Chapter 3 Saturday at 5 o'clock in the afternoon.

  Ming Xiao Xi sat on the bed in her bedroom, continuing her intense mental struggle.

  Shall we go to Pastor Ni's banquet?

  If she doesn't go, will something terrible happen to her? (This worry is based on a superficial understanding of Makino Fuyu's personality.) If she goes, will something even more terrible happen to her? (This worry is based on the pattern of development of past unfortunate events.)

  The ideological struggle was at its most intense moment when "ding dong", the doorbell of the apartment rang.

  It's actually Toji Suzuhara in a formal white tuxedo!

  "Are you ready?" Fūma Sazanami smiled and asked.

  Ming Xiao Xi said dejectedly: "I don't want to go."

  "I knew it all along. That's why Liu Bing asked me to come pick you up."

  "Ah," Ming Xiao Xi exclaimed, "what to do? ... Otherwise... " She smiled sweetly and said, "Feng Jian senior, just say I'm sick, can't get out of bed, and won't be able to go, okay?"

  Feng Jian looked at her with a hint of melancholy: "Why don't you want to go?"

  She lowered her head: "I'm scared. Afraid that something unexpected will happen again. Ever since I came to Rende Academy, all sorts of strange things keep happening."

  "Does knowing me, Xiaoxue, including Dongsi's mom, count as a strange and wonderful thing?"

  "No!" she retorted hastily, "Being able to meet you is what I think is the luckiest thing!"

  "That's right! There is an old saying in your hometown: 'If it's good fortune, then it's not a disaster; if it's a disaster, you can't escape it.' Avoiding the issue won't solve anything."

  Ming Xiao Xi gazed at him with reverence. Feng Jianxue was indeed formidable, even knowing the phrase "whether it's good fortune or bad luck, bad luck can't be escaped".

  "Besides, when Flow Ice promised you would go at that time, you didn't refuse, did you?"

  Ming Xiao Xi nodded with a depressed expression.

  Feng Jian pinched her small nose: "Girl! Don't be discouraged! You are the bravest girl, don't let me down!"

  "How can you be afraid of attending a banquet when you dare to dump garbage on Hao Nan's head?"

  With a surge of courage and a rush of bravery, Ming Xiao Xi regained her composure.

  Really?!

  She is the invincible Ming Xiao Xi! There's no place in heaven or earth that she dares not go!

  She clenched her fists: "Alright! Let's set off!"

  "Is this how we set off?"

  "Isn't it?"

  "We're going to a banquet." Fūinji said, eyeing her up and down. She was wearing a white T-shirt and jeans. "This outfit is very spirited for everyday wear, but it might be a bit impolite for a banquet."

  "Ah," she said somewhat at a loss, "but..."?

  Fūin brought out a beautifully packaged large box: "This is an outfit I picked out for you. Want to try it on?"

  Soft and elegant milky white, simple yet lovely cutting, perfectly sets off the slender figure of Ming Xiao Xi.

  Feng Jian Cheng used his magical fingers to tie up her shoulder-length hair in a lively and cute way...

  Good heavens! Ming Xiao Xi was delightedly admiring herself in front of the mirror.

  That fresh, bright and beautiful girl is me? I can also become like this!

  Are you satisfied?

  "Hmm!" she said excitedly, "Kazama-senpai, you're the fairy godmother who helped Cinderella with a wave of your wand... Ah!"?

  "Oh, so you're the beautiful Cinderella?"

  Ming Xiao Xi posed in front of the mirror with a narcissistic expression: "Magic mirror, magic mirror, I ask you, who is the most beautiful under heaven?"

  Fūin Kazuki was made to laugh loudly by her: "Alright! Let's go already! The most beautiful girl in the world!"

  *?

  What a grand feast.

  Luxurious cars and beautiful women are everywhere, dazzling to the point of being unable to take it all in. The guests who came were like hundreds of people, each dressed elegantly, with refined manners, giving off an air of nobility at first glance.

  As she followed Kazuki into the resplendent banquet hall, she curiously asked in a low voice, "Huh? I thought the Makino family was involved with the underworld? But the guests don't look rough at all?"

  Feng Jian chuckled and said, "Is it necessary for the underworld to kill people at sight? Moreover, the 'Muye Group' has been the dragon head for several generations. Those who fight and kill are basically no longer needed to take action personally."

  What did they do?

  "Doing business, whitening the family name, and even entering politics as an official are all possible."

  "Oh, no wonder! So among these guests, there are many wealthy businessmen and high-ranking officials?"

  Kazehaya smiled and nodded slightly.

  "It's a collusion between officials and businessmen! They're all as black as crows under the sun!" Ming Xiaoxi's anger ignited, her voice rising by an octave.

  Feng Jian covered her mouth with one hand: "Please choose a venue for your comments."

  Ming Xiao Xi discontentedly "Wu Wu" shouted in disorder, what was wrong with her, she didn't even say anything wrong.

  Fūin Kazuki seems to have seen someone.

  She looked back.

  Is she a girl?

  She wore a black trailing gown, as beautiful as the deepest, most bewildering night color in the dark of night.

  "Fourth Master."

  The girl's voice is so beautiful that it intoxicates people.

