Chapter 034　 This totally counts as seduction, honestly!

  *

  On the small road in the night rain, there was only the pitter-patter of the rain and the leisurely footsteps.

  Su Xian had just been thinking: Doesn't this have a date atmosphere? The next second, her stomach rumbled, ruining the mood.

  Li Chengshi laughed a few times, then complained, "I knew you wouldn't eat properly when you're working. You're a grown adult, but you can't take care of yourself at all."

  "But there's still the Teriyaki chicken legs, right?"

  "I ate them for dinner."

  "Then let's go back to the convenience store; I'll buy a bento box."

  "You did work for me. How can I let you eat a convenience store meal? The ingredients for healthy Malatang are already prepared. Go home, change clothes, and wash up. I can have it ready in ten minutes." He had already told himself that since he relied on her more for work, he should take better care of her in life, especially since she always paid him.

  "Li Chengshi, you..." Su Xian turned around and looked at him. His fresh face in the rainy night, his bright eyes, his hair hanging with raindrops...

  She really wanted to kiss him.

  "Friend, don't stare at people with such a lustful look. It's impolite." Li Chengshi used his umbrella to gently push hers, signaling her to walk forward.

  A sense of shame suddenly surged. Su Xian turned around and walked forward quickly, picking up her pace.

  "What's wrong?" Li Chengshi didn't understand but immediately ran to catch up.

  *

  Downstairs at their building, a gust of wind blew Su Xian's umbrella inside out. She stopped and pushed against the wind, and the umbrella flipped back.

  Li Chengshi finally caught up. He lifted his hand to brush the raindrops from her hair and said disapprovingly, "You're acting like you're sick. I won't nurse you if you catch a cold."

  Su Xian looked at him, thinking: Why don't you think this is intimate now? This totally counts as seduction, honestly!

  She brushed his hand away. "This little bit of rain won't give me a cold. Tch. Go make me some Malatang, quickly."

  "Okay, then you go wash up."

  **

  Sunday was sunny and bright. Su Xian slept until she woke naturally. When she opened the window, the landlady across the way was hanging laundry again—so diligent.

  She realized this was her first truly leisurely weekend since arriving in Japan, and she was immediately happy. First, she went on a small exploration near her home, discovering several new shops, and also inquired about apartments at the real estate agent near the station. In the evening, she changed into athletic wear and ran 10 kilometers along the river embankment.

  The feeling of running is truly wonderful!

  **

  On Wednesday noon, Li Chengshi passed his third driving test and immediately messaged Su Xian to let her know. She was in the kitchen having tea with Honda and danced happily. Honda was also happy for him and suggested Zhao Nanfeng treat everyone to hot pot to celebrate.

  "Naze watashi wa aitsu no tame ni? (Why should I celebrate for him?)" Zhao Nanfeng refused with a cold face.

  "Ii yo. Shachō ga isogashii kara, sannin de iwaou. Watashi osoru yo. (It's okay. Boss is busy, so let's celebrate with just the three of us. I'll treat you two.)" Su Xian called Honda back into the kitchen and opened Hot Pepper to search for nearby restaurants. "Kore yosasō ne. (This one looks good.)"

  "Demo takai desu. (But it's expensive.)" Honda pointed to the price range.

  "Daijōbu. Watashi, kanemochi. (It's okay. I'm rich.)"

  Honda's eyes immediately turned into stars. "Su-san, kakkoii desu! (Su, you're so cool!)"

  *

  At six o'clock sharp, the three of them tidied up and said goodbye to Zhao Nanfeng.

  "I'm going too," he said coldly.

  "If you go, you pay."

  "Okay, consider it a company team-building event. Don't try to isolate me."

  "How could we, Boss? We totally love you. Everyone, make a heart sign."

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  Honda didn't understand the words, but seeing Su Xian's and Li Chengshi's gestures, she immediately copied them, raising both arms to form a heart, and the three of them gave Zhao Nanfeng fawning smiles.

