·85｜Exclusive to Jinjiang·85
All my thoughts and feelings surged for him.
Japan is a country that recognizes the contributions of housewives.
In Japan, after marriage, the husband is typically responsible for supporting the family, while the wife manages household affairs. Even after a divorce, the husband is required to pay alimony until the wife remarries.
For this reason, most Japanese men consider it shameful for their wives to go out to work. It's tantamount to telling others that he's incompetent at work, which is why his wife has to go out to work.
Kenji Hagiwara had thought it through. Regardless of whether Yomi Laichuan wanted to go out to work or not, he would support her.
Kenji Hagiwara doesn't need Yomi Laichuan to be a full-time housewife. He'll buy her any machine that can replace manual labor—a robot vacuum, a dishwasher, a washing machine… and he'll do as much housework as possible.
If Lai Chuan Huang Quan wanted companionship more than a comfortable life, he would turn down the promotion. His current salary was more than enough to support both of them.
Kenji Hagiwara found a house he liked in the 5th ward of Beika Town; it was a second-hand two-story villa. In the three years since Yomi Raikawa left, he had saved up a considerable sum of money through frugal living. If he sold their current small apartment, he could buy the villa he desired.
“Soft bread,” Kenji Hagiwara said with a slight upturn of his lips, his gentleness tinged with his own unique sweetness, “Do you want me to accept the promotion?”
"I……"
With her red lips slightly parted, Lai Chuan Huang Quan stared blankly into Hagiwara Kenji's purple eyes. The words caught in her throat, and she silently lowered her head.
She liked the scent of Kenji Hagiwara.
Every time she snuggled into Kenji Hagiwara's arms, the faint scent of eucalyptus filled her nostrils, bringing her peace of mind. The sound of his heartbeat beside her ear was the best lullaby, and she loved the feeling of being tightly enveloped by his scent.
Eating brings happiness, but compared to the feeling of feasting, Yomi Laichuan prefers the candy that Kenji Hagiwara feeds her.
I want you to be with me.
I can't bring myself to say it.
It wasn't because she was shy, but because she couldn't take Kenji Hagiwara's kindness for granted.
Why should he slow down to accompany her?
"I……"
But Yomi Lai couldn't bring herself to say, "Go get promoted, it's okay if you don't stay with me." In this world, she was happy every day, but something always felt missing inside.
"Security" and "belonging" are ethereal and intangible things, yet they can fill the candlelight of an empty room. Lai Chuan Huang Quan can live well on her own, but it would be even better if she could wake up every day and rush into the arms of someone who belongs only to her.
Unfortunate people spend their entire lives healing from their childhood wounds. The knife is etched into their souls; even if it heals, it leaves a scar that is difficult to heal.
Matsuda Jinpei is, Furuya Rei is, Mr. Yorikawa is, and Yorikawa Yomi is even more so.
Lai Chuan Huang Quan grasped Hagiwara Kenji's arm, her fingers tightening around his snow-white shirt, her voice hoarse: "I hope you can..."
“I said…” a voice broke between the two of them. Matsuda Jinpei, holding his coat, leaned against the white wall and said, “You guys need to have some more barbecue.”
The romantic atmosphere, filled with blooming roses and tinged with a melancholic rain, was shattered.
Lai Chuan Huang Quan, like a deflated balloon, pouted and remained silent for a while before feigning excitement and clenching his fist: "Let's go, let's go, let's eat barbecue first!"
...
In three years, some struggling brick-and-mortar stores on the street have been replaced time and again.
Matsuda Jinpei used his phone to search online and found a well-reviewed yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurant. He then drove there with his passengers.
When getting into the car, Kenji Hagiwara pulled Yomi Raikawa towards the back seat, but before the door could even be closed, Jinpei Matsuda grabbed him by the collar and forced him into the passenger seat, saying, "Don't be all lovey-dovey in my back seat, it's an eyesore."
