Chapter 92 New Year's Plan to Buy a Car

On the first New Year after becoming an adult, Gong Zhili held a New Year meeting as usual, and everyone made some major plans for the coming year.

Gong Zhili said first: "After the new year, I will go to learn to drive, get my driver's license, and then buy a car."

If you attend a driving school with a combined training system, you can get your driver's license in fifteen days. If you go to the driving school at a fixed time every day, it will take about three months to get a driver's license. In order to save time, Gong Zhili chose the combined training system - of course not, the combined training system requires living in designated dormitories, which is not a good thing for her and other ordinary students.

She went to a driving school that was jointly run by the magic world and related institutions. As long as she passed the test on paper knowledge and driving skills, she could get a driver's license directly.

Tsu Miki said, "I want to try my hand at the dim sum business, and Miss Mingming said she'd split the profits with me."

Miya Chiri has been following up on this matter. During this period, Mingming also came to the village once. After their interview, they decided to set up a small company first. Mingming would be responsible for sales, and professionals in the field of sorcery would be responsible for pricing and profit sharing. Tsumeki would invest in technology and get the biggest share. Of course, her guardian was Miya Chiri, so Miya Chiri had to sign the contract.

This matter is also under construction. The main focus of the promotion of the whole thing is standardization. The contract is reviewed by professionals, and the company is established by the person in charge of this area in the "window". All the children in the family know about it, so when they heard about Tsumeki's wish, they all supported her.

"But I'm a little worried about school..." Tsu Miki hesitated. She would be a sixth-grade student next year. Although she would also go to the village middle school, it would be hard for her to accept if her grades dropped.

Gong Zhili comforted her: "Mingming values ​​the efficacy of the snacks, not the quantity."

Such snacks can be used as some kind of medicine. Mingming is not worried about sales at all. Rather, it is better to say that controlling the quantity within a certain range will help her raise the price.

"Just like you did before, you can make snacks when you have free time during the holidays." Gong Zhili said, "Snacks have a limited shelf life. Mingming will pick up the goods at a fixed time, so she won't mess up your life."

Tsu Miki was now able to express her gratitude to Miya Chiri. She shook her beloved sister's arm and said, "That's great. Thank you, Chiri-nee."

Gong Zhili touched her head and looked at Nanako who stood up: "Nanako, what do you want to do next year?"

Nanako took out her camera and said, "I've started researching how to combine the technique with the camera. If there's a chance, I'd like to go out with Brother Geto to catch cursed spirits!"

Mimiko nodded as well. "My spells too... the dolls I made myself are the medium for casting spells. I want to try it too."

Megumi Fushiguro and Yuji Itadori's eyes immediately lit up. Megumi Fushiguro has recently shown signs of being able to summon jade dogs stably. Sometimes when he is alone, he can see two dogs, one black and one white, appear, but he cannot control their appearance or disappearance. However, he has learned about this and knows that this is his own technique - the Ten Shadow Spells.

Yuji Itadori has already demonstrated his amazing physical fitness. He is now learning various cold weapon combat methods from Geto Suguru. Through the current training, he will determine which type of spell tool will be suitable for him in the future - or rather, each type.

Gong Zhili: "If I want to put it into practice... I have to wait until you are at least twelve years old."

"Why twelve?" Nanako said disappointedly, "The flies that Brother Gouyu brought last time were very weak. We have no problem dealing with fourth-level cursed spirits now."

Gong Zhili said seriously, "Have you forgotten the lesson we learned earlier? The cursed spirits that Goyu brought back are harmless to you, but once you reach the outside world, you won't just be facing cursed spirits. The environment, ordinary people, changes in cursed power, the sudden appearance of other cursed spirits, and their familiarity with the terrain are all unknown. If you follow Goyu and the others on a mission with the intention of practicing, you will actually become a huge burden."

She rarely said such harsh words, and several children who were originally eager to try became a little timid.

