69novels Page 88
Page 88
Mitsuko didn't notice anything unusual about her younger brother. She simply took the medicine out of her bag and handed it to him, saying, "Take it quickly, so you won't be late for class."
Guang Er stiffly accepted the medicine, but stared at Chen Xiao with hostility in his eyes.
Chen Xiao didn't care at all, and instead smiled gently at Mitsuko: "Mrs. Takayanagi, if there's anything else, you can come to me anytime."
Mitsuko blushed and thanked him in a low voice.
[System notification: New target locked]
[Name: Mitsuko Takayanagi]
[Identity: Takayanagi Koji's sister-in-law, housewife, married by agreement, still cherishes the beautiful memory of her first time.]
[Current Affection Level: 30% (Grateful) Right]
[Special Attributes: Gentle and virtuous | Loyal to her husband | Yearning for attention]
[Warning: Koji Takayanagi's hostility towards the host has reached 80%. Please be cautious.]
Chapter 97: How to deal with Kaoru Takayanagi and Mitsuko Takayanagi
"You bastard! Stay away from my sister-in-law!"
Suddenly, Gao Liuguang abruptly sprang to his feet, a sickly flush rising on his pale face. He swung his fist toward Chen Xiao's face, but his movements were slow and clumsy due to his high fever.
A cold glint flashed in Chen Xiao's eyes as he easily dodged to the side. His right hand precisely gripped Guang Er's wrist, while his left hand pressed down on the man's shoulder, executing a swift over-the-shoulder throw that slammed the ugly fellow to the ground.
"Kouji!" Mitsuko exclaimed.
"Cough cough..." Guang Er coughed, curled up on the ground, his face covered in snot and tears, but he still glared at Chen Xiao with resentful eyes: "A playboy like you... don't even think about touching my sister-in-law..."
A crowd instantly gathered at the school gate. The girls whispered among themselves:
"Chen Xiaojun is so handsome..."
"That gloomy man actually dared to make a move..."
"He deserved to be taught a lesson..."
Yui Yuigahama squeezed out of the crowd, her pink bun swaying gently as she ran: "Chen Xiaojun! Are you alright?" She worriedly tugged at Chen Xiao's sleeve, and when she caught a glimpse of Mitsuko out of the corner of her eye, she was clearly taken aback.
Chen Xiao gently patted Yui's hand: "It's okay, Yui." Turning to Kouji on the ground, he said coldly: "If you're sick, stay home and don't embarrass yourself."
"You!" Koji struggled to get up, but Mitsuko held him down.
"That's enough, Kouji!" Mitsuko's voice trembled. "So many people are watching... let's go home first..." She stepped forward and bent down to help her brother-in-law up, but her low-cut neckline revealed her snow-white skin due to the movement.
Chen Xiao's gaze lingered on that patch of white skin for a moment, then he took off his school uniform jacket and draped it over Mitsuko's shoulders: "Be careful not to catch a cold." His fingers brushed lightly across the back of her neck.
Mitsuko's ears instantly turned red, and she stammered, "Th-thank you..."
"Stop pretending!" Kouji staggered to his feet. "I can walk by myself!" He glared fiercely at Chen Xiao. "This isn't over!"
Watching Kouji stumble away, Mitsuko's eyes welled up with tears: "I'm sorry, Chen Xiao, I apologize to you on his behalf..."
"No need," Chen Xiao smiled gently. "I'm worried about you going back alone. How about I take you? I can also explain to Mr. Gao Liu in person."
Mitsuko twisted her fingers: "This...is too much trouble for you..."
“Of course.” Chen Xiao turned to Yuihama. “Yui, could you ask Hiratsuka-sensei for leave for me? Just say I’m taking a sick classmate home.”
Yui pouted and nodded, her gaze sweeping over Mitsuko: "...Then Chen Xiaojun should be careful, honestly, he's probably out picking up girls again!"
Yui Yuigahama stared intently at Chen Xiao's retreating figure, stomping her feet in anger.
