The Underworld, Starting with Debt

"Why did you betray me...?"

He uttered such words, and tears quickly soaked Ito Koshito's clothes, but he didn't care.

One hand gently stroked Gao Yuanxia's hair, down to the large bow; the other hand gently patted her back, offering her tender comfort.

............

On the quiet street, the streetlights hanging high on the utility poles cast two intersecting shadows.

Gao Yuanxia lowered her head slightly. To better put on the oversized coat, she held her shoulder bag in her hand, fiddling with her ten slender fingers to ease her shyness and embarrassment.

'Honestly... Mr. Ito is the one who needs to be taken care of. I'm so old, how come I couldn't control my emotions and cried in front of him!'

Remembering how she had just been lying on Ito Etsushi's bed, sobbing, Gao Yuanxia couldn't help but feel a surge of heat and immense shame.

However, after venting her emotions just now, Gao Yuanxia felt much more relieved of the pent-up frustration that had been weighing on her chest for the past few days.

"lady......"

Ito Koshito, who was helping Kaori Takahara carry the bag of rice, walked beside her and called out softly.

"Um......"

She responded softly, still somewhat shy. After a pause, her cherry lips parted slightly as she spoke softly.

“Mr. Ito… if you don’t mind, you can call me by my name…”

The whisper was almost inaudible, yet it stirred Ito Koshito's emotions like smooth silk, causing subtle ripples to spread through his heart.

"Then... Madam Xia... please call me by my name as well."

"Stop, my lord..."

"..."

The night was quiet, the streets were deserted, and the temperature had been gradually rising.

"Ugh! What's wrong with me? I used to get along really well with Zhi-jun! Why does it feel even more awkward now that we're closer?"

To break the tense, somewhat heated atmosphere, Gao Yuanxia asked a question.

"Um... Mr. Zhi, is there something you wanted to tell me...?"

"Well... what I meant was, Mrs. Xia, if you have any worries in the future, you can come and talk to me. Don't always keep them to yourself. That's not good."

‘Poof~’

A phantom flame ignited, and Gao Yuanxia's cheeks seemed to rise with steam, burning hot, and her heart pounded like a drum.

'Why does it feel like we're in a relationship...'

Shaking her head to dispel the unrealistic daydreams within her, Gao Yuanxia softly responded.

"Mmm...mmm~"

Chapter Seventy-Seven: Provocative Provocation

Upon arriving at the rental building, Gao Yuanxia and Ito Koshito stood at the top of the stairs. Gao Yuanxia gently took off the coat she was wearing and handed it back to Ito Koshito.

"Thank you for your coat, Zhi-jun."

After brushing aside her slightly disheveled hair, Kasumi Takahara gave Ito Koshito a sincere and gentle smile.

"You're welcome."

"Zhi-kun... I'm so sorry I got your shirt wet. Shall I wash it for you?"

Noticing the obvious wet patch on Ito Koshito's chest, Takahara Kasumi blushed slightly, bowed to Ito Koshito, and said apologetically.

The thin strap of the gray dress that covered the huge fruit looked as if it were about to snap, as if it were about to succumb to gravity.

A strange light flashed in Ito Koshitomo's eyes. He thought about it again and for a moment forgot to answer.

"Zhi Jun?"

The scene fell into complete silence, which made Kaori Takahara feel a little strange. She raised her head and looked at Ito Koshitomo.

She met his burning gaze, which was scrutinizing her.

The blush that had just faded quickly returned to her cheeks, and it was even hotter, gradually spreading to her entire body.

A ripple gradually spread through the tranquil heart of the tiger. Facing Ito Kozue's gaze, Takahara Kasumi did not feel too uncomfortable.

'Zhi-kun~ is also a young man full of youthful passion and vigor...'

"Stop, my lord..."

"what?!"

Coming to his senses, Ito Etsutoshi stared at Takahara Kasumi's flushed face, realizing his rudeness, and turned his head away embarrassedly, scratching his cheek with his finger.

"No need, I can handle this little thing myself..."

"OK then......"

Seeing the shy demeanor of the handsome young man, Ito Koshitomo, Kaori Takahara felt a tremor in her heart and suddenly found him somewhat adorable.

