Chapter 497: Chapter 489: The False Long Aotian and the True Long Aotian
Tsukimi Sakurazawa was walking alone on the streets on Christmas Eve, surrounded by loving couples holding hands, savoring the rare lively atmosphere of the year. At a glance, anyone would believe if someone said she had just broken up.
No, it wasn’t just anyone believing it. From the last street to here, even the flower sellers avoided her, as if they feared the symbol of love in their hands would remind her of something sad. Tsukimi Sakurazawa noticed this but merely curled her lips, not paying much attention.
Her heart was filled with more important things, leaving her no time to think of anything else. Ever since she parted ways with Shirakawa Sawahei, Tsukimi Sakurazawa felt a block in her heart, as if something was slipping away from her, and she had missed the opportunity to grasp it, only able to watch it drift away...
What on earth was it? It was a rare Christmas Eve, and she even had dinner alone with Shirakawa. Why did she still feel so uncomfortable?
Shirakawa’s last words... why did they make me feel so uneasy...
They were quite ordinary, right... nothing much to think about, right?
The more she told herself this, the harder it was for the girl to breathe. She really wanted to turn around and ask him clearly, but reason told her she couldn’t do that.
Once some things take that step, there’s no turning back.
In the square, someone was singing a cappella, seemingly preparing for tomorrow’s Christmas as believers. Unfortunately, on Christmas in Neon, it was the domain of couples, various lovers weaving through, whispering sweet nothings. Some were in passionate love, others were still ambiguous, the variety was endless. Yet, despite this, they all wore faces brimming with happy smiles.
People often say that scenery evokes feelings, but all scenery is laden with emotions. Seeing this bustling scene, Tsukimi Sakurazawa suddenly felt a pinch of loneliness in her heart.
If... Shirakawa didn’t go to meet that elder, then now... maybe I could be strolling on the streets with him...
No, if I had expressed my feelings to Shirakawa earlier, perhaps last Christmas, we could already have been together, right?
Or... even earlier?
The girl sighed softly, and before she knew it, her coat was lightly tugged. A little girl holding a rose looked up at her expectantly.
Tsukimi was momentarily stunned, then chuckled softly: "Sorry, little girl... I can’t buy a flower by myself..."
"No, I’m giving it to you, sis." The little girl said in her childish voice, "My mom and I came out to sell flowers today, and this is the last one. Sis, you look very down, and I want to cheer you up."
"Cheer up. Even if you’ve been heartbroken, it’s not a big deal."
Tsukimi Sakurazawa was amused by the little girl’s innocent words, and her mother came running hurriedly, awkwardly bowing and saying, "I’m sorry, Anko can’t speak properly... Anko!"
"Isn’t it true?" The little girl blinked and said, "When I broke up with Yehua in kindergarten, I looked just like sis did just now..."
"What are you talking about, child..." Anko’s mother pretended to scold her, but Tsukimi Sakurazawa stopped her.
"It’s okay... Anko is very cute after all... um... how much for this flower? I’ll buy it."
"No, really, miss." Anko’s mother gave a wry smile and said, "Anko wanted to give this to you. We’re sold out today anyway... consider it an apology for her rudeness... Anko, apologize to the kind sister."
"I-I’m sorry... sis... I just wanted to cheer you up..."
"No problem. Actually, there’s nothing wrong with what Anko said." Tsukimi said while crouching down to pinch the little girl’s cheek, "My feelings right now might even indeed be a bit like a heartbreak."
"If you’re heartbroken, then have a cake." Anko said with the wisdom of an elder, "When I was really sad, it was because Mom bought me a cake that my mood improved."
"For someone my age, a cake doesn’t help... and kids eating too many sweets will get cavities, right?"
"No worries! I brush my teeth well every night."
"Is that so? Then I’ll try your suggestion later."
"Alright! Bye, Sis, I’m going back to play with Yehua~"
"Eh? Didn’t you break up..."
"Breaking up doesn’t mean we can’t get back together." Anko spoke like an adult: "It’s Christmas Eve, sis, you need to cheer up soon."
"Bye, sis~"
"..."
Watching the little girl’s innocent figure, Tsukimi Sakurazawa suddenly felt utterly defeated by a primary schooler...
How nice... if only I could be as brave as her...
Tsukimi Sakurazawa spoke, shaking her head self-mockingly, regaining focus on the street shops—since I can’t be as carefree as a primary schooler, I might as well start with her method.
Cake... it’s been a while since I ate one alone...
...
Shirakawa Sawahei still maintained his bow, completely motionless. Asano Fūsei snorted coldly: "Are you going to give me a guarantee or not? Is this how you plan to sneak by in silence?"
"And who knows why that old man Hayakawa Shinsuke is so fond of you... seriously... the Hayakawa family is all so strange... fortunately, my wife is on my side..."
"..."
Asano Fūsei was silent for a while, his gaze gradually becoming a bit subtle. Looking at the bowing young man in front of him, his old aspirations surfaced once again.
I want to be the hardest stumbling block on this kid’s road to love!
But here’s the problem... now that old man Hayakawa Shinsuke stands on his side, and both daughters are utterly useless...
This kid might as well be speeding on the road of love, right? My stumbling block seems like it’ll be completely run over, serving no purpose at all.
Isn’t it so pointless to be this stumbling block? Why didn’t I have Hayakawa Shinsuke’s old man to assist me back then?!
What’s the difference between fake and true Long Aotian, gaining two wives by sheer strength, who dares deny my identity as Long Aotian now?!
"What you really want to ask is... if I ever lied to my wife, right?"
"..."
"I can answer that question quite straightforwardly: No."
"From the beginning, they knew they both liked me, and I also liked both of them."
"... Why?"
Asano Fūsei sneered: "Why? Do you, as a man, still dream of loving one and deceiving the other? Or pretend not to know and make them suffer, forcing them to say they’re willing to share you? Stop dreaming, kid. Can you take all the good things in the world? Do you think that’s possible?"
"As a man, don’t you find it disgraceful to exploit and manipulate girls just because they like you? Some things you do because you want to, that’s your freedom; success or failure is your choice. The most important thing is to take responsibility for your actions."
"If I have any life experience to share, don’t shirk your responsibilities onto those who love you and those you love."