  Fūjin Chō smiled and said: "Tō, I've told you before not to call me 'young master' again, why don't you listen?

  "There's a distinction between superior and inferior, I don't dare to be presumptuous." Her eyes, as she looked at him, were deep like an unfathomable pool of emerald water, with a strange undercurrent surging beneath.

  Wow, Ming Xiao Xi's heart wildly praised, and she hastily pulled on Feng Jian Cheng's arm:

  "Kazuma-kun, introduce me quickly!"

  "This is Ming Xiao Xi, Flowing Ice's classmate. This is Bing Ji Tong."

  "Hello, I'm Ming Xiao Xi, nice to meet you, you're really beautiful..."

  "Hello."

  Bing Ji Tong's voice was somewhat clear and distant, but Ming Xiao Xi liked it even more, she had already been annoyed by those gossiping women in Rende.

  "Fūin onii-chan! Akane nee-san!"

  English Translation: "Fuuin brother! Akane sister!"

  A ball of fire rushed over.

  Akane took a closer look --- it was Higashi Tōsetsu in a lovely pink princess dress.

  "You've finally arrived, so slow! I've been waiting and waiting."

  Dong Si Hao Xue grabbed Feng Jian Chen and Ming Xiao Xi: "You must not have greeted Mu Ye Grandfather and Mu Ye Brother yet, come on, I'll take you there!" Without giving them a choice, he forcibly pulled them away.

  "Ah, ah......" I haven't even said goodbye to Bing Jue Tong yet, how rude.

  Dong Si Hao Xue turned around and looked back, Bing Ji Tong had already been shaken off. She patted her chest and let out a long sigh: "Finally got rid of the witch."

  "Witch?! Are you talking about Ice Extreme Eyes?!"

  "Of course, didn't you see? She's all teary-eyed when she sees Wind Brother, as if she's going to cast a spell on him. Wind Brother, you absolutely mustn't be deceived by her, okay?!"

  "You're saying I'm a witch again, I'm really getting angry." Fūin's gaze was stern as she stared at Tōji Kōsetsu.

  Dong Si's face fell and her eyes welled up with tears: "I knew you'd be deceived by her, that you'd speak up for her..."

  Ming Xiao Xi suddenly saw her savior: ?

  "Pastoral scenery with ice, I see pastoral scenery with ice, let's go and greet it!"

  *?

  Makino Ryu's attire was also a white dress, making him look especially cold and out of this world. His eyes were as cold, clear, and bright as a winter star, and when he saw Ming Xiao Xi, they seemed to flicker for a moment.

  Dong Si Hao Xue cleverly greeted the people around him with a circle: ?

  "Hello Uncle Makino! Hello Uncle Akana! Hello Brother Makino! Hello Sister Akana!"

  The old man known as Makino Grandfather had a head full of silver hair and was in high spirits. He smiled and stroked the adorable Tōji Kōsetsu, but his eyes curiously looked at Myōshi Kei: "Little Snow, tell Grandpa, who is this little girl?"

  "She is..."?

  "I am......"?

  Dong Si's words were cut off by a voice that came from in front:

  "She is Ming Xiao Xi, she's my girlfriend I'm currently dating."

  Makino Ryuhyou grasped Akasaka Mio's right hand in his own palm, his eyes coldly surveying the surroundings as he declared.

  What an interesting expression!

  Ming Xiaoxi, who was about to struggle, was attracted by the reaction of the people around him.

  Pastor Inoe's smiling face froze in shock, like a wooden carving; Pastor Inoe's face turned iron blue, glaring fiercely at Pastor Inoe Liu Bing; "Akamine" quickly glanced at "Pastor Inoe", with an inexplicable sinister look in his eyes; Akamine Kyoko's face turned pale and red, her angry eyes almost devouring Ming Xiao Xi whole.

  They were just holding back their emotions because they were currently in a banquet hall filled with guests.

  Pastor Makino's first reaction was: ?

  "Hehe, is this Xiaobing's little girlfriend? Welcome, welcome..."

  Ming Xiao Xi put on her most polite smile: "Hello, Uncle Mu Ye."

  "Alright, alright," said Makino's grandfather with a warm smile. "You're new here, aren't you? Let Ryuuto show you around and get familiar with the place..."

  *?

  The weather is gradually getting cooler, and the scorching heat of midsummer is being replaced by the coolness of autumn.

  Under the night sky.?

  Ming Xiao Xi breathed comfortably in the air filled with wisps of floral scent.

  She and Makino Ruki left the center of the whirlpool with waves and came to a quiet corner of the garden.

  Ming Xiao Xi gazed at the icy stream flowing through the pasture.

  He hasn't said a word since he left the party, just sitting there quietly, don't know what he's thinking.

  The moonlight shone on his face, and his skin seemed to be transparently white; his eyes were wandering, but still as beautiful as the water of Dianchi Lake; his lips were thin and delicate.

  Soft? A thought flashed through her mind, how did she know his lips were soft?

  That's right, he kissed her cheek.

  That feeling...?

  Cough, don't think about it again!

  Ming Xiao Xi was certain that he had no intention of speaking, but finally couldn't help but say softly: "Mu Ye Liu Bing, I... may I ask a question?"

  "Say."

