Chapter 476

"No, that's not true. It's very simple for you. For example, you could tidy up my house, buy some necessary supplies, help me with filming, be my model, etc... Basically, just some auxiliary work, okay?"

"Ah! If that's the case, I'm also qualified!"

Inui Shinju looks sunny and energetic, radiating a beautiful smile like a hydrangea.

"Great, I'll tell you the specific time and address later, and the hourly rate will be satisfactory. Also, don't worry, your sister and the others know my address."

"My salary just needs to be enough to support my cosplay! I don't need much more!"

"That won't do. I can't let girls younger than me suffer."

He glanced at the time and thought it was about time. "Alright, that's all for today. We'll keep in touch online afterwards. By the way, your contact information..."

"Ah, okay!"

"Bye-bye, Shinju, sweet dreams tonight."

"Goodbye, Talent senior... And, thank you so much for today!"

"Yoshi~ Yoshi~ What a polite Good Child!"

"Ah, Talent senior... no, not there..."

"..."

After finishing his meal and having a heart-to-heart talk with Inui Shinju, it took him some time to leave the restaurant and return to Ten no Yashiro. It was almost nine o'clock.

Thinking of the unbearable loneliness late at night, he made a phone call and summoned Koto Satsuki over.

"Just so you know, it's after get off work hours now."

"You're getting off work pretty early today, even though it's Friday—but that's okay, I need your time after get off work."

"..."

Koto Satsuki sighed softly, then sat down beside him. "Is there something you need?"

"Can't I contact you if there's nothing wrong?"

"No, that's not it..."

Koto Satsuki's cheeks were rosy, and she gently closed her beautiful eyes, which were the opposite color of Ouka Mai the same color as his. "It just so happens that I also want to talk to you more."

"I think I can understand what that statement means?"

Sakurakoji Talent glanced at her provocatively, looking her up and down.

"It's okay, we're in a relationship now anyway, so it's fine if you think that way."

Faced with his deliberate provocation, Koto Satsuki gently deflected it like a willow swaying in the wind, causing his attack to miss its mark.

"..."

A strange light flashed in Sakurakoji Talent's eyes as he thought about various things. "That's perfect. We're both free now, so let's get to know each other better before we meet True Wei next time!"

Koto Satsuki smoothed her long, black, silky hair without objecting, her gaze sweeping over the large space around her. "Your room is still quite empty. What are your hobbies?"

She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt that the man in front of her had a strangely elusive presence.

Although she was exposed to many of the things he did, such as musical instruments and clothing, these were more like embellishments to him than his hobbies.

"There are many: clothing, musical instruments, cooking, reading, fashion, photography, cosplay, drawing, story writing, stargazing, games, working to earn money... and so on."

"... While it's good that you're interested, saying so much makes me feel like you're just giving me the runaround."

Koto Satsuki's expression was subtle; she couldn't tell how much of what he said was true.

To be honest, from what she knows, there are a few that do seem genuine; but to be honest... can one person really have so many interests?

No, ultimately, can one have so many interests and hobbies at the same time?

With so much energy scattered across so many things, can it still be called a hobby?

Just like breathing, eating, drinking, walking, and sleeping, although we do these things every day, it can't really be called a person's hobby.

And that is indeed the case; at least when he mentioned the dish, his statement could no longer be considered the truth.

He may be a good cook, but that doesn't mean he enjoys cooking.

Although he's been doing it more lately, before he returned to China, he would only occasionally take action.

Chapter 437 The Mysterious Purple Book

But none of this mattered to him.

If I had to say, he didn't actually have any particularly strong interest.

Just like three meals a day, if you really want to eat, you can eat anything. The same goes for hobbies; if you really want to do them, you can do anything. It's just that the time spent doing them varies, which leads to different levels of proficiency.

Because he was born into a family with a long history in the fashion industry, he had more time to work with clothes and design than in other fields, which is why he achieved a higher level of success.

For him, as long as he can enrich and deepen his life, that's enough; what he does specifically isn't important.

It is indeed abundant in some ways, and uninteresting in others, but this is the result of his continuous choices under the influence of fate.

"Oh, oh, don't worry about it so much~"

It was too complicated to explain, so he waved his hand, trying to gloss over the situation.

Why do you say that?

Koto Satsuki, her Black Stockings tucked to the side, looked utterly bewildered. "I asked this because I wanted to understand you. If you're just giving me a perfunctory answer, what's the point? Please answer me seriously."

"..."

Seeing her serious and earnest attitude, he felt a little apologetic, but the image of Yukino Shita Yukino popped into his mind.

Both are top students, both have long, Black Long Straight Hair, both are aloof and serious, and both have a charmingly unexpected side... He doesn't dislike them; in fact, he quite likes them.

"It's not that I want to hide it, it's just that the reasons are too complicated to explain, so I don't know whether I should tell you in detail."

"Isn't this perfect? What I want to hear is what you wouldn't tell anyone else, only people in close relationships like lovers and friends."

Koto Satsuki used the same words he had just spoken to give him a small retort.

"..."

Sakurakoji Talent stared at her for a long time, finally letting out a long sigh, "Ha~", "I understand, what do you want to know?"