  *

  The spiciest dish Honda had tried before was Mapo Tofu at a Chinese restaurant. The spicy side of the Double-flavor hot pot exceeded her comprehension. She kept shouting that it was spicy yet delicious, while chugging beer to relieve the heat. She was naturally entertaining, and after drinking, she became even more lively, making everyone laugh continuously.

  After the meal, Zhao Nanfeng went to pay the bill.

  Li Chengshi stood up to go to the restroom but felt lightheaded. He swayed and nearly fell, saved only by Su Xian's quick reflexes, who caught him. She didn't hesitate to mock him: "You didn't eat any poisoned mushrooms tonight, so why are you drunk?"

  "Shh!" He hadn't blushed while drinking, but now he was red-faced. Seriously, why say something like that in public!

  Honda leaned over curiously and asked, "Nan desu ka? (What is it?)"

  Su Xian leaned in close and lowered her voice, "Kyūnen, kaisha no nomikai de yopparatte... (Last year, at a company drinking party, I got drunk and...)"

  Li Chengshi quickly pulled Su Xian away and vigorously waved his hands at Honda. "Nan demo nai. (It's nothing.)" Then he firmly squeezed Su Xian's shoulder as a warning.

  Honda looked even more confused and wanted to continue asking, but Zhao Nanfeng returned, forcing her to drop it.

  "All three of you have drunk quite a bit. Su Xian, I'll take you and Li Chengshi home first, then drop off Honda."

  "No need. It's easy for Li Chengshi and me to take the train back. Honda lives far away; you should take her."

  "Okay."

  *

  Unusually, they found seats on the train.

  Her head felt heavier and heavier, and Su Xian leaned onto Li Chengshi's shoulder.

  He gave a disdainful laugh and seized the opportunity for revenge: "You didn't eat any poisoned mushrooms tonight, so why are you drunk?"

  "Heh heh, were you afraid I was actually going to tell Honda just now?"

  "I don't want anyone to think we have some messy relationship."

  "How could I tell her that? You don't trust me at all."

  "You dare to say things like maintaining a 'pure physical relationship,' so what's a one-night stand to you?" That's right, it meant nothing to her. She even felt like she got the better deal and wanted to pay him off. Raking up old scores, he was clearly still a little unhappy.

  "You really do disdain me." Su Xian sat up straight, but a moment later, she leaned towards the large man on her other side.

  Seeing this, Li Chengshi quickly pulled her back. "Isn't it normal for friends to disdain each other a little?"

  "That's true."

  "So, what do you disdain about me?"

  "Your shoulder is sharp." Su Xian lifted her head and rubbed her cheek. "It's like acupressure; you've actually sobered me up."

  He touched his shoulder. "It'll be fine when I wear a down jacket in winter."

  Good. Let winter come quickly. She was already eager.

  **

  The next day at work, Su Xian was shocked to see that Honda hadn't changed clothes and looked completely listless. She immediately pulled Zhao Nanfeng aside and demanded, "You bastard! Did you make a move on Honda?!"

  Zhao Nanfeng was furious: "Su Xian, you can demean my character, but don't question my taste! How could I possibly be interested in that plain-looking country girl?!"

  Seeing his anger, Su Xian realized she had wronged him and quickly tried to compensate: "Hey, don't make such discriminatory remarks! I'm a country girl too."

  "Stop trying to confuse the issue!"

  "Then why didn't you send her home?"

  "She started feeling unwell right when she got in the car and said she wanted to vomit. I had no choice but to bring her back here and prepare to give her some medicine. Who knew she'd just crash and sleep? And there's only one single bed here. I was awake all night and served her when she threw up five times!"

  He truly was wronged. Su Xian patted Zhao Nanfeng's shoulder to console him, straining to keep her head down to stifle her laughter.

  "I'm beaten! Completely defeated! She is my karma," Zhao Nanfeng said, feeling increasingly aggrieved the more he thought about it.

  "Cool down. I'm going back to work." Su Xian quickly walked away before she burst out laughing.

  *