  "Why did you say I'm your girlfriend?"

  “……”?

  She smiled foolishly: "Hehe, of course I know you don't have any intention towards me, but if you say it like that, others will misunderstand..."

  “……”?

  "And besides, I'll also get into a lot more trouble, like that Akane Minmei, she seems to hate me so much..."

  Makino Ryuichi suddenly began staring at her, his intense expression making her face slightly flush.

  He looked at her for a long time before speaking: "Please."

  "Huh?......"?

  "Be my girlfriend."

  The night is cool as water.

  The moon is bright and the stars are sparse.

  An unknown fragrance seeped into Ming Xiao Xi's heart.

  "Do you have someone you like?"

  "Huh?......"?

  "If you haven't already, be my girlfriend."

  Under her eyes, which shone like ice in the moonlight of a pasture, her mind began to reel.

  Ming Xiao Xi used up her last bit of rationality: "Can, can you tell me the reason?"?

  His gaze became distant again: ?

  "Maybe... in the future..."

  A faint shadow approaches in the midst of trees and flowers.

  "Master, you may enter." The voice was softer than jasmine on a summer night.

  It's her again, that mysterious and icy gaze.

  "Got it."

  Makino Rei replied emotionlessly.

  Bingjiu bowed deeply and disappeared into the night.

  "Who is she?" For some reason, Ming Xiaoxi was very interested in Bing Jitong.

  "Icy Pupil."

  "I know! What kind of person is she?" She asked hastily, "Why did she call you Young Master? Who exactly is she? Tell me quickly!"

  The four words "You are really boring" flashed in Makino Ryuhyo's eyes.

  "But he still replied: 'She is a bodyguard.'"

  Bodyguard? A beautiful and ruthless female bodyguard?

  Ming Xiao Xi was extremely excited: ??

  "Ah, is there really such a beautiful female bodyguard in the world? Her eyes are icy cold, yet deeply suppressing her passionate emotions! Hmm? In all the romance novels I've read, cool and collected female bodyguards always end up having an earth-shattering romance with their masters! Wait, why didn't you choose her as your fake girlfriend instead of picking me, this unlucky guy?! Oh, I get it - she must have looked down on you, so you're using me to see if you can stir up her jealousy!"

  Fierce gaze! ?

  Ming Xiao Xi let out two "heh heh" sounds and obediently shut her mouth like a little hamster.

  "You're now my girlfriend, don't embarrass me when we go in."

  Makino Ryu threw down a sentence and walked straight into the banquet hall.

  Ming Xiao Xi chased after his cold back, jumping up and down as she shouted:

  "I... I don't think I agreed to be your girlfriend... I didn't agree, did I?"

  *?

  Everyone's eyes were focused on Ming Xiaoxi.

  Ming Xiao Xi thought to herself, Mu Ye Liu Bing really did have foresight, how did he know that someone wanted to humiliate her?

  Akane Akai just sang a song for Shusei Watanabe, and the whole audience applauded. Her singing is actually not bad, comparable to those third-rate pop stars.

  Now, she put on a fake, laughable "elegant" pose and said to Ming Xiaoxi: "Miss Ming, you're the girlfriend of Liubing Jun, shouldn't you come celebrate Grandfather's birthday?"

  "How can I help?"

  "Singing?"

  "I won't."

  "Will you play a piano piece?"

  "I won't."

  "Will you recite a poem?"

  "I won't."

  "Hmph!" Akane Akagami let out a cold snort from her nostrils, the sound was so loud that Ming Xiao Xi worried she might blow out snot. "What can you do? Can you only eat, drink, and poop?"

  Ming Xiao Xi exclaimed in surprise: "Chi Ming Miss, haven't you learned how to eat, drink, and use the restroom yet?"

  The whole room burst into laughter.

  Akane's anger had left her breathless.

  Grandpa Makino chuckled and said: "No need to prepare any more programs, I'm already very happy that you all came!"

  Ming Xiao Xi smiled respectfully at Mu Ye and said: "No, today is your birthday, I should give you a gift."

  She walked a few steps to the corner of the hall, took down the long sword from a Ming-style offering table: "Red powder sends beauty, treasure sword gives hero, Pastor Ye's grandfather has been galloping in Jianghu for his whole life, and today Xiaoxiang will congratulate him with a sword dance!

  "Good!"

  Her powerful words won thunderous applause!

  "But I'm still missing a background music..."

  Elegant Wind walked out of the crowd with a hint of a smile: "I'm here..."?

  "Who is Fuuka?"

  "Is that Kazehaya?"

  "Genius Piano Boy Kaze no Minato?"

  ……?

  The guests were in an uproar, bursting into applause.

  Ming Xiao Xi looked at Feng Jian Cheng walking towards the piano in the hall with a puzzled expression, thinking to himself, is his piano playing that famous? Why are they reacting as if Piano Prince Richard Clayderman has arrived.

  The melody flows like clouds and water, sometimes gentle, sometimes passionate, sometimes low and sometimes soaring into the sky...

  Ming Xiao Xi's sword dance was sometimes as gentle as a willow, sometimes as majestic as a dragon, sometimes soft and subtle, and sometimes with a fierce and unbridled sword energy...

