Invincible Me Only Wants to Slack Off

Chen Tian took in her reaction, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint smile.

He reached out and ruffled her golden hair, a gesture meant to soothe.

Then he picked up his phone and answered the call.

Shinomiya Kaguya's sweet, respectful voice came through immediately, her aristocratic tone impeccable: "Good day, Tian Jun. Have you eaten yet?"

Chen Tian let out a silent sigh at the familiar greeting, which sounded like it was straight out of an old drama. "Good morning, Kaguya. I'm eating right now."

"Oh, that's wonderful." Shinomiya Kaguya's voice softened further, carrying a hint of anticipation. "Then, could I trouble you to wait at home for a little while?"

Chen Tian raised an eyebrow. "What for?"

"I and the driver," Shinomiya Kaguya's voice came through clearly, "are on our way to your residence."

Chapter 25: Love Triangle

Chen Tian hung up and tossed his phone onto the table.

When he looked up, Kitagawa's cheeks were puffed out like a hamster stuffed with nuts, her lips slightly pursed. Those ruby-red eyes that had been sparkling moments ago were now staring at him with "grievance," her expression screaming, "I'm upset, come cheer me up."

Chen Tian let out a low chuckle at the sight.

"Hmph!" Catching his amusement, she immediately turned her face away, deliberately ignoring him, putting on a show of being "very angry" with a hint of petulance in her voice. "The Young Miss of the Shiongo Family is coming to pick you up? She sure is 'enthusiastic,' Boyfriend." She stressed the word "enthusiastic" a little too hard.

Chen Tian shrugged, his tone casual. "Since she's coming anyway, right? Free ride, at least I don't have to take the subway." He said it with utter confidence.

Kitagawa wrinkled her nose again, let out two more "hmphs," and "viciously" stabbed at the leftover porridge in her bowl with her chopsticks, as if to say, "I'm mad, but I'm still going to finish eating."

Chen Tian could see right through her little mood. Without a word, he reached into his pocket, fumbled around, and with a soft click, placed the black card Satoru Gojo had given him on the table, sliding it over to Kitagawa.

He tapped the card lightly with his fingertip, looking at the pouting girl. "Xiao Meng."

Kitagawa's gaze naturally followed the sound, landing on the black card that represented unlimited spending. Her ears twitched, but she didn't turn around immediately.

"After class today," Chen Tian continued, "how about we go buy a car?"

The words were like magic.

Kitagawa's puffed cheeks instantly deflated. She whipped her head around, her ruby-like eyes lighting up brighter than when she'd been staring at breakfast.

"Really?!" she blurted out, her voice brimming with surprise and excitement.

But the next second, the sparkle dimmed a little, as if a practical thought had crossed her mind. Her face fell slightly, hesitation creeping in. "We can, but..."

She looked at Chen Tian uncertainly. "Should we tell Sister Tatsuzuka?"

The "Sister Tatsuzuka" she mentioned was, of course, Chen Tian's agent, Tatsuzuka Yayoi.

An agent's presence was always something to consider in daily matters.

Chen Tian picked up his spoon, scooped up some porridge, and swallowed before replying casually, "Hmm? Not really necessary. Buying a car is our own business. If you want to tell her, go ahead."

Kitagawa looked at the black card on the table, then thought about the new car that would soon be hers (and more importantly, paid for with Gojo's money!). The earlier annoyance from the Young Miss's call was instantly washed away by the thrill of a big purchase.

Her brows relaxed, a smile returning to her face as she nodded vigorously, her voice crisp and cheerful.

"Mm-hmm! Okay! I'll send her a message later! What kind of car should we get? A sports car? Would that be too flashy? I heard they're not comfortable to ride in."

Chen Tian watched her mood flip from cloudy to sunny, full of energy. He said nothing more, just picked up his bowl and quietly finished his breakfast.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the black card on the table and the girl's newly brightened smile.

In high spirits, Kitagawa hummed a tune from an anime song, wolfed down the rest of her breakfast in a few bites, then scampered off to grab her phone to message Tatsuzuka Yayoi.

Chen Tian watched her bounce away impatiently, a slight smile tugging at his lips as he shook his head. He quickly cleaned up their bowls and chopsticks, the sound of running water filling the kitchen until it was spotless.

Just as he dried his hands, his phone rang again. The screen flashed with the name "Young Miss."

"Here?" Chen Tian answered, his voice calm.

"Yes, Tian Jun." Shinomiya Kaguya's voice came through. "The driver and I are waiting outside the gate. No need to rush."

The brief call ended, and Chen Tian turned to the living room.

Kitagawa was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, fingers flying across her phone screen, a giddy smile on her lips as she clearly had a lively discussion about the car purchase with Tatsuzuka Yayoi.

"Xiao Meng, time to go," Chen Tian reminded her.

"Ah! One sec!" Kitagawa replied without looking up, tapping a few more times before hitting send with satisfaction.

She jumped straight off the sofa, grabbing two school uniform jackets from the rack by the entrance.

