Uneasy daily life

"Because when I arrived at her house, I found out that she lived alone. She also found out that she lived alone after she took me home."

Bai Ying said with a wry smile, "Just based on her reckless and impulsive nature, I think this kind of training is indeed effective."

...That's true, I gave myself a real fright tonight.

Fortunately, this person is reliable and does meet the child's description of being 'excellent'.

Yukinoshita's mother's face was expressionless. In terms of appearance and temperament, she was just like Yukinoshita Yukinoshita Yukinoko, who grew up more than ten years later. She had a dignified aura that could overwhelm others at first impression, and it was difficult to tell whether she was happy or angry: "Since it is a misunderstanding, is your preparation not quite appropriate?"

He gestured with his eyes towards the two bags of ingredients, drinks, and snacks—this didn't seem like preparation for leaving promptly after a misunderstanding.

The white figure announced a string of numbers.

Yukinoshita's mother was a little surprised; it was her private number.

"It's too late today. I was planning to talk to Yukinoshita's parents about the rent tomorrow, trying to clear up any misunderstandings beforehand. If that didn't work, I would move my things out tomorrow, but..."

Bai Ying paused slightly, then said, "Since we've happened to meet here, let's discuss it with Auntie beforehand."

Yukinoshita's mother did not respond, but simply looked him over calmly.

Bai Ying calmly accepted the observation, her smile remaining unchanged.

Negotiating contracts and discussing business are not my forte; that's the domain of someone in my family who works.

The reason she was chosen as a representative of the Guardians Association was because her first impression and demeanor exuded pressure, which suited the role of mediating various conflicts and maintaining order.

Many adults are somewhat hesitant and timid when facing themselves. They subconsciously try to stand up straight, but because they don't usually do that, their movements appear awkward and unnatural, which puts them at a disadvantage in negotiations.

This child is quite composed...

Yukino's mother said, "I can prepare a place for you to stay temporarily, including tonight, since you are Yukino's friend."

Bai Ying nodded and said, "I'm extremely grateful. I'll go upstairs to get the box in a bit..."

"However, Yukino probably has her own reasons."

Yukino's mother thought... she would ultimately be unable to accompany Yukino through her entire life, just like that child who, despite being full of youthful vigor, experienced the loneliness of life's impermanence at a young age.

“Auntie,” Bai Ying said, “about that place where we stayed…”

“I suddenly realized that it’s a bit far away, not really suitable for someone like you who has to go to school.”

The mother brushed it off lightly under the snow, picked up her coffee, and took a sip.

Bai Ying nodded and said, "Okay, then I'll just stay at school for a few days."

He didn't seem angry at all about the conversation that seemed to contradict itself.

Interesting young people are those who can remain calm and composed during negotiations without being overwhelmed by their own aura, and who can rationally assess the situation.

We can proceed to the next stage of investigation.

“In my memory, Yukino wouldn’t do something so rash,” Yukino’s mother asked casually. “Why did she invite you to be her tenant?”

"It's probably the rebellious phase."

"Rebellious phase..." Yukinoshita's mother remained noncommittal; in her memory, Yukinoshita didn't have such a phase.

"If two people don't argue or have conflicts, it's simply because one of them has given in and tolerated the situation."

Bai Ying said softly, "It's precisely because in Auntie's memory that Yukinoshita never oversteps the rules that she goes through a rebellious phase. Pressure is always a mental element. Although Yukinoshita doesn't experience external pressure, she can still generate internal pressure. Once a person has accumulated pressure, there will always be times when they want to indulge—for parents, that's what a rebellious phase is."

What kind of pressure could Yukino possibly be under...?

Yukinoshita's mother couldn't help but think of the boy's 'perfect Yukino' from before, and her thoughts subconsciously drifted away.

If I had to say, Yukino wanted to move out and live alone... While her reasons at the time included things like "the car accident made her hesitant to ride in cars" and "wanting to try living alone to toughen herself up," the main reason she convinced herself was the car accident.

Yukino is indeed an immature child, and it's reasonable for immature children to have a rebellious phase.

Yukino's mother observed the other party. It wasn't a big problem that Yukino wanted to live with him. She would talk to Yukino later. She knew her limits. And from her observation so far, this person was not an unreliable person.

