Zongman: Unknowingly trapped in the hatchet

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Because of the delay, Mahiru chose to make some simpler dishes today, so the two of them had dinner quickly.

At the dining table, the warm yellow light sprinkled on the plate, casting a faint shadow.

Su Qing stared at Mahiru, his eyes somewhat unfocused, as if he was in a daze.

"Is there something dirty on my face?"

Mahiru noticed his gaze and subconsciously touched her face, her fingertips lightly stroking her cheek, but nothing happened.

"Ah... I just suddenly wanted to ask you what you were doing just now. Can you tell me?"

Because his attention was completely on Mahiru at that time, by the time he noticed the tablet and mobile phone on the other's desk, the screens had been turned off.

"Hmm... do you want to know? It's not a secret that can't be told."

Mahiru put down her chopsticks and rubbed her fingers unconsciously, looking a little uneasy. "But I have a request, that is, you can't laugh at me when I say it... If you laugh at me... I'll be a little embarrassed."

"When have I ever laughed at you?"

Su Qing was unhappy.

"Yes, you always like to tease me."

There was a hint of resentment in Mahiru's beautiful eyes, her tone was helpless, but the corners of her mouth were slightly raised.

"That's because you're so cute, just like humans can't help but smile when they see cute kittens or babies. It's an instinct engraved in our genes."

Su Qing said this seriously, as if it were really true.

"I probably haven't read as many books as you have, so don't lie to me."

Mahiru narrowed her eyes and smiled, then unlocked her phone and handed it to Su Qing. The interface on it was still stuck on those teaching videos.

"Why don't you just read it yourself~ That's what I'm learning today."

Su Qing nodded and took the phone.

But when he saw those videos, his brows couldn't help but frown.

It's about teaching comics.

Mahiru...is she interested in comics herself, or is it because of him?

After a moment's silence, Su Qing looked up at Mahiru, who was also looking at him.

"Not just today, right?"

Su Qing asked.

"Hmm... I've been learning these things these past few days, but my progress isn't very obvious. Am I a little stupid?"

Mahiru said in distress.

"That's not the case. This requires time and practice. It has nothing to do with talent. If you want to learn, I will teach you. It won't take up too much of my time."

Su Qing suggested in a gentle tone.

"Eh?"

Mahiru was obviously stunned for a moment, it seemed that she had never thought that she could ask her boyfriend to teach her this.

"But... I want to ask you first, is your learning of these related to me?"

The meal was almost over, Su Qing cleaned up the dishes, then looked into Mahiru's eyes and asked.

He seemed to care about the question, so he added, "Please answer truthfully."

"…It's about you, right? Being a cartoonist is exhausting, right? Even professional cartoonists have to hire assistants.

Sketches, line drawings, storyboards... We have to go to class, so we can't finish them by ourselves, right? But when I asked you if you wanted an assistant, you said no..."

Mahiru took her time giving her reasons, but Su Qing didn't seem happy.

At least he didn't laugh.

"So you want to be my assistant?"

"...You can say that, right? But the premise is that I am capable of doing it."

Mahiru nodded and did not deny it.

"Then can I understand that the reason you're learning these is because you're worried that I'm too tired?"

"Um……"

"What if I say I don't? Or I don't want you to do that?"

Su Qing's expression became complicated. He was serious and not joking.

"Eh?"

Mahiru's shoulders trembled slightly, and she suddenly didn't quite understand the meaning of this sentence.

“…Whether it’s hobbies or future plans, these all require motivation, and using others as an excuse is actually a very fragile thing.

Because I lack the most core passion, or a reason to be more determined in myself. You like to study cooking, so you should understand this principle better than me. "

Su Qing paused for a moment, then came to Mahiru and gently embraced her.

"I'm actually very happy that you did this, but publishing comics is just a coincidence. I won't do it for long. Zhu, you have your own life and your own favorite things. You shouldn't become my vassal."

Su Qing's face was calm, but he didn't feel at ease at all.

