Zongman: Kulaixiku, resurrection!

"...Alas, to be honest, I really want to work hard to repair the relationship between you two." Baihe Sanhui sighed. Things have already slid to the point where they are irreversible. Besides, he feels that there is nothing wrong with his beating. It is purely because Xiang's father owes him love.

In that case, there was no need to save face for Xiangzi. After all, he was not in the Celestial Empire, so Xiangzi probably didn't care whether he could pass the civil service exam in the future.

"I don't care what you have to say, my requirements for your school remain unchanged..." Xiang Dad was still aggressive until Baihe Sanhui got close to Xiang Dad and said a mysterious code in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

It's a license plate number.

"...I, I don't know what you are talking about." Xiang's father felt guilty. The car rental receipt was actually in the inner pocket. He had originally wanted to get some money from Xiangzi to repair the car and then get back the deposit from the rental company. Who knew that the victim of the car accident was Xiangzi's teacher!

"Don't play dumb! Highway surveillance footage, damage reports, rental records from the car rental company, and more—I have it all here."

"Ahhhh, Neon is really small. Who would have known that the guy who makes me take the tram to work every day is the parent of my beloved student?"

At this moment, Xiang's father was sweating profusely. He was also an expert on cars. Even though he was extremely drunk that day, he would still remember the beautiful curves of the muscle car.

A well-maintained old car is really eye-catching.

"I won't tell you how much the Dodge Challenger II is worth. We're all men, so it's impossible for us not to understand. Oh, this is really a headache. Where can I find suitable parts for such an old car that could be my grandfather's?"

"I'm so sorry... I... I know what to do. Please don't sue me."

If he gets sued again, he'll be finished. Even if Xiang's dad goes out to sell knives, he won't be able to make a five-digit sum. He'll have to go to jail. After he's released from prison, he'll not only be burdened with heavy debts, but he'll also be unable to find a job because of his criminal record. In the end, he'll die under a blanket on the side of the road, with no one to collect his body.

"I'm glad to know," Kashiwa Sanhui patted Xiang's shoulder, who was standing still. "I'm glad to have a pleasant conversation with you. I believe we have solved Toyokawa Xiangzi's problem, right?"

"Yes, yes, so..."

"The issue between us depends on your attitude and Xiangzi's mood. Don't worry, for a while, you can sleep peacefully every day without worrying about lawyers coming to your door."

"Now, I'm going to work. When I get off work at 4 pm, I want this place to be clean."

Putting on his backpack, Baihe Sanhui walked away, leaving behind Xiang's father who slumped down on a chair in panic.

……

I walked on the road in a daze, and I didn't know how many traffic lights I had run through. My eyes were always blurred by a layer of tears.

Why? Why do I have to endure this kind of life?

He had seen the light at the end of the tunnel, Dr. Ko was right beside him, yet he still ran away. He had found a job, and had saved 21,000 yen...

Obviously...

Three kilometers? Or five kilometers? Toyokawa Shoko finally stumbled into a roadside flowerbed, her knees scraped raw, yet she felt no pain. She simply curled up in an unnoticed corner of the street, sobbing silently.

She finally understood why she had to quit crychic. It was not because of so-called dignity, nor was it because she was forced by life, but because she had nothing left and could only grab the thing that was most easily available to her as a lifeline - hope.

From hoping my father would cheer up, to hoping there would be more warmth at home, to hoping Dr. Ke could help me live independently from my father, to...

Oh, it seems there is no hope, everything is over.

It started to drizzle in the sky, gradually getting heavier. Every year during the typhoon season in Neon, there would be such unexpected rainfall, but Xiangzi just felt that this was God's mockery of her.

Whatever, let it go, let it go. Xiangzi just let the rain soak him to the skin, the low temperature gradually eating away at his body.

After an unknown amount of time, a transparent white umbrella was held over Xiangzi's head, and the feeling of raindrops hitting his head suddenly disappeared. Xiangzi raised his head somewhat dully and saw Baihe Sanhui, who was breathing slightly and was also soaked all over.

"Huh... huh... luckily I won't look for you at school." Baihe Sanhui carelessly sat down on the edge of the flower bed, his wet thick black hair covering his eyes. "Two hours, eight kilometers, you're really exaggerating."

"...Why did you come to me? Nothing can be changed. You have already tried your best." Xiangzi responded dully with a negative attitude.

"Of course I know I tried my best, otherwise how could I have the face to come to you?" Baihe Sanhui put his arm around Xiangzi's shoulders and let her lean on him. Xiangzi subconsciously struggled, but under Baihe Sanhui's strong hands, she still leaned forward obediently. Only in this way could the umbrella, which was not big to begin with, barely cover the two of them. "I told you, I'll take care of everything."

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Your father and I reached an agreement. If he doesn't disturb your life, I won't sue him for compensation for my car. I didn't intend to do anything so drastic, but I didn't expect things to develop to that point..."

After all, you've sacrificed yourself, Dr. Ke. This way, my debt to you grows. How can I ever repay you in my lifetime?

With her ear pressed tightly against Kashiwa Miki's chest, listening to his powerful heartbeat, Toyokawa Shoko felt a complex mix of emotions she had never experienced before. She felt guilty towards Kashiwa Miki, resentful of her own incompetence, uncertain about the future, and a host of other emotions she had never experienced before, growing and spreading within her. "Please...please let me lean on you for a moment. I'm so confused right now, it feels like...I'm dreaming."

"It doesn't matter. Since you are dreaming, just dream until you wake up. I am here." Baihe Sanhui gently stroked Xiangzi's wet blue hair and hummed a tune that Xiangzi had never heard before, but which made him feel extremely peaceful.

[On a cold rainy night, I am by your side, hoping you will know my heart]

[It's changed since the beginning, we're just forced to get along]

[On a cold rainy night I don’t want to go home, afraid to see your back, I can only smile bitterly and watch the raindrops]

[It is important to explain clearly, but unfortunately I don’t have the courage to try]

……

"Hoo...Hoo..." Xiangzi made a slight snoring sound. Xiangzi fell asleep with a calm smile on his lips, as if he was dreaming of something happy.