Tokyoites don't have martial virtue

"No, I will repay this money no matter what." Kyushu Seiya stood up and insisted:

"I won't owe you a favor for nothing."

"I told you not to flatter yourself." The girl impatiently waved her hand and walked towards the door without looking back.

"Goodbye, Red Center. Just pretend you don't know me from now on, and don't greet me."

“By the way,” Kyushu Makoto stared at her slender back and asked again, “That night, were you the one who saved my friend?”

"..." Qinggong Eliza suddenly stopped in her tracks, stunned for a moment.

Crunch-!

The office door suddenly opened, and the two couldn't help but look over.

"Good afternoon, both of you are here~" The man who walked in was a middle-aged man with a buzz cut, wearing a suit and tie, and his slightly blue eyes had a kind of wisdom unique to business people.

The businessman bowed slightly to Princess Elizabeth of Qing and said in a humble tone, "It's been a long time, Miss Qing."

"Oh, so you're the envoy they sent~" The girl smiled flirtatiously, leaning against the wall as she sized him up with interest:

"Okay, go ahead, I'm listening."

"Miss Qing Palace, could you please excuse us for a moment..." The businessperson seemed slightly embarrassed.

"You've been trying to poach my clients time and time again, and now you expect me to back off?" The girl narrowed her eyes slightly, clearly sulking.

"Just pretend I don't exist. You can do whatever you want."

"I apologize for the commotion, Mr. Kyushu." The businessman took out a business card from his jacket pocket and respectfully handed it to Kyushu Makoto.

"You know my name?" Kyushu Makoto asked warily, glancing at the card.

This person's name is "Ōfune Takuya", and his position is something like an advisory secretary at the Seigaku Corporation.

“Of course, I have a general understanding of your situation.” Ōfune Takuya handed over his business card, then politely crossed his legs and placed his hands on his knees.

"After their parents disappeared with huge debts, their lives must have been very difficult."

"Thank you for your concern. But please feel free to speak your mind; there's no need to waste time on pleasantries." Kyushu Makoto put the business card into his pocket and glanced at the girl leaning against the wall not far away.

"Haha, please don't be so hostile towards me, Mr. Kyushu." Ōfune Takuya chuckled sheepishly.

"I heard that before you joined the Onmyoji Bureau, you tore off the arm of a Rank C evil spirit with your bare hands, scaring it away. The Kiyomiya family thinks highly of you, so they've just come to say hello in a friendly manner."

"Besides selling talismans, the Qing Palace family is also involved in many other businesses such as real estate, education investment, and the catering industry. If you have any needs, please feel free to call us."

Kyushu Makoto nodded slightly, offering no further response.

His feat of "tearing apart evil spirits with his bare hands" seems quite impressive, and everyone wants to bring it up to praise him.

However, Mr. Big Ship's rhetoric was clearly a smokescreen—he seemed to be generously doing a favor, but in reality, he made no promises and it was just an empty check.

However, most people would be so excited that they would go weak in the knees when they heard that a prestigious family wanted to "befriend" them.

"Besides that, I have another request, which is also the wish of Miss Qinggong's father." As expected, Takuya Ohna paused for a moment before continuing.

Upon hearing this, Qing Palace Elizabeth's face darkened, and she quickly gave a sarcastic sneer.

Kyushu Makoto naturally knew what the other party wanted to say—"I'll give you some benefits, please leave my young lady, don't be ungrateful"—that was pretty much the kind of rhetoric they were using.

To be honest, Kyushu Makoto really wanted to continue teaming up with her, mainly because he had to repay the favor.

Even though the Qing family's envoy ordered him to stay away from the young lady, he had no right to refuse. After all, they had only known each other for a few days and were just casual acquaintances; their relationship was not yet close enough for him to stand against the powerful family for her sake.

At worst, I can secretly help her a few times in private, or treat her to mango cake; that will repay the favor.

Thinking this way, Kyushu Makoto felt relieved. His only concern was that the Kiyomiya family should consider Elizabeth's mental health and not put too much pressure on her, driving her to the brink of madness.

"I think I know what you're trying to say." Kyushu Makoto nodded slightly and said proactively, "You want me to leave."

“We’ve investigated your background; it’s very clean, positive, and inspiring—truly moving.” Takuya Ohna suddenly nodded and said solemnly:

"Mr. Kiyomiya believes you are a trustworthy young man and hopes you can continue to work with Miss Kiyomiya and become her friend. The Kiyomiya family will definitely not treat you unfairly!"

122. A father and daughter playing mind games with each other.

As soon as Takuya Ohna finished speaking, Eliza Kiyomiya swayed and opened her mouth, letting out a soft "Huh?"

"Weren't you trying to persuade me to leave your young lady?"... Kyushu Makoto's train of thought was suddenly disrupted, and he blinked rapidly in surprise.

"The head of the Kiyomi family has a good opinion of Mr. Kyushu." Ōfune Takuya repeated, still smiling.

“A young man as upright and ambitious as you is fully qualified to work with the eldest daughter of the Qing Dynasty.”

"What a joke! What's going on?" Qing Gong Eliza stamped her foot impatiently and demanded:

"Haven't you been trying to isolate me all along? What are you up to now?!"

Kyushu Seiya said seriously, "Mr. Ohna is quite flattered by your praise. But could you please explain yourself more clearly?"

Putting aside the fact that he committed suicide, "Makoto Kyushu" in his previous life was indeed a positive, inspiring, and resilient person. It wouldn't be unreasonable to write his life story into a book about success.

