Chapitre 119: Golden Week (1)

April 29.

Golden Week's beginning marked a time of relaxation and festivity across Japan. For Yasushi and his friends, it meant an extended break from their routines, an oasis of free time to explore. Each had their own agenda, but Yasushi found himself in a predicament involving two unexpected visitors. Yinhaie and Jingliu occupied some of his thoughts, but at present, his attention was on Furuya and Xinyi.

"It's over…" Furuya muttered, collapsed on all fours, radiating a sense of utter defeat.

"It's over…" Xinyi echoed, mirroring Furuya's posture, her own expression equally despondent.

Yasushi observed them, his arms crossed, a sigh escaping his lips. He shook his head slightly. "I get why Furuya's doing this, but Xinyi, what's your deal?" His confusion was evident, his voice carrying a mix of concern and bafflement.

The scene unfolded in the living room of Yasushi and Jingliu's shared home. Both Furuya and Xinyi had chosen the same moment to visit, and now both knelt on the floor, a synchrony that puzzled Yasushi. He had some insight into Furuya's actions, thanks to a message sent after an unfortunate event, but Xinyi's behavior left him scratching his head.

"I... I hit the spending limit for this month," she stammered, eyes wide with frustration. "I can't make any more purchases. Look, don't get me wrong, I don't waste money on junk. I just like indulging in my hobbies, okay? All of this was from my own saved-up money, gifts, and some jobs I did," she explained, her voice tinged with a hint of desperation.

Yasushi stared at her, eyebrows raised in disbelief. "...that's what you're upset about?" His tone carried a mix of incredulity and confusion.

"I set the limit myself when I was fourteen!" she shouted, her voice cracking before she began to wail loudly, the sound echoing off the walls.

Furuya looked up, his eyes locking onto Xinyi. He grabbed her shoulders, desperation etched across his face. "You're her employer, right? Please do something about Catherine! She won't budge!" His grip tightened as he shook Xinyi, his plea almost frantic.

Xinyi, still being shaken, shot back, "I already told you! She has her own ideals and rules she follows. She won't change her mind, so just accept it! You two can video call and text each other for the break!" Her voice rose over the sound of his pleas, firm and unwavering, even as she was jostled by his agitation.

"Then overrule them!" Furuya's voice echoed through the room, desperation creeping into his tone. He leaned closer, eyes locked on Xinyi's, as if trying to transfer his urgency through sheer willpower.

"I'm not a tyrant!" Xinyi shot back, her own voice rising to meet his. She yanked herself away from his grasp, her movements sharp, fueled by frustration. "I've asked her a thousand times, and she keeps saying no. You deal with it!" Her eyes blazed, matching the intensity in her voice.

Yasushi stood to the side, arms still crossed, watching the heated exchange unfold before him. He sighed, the sound almost lost in the din of their argument. The whole conflict centered around Catherine's refusal to cancel her trip to China with Xinyi. Ever since White Day, Furuya and Xinyi had been locked in a relentless debate, neither willing to budge. Yasushi thought this constant bickering was marginally better than the icy silence they had subjected each other to before, but it was still far from ideal.

Suddenly, a swift movement from the hallway caught his eye. Jingliu stepped into the room, her expression stern and unyielding. Without a word, she delivered a sharp karate chop to the heads of both Furuya and Xinyi. The impact silenced them immediately, both flinching and rubbing their heads in pain and surprise.

"What are you two screaming about so early in the morning?" Jingliu's voice cut through the air, her glare enough to make even the bravest shrink back.

"He started it!" Xinyi shouted, her finger jabbing toward Furuya, her voice rising in frustration.

"No, she started it!" Furuya countered, pointing back at Xinyi, his tone equally charged.

Jingliu, standing with arms crossed, regarded them with a stern gaze. "Next year, we'll be seniors and graduating. Can we at least try to act like adults? Arguments are fine, but we don't need to resort to shouting. So, what's the issue?" Her voice was firm, cutting through the noise with clear authority.

Both Xinyi and Furuya avoided her gaze, their faces betraying a mix of guilt and embarrassment. Yasushi watched the scene unfold, his exasperation evident as he sighed. "They came over to discuss Catherine's trip to China with Xinyi. This argument has been simmering since White Day, and it's erupted into this. It's really about Catherine not canceling her plans."

Jingliu sighed, shaking her head in response to Yasushi's explanation. She turned her attention back to the two arguing. "Why not come with us? You could ask your parents if they'd be willing to join a summer trip. Your family isn't as wealthy as others, but they're above middle class, right?" Her suggestion hung in the air, a potential solution to their problem.

The room fell into a contemplative silence as everyone processed Yasushi's idea. Xinyi's expression shifted as the suggestion took hold, her mood visibly brightening.

"That's brilliant!" Xinyi's face lit up, her earlier frustration giving way to excitement. "I can ask my parents to help with the trip! If you're serious about Catherine, our families will eventually need to mix. Why not start now?" Her enthusiasm was evident, her smile wide and genuine.

