Oh no! They all seem a bit off!

Chapter 130 On the Eve of the Ball, a Visit to the Himeya Family
Time flies, and Friday is here in the blink of an eye.

After school in the afternoon, Akizuki Makoto picked up his schoolbag and left the school without going to the student council office.

Ji Yexue had already told him that they would meet at the school gate as soon as school was over. They would go to Ji Ye's house first to rest and prepare before going to the dance.

Upon arriving at the school gate, Akizuki Makoto immediately spotted the high-end black sedan parked by the roadside. Through the rolled-down rear window, he could see Ji Yexue lounging lazily in the seat.

He stepped forward, opened the car door, and bent down to sit inside.

"drive."

After instructing the driver, Ji Yexue turned to Qiu Yuecheng and asked, "You said you've been learning dance these past two days, so what kind of dance did you learn?"

"I only learned a little Latin, waltz and ballroom dancing."

Qiu Yue answered truthfully that he had been learning dance from videos in his living room for the past two nights. Fortunately, he has excellent coordination and learns very quickly. He can memorize every dance move after watching it only once.

"You've learned quite a lot."

Ji Yexue was somewhat surprised. Learning three different dances in three days was indeed no easy feat. However, considering that Qiu Yuecheng was a genius like herself, it was not surprising.

"I've only learned it briefly, and we haven't practiced working together yet, so I might embarrass myself."

"Hehe, it's okay. Even if you step on my foot, I won't blame you."

"...Well, thank you for your magnanimity. Aren't you afraid I'll deliberately step on your foot a few times?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Yexue chuckled softly, covering her mouth.

"Aren't you afraid I'll deliberately step on your foot? I'm wearing high heels."

"you will not……"

Qiu Yuecheng shook his head, then paused mid-sentence, realizing what Ji Yexue meant.

Just as he knew Ji Yexue wouldn't deliberately step on him, he also couldn't bring himself to do so.

"Cheng, I know you very well."

For some reason, Ji Yexue suddenly became somewhat smug, as if she were showing off.

"Aren't you just being delusional? I wouldn't even dare say I know myself very well."

"I also really like this kind of place where no matter what, everyone will argue with me and say something back."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Akizuki Makoto fell silent, a hint of helplessness on his face.

For some reason, Ji Yexue was unusually difficult to deal with today, constantly launching direct attacks that left him completely bewildered.

So he changed the subject, complaining bitterly, "So, what have you been up to these past few days? You haven't been participating in any club activities, and now I'm starting to have to take over your duties."

Ji Yexue didn't attend any club activities this week, leaving him with two jobs to do every day.

In the past, when he would have lunch in the student council room during his lunch break, he might have been able to manage, because he would also handle official business during his lunch break.

But now he has lunch with Dongzi every day, and only has two and a half hours for club activities, which is not enough for him to handle two jobs.

His job was alright; he just handled student mail and helped with other members' problems.

But Ji Yexue's job was different. She had to write manuscripts, review documents issued by the school, coordinate with school activities, and provide feedback.

"Now you know how hard I work every day?"

Ji Yexue watched with a smile as Qiu Yuecheng looked distressed. She loved seeing Qiu Yuecheng make that expression because it looked incredibly cute.

Akizuki Makoto couldn't help but retort, "What does your hard work have to do with me?"

"What a heartless man..."

Ji Yexue sighed and then said, "Don't worry, I will participate in club activities starting next week, but I have other things to do this week."

"alright."

Since Ji Yexue had made such a guarantee, Qiuyue Cheng could only suppress his dissatisfaction; he was just venting his frustrations.

Aren't you curious about what I've been busy with lately?

"Being too curious is bad. Haven't you heard the saying, 'Curiosity killed the cat'?"

"You're not a cat."

Ji Yexue pouted; she knew that Qiu Yuecheng didn't care about her at all.

She even took the initiative to ask him if he was curious and wanted to know, but he still refused.

Although she was mentally prepared, she couldn't help but feel dissatisfied with Akizuki Makoto's ruthlessness.

"Everything in the world can be simply divided into two situations."

Akizuki Makoto held up two fingers and then said, "One type can help, and the other type can't."

"It's useless to listen to things that can't help, so I don't want to listen."

"If I can help, I will definitely ask you for help. I don't want to hear about things that are too troublesome."

"..."

