With the arrival of the two Yukinoshita sisters, the parlor fell into a brief silence.
Mother Yukinoshita observed the expression and reaction of Lin Ye, who sat opposite her. Her expression remained unchanged, maintaining her usual faint demeanor in dealing with people and situations, but a satisfied smile emerged in her heart.
Her younger daughter, while not matching her elder daughter Haruno in overall ability, still belonged to the ranks of the outstanding when compared to others.
Especially since Yukino had inherited her looks. Although Mother Yukinoshita, as a woman herself, did not fully agree that a woman's appearance was her most valuable asset, in today's realistic society, possessing exquisite beauty was a woman's greatest capital.
If Yukino lacked beauty and attractiveness, how could Lin Ye have confessed his love to her multiple times in the past?
At this moment,
Yukino Yukinoshita slowly raised her small head, looked at Lin Ye, and finally cast her gaze toward her mother.
After noticing her mother's signaling look, she lightly moved her red lips and spoke slowly, "Student Lin, good afternoon. Welcome to my home as a guest."
She spoke very softly. Compared to her usual coldness that kept people a thousand miles away, her words now held a touch of gentleness.
Because of her mother's presence, she couldn't be icy in her greeting to an invited guest. She couldn't leave a bad impression on Lin Ye, and especially not on her mother.
"It is my honor to visit upon receiving President Yukinoshita's invitation. This should be my first time visiting a residence of traditional Japanese architecture. For me, it adds a new life experience."
"Mhm."
Due to Mother Yukinoshita's presence, Yukino Yukinoshita felt an invisible constraint compared to usual.
"Yukino."
"Mother." Yukino Yukinoshita looked at her mother.
"Later, accompany Lin Ye for a walk around the house. Introduce the layout and style of the Yukinoshita residence to Lin Ye."
Mother Yukinoshita spoke.
Yukino Yukinoshita nodded in agreement. "I understand, Mother."
Subsequently,
Yukino Yukinoshita, dressed in a purple kimono, walked with light steps to Lin Ye's side and sat down in the position next to him.
Haruno, meanwhile, sat opposite Yukino Yukinoshita, which was the seat next to Mother Yukinoshita.
Rustle...
Mother Yukinoshita's hands were dexterous as she skillfully operated the tea set. Her movements were elegant, every step manifesting a sense of beauty. She poured a cup of tea for her two daughters as well.
The aroma of tea drifted in the air, a refreshing fragrance gladdening the heart.
Yukino Yukinoshita's slender fingers grasped the teacup, lifting it to take a small sip.
It was delicious—fragrant and sweet, without a trace of bitterness.
She had also learned the art of tea brewing. Even though her instructor had evaluated her as outstanding, she was still slightly inferior compared to her mother.
She was not as good as her mother.
What she cared about and lamented more was that she hadn't tasted tea brewed personally by her mother for many years.
Tasting it again after several years was because of Lin Ye. Her mood was very complicated.
"I heard from Haruno that Lin Ye joined a club Yukino formed."
Mother Yukinoshita found a topic.
"Yes, the Service Club formed by President Yukinoshita. I joined at the request of Teacher Shizuka Hiratsuka. Back then, President Yukinoshita was strongly opposed to my joining."
As soon as these words came out,
Yukino Yukinoshita's expression changed slightly. Not only was the slightly shameful club name 'Service Club' mentioned publicly and known by her mother, but her 'refusal of entry' that one time was also known by her mother.
Mother would definitely blame her, wouldn't she?
"Oh! So Yukino actually refused back then."
She smiled and looked at her younger daughter. "Yukino, what was the reason for the refusal! Mother is very curious."
Yukino Yukinoshita pursed her lips in thought.
Say 'chastity was in danger'?
She definitely couldn't say that.
"Impure motives for joining."
She gave a reason. "He was forced to join the club because of Teacher Hiratsuka's request. I hope that club members join voluntarily, from the bottom of their hearts, rather than being forced."
Mother Yukinoshita's calm expression seemed to accept her younger daughter's explanation.
"Shizuka wouldn't act recklessly either. I think she must have felt that Lin Ye was very suitable to join your club."