"Let's talk about rent then—"

"Ok."

Bai Ying nodded and said skillfully, "Based on my observations and inquiries, the rent for this luxury apartment, taking into account the same type of unit as Yukinoshita, and paying the rent every two weeks, is just enough for my current savings. This price is in line with the market..."

"Yukino invited you to be her guest. You are the guest, so you don't need to worry about these things."

Yukinoshita's mother briefly changed the subject, saying that as long as the other party had made preparations and considered this aspect, it was not important whether or not rent was paid.

Looking at the sky, it's already getting late.

Yukinoshita's mother stood up abruptly, indicating that she wanted to end the conversation.

Bai Ying picked up the bag on the table and followed.

"You don't look very old. Do you work part-time to save money?"

"I'm currently doing some creative work, writing scripts and stories, whereas before I was performing in plays and doing odd jobs."

"drama?"

“I used to be a member of the Scarlet Theatre Troupe. Of course, I couldn’t play the lead role. I mainly played supporting roles. If you see someone named Xu Bai, that’s me in junior high school.”

That traveling theater troupe? Yukinoshita's mother had heard of it. In this era when theater was gradually declining, the Scarlet Theater Troupe was a very... well, a very wealthy troupe. Because they were very capricious, their performances were arbitrary, and they performed wherever they pleased, yet they never disappeared.

This theater troupe has been around for a true 'century-old establishment'.

Before she took over the family responsibilities, she saw a performance by the Scarlet Theatre Company while traveling. Compared to the troupe's videos that were popular online, seeing them live was much more moving.

Such a story, which cannot withstand scrutiny, is unlikely to be fabricated.

Yukinoshita's mother asked with some interest, "Then why didn't you continue down the path of acting?"

The two left the coffee shop and walked towards the black car. Yukino's mother planned to have a proper talk with Yukino tomorrow... well, not because she was really tired tonight.

"A blank sheet of paper is a vessel for imagination, and life is a stage for drama. I believe the truly wonderful thing is to immerse oneself in it..."

The white figure stopped, and the mother under the snow turned around to open the door and get into the car.

"Auntie, am I good?"

Huh? Why ask such a sudden question...? That voice?!

a bolt from the blue!

Thunder roars through the night clouds!

They had been lying in wait for a long time, plotting to assassinate the king!

The mother reacted a beat late and couldn't help but turn around abruptly.

The boy carrying the plastic bag moved aside, bowed gracefully, and shed his mature and stable facade.

He was like an actor closing the curtain on a play, facing the audience, with only a subtle smile on his lips: "I suggest you come back to see the ending in half a month. I imagine Yukinoshita's performance will be quite interesting—a rebellious kid should be kept on guard a little, shouldn't he?"

"you--"

Under the snow, the mother's eyes widened, her somewhat weary thoughts jumping and combining in a flash.

Playing the role of a stalker and perverted teenager initially disrupts his judgment, making the matter of 'Yukino bringing a man home' less important, and his attitude naturally softens...

The sense of accomplishment from saving a wayward youth temporarily suppresses the anger that would naturally arise from 'Yukino bringing a man home,' and it serves as a preemptive measure for myself, giving myself ample mental preparation...

By portraying a character from every angle that makes you feel excellent, mature, and composed beyond your years, and using this foundation, you subtly and gradually move the whole thing forward...

By lowering expectations, you can increase your level of approval...

What was the final result?

What am I thinking?

Yukino is going through a rebellious phase, but fortunately she met a mature, stable, and sensible young man, so it's safe to let the two young people get to know each other.

Of course, we need to address Yukino's rebellious nature and make her reflect on her actions. We should also investigate the child suspected of being a stalker, hoping he won't relapse.

With immense effort, Yukinoshita's mother forcefully suppressed her turbulent emotions, taking several seconds to compose herself before a helpless smile appeared on her face: "...You're very good, and this suggestion is also good."

"Well then, have a safe journey."

I got on the bus home.

The mother was starting to lose her composure under the snow.

Wait a minute, he deliberately revealed the foreshadowing at the end just to get me to agree to pretend I didn't know for the next two weeks?

However, suddenly bringing my rebellious daughter into the throes of adolescence in two weeks... is indeed an irresistible suggestion.

