“Perhaps you’re interested in things related to spiritual power and magical artifacts?”
Sweat dripped from Yukinoshita Haruno’s forehead. Even though Su Rui seemed approachable, she still didn't dare to relax. Instead, she cautiously watched Su Rui’s eyes, observing his expression carefully and without offense.
“So, you have such things?”
“Yes, but it will take some time to retrieve them. Would you mind returning first? I will personally bring the gift to your door later to apologize.”
The black-haired beauty smiled and bowed to Su Rui. Despite her extreme nervousness, she maintained her gentle and cheerful demeanor on the surface.
“…”
Su Rui thought for a moment and intended to reach out and hold Yukinoshita Haruno’s shoulder to ensure she wouldn't escape. However, Shizuka Hiratsuka hugged his arm tightly, pressing her ample chest against his arm.
“Haruno and I are very familiar. Even if she wanted to escape, she couldn't, after all, her family can’t leave with her. Haruno cares a lot about her family, so don’t worry. Can you just give her some time?”
Although Shizuka Hiratsuka was indeed speaking up for Yukinoshita Haruno, her words, on the contrary, made Yukinoshita Haruno’s heart sink. She felt a bit helpless that this woman, who was both her teacher and friend, spoke without thinking.
Wasn't she just actively revealing her weakness? What if the other party had some bad habits or vices? Then there was her and her family, especially her younger sister…
Yukinoshita Haruno instinctively shivered and quickly spoke: “Please don’t worry, I will deliver the gift to you tonight. It won’t take much time. Is that acceptable to you?”
This was probably the only way, wasn't it? The treasure she had painstakingly obtained for her sister’s self-defense had to be given away because of her rashness.
Yukinoshita Haruno felt a bit regretful, but it was good to preserve her life. Treasures could always be found again later.
“Alright, as you wish.”
Su Rui hadn't expected Yukinoshita Haruno to produce any impressive treasures anyway. In fact, after he arrived here and obtained his identity and wealth from the Si Gong family, he had searched for books and treasures related to spiritual power in Neon.
Most of them were like tasteless chicken ribs, not worth eating but a pity to discard.
He gently patted Yukinoshita Haruno’s shoulder, causing the seemingly perfect beauty to tremble nervously. Su Rui then injected spiritual power into her body.
A warm sensation spread from her shoulder throughout her body. Yukinoshita Haruno wasn't happy; instead, she looked up at Su Rui with some horror: “You, what did you do?”
“Just making sure you won’t escape. As long as you don’t think about escaping, this spiritual power will, on the contrary, protect you.”
Su Rui didn't continue to focus on Yukinoshita Haruno in front of him. Instead, he smoothly pulled his arm out of Shizuka Hiratsuka’s embrace. As she looked a bit disappointed, he wrapped an arm around Shizuka Hiratsuka’s waist and led her outside.
Shizuka Hiratsuka, whose mood went from happy to disappointed and then back to happy, stayed in Su Rui’s embrace, forcing herself not to look at Yukinoshita Haruno behind them.
It wasn't until they left the house and got into the car that she curiously looked at Su Rui in the passenger seat and asked, “What did you just do to Haruno?”
“Just a bit of spiritual power for tracking. I didn’t lie.”
Su Rui glanced at Shizuka Hiratsuka and added, “If she encounters danger, then this spiritual power can, on the contrary, help her repel evil spirits and save her life.”
“I see,” Shizuka Hiratsuka nodded in sudden understanding. Then, just as Su Rui thought she had finished her questions and was about to drive him home, he heard her suddenly ask, “Then why don’t I have it?”
“Don’t have what?”
“The spiritual power for tracking! That Haruno just met you and already got your gift, but I’ve known you for so long and have never seen you give me a gift.”
“…” Su Rui was silent for a moment, looking out the window and casually saying, “The jade pendant you gave me before, give me another one, and I’ll give you a gift.”
“No problem!” Shizuka Hiratsuka readily agreed, then strangely looked at Su Rui while starting the car. “I remember you’re not short on money, so why do you want a jade pendant? Do you like the feeling of me giving you gifts? You should have said so earlier! How about I give you gifts every day from now on?”
“No, that’s not what I mean.” Su Rui quickly interrupted Shizuka Hiratsuka. Of course, he was happy to receive gifts from others, but every day was really unnecessary. “I want the jade pendant to make a protective talisman. The one I gave to Yukinoshita Haruno is disposable. If you give me the jade pendant, I can modify it so it can be used continuously.”
“So that’s how it is… Such magical artifacts must be very precious, right? Is it okay to give it to me as a gift?”
“What magical artifact? It’s just a slight injection of spiritual power, and then ensuring that the spiritual power inside can be preserved and restore itself after use. It doesn't count as a magical artifact.”
Su Rui looked at Shizuka Hiratsuka, who was driving, with some surprise: “Your definition of magical artifacts is a bit too broad.”
Such things were, at most, power banks. The magical artifacts in Su Rui’s mind were like divine swords such as Chixiao or magical tools like Ruyi.
“I, on the other hand, think your definition of magical artifacts is a bit too strict.”
Shizuka Hiratsuka mumbled, then stopped the car at an intersection, which made Su Rui a bit curious.
“This doesn’t seem to be the way to my house.”
“Of course not, this is the way to my house. You want Haruno’s gift, so you have to let her know where you are, right? She knows where my house is.”
Shizuka Hiratsuka said while taking out her phone from her pocket and handing it to Su Rui: “The password is 000721. Call Haruno and tell her you’re at my house. Oh, are you not going to call your family?”
Shizuka Hiratsuka said, winking at Su Rui.
“…”
Su Rui held Shizuka Hiratsuka’s phone in one hand and his own in the other, making calls with divided attention.
Yukinoshita Haruno’s call connected almost immediately, and a somewhat nervous voice came from the phone: “Shizuka-chan? Is there anything else? I forgot to ask something, that adult…”
Before she could finish, Su Rui interrupted her: “I’m staying at Shizuka-chan’s house today. She said you know the place. Is there anything else?”
“No, I’ll deliver the gift as soon as possible.”
Listening to Yukinoshita Haruno’s respectful voice on the other end of the line, Su Rui casually hung up. At this moment, the call to Hayasaka Ai had also been connected, and a somewhat resentful voice of a young girl came from the other end: “Su Rui-sama, did you call just to make me jealous by listening to you talk to other women?”
“Just to tell you, I have something to do today. Have the maid drive Kaguya home.”
“Okay~ When will you be back?”