She had a considerable understanding of Shizuka Hiratsuka, knowing that junior wouldn't mess around.
As a teacher at Sobu High, Shizuka Hiratsuka had always done her part as a teacher well, and based on her own sense of justice and kindness, she actively provided help, changing the depravity of many poor students.
"Mm."
Yukino Yukinoshita didn't deny it, but simply gave a hum of acknowledgement.
At this moment, Lin Ye spoke up. "It's probably that Teacher Shizuka Hiratsuka hoped President Yukinoshita would change me! For a period before, I was constantly late and skipping classes, displaying the behavior of a proper poor student."
"Teacher Shizuka Hiratsuka hoped that by joining the Service Club, President Yukinoshita would change me. Teachers as responsible as her are truly rare in this era. She is a good teacher."
The smile between Mother Yukinoshita's brows became even more intense. "Shizuka has always been like that. I watched her grow up. When she decided to join Sobu High as a teacher, I was actually quite surprised, but she indeed became an excellent teacher."
Mother Yukinoshita then turned to ask about the club.
A volunteer-natured club activity.
Helping visiting clients solve difficult problems and providing support.
Finding a lost dachshund and making cookies were precisely the Service Club's two most recent activities.
"In high school life, getting involved in things outside of studying to increase one's experience is quite good. Lin Ye, regarding future club activities, please take care of Yukino."
Yukino Yukinoshita looked at her mother with a stunned expression.
For her mother, who was full of majesty, to ask her classmate Lin Ye to 'take care' of her felt very wrong.
In her impression, her mother didn't seem like someone who would lower her status to treat a peer of hers this way.
This was very strange.
"It should be President Yukinoshita taking care of me."
"Take care of each other. However, when at home, addressing Yukino by her name is fine. Adding the club position seems relatively distant. Yukino, you have no objections, right!"
Faced with her mother's inquiry, how could Yukino Yukinoshita have any problems?
"None. In future club activities, please take care of me, Student Lin Ye."
"Please take care of me, Student Yukino."
In the end, he still added the 'Student' suffix.
Mother Yukinoshita didn't speak up again to change the form of address.
She knew relationship development had to come step by step; being too hasty would only be counterproductive.
The conversation in the parlor continued.
What surprised Lin Ye the most was Haruno. That Haruno who loved to cause trouble was actually sitting quietly on the side the whole time, silently tasting the tea in front of her.
It wasn't scientific!
As if feeling Lin Ye's gaze and guessing Lin Ye's thoughts, Haruno's expression was calm. Their eyes met, and she gave a slight nod as a signal.
Lin Ye felt Haruno was perfectly normal, but the next second, he felt a foot dart onto his thigh.
This woman...
凸(艹皿艹)
Just when he thought she would sit honestly until the tea session ended, she started causing trouble.
Wasn't she afraid of being discovered by Mother Yukinoshita?
Lin Ye's right hand hung down naturally, his fingers quickly pressing against the sole of Haruno's foot.
Haruno's expression didn't change at all, but the stimulating sensation coming from the sole of her foot made her unable to resist wanting to pull back. However, she was tightly clamped by Lin Ye's legs.
Finally,
After Haruno revealed a look of begging for mercy, Lin Ye let go, letting the girl off the hook.
"Mother, it's getting late. I'll ask the chef to start preparing dinner first."
Haruno spoke to Mother Yukinoshita beside her.
"Alright."
Haruno stood up to take her leave, her figure quickly disappearing at the door.
Lin Ye used 'perspective' at this moment, seeing Haruno outside at a glance. She was scratching her foot with her hand, relieving the residual tactile sensation on her sole.
Unknowingly, he revealed a smile.
"Yukino, accompany Lin Ye to look around our home! Any later, and night will fall."
"I understand, Mother."
Yukino Yukinoshita stood up.
Lin Ye also gave a greeting and followed Yukino out of the parlor.
By this time,
It was already 5:10 PM.
The sun was setting in the west, casting a halo of color over the earth.
The pure white cobblestone courtyard and the uniquely trimmed trees were all smeared with warm hues of red and yellow.
Yukino Yukinoshita, dressed in a purple kimono, walked by Lin Ye's side. Her slender hands hung naturally, and there was a naturalness between her brows.
