Chapter 4

  Thank you Xiaoxi!

  Secretary Ohki Akiko was delightedly drinking the hot and fragrant coffee brought to her by Ming Xiao Xi.

  Thank you Xiaoxi!

  Manager Fujino smiled with satisfaction as she looked at the neat stack of printed documents handed over by Ming Xiaoxi.

  Thank you Xiaoxi!

  Colleague Yamaguchi hands a document that needs to be delivered to the 23rd floor to Ming Xiaoxi.

  Thank you Xiaoxi!

  Colleague Meizuo took over the hamburger that Mingxiaoxi had just bought for him from a restaurant outside.

  ……

  Ah, although it's a cold winter day, the hearts of all employees in the planning department of Dong Temple Group feel warm like spring. These days, Xiaoming Xixi has been taking care of them with great care and attention to detail. Every need, every thought, as long as Xiaoming Xixi can do it for them, she will definitely make it happen with the best quality in the first time.

  They can't help but think that if one day Ming Xiaoxi is no longer working here, how will they survive? So, they plan to strongly suggest to the personnel department that Ming Xiaoxi officially become a member of their team. Best to sign a ten-year contract with her at once, so she won't have any way to jump ship. (Of course, they will fight for the most generous compensation for her.)

  Ming Xiao Xi knocked on Qian Jing Feng's office door.

  Come in.

  She quietly walked in and placed a cup of milk tea on Sena's office desk: "Miss Sena, your milk tea."

  Qian Jing raised her head and looked at her: "Thank you."

  Ming Xiao Xi smiled: "You're welcome. Senpai Qian, I added some chocolate to your milk tea today, don't know if it suits your taste."

  Senrei tried a sip: "Hmm, not bad, very rich and fragrant! Xiaoxi, it's a pity that you have such skills as a little sister."

  Akane smiled with her eyes curved: "I'm glad you like it. I've been thinking, Senpai has always been drinking milk tea, won't she get tired of it? If she wants to change to another drink, please let me know."

  She bowed slightly: "If you have nothing else, I'll take my leave first."

  Wait a minute." Senkawa Kaede called out to her: "I've noticed that the people outside have been pretty laid-back lately, and they've had you do a lot of things for them?"

  Hehe, I helped out with some small tasks.

  Including typing documents for them?

  Hehe, I'm now the fastest typist in the planning department, so helping out is only right.

  Does it include paying their phone bills and utility bills?

  Hehe, exercising is good for the body.

  Including going to Akira Minami's house after work to help her cook, wash clothes and take care of children?

  Ming Xiao Xi blinked her eyes: "You even know this? You're really amazing."

  Sen Qian's eyebrows furrowed: "Ming Xiao Xi, what are you doing? Do you want to exhaust yourself to death?"

  Ming Xiao Xi smiled awkwardly: "It's nothing, I found that helping others has endless joy, and it seems like my own life value has also been...

  Senrei interrupted her impatiently: "Do you have a lot of free time?"

  Yes, I'm so bored, that's why...

  "Alright,"; Senkawa Kaede interrupted her again: "Higashi's mom wants you to go home for dinner today.

  Akane Hinoi shrunk her neck: "No way, I promised Fujino-san that I'd go to her house tonight."

  "Hello, is this Miss Fujiwara? Akira has something on tonight and won't be able to come over."

  Ming Xiao Xi's mouth was wide open: "You... how can you..."

  Senkawa Kaede stood up and put on her coat: "It's about time too, come with me."

  Ming Xiao Xi shrank into a corner of the wall: "I... I won't go..."

  Senkai Kaede grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the office.

  Picking up her chopsticks and looking at the plate full of food, Ming Xiaoxi felt a sense of detachment from the world.

  How long ago was it that she spent Christmas Eve here? How happy, how boisterous, and even with some troubles, they seemed to be easily solved. After all, how much time has passed? Why does everything seem so difficult now, so irretrievable, as if no matter how hard you try, it's just a futile struggle?

  Xiao Xi, eat a bit more, you seem to have lost a lot of weight recently. Another plump chicken leg was placed on her plate, and Dong Si Shui Yue looked at her with concern.

  Dong Si hastily chimed in: "Yes, Ming sister, you've really lost weight! Your chin has even become pointed."

