's one thing," Kiyono Youko scrutinized Dubian Che, "their reconciliation was because it involved your own love life..."

"That's not the case," Dubian Che had to clarify.

But his somewhat unbelievable sincerity, aside from Kiyono Lin, was likely not to be believed by anyone.

And some whimsical ideas, even Kiyono Lin wouldn't believe, Jiutiao Meijie easily did.

"Whatever that may be." Mrs. Kiyono was also among the disbelievers, "For you, taking over the Kiyono family is entirely optional, so can you push Lin in the same way you did for their reconciliation?"

"No." He didn't need any time to think about this question.

Dubian Che then said, "If she can't take over, I am willing to manage the Kiyono family in her stead in the future. Not to praise myself too highly, but if I set my mind to it, I can do pretty well at anything."

"I can't just ignore that statement," Mrs. Jiutiao interjected, "Are you suggesting that you want to become part of the Kiyono family by marriage?"

"...I meant, just to manage things for her, right?" Dubian Che asked, puzzled.

"I'm disappointed." Mrs. Kiyono feigned despondence, then waved her hand dismissively, "Nevermind, I trust Lin, and Lin trusts you, so you make the decision."

"Speaking of future plans, Mr. Dubian, I have yet to seriously ask what you are determined to do in the future?" Mrs. Jiutiao inquired.

Dubian Che became enthusiastic.

He pushed away his wine glass and leaned forward slightly, "I've made a small breakthrough in artificial intelligence, mothers-in-law, we're not far from ruling the world."

"So, you're studying neuroscience," Mrs. Kiyono nodded in understanding.

Mrs. Jiutiao, on the other hand, looked at Dubian Che thoughtfully, with a slight smile.

"I'm just kidding," Dubian Che sat up straight, laughing as if he were joking before.

◇

September 27th, Wednesday, a day when the autumn air grew thicker.

The streets had been cleaned up quickly, but the traces of the typhoon's passing could still be seen on the trees lining the route to school.

Dubian Che entered the classroom to find Jiutiao Meijie sprawled over a "pillow," with an expression that seemed to tease and provoke Kiyono Lin.

Kiyono Lin held an expressionless face, clutching a novel by the queen of British mystery – Christie.

"Good morning to you both," he greeted as he walked to his seat.

Jiutiao Meijie gave him a smiling glance before turning her gaze back to Kiyono Lin's delicate and fair face.

"Lin, I've already apologized, won't you forgive me?" she asked, her tone filled with mockery and mischief, which, even if toned down tenfold, might fool an average person.

"My dear K-san," Dubian Che couldn't bear to watch any longer, "Please stop, haven't you seen she's started reading detective and crime novels?"

"Rest assured, no matter what, I won't use the exact same methods described in the book," Kiyono Lin said, looking at her book.

"So you're not denying you're planning to kill me?" Jiutiao Meijie laughed.

"Nor admitting it," Dubian Che added.

"Everyone, please return to your seats, the class meeting is about to start," Xiaoquan Aonai, wearing her teacher's uniform, walked in with lesson plans in hand.

Kiyono Lin closed her book, while Jiutiao Meijie continued to lounge lazily with her "pillow."

Dubian Che turned around, his gaze landing on the beautiful Miss Aonai at the podium.

"The Cultural Festival has passed, and it's time for everyone to start preparing to study hard. The exams will take place tomorrow..."

The scene was just like any other day, as if nothing had changed, yet it seemed completely different.

In the following two days, the school conducted the September tests.

On Friday, after the last exam, Dubian Che, as the duty student, completed the duty chart and went to the office alone.

Most of the teachers had already left the sparsely populated office.

Xiaoquan Aonai and Akiko were still there; Akiko was grading papers, while Xiaoquan Aonai was typing something into her computer.

"Miss Aonai," Dubian Che placed the duty chart on her desk.

On that desk, there were succulents and roses in a vase. Pens were neatly arranged in a holder, with documents well-organized.

Just by looking at this desk, one could envision the owner's loveliness and love for life.

Xiaoquan Aonai checked the form, and after confirming it was complete, she asked him, "Do you intend to go back on your own, or will you join us?"

"What are you busy with?" Dubian Che inquired.

All the other teachers had left, so there was no reason for the two of them to be busy.

"The Tokyo University recommendation for you three has come through," Xiaoquan Aonai revealed with a joyful smile, "I am organizing your average scores and then writing the teacher and school evaluations."

"I had forgotten about that," Dubian Che remarked.

"Dubian," Akiko stood up and patted the back of her chair, "Don't just stand there, come and sit."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.