He didn't know whether the other party would hate him for saying such things.

It was obvious that the other person was working hard for him, but he rejected her feelings.

"I understand what you mean..."

Mahiru lowered her head, and her expression could not be seen.

"It's good if you understand."

After all, Mahiru is not the kind of girl who makes trouble for no reason. Ever since he met her, the two of them have always adhered to the principle of talking when there is something to talk about and solving problems in a calm manner.

For many people today, this is the so-called "truth" that is difficult to touch.

But before Su Qing could breathe a sigh of relief, the girl grabbed his hand.

She held it very tightly and forcefully, as if to illustrate her determination.

"But... why do you have to assume that I will become your [vassal]?"

The girl's body temperature passed through her palms and quickly reached every part of Su Qing's body.

He was slightly stunned by Mahiru's question, but heard the other party raise his eyes and stare at him with a gentle but firm look.

Su Qing couldn't describe what kind of feeling this was, so he could only continue listening silently.

"I know my behavior is very sudden, and it's understandable that you would make such an association, but even if I really become your assistant, it doesn't mean that I will become your vassal.

I can manage my time better and use some of my free time to complete this task.

All of this... I think I will build it on the basis of not delaying what I need to do.

And speaking of hobbies, I am actually quite interested in painting, otherwise I would not have painted your portrait that afternoon, although it was not a good one... But we agreed to go sketching outdoors, didn’t we?

Do you think I would agree to it if I didn't have some interest in it?"

As Mahiru spoke, a soft smile appeared on her face.

It must be because she mentioned some happy things at this moment, things that only exist in the softest place deep in her heart.

"Actually, being a vassal is another matter. I was worried that you would push yourself too hard. You have always been like this, right? That's why you forced yourself to go to class that day and ended up falling ill at the door."

Su Qing was silent for a long time, feeling the heat and burning sensation in his body, thinking that words must not be pale and cold, but have their own unique temperature.

"I don't actually know what 'reluctant' means, but if you say so, then it should be, right?" Mahiru tilted her head slightly and immediately let out a crisp laugh.

"But I think being reluctant isn't a bad thing, right? If I hadn't been so 'reluctant' all along, I think we would have had fewer interactions, right?"

"I hope that our interactions in the future will not be because of this."

Su Qing laughed for no reason, and his tone became relaxed.

"Ah~~~ That's hard to say. After all, I'm still pretty willful and it's not that easy to change. Maybe it will continue for a long time~

But I don’t think I’m learning these things reluctantly.”

As Mahiru was talking, she buried her head in Su Qing's arms and asked in a cute voice, as if she was acting coquettishly:

"And I'm your girlfriend, right?"

"of course."

Su Qing responded without hesitation.

"In this case, I want to cherish this relationship and share your burden. It may sound a bit selfish, but whether it's being a cartoonist or something else, if there is anything I can do to help you, I will think about helping you. I... don't want you to be too tired..."

There are some things that Mahiru didn't reveal, such as why Su Qing suddenly started drawing comics, whether it was because of the financial crisis caused by being with her, or because of other ideas.

But none of this matters.

The important thing is that she is his girlfriend, so as long as she chooses to support him, that’s enough, right?

"…Thank you, but you seem to underestimate me. I'm not going to be so exhausted by such a small matter. You should have more confidence in your boyfriend."

Su Qing looked at those clear eyes, which looked like flowing amber.

Suddenly, for the first time, he felt his heart pounding so clearly.

But then again.

Since she wasn't studying just for him, Su Qing didn't have much reason to dissuade her.

He still enjoyed seeing Mahiru's life become more colorful.

To put it in an inappropriate metaphor, it's a sense of happiness similar to that of playing a cultivation game?

"So you agree to teach me and let me try to be your assistant?"

The girl was as happy as a child, with her eyes curved with smile. Even though Su Qing hadn't responded yet, she seemed to have predicted it.

"Why not have a free assistant?"

“Does that mean there’s no salary?”