  Ming Xiao Xi smiled: "It seems that my weight loss results are very good, haven't I become much more beautiful?"

  "Not at all." Toshihiko Higashi looked up at her and muttered.

  "What kind of eyesight does Dong Temple have..."; Ming Xiao Xi smiled and looked at Fēng Jiàn Chèng: "Feng Jian, do you think it's still more beautiful to be thinner."

  Fujiwara no Sai gazed at her: "As long as you're happy, that's all that matters."

  Ming Xiao Xi suddenly bit her lip and lowered her eyes.

  Tōji Mizuki sighed: "The affairs of the Makino family, we've all heard about them... Akakawa, the father of Kōri has passed away, why didn't you notify us?"

  Because... uh... um... "; Ming Xiao Xi bit her lips even tighter.

  "Huh? !"; Dongsi Haoxue widened his eyes: "Pastor Mu is gone, so isn't Pastor Mu's brother the new president of 'Mu Group'?"

  "Not bad,"; Tōji Hiroshi's eyes stared straight at Myōsei: "The news on TV and in the newspapers is all saying that Makino Ryūko has officially taken over as president of the Makino family."

  Wow! Makino-san became a company president at such a young age, isn't that amazing?!; exclaimed Toudou Hirosetsu.

  "Stop it, Haoyue!"; Dongsi Shuinyue looked at Mingxiaoxi, who was holding a pair of chopsticks and stirring the food in her plate, making a mess: "Xiaoxi, what are you doing?

  Ming Xiao Xi came to and smiled awkwardly: "I... I was studying... these things are so delicious, how did you make them... taking them apart will make it clearer..."

  Tō-ji's Mizukagami shook his head.

  Xiao Xi, come live here with me.

  "Huh?"; Ming Xiao Xi opened her mouth wide, unable to understand what she meant.

  "You're living alone now, it's not safe. It's better to stay here, everyone can look out for each other and feel more at ease." Dong Si Shui Yue explained.

  "No! No!" Ming Xiao Xi repeatedly refused: "I'm fine living alone, what's the problem, besides... wasn't I always alone before he moved in?..." Her eyes were a bit dazed: "Now, it's just back to how things used to be..."

  Ming Xiao Xi rallied her spirits: "What's there to be afraid of? I'm Ming Xiao Xi, the invincible one under the heavens!"

  However, "Tōji Mizuki" still worries: "I heard that 'Nikkōsha' has been fighting fiercely with 'Makino-gumi' recently, and many people have died or been injured... You're just a girl... won't you..."

  Ming Xiao Xi heard her words, somewhat absent-minded: "Really? ... Many people were killed or injured? ... "; She never dared to watch TV, read newspapers, as long as it was related to social news, she refused. She had no idea what was happening at all.

  That's right. "Tōji Hiromu said in a stiff tone: "Now, 'Nikkōsha' and 'Makino-gumi' are at odds with each other, many people get hurt every day, many people die every day......"

  "I'm going home!"; Ming Xiao Xi jumped up like a spring, her face flustered as she said: "I still have many things to do, I need to start reviewing my lessons, there's also a basin of clothes waiting to be washed at home, and the sheets need to be changed too..."

  "Minako!"; "Terao Hiroshi shouted: "You cover your ears and don't listen, will the thing not happen? You coward! Where did your courage go!"

  Ming Xiao Xi didn't even look at him, and instead looked directly at the others, forcing a smile: "I had a great meal, thank you Dong Si Mama. I'm going home now. Goodbye Dong Si Mama, goodbye Kazama-senpai, goodbye Koito, goodbye Yuki."

  She bowed to everyone except Tōji Kōno, who was furious, and smiled as she turned around and walked away.

  Xiao Xi, I'll have the driver send you. Dong Si Shui Yue chased after her.

  I'll send her." Feng Jiancheng suddenly appeared in his coat and chased after Ming Xiaoxi, who was gradually disappearing from view.

  What's wrong? What's wrong? Why did Ming sister leave suddenly?

  A bewildered Terauchi Hirosetsu looked left and right, hoping someone would tell her what had happened. However, Terauchi Hirotada stormed out of the dining hall, overturning his chair as he went, while Senaka Kaede seemed to have heard nothing and continued eating slowly, and Terauchi Mizuki sat back down with a worried look on her face, not a single person paying attention to her question.

