Anime Crossover: About How I Spoiled an Angel

Page 334

"Yes, I'm back," Su Qing said.

"Dinner is just ready. Why don't you wash your hands and come eat? Or do you want to take a shower first?"

"No, let's just eat."

Su Qing changed into indoor shoes, washed her hands, and sat down at the dining table. At that moment, Zhen Zhou thoughtfully served her rice.

"Thank you, but I can do this myself," Su Qing said, taking the bowl of rice.

"No need, you must be exhausted from negotiating those contracts outside. You've worked so hard. Here, this is a reward for you~"

Mahiru simply waved her hand, smiled sweetly, and then her graceful curves leaned forward slightly, thus adding two tempura pieces to Su Qing's rice bowl.

It's basically just fried shrimp with the heads removed.

Perhaps it's because Su Qing grew up on the coast that she has a special fondness for shrimp.

Even if the other party doesn't admit it, they always say that they like all their food equally.

This is the experience that Chef Zhenzhou has gained from feeding Su Qing for a long time!

"Thank you, but it must be a lot of trouble to do all this. You should have waited for me to come back."

As the lights shone down, the perfectly fried golden-brown batter emitted an irresistible aroma, and the translucent, curled shrimp bodies, resembling a crescent moon, were faintly visible beneath the thin, crispy shell.

Su Qing looked at it quietly for a while, then looked up at the other things on the table. Each dish was filled with the girl's care.

"It's no trouble at all. Anyway, it's still spring break, so there's plenty of time."

Besides, the contract clearly stated from the beginning that I would be responsible for cooking, didn't it?"

As she spoke, Mahiru served Su Qing a bowl of milky white eel soup. This was a dish she had recently learned to make, and she had only tasted it before Su Qing arrived. She thought it tasted pretty good.

"The contract... I really didn't expect it to last this long back then."

Su Qing couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

"What do you mean?" Mahiru pouted, clearly annoyed. "You didn't think I was just saying that casually back then, did you?"

"Well... I should say I'm prepared to end this at any time."

We hadn't known each other for very long back then, and frankly, I didn't think that kind of relationship would last long.

So, I think I should always say thank you.

Su Qing didn't touch her chopsticks, nor did she stop Zhen Zhou from serving her soup.

"Honestly, we clearly agreed to split the costs, but you still pay more for electricity and such. It's quite fair and cost-effective for me."

Aren't you being a little too polite today? If you say that again, I won't cook for you!

Mahiru squinted her eyes slightly, her tone quite resentful.

"If you suddenly stop cooking for me, I'm afraid I'll really feel uncomfortable. I'd better eat first."

Su Qing's eyes dimmed for a moment, as if she was thinking of something, but when she looked up, only a faint smile remained on her face.

"Good to know. Eat up, it tastes best while it's hot."

Su Qing didn't say anything, but a pair of chopsticks appeared in her hand, and several tempura pieces suddenly appeared in Mahiru's bowl.

Only then did he say, "Let's eat together, that's how it tastes better."

Upon hearing this, Mahiru's lips curled into a doting and beautiful smile.

……

Spring break is short, lasting less than ten days.

After that day, only a few days remained.

In the days that followed, Mahiru stayed at home and rarely saw Su Qing except for dinner time.

The other party seems to be busy with other copyright matters besides animation adaptations.

When Mahiru is at home with nothing to do, she goes to Yui's house to play with her.

The girl in the pink dress was discharged from the hospital two days after her medical check-up. Her vital signs were all normal, even unusually good.

To put it bluntly, Yui can now eat a whole bowl of rice in one meal!

This is quite rare for a girl.

Even so, their ability to go out was still greatly restricted.

It's not that we don't let her go out, it's just that the last time Yui went out, she found her mother secretly following her—her mother was worried that something might happen to her daughter.

When you care about someone, it's easy to become a little sentimental at times. Especially when you've almost experienced a life-or-death separation.

When Yui found out, she just sighed. Of course, she knew her family's concerns, so she stayed at home with her parents these past few days.

However, staying at home was a bit tough, especially since she hadn't even visited Yukino during the holiday. Fortunately, Mahiru's visit provided her with some comfort.

The two started talking about topics that girls usually talk about, trying new dishes and desserts together, and sharing some fun stories.

For example, Su Qing once ate almost all of the "coal briquettes" that Yui initially made without hesitation.

The relationship between the two women did not progress as a result, because for Mahiru, only a good relationship could make such a thing possible.

The days passed like this.

The start of the school year is just around the corner.

……

On January 10th, in the early morning, the weather was only slightly cold, but the sun had already disappeared behind the clouds, scattering only a negligible radiance in the biting cold wind.

"Time flies so fast, school starts in the blink of an eye."

Mahiru carried her schoolbag behind her back with both hands and walked lightly on her long-awaited way to school.

"It's only a seven or eight-day holiday, so it's normal."

As Su Qing walked beside Zhen Zhou, his pace unconsciously slowed down, and the girl's signature flaxen hair and black over-the-knee socks came into his view again.

