Crossover Anime: The King of Time? Actually, He's a Slacker!

"I understand. Then why didn't you bring the child with you?" asked Sakura Koyo.

"Are you comfortable leaving your child home alone? Or is there someone to help take care of them?"

In her mind, the child who could be "found" should be an infant still in swaddling clothes.

Lin Shiye and Caiye exchanged a glance, unsure how to explain. Could it be that the child was growing too fast and no longer needed care?

"Haha, my friend is taking care of her," Caiye said guiltily, scratching her head.

"You're all still students, taking care of a child isn't that easy," Hongye sighed softly, her tone softening.

"If all else fails, you can send it to me, and I'll lend you a hand."

"No need, Mom, really no need." Caiye quickly waved her hand, her back straightening up.

"Why not use it?" Hongye frowned, her expression leaving no room for argument.

"Don't force yourself on two teenagers."

"Really, it's not necessary." Caiye quickly came up with a solution, raising her chin to maintain the facade.

"We've been doing live streaming lately and have made quite a bit of money, more than enough to live on!"

This is what is meant by one lie requiring countless lies to cover it up.

"Yes, Mom, they both know what they're doing," Asahi Sakura quickly chimed in.

"Besides, I'm here for you, so don't worry about me."

Seeing that everyone was adamant, Hongye remained silent for a few seconds before finally giving in.

"Okay, I don't know much about you young people's things, but I'll transfer some money to you later."

"...Okay, thank you, Mom." Caiye was taken aback for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Hongye glanced at her daughter in surprise. This girl used to refuse her money no matter what. She had prepared several arguments to try to persuade her, but she didn't expect her to agree so readily.

Ah, you've grown up.

"Let's get back to the main topic." Jiu Ji Hongye looked at Lin Shiye again with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Lin Shiye, you are indeed very handsome, even I, your aunt, have to admit it. So... you must have a lot of girls around you, right?"

"Can you promise that you will only love Aya with all your heart?"

As an experienced adult, Sakura Kyouha could tell that this kid wasn't an honest person.

Caiye's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected her mother to ask so directly. She thought of the girls surrounding Lin Shiye and knew that he couldn't possibly only be with her.

She may not care, but that doesn't mean her mother doesn't care.

Lin Shiye was taken aback by the sudden question, but he quickly recovered and regained his composure.

"I cannot guarantee that, madam." He thought for a few seconds, then decided not to hide anything and chose to tell the truth.

"I have many girls I like, and I can't bring myself to hurt their feelings!"

"But one thing I can guarantee is that my love for Aya is no less, and I will never let her down or make her sad or cry."

Caiye's cheeks flushed slightly, and she secretly glanced at him.

"I think more highly of you since you can be honest with me." Jiu Ji Hongye raised an eyebrow, but her tone remained firm.

"But I don't intend to hand my daughter over to a scumbag."

"Madam, you're mistaken," Lin Shiye shook his head.

"Oh?" asked Sake-kimi Momiji, sounding puzzled.

"What do you mean?"

"A scumbag is someone who flirts but doesn't marry, and has no ability to make every girl happy." Lin Shiye said seriously.

"But I'm not like that, I'm very capable."

"Then what are you?" Hongye chuckled.

"A Casanova?"

"Throughout history, there have only been two types of men who can make countless beauties willingly stay by their side." Lin Shiye stretched out a finger and gently tapped himself, speaking with great confidence.

"Strong and king, coincidentally, I am both."

"Wow, that's impressive, bro..." Asahi's eyes widened.

Caiye also has a heroic air about her.

Jiu Ji Hongye's lips twitched. She rubbed her temples, feeling a throbbing headache.

"What you said is interesting, but I still disagree."

"Mom!" Before she could finish speaking, Caiye slammed her hand on the table and stood up abruptly. The sound wasn't loud, but it still startled everyone.

"I can't live without him, if it weren't for him..."

"Are you going to talk back to your mother for him?" A look of shock flashed across Hongye's face, followed by an undisguised sense of loss.

"No, no! I mean..." Caiye held back for a long time, her cheeks turning red, and finally, she made up her mind and shouted loudly as if she had nothing to lose.

"I like girls. If it weren't for him, I'd have no choice but to spend the rest of my life with girls!"

"I'm currently living with the two girls I like!!!"

The air fell eerily quiet.

No...no, you can't laugh out loud, you bastard!

Lin Shiye and Jiu Jizhao lowered their heads, desperately suppressing the corners of their mouths.

Hold on...!

Jiu Ji Hongye covered her face with her hands, frozen in place and silent. For a moment, she felt inexplicably tired, as if there was no hope for the future.

What's wrong with this world?

"Living with the girl I like... or two of us?" She scratched her head, her face filled with disbelief and despair.

"Caiye, tell Mom this isn't true!"

"I'm sorry, Mom." Caiye took a deep breath and instead revealed a relieved smile.

"My brother and I... are the same."

Caiye's mother showed the same pained expression as Agni.

She shakily stood up, holding onto the edge of the table, and without looking at anyone at the table, she walked unsteadily towards her bedroom.

"You guys eat first... I... want to be alone for a while."

.........

In the bedroom, Hongye collapsed onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, her thoughts drifting back to many years ago when the three of them lived together.

When she was little, Aya and her classmates acted in a play, and she played the "lead role," but...

"Oh my, you're going to be a big star, Aya." Sakura Momiji watched Aya reciting her script, a slight smile playing on her lips.

Keep up the good work!

"I..." Xiao Caiye lowered her head, feeling guilty and not daring to look at her.

"Xiaomei said she wanted it, so I traded with her."

boom--!

A sudden sound of slamming the table rang out, and Jiu Ji Hongye frowned as she reprimanded him.

"Are you really going to just hand over the stuff to anyone who asks?"

Xiao Caiye shrank her neck, her eyes were red, and she didn't dare to say a word in rebuttal.

"Don't worry, Mom," Asahi Sakura said, coming over to smooth things over.

"Aya will definitely encounter something she doesn't want to give up in the future."

.........

"Sigh..." A soft sigh pulled her from her wandering thoughts. Hongye propped herself up and sat up, her eyes filled with only helplessness and tenderness.

The children... have all grown up.

Knock knock knock—

A rhythmic knocking sounded on the door, followed by Asahi's voice from outside.

"Are you alright, Mom?"

"We've reheated the food. Would you like to eat?"

When Hongye opened the door, she saw the brother and sister blocking the entrance on either side, their eyes filled with cautious concern.

"Didn't I tell you to eat first?"

"Of course not." Asahi smiled, her tone light.

"If the elders don't start eating, how can we, the younger generation, have the nerve to eat first?"

"...I've lost to you guys." Hongye sighed helplessly.

"Let's eat."