I had to admit, even though they were only little buds, they were still cute little flowers.
Mo Chen didn't disturb them. He stood quietly in the doorway, admiring Tenten and Hinata as they busied themselves.
Even knowing they'd approached him with an ulterior motive, just seeing their pretty faces was enough to put him at ease.
"Ah, Mo Chen's back!"
Tenten turned around, her little bottom swaying as she did, and found herself looking straight at Mo Chen. She nearly jumped out of her skin and couldn't help crying out.
Hearing Tenten's shout, Hinata flinched and turned around too, looking a little nervous and awkward.
After all, they'd come over uninvited. The two of them weren't close to Mo Chen, and had entered his home without permission. It was bound to seem presumptuous.
But that was only what Hinata thought.
The two in the kitchen heard the commotion and came rushing out in a clatter, jostling with each other and refusing to give way.
"Mo Chen, you're finally back! We've been waiting forever." Ino charged over without the slightest hesitation and wrapped herself around one of Mo Chen's arms.
"Just wait a little longer. The food will be ready soon." Sakura rushed over and clung to Mo Chen's other arm, glaring fiercely at Ino to show she wouldn't let her get her way so easily.
Neither girl would back down, and sparks flew as their eyes met.
Mo Chen hadn't expected his first proper meeting with them to go like this. Were these two not even going to try to hide their intentions?
Still, Ino was surprisingly well-endowed for her age.
Sakura was flatter, but she had a little something too.
Soft and fragrant, a girl's touch really was rather nice.
That was what he thought, but Mo Chen didn't let it show. Instead, he put on a confused expression and asked, at a loss, "You two... what's going on?"
Tenten hurried over and pried Ino and Sakura's hands off him. She glared at both of them, then sent a warning to the group chat.
[Tenten: You two better behave yourselves. Don't let a word about the Chat Group slip, or I'll kick you out. I'm the one closest to Mo Chen right now!]
[Sakura Haruno: Tch, what's the big deal? I'm just being friendly.]
[Ino Yamanaka: It's all that big forehead's fault. You said you'd only be loyal to Sasuke, so stop causing trouble here. And didn't you say you were leaving the group? Why haven't you left yet?]
[Sakura Haruno: That's my business, not yours!]
[Hinata Hyuga: Please don't argue. Let's handle the situation in front of us first, or Mo Chen-kun will get suspicious.]
[Tenten: Both of you, shut up!!]
After a few quick messages in the group, Tenten pulled Mo Chen aside and explained awkwardly, "Sorry, Mo Chen. I brought them to your home without asking you first."
"They'd just become ninja and gone out on a mission, so they were excited and wanted to celebrate with a meal. Then they heard I was coming over to your place and came along."
"They said they were your classmates, so I figured it would be fine. I didn't expect them to be so forward. If you're angry, I'll make them leave right now!"
As she spoke, she shot Ino and Sakura another fierce glare.
Sakura looked unconcerned. She admitted she was jealous of the boosts Ino and Tenten had received, and that she'd come here hoping to get one too.
But as far as she was concerned, Mo Chen was just an obscure nobody. He should be overjoyed that she'd deigned to visit his home.
Besides, she was a cute girl who'd gone out of her way to be friendly and warm toward him. Shouldn't Mo Chen be overwhelmed with gratitude?
Ino, on the other hand, knew how to read the room. She quickly sobered up and said to Mo Chen, "Sorry, Mo Chen. We really were presumptuous. We just got a little carried away. If we made you uncomfortable, I apologize."
"Mo... Mo Chen-kun!" Hinata stepped forward too, speaking nervously and shyly. "I'm sorry as well. We came without asking you..."
Mo Chen glanced around. He had no idea what Sakura was thinking, but her expression alone told him she was someone he could eliminate from consideration first.
"Don't be nervous, everyone. I'm not blaming you!" Mo Chen said with a warm smile. "You just startled me, that's all. I don't usually have many visitors, so I'm actually quite happy you came."
Sakura's lips curled into a slight smile as she shot Ino and Tenten a smug look.
See? You two were making a fuss over nothing!
Unfortunately for her, Ino and Tenten responded with eye rolls.
[Ding! Congratulations to group member Hinata Hyuga. Group level increased from LV0 to LV1. All attributes boosted by 200%!]
As if it had sensed Mo Chen's approval, the Chat Group system chimed at just the right moment.
A flicker of delight crossed Hinata's eyes. Sakura waited for a while, but when no further notification came, her face darkened instantly.
She wanted to curse and complain in the group chat.
But she was clever enough to realize that if she did, she'd turn herself into a clown the very next second.
[Ino Yamanaka: Congratulations, Hinata! What a wonderful surprise. Looks like Mo Chen really isn't blaming us. Right, big forehead? @Sakura Haruno]
[Tenten: Hinata got Mo Chen's approval too. Congratulations, Hinata! Isn't that right? @Sakura Haruno]
[Hinata Hyuga: Thank you! But I'm a little confused. How come Sakura didn't get a boost?]
[Ino Yamanaka: Yeah, why is that? @Sakura Haruno, why do you think that is?]
[Sakura Haruno: Enough already!]
Sakura was practically fuming. She had a vague idea what was going on.
But she refused to admit it was her fault. The Chat Group system was targeting her!
Ino winked at Sakura, her eyes full of mischief. Then she turned to Mo Chen with a playful grin and said, "Mo Chen, I heard the Third Lord didn't blame you for what happened yesterday, right?"
"It's a shame you couldn't become a ninja, but I'm sure you'll get another chance."
"And I'll tell you something in confidence. I went to the hospital yesterday and found those two guys who attacked you. I gave them a real thrashing."
"They're famous at the hospital now. They were too embarrassed to stay there, so they requested to be discharged before they'd even recovered."
Ino wanted to get a boost, and she knew she needed to get closer to Mo Chen. There was no way she'd do a good deed without making sure he knew about it.
Sure enough, Mo Chen gave her a grateful look and said sincerely, "Thank you, Ino. I never thought they'd do something like that."
"Come to think of it, it was Teacher Endo Hiroshi who pleaded with the Third Lord for me. I'll have to visit him and thank him properly."
If Ino hadn't brought it up, Mo Chen might really have forgotten about Chie Mai and Ryota.
He'd have to find a chance to get his own revenge on those two. Mo Chen was a very petty man.
As for Endo Hiroshi, he was really just a background character. Whether he was there or not made no difference to the overall situation.
But the man had spoken up for him. If Mo Chen didn't show any appreciation, wouldn't that make him ungrateful?
"Mo Chen, you're so kind!" Ino said. She pressed him down onto the sofa and added, "As compensation for showing up uninvited, you can just relax here. We'll take care of dinner."
Mo Chen noticed a subtle flicker of disappointment in Ino's eyes.
She'd probably hoped her good deed would earn her a group-level increase, and was disappointed when it didn't.
Before you continue