Chen Tian was already at the door, shoes on. Kitagawa trotted over, handed him his jacket, and hopped around putting on her shoes while pulling on her uniform.

As they stepped out the gate, Shinomiya Kaguya came into view.

She wore a well-tailored dark dress with a striking red bow at her chest, her hands clasped gracefully in front of her, a flawless smile on her face—the epitome of a noble heiress.

Kitagawa glanced at her and muttered under her breath, "Doesn't she get tired... holding that pose?"

Chen Tian didn't answer. He just took her hand and walked straight toward Shinomiya Kaguya.

Shinomiya Kaguya's gaze fell on their clasped hands. Her perfect smile froze for a split second before being replaced by an even more polished one.

She gave a slight bow to Chen Tian. "Good day, Tian Jun. It's been a while."

"Mm, long time no see." Chen Tian gave a slight nod. "Sorry for troubling you today."

Just then, Kitagawa shuffled half a step forward, standing beside Chen Tian. A dazzling, almost blinding smile spread across her face as she chimed in a crisp voice: "Oh my, good day to you, Young Miss Shinomiya! I'm so terribly sorry to make someone of your esteemed status personally come pick up us two 'commoners.' I really can't apologize enough!"

She bit down on the word "commoners" with extra emphasis, her tone of "remorse" sounding more like a tease.

Shinomiya Kaguya's smile didn't waver, as if she hadn't caught any subtext. Her gaze shifted to Kitagawa, and she gave a slight bow in return. "Kitagawa-san, you're too kind. It's my honor to chauffeur Tian Jun."

She delivered the phrase "chauffeur Tian Jun" with natural emphasis, deliberately glossing over Kitagawa's presence as if she were merely an afterthought.

Then she turned to Chen Tian, her tone carrying just the right note of concern and familiarity: "Tian Jun, shall we get in? I had the chef prepare your favorite soy milk—it's still warm."

Kitagawa's smile froze for half a second, a flicker of irritation flashing in her crimson eyes.

She deliberately tightened her grip on Chen Tian's arm.

Chen Tian, as if oblivious to the silent clash between the two girls, simply replied with a faint "Mm."

Pulling Kitagawa along—who looked like she wanted to say more—he walked straight to the back seat.

The driver had already respectfully opened the door.

Shinomiya Kaguya maintained a poised smile, watching as Chen Tian bent down to get in first, followed by Kitagawa, who slipped in like a triumphant little peacock, claiming the spot beside him.

The door shut. Kitagawa inwardly gloated over having secured the seat next to Chen Tian, shutting Shinomiya Kaguya out.

But the next second, the other rear door opened, and Shinomiya Kaguya slid in smoothly and swiftly, taking the seat on Chen Tian's other side.

Kitagawa's smugness instantly froze. Her eyes flew wide as she stared at Shinomiya Kaguya, now occupying the empty space on Chen Tian's opposite side.

Shinomiya Kaguya sat upright, hands resting lightly on her knees, her face still wearing that perfect smile, as if she'd done nothing out of the ordinary.

She even gave a slight nod toward Kitagawa, who was glaring at her. "There's plenty of room in the car. Sitting apart like this, everyone's more comfortable."

She made it sound perfectly reasonable, as if adhering to basic car etiquette.

Kitagawa watched Shinomiya Kaguya claim Chen Tian's other side, sandwiching him between them left and right. Her cheeks puffed up like a blowfish, and those ruby-like eyes looked ready to shoot flames.

She squeezed Chen Tian's arm a little harder, silently venting her intense displeasure and protest—This woman! So sneaky!

Chen Tian felt the pressure on his arm and the sudden surge of "rage" beside him. His face remained expressionless, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

Mistake. Shouldn't have agreed to let Shinomiya Kaguya pick us up.

Shinomiya Kaguya, as if completely oblivious to the scorching stare, retrieved a delicate bone-china cup from a small insulated box in the front seat. Steam still curled from its rim.

"Tian Jun, your soy milk." Her voice was soft as she handed the cup to Chen Tian, its fragrance wafting through the air.

Just as the cup reached Chen Tian, a hand shot out like lightning to intercept it!

Kitagawa snatched the cup with startling speed. Before Chen Tian or Shinomiya Kaguya could react, she tipped it back and took a big gulp.

"Pfft—!" The next second, she stuck out her tongue in an exaggerated grimace. "Oh my~ So sweet! Cloying! Tian Jun doesn't like such sugary stuff anymore!"

As she spoke, she casually shoved the cup back into Shinomiya Kaguya's hand, a hint of smugness in her eyes.

Shinomiya Kaguya's hand tightened almost imperceptibly around the cup, but her smile remained flawless, though the warmth in her eyes cooled a few degrees.

"Is that so?" Her voice was still gentle, but carried a subtle counterattack. "Yet I clearly remember that when Tian Jun and I used to have breakfast together, he always had a particular fondness for soy milk at this sweetness."

She stressed the words "used to" and "breakfast together."