Compared to the parlor, the Yukino Yukinoshita of this moment had a bit more relaxation.
"President Yukinoshita, I'll trouble you to show me around your home next."
"It is my duty."
Even her words held a bit more ease.
She left Lin Ye with a view of her exquisite, stunning side profile, reaching out to indicate directions and explain.
From the front courtyard to the back garden.
Finally, Lin Ye followed Yukino Yukinoshita to a garden in the residence where various flowers, plants, and trees were cultivated.
"As expected of the Chiba nobility. The home even has a garden."
"If you want to mock, I suggest you say it directly."
This was the Yukino Yukinoshita he knew. Although a lady, she wouldn't be that elegant and ladylike toward acquaintances. This was the real side of the Yukino he knew.
"I'm serious. Possessing a residence with such a courtyard garden is the wish of many, many people, right!"
"And you! Do you not want to possess it?"
She asked in return, turning to look at Lin Ye.
"The idea isn't very strong. The land area is too big, too empty. Instead, it makes me feel life would be very unnatural."
Yukino Yukinoshita was surprised.
She also had this feeling. Moving out of the house in high school... perhaps this small factor wasn't absent.
"Did you water the flowers when you were little?"
"Yes."
"Together with Miss Haruno?"
"Mm. However, many times it was Elder Sister tricking me into watering them alone."
"Hahaha..."
Lin Ye laughed out loud just imagining that scene.
Yukino revealed a trace of helplessness.
"There is one thing I want to remind you of."
"What thing?"
"Although it is Elder Sister's problem, I hope you pay some attention. If Mother discovers it, it won't be very good."
Lin Ye paused.
So the matter at the tea party was still noticed by Yukino Yukinoshita!
"You didn't think you did it very secretly, did you!"
"I regret it." Lin Ye sighed.
"Hmm?"
"If I had done something to President Yukinoshita back then too, would it have been..."
Instantly,
Yukino Yukinoshita stared at Lin Ye with a cold face. "You dare."
"Try it at dinner tonight?"
This bastard.
If it were before, she felt Lin Ye wouldn't do this kind of thing. But now, it really wasn't certain. This guy had already retaliated against her sister and had already taken that step. Doing similar things to her at dinner tonight was entirely possible; he had no great psychological pressure.
Yukino Yukinoshita dazed out, but suddenly saw Lin Ye approach abruptly. This made the purple kimono-clad girl subconsciously retreat several steps.
Her wooden clogs stepped frantically on the cobblestone ground, constantly making clack clack sounds. With a moment of carelessness, her foot slipped, and her body instantly lost balance.
"Ah!"
The girl instantly let out a cry of alarm.
She subconsciously closed her eyes and clenched her teeth to cope with the coming impact of the fall, but the anticipated pain did not arrive. Instead, her body was firmly held by a pair of solid hands.
Yukino Yukinoshita opened her eyes and saw the man beside her clearly.
The two met eyes. Silence spread. Neither spoke first.
Lin Ye's eyes gazed at the girl at close range. A sweet fragrance lingered constantly—very pleasant, a scent that would unconsciously make one's heart race.
"Can you let me go?"
In this current posture, it was hard for Yukino Yukinoshita to stand firm and get up on her own unless she leaned sideways against Lin Ye's body and placed her hands on the man's shoulders for leverage.
But she didn't want to.
"If I let go directly, won't you fall?"
Yukino Yukinoshita turned it into a sigh. "Please help me up, could you? Student Lin."
"Should have said so earlier."
Lin Ye exerted force with his right hand, and the girl soon stood firm. She tidied her messy purple kimono and moved two steps slightly, maintaining a distance from Lin Ye.
"Where were we just now?"
She casually tucked her black hair behind her ear.
"Trying it tonight." Lin Ye specifically flexed his hand in front of the girl.
"I don't wish for unpleasant things to happen at dinner."
She looked at Lin Ye seriously, hoping Lin Ye wouldn't cause trouble.
She felt she had been too talkative just now. She should have pretended not to see those small actions under the table between Lin Ye and her sister. Now, she had caused herself to be targeted by Lin Ye instead.
Hateful.
"Is this a command, or a request?"