As dusk settled, Chen Xiao and Mitsuko walked side by side along a country path. A gentle evening breeze carried the faint, feminine scent emanating from Mitsuko.
"I'm so sorry..." Mitsuko apologized for the third time, "Koji isn't usually like this..."
Chen Xiao deliberately slowed her pace: "He seems to care about you a lot."
“He doesn’t have many friends at home and is often isolated! My husband, Takayanagi Ichiro, is busy with work, so I usually cook for him,” Mitsuko sighed. “This may have led to some distorted attachment…”
“A distorted attachment…” Chen Xiao repeated meaningfully, then suddenly changed the subject, “You and your husband got married through an arranged marriage?”
Mitsuko's eyes widened in surprise: "How did you know?"
"The wedding ring on your ring finger shows signs of years of wear, but the inside is severely worn," Chen Xiao said, gently tapping her hand. "This indicates you frequently rotate the ring, suggesting insecurity about your marriage. Plus..."
He suddenly pulled Mitsuko to the corner of the alley, trapping her in his arms against the wall with one hand. This sudden wall slam made Mitsuko's breath catch in her throat. Chen Xiao kissed Mitsuko.
“You looked very awkward when you kissed, like it was your first time kissing someone.” Chen Xiao leaned closer and said, “A woman who has been married for three years shouldn’t be this inexperienced.”
Mitsuko trembled all over: "P-Please don't do this..."
“Look,” Chen Xiao chuckled, “even your refusal is so awkward. Just how much does your husband neglect you?”
These words cut through Mitsuko's pretense like a knife. "We... are a family-arranged marriage... He often cheats on his wife, and he has a daughter outside the marriage who is now living with the Takayanagi family. I'm the one taking care of her, which means I'm also raising his daughter."
[System Notification: Mitsuko Takayanagi's psychological defenses have been breached]
[Affection level 20, currently 50%]
[Key intelligence discovered: Sexless marriage]
Chen Xiao brushed his thumb against the corner of her eye: "What a waste..." His fingertip slid down her cheek to her chin, "Such a beautiful wife..."
“No…” Mitsuko turned her head away. “I’m a married woman…”
"Then why don't you dare look at me?" Chen Xiao's breath brushed against her ear. "Your heart is beating so fast."
Mitsuko suddenly pushed him away: "We've arrived at the Takayanagi residence!"
Ahead stood a traditional Japanese-style house. Two figures were reflected in the paper door, one of them gesturing excitedly.
"It seems Guang Er has already exaggerated the story." Chen Xiao straightened his school uniform collar. "Interesting."
"That Chen Xiao is definitely plotting something with my sister-in-law!" Guang Er's roar could be clearly heard through the paper door. "He was at the school gate..."
"Enough!" a deep male voice interrupted him. "Your sister-in-law isn't that kind of person."
The paper door was flung open, and Takayanagi Ichiro, dressed in a business suit, appeared with a cold expression. He visibly paused upon seeing Chen Xiao: "You are...?"
"Chen Xiao, Class F, Grade 1, Zongwu High School." Chen Xiao bowed politely. "I would like to explain today's events in person."
Ichiro looked at the handsome young man before him, his gaze lingering for a moment on his wife's reddened eyes: "Come in."
The atmosphere in the tea room was heavy. Koji huddled in a corner, his eyes gloomy; Ichiro sat upright; Mitsuko knelt as she prepared tea, her hands trembling so much that she spilled some.
"So," Ichiro put down his teacup, "my brother has lost his mind?"
Chen Xiao smiled: "Yes. It's admirable that Guang Er insisted on going to school despite not being well."
"Hmph!" Koji sneered, "What are you pretending to be a good person for! You clearly wanted to seduce my sister-in-law. You, Chen Xiao, are notorious as the number one scumbag in Chiba, with countless women."
"Koji!" Ichiro shouted sharply, turning to Chen Xiao: "I heard you and my wife have some misunderstandings?"