After hearing Qiuyue Cheng's example, Ji Yexue was speechless. She turned her head to the side and looked at the scenery rushing past the window, too lazy to talk to him anymore.

As expected, anyone who thinks Akizuki Makoto is gentle must have something wrong with their head.

What kind of gentleness is this, with such an unromantic, blockheaded person?

After that, the two did not speak again until the car drove back to Himeya's house.

Although he had visited several times, every time he came, Akizuki Makoto was amazed by the magnificent mansion.

Before entering the mansion, Ji Yexue suddenly remembered something and said, "My grandfather is here today too."

"Yeah……"

Akizuki Makoto simply nodded indifferently. Unlike Hime Yuki, he did not harbor any prejudice against Hime Yuki.

Although this was indeed an old man with outdated ideas who revered the supremacy of strength, he had seen many such elders and knew how to deal with them.

"I'm telling you in advance, so you can be mentally prepared."

"Ah."

After a brief conversation, Ji Yexue maintained her usual aloof demeanor and led Qiuyue Cheng, winding her way towards the main room.

Along the way, the servants they encountered greeted them respectfully and addressed Akizuki Makoto as "Young Master," clearly mistaking him for Ji Yexue's boyfriend.

"Grandpa, Mom, good afternoon."

When Ji Yexue pushed open the screen in the main room, she immediately lowered her head and greeted the two people sitting inside.

Today, only Ji Yelongjun and his wife were sitting in the main room; Ji Yexue's father was nowhere to be seen.

"Well, sit down."

Ji Yelong nodded slightly in agreement, and then Ji Yexue raised her head and walked towards her mother.

Akizuki looked around, unsure where to sit.

Mrs. Ji Ye seemed to notice his troubles, so she smiled and beckoned him to come and sit down.

Qiu Yuecheng immediately understood and sat down next to Ji Yexue.

After he sat down, Mrs. Himeya immediately smiled and said, "It's been a while, Akizuki-kun."

Akizuki nodded and smiled, "Yes, thank you so much for taking such good care of Fuyuko last time we met."

"Hehe, it's not a bother at all. You can bring Dongzi to visit more often in the future. There's no need to be so polite."

"I definitely will if I have the chance." After exchanging a few pleasantries, Mrs. Jiye smiled and nodded, then began to brew tea.

At this moment, Ji Yelongjun, who was sitting at the head of the table, spoke in a deep voice: "Qiuyue-san, are you going to the ball with my foolish granddaughter today?"

"Yes, it's Ji..."

Akizuki nodded, about to say something, but then paused abruptly and changed his words, saying, "It was Xue who invited me on Tuesday."

"But he did one right thing."

Ji Yelong nodded. This was the first time Qiu Yuecheng had heard this dignified old man acknowledge Ji Yexue's words.

"Did Xue explain to you the nature of this ball, and what your role will be in attending?"

"This one……"

Akizuki Makoto paused for a moment, then subconsciously turned to look at Ji Yexue.

It was this action that made Ji Yelong's expression suddenly darken.

"Cough cough."

Ji Yexue coughed and quickly said, "I'm sorry, Grandpa, I didn't explain it clearly. I just extended an invitation... It's mainly because Cheng immediately agreed, so I thought there was no need to explain it to him so clearly."

"Humph."

Ji Yelong snorted coldly, his expression softening slightly, but he still reprimanded her: "You're always so impulsive. What if you cause misunderstandings by not explaining things clearly? Do you want to make another big blunder like last time?"

"Yes, Grandpa, you're right."

Ji Yexue lowered her head awkwardly and apologized sheepishly.

The obedient Ji Yexue was a novel sight for Qiuyue Cheng, and a smile couldn't help but appear on his face.

"Grandpa, you can explain it to me now. Xue will be more careful next time."

"This ball is held regularly every six months by the younger generation. Its purpose is to exchange ideas and improve social skills. Those who are invited to attend come from families that are well-known and prominent in certain fields."

"Well, I know that."

Akizuki Makoto nodded, waiting for Himeya Ryushun to reveal his identity as a participant in the ball.

"And your identity..."

At this point, Ji Yelongjun paused, turned to look at Ji Yexue, and sneered, "He's Xiaoxue's boyfriend, the son-in-law of the Ji Ye family."

"..."

Akizuki Makoto had guessed this as well, but since Himeyasu had said earlier that there was no need to care about the attendee's status, he didn't delve into it further.