  On her way back to the apartment, Ming Xiaoxi stared blankly at the endless night outside the car window, not saying a word.

  However, as they got closer to the apartment, Ming Xiaoxi's expression gradually became uneasy. When Feng Jiancheng finally stopped the car, he found that her face was shriveled up like a small mouse.

  Xiaoxi, we've arrived at the apartment building." Fēng Jiàn Chén reminded her.

  "Oh, I'm here..."; Ming Xiaoxi slowly stretched out her hand to push the door, but no matter how hard she pushed, it wouldn't open. She chuckled: "I'm really useless, can't even open a door."

  Her forced smile made Feng Jian furrow his brow: "What's wrong, Xiaoxi?"

  Haha, nothing; Ming Xiaoxi was still struggling with the car door: "I'm an idiot, I couldn't even push open the door..."

  "You should pull here." Kaze no Ma told her in a low voice.

  Ming Xiao Xi suddenly enlightened, burst out laughing: "Haha, look at me, how silly I am, actually using Tucao! Haha, I'm really the stupidest person!" She seemed to think this was the most hilarious thing in the world, laughed so hard she was doubled over, tears streaming down her face.

  Xiao Xi! Feng Jian Cheng pulled her into his arms as she laughed somewhat abnormally: "Don't be like this."

  His arms were so warm and powerful, his hug crushed her last attempt to be strong. She buried her head deep in his chest, her laughter choking: "Senpai... I don't want to go back... it's empty there... nothing is there..."

  Xiao Xi...; Feng Jian Cheng gently patted her back.

  Don't leave me... I'm the only one left..."; Ming Xiao Xi's tears quietly seeped into his chest: "I'm so useless... right?... I'm really afraid of being alone...

  Fūin no apartment.

  Feng Jiancheng stuffed a cup of steaming hot drink into her hand: "Drink it."

  Ming Xiao Xi took a light sip: "It's chocolate."

  He smiled: "You haven't eaten anything just now, you must be hungry. First drink the chocolate milk, I'll go make something for you to eat."

  No need." She hastily shook her head.

  "How's Yangzhou fried rice?" He asked for her opinion without giving her a chance to refuse.

  Ming Xiao Xi was lying on the white sofa in the living room, covered with a soft blanket, smelling the fragrance wafting from the kitchen, sipping rich hot chocolate, feeling her long-lost spirit slowly coming back.

  This was her second time coming to his apartment. It was still as clean and bright as before, just like the person Feng Jianzhen, making people feel so comfortable and at ease. Unlike hers, which had been a mess since Pastor Liu Bing left...

  Yangzhou fried rice is here! Along with Feng Jiancheng's cheerful laughter, a plate of rich and fragrant fried rice appeared in front of Ming Xiaoxi. It instantly stirred up her appetite, and Ming Xiaoxi swallowed her saliva, only then did she realize that she was indeed very hungry.

  Ming Xiao Xi used the spoon that Feng Jian Zhen had brought her to scoop up mouthful after mouthful of rice, mumbling indistinctly as she ate: "Delicious... really delicious..."

  She quickly finished the fried rice, then started drinking a bowl of delicious soup that Fūjin Mitama had given her.

  After eating and drinking, she stroked her bulging belly, leaning back on the sofa: "Senior, how did you learn to make Yangzhou fried rice? And it's so authentic! Have you had it before?"

  Feng Jian smiled: "I haven't eaten it myself, I just made it according to the recipe."

  "Huh?"; Ming Xiao Xi blinked her eyes: "Just by looking at the menu, you can make such stunning dishes. If you're planning to develop in the culinary world, I think those top chefs won't be needed anymore."

  Feng Jian Zhen hit her: "Exaggerated! Your craftsmanship is also very good."

  Ming Xiao Xi's little face fell immediately:

  Senior, do you know how much blood and tears those dishes that are still edible were exchanged for? Since I was a child, my mother has been opposed to my father teaching me martial arts, fearing that I would be too rough and couldn't get married. In order to prevent the person who will marry me in the future from thinking that I am useless, she forced me to learn cooking with the chef at the restaurant, and let the most picky people taste the dishes I made. If someone was not satisfied with the flavor, I would either go hungry or be beaten.

