Uneasy daily life

[Bai Liang Bai Ying: Sakurajima Mai and her sister are such tsundere! Pointing fingers at tsundere girls and attacking them mercilessly based on their tone is incredibly exhilarating! It's a pity this tsundere state seems limited to both of them being present at the same time; it can't last forever.]

[Crow: Where did Sakurajima Mai get her little sister?]

[Wooden Fish: If the manager says it exists, then it exists. Why are you arguing with him?]

Crow: You're right.

[Want to be a Bunny Girl: Spreading false information all day, utterly useless.]

[Bai Liang Bai Ying: Former group admin? Why haven't you left the group yet?]

[Want to be a Bunny Girl? Bai Liang and Bai Ying are banned from commenting for 3 hours.]

[Want to be a bunny girl? No disrespect to the group owner.]

[Crow: Hmm? Why isn't Little Pockmarked Man saying anything? What about Dong Zhuo's execution of Lü Bu today?]

[Wooden Fish: It seems Little Pockmarked is still muted.]

[Crow: Wow, they even offer extended time?]

[Wooden Fish: It's time to add more time; young people these days are really going overboard with their idol worship. Does that game you recommended last time have a sequel?]

[Crow: You've already finished the game, haven't you?]

Tsundere? You're the tsundere, you hater!

Sakurajima Mai put away her phone, glanced at Toyohama Kazuka who was sneaking glances at her, and asked, "Kazuka, were you tricked into coming here by that guy? What exactly happened?"

"...No, it's nothing."

Feng Bin and Hua's gaze wandered, and they continued eating with their heads down.

Kaori seems to be a complete tsundere.

Sakurajima Mai felt a bit of a headache and said directly, "To put it simply, if Mom sees Kazuka, she might not be very calm, so I hope Kazuka can go back as soon as possible."

"Not very calm?" Toyohama Kazuka looked puzzled. "Miss Mai is more...why does Auntie become so calm when she sees me?"

My mother always compares me to my older sister, and in fact, my sister is indeed better than me in many ways. How could my aunt possibly compare me to my sister?

“What I mean is…” Sakurajima Mai hesitated for a moment, then said simply, “Mom and Auntie have a somewhat awkward relationship, and seeing you would make it even more awkward for them.”

"Isn't that crazy? Ah, that's not what I meant..." Fengbin and Hua quickly explained, "Then I'll just not talk to Auntie, okay? I'll walk around her."

Mai Sakurajima rubbed her temples: "What if Mom thinks you're disrespecting her?"

Toyohama Kazuka: "?"

Am I not thinking clearly, or is my sister not thinking clearly?

"Well, we'll see how it goes. This is a film set, and Mom probably won't get involved in personal matters..." Mai Sakurajima was also quite confused. "Anyway, we'll just have to take it one step at a time."

……

"Bastard."

Yukinoshita glanced at the white figure and asked with interest, "So you've got your eye on those sisters again?"

"This is just the prelude."

Bai Ying chuckled deeply twice.

"I've got my eye on their mother, hehehe..."

Chapter Nineteen: I hereby appoint you as 9528!

"Toyohama Kazuka... I feel like she's a lot like Yukino-chan. She admires Sakurajima Mai as her older sister, but also feels a strong aversion to her."

Yukino followed the white figure ahead, analyzing with interest, "If we're going to trace the reason for this feeling, it's definitely inseparable from family and parents. Yukino-chan always gets comments like 'Your sister is this and that, you're no good' from the people around her, and they reject and dislike me. Because she wants her mother's approval, she also admires and likes me... If we follow this logic, Toyohama and Hana probably have similar experiences, right?"

Bai Ying commented, "Your analysis is out of 100 points, I'd give it 60."

"In other words, it's acceptable, but it lacks a lot of details." Yukinoshita Haruno tried to continue pondering, "One is surnamed Toyohama, and the other is surnamed Sakurajima. They have different mothers and are sisters... Two families with the same father but different mothers? That's a bit strange, isn't it? Logically speaking, if they don't meet like strangers, they should at least have a bloody fight and some verbal abuse."

Bai Ying chuckled and asked, "Then why do you think that is?"

"I've never actually met a divorced family, so it's hard to say for sure."

Yukinoshita Haruno said strangely, "The sisters both debuted in the entertainment industry, so they are colleagues. Their parents have a lot of old grudges and elder feuds. Their relationship shouldn't be like this, right? Sakurajima Mai doesn't seem like a high school student, while Toyohama and Hana are quite age-appropriate... If their parents instilled old grudges in them through words and deeds, they would at least avoid each other."

From what I observed, this was not the case. Toyohama Kazuka was surprisingly close to Sakurajima Mai, and Sakurajima Mai surprisingly did not reject Toyohama Kazuka, saying things like "You should just stay away" or "I don't want to get too close to you."

Is there anything I don't know?

Yukino looked at the white figure.

“Among the four of you two pairs of sisters, I counted on my fingers and found that only the younger sister of the bravest plus has a mental age that matches her physical age, and her behavior is the most like that of a young person.”

