Chapter 186 Criteria for Choosing a Spouse
"You're really not lying to me?" Haruko finished her milk, but still couldn't suppress her doubts. "Am I that Star Sister?"
"Sister Xingxing?" Orochimaru was surprised that she called him that. He repeated it with interest, then nodded in affirmation after a light laugh.
"So how did we meet?" Haruko asked, blinking her eyes as she propped herself up on her hand.
It's not like you can't eat your own melon!
Orochimaru looked at the white curtains fluttering in the wind, walked over and closed the window. When the wind subsided, he slowly turned around and looked at Haruko with tenderness.
In that instant, it was as if a fleeting, elusive scene overlapped with a sense of familiarity that swept through Haruko's thoughts.
“We were classmates, and you were always chattering around me. At first, I just found it annoying, but after you left, I felt even more upset.”
"The first time I looked at you properly was probably after that incredibly silly game of house. Amidst the lively birthday celebration, you quietly asked me if I was happy. When I met your expectant, sparkling eyes, I think I was happy."
"On the day my parents passed away, I realized the fragility of life. Perhaps it's true, as you said, that the choice of life's value lies with oneself. Although I still think you made a foolish choice, but..."
"Living may not have any real meaning, but only by living can we encounter interesting things, just like I met you before, and I've met you again now."
Completely captivated by his story, Haruko eagerly asked, "Was it you who pursued me, or me who pursued you?"
Orochimaru sat down opposite her and teased her, "What do you think?"
After thinking it over carefully, Haruko hesitated and said, "Shouldn't I be the one who pursued you?"
"Why do you think that?" Orochimaru rested his chin on one hand, eagerly awaiting her answer.
“Because Orochimaru is very handsome!” Haruko affirmed firmly, then added under his smiling gaze, “Besides… Orochimaru seems very lonely, and I shouldn’t bear to leave you alone.”
Orochimaru heard Haruko Hayama's serious and firm words from many years ago: "I will find a way to stay by Orochimaru's side, so Orochimaru, you must wait for my choice!"
She kept her word, and until her last breath, she was still using all her strength to tell him the choice she had made.
They didn't even consider whether he could accept the answer.
What a selfish guy...
Orochimaru couldn't help but glance at Haruko across from him with a hint of reproach. Under her strange expression, he continued his lie unhurriedly, "But later, you abandoned me and left. You really did wrong me."
"Would my death be an injustice to you?"
Shocked by his shameless words, Haruko wondered how she could have tolerated his terrible personality in the past.
Orochimaru could read her mind at a glance. He lightly flicked her forehead, and with a slight wince in her eyes, he warned her calmly, "Don't you dare slander me in your heart."
How did he know I was slandering him?
Haruko was incredulous. Could he really be her boyfriend? Otherwise, how could he understand her so well?
Sensing her ex-boyfriend's terrible personality, Haruko stammered, trying to find an excuse, "But I've already decided that I'm going to marry Obito when I grow up..."
"Don't take a child's decision seriously." Orochimaru scoffed dismissively, then suddenly his expression turned serious. "You can't betray me."
"It was Sister Xingxing who promised you, not me..." Haruko's words of defense weakened under his increasingly terrifying gaze.
Seemingly aware of the younger version of Haruko's rejection of him, Orochimaru asked her gently, "So what are your criteria for choosing a partner?"
Haruko started counting on her fingers, "He has to be good-looking, have a good personality, buy me candy, coax me when he's angry, be easy to fool, and most importantly, he has to be very rich!"
After saying that, Haruko suddenly realized that her criteria for choosing a partner revolved entirely around Uchiha Obito!
Could it be that she actually likes her portable wallet?
But she thought all those talk about getting married and being married before was just a joke!
Wait a minute, so she's the one who deceived people's feelings and then turned over a new leaf?!
With her mind racing, Haruko frowned and clenched her fists.
Orochimaru also realized that her criteria for choosing a partner were too specific, and his face darkened, but a sinister smile appeared on his lips.
"Is this the Obito that Haruko was talking about? He doesn't sound like a very good person."
"..." Haruko really wanted to say that you weren't much better, but she didn't dare.
Orochimaru continued to unleash his jealousy, "Besides, what money could a child possibly have? See this lab? Its entire value is this much."
When Orochimaru pointed to a number she couldn't even imagine, Haruko grabbed his hand with trembling hands and cautiously asked, "Then this money..."
“They’re all yours,” Orochimaru replied magnanimously, as if struck by a sudden inspiration.
Oh my god! I made it!
Haruko sighed inwardly once again, thinking that there were still too many fools in the world who not only sold their bodies but also eagerly gave her money.
Before Haruko could discuss the payment process with him, the lab door was suddenly pushed open.
The tall and imposing Jiraiya and the menacing Hiruko rushed in, and seeing that Haruko was unharmed, they both breathed a sigh of relief.
Jiraiya walked over to Haruko, glared at their clasped hands, and said resentfully, "How long are you going to hold hands?"
Haruko withdrew her hand shyly and sat up straight obediently. "Why is Jiraiya here?"
"Are you just waiting for him to kidnap you instead of coming to find you?" Jiraiya snorted through his nose.
Hearing his blunt words, Haruko finally felt relieved. "I told you I was kidnapped, and that it wasn't some kind of temptation of beauty or money that made me sell my organs."
“He also tempted you with his beauty and money!” Biluhu raised his voice in disbelief.
An uninvited guest arrived at the laboratory, but Orochimaru casually tossed his long hair and said, "What? Is that not allowed?"
Hiruko took a few steps forward and pulled Haruko into his arms, his dark gaze softening with pity as he looked at her. "Haruko..."
Completely baffled as to why he looked like he'd been bullied, Haruko patted his arm helplessly. "You'll get used to it, you'll get used to it."
"Whatever you get used to, this is only your first day meeting him, isn't it?" Jiraiya was speechless.
"Oh, right." Haruko realized as well. "But why did I accept his personality so easily?"
"That means Haruko's feelings for me have always remained, doesn't it?" Orochimaru looked at her with a smile.
Hiruko quickly pulled Haruko into his arms, blocking his view of her, and glared at him fiercely.
Orochimaru remained unaffected and continued, "Fortunately, I listened to you and waited."
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Thank you so much, K, for the inspiration capsule! Your bonus chapter has arrived!
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