He smiled at the girl. Sitting and waiting for the girl's choice.
Choose command first, or choose request first?
"..."
If I say command, will you listen?
This guy definitely won't listen.
"Request."
She said softly.
There was an inexplicable sense of humiliation.
She, the dignified Yukino Yukinoshita, President of the Service Club, had always been the one extending a helping hand to others. And now, she actually had to voice a 'request' to a boy.
Her mood was quite complicated.
"I refuse. Since it is a request, I choose to refuse."
Lin Ye gave an answer immediately.
Yukino Yukinoshita's eyelid twitched. "Command, is that fine!"
"Then I must refuse even more. I, Lin Ye, am not the kind of man controlled by a woman's orders."
The black long-haired girl almost couldn't hold back.
This bastard was absolutely doing it on purpose.
She sharply caught the mischievous smile in Lin Ye's eyes.
"Speak! What do you want me to do for you to agree not to mess with me tonight?"
Yukino Yukinoshita guessed Lin Ye definitely had an ulterior motive.
She wanted to know this man's thoughts.
"Anything is okay?"
"Don't mention things like making me your girlfriend. It's impossible."
Yukino Yukinoshita warned.
"I never thought about that at all."
"Then what are you thinking? Speak quickly. If it isn't something particularly excessive, I can consider satisfying you."
"Auntie Yukinoshita said your tea skills are excellent."
Just this?
Yukino Yukinoshita had braced herself for Lin Ye to propose a 'lewd' related request. She had already prepared to refuse in one breath.
But she hadn't expected it wasn't that.
A bit unexpected.
"I will bring a specialized tea set to the Service Club. I will prepare high-quality black tea. If you like green tea, I can also prepare green tea leaves."
Yukino Yukinoshita gave an answer quickly.
"Both work. Why not... I'll take it all!"
"You really are greedy." Yukino Yukinoshita's words didn't carry sarcasm; instead, it was a joke between friends.
"How can a man not be greedy! Hahaha. I want it all—this is my true thought coming to this world."
"True enough. Student Lin Ye is the man who said to my face that he wanted to build a harem."
"Cough cough, please note, I didn't say 'build a harem.' I only said 'I don't want to give up a large, lush forest.'"
"The same."
In her view, it meant the same thing.
Whether Lin Ye was just talking big or really had this thought and planned to do so, it had nothing to do with her.
Yukino Yukinoshita just wanted to host Lin Ye well, complete her mother's task, and send Lin Ye off safely. That was all.
She only hoped Lin Ye wouldn't cause any mess.
For example, that matter under the table at the afternoon tea party. If discovered by Mother, how would Elder Sister be disciplined?
She and her sister were blood sisters after all. She didn't wish for her sister to be punished.
The setting sun had already entered the horizon. Only a sliver of light remained at the far end. Soon, night would completely fall.
Accompanied by a burst of footsteps, a figure appeared at the distant corner.
"My!"
Haruno greeted with a smile. "How was your chat, you two?"
Her gaze scrutinized the two back and forth.
Lin Ye felt Haruno had been eavesdropping in the corner for who knows how long.
This woman would absolutely do something like eavesdropping, and without any sense of guilt or responsibility.
"Quite good."
"Haha, quite good is fine. I was just worried Yukino would make Lin-kun unhappy!"
"Sister."
Yukino was somewhat dissatisfied.
What did she mean by 'I made him unhappy'?
He made me unhappy, more like.
"Hahaha, wasn't I worried that Lin-kun would be captivated by Kimono Yukino and couldn't help but get handsy, leading to Yukino rejecting him directly and beating Lin-kun up!"
She laughingly voiced a conjecture.
"Today's Yukino is too beautiful. Even I, as her sister, can almost hardly resist wanting to hug her, let alone Lin-kun."
"He wouldn't dare."
Yukino Yukinoshita said calmly and glanced at Lin Ye.
Lin Ye shrugged.
"Haha, I think so too. Lin-kun is a gentleman; how could he do that kind of molester behavior! Lin-kun can totally pursue Yukino formally, capture Yukino, date Yukino, and enjoy her legitimately."
"Sister."
Yukino Yukinoshita reminded her with emphasized tone.
