[14,000 words, seeking monthly votes!]
That night, Xicheng Xun still slept poorly.
Fortunately, her physical condition had already improved significantly, and she wasn't as frail as she appeared.
Moreover, since her Special Ability awakened, Xicheng Xun had increasingly found that her need for sleep was much less than that of an average person.
Normal people need seven to eight hours of sleep a day—young people might even need more.
Xicheng Xun discovered that she only needed three hours of sleep a day to feel energized for the entire day.
So, even though she hadn't slept well these past two nights, Xicheng Xun felt she could barely manage when she woke up in the morning.
"I'm going to school now."
She walked into the living room and saw Chen Nuo, who had already gotten up at some unknown time and was in the kitchen pouring water. Xicheng Xun spoke coldly.
"Oh. Then just skip class," Chen Nuo replied without turning his head.
"...What kind of thing is that to say! How can you let someone just skip classes?" Xicheng Xun clenched her fists.
Chen Nuo turned around, looked at Xicheng Xun with an indifferent expression, and said, "Skipping class is nothing... I'm quite experienced with it. You might feel uneasy the first time, but after a while, it doesn't bother you at all."
"Are you joking? I plan to apply to the University of Tokyo in the future!" Xicheng Xun shook her head. "This is part of my life plan! I can't just skip classes casually; education is very important to me."
Chen Nuo scratched his head, thought for a moment, but still shook his head. "Nope, just these three days... well, it's already the second day. Just skip them. Also, this is my decision. Understand your situation; I'm not discussing it with you, this is an order!"
"…"
"Then I have to call in sick. Skipping classes will lead to point deductions."
"That's fine."
"And my part-time job... I can't just skip work there; I need the money..."
SLAP!
Chen Nuo threw a stack of bills onto the table.
Xicheng Xun was stunned, staring at the money on the table for a while.
"This money should be enough to cover the loss from your part-time job, right?"
It's more than enough! Not only enough, it could even cover what I would earn from half a year of part-time work.
The girl swallowed and hesitated for a moment. "But if I skip work, what if I lose my job and then in the future..."
"Just for three days, as long as you behave, don't cause trouble, and stay with me. After these three days are over, when I leave, I'll give you a large sum of money," Chen Nuo said relaxedly. "It'll not only be enough for you to live on but also cover your future university expenses. How about that?"
After hesitating for a moment, the girl tentatively asked, "How much?"
"Fifty million yen, how about that?" Chen Nuo said slowly. "Forget national universities, that's even enough for private ones."
Xicheng Xun's eyes immediately widened!
Forget tuition, this amount would cover living expenses as well!
"You…" The girl suddenly remembered something, quickly stepped back, hugged her chest protectively, and eyed Chen Nuo warily. "You're not thinking of anything strange, are you? I've heard many rich people pay to keep young and beautiful students as lovers! I'd rather die than do something like that!"
Chen Nuo looked at Xicheng Xun with a cold smile. "Relax, you're not my type at all."
Chen Nuo shrugged his shoulders and then muttered under his breath, "Flat chests or whatever, I hate them the most."
"Hey! What did you say?!"
Xicheng Xun's face turned red.
Flat?! What kind of nonsense is this guy talking about! Does being an A-cup mean I have no human rights?! Besides, I'm still young! In the future... in the future... I'll definitely grow!
"Alright, all issues solved. Skip class, miss work. That's settled," Chen Nuo waved his hand and then, touching his chin, murmured, "What should I eat for breakfast? I'm a bit tired of instant noodles."
"I'll make breakfast!" Xicheng Xun immediately became more proactive.
Fifty million yen! For many female students, that's enough to sell themselves many times over. As long as this guy doesn't have any ideas about me, making him breakfast is nothing. Yes, even if I have to make him three meals a day for the next two days, it won't be a problem!
Xicheng Xun was indeed much more positive and seriously prepared breakfast.
However, Chen Nuo, looking at the breakfast in front of him, couldn't help but purse his lips.
Ah, Japanese breakfasts are so boring. A small helping of white rice, a small serving of side dishes, and a little natto. Plus a few slices of seaweed. This little food wouldn't even fill the gaps between my teeth! And the flavor is so bland. I really want to eat a savory crepe and fried dough stick... with some chili sauce... If not, a bowl of wontons with some soup dumplings would also do.
Chen Nuo looked at the breakfast before him with a pained expression, sighed, stood up, and walked into the kitchen.
Under Xicheng Xun's curious gaze, Chen Nuo directly grabbed a frying pan, heated it on the stove, then poured in some oil, and took two eggs and a bag of sliced bread from the refrigerator.