  Every guest was amazed, a little girl, with just one steel sword, could dance so freely and effortlessly, full of spirit!

  Every guest was amazed at the perfect combination of beautiful piano music and lively sword dance, which was so flawless that it moved people's hearts!

  A piano piece ends, a sword dance ends, and the whole field is silent.

  Feng Jian pulled Ming Xiao Xi's hand and bowed to Pastor Mu.

  It was then that the crowd came back to their senses from the shock.

  Applause rose like waves, one wave after another...

  Tong Miao excitedly rushed over: "Ming sister, you're so cool!" She continued to stifle a laugh and whispered, "Hehe, Akane's face is hilarious..."

  Ming Xiao Xi raised an eyebrow with a pleased expression, thinking that I would be embarrassed, and waited for several lifetimes!

  *?

  A small bird flew across the blue sky.

  How carefree it flies, how free, how worry-free...

  Ming Xiao Xi gazed at it with envy, wishing she could turn into a little bird too, so she wouldn't have to face the cruel exams that were approaching.

  "Xiao Xi! Xiao Xi!"

  Ming Xiao Xi covered her ears. Can't she choose not to hear it?

  Koizumi couldn't be easily dismissed. She grabbed both hands of the person trying to escape: "Xiaoxi!!"

  Ming Xiao Xi's ears were almost deafened: "What's going on?"

  Are you going?

  Huh?

  "What? Fuuka's piano recital, are you going?"

  "Fujiwara's piano recital?" Ming Xiaoxi opened her mouth wide, "His piano skills are that good?"

  Koizumi gave her a disdainful look: "You're actually close to the Japanese Three Princes, but you don't even have a basic understanding of Kazuki Fujikaze."

  The misty eyes of Ming Xiao Xi were perplexed.

  Koizumi said with admiring eyes: "Do you know, Kazama Toru is the one I adore most among Japan's Three Lords! His piano skills are so mesmerizing that he's known as a genius piano boy."

  Ming Xiao Xi suddenly realized, no wonder that day at the banquet he appeared and caused such a big commotion, and his playing was indeed very pleasant to listen to.

  "Not only that, Kazama Chidori is also good at painting, he has been invited to hold three personal painting exhibitions, many of his paintings are collected in Japanese museums, experts think they are all precious masterpieces... Kazama Chidori is really a genius boy, it seems like he can do anything perfectly..."

  Ming Xiao Xi's jaw almost dropped, she knew that Kazehaya was amazing, but didn't know it had reached this level! However, thinking about it, Kazehaya was indeed skilled in everything, he could even cook well, and he would even help her with her hair! He must have hands like a god!

  Koizumi glared at her: "Hey, I told you about these materials as soon as you joined Rendai, don't be surprised now!"

  Ah, right! She must have put the detailed description of Koizumi's relationship with Kazuo Ishiguro in that deleted "108,000 words" after all.

  "Hey, you still haven't told me, are you going to Fujima Sora's piano recital or not?"

  "I won't," Ming Xiao Xi regretfully told her.

  "Ah, why?" Koizumi was very disappointed, she had originally wanted to get one or two relationship tickets from Ming Xiaoxi.

  "Idiot, think about it, you're the one who told me this news, I didn't even know about it, how can I attend?"

  "Really......" Koizumi was thoroughly disheartened.

  "Mei jiejie! Mei jiejie!" Dong Si Haoyue rushed into the classroom from outside, with fine sweat on his forehead.

  "Did you run all the way from the national middle school department?"

  Dong Si Hao Xue was panting busily and merely nodded his head.

  "What's so urgent that it can't wait?"

  Dong Si's eyes locked onto hers as he got straight to the point:

  "Fujiwara brother's piano recital, you must accompany me!"

  Ming Xiao Xi rarely saw her with such a determined expression: "Why?"

  "Because," Dongsi Haoshe pouted, "because Liubing Gege is going to the scene, so Bingji Tou that witch will definitely go too! Ah...... she just needs to get close to Kazama Gege and nothing good will happen, I don't want it! But I'm no match for her, Kazama Gege always favors her! However," she excitedly smiled, "Ming Jiejie you're so powerful, as long as you stand by my side, nobody dares to bully me!"

  I'm afraid you want to bully others, Ming Xiaoxi thought.

  "Will you or won't you, come with me!" Tōji Hōsetsu continued to pester.

  "Go on," Koizumi urged from the side, "won't Hiroseta also go to Makino's ice flow? You can take this opportunity to have a date!"

  "That's right, that's right." Dong Si Hao Xue applauded.

  Makino Ryu Hyō...?

  Mentioning him, Ming Xiao Xi didn't want to go anymore.

  Quan Rende has now confirmed that Muye Liu Bing is her boyfriend, and his strange attitude also makes her nervous.

  "Please!" Dong Si Hao Xue began to unleash her finishing move - Flowing Tears.

  "It's not that I don't want to go, it's just that we have a geometry test coming up soon and my grades are really bad, so I need to focus on studying. Honestly, I don't have the energy to attend the concert..."

  "What about geometry?" Dong Si's eyes sparkled, "Alright, as long as you accompany me, I'll take care of your geometry exam and it will definitely be excellent!"