It's fine to participate as a boyfriend; even in a relationship, you can break up.

Among the second generation of wealthy individuals, there are many who had a wild youth but later married someone of equal social standing through arranged marriage.

But the identity of "the son-in-law of the Ji family" is a bit too heavy.

This means they are already engaged, recognized by the Ji Ye family, and announced to other families.

"I thought my granddaughter had made something of herself, but it turns out she's just relying on opportunism again."

Although Ji Yelongjun's words were full of disappointment, his aged face and expression remained calm, perhaps because he had already anticipated Ji Yexue's unreliability.

"..."

"..."

Akizuki Makoto and Hime Yuki both fell silent, unsure how to respond.

Akizuki Makoto would definitely not dare to agree to attend in this capacity, because that would be tantamount to him acknowledging both of these identities.

They said they were just missing a male dance partner, but it turns out they wanted to trick him into marrying into their family?

If he had gone along without really understanding what was going on, and Ji Yexue had introduced him like that, he would probably have been so embarrassed that he wouldn't have been able to save face.

"Father, is this the identity you wanted?"

Mrs. Himeya gave a wry smile and said softly, "There's no need for Akizuki-kun to attend in this capacity, is there?"

As she said, only a very small percentage of the men and women who went to the dance together were in a romantic relationship.

She understood that the reason Ji Yelongjun requested to attend in this capacity was to finalize their relationship and get Akizuki Makoto to make a clear statement.

But how could Qiu Yuecheng possibly agree? He and Ji Yexue had just reconciled, and even their friendship seemed precarious, let alone taking the next step as lovers.

Ji Yelong turned his gaze to Mrs. Ji Ye and asked, "Lingyue, don't you want Qiuyue Sang to attend as the son-in-law of the Ji Ye family?"

Although he asked in a very calm tone, his imposing demeanor, coupled with his long-standing authority, made it seem as if he were interrogating someone.

Mrs. Ji immediately lowered her head and replied, "It depends on their wishes. It's not good for us elders to interfere too much."

"Are you saying that I, this old man, am meddling in other people's business?"

Ji Yelongjun narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he was about to get angry.

"without--"

Just as Mrs. Himeya was about to deny it, she was interrupted by Himeya Ryushun.

He nodded thoughtfully and said, "Yes, that's true. Young people have their own ideas too."

"?!"

Ji Ye and her mother looked up, staring at Ji Ye Longjun in disbelief. They never expected that the usually domineering and assertive Ji Ye Longjun would compromise.

"Fine, do as you please."

Mrs. Himeya still found it hard to believe and asked as if to confirm, "Father, do you... think it's okay for Akizuki-kun not to participate as the son-in-law of the Himeya family or as Koyuki's boyfriend?"

"Ah."

Ji Yelong Falcon nodded slightly and then said, "I'm old, so I'll just enjoy my retirement from now on. I won't interfere in the affairs of the Ji Ye family anymore."

"This……"

Ji Ye and her daughter looked at each other in surprise, not expecting that Ji Ye Longjun would suddenly announce that he would no longer interfere in family affairs and would retire to live out his retirement.

This made them feel like they were dreaming. Given Ji Yelongjun's old-fashioned and rigid personality, he would have been paying close attention to the Ji Ye family's affairs until his death.

Mrs. Ji Ye couldn't help but ask, "Father, why did you suddenly have such a thought? Shouldn't we be more cautious about this kind of thing?"

"No need to say anything more."

Himeya Ryushun clearly didn't intend to discuss his thoughts further, and firmly told Mrs. Himeya not to interfere anymore.

Despite having many questions, Mrs. Himeya had no choice but to drop the matter.

Meanwhile, Akizuki Makoto, who had been silent the whole time, was also confused about the current situation.

Why are you suddenly saying things like "I'm getting old" and "I need to retire and enjoy my retirement"?

Is it really appropriate for an outsider like him to listen to these things?

What he didn't know was that he was the only person there, and they treated him like an outsider.

Ji Yexue, needless to say, would use any means necessary to get him, make him marry into the Ji Ye family, and make them one family.

Mrs. Ji Ye felt the same way; she believed that as long as Ji Yexue was willing to be with her, she would eventually win over Qiu Yuecheng.

As for Himeya Ryūsō...

She already respected Akizuki Makoto, and because of his appearance, she changed some of her thoughts and became more tolerant of Himeya and her daughter.

(End of this chapter)