"It's just that Guang Er is overthinking things," Chen Xiao said calmly. "But..." he deliberately hesitated.
"But it doesn't matter."
Chen Xiao looked directly at Ichiro: "Are you aware that Kouji has been bullied at school for a long time?"
"What?" Mitsuko accidentally knocked over the teapot.
Ichiro frowned: "Is that so?"
“From what I’ve seen, Guang Er’s schoolbag is often thrown into the pool, and his desk is covered with insulting words.” Chen Xiao looked at him with pity. “This may have caused him to develop an overly sensitive and defensive mentality.”
Mitsuko covered her mouth: "Oh my god... Koji, why didn't you tell us..."
"Shut up!" Guang Er suddenly sprang to his feet. "What gives you the right to investigate me?!" He grabbed a tea tray and threw it at Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao caught it easily and sighed, "See, this is post-traumatic stress response."
Ichiro's face darkened: "Koji, go back to your room. We'll have a good talk tonight."
"Brother! Don't be fooled by him!" Guang Er shouted hysterically, "He's getting close to sister-in-law for a reason!"
"Get out!" Ichiro slammed his hand on the coffee table.
Guang Er glared at Chen Xiao with resentment, then slammed the door and left.
[System Notification: Gao Liuguang's aggro level has reached 100%]
[Ichiro Takayanagi's favorability is 30%, currently at 40% (appreciation)]
[Mitsuko's affection level is 15, currently at 65% (grateful and guilty)]
Ichiro rubbed his temples: "I'm sorry to have made you laugh. About the bullying..."
“I can help,” Chen Xiao said sincerely. “I have some influence in the student union.”
Mitsuko looked at him gratefully: "Chen Xiao, classmate..."
“However…” Chen Xiao changed the subject, “Guang Er’s hostility towards me is probably unlikely to disappear in the short term. In order to avoid suspicion, I suggest that we temporarily reduce contact with your family.”
Ichiro pondered for a moment: "That makes sense. Mitsuko, from now on, don't interfere too much in Kouji's affairs."
“But…” Mitsuko hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.
"It's settled then." Ichiro stood up. "Thank you so much, Chen. How about we have dinner together?"
"it is good!"
Everyone sat down at the dining table. The entire Takayanagi family was present today. Takayanagi Ichiro was outside with his newborn daughter, Takayanagi Mitsuko, who looked at Chen Xiao with curiosity, attracted by his face and gentleness. Although she was only seven years old, she sat obediently beside Chen Xiao.
“Since it’s getting late, why don’t you stay at my humble abode, Chen?” Takayanagi Ichiro suddenly suggested, his gaze shifting between his wife and Chen Xiao. “We always have guest rooms available.”
·· ·Requesting 0 flowers ····
Mitsuko's chopsticks clattered onto the table, and she quickly bent down to pick them up, her kimono collar slightly open. Chen Xiao subtly shifted his gaze, but noticed an old man at the table leering at him.
His name is Takayanagi Tomizō, and he is the head of this family.
"Hypocritical!" Takayanagi Tomizō suddenly slammed his fist on the table, his bulbous nose turning bright red, and said to Takayanagi Mitsuko, "Bringing a pretty boy home out of nowhere, what kind of behavior is this!"
The restaurant fell silent instantly. The maids lowered their heads and retreated to a corner.
Takayanagi Chengjiang—Fu Cang's newly acquired young mistress—looked uneasily at Chen Xiao, once again drawn to his handsome face. With the aura of a heartthrob and the blessing of the succubus system, the women of this household had long harbored special feelings for Chen Xiao.
“Father!” Ichiro’s face darkened. “...Pay attention to your hospitality.”
"I don't care who he is!" The old man reeked of alcohol, his gaze fixed on Mitsuko's drooping neck. "I'm the boss in this house!"
Chen Xiao slowly sipped his sake: "Mr. Takayanagi seems to pay special attention to his own family." He glanced meaningfully at Mitsuko and Sumie, "Especially... the female members."