  "Really?" Ming Xiaoxi didn't quite believe it.

  "If you lie, I'll never speak to you again!"

  Ming Xiao Xi's heart skipped a beat.

  Koizumi poked her: "If something interesting happens, be sure to tell me when you get back..."?

  *?

  Fujiwara no Sai's piano recital was held at Japan's best royal concert hall.

  The ticket price for this performance was surprisingly high, but despite this, the audience was still packed.

  Because Ming Xiao Xi was accompanying Dong Si Hao Xue to come, so she also had the good fortune to sit in the best seat and appreciate Feng Jian Cheng's perfect performance.

  Feng Jiang's performance is impeccable, even if she is an outsider, it must be acknowledged that her interpretation and understanding of music have reached a state of perfection, allowing listeners to involuntarily immerse themselves in his musical world.

  But she wasn't happy at all.

  Her unhappiness wasn't because she met Makino Fuyu and Tōji Hiromu here. (Makino Fuyu was sitting in the seat to her left, making her feel somewhat unnatural.)

  It was only after she arrived that she learned the concert was being held to welcome US Ambassador Smith. Mr. Smith had once heard Fūjin's performance by chance and greatly admired his music, but Fūjin rarely performed in public, so Mr. Smith had always felt regretful. It wasn't until he came to Japan and happened to discover that Kazuo Fūjin was the son of a big shot in Japanese politics, Fūjin Yūji, that this piano concert came about under Yūji's arrangement.

  Ming Xiao Xi hung her head in low spirits and refused to watch as Feng Jian Cheng and his parents respectfully saw off the satisfied Ambassador Smith.

  Dong Si Hao Xue pushed her: "Hurry up, Ming sister, I'm going to give Feng Jian Ge a bouquet of flowers!" As she spoke, she held a large bunch of carefully selected fresh flowers and ran towards Feng Jian Cheng.

  Ming Xiao Xi slowly followed behind him.

  She saw that Fuuka's father - the big shot in politics had already left, leaving behind Fuuka and his beautiful mother talking to Toudou Hiroto.

  Tōji Kōsetsu's sweet and endearing words: "Fūjin onii-chan's performance is amazing! I'm totally entranced! Fūjin okaasan is so lucky to have raised such a talented genius like Fūjin onii-chan!"

  Fujiwara smiled humbly. However, Akakawa noticed that her eyes suddenly narrowed.

  Makino Ryuhyo came before Kazama Choumei: "Congratulations on your successful performance."

  Fūin Kazuki patted his shoulder: "Thanks."

  His eyes looked back, and Ice Extreme Pupil was silently staring at him.

  Fengjian Cheng smiled and said: "Tong, you're here too."

  Bing Ji Tong hesitated for a moment before finally walking forward.

  "She said in a low voice: 'Your performance was wonderful.'"

  Fujiwara no Sai smiled as gently as a spring breeze: "I'm glad you could come."

  "You're a lowlife!" The elegant face of Mrs. Kazama suddenly twisted, and she glared at Hyōga with a fierce gaze, "A lowlife like you is also worthy of coming to such a high-end place?"

  "Fuyu no Kanzaki: 'Fūjin-sama, please mind your words.'"

  Fujiwara's wife suddenly went mad: "You dare to talk back to me, you little slut!"?

  She swung a slap and slapped it on Bing Yujian's face!

  Ah!

  Dong Si let out a loud shout.

  Fujiwara Takeru, Makino Ruki and Higashi Temple Hiroo, who had just arrived, were all too far away to react in time.

  Bing Ji Tong didn't move at all.

  Just as a slap was about to land on Bing Jing's face, a slender hand appeared and grasped Fūin's wrist.

  It's none other than the unlucky Ming Xiaoxi, who just so happens to be standing next to Bing Yuxi.

  She really didn't understand why she always encountered strange situations.

  The wife of Kazehaya glared at the culprit who ruined her good deed with round, wide eyes.

  "Who are you?"

  Ming Xiao Xi smiled slyly: ?

  "Ordinary person, you can just treat me as passerby A."

  Fujiwara's wife was about to get angry, when Higashi Temple Hiroshi held her shoulder:

  "Aunt, you must be very tired, let me help you get in the car and go home."

  Fujiwara saw it was Toji's eldest son, Takao, and reluctantly followed him out.

  Kazehaya looked at Iceberg's eyes with a guilty conscience: "I'm sorry, I apologize to you on behalf of my mother."

  Her eyes were distant and her gaze was fixed on him, without saying a word.

  Makino Ryuhyo said to Kazehaya Koganei: "I'm going back." He turned around and saw Akira Aki, nodding his head, "See you later".

  Makino Ryū went ice-skating.

  Bing Jue followed him and also left.

  Only Dong Si Hao Xue, Ming Xiao Xi and Feng Jian Cheng were left.

  *?

  Ming Xiao Xi sized up Feng Jian Cheng's apartment.

  His apartment is ten times bigger than hers, clean, bright and elegant, just like him, it won't let you down.

  Originally, Tōji Hiroseta's guarantee that her exam would go well was because she thought of having Kazama Toori, an excellent student, help her cram. Of course, Tōji Hiroseta also had another plan in mind - she could "accompany" Akira to Kazama's place and create more opportunities for them to spend time together. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned, and at the last minute, Tōji Hiroseta was dragged away by her mother to attend a party. So, the only student who ended up coming to Kazama's apartment for tutoring today is Akira.