"Yes yes yes, I know. Dinner is ready, and Father is back too. Let's go to the dining room!"
"Mm."
Yukino Yukinoshita gave a hum, politely gesturing to Lin Ye and leading the way.
Haruno lagged behind, walking by Lin Ye's side. She nudged Lin Ye's waist and whispered in a low voice, "Don't mess around tonight."
"Who messed around at the tea party?"
Lin Ye looked at Haruno, making Haruno avert her gaze. "Wasn't that because I saw Lin-kun was too bored?"
"I think it was you who were too bored."
"Was not."
The group of three soon arrived at the dining room.
In the spacious dining room, an exquisite red solid wood table was placed. The decoration was simple yet revealed an antique charm.
"Welcome."
Father Yukinoshita greeted Lin Ye with a smile.
"Hello, Uncle."
As a county councilor, Father Yukinoshita carried a natural air of majesty, but his momentum was much inferior to Mother Yukinoshita. Now, with a face full of amiability and a gentle, refined temperament, it was hard to connect this image with his identity as a county councilor and construction company president.
"Come, sit down! Dinner will be ready immediately."
Father Yukinoshita appeared enthusiastic.
After Lin Ye took his seat, Mother Yukinoshita also appeared. She sat beside her husband.
Yukino Yukinoshita sat on Lin Ye's left hand side, while Haruno sat on her mother's right.
Dish after dish of cuisine was served on the table.
Classic Japanese cuisine.
Very lavish.
Steaming hot sukiyaki, fragrant Wagyu steak, golden and crispy tempura, fresh sashimi, and exquisitely made sushi.
Just based on ingredients, they absolutely belonged to the top tier.
Hosting him, this 'special' guest, with cuisine made from top-tier ingredients could be considered an experience of the Yukinoshita family's regard for him.
Lin Ye ate a mouthful of steak and immediately felt the difference in texture. This was somewhat better than the texture of the high-grade Wagyu Ren Nanase had treated him to before.
The difference in taste and texture due to different ingredients was still very obvious.
Of course, the chef cooking dinner tonight was likely a high-level chef hired from somewhere by the Yukinoshita family!
During the meal.
Father Yukinoshita occasionally asked about Lin Ye's situation at school, his plans for the future, and whether he would return to Xia Country.
" regarding returning to my country, I think I will go back someday."
"However, I am young now. While I am young, I think I can strive here for a few more years."
Lin Ye thought for a moment and gave an answer.
"Striving is good! The future belongs to you young people. You are the rising sun; the future will be dazzling and boundless."
"Uncle, you flatter me."
"Haha, Uncle believes you have this strength and potential, truly."
He raised his wine glass. "A toast to you."
After speaking, Father Yukinoshita drained his glass in one gulp. He was drinking sake, and the alcohol content wasn't high.
What Lin Ye drank was pure fresh juice.
He was underage, and Yukino Yukinoshita sitting beside him was the same, drinking fresh juice.
Haruno was very quiet, just like at the afternoon tea party. She drank silently and had already drunk several cups of sake. Her cheeks were dyed with a hint of a blush.
"Yukino almost had an accident last time. Fortunately, you were present to protect Yukino and save her. We, as a couple, express our gratitude to you."
Father Yukinoshita raised another cup of sake, and Mother Yukinoshita also smiled and toasted a cup.
The couple both drank.
Lin Ye returned the gesture and looked at Yukino Yukinoshita beside him with a smile and a slightly envious look. "Student Yukino, your parents love you very much. Having parents who care for and protect you makes one envious."
In an instant,
The cold, black long-haired girl suddenly understood something.
Her parents asking her to invite Lin Ye to their home as a guest this time was purely to express gratitude to Lin Ye because she was her parents' daughter, their precious treasure.
Her parents merely wanted to alleviate the grief and fear of almost losing her through the method of gratitude.
After realizing this, Yukino Yukinoshita felt a constant surge of overflowing warmth and emotion within her calm, lake-like emotions.
Being on the inside, she hadn't seen this point clearly; Lin Ye, the outsider, had.
"Mm."
"Cough cough cough, Lin-kun is going too far. I also care about Yukino very much. Isn't it too much not to include me?"