  She looked up at him with reverence:

  I'm like a clumsy bird, practicing hundreds and thousands of times to fly just one foot high, while you, my teacher, lightly spread your wings and soar in the clouds!

  Feng Jian Cheng knocked her again: "You're becoming a bootlicker."

  "I'm not!"; Ming Xiao Xi strongly protested: "I am a sincere word! I can swear, Feng Jian Cheng is the person I admire most, you have a pair of hands like God's... ...compared to you, I become very insignificant... "; She felt a little lost: "I can't do anything... I can't retrieve anything... even if I try my best to do it... it seems still powerless... senior... I wish I could be like you..."

  Feng Jian Cheng gazed deeply at her: "Do you know I've also practiced martial arts?"

  Ming Xiao Xi opened her eyes wide: "Really! Senior, what have you practiced?"

  He smiled lightly: "I've practiced everything, Taekwondo, martial arts, boxing, free fighting... My father was afraid that I would be kidnapped by political enemies to coerce him, so from a young age he invited many masters to teach me how to fight against the enemy." He raised his eyebrows: "Do you want to see?"

  Ming Xiao Xi hastily nodded.

  Feng Jian rose from the empty space in the living room and began to practice a set of fist techniques, with a vigorous and refreshing posture, his movements were agile and powerful, and he was indeed a model.

  After finishing his move, he adjusted his breath and sat down beside Ming Xiaoxi: "What do you think?"

  Ming Xiao Xi scratched her head: "Who taught you this Shaolin Long Fist?"

  Taiwan's Lin Zhengxiong Master.

  "What? Is that Master Lin?"; Ming Xiaoxi was very surprised, Lin Zhengxiong was her father's junior fellow apprentice, and his kung fu skills were also excellent.

  "Don't you think I'm a disappointment and bringing shame to your brother Lin?"; Feng Jian sneered at himself.

  Ming Xiao Xi made another effort to scratch her head: "Can't say that, your moves are also very good and beautiful, should be considered not bad, just... seems like you didn't bring out the essence of this boxing technique..."

  He smiled: "Master Lin also said that about me. Do you know how long it took me to learn this set of boxing?"

  ……？

  A whole year.

  "Impossible!"; Ming Xiao Xi exclaimed.

  Feng Jianxiao smiled easily: "Silly girl, when have I ever deceived you? ...... How long did it take you to learn this set of fists?"

  Ming Xiao Xi carefully glanced at him: "Three days..."

  Are you on the same level as me?

  Not at all!"; Ming Xiao Xi's chest puffed out proudly: "I learned it when I was nine years old, and when I showed it off to the masters, they all praised me saying 'Fists that can knock down mountains and tigers, kicks that can stir up dragons in the four seas'... Ah, you don't understand... Anyway, it means I'm very good at it!

  She became more and more proud: "Everyone praises me as a 'martial arts prodigy', 'genius of learning martial arts'. No matter what routine, what weapon, as long as I see someone practice it, I can learn it! From small to large, I have never lost a fight with anyone. Before coming to Japan, I even had a draw with Lin Shifu!"

  Feng Jian Cheng's smile grew bigger: "I know, you're a chivalrous woman."

  Ming Xiao Xi finally felt a little embarrassed: "Hehe, did I get too carried away......"

  "You see, many things are like that. Sometimes you can do something very well without exerting yourself at all, sometimes you have to put in a lot of effort to do something well, and sometimes no matter how hard you try, you just can't make things go as you wish."

  His gaze was gentle as he looked at her: "There are some things that can be changed, and there are some things that seem to have been decided from the beginning how they will develop in the future, people are powerless. For some things that are powerless, don't blame yourself too much for being unable to retrieve it..."

  Just like... pupils? ..."; Ming Xiao Xi started thinking.

  Also like flowing ice. Feng Jiancheng took out the question she had been avoiding.

  In a clean and elegant apartment, a handsome young man gently looked at the girl, who was curled up on the sofa in a daze.

  Ming Xiao Xi grasped the blanket tightly on her body: "Are you trying to tell me... Bing was born in that kind of environment... He has been living in that kind of environment... In that situation... His choice... Can only be like that..."