Bai Ying held up three fingers and accepted them one by one: "The brave one is stuck in a rut and can't get out, like a corporate slave working overtime to meet targets; the brave plus one has already achieved psychological independence, like a solitary adult; you worked hard to start a business, went bankrupt, and your dream came true, like a confused social person barely surviving."

Yukinoshita's expression froze.

Bai Ying gestured and said, "When you argue with your parents and rebel, you don't understand or want to understand their words and actions. Before you can even think things through calmly, your emotions have already caused your body to react. Your emotions come and go quickly. That's what you call a fresh and normal high school girl. You guys are all about to smell like old people. Tsk tsk tsk."

"Oh," Yukinoshita Haruno said with a smile, "Is that the stench emanating from that rascal the smell of a dead man?"

"I am an unparalleled emperor who has been reincarnated and rebuilt."

The white figure smugly shook its head: "Feeling lost and empty inside? Can't find anything you want to do? No energy for anything you do? Can't focus your mind without an anchor? Want to find some excitement to seek meaning? No problem! From now on, you are my page 9528..."

"9528?"

"Too long to pronounce is 9527, so you are of course 9528."

"So there are still 9526 ahead of us?"

"9526=0".

"It seems to be something I can't quite grasp." Yukinoshita asked with a smile, "So what are you planning to do next? Stab those two sisters twice to make them open up, or see each other's brains?"

"Idiot, I already said the target is their mother—9528. The more complex and contradictory the relationship, the more we need to see the big picture until every detail makes sense." Bai Ying muttered, stroking her chin. "We're still missing a key figure to give Hero Plus a big surprise..."

It's really strange. I thought this jerk would try to evade and fool me in various ways, but he was surprisingly direct and honest. Was he setting a trap for me in a way I didn't know about, or was it because I wasn't a key figure and therefore had no interest in playing any tricks?

Yukino enjoys the satisfaction brought by this thinking, exploration and curiosity, which gives her a real sense of being alive, rather than doing all sorts of things that others think are 'meaningful' without any emotional fluctuation.

"You rascal, don't just spout such well-intentioned words. Be careful you don't end up with a woodcutter's knife one day," Yukino Yukinoshita warned with a smile.

"Where did you think you were?"

Bai Ying asked curiously, "Have you forgotten that you almost pulled me into the river? You attempted murderer. I won't make the same mistake this time; my escape plan is very thorough."

"..." Yukino Yukinoshita gazed at the river beside her and sighed, "It's a pity I can't recapture that feeling now, otherwise I would have kicked you in. What's your specific plan? Let 9528 get involved~"

"Don't rush, don't rush, I'm planning this, I'm determined to thwart that 'Hero Plus' scheme..."

As the two walked into the village, they encountered Sakurajima's mother, who had purchased some items.

Yukino Yukinoshita recognized the other person at a glance. Before, she only had a general impression of her, but now she was carefully observing and pondering... What was different about Mai Sakurajima's mother?

"Oh, good afternoon, Auntie. Are you preparing extra meals for the crew again?"

"I'm just doing what I can. I'll have to trouble the screenwriter to guide Mai on her acting." Sakurajima's mother remained calm and composed as always. She took out a can of extra-strong black coffee from her bag and handed it over. "Screenwriter Ning seems to be very busy too."

"I've been busy gathering material for my creative work lately, and I've been feeling a bit creatively drained, so I've been wandering around looking for inspiration..." Bai Ying said enthusiastically. "Take Zhenchu, for example. Don't be fooled by its remote and small appearance. Where there are people, there are stories—do you know the stories of the Southern and Northern Formations?"

Perhaps it was an urge to express herself; Sakurajima's mother had seen many such people in the entertainment industry before, and she nodded: "I'd like to hear more."

"I heard about this by chance from Brother Guan Gu, who was the original screenwriter of the crew. Although the area is officially called Zhenchu, there is actually a distinction between the Southern Zhenchu ​​and the Northern Zhenchu ​​in the local community. We are in the Northern Zhenchu, where the Chitanda family has a greater influence."

Bai Ying briefly summarized: "About several decades ago, the Southern and Northern factions had a fierce conflict over the ownership of water and land, which created enmity and led to a lack of interaction in many activities. Now, with the passing of the elders and the changing times, this matter has gradually faded from memory. Young people from both factions still interact quite often, but on important matters such as festivals, the Southern and Northern factions still tacitly agree not to interfere with each other and not to overstep their boundaries. If it is absolutely necessary, the Chitanda family often needs to step in and make arrangements to ensure that certain activities can proceed normally."

"To modern people, it seems a bit inexplicable and unnecessary, like elementary school students drawing lines on their desks to mark their territory. Whoever crosses the line will inevitably have a fight, and the class monitor will have to step in and yell to stop them. But if you look into it more deeply, you can see the influence of traditional culture, family values, generational succession, and changes in the times."

Sakurajima's mother asked curiously, "Could it be that the director wants the screenwriter to revise the script again?"