Haruno spoke up for the first time in the dinner gathering. She was slightly dissatisfied, her eyes revealing unhappy emotions, but the corners of her eyes tilted up, her smile intense.
"The day Yukino had the accident, I treated you to a meal to express gratitude immediately. Lin-kun hasn't forgotten, right!"
That day you came to recruit me to cooperate with you.
Thanking me for Yukino was a completely secondary matter.
"I haven't. Your sister also cares about you very much. Probably everyone here, except me, genuinely cares about you and protects you."
"Ahahaha..."
Father Yukinoshita laughed. "How can that be? If Mr. Lin didn't care about Yukino, how could he step forward to protect Yukino!"
"Not at all..."
"You all care about me. Father, Mother, Sister, and Student Lin, you all care about me. Thank you."
Saying that, Yukino lifted the cup filled with juice and drank it all in one gulp.
Haruno clearly felt her sister's change.
She had become slightly more sensible. However, there was a tiny bit of regret; if Yukino were completely spontaneous, that would have been even better.
Father Yukinoshita and Mother Yukinoshita exchanged a glance. Mother Yukinoshita nodded slightly, and Father Yukinoshita understood tacitly.
"I heard from Haruno that Mr. Lin once confessed to Yukino?"
It's here.
It's finally here.
Lin Ye cried out internally.
Facing her sister's piercing peripheral vision, Haruno indicated 'I didn't say it,' 'I really didn't say it,' 'Yukino, you have to believe me.'
This day, she had carried quite a few black pots for her father and mother.
But she couldn't open her mouth to explain and could only silently accept these black pots.
"Ah, sigh, yes. But regrettably, Student Yukino refused them all."
"It must have been because Yukino didn't understand Mr. Lin very well back then!"
"Perhaps! But please rest assured, you two. I will not use the grace of saving her to entangle Student Yukino, adding unnecessary trouble to Student Yukino's daily life and studies."
This answer made Yukino Yukinoshita give Lin Ye an extra look.
But heard in the ears of Father and Mother Yukinoshita, it was different.
"What entangling or not entangling? At high school age, feelings of affection between boys and girls, liking, confessing, and dating are actually all very normal things. To tell you the truth, I also liked a girl in my class when I was in high school and confessed."
Mother Yukinoshita indicated she had absolutely never heard of this matter.
The two Yukinoshita sisters had also completely never heard of it.
Mother and daughters, all three looked at this family member.
This added a bit of pressure to Father Yukinoshita, but he quickly adjusted his mindset.
"Uncle, and then? With your talent and ability, you must have succeeded, right!"
"Rejected. mercilessly rejected. Resolutely rejected without a shred of room for possibility."
Father Yukinoshita's mood was slightly regretful.
That painful experience—he hadn't forgotten it even now.
"Did you give up after that?" Lin Ye felt a bit more resonance.
"No, didn't give up. I continued to pursue. But sadly, it still didn't work out."
That was a memory belonging to his youth.
Father Yukinoshita also had stories when he was young.
"Haha, Uncle, if she doesn't like you, she doesn't like you. Pursuing further has no meaning, just wasting more time for no reason."
"Yes."
Father Yukinoshita echoed in agreement.
But Mother Yukinoshita frowned.
The topic's direction was wrong. Wasn't this disguisedly approving Lin Ye stopping the furtherment of his relationship with Yukino?
But facing the reassuring gaze projected by her husband, Mother Yukinoshita temporarily suppressed the doubts in her heart.
"Later, with a heart like dead ash, I didn't think about matters in this aspect anymore. I entered society and became a working adult, until I met Fumino at a certain banquet."
That would be the mother of the Yukinoshita sisters, the dignified lady in the gray kimono in front of Lin Ye.
"Because of an accident at the banquet, we had interaction. We started contacting each other, we set a marriage engagement. Fumino and I got engaged first, then cultivated feelings, and finally married to become a family."
Finally,
The topic still arrived at the point of 'marriage'.
Haruno perked up in an instant.
She hadn't expected the main force of this 'offense' to be Father, not Mother.
Today, as expected, the topic of a marriage engagement couldn't be avoided.
She looked at Lin Ye, placing her hope in Lin Ye and her sister, who had long made an agreement with Lin Ye.
