Almost Won Over

After driving for a while, the car gradually entered a scenic area, surrounded by large, retro-style Japanese gardens.

"We've arrived."

Iori Muga parked the car at the wide entrance paved with pebbles, and after getting out, opened the car door for Fujino as well.

After getting out of the car, Fujino looked around and surveyed his surroundings.

The first thing that catches the eye is a tall, imposing wooden gate. The movable door panels are inside, while the two sides are wooden gateposts that connect the whole structure. There are even small doors on both sides of the gateposts.

On the left side of the gate, above the gatepost, hangs a plaque bearing the surname "Ōoka". Looking up, one sees gray-black tiles laid out diagonally, resembling a palace structure.

On either side of the gate, there are two tall and straight pine trees, and various environmental landscapes and even huge rocks are arranged around it.

Looking through the wooden wall connected to the wooden gate, made of the same material, one sees a lush, endless expanse of verdant maple leaves.

A gentle breeze blew by, and the maple leaves swayed in the wind.

Fujino followed Ooka Momiji and Iori Muga into the Ooka mansion.

Upon entering, the first thing you see is a road that seems to stretch on forever.

The road runs through half of the courtyard and ends at a shimmering lake. Fences and various buildings have been built around the lake, making it impossible to tell whether it is an artificial lake or a naturally formed small lake.

The small lake is surrounded by densely planted decorative maple trees, which are still green now, but will probably turn bright red in autumn.

When the wind blows, countless Momiji will fall like a dream.

Among those maple trees, there are also countless retro houses, spreading outwards from the center of the small lake.

As for the land area...

Fujino had given up thinking; he felt completely numb.

If I had to describe his current state of mind, it would be like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden, or a little cow being shoved in the backside with a knife—he's had his eyes opened.

A Japanese-style courtyard, beside a small lake in the center.

"This is your home?"

Fujino leaned against the wooden railing, his dead fish eyes scanning the landscape around the artificial lake.

"Yes, this is my home."

Ooka Momiji changed into a pink top and a white long skirt, and walked up from behind.

As she spoke, she first touched her fair chin lightly with her hand, and after thinking for a moment, she continued in a low voice, "Hmm... but who knows, maybe it will be ours in the future."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Fujino's dead fish eyes darkened even more, and he was speechless as he looked at the rich young woman beside him who was calmly and innocently saying such seductive words.

Please don't tempt me like this, okay?

Are all rich women this scary?

Why is there such a big difference?

Damn, I feel like crying...

Fujino silently complained to himself, then glanced around at his surroundings.

Upon closer analysis, the Ooka family's large plot of land doesn't seem 'cheap,' and such a large Japanese-style villa area near Kyoto city center isn't something an ordinary person can buy with money alone.

To put it simply, the traditional courtyard houses within the Third Ring Road of Beijing are practically priceless and unavailable for purchase.

Moreover, based on his naked eye estimation, the area belonging to the Ooka family alone was already more than twice the size of the courtyards of the surrounding families.

If you think about it, even within aristocratic circles, the Ooka family is probably one of the most prestigious families...

It must be a prestigious family, at least their ancestors must have been from some kind of banner.

Moreover, Ooka Momiji seems to be the only surviving member of the Ooka family?

Fujino thought about it carefully, and then suddenly felt that he didn't even dare to think about it.

After all, this had already surpassed his worldview, both in his past life and in this life when he was a rich second-generation...

Humans cannot imagine the unknown. — Lu Xun

Recalling Lu Xun's famous quote, Fujino pulled himself out of his thoughts, but suddenly felt that it wasn't Lu Xun who said it.

He lowered his gaze to the ripples occasionally stirred up by the koi in the lake in front of him, and his eyes reflected the ripples.

After thinking about all this, he suddenly felt that the gap between himself and this young rich woman seemed to be widening.

It has even reached a point where it seems like it will never be accessible.

Unless it's about raising a banner, starting a revolution, and using the power of the masses to overthrow the existing order of Japan society.

Otherwise, even if he were the former self, as the heir of a conglomerate or company, could he really have any connection with a woman from a family at the pinnacle of power?

"Hey, Momiji."

Fujino looked up at the lush maple trees across the lake and asked, "So, what exactly do you see in me?"

"Well?"

Ooka Momiji was slightly taken aback and looked at Fujino with a puzzled expression, "Why would you suddenly say something like that?"

"Actually, I just felt it was pretty strange."

Fujino spoke calmly, lowering his eyes and saying softly, "With your abilities and looks, you should be able to find someone more suitable no matter what... Why are you clinging to me because of a child's promise?"

"Huh? Why would you suddenly say that?"

"I... I don't actually know either."

"I don't know either."

Ooka Momiji didn't hesitate much, walking forward and leaning against the railing, looking over. "It might be because of the promise, but I feel it's more than just the promise. I don't know what that feeling is, but it probably started around that time... maybe it was love at first sight. I find it strange, but I just can't control myself... If it were just a passing fancy, I probably would have realized it long ago, but after so long, I'm sure there's no one more suitable for me than you, if we're talking about outstanding people..."

As she spoke, she turned around, a gentle smile on her face, "I don't think there's anyone in this world more outstanding than you."

"..."

Looking at the smiling face before him, Fujino was suddenly taken aback. He vaguely felt a strange yet familiar tremor welling up in his heart, which had long since become calm. His heartbeat quickened, and he even felt a slight sting.

"Phew... I was overthinking it."

Taking a deep breath, Fujino calmed himself down, and his grip on the railing tightened involuntarily.

Seriously!

Not only did they use money as bait, they even played the emotional card.

How can he possibly resist? She's a terrifying little rich woman.

I almost got captured...

Fujino released his grip, glanced at the dented railing, and decisively turned around to shield it with his back. He sighed, "I'm so sorry for saying those things."

"It's okay, I don't think there's anything wrong with it."

Ooka Momiji's smile remained unchanged. She rested her arms on the railing, leaned forward slightly, and murmured, "I know you're doing this for my sake... because this is the you I know."