"I did want to improve this part, but due to the limitations of length and theme, it inevitably disrupts the main idea," Bai Ying sighed. "Artistic expression can only be refined and simplified, glimpsing the world from a one-sided perspective. Besides, I should go back tomorrow, away from overtime, starting with myself."

After a brief chat, Sakurajima's mother asked a few questions, gave Yukinoshita Haruno a bottle of cola, and then headed to the film set with her things.

Yukinoshita looked away and asked, "In front of her, you were playing the role of a rather talented but eccentric screenwriter?"

"Do I need to act? I'm an artsy person by nature."

"You?" Yukinoshita Haruno glanced at her and laughed, "You're more like an artsy young man; you're still several years away from being a young adult."

Bai Ying said, "Hello, older youth."

"That should be Xiaojing—in a few years, when she turns thirty, Xiaojing won't be a young woman anymore, she'll be middle-aged." Yukinoshita Haruno made a few sarcastic remarks about a certain teacher who wasn't present, and then said, "Were you just giving her a heads-up? To prevent her from having a direct conflict with Toyohama Kazuka?"

"Pretty much. Once you have a mental expectation, you won't be caught off guard by the surprise. Even if a conflict breaks out, I'm not afraid—I'm very optimistic about Toyohama and Kaori's emotional outburst, tearing away the fig leaf of adults from the perspective of a reckless child." Bai Ying waved her hand and said, "At most, we'll just have to look for Toyohama and Kaori who's running away crying."

Reckless child...

Yukino Yukinoshita said thoughtfully, "If Yukino and I had been a little more reckless..."

Bai Ying snapped her fingers: "One cry, two tantrums, three threats of hanging—and your mother will surrender, and your father will be in a real bind."

“It’s more likely that my mother threw us both onto the floor and used force to correct us,” Yukinoshita said subtly. “Sakurajima’s mother is different from other mothers. Although she also appears calm and rarely shows her emotions, her concern is obvious in her actions… She helps her daughter manage the interpersonal relationships on set, and she’s also very tolerant of you, this eccentric screenwriter, because you’re helpful to her daughter…”

Bai Ying wholeheartedly agreed, saying, "Your mother wants you to smile when you meet guests. She cares a lot about your future and interpersonal relationships. Quickly say thank you to your mother."

Yukinoshita Yono: "..."

“Being strict means being controlling, being laissez-faire means being irresponsible, scolding children means being impatient, and hitting children means failing in education…” Bai Ying said meaningfully, “Is it others who are moved, or oneself? That is always a question.”

"Yes, yes, yes~ How can 9528 compare to that scoundrel's eye for people?" Yukinoshita Haruno shrugged. "So what are you going to do? Give me a hint."

"Hmm... since you want to feel a bit involved... well, then come and be an actor for me."

Bai Ying raised her hand and gestured, "Let's act out a big one!"

Yukinoshita Haruno said knowingly, "We must start with Toyohama and Hana."

"Not bad, assistant, you managed to find such an obvious entry point."

"That jerk's insults aren't even that obvious."

Yukino Yukino smiled and tried to pat the white shadow, but the white shadow's eyebrows twitched, and she pointed at Yukino's raised hand, showing a look of disdain and warning.

"Hmm?" Yukinoshita Haruno said with a smile, "I suddenly want to try tearing up the treaty."

"Then I'll have to reluctantly use your voice to talk to people from now on."

"...Let's talk about what to eat later."

"This is indeed a profound question."

"Oh? What kind of depth is this?"

"Isn't it a profound question to choose one food from a pile of insignificant options, only to starve if you don't choose it?"

The two chose a restaurant and went inside to plot their scheme.

Chapter Twenty: Sisters' Heart-to-Heart Talk (

Today's filming is finished.

The crew packed up the equipment, and the actors also prepared to leave.

Mai Sakurajima took the towel, wiped her sweat, and sighed softly, "The afternoon sun is so strong..."

“After all, summer is almost here.” Sakurajima’s mother unscrewed the bottle cap and handed the mineral water to her daughter. “Fortunately, the director said that according to the schedule, filming can be completed before the hottest weather.”

"Um……"

Mai Sakurajima unconsciously glanced at the quiet golden light in the corner of the set.

Feng Bin and Hua were sitting quite far away on the set, so it was impossible to see each other's expressions. However, the crew members around them were coming and going, packing their things, making her stand out in the crowd, like a stone protruding from the water... After her mother came back, in order to avoid suspicion, she could only keep her distance and try to concentrate on her work, unable to talk to her.

Kaori may not understand the complex relationships between adults, but she still obediently keeps her distance according to her own requirements. She must be feeling wronged.

Mai Sakurajima took the bottled water her mother handed her, stared at it for a few seconds, and mumbled, "Luckily, Mom didn't get into a conflict with Toyohama."

“This is still the film set. It’s too much trouble for her to cause others with her personal matters. I have no interest in talking to her.” Sakurajima’s mother shook her head. “But why did she end up here?”

"...It seems that Feng Bin had a fight with her mother, so she came here to find me."

"baffling."

Sakurajima's mother frowned and said, "When did you and her become so close?"

Even if reason can control behavior, Mom's mood is still not good.