At this time, Itadori Yasuke, who was drinking hot tea nearby, stepped out to smooth things over: "The sorcerers who exterminate cursed spirits risk their lives every time they go on a mission. You can't treat missions as a joke. This is not good for you or for the other sorcerers who care about you."

Nanako immediately apologized: "I know I was wrong, Chiri-nee."

The remaining three children also quickly admitted their mistakes.

Gong Zhili softened his tone, "I know you want to help the adults as soon as possible, but you still have a long way to go. Don't be impatient."

After discussing this topic, she said, "After I pass my driver's license test, is there any place you want to go? I'll buy a spacious car, and then we can camp by the lake."

When it comes to this topic, the children become much more active and start to express their opinions.

After the Lunar New Year, before the snow had completely melted, Gong Zhili set off for driving lessons. The school's paperwork went smoothly, the training grounds were quiet, and the instructor was quiet, offering only a few pointers on key points. She focused, held the steering wheel firmly, and memorized the procedures. The tedious repetitive drills and memorization of traffic rules proved easy for her. The process is unnecessary; ultimately, she received her license smoothly and within expectations. She wore a blank expression in the photo, but holding the hard card in her hand did bring a sense of peace of mind.

With their driver's license in hand, the next step was buying a car. On a beautiful weekend, Gojo Satoru, Geto Suguru, and Ieiri Shoko, who had a rare chance to relax after the New Year, showed up in the village. Along with a group of excited children, they headed to the car dealership.

The salesperson in the store looked at the group - four young people with different temperaments, the main one being the girl with long curly chestnut hair, and five children of different ages - she was a little unsure of the situation for a moment, but still came forward professionally.

Gong Zhili stated her purpose directly: "I need a car with many seats, at least eight, nine is better, suitable for family use, with ample space and a large trunk." She paused and added, "My driver's license allows me to drive this type of car."

The salesperson immediately understood and led them to look at MPVs and some large SUVs. The children curiously gathered around the vehicles, and Yuji Itadori excitedly pointed at one of them and said, "This one is so big! It's like a small house!"

With her hands in her coat pockets, Ieiri Naoko sauntered along, her eyes sweeping across the glittering, colorful area on the other side of the showroom, where several sleek sports cars were parked. She eyed an orange-red Lamborghini and said with a rare touch of yearning, "That one's not bad, actually. It must be a real pleasure to drive."

Xia Yujie stood beside her and chuckled softly at her words. His tone was gentle but teasing. "Sports car? If it's a convertible, the direct sunlight in the summer will burn your face, and the cold wind in the winter will cut your face like a knife. It won't be cool at all, it will only make you cry. It's too impractical, Nitro."

Ieiri Naoko glanced at him, didn't refute, just shrugged: "Just thinking about it. It's indeed not suitable for people like us with families." When she said "us", her eyes swept over Miya Chiri and the children who were bending over to check the space inside the car.

Gojo Satoru didn't care what car he was looking at; his attention was entirely on Miya Chiri. When she had chosen a nine-seater with suitable space and features and was listening to the salesperson's detailed description, he pulled out his card and handed it to the salesperson: "This one, swipe."

Gong Zhili held his wrist, his voice softer than usual: "I can do it myself."

"I'll do it." Gojo Satoru said in a relaxed tone, with an undeniable intimacy. "Just think of it as a gift to celebrate you getting your license, ok?"

"Really, there's no need." Gong Zhili said softly, with a helpless smile, "I can afford it myself." And didn't she make a lot of money from him?

"I know you can afford it." Gojo Satoru grasped her wrist with his backhand, and lightly scratched her palm with his fingertips. He lowered his voice so that only the two of them could hear it. "But I want to give it to you. Give me a chance to show off, Chiri?"

Gong Zhili looked into his sparkling, expectant eyes. The warmth from his hand was familiar and reassuring. She hesitated for a moment, then spoke more slowly: "...Why do you have to give me this?"