However, Tokyo has no shortage of hardworking commoners like him, and the Kiyomiya family would not possibly curry favor with him for such a reason; there must be other motives behind it.

"I think there are some misunderstandings about the Kiyomiya family among you all," Ōfune Takuya chuckled, touching his knuckles to his lips, and said leisurely.

"Indeed, the Kiyomiya family drove away those exorcists who tried to team up with the young lady, but they did so not to suppress you. The head of the family is actually a very trustworthy person. No matter what means the young lady uses to reach the 'master level,' he will no longer interfere with your life and will continue to support you financially."

Eliza asked, puzzled, "Then why?"

"The head of the family is simply worried that some unscrupulous individuals might target the young lady, so he's strictly screening the people around you," said Takuya Ohfune in a heartfelt and touching tone.

“Those exorcists who were previously persuaded to leave all had some bad pasts, and their reasons for getting close to you were mostly for the money and power of the Qing family. If you continue to let them stay by your side, they may have ulterior motives.”

Kyushu Makoto, leaning on the table, asked curiously, "So, according to you, exorcists who team up with scions of aristocratic families all have to undergo rigorous screening?"

“That’s right,” Takuya Ohfune nodded, “Someone like the young lady would be provided with a top-tier exorcist personally trained by the clan as her attendant. But the young lady refuses to accept the arrangement, which is truly a headache for the patriarch.”

"How is that possible?" Eliza Qinggong was a little confused: "Then according to you, what's so good about Kyushu Makoto that you would all be interested in him?"

"We did some research and visited his school and places he used to frequent," Takuya Ohna said frankly.

"In conclusion, although Mr. Kyushu's talent is mediocre and he is not a perfect candidate, he possesses many excellent qualities that young people lack, and his ability to tear apart evil spirits is also evident to all. If a suitable opportunity arises, it would not be unreasonable to arrange a job for him in the Kiyomiya family in the future."

"Does the Qing imperial family value me that much?" Kyushu Makoto was skeptical.

"However, the main reason the family head did this is primarily because he's worried about the young lady's mental health," Takuya Ohfune explained further.

"The young lady has always been fighting alone, and there are rumors circulating in the circle that 'her family is suppressing her.' If this stalemate continues, it may cause the young lady to become paranoid and go astray."

He then looked at Kyushu Makoto: "So we have no choice but to select the tallest among the short, and reluctantly allow Mr. Kyushu to work with you. It just so happens that the two of you are of similar age, so you should have a lot in common."

"Ahem. Do even large families act this recklessly?" Kyushu Makoto felt utterly helpless at the other party's sudden change of heart.

"I've only been in the exorcism business for a few days, I haven't known Miss Qinggong for long, and I have no connection with the Qinggong family whatsoever. Do you really trust me?"

"The Kiyomi family certainly doesn't fully trust you, Mr. Kyushu." Ōfune Takuya quickly switched to a white face, his tone becoming somewhat sarcastic:

"We will continue to monitor you, and we hope you will not do anything to betray the young lady. However, the Kiyomi family will provide you with support and will not treat you unfairly."

After conveying everything he wanted to say, Takuya Ohna stood up to say goodbye to the two of them, maintaining impeccable etiquette befitting a businessperson throughout.

Kyushu Makoto and Seigaku Elizabeth looked at each other in the office.

"I don't want to be too rude," Kyushu Makoto couldn't help but ask, "What's going on in your family?"

“I don’t understand it either.” Eliza let down the single ponytail on the side of her head, then tied it up again.

"He was constantly trying to disgust me, but now he's playing the good guy? Is he trying to move me and win me back?"

“Perhaps it really is possible.” Kyushu Makoto even started thinking about it for her: “I remember this method is called PUA, right?”

"Tch, that sounds just like the kind of womanizing scheme my dad would pull~" Eliza complained irritably, "He offered to back down, but it only made me angrier."

"I'm not happy about it." Kyushu Makoto shrugged: "I was inexplicably dragged into the internal strife of your prestigious family."

"To be honest, are you really not a spy sent by Daddy to spy on me?" Eliza looked at him distrustfully.

“You have quite the imagination~” Kyushu Makoto sighed with a smile: “I wish I were, so I wouldn’t be so poor that I would have to rely on a full scholarship to go to high school.”

"Hmm," Eliza paused for a moment, then quietly lowered her head and fell into thought.

"So that's how it is, huh~" Suddenly, she sneered and raised her head:

"Dad allowed you to be my teammate, but it was actually to mislead me into thinking you were a spy he sent. That way, he wouldn't even have to lift a finger; I would just get rid of you on my own."

"No, are you two, father and daughter, so scheming against each other?" Kyushu Makoto was greatly puzzled.

“That’s how elites are; they even scheme against their own children. You commoners wouldn’t understand.” Eliza shrugged, her tone sarcastic.

"That's why I hate adults."

"Ahem... Haha~" Upon hearing this, Kyushu Makoto couldn't help but laugh: "Miss Kiyomiya, I think you're quite interesting."

"Huh?" Eliza exclaimed in surprise, "What are you suddenly talking about?"

"You're like a rebellious teenager having a tantrum with your parents," Kyushu Makoto commented like an elder. "Of course, I'm not trying to belittle you."

"Who are you calling a rebellious kid... with that condescending tone!" Eliza rubbed her temples, trying hard not to get angry.

"I can't stand it. We just don't get along. I think I'll just stay single."

"But we coordinated well last night, wouldn't it be great to continue teaming up?" Kyushu Makoto raised an eyebrow and suggested:

"Your goal is to reach the master level, so it's always good to have a colleague who can support you."