My lady, my gentleman is good.

Even just seeing the back of someone you like is enough to stir your heart.

"Why are you walking so slowly? If you get late on the first day of school and get scolded by the teacher, I won't care!"

Seeing no sign of the boy, Mahiru turned around helplessly and found him right behind her, so she smiled mischievously.

"You said you really disliked the start of the school year, right?"

Su Qing followed, standing side by side with Zhen Zhou, but they didn't hold hands—they didn't always hold hands when they were out and about.

"Yes. Because I'm all alone."

Even those who are alone for a while will soon be surrounded by friends.

So I hate the start of the school year, and I don't really like going to school.

But things are different now.

When Su Qing glanced to the side, she saw that Zhen Zhou was looking at her with eyes as clear as if they were filled with gentle white clouds.

Before I could even speak, another sweet female voice rang out.

"Hey, good morning, Mahiru-chan and Kiyoshi~"

Why do I still have some?

Su Qing was scrutinizing the details in her mind, but her gaze was fixed curiously on the suddenly appearing Yui.

Strange, was it a chance encounter?

It seems he didn't agree with the other person to go to school together today.

"Hey, Xiaoqing, what's with that look? It's like you don't welcome me at all. Shall I leave?"

Yui looked heartbroken and turned to leave, but seeing that the boy remained unmoved, with an expression that said, "I'll watch you act, you keep acting," she immediately made a bitter face as well.

"Heartless Xiaoqing, she didn't even try to keep me. We're friends, aren't we?"

"Then don't leave yet. If you run into each other, let's go together. It's quite a coincidence." Su Qing's tone softened unconsciously upon seeing this.

"Hey, Mahiru, didn't you tell Kiyoshi?" Yui blinked in confusion.

"What did you say?" Su Qing asked, looking at Mahiru.

"Well, I told her yesterday at her house that we'd wait for each other here today when school starts... and go to school together or something."

That should put my aunt and uncle at ease..."

As Mahiru said this, she lowered her eyes nervously, "But you've been so busy these past few days, I haven't had time to tell you..."

"I see," Su Qing said softly, then smiled.

"It's pretty good. Actually, I asked Yui before if she wanted to do it like this, but she said she couldn't get out of bed in winter..."

"Don't talk nonsense!!"

Yui interrupted her abruptly, how dare he speak ill of her to her face? Doesn't he care about his dignity as a lady?

"Really? Didn't you say that yourself?" Su Qing retorted.

"You you you..." Yui felt like her tongue was fighting with her mouth.

What I said that day was clearly an excuse, okay?

Yui couldn't explain it clearly, so she could only chuckle awkwardly twice before saying in a serious tone:

"Xiao Qing, you're a transfer student, so you might not know, but we at Zongwu High School have an unwritten rule: if you're late on the first day of school, you have to clean the toilets for a week!"

However, this punishment only applies to the last person to arrive late, so—I'm taking your Mahiru-chan with me!

The girl's playful tone trailed off slowly and distantly, like a movie scene suddenly stretched out.

Not far away, Mahiru's questioning voice and Yui's cheerful voice could be heard.

"Oh, when did the school make that rule?"

"No, I was just kidding him. It's his fault for not holding your hand properly today. This is to teach him a lesson, hehe."

In fact, the two girls didn't really create much of a distance between themselves and Su Qing.

How far can a girl run in just a few seconds, holding another girl's hand?

Even though it was only a few steps away, seemingly within reach, Su Qing walked at a leisurely pace, a gentle smile playing on her calm, expressionless face.

……

We weren't late; we didn't part ways until we reached the classroom door.

Perhaps it was because it was the beginning of the semester, or perhaps it was because human language was in hibernation during winter, but in any case, the language classes in the afternoon were dull and boring, and many people were drowsy listening to them.

Hiratsuka Shizuka was also exhausted from the experience.

To be honest, these students are not bad in terms of quality, but they just don't like listening to her lectures. Sometimes she even doubts whether she is a competent teacher.

But then I thought about how I didn't really enjoy literature classes when I was in school, and that gave me some comfort.

Speaking of which... why didn't Su Qing even take out a book? He could at least put on an act!

And so, Su Qing's break time was called away by Hiratsuka Shizuka.

"I knew we should have taken the book out!"

Before leaving, Yui couldn't help but speak out in her defense.

He who doesn't heed Yui's advice will suffer the consequences!

“I don’t think it was because of this that they called me,” Su Qing said.

"Huh? Then what is it?" Yui couldn't understand why Su Qing had been called away, even if she were beaten to death.

"What's the point of knowing so much? Are you coming with me?"

"I'm a good girl, so I won't get called in for a talk by the teacher after class," Yui said playfully, sticking out her tongue.

"Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever given you anything before?"

"Ah, you've given me so many things, fairy dolls, music boxes... Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

A bad feeling began to grow in the girl's heart.

Could it be... that Xiao Qing is trying to subtly instruct me to return the gift?!