Chapter 385, Waiting for a break

"I see. You have also considered taking the entrance exam for an external university."

"Yes."

"Kiritani's cooking is always praised by his classmates for its meticulous style. Have you ever considered a university with a professional department?"

"I did this just because I developed this habit when I was little, and I never thought about going deeper."

“Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?”

"I haven't thought about this aspect yet. Anyway, I prefer a career with more freedom."

"Is that so... What do you think, Father Kiritani?"

"Alas. I can't do anything about this. If the child doesn't want to inherit his parents' store, then I can only let him pursue what he likes."

“This is what the children want.”

"That's it."

——Kiritani Hitoshi, volunteered to study outside.

……

"Zhuo, you are usually so rude to Kiritani Jin, but at this moment you are very protective of him."

After lunch, Zhuo and Ling separated from their parents and rested on two desks, packed their things and prepared for the afternoon interview. Now they had to wait in the lounge for the appointment in 20 minutes.

"It's okay, we are friends after all."

"So Zhuo already knew that Tong Gu didn't like to cook and was unwilling to take over the family store?"

"Well, that's about the same. Although I haven't asked, but... I remember that before you came, Ren would come to my house to help with housework if he was free. He would also take the initiative to help with laundry and cleaning when I didn't ask him to do it, but... when it comes to cooking, he would choose to order takeout. That's about it."

"So that's why you leaked that information in advance so that Kiritani's father could be mentally prepared?"

"It's just something that comes handy."

"very impressive."

"It's not that exaggerated~"

"You."

Ling shook his head slightly, and his expression was more like "I can't do anything about you" than dissatisfaction. Zhuo shrugged and said.

"But I would never do this kind of thing in a place where the person concerned can see it. They would take it to heart, and I would be embarrassed. Besides, I also know what Uncle Kiritani wants to say."

"What do you want to express?"

"Well... actually, Kiritani's house is very nice. You probably haven't been there. It's a mansion - well, of course it's not as good as the Kuroishi Residence."

"A mansion?"

"Yes, it's a mansion in Tokyo. It feels like a pure Japanese mansion."

Zhuo was surprised when he was invited to play for the first time. Zhuo thought his home was quite spacious, but it was ultimately inferior to the luxurious neon residence with a side house, a pond with a bridge, and a well-maintained courtyard.

Ren himself said somewhat ashamedly, "It's just an old house, it can't be compared with the Yamamoto family at all", but Zhuo thinks that rather than calling it an old house, it is more like a house with a lot of history, and it is an old house that has been restored and is intact.

"Anyway, it seems that Ren's family's shop has been passed down for many years, and it is the kind that has been passed down from generation to generation. Although he has a sister who has been helping in the store, it is completely understandable that Uncle Kiritani wants his son to inherit the family business." "That's it."

"But you know what kind of personality Yurina has, and you can guess that she is not the type to stay in a store peacefully. So Jin, who is obsessed with her, certainly can't do what his parents want."

Zhuo Neng understood Ren's idea. He was old enough to think for himself and did not want his parents to make decisions for him.

The inheritance of family business is indeed a very important thing, and Zhuo cannot deny this. But if Zhuo really wants to say it, compared to the inheritance of those dead things, some things in front of us are more valuable.

Besides, Yurina's family is also a very complicated factor. If Jin really wants to be with her until the end, there are too many problems to solve and he will have no energy to run the store.

"It should be fine."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Although the Yamamoto Group is wealthy, it is a newly emerged power in modern times. Compared to those families that have been passed down from before and after the war, or even during the Edo period, there are not many restrictions on this aspect. So Kiritani Jin has a chance."

"Is that so? I'm suddenly a little envious of Ren. Hahahaha - just kidding."

"envious?"

"Just kidding, okay maybe it's not funny, I apologize."

Hearing the completely unexpected words, Zero immediately raised his eyes to look at him.

As for Zhuo, he showed an embarrassed smile after realizing that he had said something wrong, and said, "It may not be serious to say this," and then raised his hand with a faint smile and gently stroked Ling's hair.

"Let me make it clear first. I know you don't mean that, and neither do I... But some thoughts always pop up involuntarily, especially when I see you busy all day. You would never be like this in the past, doing this and that, and it's all because of my uselessness. So I also wondered if I would be a burden to you."

A faint sense of guilt - after hearing what Zhuo said, Ling tensed his body slightly to an extent that he wouldn't notice.

"Ah, don't worry about me."

Zhuo seemed to notice Ling's worry and smiled faintly again. Then he used his fingers to fiddle with and tangle the hair hanging on both sides of Ling, making it into a circle.

Look upward.

"I don't have any thoughts about these things now. I just think it would be great if I could help you more. I think you are taking on too much responsibility by making everything so unreliable. But no matter how much I think about it, it is impossible for me to give up on you."

"Because we have an agreement," Zhuo added softly, twisting the hair on both sides of Ling into a swirling shape.

Ling did not dwell on his hair being played with, but turned his body slightly, sitting sideways and slightly facing Zhuo.

She looked at Zhuo.

"I am very content and satisfied, or I can say I feel happy."

Zhuo noticed that she looked at him very seriously, but he deliberately did not point it out and just smiled quietly.

"Yeah. I know. And with my parents here, they can probably help a little. Although my parents also said that being my girlfriend is unfair to you."

For the Utsunomiya family, Zero is undoubtedly a recognized person.

She even received more love and attention than her own son Zhuo. Her parents also noticed that Ling had developed an indifferent personality due to lack of care, so they loved her more invisibly.

After listening to Zhuo, Ling blinked several times. Then, she looked at the Utsunomiya parents who were also careful not to disturb others at the table. They were talking quietly. Sa Chiko must have noticed it, so she pushed Shuichi with her shoulder, and then the two of them looked at Ling together, showing encouraging and kind smiles.

Zero silently looked away.

(End of this chapter)