He toasted two slices of bread in the pan for a few seconds, just until they were lightly golden brown, then put them onto a plate.
He poured some more oil, cracked open the eggs, and fried two of them.
He placed the fried eggs between the two slices of toast and then added a few drops of soy sauce—since there was no chili sauce, this would have to do.
After thinking it over, he made another set just like the first and finally carried both plates back, placing them on the dining table.
Looking at the girl, Chen Nuo sighed, "This is what I call breakfast."
Xicheng Xun glanced at the pan-fried bread with eggs on the table and hesitated. "Eating something so oily in the morning, isn't that unhealthy?"
"You don't understand," Chen Nuo said dismissively. "In this world, most of the things that can make people happy and comfortable are unhealthy. If you cut out all of these things, what pleasure would there be left in life?"
Huh??
"You don't have to eat it."
Chen Nuo sat down, picked up the egg sandwich, took a big bite, and savored the taste.
Xicheng Xun hesitated for a moment, finally sat down slowly, and also picked up the egg sandwich from the plate before her, tentatively taking a bite.
The whole-wheat bread, lightly fried, had absorbed some oil. It was sizzling hot with a slightly crispy exterior. Upon taking a bite, the richness of the oil and the fragrance of the toasted wheat burst in her mouth! Added to that was the smoothness of the fried egg, the creaminess of the yolk, and the savory flavor of the soy sauce...
Unconsciously, the girl chewed a few times and swallowed, then quickly took a second bite!
"That's more like it," Chen Nuo said with a smile as he continued eating. "Indeed, many things should be done with health in mind. But if you focus solely on health, then life really loses a lot of its pleasure. It's occasionally necessary to satisfy one's cravings. Just practice moderation and avoid overindulgence."
Xicheng Xun rolled her eyes. "Telling a sixteen-year-old girl such things, don't you think you're instilling bad ideas? When I was younger, my father taught me that good living habits should be developed early."
Chen Nuo just smiled and said nothing.
After finishing breakfast, Xicheng Xun went to wash the dishes, then came out of the kitchen and looked at Chen Nuo. "What are you planning to do for the whole day? Just stay at home? Or are you going out shopping again?"
Chen Nuo stroked his chin, thinking for a moment. "Do you have a game console at home?"
"I don't have such a thing," Xicheng Xun shook her head. "I'm a girl! Only boys like to play video games, right?"
"Alright then." Chen Nuo got up and left the house again.
Two minutes later, he came back, changed his shoes, and settled back onto the sofa.
"Just wait, someone will deliver the game console soon."
Xicheng Xun looked at Chen Nuo with a complex expression.
"Is this... how all children of wealthy families live?"
Chen Nuo was taken aback for a moment, then laughed. "Trust me, I'm actually not the child of a wealthy family."
「In 2001, the gaming market was still dominated by home consoles and hadn't yet been squeezed to near extinction by PC and mobile games. This was an era when Nintendo and Sony, two industry giants, were still fiercely contending in the home console market.」
After waiting less than an hour at home, a stranger knocked on Xicheng Xun's door and respectfully delivered a brand new PlayStation and a stack of game discs.
Chen Nuo immediately took it, quickly connected the game console to the TV, and, after getting it all set, picked up the controller and started playing "Samurai Shodown."
Xicheng Xun, propping her chin with her hand, watched for a while, and her expression gradually showed a subtle change.
Chen Nuo turned his head to glance at the flat-chested girl. "What's up?"
"Nothing," Xicheng Xun shook her head.
Chen Nuo thought for a moment, then tossed the other controller to Xicheng Xun. "I don't like it when someone stares at me while I'm playing. Let's play together."
"...Are you sure?" The girl's expression was a bit odd.
"Of course," Chen Nuo nodded.
A few minutes later, on the TV screen, Nakoruru's attack sent Haohmaru's health bar plummeting to zero...
Chen Nuo put down the controller, turned his head, and stared at Xicheng Xun with a strange look on his face.
The girl remained calm, turned her head to glance at Chen Nuo. "Wanna keep playing?"
"Bring it on!!!"
Juzoh Kanzaki, looking pale and sickly, executed a special move that flipped Haohmaru over...
Chen Nuo glanced at the screen and swallowed.
"Wanna keep playing?" The girl looked at Chen Nuo with a smirk.
"Let's change the game!"
Mai Shiranui opened her folding fan, with Iori Yagami lying defeated at her feet...
Chen Yanluo's face was a little pale.
Xicheng Xun, trying to hold back a laugh, looked at Chen Nuo. "Switch to another game?"