'Zhi-kun always acts so mature, it's rare to see him so shy, it's so cute~'

The more she felt that Ito Kozue was a cute big boy, the more Takahara Kasumi seemed to regain the surplus of a mature woman, and her body temperature gradually cooled down and she became more reserved.

"Well then, Zhi-kun, I'm going home now. See you tomorrow~"

"See you tomorrow, Mrs. Xia."

"Tap tap..."

Gazing at Gao Yuanxia's swaying peach-like figure as she went upstairs for a long time, until she disappeared from sight, Ito Koshito finally opened the door and went back to his small rented room.

As she walked up the stairs, Gao Yuanxia's lips curled into a happy smile. When she arrived at her front door, she gently put down the bag of rice and rummaged through her bag for her keys.

"Hazuki, tell me, is it related to that guy downstairs named Ito?"

"Um...no, it's nothing~"

"Are you still trying to lie to me! You called me so sweetly this morning! 'Brother Ito~'"

"Really, really, um... it's nothing!"

"Don't tell me!"

"Snapped"

"嘡哴"

A bunch of keys fell to the ground with a distinct sound.

"Hmm~ It's Mom, Mom's back..."

"Tsk, you should tidy up."

Standing there blankly, taking out the key, Gao Yuanxia stared blankly at the iron gate, her smile frozen.

"click"

His clothes and hair were slightly disheveled, and a thin layer of sweat glistened on his flushed face. Mr. Gaoyuan opened the door and looked at his wife, Gaoyuan Xia, who stood there dumbfounded. He forced a smile.

“You’re back, Xia.”

"...Yes, I'm back."

The deathly silence was completely still. Gao Yuanxia bent down to pick up the key, not wanting the beast in front of her to see her vulnerability and weakness.

He slowly picked up the key, stood up again, and found that the beast in front of him had already gone back inside and disappeared.

The long, dark corridor resembled an endless tunnel, with a faint glimmer of light shining through the darkness, yet it seemed to have no end in sight.

Gazing silently into the room, Gao Yuanxia's heartbeat was exceptionally clear in the quiet space, and an indescribable sense of despair spread through her heart.

'...Since they've all betrayed me, then I...No, I can't...I can't...at least not now...'

But... a seed has been quietly planted in my despairing heart, waiting for the moment it will sprout and blossom.

............

In the dead of night, when all was quiet, the moonlight shone brightly, its silvery glow silently penetrating the sheer curtains.

The night wind was quite noisy, flapping against the sheer curtains and making a series of sounds.

"Mmm~ Mmm~~"

In a hazy daze, Gao Yuanxia was gently awakened from her slumber by a series of indistinct sounds. At first, she didn't pay attention, thinking it was just the sound of the curtains fluttering, and kept her eyes closed in a daze.

But gradually, she began to realize that something was wrong.

'what sound? ’

“Hmm~Hmm~!”

The voice grew louder and more seductive, and a bad premonition arose in my heart. My hazy mind, clouded by the high plateau, instantly cleared.

Gao Yuanxia opened her eyes and found her husband lying on his side, his body slightly wriggling. Her fear grew, and she quietly propped herself up and peeked inside.

The apartment that Gao Yuanxia and her family rented was a bit bigger than the small rental apartment downstairs by Ito Etsuji, but it only had one bedroom. Usually, the three of them would sleep and rest together.

Originally, Hazuki Takahara slept between the Takahara couple, but tonight she did something different and switched places with Mr. Takahara, sleeping on the innermost side.

Back then, Gao Yuanxia hadn't thought that far ahead, but now...

A rosy face, alluring, watery eyes, and slightly parted, luscious cherry lips, draped in a disheveled pink nightgown...

Takahara Hazuki gently touched Mr. Takahara's chest with her delicate hands. Suddenly noticing Takahara Kasumi's gaze, her body tensed up. There was no trace of panic at being discovered by Takahara Kasumi in her eyes, but rather a sparkle of excitement. She gave her mother, Takahara Kasumi, a charming and excited smile.

Extend your slender finger and make a shushing gesture.

'Hush! '

'what! '

Her delicate hand seemed to be supported by a thousand pounds of force as Gao Yuanxia used it to tightly cover her lips. Even though her heart felt like it was being torn apart, she couldn't make a sound.

Avoiding Hazuki's gaze, Kasumi gently turned around and lay back down on the couch.