"But let me make this clear beforehand: some things, once you know them, there's no going back, okay?"

"Is it really that serious...?"

She only wanted to ask about my hobbies and interests in the first place.

"If you're hesitating, then I'll do it."

He chuckled and asked in return, "And you Satsuki? I mentioned before that you seem to enjoy reading, right? What kind of books do you like?"

"It felt like the topic was deliberately changed, which was really annoying... It was probably a book about humans, like how they would reveal their true nature once they were pushed to the brink."

Koto Satsuki glanced at him with a hint of mockery.

"Or on the other hand, even when faced with an inescapable predicament, they still struggle desperately and strive to move forward—I especially like these kinds of stories that starkly depict the human heart."

"Yeah..."

Sakurakoji Talent quickly composed herself, her crimson eyes fixed on the floor-to-ceiling window beside her, observing the scenery outside through the highly reflective glass.

"What's wrong? Don't you like it?"

Seeing his reaction, Koto Satsuki frowned in confusion. "Generally speaking, I think most people wouldn't dislike this kind of setup, right?"

"Hmm, maybe."

He slowly nodded in agreement, "In fact, the charm of a great story lies in its ability to deeply explore the motivations behind the characters' actions."

"But, how should I put it, this kind of thing is definitely better left as a story. Once it happens to you, it's really quite annoying..."

"Um?"

Koto Satsuki couldn't understand the meaning behind his words for a moment.

"Let's put that aside for now. Do you have any good book recommendations? I'd like to know what kind of books you usually read, Satsuki."

"Yes, I do... Do you need me to go down and get it for you?"

Please.

A few minutes later.

With her usual calm demeanor, Koto Satsuki handed over a book wrapped in a purple patterned cover, her tone as unchanging as ever. "You can return it whenever you want. I think you'll like the content. If you find it boring, you don't have to force yourself to finish it."

"Really? Thank you."

He took the somewhat familiar book, a smile flickering in his eyes. Looking up at her expression, which, though she tried to hide it, still seemed a little unnatural, he knew what was going on.

That kind of acting skill can only fool others.

Ha~ You asked for this, Koto Satsuki!

"But since it Satsuki you who specifically recommended it, I will definitely read it word for word!"

He emphasized his words, speaking with a pointed tone.

"Yes, is that so? That's good."

Although her face was still covered in ice, her rosy cheeks and the awkward way she fiddled with her hair were breathtakingly beautiful and easily aroused fantasies.

"I don't do this often, I just felt I should get closer to you."

Even if it was an act, she was undeniably beautiful when she was shy...

Seeing you like this makes me feel even more that I should do this.

"We're already dating, if you keep giving me the runaround, we'll always feel like strangers—don't you think so?"

He seemed thoughtful, then gently lifted the tip of his nose. "... Hmm, I think so too."

"Then you can keep an eye on it for a bit,"

After handing over the book, she made a move to leave, appearing slightly hurried, "It's getting late, I should probably head back..."

"Hey~ hey~ don't rush!"

He grabbed her fair, smooth wrist and, with a slight pull, dragged her into his arms as she tried to escape. His eyes were playful. "We haven't finished talking yet. It's not too late to leave later."

The refreshing and delicate fragrance of winter plum blossoms immediately wafted into his nostrils along with her soft and delicate body.

Aside from the slightly inferior bath fragrance, there was a clearer and brighter scent, like the winter plum blossoms blooming in a wine alley, surprisingly eye-catching, instantly refreshing the half-drunk person.

"Her body fragrance is really nice," Sakurakoji Talent's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but sniff a few more times.

Although body odor is nothing new to him—he's smelled it countless times since childhood, with several people in his family and himself, and recently he's encountered a whole bunch of others...—it's still pleasant to smell, isn't it?

Unlike cosmetics and perfumes that might have the same scent as someone else, this is a unique identifier for each person.

He didn't take advantage of her; he smelled hers, she smelled his, and they were even!

"Is there anything else?"

Koto Satsuki felt a surge of bloodlust rising to her ears. Without making a sound, she pushed him away and sat down to the side, touching her loose hair.

Ouka Mai, the fragrance he wore seemed even more intoxicating...

"You forgot? I was the one who called you over in the first place, of course there was something wrong."

He said this as a matter of course, then took the book and headed towards the dressing room, "Come with me."

Koto Satsuki clenched her pale, lotus-root-white Hands, but ultimately chose not to leave directly.

She can run away for a while, but not forever, and besides, she has no reason to run away right now.

Following him to that familiar room, Koto Satsuki rubbed her arms. What used to be a professional and cozy space now felt like a closed cage to her, who was haunted by ghosts.

"I suddenly remembered, it's been so long since I taught you how to make clothes. I've really neglected my duty, so I apologize in advance."

He placed the purple book on the workbench, then rummaged through the fabric rack next to it and took out several bolts of fabric of different colors.

Although it looks light, a single piece of cloth can actually weigh quite a bit, easily reaching twenty or thirty kilograms.

But in his hands, they were just a few ordinary pieces of clothing, which he casually placed on the table.

"I taught you how to knit a sweater last time, let's try something different today!"

His eyes shone as he looked at her expectantly.