  Fūin Kazuki fell silent for a moment: "I don't know what considerations led Kōri to make this choice. But I believe that if there were any other way, he would never have returned to the Makino family."

  Her mood twisted in agony like the blanket in her hands:

  No matter what the reason is, I don't want to see him do that... I always think... I always think... should I do something? Is there anything I can do? So he doesn't have to do that... But... I think and think... my head hurts from thinking... but still can't think of what I can do...

  "Kazuma-senpai!"; She threw down the blanket and grabbed his arm with both hands: "Tell me, what should I do? It must be my stupid brain that can't think of a way, you're so smart, tell me!!"

  If you're referring to letting Flow Ice not be the president of "Makino Group", Wind's eyes dimmed: "In that case, I have no way out, you have no way out, and even Flow Ice himself has no way out."

  Her fingers slowly slipped down.

  Now, the ice flow is blocked by a tiger that can only be eaten away, and running is not an option. The only way to survive is to pick up a weapon and fight it out. He grasped her fingers: "Xiaoxi... don't blame Liubing for being too stubborn, it's just that the tiger is too ferocious."

  Ming Xiao Xi's fingers were icy cold: "But... it's too dangerous... what if..."

  Fujiwara no Sai's bitter smile: "There are many things that can't be avoided."

  However, "he held her hand tightly: "Don't lose hope either, things will always turn around... The development of many things will be beyond people's original expectations... As long as we work hard and seize the opportunity... there is still hope..."

  Really?"; Ming Xiao Xi stared at him tightly.

  Really.

  Her hands slowly warmed up...

  By Wind's side, her heart also slowly warmed up...

  It's very late at night.

  Xiao Xi... Xiao Xi...; Feng Jian Cheng gently woke her up.

  Hmmm...

  Shall I see you home?

  Don't...

  Go back to your room and sleep?

  "Not... here... there's a senior... "; Ming Xiao Xi's two slender eyebrows furrowed slightly in her sleep: "Don't... be alone..."

  The night is getting deeper and deeper.

  Ming Xiao Xi was sleeping soundly with her head on Feng Jian Cheng's thigh, occasionally murmuring and turning over, causing the blanket to fall off onto the sofa.

  A long and slender big hand would always cover her with the quilt in time, carefully tucking it under her chin...

  On Wednesday morning, Ming Xiaoxi had just stepped into the second year of junior high school classroom when she was greeted by a shrill scream from Xiao Quan: "Ming Xiaoxi! How did you come here!"

  Ming Xiao Xi was called by her and couldn't make sense of it, very puzzled: "What's wrong? Can't I come?"

  Whoa, a large group of girls surrounded her, asking her in unison: "How can you be here?!"

  Girl A shouted angrily: "You're such a disappointment!

  Girl B looked puzzled: "Is the rumor really true?"

  The girl looked at her with disappointment in both eyes: "Ming Xiaoxi, I don't admire you anymore!

  The girl Ding excitedly pulled her: "Quick, quick tell us the inside story!"...

  Ming Xiao Xi stood foolishly at the classroom door, blankly asking: "What's wrong with me......"

  What on earth did she do that would provoke such a reaction? Why can't she understand it at all? Her pleading eyes turned to Koizumi.

  Koizumi let out a deep sigh, picked up a magazine from the table and flung it at her with a "whoosh": "You see for yourself."

  That is an English-German Academy school newspaper!

  The cover of the school newspaper prominently features a photo of Kazuki sending her off at the apartment on Monday morning, with the two walking side by side. On the photo are printed two lines in bright red letters:

  New love is bright and clear as a stream at dawn, but last night's lodging was not returned. Abandoning old love, the icy river flows too painfully!

  Ming Xiao Xi's eyes widened in shock as she read on, her hands began to tremble involuntarily, and the magazine fluttered like a leaf in the wind...

  Koizumi pushed away the girls surrounding Ming Xiaoxi and pulled her to a quiet corner outside the classroom.

  Koizumi looked at her expression: "You don't know anything about it yet, do you? Since yesterday noon, the TV has been full of news about Makino Ryuusei being assassinated and sent to the hospital for emergency treatment."

  Ming Xiao Xi stared straight at her: "What you said... is it... true?..."