"…"
That morning, Chen Nuo and Xicheng Xun played dozens of matches.
As for the score, well…
Alright, there's no need to do any calculations!
He only won one round. The only round he won was when the girl suddenly sneezed and was frantically reaching for a tissue to wipe her nose, and Unsporting Chen, with a dishonorable ambush, forcefully snatched a victory.
However, in the following round, Xicheng Xun unleashed a furious offensive, a combination of attacks that resulted in a flawless KO.
What's that Chinese idiom again? He brought disgrace upon himself! My composure has completely crumbled! If it weren't for face and self-restraint, I, Chen Yanluo, would have flipped the table.
"How are you so good at video games?!" Chen Nuo gritted his teeth at Xicheng Xun.
In his past life, he had never played video games with this woman; when he knew her, she no longer touched video game consoles.
Xicheng Xun saw Chen Nuo's frustrated anger and held back a laugh. "I used to work in an arcade, you know. I worked there for two months, and after my shift, some boys would always buy me sodas and play games with me, so I learned."
"Worked at an arcade?"
"Yeah, because a lot of boys liked to come and see me, so the arcade did especially good business."
"Then why did you quit that job?"
"Because it was annoying," Xicheng Xun said with a hint of vexation. "There were always boys confessing to me, and some even sent me love letters every other day."
Chen Nuo was somewhat gossipy. "So, was there anyone you liked?"
"How could there be?" Xicheng Xun shook her head seriously. "Those boys who obsess over arcades are irresponsible, their studies are a mess, and they won't have a bright future. I am determined to get into the University of Tokyo; how could I waste my time and youth on such people? I like men who are responsible and committed. Those aimless guys are not my type."
Chen Nuo nodded.
I pity those boys who spent their allowance at the arcade just to see Xicheng Xun.
Probably due to her family background, since childhood, Xicheng Xun most disliked people like her mother, Rin Nishikawa—irresponsible, unambitious, and lazy.
She liked strong people, those with great abilities, a sense of responsibility, and ambition.
Huh? Something seems off! Then... why did this girl always pounce on me in my past life? Wasn't I lazy enough?
"Hmph, I bet it's just an excuse. You probably just think those boys aren't handsome enough," Chen Nuo jabbed at Xicheng Xun spitefully.
The girl remained unflustered. "So what if that's the case? You love playing games so much; hasn't anyone ever told you that you're really bad at them?"
"...That's because you're too skilled."
"No, my gaming skills are actually just average. You're just too unskilled."
Alright, I'm out of excuses. Being unskilled is the original sin.
There was no need to prepare lunch, as Chen Nuo had Domoto Hideno's men, who were stationed nearby, deliver a luxurious meal: sashimi.
Many people don't know that, even in Japan, really good sashimi is rarely eaten by ordinary people... because it is very expensive. Especially some pricey ingredients.
Looking at the delivered sashimi—fresh sea urchin, scampi, and slices of raw fish...
Even Xicheng Xun couldn't help but swallow.
It had been a long time since she had sashimi. And...
Perhaps because they played games together in the morning, especially since she had thoroughly trounced Chen Nuo in the game.
At this moment, as Xicheng Xun looked at this guy, the previous sense of distance and unreality seemed to have diminished.
It seemed that Chen Nuo's frustration over losing the games made him seem a little more approachable. Mainly, it shattered that image of him being aloof, detestable, and indifferent. He seemed a bit more human, more real. Of course... he was still annoying!
However, seeing as he had treated her to such an expensive sashimi meal, Xicheng Xun's attitude towards Chen Nuo softened ever so slightly.
After lunch, she even took the initiative to make a cup of tea for Chen Nuo.
"So, what do you plan to do with your life from now on?"
"Work hard to finish high school and then strive to get into a good university," Xicheng Xun said, looking at Chen Nuo curiously. "What's there to ask about something so straightforward?"
She paused for a moment, then slowly said, "My family is in this state. I can't rely on my mother at all, and I don't want to live with her anymore. After getting into university, I want to live on campus, but room and board are expensive. So I'm still trying to save money."
Chen Nuo thought for a moment. "Are your grades good?"
"Um, fairly good, but I still need to work harder to be admitted to the University of Tokyo," Xicheng Xun frowned cutely and thought for a moment before saying, "I plan to pick a sport at school next academic year and train hard in the hopes of competing in the national competitions. As long as I can win a place in the national competition, then even if my academic scores aren't high enough, I might get special admission into some universities."
"So what are you preparing to practice?"