  Ming Xiao Xi buried her head in bitter study, she carefully digested Feng Jian Cheng's explanations and did her best to turn them into her own knowledge. She found that Feng Jian Cheng could be the most outstanding teacher, his explanations were clear and vivid, making people understand at once. In fact, Feng Jian Cheng was the most outstanding in everything he did, wasn't he a talented young man?

  "Your skills are quite impressive, take a break now."

  Ming Xiao Xi had a pen in her mouth and said vaguely: ?

  "Wait a minute, I need to figure out this question first."

  A glass of drink was placed in front of her.

  She unconsciously picked it up and took a sip, wow, so delicious, icy cold, sour and sweet, it's the long-awaited plum juice!

  Ming Xiao Xi looked at Fēng Jiān Chén with surprise: "Where did you buy this from?"?

  She hasn't had real sour plum soup for a long time.

  Fujiwara no Sai smiled gently: "I did it."

  What? He can even do this?!

  "Xiao Xi, thank you for what happened yesterday." He sincerely thanked her.

  Ming Xiao Xi thought for a moment: ?

  "Are you referring to the Ice Extreme Pupil? ... Hehe, saving people in distress is my unshirkable responsibility." Her father had educated her with this ancient chivalric code since she was young, so some of her ways of thinking were already deeply ingrained.

  "Why aren't you happy today?" he asked suddenly.

  "Huh?" Ming Xiao Xi was taken aback. Can he even tell this? "Hehe, I'm not unhappy, am I?"

  "Your face is like a sheet of white paper, with all emotions clearly written on it. And you haven't even looked me straight in the eye since you came in."

  Ming Xiao Xi lowered her head: "I don't have."

  Fūin Kazuki lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes: "Is it because of yesterday's concert?"

  A wave of grievance made her nose sour.

  Kazehaya sighed: "You're really a sensitive girl."

  Ming Xiao Xi's eyes turned red...

  "I didn't want you to know about the piano recital, but you still came..."

  Ming Xiao Xi suddenly burst out: ?

  "Your piano playing is great, but yesterday I couldn't hear any happiness in your music! Isn't music supposed to be enjoyable? You didn't seem to enjoy the concert at all!"

  Her words were unstoppable:

  "Don't hold a concert if you don't want to! Why was it held just because of that US ambassador? Are they so eager to fawn on him?"

  Tears fell from her eyes:

  "If you don't like it, then don't do it! You have no idea how much it hurts me to see you talking to that ambassador, smiling so insincerely. You're the great Fūin Kazuki-senpai! You should be the proudest and most magnificent! Why are you humiliating yourself?!"

  She cried until she was incoherent: ??

  "Do you know what you remind me of? An actor from the past going to someone else's home to sing at a banquet!"

  The wind is as calm as the black night outside the window.

  After a long time.

  Ming Xiao Xi looked at him with a gradually calming expression, her heartstrings trembling slightly. What had she just said?

  She timidly approached him: "Senpai... I..."?

  It seemed as if she was gazing at him so intently for the first time at such close range.

  Feng Jian Chen's face was long and slender, with elegant and refined features. His nose bridge was high and narrow, like the snow in the sky, clear and proud.

  Ming Xiao Xi was a little afraid of this silent Feng Jian Cheng, she regretted her words that had slipped out earlier:

  "Senior, I... I was wrong... Don't be angry... I didn't mean anything... Senior... Don't be like this..."

  "Senpai... I... I'm an idiot..."

  Kazami Akane finally looked at her again, he smiled lightly, with a inexplicable melancholy:

  Did you figure it out?

  "That's a deal... I'm disappointed too, so would you..."

  "It's not like that!" Ming Xiao Xi shouted, "Because you are my most admired senior, so I couldn't bear it! I want Senior to be happy! I want Senior to always be joyful! I want..."

  Fujiwara no Takaie held her tightly in his arms, embracing her closely:

  "Silly girl, how can you be so sensitive?!"

  Ming Xiao Xi breathed in his clean and refreshing scent, for some reason, she couldn't help but want to cry...

  *?

  The exam has finally ended.

  Ming Xiao Xi walked out of the classroom with satisfaction. Ah, Fēng Jiān Chè's tutoring was really effective, she even had confidence to get a perfect score now.

  A dark figure stood on the road she was about to pass by.

  What, is it Hironao Tōji?!

  She instinctively turned around and was about to take another road. She didn't want to cause any more trouble, it's better to avoid it if possible.

  "Good morning!"

  Whether it's good fortune or bad luck, bad luck can't be avoided.

  She turned around and bowed respectfully: "Hello, Dong Temple senior."

  Tōji Hiro's face had a strange expression: "Y-you, did you do well on the exam?"?

  Ming Xiao Xi stumbled and almost fell: "You, how did you know I had an exam today?"

  "What Tōji Kōsetsu said."

  "Ah," Ming Xiaoxi stood up straight, "Hehe, not bad for an exam, thanks for caring, Dong Temple senior." She gave another deep bow.