Lin Ye went without saying; the moment he received the invitation, he had thought of this scene.
Only Yukino Yukinoshita herself hadn't detected anything unusual yet.
"Uncle's experience makes one envious."
Father Yukinoshita smiled and continued, "No need to envy. Everyone has happiness belonging to them. I just possessed it earlier than you because I was born earlier."
"Mhm mhm, yes. My happiness will appear in the near future."
Lin Ye said in agreement.
"Yukino and Haruno are both excellent. They are daughters I am proud of. But actually, I quite wanted a son."
Foster father above, please receive...
This sentence abruptly popped into Lin Ye's mind.
Crossover, crossover. Lin Ye suppressed the complaint of this subconscious act.
"Uncle and Auntie are so young; you can try harder again. If it really doesn't work, there is artificial technology now too. I believe before long, Miss Haruno and Student Yukino can have a cute younger brother."
"Hahaha, I'm old, I'm old."
Father Yukinoshita laughed. "Speaking of which, as a father, I haven't really cared much about Yukino's life at Sobu High up to now. You're already seventeen; there must be quite a few boys confessing to you like Mr. Lin, right, Yukino!"
He looked at his daughter, waiting for her answer.
"Mm, there are."
Yukino gave a hum.
Being asked about love-related matters by her father in public, her sense of shame began to act up.
The first time being asked about love-related matters by her father.
"Do you have a boy you like?"
Yukino shook her head. "No."
"Really? Not just embarrassed because parents and sister are present?"
Father Yukinoshita seemed to still not believe it.
"No. There really isn't. In high school, studies are still the most important."
She said seriously.
"I'm still very reassured about Yukino's studies."
He continued to ask, "What about toward Mr. Lin!"
"I don't like him. He is my classmate, a club member. I am very grateful that he saved me before, but my attitude toward him is based on a classmate relationship."
Yukino Yukinoshita spoke calmly, her navy blue eyes filled with sincerity.
"Feelings can be cultivated. Your mother and I were just like that."
By this moment,
Even if Yukino Yukinoshita was dense, she smelled the abnormal scent.
It couldn't be that Lin Ye's joke was right—that her parents inviting Lin Ye over today was really to set a marriage engagement between her and Lin Ye!
No way, no way. This must be her overthinking.
Mother only hoped she would give Lin Ye a chance and not keep refusing.
Father definitely had this idea too, hoping she wouldn't unilaterally keep refusing Lin Ye, hoping to give Lin Ye a chance.
"Father, I will handle my feelings properly."
"Yukino is still very young. You don't understand many things and lack experience. Good men are missed once missed. A man willing to protect you, even not hesitating to put himself in danger, is very rare. I was chosen by your mother back then because of this point."
That feeling became increasingly intense.
"I admire Mr. Lin very much. I wish to set a marriage engagement for Yukino and Mr. Lin."
The purple kimono-clad girl froze in place, her eyes full of astonishment.
Engagement. Really setting a marriage engagement.
Father was direct. He directly expressed his thoughts. No, this was even Mother's thought. As the younger daughter, she knew very well who was in charge and who made the final decisions in the Yukinoshita family.
Yukino Yukinoshita's astonished gaze looked back and forth between her father and mother.
Why on earth would Father and Mother propose something like an 'engagement' so suddenly!
This 'invitation' was absolutely not simply to express gratitude.
Could it be... had Lin Ye's 'specialness' already been exposed to her parents' field of vision?
So, they needed her, the younger daughter, to bind Lin Ye, this 'special man'?
It couldn't be like that, right!
The body that was warmed by currents instantly turned ice cold. Yukino Yukinoshita felt chilled to the bone.
She really didn't wish for what she thought to be the truth, but besides this, she really couldn't think of other things.
Yukino Yukinoshita slowly lowered her head. "Father, I don't want to marry so early yet. Regarding marriage, I want to decide for myself."
She forcefully endured the emotions of confusion and chilliness that were constantly rising in her heart.
Lin Ye watched silently.
The only thing he wanted to complain about was that the drama was different from what he predicted. Clearly, he predicted a 'stubborn daughter refusing a majestic mother' plot, but now it seemed to be a 'stubborn daughter refusing a kindly father' plot.