“Tsk,” Kenji Hagiwara squinted, looking like he had seen through everything, and said dryly, “Actually, he’s just jealous, isn’t he? A serving police officer who’s about to turn twenty-six but still hasn’t had his first love.”
Matsuda Jinpei: ?
Believe it or not, I'll force you into the trunk right now.
Despite the argument, Kenji Hagiwara obediently got into the passenger seat.
Matsuda Jinpei doesn't have any problems buying a house right now, so the black Mazda he bought is better than Hagiwara Kenji's white car that he's driven for almost four years in terms of performance, configuration, and in-car system.
When Matsuda Jinpei stepped on the gas, the engine roared like a cheetah's growl, a sound that could ignite the passion of car enthusiasts.
Lai Chuan Huang Quan sat alone in the back seat, munching on a cookie and secretly glancing at the front through the rearview mirror. Hagiwara Kenji was resting his chin on his hand, frowning as he turned to look out the window.
Yomi Laichuan seemed lost in thought, and looked away before Kenji Hagiwara noticed her.
As the car slowly drove into the parking lot, the three of them walked through the crowd in the mall and up the escalator to the upper floors. As always, Hagi and Matsu's handsome appearances attracted attention.
Lai Chuan Huang Quan followed behind them, her almond-shaped eyes scanning the surroundings. After confirming that the two people chatting and laughing in front of her were not paying attention to her, she took out her phone and secretly sent a text message to someone.
At first, she would steal glances at Hagi and Matsu after typing a few words, afraid that her little actions would be discovered. But after a few sentences, she had a small disagreement with the people on the other end of the phone, and she was so anxious that she kept pressing the screen.
The two people in front of them stopped talking and turned around to see Lai Chuan Huang Quan frowning and staring angrily at his phone.
Matsuda Jinpei: "Yomi, what are you doing?"
"Uh," Lai Chuan Huang Quan was startled. She hid her phone behind her back and gave a bright smile: "Hehe, I won't tell you." She wanted to secretly prepare a surprise for Hagiwara Kenji.
Upon hearing this, Matsuda Jinpei and Hagiwara Kenji exchanged a glance and did not delve any further into the matter.
They arrived rather late today, and at least seven or eight people were already sitting on the benches outside the barbecue restaurant, waiting in line. The waiter, wearing a black vest, smiled and asked Matsuda Jinpei how many people he was going to attend, then bent down to print out the call number slips.
Matsuda Jinpei, with one hand in his pocket, turned to discuss with Hagiwara Kenji what they would eat later, and casually called out to Raikawa Yomi. Unexpectedly, the waiter, with his impeccably polite smile, widened his eyes and revealed a delighted expression upon seeing Raikawa Yomi's face behind them.
He pulled the cheap headset clipped to his collar and shouted rapidly into the store, "Manager, manager, the SVIP is here! The SVIP is here! Is there a seat?"
Unlike his usual polite and measured tone when questioning Matsuda Jin, his speech quickened noticeably when communicating with the store manager via intercom, revealing a hint of excitement.
Hagi, Matsu:...?
They frowned, revealing an incredulous expression, and then slowly turned their heads to look at Raikawa Yomi behind them.
Noticing the gazes of the two SWAT aces, Yomi Laichuan put her hands behind her back and guiltily looked away, glancing at the glaring white ceiling diagonally above. She couldn't whistle, but she still pouted and blew out some off-key air noise.
Lai Chuan Huang Quan's guilty conscience was blatantly written on her face, directly confirming the absurd fact that she was indeed the SVIP the waiter had mentioned.
Logically, there should have been three or four tables ahead of Matsuda Jinpei. But upon hearing that SVIPs were waiting at the door, the yakiniku restaurant manager, dressed in a neat suit and with a slightly receding hairline, hurriedly led his men out of the restaurant, smiling and bowing obsequiously at Raikawa Yomi.