  Then nobody spoke again.

  Akira looked at Tōji Hiro with curiosity, did he have something else to say? It couldn't be just about her studies. Why wasn't he speaking? Were they going to stand there awkwardly like this forever?

  "Ah..." Tōji Hiroo's face turned bright red.

  Ming Xiao Xi leaned forward, straining her ears to listen clearly.

  "I..."?

  What does he want to say?

  "Miss Ming."

  Another person spoke up. But her voice was much clearer and more beautiful.

  Ah, it's her admired beauty, Bijin Hyorin.

  Ice Extreme Pupil made a deep bow.

  Ming Xiao Xi hurriedly returned her a deep bow. (Why do Japanese people always love to bow non-stop? Aren't they tired?)

  "Miss Ming, the master invites you to come to the mansion for a chat."

  "Old Master?" She didn't know anyone with the surname "Lao" and the given name "Ye"?

  "Miss Ming, I was ordered by Lord Makino, Master Ryūichi's father, to escort you over."

  Ice Extreme Pupil Explanation.

  "Oh," Ming Xiao Xi suddenly realized, and another question came up, "What does he want from me?"

  Bing Jue Tong didn't answer directly: "Please come with me, Miss Ming."

  Ming Xiao Xi furrowed her brow, trying to refuse: "Can't we not go?"

  "Please!"

  Ming Xiao Xi smiled wryly. Who made herself pretend to be someone else's girlfriend? She could only improvise and go with the flow.

  She politely said to Tōji Koganei, "Goodbye, Upperclassman Tōji."

  Tōji Hiro's eyes dimmed.

  *?

  Ming Xiao Xi once again arrived at Mu Ye's magnificent and grandiose house of Flowing Ice Sect.

  Because it was daytime, she could better appreciate the beautiful view of the mansion. The house of Makino Fuyu and the house of Tōji Hiroo were very different, with the Tōji house being a mix of Eastern and Western cultures, while the Makino house was purely traditional Japanese culture, with an old-fashioned charm that had its own unique flavor.

  It's just like this room, decorated with elegance and beauty. Ming Xiaoxi sat cross-legged in the room, thinking regretfully that if it weren't for the gloomy-faced man inside the house, the atmosphere would be much better.

  Makino Hiro's expression was cold: "You should know that Makino Ryu already has a fiancée."

  "What's her name again?"

  "Yes."

  Then what?

  "You and Ryūichi Mōri won't have a future together."

  "So?"

  "Don't bother my son again!"

  "Clap clap clap!" Ming Xiao Xi applauded, "Congratulations, what you said is exactly the same as the villainous parents who interfered with their children's marriage."

  "Miss Ming Xiao Xi!"

  Yes!

  Makino Hideo suppressed his anger and coldly laughed: "Miss Ming, I already know a lot about your background. Your father runs a martial arts school in Taiwan because your mother has a relative who runs a small company in Japan, so they went to great lengths to send you to Rende for schooling..."

  "Wow, you're amazing!" Ming Xiaoxi exclaimed, then sighed, "But don't you think it's a waste to spend your energy on someone like me, a nobody?"

  She smiled: ?

  "As soon as I knew you wanted to see me, I understood what you wanted to say. Let me tell you, don't even mention that I didn't have anything with Maki no Kōri in the first place, and even if there was something, what could you do about it? Don't try to intimidate me, this girl isn't afraid of anything. If you want to save some energy, why not start with your precious son instead? Maybe there's still a one-in-ten-thousand chance."

  Makino Hideo's eyes shot out a fierce light, just about to make his move, when he suddenly saw the paper door behind Myojo Kei being pulled open, and was taken aback.

  Is Makino Ryu Ice.?

  A beautiful face with no expression at all, but a gloomy atmosphere that makes the whole house feel stifling.

  He didn't even look at Makino Hideo, and walked straight to Akira's side, took her hand and headed out the door.

  "Makino-style ice."

  Makino Hideo's voice was suppressed.

  Makino stopped for a moment and then started walking again.

  "Makino-style Ice!!"

  Pastoral flow ice placed as if unheard of, with a look of disdain in his eyes.

  "Makino Ryu Hyō!!!!!!"

  Makino Hideo furiously grabbed the ... on the table?

  An antique vase came crashing down on him!

  Makino Ryu's ice attack was dodged, but not quite dodged. Luckily, Myōjo Kiri's quick eyes and swift hand pulled him to the right just in time, causing the flower vase to narrowly graze his forehead as it flew by with a loud "Crash!" and shattered into pieces on the ground!

  Ming Xiao Xi was startled and angrily shouted: "What's going on?"

  "What are you doing?! Don't you know it's very dangerous?! He is your son!"

  Makino Hideo's face turned blue with rage: ?

  "You little beast! You should have been strangled to death back then!"

  Makino Ryu stared at the ground with a cold gaze, continuing to walk forward in large strides, holding Ming Xiao Xi's hand ice-cold.

  Ming Xiao was dragged out of the house by him, and turned her head in anger:

  "How can you be someone's father and scold your own son like this?!"