"If I have income, I'll pay you. If not, I'll just owe you money for now."

The capitalist Suda made his intentions clear, but Mahiru didn't care about that kind of thing. She just smiled and said:

"It doesn't matter. I don't need the salary, just consider it as my tuition. You have to teach me well~~"

"One-on-one teaching, step by step, will definitely teach well."

Su Qing said righteously.

"Well... But before that, I have something else I want to ask you. Boyfriend-kun, you must not avoid it."

Mahiru blinked, as if she had thought of something, and asked quickly.

“I don’t think I’ve ever escaped, have I?”

Su Qing touched his face in confusion. How could he have a history of evading crime?

But why...he suddenly thought of another girl now...

"You seem to be very concerned about me becoming a [vassal] or something like that. Is it because of... my parents that you don't want to bully me?"

Girls' minds are naturally more delicate, and Mahiru's childhood experiences have made her understand much more than other girls of the same age.

If you marry a chicken, follow the chicken; if you marry a dog, follow the dog.

This sentence is the most appropriate to describe Japanese women.

Once a daughter gets married, it is as if she has completely said goodbye to her natal family, and even her surname will be changed.

Whether or not the woman will be bullied and whether she will live a good life, the initiative is almost entirely in the hands of the man.

Mahiru wondered if Su Qing kept emphasizing this because of this consideration?

"You are really stupid sometimes. Regardless of whether it's because of your parents, I don't want to bully you."

Su Qing smiled and pinched Mahiru's cheeks. The touch was very comfortable, as soft as baby fat.

"Are you bullying me now?"

Mahiru looked up with some dissatisfaction and found that Su Qing was looking at her with a teasing smile.

"Well... that doesn't count. I'm just giving you a massage."

"You can fool me as much as you want." Mahiru pouted unhappily, but did not resist, "So you haven't said it yet!"

"Is it... or is it not?" Su Qing laughed more and more happily, and finally laughed out loud, "How about you guess?"

"Ah - you are bullying me!"

"I've already told you, this is because you're so cute, it's an instinct engraved in my genes... Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing?"

Su Qing looked down at Mahiru who had stood up in astonishment. She was pulling down his collar with one hand, revealing her clean neck, and then she buried herself like a vampire.

"Bully... go back..."

The girl's unclear voice came slowly, "This is called... tooth for tooth~~~"

……

?

Dinner ended around 6:30.

Su Qing was currently studying the little pink software that Mahiru had learned today, and tried to log into his account.

The pink little software is called P station by everyone. It started out as a TV series but has since gone down the path of teaching videos.

What a familiar script.

Su Qing thought of the small broken station before crossing over...

Will similar flowers bloom even in different worlds?

Su Qing sighed and stopped thinking about these philosophical questions.

He is a member of this P station. After all, he learned a lot from this small broken station in the past, but the problem is that this small broken station no longer exists in the world.

So he also spent a lot of money on this P station.

It can be used by Mahiru, it would be a waste if it is not used.

But soon, Su Qing discovered the clue when he logged into his account.

"Hmm? The new premium membership service agreement limits the number of devices that can be used with the same account. Violators will be permanently banned. You can increase the number of devices by upgrading to premium membership... The right of interpretation belongs to the official, and users can only accept it unilaterally?"

Su Qing frowned and talked to himself in an incredible tone.

“Can there be a similar flower named [Mongolian Top] in this world to bless the person who came up with this idea?”

"What's wrong? Can't get up?"

At this time, Mahiru came out of the kitchen and saw that Su Qing's expression was not right, so he came over curiously.

"Well... nothing much, I just lamented that entrepreneurs are too greedy."

“Eh…Is that so?”

Mahiru nodded as if she understood, but she didn't really care about such things.

By the way...they are now sharing the same account?

It’s pretty good.

"Speaking of which, I have to go out for something very important. So I will teach you tomorrow, the weekend, okay?"

"I'm available anytime, just be careful on the road and come back soon.

Oh, yes. Please take the baby warmer you gave me."

……

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