"Mix?! I'm too young to get married!" Furuya blurted out, recoiling as if struck, his face flushed with alarm.

"I didn't mean marriage, you idiot!" Xinyi shot back, her frustration evident as she pointed at him with a mix of exasperation and urgency. "I'm talking about our families getting together for a summer trip! You can either tell her now or text her yourself. Also, inform your parents and get their response. We've only got three months left — go, go, go!!"

"F-fine!" Furuya stammered, his voice rising as he fumbled for his phone, his fingers flying over the screen as he began to compose a message to his parents.

Simultaneously, Xinyi was busy with her own phone, tapping out a message to her parents to update them on their plan and the ongoing drama. Her phone buzzed almost immediately with a reply. Her parents agreed to the idea and asked her to let them know what Furuya's parents decided.

"They haven't replied yet, so…" Furuya muttered, his eyes glued to his phone screen, waiting anxiously for a response.

"It's better to inform Catherine about this suggestion," Xinyi said, dialing Catherine's number. "I'll call her and tell her to come over. My parents are on board." A few minutes later, Catherine arrived, having received Xinyi's call.

"Lady Xinyi said you wanted to tell me something?" Catherine's voice was calm but edged with curiosity as she stood before Furuya, her gaze steady.

Furuya shifted uneasily, his eyes darting to Yasushi for support. Yasushi, however, simply shrugged, offering no guidance. Furuya muttered a silent curse in Yasushi's direction before turning back to Catherine. He took a deep breath and began to outline the suggestion that had been proposed.

Catherine listened intently, her eyes moving from Furuya to the others as she absorbed the details. After a moment's contemplation, she nodded. "It doesn't sound like a bad plan," she said, her tone thoughtful. "But as they mentioned, it hinges on what your parents decide, Furuya." She then wrapped her arms around him in a comforting hug.

The tension seemed to melt from Furuya's shoulders as he relaxed into the embrace, returning the hug with a sense of relief. For the first time in what felt like ages, a semblance of peace settled over them.

"Fufu, it seems like everyone is having a rather energetic time," Catherine remarked, her tone lightening. "How about we grab some snacks?" With a cheerful suggestion, she headed toward the dining room, and the rest of the group followed, their footsteps echoing softly in the hallway.

+-+

During their lunch, the lively chatter came to an abrupt halt as a distinct ding echoed from Furuya's pocket. All eyes turned toward him, the sudden interruption catching their attention. Furuya fumbled with his phone, pulling it from his pocket and staring at the screen with an expression as unreadable as a closed book.

The room held its collective breath, waiting for a sign. The silence stretched on until Furuya's face cracked into a wide grin. His arm shot into the air, fist pumping with a sudden burst of enthusiasm. "Hell yeah!!! They agreed, but said I'd be the only one going since they're swamped with work!" he shouted, his voice carrying the thrill of triumph.

Xinyi exhaled a sigh, her relief evident but tempered. "That's nice," she said, her tone a mix of resignation and approval. Catherine, seated beside Furuya, responded with an embrace, her arms wrapping around him in a display of affection.

Yasushi, still processing the news, glanced at Xinyi. "Just you? Where will he stay then? I'm guessing with you, Xinyi?" His gaze lingered on her, noting the shift in her demeanor. The casual inquiry made Xinyi's head snap up, her eyes widening as the color drained from her face.

Before Xinyi had a chance to reply, Catherine cut in smoothly. "The Yang family has a dedicated building where the majority of the staff live. There are three substantial homes on the property, and I'm sure we can arrange a room for Furuya. Alternatively, he could stay with me."

Xinyi sighed, her shoulders drooping slightly as she rapidly nodded. "Yes, those houses. I almost forgot about them. Don't worry, they're quite grand — like the large mansions you see here. You'll be quite comfortable. But just a heads-up, you might need to pitch in with some chores around the building you stay in," she advised, her tone practical.

Furuya's brow furrowed as he considered this. "So, like, cleaning the room and other areas I'll be using?" he clarified, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. Xinyi confirmed with a nod. "In that case, I'm fine with it. I've been saving up a fair amount recently, so I should manage my own expenses. Plus, my parents will contribute some as well."

Yasushi clapped his hands together, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, so that's settled. It looks like we'll all be heading over there, with the exception of a few in our group. They mentioned they'd be tied up with work and other commitments throughout the summer," he explained, and the others nodded in agreement.

"Then let's start planning," Jingliu chimed in, her tone practical. "Since we'll likely be seeing each other quite a bit, we might as well finalize some details. This doesn't include the planned meeting for the arranged marriage interview between Xinyi and that wealthy guy we've got scheduled during our break." The group agreed, their faces reflecting a mix of anticipation and resolve.

The rest of the day was spent immersed in planning. They tackled various "what-if" scenarios, brainstorming solutions for potential issues that might arise during their summer break. Though the process was tedious and left them somewhat drained, they pushed through, determined to be ready for anything that might come their way.