Chapter 51

Compared to the tiny three-mat room he lived in now, this place was simply too close to the subway station.

You could get there in a few steps.

And it took him about ten minutes to walk from his home to this subway station every day.

Don't underestimate this ten-minute journey.

Accumulated over a year, the time was quite considerable.

And by walking ten minutes less every day, he could sleep ten minutes more.

Only those who have experienced the hardship of commuting understand how precious those extra ten minutes of sleep are!

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui pointed curiously to the road ahead.

"Natsume-kun, is your home straight ahead in that direction?"

"That's right, it's about a ten-minute walk straight ahead." Natsume Chikage nodded, then checked the time. "It's getting late today, so I'll head back first. Goodbye."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui waved and smiled in farewell: "Mm, goodbye, please be careful on your way."

Natsume Chikage also waved and turned to leave.

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui stood where she was, watching his figure drift further and further away until he disappeared into the night, before turning to walk into the gate of the high-end apartment.

While taking the elevator upstairs.

Her face was brimming with irrepressible joy; if she hadn't been in the elevator, she would have almost jumped for joy!

After all, a major breakthrough had been made today—Natsume-kun had personally walked her home!

Although it was just on his way, they had at least walked back together, hadn't they?

If it happened more often, maybe feelings would develop over time?

And most importantly, she now knew that Natsume-kun's home was near hers, only a ten-minute walk away.

This meant that if there was an opportunity in the future, she could find an excuse to visit his home?

The door was gently pushed open.

"I'm home."

Natsume Chikage walked into the room.

What met his eyes was still that cramped three-mat room.

Natsume Ruri was sitting at the small table, studying while drowsy.

Hearing the sound of her brother returning, she immediately perked up, stood up, and greeted him with a smile:

"Brother, welcome home!"

"Are you hungry? Does Ruri need to make you a late-night snack?"

Natsume Chikage shook his head:

"I had a staff meal at the coffee shop, I'm not hungry."

"Ruri, why didn't you go to sleep first?"

Natsume Ruri smiled happily:

"If Brother isn't home, Ruri can't sleep soundly alone."

"So I thought I'd wait until Brother came back before sleeping."

Natsume Chikage felt a warmth in his heart, ruffled her hair, and urged:

"You don't have to wait for me specifically; if you're sleepy, go to sleep first, you know?"

Natsume Ruri nodded with a smile:

"Mm, I'll sleep if I'm sleepy."

"But it's really late now, Brother, you should go take a bath quickly."

Natsume Chikage didn't say anything more, picked up his change of clothes, and went to wash up.

When he came out after his bath.

Natsume Ruri, sitting at the small table, patted the spot beside her.

"Brother, sit over here quickly."

Natsume Chikage sat down as told and asked suspiciously:

"What's wrong?"

Ruri muttered in a low voice:

"Nothing, just curious about how Brother's day at school went; nothing special happened, right?"

Chikage recalled:

"No, everything was fine."

Ruri continued to mutter:

"That's good."

"But I was watching TV just now, and it said that many high school girls nowadays are very bad and will lead boys around by the nose!"

"So Brother, you must be careful and not date girls casually."

"If a girl really confesses to you, you must not agree casually; you have to tell me first, and only when I think it's okay can you date that girl!"

Natsume Chikage was amused:

"I have to get your permission to date other girls?"

Natsume Ruri pouted and muttered:

"Of course!"

"Ruri only has Brother now; if you get cheated by a bad woman, Ruri will be ve—ve—very troubled!!"

Chikage smiled and pinched her cheeks:

"You're overthinking it."

"And I don't plan on dating anyone right now."

Ruri was stunned for a moment, then a brilliant smile slowly bloomed on her face:

"Really?"

Chikage nodded affirmatively:

"Really."

"With the situation at home now, where would I get the money, time, and energy to find a girlfriend?"

Ruri laughed happily:

"That's true!"

Chikage remembered something and asked:

"Did you run out of money at school today? If you need money, tell me; I don't spend much money usually, so if you're in a hurry, you can take it and use it first."

Ruri shook her head:

"No need, Ruri doesn't spend much money either."

"Instead, Brother, you're in high school now, so you should keep the money for yourself, so you don't end up with no money when you go out to play with friends."

"By the way, Brother, isn't today the first day of school?"

"Did you meet any old classmates at school?"

Natsume Chikage nodded:

"There actually was one."

"There's someone in our class named Xiyuanji Qilai."

Natsume Ruri remembered this name and said in surprise:

"Xiyuanji Qilai? Could it be that young lady from the Xiyuanji family?"

Chikage asked suspiciously:

"What Xiyuanji family?"

Ruri pouted and said unhappily:

"Brother, don't you remember?"

"We went to Xiyuanji Qilai's home before."

Chikage was confused:

"Did that happen?"

Ruri was helpless and had to explain: ===== CHAPTER 52 =====