Although equally interesting, there was still a small regret.
"It's just an engagement, getting to know each other. If it's not suitable, the engagement can also be cancelled."
"Father, I'm sorry."
"Yukino."
At this moment, the Mother Yukinoshita who had been silent all along also spoke up.
Once Mother Yukinoshita, who had brought immense pressure to the girl since childhood, opened her mouth, Yukino Yukinoshita's firm will was instantly on the verge of cracking.
She met her mother's gaze, persisted for three seconds, and slowly lowered it, her body trembling slightly.
She wanted to open her mouth to continue refusing, but the words were stuck in her throat and couldn't come out.
In the end, she could only remain silent, refusing silently.
Silence spread. You could hear a pin drop.
After a good while, Yukino Yukinoshita spoke again, "Student Lin Ye has a girl he likes. He won't get engaged to me."
Lin Ye: ???
Too much, Yukino.
We agreed—you refuse resolutely. How can you change your tune?
In the end, relying on me to refuse?
I misjudged you, you untrustworthy woman.
"Yukino, have you never thought that the person Mr. Lin says he likes is you?"
Yukino Yukinoshita froze, then shook her head and continued, "It's not me."
She didn't say the name, but signaled for Lin Ye to speak.
"Mr. Lin, do you really like another girl?"
Father Yukinoshita and Mother Yukinoshita were both a little worried.
If that were truly the case, an excellent opportunity would be missed.
"Yes, I have other girls I like."
Yukino Yukinoshita's heart relaxed.
Nothing to do with her anymore.
"But I also like Student Yukino."
Yukino Yukinoshita's expression changed slightly, and she immediately turned her head to look at Lin Ye beside her.
"If I could get engaged to Yukinoshita, I feel it would be a very good thing. To have one more fiancée as beautiful as a flower—something so many men dream of."
Subsequently, Lin Ye changed his tone, shrugged, and continued, "But it is a pity. Student Yukinoshita doesn't like me. Uncle and Auntie don't need to make things difficult for Student Yukino."
"Student Yukino and I don't have this fate. I am very grateful for the concern of the two elders and your trust in me, willing to hand your precious daughter into my hands."
"But, ultimately, this is a matter between the two of us. It's no use no matter how willing I am. Student Yukino's personal will and thoughts are also important."
"Toward me, if she doesn't like me, she doesn't like me. If she isn't willing, she isn't willing."
"No matter what I do for her in the future, or how hard I try, it cannot change this point."
"From the beginning, this ending was already destined. The process is not important."
In his words, there was a faint emotion of loneliness.
Lin Ye glanced at Yukino beside him out of the corner of his eye, meeting the girl's eyes.
The two had a brief exchange of gazes.
Yukino understood the meaning revealed in Lin Ye's eyes—Dumping it on me? Watch me throw it back to you.
This guy, too hateful.
She clenched her pink fist tight.
"Feelings can be cultivated, Yukino."
Mother Yukinoshita spoke in a calm tone, "Giving Lin-kun a chance is also giving yourself a chance."
Haruno was nervous, deeply afraid Yukino couldn't stand the pressure and would relent to agree.
"Apologies, Father, Mother. I want to decide my marriage myself."
The response was still the girl's apologetic voice.
Haruno relaxed, breaking out in a bit of cold sweat on her forehead. Yukino persisted to the end. Very good. Being able to persist in herself in front of Mother could count as Yukino's progress.
She expressed praise for her sister's growth.
One had to know that Lin Ye unexpectedly expressing 'liking Yukino' just now had raised her heart to her throat, deeply afraid Father and Mother would seize this opportunity to directly pressure Yukino to agree.
But Father and Mother were still cold to that degree.
The pressure on her, the older sister, was truly too great.
Wait until dinner ended; she was going to find Lin Ye to have a good chat about whether he scared her on purpose just now.
"But I am willing to interact with Student Lin Ye... interaction and socializing with marriage as the goal."
She raised her head, looking at the four people on the scene who were endlessly astonished.
This was her answer.
The answer considered and deliberated a hundred times by the girl named 'Yukino Yukinoshita'.
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