"Miss Lai Chuan, it's been a long time. You are our most honored guest. Please come in."
He bowed throughout, demonstrating impeccable manners. This avoided appearing obsequious while simultaneously elevating Lai Chuan Huang Quan to a position of great respect.
The staff reacted quickly, immediately making room for Lai Chuan Huang Quan, their smiles so wide they seemed to stretch to the heavens.
Even after they sat down, Hagi and Matsu were still in a daze. Yomi Yorikawa, on the other hand, had her neck stiff and wished she could just crawl under the table.
"Hello, Ms. Lai Chuan," a young waitress approached with a menu and pen and paper. "Is it the same one today?"
Her smile was so bright it was almost blinding; Kenji Hagiwara could even see the words "We can double our sales this month" written in her crescent-shaped eyes.
...?
Kenji Hagiwara frowned and looked at Yomi Laichuan with a subtle expression: "Barbecue is indeed delicious, but eating too much can cause cancer."
Matsuda Jinpei smiled, a mocking yet forced smile, his eyes filled with disbelief: "How come I didn't know this store had an SVIP membership? Could it be that it was specially made just for you?"
Lai Chuan Huang Quan shrugged, trying to erase her presence. She touched her nose and whispered, "That was three years ago. I never expected they would still remember me."
Matsuda Jinpei raised an eyebrow: "In other words, you once made this restaurant's manager and waiters remember your face for three years because of your amazing appetite and wealth."
"Although it's outrageous, it somehow feels reasonable."
Lai Chuan Huang Quan pouted, looking aggrieved, and then cautiously looked at Hagiwara Kenji: "I... I can eat very little too." She raised her hand and grabbed the fabric at Hagiwara Kenji's wrist: "One plate is enough to fill me up, really."
Upon hearing this, Kenji Hagiwara showed a surprised expression—he hadn't expected Yomi Raikawa to say these things to him. Kenji Hagiwara took Yomi Raikawa's hand in return and smiled at the waitress waiting nearby: "Then one of each, please."
Matsuda Jinpei: ?
"Hey Hagi, it's my treat today."
“What does it matter?” Kenji Hagiwara shrugged with a smile. “It’s rare for soft bread to come back, and this is our first meal together. What does it matter if it’s a little more expensive?”
Moreover, when expenses are too high, Kenji Hagiwara will usually take the initiative to suggest splitting the bill equally with the other party afterward, so as not to put too much financial pressure on them.
Matsuda Jinpei relaxed his back, leaned back lazily in his seat, and didn't raise any further objections: "Then let's have one of each."
Upon hearing this, the waitress left with a beaming smile, giving Lai Chuan Huang Quan no chance to object.
Yomi Laichuan did not enjoy the meal. Kenji Hagiwara kept putting grilled meat onto her plate, while she absentmindedly put the meat into her mouth, lost in thought.
After the meal, Matsuda Jinpei returned to the police dormitory as usual. Hagiwara Kenji, who had already reported staying out overnight, took Yomi Yorikawa and strolled slowly home through the quiet Beika Park, with the moonlight behind them.
The path, paved with a mixture of cobblestones and cement, is wide enough for four people to walk side by side, and the pale yellow streetlights are dimly lit. The trees sway in the shade, and a lawn full of tulips is surrounded by flower beds.
The flower bed, painted red, was very narrow, only about half the width of Lai Chuan Huang Quan's instep. She jumped to the top of the flower bed, walked steadily with her hands behind her back, as if walking on flat ground. It was estimated that only someone who practiced gymnastics year-round could do that.
Both were deep in thought and neither spoke. Kenji Hagiwara, with one hand in his pocket, walked for a while before finally speaking up: "Speaking of which, Beika Park is quite my lucky spot. It was here that I picked up a soft bread and took it home."
Lai Chuan Huang Quan looked down at the shadows of the two of them huddled together, and after a long while, he mumbled a "hmm".
