It just happened to be lunchtime. The students of Imperial Capital University were currently enjoying their carefree weekend.
A slender male figure rushed through the entrance, his appearance incongruous with his surroundings.
Chou Tzuyu had gone to the teaching and research building this morning and had just started to head downstairs. When he saw the time, he’d decided to head to the cafeteria and eat lunch first. As soon as he turned to descend the stairs, he heard someone call out from behind him. “Chou Tzuyu!”
This voice was definitely not one that would be considered friendly; in fact, it could even be described as somewhat ferocious. Nevertheless, Tzuyu still turned around—because the voice he’d heard was Minatozaki Mo Mo’s.
Mo Mo’s black hair was quite disheveled because of his intense sprinting. When he reached Tzuyu, he hadn’t slowed down at all. Instead, he swung his fist toward Tzuyu’s face. Followed by a rush of cold wind, his fist accurately slammed into Tzuyu's chin, causing him to stagger a couple of steps back. Tzuyu nlicked his lips, feeling the pain radiating from the corner of his mouth.
Mo Mo towered above Tzuyu, his fury not abated in the slightest after striking him. “Chou Tzuyu, you didn’t say a word when you married my sister back then, and now you’ve chosen to remain silent yet again after divorcing her a year later. What are you to my sister? Before she married you, you weren’t even her boyfriend, yet she gave up studying abroad for you! Yet, you’ve treated her like this? Why?!”
His words dripped with rage, and he tightened his fist in preparation to punch Tzuyu again.
“Mo Mo! Stop!” Sana yelled, gasping for air, as she ran over to Mo Mo and yanked his hand back. “This place is a school! What are you doing?!”
Mo Mo gritted his teeth and shook off Sana’s hand. Afterwards, he stood there motionlessly. Sana then turned to look at Tzuyu. The corner of his mouth had already begun to bruise, and a small trickle of blood had even formed. Sana stepped forward and helped support him by the arm, slightly worried. “Chewy, are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” Tzuyu shook his head but didn’t try to remove Sana's hand.
Sana pulled a tissue out of her bag and helped wipe away the blood from the corner of his mouth. “Don’t you exercise quite often? You could have easily dodged a punch like that; why did you just stand there and let him him hit you?”
Tzuyu replied, “He seemed to be extremely angry, so I figured doing it like this might make him feel a bit better.”
Sana frowned. Mo Mo, that damned boy, hadn’t cared much about the outcome of his actions. Fortunately, there weren’t many people near the teaching and research building. Otherwise, who knew what any onlooking students would make of the situation? When Mo Mo saw her cautious movements, he could help but sneer. “He’s the one who divorced you, yet you’re still taking care of him? Why bother?”
Sana turned her head and spared him a fake smile. “We divorced peacefully. As such, Chou Tzuyu has nothing to apologize to me for. Furthermore, he is a professor. Considering the fact that you struck him on campus grounds, the consequences of your actions won’t be very good.”
Mo Mo's lips curved into a mocking smile. “I did so for the exact reason of allowing others to clearly see this scum’s true colors.”
Sana became somewhat angry. “I said that we divorced peacefully.”
Mo Mo glanced at her with an agitated look. “I don’t feel like dealing with this matter of yours. You can return home and explain it to dad and mom yourself!”
Sana watched as Mo Mo sped off, suddenly feeling listless. Was he going home to tell dad and mom? She hadn’t expected this day to arrive so quickly!
Tzuyu looked at her and inquired, “Do you need me to go with you to explain?”
“…No need.” If he came with her, Sana believed that this time, her dad really would kill him. “Since this doesn’t concern you, I’ll take my leave first.”
“Wait.” Tzuyu called out for her to stop. The dancing lights in his gaze caused his eyes to appear as if they were a meticulously engraved masterpiece, capable of bewitching anyone who dared look long enough into their depths. “Do you like Mercedes?”
Sana froze for a second before understanding what he was alluding to. She glanced at Tzuyu, and her lips quirked up into a pleased smile. “If this were to be a comparison to Goldbach, then he is indeed more attractive.” She waved at Tzuyu, but not without remembering to warn him, “Remember to apply some medicine, professor.”