Wait a minute, isn't this just being completely led by the nose?

Yukinoshita's mother rubbed her temples vigorously, then sighed, resolutely admitting defeat in her heart.

The intentional attack was countered by the unintentional one; it was because I didn't see through it that I lost the game.

Yukinoshita's mother wasn't particularly angry; instead, she became even more interested in paying attention.

……

"Strong, rational, calm but not good at socializing... She is very similar to Yukinoshita in many ways. No wonder Yukinoshita's father is in charge of the construction company and the position of senator. With her personality, she cannot handle business and politics well. Her temperament is too strong."

Bai Ying casually tossed a can of beer aside and said, "For Yukinoshita's mother, being tricked by a little scheme is not unacceptable. In fact, beating her is a plus in her mind, a symbol of ability—Teacher, this is your gift of gratitude."

"I can understand taking the phone from me."

Beside another black sedan, Hiratsuka Shizuka caught the beer thrown to her, skillfully pulled the tab with one hand, and said strangely, "You didn't call me here in the middle of the night just to let me watch a show, did you?"

"Because you are an adult, and I am a minor."

"In my opinion, if an overly assertive person's first impression of me is 'this is a child,' then it will be difficult to make a breakthrough. If I can't get the other person to really take me seriously, they can dismiss anything I say as 'naive.' In that situation, I'll need a teacher to step in and keep things under control."

Bai Ying opened a can of cola and said with satisfaction, "It seems that playing the role of an 'adult' in Auntie's eyes is pretty good. Maybe it's because I caught Auntie off guard with a surprise attack... Auntie is surprisingly maternal. Everything went smoothly, so the teacher doesn't need to appear. Just watch the show."

"Really? I thought I was the grand finale."

Hiratsuka Shizuka took a sip of beer and looked at him with a somewhat profound gaze.

"Don't give me that 'kid, don't you have a youth?' look—what's the difference between adults and children? Kids rebel against their parents, adults rebel against society, isn't it the same? You're a teacher approaching thirty, going through your rebellious phase."

As soon as he finished speaking, the white figure picked up the bag and suddenly darted away.

Follow the swift wind to the tall building, do not look back, for a demon is rushing past you!

Chapter Sixty: Ecological Conflict, Act One

Will my mother find out?

Probably not. As long as no one tells on me, my mother doesn't pay much attention to me...

So the one we should be wary of is the older sister. That person could suddenly appear here and attract our mother. I don't even want to think about what that would be like.

Should I get a locksmith to change it?

While feeding the kitten and lost in thought, Yukino Yukinoshita suddenly felt a wave of fatigue.

What I could foresee was that my mother would definitely come to my door, that I would be speechless in front of her, that she would be gentle yet unwavering, and that she would naturally arrange my choices... If my sister had done something similar, perhaps my mother's attitude would have been different?

After all, her older sister is so much more outstanding than her.

Yukino Yukinoshita, who was squatting on the ground, gently hugged herself with both hands.

The car accident was a reason, an excuse, a window through which the butterfly tried to fly away. But the window was covered in cobwebs, and the butterfly could never escape. Perhaps it didn't even know if it wanted to fly away or where it could fly to; the butterfly, pursuing freedom, didn't understand what freedom truly meant.

Adopting pets and renting out hotel rooms is the most unconventional thing I've ever done in my life.

If I want to muster the courage to break through the window net, why do I have to sneak around and hide?

I don't understand, I don't even understand why I'm so tired.

Suddenly feeling a dampness on her fingertips, Yukino Yukinoshita snapped out of her daze and turned her head to see a kitten trying to snatch cat food from her fingertips.

"Meow..."

The kitten was somewhat dissatisfied with its owner's service, letting out a few childish meows as it tried to fend for itself.

Yukino Yukinoshita suddenly had a whimsical idea. With a flick of her finger, she tossed the cat food pellet onto the floor several meters away.

The kitten froze, looking at the cat food on the ground in the distance, then at its new human. It was probably angry; it propped itself up and unleashed a series of non-damaging cat punches at Yukino Yukinoshita's legs.

Then, it happily went to pick up the cat food, licked it with its tongue, and rolled the cat food into its mouth.