Kenji Hagiwara turned to look at Yomi Raikawa, a faint smile playing on his lips: "What are you thinking about?"
Lai Chuan Huang Quan paused, a gentle breeze ruffling a strand of her dark hair. A moment later, she flashed a bright smile: "Look, I'm taller than you, second-year graduate student."
Upon hearing this, Kenji Hagiwara's eyes widened in surprise, then he chuckled helplessly. "Yes, yes, I need to step up my game and catch up with the soft bread quickly."
The two took a few more steps forward, when the tall flower bed suddenly ended. Just as Raikawa Yomi was about to jump down, Hagiwara Kenji stood at the edge of the flower bed and stretched out his two hands behind him: "Come on up."
Lai Chuan Huang Quan tilted her head in confusion, but she didn't ask any more questions. She just blinked her almond-shaped eyes twice and obediently climbed onto Hagiwara Kenji's back.
With his hand hooked around Raikawa Yomi's thigh, Hagiwara Kenji forcefully bounced Raikawa Yomi a couple of times, carrying her high on his back, before saying to his shadow on the ground as they walked, "Look, the soft bread is still taller than me."
After he finished speaking, Lai Chuan Huang Quan subconsciously pulled her arm away. She hooked her arms around Hagiwara Kenji's neck, buried her head in his neck, and secretly curled the corners of her mouth.
Liking someone is a restless, overwhelming feeling; all your thoughts and feelings surge for them.
The moonlight was alluring, but his gentle smile was even more captivating.
The wind blowing across the island from the sea is like a mother's hand, gently caressing Yomi's back and bringing her a touch of drowsiness.
"Soft bread".
Lai Chuan Huang Quan half-closed his eyes, his voice soft and sweet: "Hmm?"
Kenji Hagiwara turned his head and glanced at the woman who had her chin resting on his shoulder out of the corner of his eye: "I'm very happy today."
Lai Chuan Huang Quan asked in confusion, "What?"
Kenji Hagiwara said with a hidden meaning: "The way you nervously held onto me during dinner tonight was so cute."
Lai Chuan Huang Quan moved his arms slightly but did not reply.
Kenji Hagiwara smiled and continued, "It's okay, eat what you like, do what makes you happy. With me around, you don't need to worry too much."
Lai Chuan Huang Quan pursed his lips, drawing out the last syllable, hesitant: "But..."
Kenji Hagiwara, unusually, interrupted Yomi Laichuan: "You're worried because you've included me in your future plans, so I'm very happy." If she didn't want to spend her life with him, why would she worry about whether he would have any concerns or financial pressure?
"But I hope you can be happy every day you spend with me. Leave the worries to the adults. Children just need to be carefree forever."
Lai Chuan Huang Quan was silent for a moment, then lowered his head and complained in a muffled voice, "You're the kid, don't treat me like an idiot!"
Damn it, my eyes are burning.
“How could that be?” Kenji Hagiwara smiled, his eyes sparkling with energy and gentleness. “Softie is absolutely amazing. Not only did she save me from the bomb crisis, but she also single-handedly dealt with the poisoner from three years ago, and then she even stole important information from the Black Organization on her own.”
They even went so far as to rewind time and start over for them, dying and growing again and again.
Lai Chuan Huang Quan pouted, and after a long while, he whispered, "Second year of graduate school, about the promotion..."
She took a deep breath and slowly said, "Choose whichever you want. I will support you no matter which one you choose."
Yomi Lai knew that no matter what the outcome, she would always be Kenji Hagiwara's top choice.
The same applies to Kenji Hagiwara.
Lai Chuan Huang Quan: "You stupid idiot."
Kenji Hagiwara: "Hmm?"
Lai Chuan Huang Quan smiled, his eyes narrowing into crescents, his bright pupils seeming to hold a vast starlight: "I like you."
I love it so much.
[Author's Note]
Sorry I'm late!!
-
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