Tzuyu watched as she walked away before turning around to leave in the opposite direction. When he passed the corner, he nearly missed the person standing there due to their quiet presence blending in with the environment.
It was Elkie Chong.
Even when Tzuyu caught sight of her, his steps didn’t slow down in the slightest. It was as if nothing on the planet could cause his steps to falter.
“How come you’re here?”
Elkie smiled at him and replied lightly, “The cast and crew are on break, so I wanted to explore my alma mater.”
Tzuyu nodded, as if this answer was understandable. Meanwhile, Elkie kept up with his pace and walked alongside him toward the campus’ interior. “Who was that girl just now? Your student?”
“No, she’s my ex-wife.”
Tzuyu’s words were like a tsunami crashing down from above, instantly drowning Elkie.
She suddenly stopped and stared at him incredulously. “Ex-wife? You were married?”
“Mn.”
Tzuyu’s brief confirmation that he had an ex-wife dealt Elkie 100,000 damage. She stood there, wounded, for a moment before rushing to catch up to Tzuyu. “You’ve already divorced, right?”
Tzuyu didn’t answer and instead asked, “You’re walking together with me like this; aren’t you afraid of what the media will say?”
Elkie smiled at his question and quickly sped up to stand in front of him. She looked up at him, similar to the way that she had back when she was in school. “Are you free tonight? Let’s go out and eat.”
XxxxxX
When Sana walked out of Imperial Capital University’s entrance, she found Mo Mo waiting for her. After thinking for a couple seconds, she smiled and walked over to him.
“You’re waiting to take me to Lily’s Barbecue? I’m super hungry; let’s go! My treat!”
Mo Mo expressionlessly stated, “I’m inviting you back home to eat sautéed pig’s kidney.”
Sana: “…”
She maintained her smile and stood on her tiptoes to ruffle Mo Mo’s hair. “Time flies so fast. I miss those days when you’d hide behind me, snivelling like a baby. Now you can already beat up others on my behalf.”
Mo Mo unconsciously pushed her hand away and stared at her with a blank expression. “Don’t count on me helping you explain this to dad and mom.”
Sana deflated, yet continued smiling as she said, “You’ve grown so much. Ruffling your hair takes more effort than it used to.”
Mo Mo walked toward the intersection and flagged down a taxi. “It seems you still have the energy to deal with father and mother.”
Sana: “…”
Such sibling love!
When they arrived at home, Mama Minatozaki was in the kitchen, preparing lunch. Hearing the door open, she left the kitchen to take a look. When she saw both of her children in the doorway, she asked in surprise, “How come you both came back together?”
Sana took a few steps forward to stand in front of Mama Minatozaki, a smile blossoming on her face. However, Mo Mo, having fought to death to overtake her just now, quickly called out, “She divorced Chou Tzuyu”
Sana: “…”
Was this person really her brother?!
Mama Minatozaki froze, her eyes remaining unblinkingly fixated forward. Sana, worried that she might collapse, nervously supported her by the arm. A long while later, Mama Minatozaki went back into the kitchen to switch off the gas stove, untied the apron around her waist, and left the kitchen. “Both of you, follow me.”
XxxxxX
Minatozaki Family Summit Conference
Papa Minatozaki and Mama Minatozaki sat on the highest seats of honor, whereas Mo Mo sat to their left. Sana was by herself on a small wooden stool, about to receive an interrogation.
“When you got married, you kept us in the dark until it was over. Now, you conceal the fact that you got divorced from us. Are we no longer your parents to you?!” Papa Minatozaki suddenly slammed his fist on the table, causing Sana’s teacup to clatter atop it.
Mama Minatozaki patted his back to help calm him down while glancing at Sana from the corner of her eyes. “Speak honestly with your mother: Why did you two divorce? Did Chou Tzuyu have an affair?”
“No, I suggested the divorce.”
“What? Don’t tell me you had an affair?!” Papa Minatozaki immediately jumped up from the sofa.
Sana pursed her lips and said, “Divorces aren’t only because of affairs…”
“Then say what the reason is!”
“…temperaments incompatible.”
“If your temperaments were incompatible, why did you marry him!”