"You drive and I ride, it's only natural." He leaned closer, his voice tinged with laughter. "Besides, I'll be doing my bit by taking the kids out to play in the future, right?"

The two spoke in low voices, but their attitude was very friendly. The salesperson next to them was holding a card, but he was neither sure what to give it to nor what to take it back. The children also noticed this and looked over curiously.

Yuji Itadori rubbed against Fushiguro Tsumeki and asked in a low voice: "Tsumeki-sister, what are Gojo-nii and Miya-nii talking about? Why are they rushing to pay?"

Miki Fushiguro looked at the two of them, a knowing and warm smile on her face. She softly explained to Yuhito, and also to the other children who were listening attentively, "They weren't arguing. It was... proof that Gojo-nii wants to join us for future camping activities."

Nanako and Mimiko nodded, seeming to understand, while Fushiguro Megumi glanced at Gojo Satoru and muttered softly, "...Just say no directly." Adults beat around the bush too much.

Finally, Miya Chiri was softened by Gojo Satoru's eager look and the stubborn warmth from his palm. She sighed slightly, pressed her fingertips lightly on the back of his hand, then released her hand and said to him, "...Then I'll leave it to you, Satoru."

Gojo Satoru immediately smiled, quickly handed the card to the salesperson, and proudly put his arm around Gong Zhili's shoulder. Gong Zhili didn't dodge, but just let him do it, with a very shallow curve at the corner of her mouth.

Ieiri Naoko said coldly, "Gojo, your money-throwing pursuit tactics have been the same for decades and are truly disgusting."

Geto Xiayou nodded in agreement: "And childish."

Gojo Satoru didn't care and snorted in a good mood.

The procedures for the new car were completed quickly, and matters such as license plates were also handled by the staff at the "window".

Not long after picking up the car, one day the weather turned cloudy and fine snowflakes began to fall from the sky. Gong Zhili looked out the window and suddenly said, "How about we go test drive the car and go camping?"

The children immediately cheered.

Their destination was a location Takeru Suguru had previously been on a mission, a lakeside location in a rural area of ​​the next county. Miya Chiri got into the driver's seat, adjusting the seat and rearview mirror. Gojo Satoru naturally opened the passenger door and climbed in, smoothing her hair around her ears. Takeru Suguru, Ieiri Naoko, and the children settled into the back rows. The car had ample space and didn't feel cramped.

Miya Chiri drove very steadily, and did not slip even on the road that was gradually covered with thin snow. Snowflakes fell silently on the windshield and were gently swept away by the wipers. The car was very lively. The children were chattering as they looked at the snow scene outside the window. Occasionally, the voices of Geto Suguru and Ieiri Naoko talking in low voices could be heard from the back. Gojo Satoru chatted from time to time beside them, and Miya Chiri responded occasionally. The atmosphere was relaxed and warm.

As they approached their destination, the snow gradually subsided. The lakeside was quiet, the woods covered in a thin layer of snow, and the lake, still not yet completely frozen, was chilly. They parked the car on a relatively flat open space.

The adults began to work together to set up tents and prepare simple cooking utensils, while the children were allowed to play and explore in a safe area nearby.

As Miyajiri retrieved the blanket from the trunk, his gaze strayed towards the edge of the woods on the other side of the lake, and he paused. There seemed to be a small figure over there, and... there was an extremely faint, sharp fluctuation of cursed energy.

She said to Gojo Satoru, who was fixing the tent ropes, "I'll go over there and take a look."

Gojo Satoru followed her gaze and raised his eyebrows behind his sunglasses: "Oh? There seems to be a little guy. Do you need me to accompany you?"

"Finish this first," Gong Zhili pointed at the tent, "I'll check the situation and call you if I need anything."

She walked alone around half of the lakeshore.

