"Whose is this?" she asked.

"It's Dubian's," Jiutiao Meijie said.

Kiyono Lin reached for it, and Jiutiao Meijie sneered, "Not looking at your own books but my boyfriend's?"

"I finished 'Blue Planet II,'" Kiyono Lin said as she flipped through the pages, "Mr. Dubian, you can take a look, we can swap. Based on the price, my book can buy you five or six of those."

"That's expensive," Dubian Che said.

Kiyono Lin glanced at Dubian Che, then back at the book.

At that moment, Jiutiao Meijie reached out to snatch "116 boxes of jewelry, 2 tons of silver, 1 ton of gold," but Kiyono Lin, though physically weak, was quick to react and easily dodged.

She took the book, walked to the sofa, and started reading from the first page under the sunlight coming through the window.

Jiutiao Meijie wasn't angry but smiled tenderly and whispered to Dubian Che:

"Let her smell my toenails."

"I smell them every day, there's no bad odor, it won't disgust her."

"The same thing has different effects on different people," Jiutiao Meijie said as she slipped her smooth and delicate foot under the hem of Dubian Che's shirt, teasing his abdomen.

"There are people here," Dubian Che covered up with his clothes, preventing others from seeing.

While Kiyono Lin read and they flirted, the two ladies sipped their wine and chatted on topics reserved for women.

The yacht moved at full speed, cutting through the waves.

By three in the afternoon, they arrived at Osaka Port.

As soon as the yacht docked, a group that had been waiting surged forward.

Mrs. Kiyono directed the crowd, while Mrs. Jiutiao took a car key from a servant.

"Let's go," she headed towards a convertible Bentley, "I'll take you for a ride around Osaka."

Mrs. Jiutiao drove, Mrs. Kiyono in the passenger seat, Dubian Che and the two young ladies in the back.

If Xiaoquan Aonai had been driving in front with Mayi Asuka as her passenger, the breeze blowing towards them would have been even cooler.

The tropical scenic coastal road, Mrs. Jiutiao wore sunglasses, her long hair blowing backward in the wind.

There was not a hint of hardship about her, she looked like a vibrant, wealthy college girl.

As they turned into the city, Mrs. Kiyono looked back at the three and said:

"We'll enjoy today and tomorrow in Osaka and Capital City, on August 1st we'll go to Karuizawa and stay there until you start school."

"..."

"What's wrong?" Mrs. Kiyono asked Dubian Che.

"...Nothing."

Xiaoquan Aonai would just have to wait until school started again on the weekends.

To make up for it, he would need to spend more time with her.

Upon reaching the hotel, Dubian Che stood by the window with his phone, looking at the city hall, and called Xiaoquan Aonai.

"Hey."

"Dubian." A voice filled with affectionate joy.

Dubian Che almost said "I miss you," but swallowed it, deciding to talk business first.

He explained that he had to stay in Karuizawa for a month and could only travel with her after school resumed.

"I see." Xiaoquan Aonai sounded a bit disappointed but quickly perked up, "You're not fooling me, right? You'll spend more time with me after school starts?"

"Of course!" After he said this, Dubian Che finally said, "Teacher, I miss you."

"It's only been two days..." her voice trailed off, "I miss you too."

They stopped talking, at that moment, silence bonded them, closer than any words could.

After finishing the call with Xiaoquan Aonai, he called Mayi Asuka.

"I'll run into Che in Karuizawa," she said bluntly after Dubian Che finished explaining.

"...Come in mid-August, I'll find a chance to meet up with you."

"Okay!"

"About this, can Xiaoquan..."

"Don't tell her. It's just me."

"...Alright."

Dubian Che put down the phone, ready to visit Jiutiao Meijie's room and inform her.

No matter what, he always had to inform her in advance, despite the sarcasm he faced.

He planned to sneak out at the first chance; she might be all smiles, but she surely would enforce a terrifying punishment behind his back—Dubian Che didn't want to hide it from her.

Just as he was about to leave, his phone rang again.

"Mom?" Dubian Che answered, "Are you feeling alright?"

"Not a problem at all, and your dad too!" Dubian Zhi replied and immediately added, "Little Che, tomorrow Little Lian is going to Tokyo, you need to pick her up."

"Little Lian? Tokyo?"

"Yes! The village school is closing next year, and since she needs to leave the village for town anyway, she might as well head to the city. Have Meiji or Lin help find a good primary school."

"That's no problem at all. Should she transfer schools now?"

"Her parents want her to finish this year. She'll live in Tokyo for a month this time to see if she adapts."

"Alright. Tomorrow? Who will bring her?"

"She's coming alone."

"Alone?!" Dubian Che raised his voice.

"Don't worry, we'll put her on the Shinkansen that goes straight to Tokyo, then ask an acquaintance who is a crew member to look after her, making sure she is handed directly to you."

"That's a relief, you had me worried. I'll head to the station early to reassure Little Lian's parents."

"I'll send you the arrival time later. Make sure to buy plenty of tasty snacks for Little Lian when she arrives!"

"Of course! By the way, the school's closing, how about Reiko and the others?"

"Reiko will teach in town, really worried if she's qualified enough; the others will transfer there."

"She might get fired if she doesn't prepare well," Dubian Che mocked.

"I've already talked to her parents!"

After hanging up, Dubian Che went straight to Kiyono Youko's room.

He must return to Tokyo before Little Lian arrives tomorrow.

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