Sana's ears rapidly became deaf to her father’s words. Finally, she summoned up the courage to lift her head and meet his eyes. “Dad, don’t be so angry. It’ll easily lead to high blood pressure.”
Papa Minatozaki furiously shouted, “I’ll get high blood pressure sooner or later because of you!”
Mama Minatozaki quickly stood up and soothed, “Alright, alright, they’re divorced now, and that’s that. It’s useless for you to be angry like this. Why not think about plans for the future instead?”
Papa Minatozaki took a deep breath and asked Sana, “Where are you living now?”
Sana replied, “The same place, as it turns out. Chou Tzuyu left me the house.”
Papa Minatozaki chuckled. “I don’t have a house for him! Is it the same for a man to divorce compared to a woman?! Fortunately, you don’t have any children; otherwise, look at what you’d have to deal with!”
Mama Minatozaki seemed to suddenly recall something and nervously glanced at Sana. “You haven’t been late recently, right?”
Sana's lips quirked up. “Don’t worry. We’ve used protection every time.”
The atmosphere within the house immediately became filled with a hazy layer of awkwardness. Papa Minatozaki and Mama Minatozaki both glanced at Mo Mo simultaneously. Mo Mo instantly sat upright and said, “I’ve matured.”
The atmosphere grew somewhat sluggish until Papa Minatozaki coughed lightly and asked Sana, “How are you getting to work now?”
Sana replied, “By taking the bus.”
Papa Minatozaki thought for a moment and said, “I’ll buy you a car. You can attend driving school and drive yourself to work afterward. It’ll be more convenient this way.”
Sana's brows arched. “No need, my place isn’t far from school. It only takes me five minutes by bus. Furthermore, it’s better for me to take the bus; there’s less carbon emission!”
Papa Minatozaki frowned and shot her a look. “You don’t feel like learning to drive?!”
Sana pursed her lips and declined to comment. Mama Minatozaki rolled her eyes and then smiled wholeheartedly at Sana. “It’s fine if you don’t learn how to drive, but you should find a boyfriend as soon as possible.
Sana: “…”
She knew that her mother would respond like this, which was why she’d felt unable to face her! Was her mother no longer satisfied with their neighbors introducing candidates and thus was finally extending her claws toward her?!
Sana pursed her lips and said, “Mom, I just crawled out of the tomb that is marriage, yet you already want to kick me back inside?”
“I only told you to get a boyfriend, not to get married. Tomorrow just happens to be the weekend; I’ll help set you up with a blind date.”
Sana's heart nearly collapsed. “I’m not even twenty-four yet; do you really have to worry so much?”
Mama Minatozaki sternly countered, “Do you really think that at twenty-four, you can still compare to those young ladies who just entered the workforce?”
This was the typical case of discrimination against divorcees. Sana curled her lips and replied, “Then if worst comes to worst, I’ll simply end up alone. I can live just as well alone.”
Mama Minatozaki scoffed. “You, alone? Do you even know how to pay the water and electricity bill?”
Sana Minatozaki: “…”
Indeed…mothers knew best. Sana straightened her neck before looking at her and saying, “I’ve graduated from university already; paying utilities shouldn’t be that difficult?”
However, Mama Minatozaki immediately replied, “Every neighborhood has different fees. The water bill for our house is covered by property management. Thus, each month we also pay property management the fee, who in-turn pays the water company. The electricity fee is charged before you have electricity to use; thus, you have to frequently check how much electricity is left until it’s used up. The gas fee is also prepaid, but if you surpass your limit, you’ll be fined. If your water bill is calculated via prepaid water cards, then if there isn’t much left, your water will be cut off. You’ll then have to recharge your water card and insert it into the water meter. Oh, the water meter tank is usually in the corridor, so do you know where to find it at your place? There’s also the pay station; you don’t necessarily need to live in that district to pay. It’s not that uncommon to go across districts to pay the water bill. In addition…”
Sana wiped her forehead and smiled at Mama Minatozaki. “How about we discuss that blind date instead?”
Mama Minatozaki smiled, pleased. You want to fight with me? You’ve never been good at keeping track of things. You think I don’t know?
XxxxxX
To be continued>>>