When they got closer, they found that it was a girl who looked younger than Tsumeki and the others, probably about the same age as Yuji and the others. She was wearing a thick cotton coat and a scarf, her little face was red with cold, and she was facing a dead tree stump, gesturing at something with full concentration. There were a few rusty nails between her fingers. Although the cursed power was weak, it had a rare sharpness and precision. She was trying to hammer them into the tree stump, but it was obvious that her control was still very unskilled, and the nails were crooked and sometimes even fell to the ground.

The girl was very alert. When Gong Zhili was still some distance away from her, she turned her head suddenly, like a frightened little animal, quickly put her hands behind her back, and stared vigilantly at the stranger who suddenly appeared, her eyes full of vigilance and anxiety.

Gong Zhili stopped and didn't move any closer. He just looked at her calmly, his eyes fixed on the tree stump where she had just been "practicing". Then he spoke slowly, his voice as gentle as possible: "The power you use is very special, and you are very talented."

The girl was stunned for a moment, her eyes becoming more alert, and she even subconsciously took a step back. "Who are you? What power are you talking about? I don't understand!"

"Weren't you trying to control those nails just now?" Gong Zhili's tone remained calm. "That feeling, others don't usually have. You are born with the ability to see some strange things, right?"

The girl's eyes widened, her lips pursed tightly, not admitting it, but not denying it immediately either. This reaction was almost tantamount to acquiescence.

Miya Chiri continued: "My name is Miya Chiri. Over there," she pointed to the busy people on the other side of the lake, "there are many children who have special powers like you. The children live and study in one place, learning how to better control and use this power. Do you want to go to a school like that in the future?" She pointed to Yuji Itadori and others who were having fun in the distance.

The girl looked in the direction she pointed and saw several children. They looked... seemingly normal. But she remained vigilant, her voice stubborn, "Why should I trust you? Grandma said we can't go with strangers!"

Gong Zhili understood her wariness. After a moment's thought, she pulled out her phone and called Gojo Satoru. The moment the call connected, her voice softened unconsciously. "Satoru? Um... I met a child across the lake. It's a bit unusual... Can you come over? I think you might be able to communicate with her better."

A few minutes later, Gojo Satoru appeared next to Gong Zhili without warning, bringing with him a small gust of air. With his usual smile on his face, he glanced at the scene, his gaze lingering for a moment on the girl and the nail in her hand. A very quick, unnoticed flash of complex emotions passed through his eyes - understanding, and a very faint trace of reminiscence.

"Hey, what's the matter, Zhili?" He stood beside Gong Zhili naturally and touched her arm lightly.

Miya Chiri raised her finger and pointed at the girl who was completely stunned by Gojo Satoru's sudden appearance and had her mouth slightly open, and said to Gojo Satoru in a gentle voice: "This child is very talented. Maybe you can have a good talk with her." There was complete trust in her tone, trust that he could understand and trust that he could handle it.

Gojo Satoru looked at the clear trust in her eyes, and his heart warmed. He suddenly moved closer and quickly kissed Gong Zhili on the side of her cheek, and chuckled softly, "Leave it to me."

Gong Zhili's face was slightly hot, and she pushed him gently, but without much blame.

Gojo Satoru then crouched down, leveling his gaze with the girl, whose guard had returned to normal, her eyes now filled with a hint of...disdain? He removed his sunglasses, revealing his rare pale blue eyes. His smile softened, a look of greater seriousness. He didn't resort to coaxing, but instead asked directly, "Does anyone in your family know how to wield this special power? For example... your parents? Grandpa? Grandma?... It seems it's your grandma."

He was just bluffing the kids.

The girl suddenly opened her eyes wide, looked at him in disbelief, and blurted out: "How, how do you know?!" This sentence undoubtedly admitted many things.

Gojo Satoru's lips curled up slightly, revealing a knowing smile. His voice was steady and reassuring: "It seems I guessed right. Don't be nervous. We are not bad people. Can you take us to meet your grandmother? There are some things about your future studies that you may need to discuss with her."

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The author has something to say: Our little red is here! [Come on][Come on][Come on]