Kitagawa reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Her eyes went even wider as she shot back: "That was 'back then'! Sister Tatsuzuka said Tian Jun needs to watch his uric acid levels, so he's switched to milk now! Right, Tian Jun?"

She shook Chen Tian's arm, seeking backup.

Shinomiya Kaguya, as if prepared, elegantly dabbed the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, wearing an expression of pity mixed with a hint of "you don't get it." "Oh? What a shame. I recall Tian Jun always preferred the warmth of a Chinese breakfast—like rich soy milk with freshly fried youtiao, or steaming hot meat buns..."

She paused, her gaze gliding lightly over Chen Tian before she continued with a smile, "So today, I specially instructed the chef to bring freshly made Chinese dishes to school at noon. For. Tian. Jun."

At those words, Kitagawa's smugness froze. The little flames in her crimson eyes flared higher. She instinctively hugged Chen Tian's arm tighter, as if staking her claim.

Then, a flash of inspiration struck. The image she'd seen in the mirror that morning surfaced, and a sly grin crept onto her lips.

The hand that had been clinging to Chen Tian's arm suddenly let go.

She deliberately fanned her neck with her palm, her voice turning syrupy and soft: "Oh my, is it this warm in the car? I'm feeling a bit hot..."

Before she finished, her slender fingers deftly unbuttoned the top button of her shirt, revealing her pale neck.

The motion was deliberately slow, the target clear—those two fresh hickies, exposed to the stuffy air of the car, landed precisely in Shinomiya Kaguya's line of sight, who was sitting right next to her.

Kitagawa could even feel Shinomiya Kaguya's gaze freeze for an instant upon spotting those telltale marks. Mission accomplished!

She immediately let out a feigned gasp: "Ah~"

Her fingers quickly re-buttoned the shirt, as if it had been an accidental slip.

A faint blush crept onto her cheeks. She shot a coy, quick glance at the expressionless Chen Tian beside her, her voice dripping with honey: "How embarrassing, my apologies... It's all because my boyfriend is so passionate, I have to keep my buttons fastened tight."

She emphasized "passionate" and "fastened tight" with a lingering, provocative tone, her eyes darting triumphantly at Shinomiya Kaguya, brimming with challenge.

The air in the car seemed to plummet to freezing.

For the first time, a real crack appeared in Shinomiya Kaguya's perfect smile.

Though the curve still clung to her face, the warmth in her eyes had vanished, replaced by icy cold and a churning darkness.

Her fingers, clasped over her knees, whitened at the knuckles from the pressure, as if she might shred the expensive handkerchief.

She took a deep breath, turning her head with excruciating slowness, no longer looking at the glaring mark on Kitagawa's neck. When she faced Chen Tian again, her voice seemed even softer than before, yet carried a calm before the storm: "Tian Jun, it seems your tastes have... changed quite a bit. But that's fine—the chefs of the Shiongo Family are best at adapting to all kinds of changes."

Her gaze rested calmly on Chen Tian's face, as if she hadn't seen anything just now, but the emotions brewing deep in her eyes were terrifyingly heavy.

Caught in the middle, enduring the silent storm from both sides, Chen Tian clearly felt the sudden spike of cold air from his right and the almost tangible little flame of smugness from his left.

He closed his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing once, and finally let out a meaningless syllable:

"...Mm." His voice carried a tone of resigned exhaustion. Riding in this car was more tiring than fighting a battle.

Kitagawa watched Shinomiya Kaguya's forced composure, her heart practically bursting with glee. Like a cat that had successfully stolen a treat, she hugged Chen Tian's arm again, pressing her cheek against his shoulder, and made a tiny, silent face at the window.

On the glass, the faint reflection of Shinomiya Kaguya's cold profile showed a smile barely holding together, and a murderous intent almost ready to burst from her eyes.

Chapter 26: Once Upon a Time and Guarding the Meal

With Chen Tian's resigned "Mm," the car fell into an eerie silence. Only the rustle of tires against the road was clearly audible.

Kitagawa nestled against Chen Tian's shoulder, feeling the faint warmth from the person beside her and the chill from the other side that seemed ready to freeze the air. The little figure in her heart was already doing a victory dance with hands on its hips. She deliberately rubbed against Chen Tian's shoulder, letting out a satisfied sigh: "Mm~ This is so much better." Her sidelong glance shot a triumphant look toward Shinomiya Kaguya.

Shinomiya Kaguya's posture remained impeccable, like a meticulously carved ice beauty.

Her signature smile had stabilized again, its arc precise, her gaze calmly fixed on the back of the front seat, as if indifferent to everything around her.

Yet beneath the surface, it was a raging storm.

A hickey!?

That glaring red mark burned into her retina like a brand. This blonde gyaru... Kitagawa Marin!

She actually... they actually...?!

A sour, stinging sensation she had never felt before, mixed with overwhelming fury, rampaged wildly inside the shell of her "elegance."

Her hands, folded on her lap, had nails nearly digging into the expensive silk fabric.