Chapter 538

"Isn't that because you always answer 'I don't know' or 'I can't say'? What's the point of asking then?"

Konoe Hitomi tilted her head, her emotionless eyes looking at him:

"If it's now... I might answer."

Natsume Chikage looked at this beautiful but expressionless face in front of him, really unable to see through it.

Not just her, even that Young Lady, Otohime Yutang, is the same.

He still doesn't understand what purpose these two have in focusing their attention on him.

"So..." he cut straight to the core, "what purpose does your Young Lady have in spending so much effort on me?"

Konoe Hitomi shook her head, her answer no different from the past:

"I also want to tell you, but I don't know all of the Young Lady's thoughts. I am just the person who executes orders."

Natsume Chikage raised his eyebrows slightly and asked several related questions in succession.

But the replies received were, without exception, "not clear" or "don't know."

He really couldn't hold it anymore and complained:

"Didn't you say you would answer my questions? Why is it still 'don't know' for everything?"

Konoe Hitomi blinked, although there was still no expression on her face, but there seemed to be a hint of a very faint smile mixed in her tone:

"I did answer every one of your questions. It's just that I really don't know the answer."

"After all, what you asked, Natsume-kun, is about the Young Lady Yutang... which has no major direct connection to me personally."

She changed the subject and added in a flat tone.

"If you ask me personal questions, like measurements or something, I might be able to tell you."

Natsume Chikage was choked by her sudden turn and laughed in anger:

"Oh? Then what are your measurements?"

Konoe Hitomi's movements paused imperceptibly upon hearing this.

In those flat, waveless eyes, a trace of extremely subtle surprise flashed, as if she had originally just intended to make a joke, but didn't expect the other party to really follow up.

"80, 60, 84."

She reported the numbers, her tone as steady as stating today's weather.

Then she took a sip of the water cup in front of her indifferently, but her gaze fell on Natsume Chikage's face, observing his reaction.

Natsume Chikage's face indeed became a bit subtle and unnatural after listening.

Konoe Hitomi took in his reaction, and in those eyes that always lacked emotion, a trace of a very faint smile that was almost imperceptible rarely appeared.

After a while.

Natsume Chikage, who was enjoying dinner, had his phone in his pocket vibrate.

He took it out and looked; it was a call from his younger sister, Ruri.

He pressed the answer button.

【Natsume Ruri: Brother, where did you go? Are you coming back for dinner tonight? Sister Yukimura and the others are still here; if you come back, I'll make an extra portion for you.】

【Natsume Chikage:... No need, I've already eaten outside.】

【Natsume Ruri: Oh, then what time will you be back, Brother?】

【Natsume Chikage: I'm not sure either; I still have some things to deal with later. But I'll definitely be back before ten tonight.】

【Natsume Ruri: I see... then come back early and be safe.】

【Natsume Chikage: Hmm, I know.】

He hung up the phone.

Natsume Ruri put down her phone and explained to the three senior sisters of the Collection Department sitting around her:

"Brother said he has already eaten dinner outside and might not be back until before ten tonight."

Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai was stunned, and a trace of regret couldn't help but show on her expression, but she quickly raised a smile again:

"I see... then let's start making the food!"

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui muttered to herself, unable to help but guess: Could Natsume-kun be having dinner with that Miss Konoe?

Should... not be, right?

That is Konoe Hitomi; in her impression, she had never seen her eat alone with any boy.

However, why was Natsume-kun called away by Miss Konoe before?

And what exactly does "practicing kendo" mean?

And Yukimura Suzune snorted coldly, gently placed the little white cat sleeping soundly in her arms on a soft cushion on the side, and stood up:

"Xiyuanji Qilai is right; since he's not coming back, let's start preparing our own dinner."

Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai immediately raised her hand and said energetically:

"Hmm hmm, let's start!"

Natsume Ruri and Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui heard this and almost simultaneously recalled the scene that could be called a disaster in the kitchen when Yukimura Suzune "helped" at noon, and cold sweat instantly seeped from their foreheads.

"Ha, haha..." Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui laughed dryly to smooth things over, "Suzune-chan and Xiyuanji Qilai-chan, you guys just help watch over Shiro! It seems to like you guys too; if you don't watch it, it might be troublesome if it runs around or even jumps into the kitchen to steal food later."

"Hmm hmm!" Natsume Ruri nodded in agreement quickly, her little face full of seriousness, "Our kitchen at home is a bit small, and it's hard to turn around with too many people. Sister Yukimura and Sister Sister Xiyuan Si, you guys just sit and rest; it's enough for Sister Fujiwara and me to prepare dinner!"

Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai saw that the two were determined, so she nodded obediently:

"Alright, then thank you for your hard work."

Yukimura Suzune didn't force it after hearing this and sat back down.

"Fine."

In the high-end sushi restaurant.

Halfway through dinner, Konoe Hitomi put down her chopsticks and said softly:

"I'm full; I can't eat this much."

She gently pushed a dish of food that the waiter had just brought to Natsume Chikage.

"Natsume-kun, I'll leave the rest to you."

Natsume Chikage, who was concentrating on eating, paused and couldn't help but look up and complain:

"Didn't you just say you could finish it?"

Konoe Hitomi picked up a white napkin, elegantly wiped the corner of her mouth, her gaze drifted to the brilliant night view outside the window, her tone matter-of-fact:

"Estimated appetite and actual appetite are two different things."

"Natsume-kun, I hope you can remember this next time."

Natsume Chikage was helpless:

"Why do I have to remember it when you can't finish it?"

Konoe Hitomi seemed not to have heard his complaint and added on her own:

"However, I will still eat the dessert later."

"At most, I'll give you half."

Natsume Chikage: "..."

After parting ways with Konoe Hitomi on the streets of Shibuya.

Natsume Chikage arrived at a coffee shop located at a quiet street corner as agreed.

Just as he pushed open the shop door, soft jazz music and the aroma of coffee rushed towards him.

He saw at a glance the familiar figure at a window seat, waving at him vigorously, with a warm smile on his face.

Natsume Chikage walked over and sat down opposite the person.

"Good evening, Editor Gao."

Gao Qiaochun immediately straightened his back and bowed in greeting extremely solemnly:

"Good evening, Natsume-sensei! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come!"

After speaking.

He quickly waved to call the waiter, ordered a signature hand-drip coffee for Natsume Chikage, and carefully asked about his sugar and milk preferences.

After ordering, the waiter left.

Gao Qiaochun then carefully took out a book from the briefcase he was carrying, with uncontrollable excitement on his face:

"Natsume-sensei, the main reason I asked you to come this time is to report some good news! The entire process of your masterpiece, 'The Devotion of Suspect X,' from signing to typesetting, proofreading, and even trial printing, went exceptionally smoothly, almost without encountering any obstacles."

His voice was slightly raised due to excitement.