  Makino Hideo stood up, glaring at Ming Xiao Xi with a fierce expression, the veins on his forehead bulging violently as he cursed:

  "You, Ming Xiao Xi, if you're smart, quickly leave Mukoyoshi Hyōgo. Otherwise... You're alone in Japan, many unexpected things will happen! The marriage between Mukoyoshi Hyōgo and Akane Akana, no one can stop it!"

  *?

  It's been a long time since I left the dangerous Makino hero and walked out of the tense Makino house.

  The sky gradually turned black, and the pasture flowed with ice still in silence.

  He didn't know if he had forgotten or gotten used to it, but from the beginning until now, he hadn't let go of Ming Xiao Xi's left hand.

  Ming Xiao Xi carefully looked at him and tactfully didn't say a word.

  However, his hand was icy cold, making her heart feel cool and uncomfortable. She gently tried to slide her fingers out of his palm.

  Just a little bit more...

  Makino Ryu's right hand tightened, firmly grasping the small fish that was about to slip out of the net.

  Failed......?

  Ming Xiao Xi sighed.

  Makino Ryū's eyes narrowed as he stared at her intensely: "What is it?"

  "Ming Xiao Xi, are you afraid?"

  "Afraid or not? …… Such a nonsense sentence."

  "If you're afraid of being hurt by Mukoyama Hiro..."?

  "Pastoral Hero? You call your own father Pastoral Hero?" Ming Xiaoxi exclaimed in surprise, a strange and unusual father-son pair.

  "Listen," Makino Fuyu said with his greatest patience, "if you're afraid of getting hurt, I... can let you leave." His pupils narrowed stubbornly.

  Ming Xiao Xi smiled proudly and softly: ?

  "Pastor Yang, is this the first day you've met me? When have I ever been afraid? Is intimidation useful against me? I am the invincible Ming Xiao Xi, don't forget that I've saved you with my bare hands twice!"

  Makino's icy hand warmed up a bit, lightly like a gentle breeze.

  Ming Xiao Xi suddenly said: ?

  "That's not right, why should I be threatened by your father? I'm not even your real girlfriend, this is so unfair..."

  "I'm hungry." He interrupted her about-to-be lengthy protest.

  Ming Xiao Xi rubbed her head: "You're hungry...... Oh yeah, it's already dark and you should be hungry. Then... goodbye..."?

  "Go eat at your place."

  "I... I'm from there... My home isn't..."

  Ming Xiao Xi struggled to resist under his scorching gaze...

  *?

  Ming Xiao Xi finally brought up the last dish.

  She took off her apron and sat down at the other end of the table, saying to Ryōta: "I made green pepper and potato stir-fry, braised eggplant, cucumber salad, onion and meat stir-fry, and tomato and cucumber egg soup. Don't worry, none of these dishes are spicy."

  Makino Ryūhi looked at her with some surprise as she produced so many dishes in half an hour: "You... seem to be very capable."

  Ming Xiao Xi smiled slyly: ?

  "Nothing, kids from ordinary families like ours have to help out with household chores since their parents work hard outside. Hehe, you rich kids definitely wouldn't understand."

  Makino Ryu's ice has fallen silent again.

  She stuck out her tongue and looked at him, speaking nonsense again. She took the bowl of Pastor Mu's ice flow and scooped some of each dish into his bowl:

  "Hurry up and eat, your stomach isn't good so you should take good care of it, eating on time is very important... Give me some face, okay? The dishes I made are all delicious, although I don't dare compare to Kazama-senpai, but they shouldn't be much worse."

  "Thank you."

  He suddenly said such a sentence before eating at Zhang's house, and Ming Xiaoxi was stunned for ten minutes.

  It was eleven o'clock at night, and Ming Xiaoxi began to feel drowsy. But she found that Mu Ye Liang seemed to have no intention of leaving. He sat quietly in a corner of the living room, gazing out at the dark night outside, for a long time already.

  "Aren't you going home?" she asked softly.

  "I have no home."

  "Oh," Ming Xiaoxi shrank her neck, so where did they come from this afternoon?

  "Are you leaving?" She gave a very "polite" order to ask him to leave.

  "I have nowhere to go." Makino Ruka replied directly.

  "You go sleep, I'm fine here by myself."

  "But... however..."

  "The whole world knows about our relationship now."

  "But... however..."

  "Otherwise, I can only go to a bar."

  Ming Xiao Xi gave him a quick glance, his entire body shrouded in the aura of the dark night, and there was a fragile quality that shattered her resistant heart.

  Ming Xiao Xi carried a quilt into the living room: ?

  "You sleep in the bedroom, I'll sleep in the living room."

  Makino looked at her in surprise: "No need, I can sleep in the living room."

  "No way, there isn't even a sofa in the living room, you can only sleep on the floor. Your body is not good, this will make you sick. I'm different, my body is as strong as an ox."

  Makino Ayumu's icy smile faltered: "What kind of girl says that about herself?"

  He looks so good when he smiles, he should smile more often, it's a waste of such a beautiful face to be serious all day.

  Ming Xiao Xi pushed the ice-cream into Mu Ye's room and closed the door behind him, saying "Sleep well."

  She returned to the living room and punched her own head with a fist: ??

  "Stupid Ming Xiaoxi! Why can't you always refuse Pastor Ye's advances?"

  Endless long night, she has only spent it on the ground...