  Koizumi's face was incredulous: "Ming Xiaoxi, are you blind? Are you deaf? Every newspaper and TV headline in the city is about this! Did you really break up with Makino Fuyu?! Don't you even know something as big as this?!

  Ming Xiao Xi grasped her tightly: "H...how is he?!?"

  Koizumi was in so much pain that she was gritting her teeth, and her strength was truly not ordinary: "I, I don't know either, some reports say Makino Ryūichi is already dead, some say he's being rescued and still hasn't escaped the danger zone, while others say he's unscathed... I don't know which one is true, which one is... Ah! The pain is killing me!"

  Ming Xiao Xi used all her strength to grab onto her: "Which hospital is he in... tell me quickly!!"

  Koizumi was in so much pain that tears were streaming down his face: "I said I'd had enough... Don't crush my bones..."

  Speak quickly!"; Ming Xiao Xi's eyes widened in anger.

  "Incheon Hospital! He's at Incheon Hospital!" Little Spring shouted in fright.

  A crazy impulse made Ming Xiaoxi's mind go blank, and all her consciousness was left with -

  "Don't run so fast!!" Koizumi yelled from behind her: "This way is completely..."

  Koizumi clutched at her chest, panting. Good heavens, how could Ming Xiaoxi run so fast? She disappeared faster than the speed of sound, leaving no time for Koizumi to tell her that Incheon Hospital was now surrounded by police and was more secure than a fortress, not even a stray mouse could sneak in...

  A commotion occurred in Incheon Hospital.

  A seriously injured patient, covered in bandages on a stretcher, was being pushed by nurses through the ICU when he suddenly sprang up from the bed and ran towards a room where many police officers and bodyguards were standing at the door.

  Where are you going?

  "Don't run around!"; The nurses were flustered, chasing and shouting, they had never seen such a lively seriously injured patient before; "He" wasn't severely injured in the gas explosion and needed emergency rescue?

  Seriously injured patients; rushed into a pile of bodyguards and police like lightning.

  He twisted his body to the left and right, like a loach, dodging in and out of the crowd, then squeezed through the gap between them, turned the door handle of the ward with force -

  He went in!

  The whole string of actions took less than three seconds, and the police and bodyguards outside the ward had not expected such a brazen "killer", nor did they have time to react. By the time they came to their senses, the "killer" was already inside the ward.

  Danger!!

  Be careful!!

  Hands up! Don't move!!

  We're going to fire our guns!!!!!

  Shouts and cheers rose and fell in waves...

  The police aimed their guns at the "killer" who had burst into the ward, their fingers trembling nervously on the triggers. If "he" made even the slightest move that threatened Pastor Ying's safety in bed, the bullets would be fired without mercy. But---

  The police officers widened their eyes in unison...

  All that could be seen was the figure wrapped in bandages, the "killer", slowly raising his empty hands above his head. His eyes stared intently through the gaps in the bandages at Ryūga Hōin lying on the bed with a pale face and an icy expression.

  "Who are you? What do you want?" The police officer asked sternly.

  One of the nurses who came over replied: "He is a patient who was injured in the gas explosion and was sent by ambulance!"

  "Gas explosion? !"; Makino Ryuichi's eyes stared strangely at the bandaged man, suddenly tearing off the various tubes on his body, jumping out of bed and pouncing on "him": "You... you're hurt? !"; Perhaps his body was a bit weak, in the process of pouncing on the "monster", his feet softened and he almost fell down...

  "The Mummy"; rushed forward and tightly grasped his body...

  Danger!!

  The police officers' hands on their guns began to tense up again...

  "Wait!!"; Beside him, Bing Jue Yun hastily stopped the police's action: "She is Young Master's girlfriend!"

  What?! The police's jaws are about to drop off! Which girl would visit her injured boyfriend in this way?

  Miss Bingji, you're not deceiving us, are you? If something unexpected happens, our responsibility will be huge...

  Ice Extreme Glare smiled faintly: "You see for yourselves."

  Really, the police found Makino Fuyuuki and that "weirdo" embracing from just now until now. Makino Fuyuuki gently closed his eyes, tightly hugging "her" body with both hands, and on his somewhat weak but still handsome face overflowed an uncontrollable excitement...

  Ice Extreme's gaze hinted at the police and the "Pastoral Group" big men to get out, giving him and her a separate space...