"Hmm, I haven't decided yet. Gymnastics is my first choice, but I'm a bit too old for it. Those who train in gymnastics usually start around ten years old. I'm already sixteen; it's a bit late. Maybe I could consider the dance club... but dance isn't considered a sport, so it's hard to get special university admission that way. Swimming is another option... But I'm too short; I've heard that's a disadvantage in swimming."
Xicheng Xun was a bit worried.
"I should be able to learn Body Technique-related sports quickly. I just need to think about it carefully and choose the right one."
Well, that actually wasn't wrong.
Xicheng Xun's awakened Special Ability was from the Body Technique Department, so she should be capable of learning most sports quite well.
After a brief moment of indecision, the girl quickly got up, went to the kitchen, prepared the fruit that Chen Nuo had someone send over, and then brought it out.
A plate of sliced melon and another of washed Lan Mei.
"And after you get into college?"
As Chen Nuo asked, he popped a slice of melon into his mouth, the sweet and tender flesh making him let out a contented sigh.
The girl picked up a Lan Mei and put it into her mouth; a blissful expression, characteristic of Japanese girls, spread across her face. "This is so delicious..."
After eating a few Lan Mei, Xicheng Xun said, "After getting into college, naturally, I'll complete my studies. After graduating, I'll find a stable job and then... work hard to become a 'salary thief'! That way, I won't have to work so hard anymore. Work, earn a salary, and then during my time off, I can laze around at home. Without having to work multiple jobs, I could lie on the sofa, eat snacks, and watch TV."
"Don't you want to travel?"
"What's so fun about traveling? It's nothing more than going from a place you're sick of to see places others are sick of." Xicheng Xun decisively shook her head. "With that time and energy, it's better to lie at home and watch TV!"
"..."
Alright, this is someone with the potential to be a homebody.
"So, your current efforts are for the chance to be lazy in the future, right?"
Xicheng Xun curiously looked at Chen Nuo and frowned. "Isn't that the case for everyone? What's so strange about that?"
Well, that seemed to make sense.
The rest of the day passed uneventfully.
Xicheng Xun actually felt a little unaccustomed to this kind of day.
In recent years, she had always been tightly wound: during the day, she would attend school; in the evenings after school, she worked part-time; and she spent weekends working too.
Like today, doing nothing and just staying at home.
Watching TV, playing games, and if she got hungry, delicious meals were delivered right to her door for her to enjoy.
She hadn't experienced such leisurely, almost blissful days in years.
Well... aside from the annoying guy in the house!
Dinner was also delivered by someone Chen Nuo called.
Xicheng Xun's cooking skills were mediocre, and the meals she made were always the same few dishes, bland and simple.
Dinner was tempura with white truffles, and sushi.
Chen Nuo didn't like sake, so he had some fruit juice delivered.
Looking at the pile of luxurious food in front of her, Xicheng Xun couldn't help but ask, "How much money do you actually have?"
Hm?
"You don't seem much older than me. Are you from some rich conglomerate family? You're meddling in my affairs, so irresponsibly; doesn't your family discipline you?"
Chen Nuo tapped the girl's head with his chopsticks. "Don't ask about things you shouldn't. I'm not going to tell you about my background."
"...Why exactly do you meddle in my affairs? And you've found out so much about me..." After thinking for a while, Xicheng Xun suddenly looked up at Chen Nuo with horror. "You're not one of those stalkers who's obsessed with me, had me investigated, and follows me around, are you?!"
"That's right, I am!"
Chen Nuo sneered. "Drop the act. Saying these provocative things to stir my emotions and make me angry in the hopes that I'll accidentally reveal something? Young lady, I've told you, I know you very well. Stop trying these little tricks on me anymore."
Xicheng Xun sighed helplessly, dropped the pretense, and tilted her head in thought.
"I've always felt that you have no ill intentions towards me," Xicheng Xun slowly said. "My family and I don't have anything worth your scheming... I've tested you, and you have no interest in me as a person. As a girl, the only thing here you could possibly scheme for is me. But it's been two days, and you haven't shown any intention of violating me. I can sense that. So... you have great abilities and a lot of money. Why would someone like you suddenly appear before me and take an interest in my affairs? You always mention three days, three days... Is something going to happen in these three days?"
Chen Nuo put down his chopsticks, looked at the girl, and finally sighed. "Alright, I'll tell you the truth."
"Yes!" Xicheng Xun's eyes lit up. She immediately sat up straight, leaning forward earnestly. "Please tell me! I beg you!"
"Actually... I'm from the future."
?!
Xicheng Xun's eyes widened suddenly.
[BANG BANG BANG, I need monthly votes!]