Chapter 399: Mediocre...?
Although Zhuo has always known that Ren has amazing observation skills, he was still sweating when he could detect these changes so keenly. However, no matter what, he couldn't tell a third person about what happened between him and Ling. Even if this would make Ren feel itchy, there was nothing he could do.

Knowing Ren's concern, even if Zhuo was not prepared to tell how much they knew about each other's bodies, he would at least say that he had plans for the future.

"…It's not what you think, and I don't have that plan. I think there are more important things to do before that."

"Something more important?"

"Well, Ling and I agreed to get married when she turns 18. Although these are things that both parties know, it is also a formal agreement."

Although Zero's actual age has long exceeded this indicator, her physical characteristics and the age registered in Japan do not seem like that of an adult. In order to pass the review, she must wait until she reaches adulthood.

Zhuo once again felt embarrassed to tell others about this agreement.

After Zhuo finished speaking, Ren opened his eyes wide and looked at Zhuo. His eyes contained two opposite emotions: speechless and a little admiring.

"I really admire and respect your endurance and seriousness. I really don't want to follow the public trend and my own desires. But is it okay? In all aspects."

"...I'm too lazy to care about you."

Now that you have found someone who is willing to accompany you for the rest of your life, you should respect each other and understand each other.

To be honest, Zhuo had thought more than once that he was too timid, thinking that even if he couldn't help himself, it was understandable, and he would just go with the flow, which would definitely be much better... But since he had made the agreement, he couldn't do it, so Zhuo planned to focus on the preparations.

"I will probably marry Zero around the time of graduation, and I plan to prepare for it now."

"Preparation means—"

"Ah, Utsunomiya, someone is looking for you outside the school gate—"

It happened that a classmate was coming back along the stairwell. Zhuo waved and greeted them gently, and then he looked at the two of them with a puzzled look.

"These two boys are so suspicious. Are they discussing something shameful? I guess it was Kiritani who talked to Utsunomiya about some weird topic."

"Am I so untrustworthy?!"

"Ha ha!"

Unlike Zhuo, Kiritani is a gentle person. Even though his popularity in the class is not as good as Kanda, he still has many friends and everyone can chat with him.

After Zhuo made his relationship with Ling public during this period, although some boys were hostile to him, there were also boys who would talk to him. Zhuo felt that this was probably due to Ling's unapproachable nature. Compared to her, he could at least get some response.

The classmate changed the topic with a smile, then patted Zhuo on the shoulder and said, "Someone is looking for you outside the school gate, don't forget—" and went up the stairs.

……

"Little guy, this way~"

"Hey, old man."

"...Master Yue."

"Why haven't you come to the store recently, Kiritani-kun? Are you in love?"

"No, because I'm going to go to college soon, so I want to focus on my studies."

Zhuo and Ren came to the school gate together and saw Uesugi Yue riding a tricycle. He didn't get off his seat, but just waved and called the two of them over.

The three of them exchanged a few polite words while standing in a position where they would not block the way. The sun had already set to the west and it was getting dark.

Above my head, there is a big banner with the word "Ramen" written on it fluttering in the wind.

After a few polite words, it seemed that Uesugi Yue saw that Ren was also there, and he didn't know whether to say it. He glanced in Ren's direction, probably meaning that Ren was here, and whether to say it now or later. Zhuo didn't intend to hide the fact that he was working part-time, and he was also going to tell Ren the reason. So Zhuo took the initiative to ask "Have you found the thing I asked you to do?" Uesugi Yue understood what he meant and said with a smile.

"As for the part-time job, Yui said it's no problem, so tell me when it's convenient for you and I'll take you to have a look."

"Okay, got it, thank you. I'll probably have time this weekend, and we'll contact each other then."

"okay."

"Sorry to trouble you."

"Haha, don't get all that on me. Yui also said that she was very happy that I had something to ask her."

Uesugi Yue laughed heartily, and Zhuo also smiled bitterly.

Zhuo really felt that these names, which he had only seen in text in the past, had so many shining points in them that were worth learning after seeing them in reality - Uesugi Yue was evaluated as: living as a puppet in the first half of his life, and living a mediocre life in the second half of his life, and only at the time of his death, he stood tall like an emperor.

The Uesugi Yue that Zhuo met was a refreshing, charming, and well-organized old man who accommodated Zhuo's roguery and would lend a hand when needed. If such a person did not have royal blood flowing in his body, could he only be called mediocre?
"We'll talk about it when the time comes!" Uesugi Yue waved his hand and continued to pedal the tricycle, heading east.

After watching him leave, Zhuo looked at Ren and found that he was nodding knowingly.

"I understand. It's not easy for you."

"My dad is willing to pay for the wedding, but I have to pay for the ring and betrothal gifts myself. After all, this is my choice, and I have to endure these hardships in order to realize my wish."

"I can understand the ring, but what is the betrothal gift?"

"Three Books and Six Engagements, or Three Books and Six Rites, is a marriage system in ancient times."

"Huh? What's this?"

"The three books refer to the engagement letter, the gift letter and the wedding letter. The six ceremonies refer to the documents used in the wedding process, including the letter of acceptance, the letter of name, the letter of good luck, the letter of betrothal, the letter of request and the letter of welcome. In short, it is understood as a grand way to express one's feelings."

"You are planning to do all these, and why did you choose this method? It sounds so troublesome."

"I can't do it even if I want to. I just want to express my feelings. Even if the gift money is gone, the feelings can't be neglected... Having said that, I guess all I have left is the engagement letter."

"You really are a man who goes all out. That's quite impressive, except..."

"Just what?"

"...Why don't you discuss this with me first?"

Hearing Ren muttering as if he was in a bad mood, Zhuo blinked at him, then patted Ren's head and said, "I'll look for you next time."

Ren was a little embarrassed and shook off Zhuo's hand, saying, "Do you want to kill me? I don't want to snatch away the exclusive treatment of Her Majesty the Queen, or I will definitely be killed," and poked Zhuo's shoulder.

Zhuo knew that Ren was embarrassed, so he smiled and evaded the question just like Ren did just now.

"You go first, I'll wait for her to come down."

"Ah...Will it be inconvenient if I say we go together?"

"meeting."

"Then I'll stay with you."

"Then take my punch first."

(End of this chapter)