Chapter 51: Rogue Tactics

Tao Zhimin knew this matter could not be accomplished in a single stroke, so he let it go and instead began to inquire about her origins in swordsmanship.

This undoubtedly struck the prideful nerve of Ueda Nana, who claimed to be the successor of the Mirror Heart Wisdom School. She introduced the glory of her ancestors with a sense of pride.

Tao Zhimin slipped into his role as an attentive student, and as Ueda Nana spoke, she began to sense something was amiss.

"You!" She snapped out of it, noticing that Tao’s expression was no longer the composed, masterful one he had shown before. His admiring gaze now seemed insincere. "If you truly wanted to learn swordsmanship, why are you only starting now?"

Her implication was clear—did he have an ulterior motive?

Tao Zhimin thought to himself, if I’d been reborn earlier, I certainly wouldn’t be starting now. Only after having some funds to work with did I decide to prepare more thoroughly; before, I was busy scraping by.

He could have found an office elsewhere, but since he still had a year of classes at university, it was simply more convenient—and cheaper—to keep it here.

Besides, the University of Tokyo wasn’t bad; who could turn down such a diploma?

After the meal, when Tao Zhimin called for the waiter to settle the bill, Ueda Nana asked curiously, "Didn’t you say I’d be paying?"

"I was joking. I’m determined to learn swordsmanship from you—how could I let my teacher pay?" Tao Zhimin replied cheerfully, finding an excuse.

After the waiter took the payment, Ueda Nana remarked, "So, there’s Tomokazu, Sumitomo, and Nomura—all involved. Looks like you’ve come into quite a bit of money lately. This suit—did one of those companies gift it to you as well?"

Tao Zhimin neither confirmed nor denied, instead asking, "So? Do I look handsome?"

Ueda Nana turned her head and scoffed, refusing to answer.

Tao Zhimin stood up and said, "Anyway, I’m counting on you for the office. Since you claimed to be very curious about me, I’ll give you a chance to see what I’m working on. I’m certain you’ll find it fascinating—maybe you’ll even want to collaborate more deeply."

"...What nonsense are you spouting?" Ueda Nana protested.

Indeed, she had said she was "very curious," but that was because Tao Zhimin was so different from Kawashima Shiko’s description.

He spoke as if she were genuinely interested in him. Deeper collaboration? How arrogant!

But Tao Zhimin had already pulled out a small slip of paper, smiling as he handed it to her. "My home phone number. I’ve already memorized yours from the kendo club."

Ueda Nana wanted to retort, but, looking up at the tall Tao, she felt at a disadvantage and stood up as well.

Tao Zhimin took her hand and placed the slip in her palm. "I’m counting on you!"

Ueda Nana quickly pulled her hand back, but the slip was already clutched in her palm. She stared at him, annoyed. "Hey! That was rude!"

Tao Zhimin asked innocently, "What’s wrong?"

"...Forget it! Let’s go!"

If she truly investigated, there was nothing improper. But were they really that familiar? He just grabbed her hand like that!

He was the one asking for her help, yet he acted so naturally, as though it were a given.

Ueda Nana, raised in privilege and always treated with respect and protection wherever she went, had never encountered such a peer who showed no hesitation toward her.

He spoke bluntly if he wanted to hurt, and when he needed help, he treated it as an opportunity to prove herself. He grabbed her hand and forced his phone number on her.

Who wanted to help him?

But after leaving the restaurant, Tao Zhimin hailed a taxi and, with gentlemanly flair, opened the rear door for her.

His inviting manner and the smile on his face made Ueda Nana lower her head.

Kawashima Shiko had once described him in such disparaging terms, yet still spent time with him. Perhaps it wasn’t just because he was obedient—maybe he really was a bit handsome.

She thought Tao Zhimin was just calling a taxi for her, but when she saw him getting in as well, she protested, "I can go home by myself!"

"Of course I’ll see you home! What if something dangerous happens? Ah, sir, please don’t take offense—I wasn’t referring to you."

The taxi driver grinned.

"...I am the successor of the Mirror Heart Wisdom School!"

Tao Zhimin sat right beside her. "I know, and I admire you greatly. So, what’s your address? Tell the driver."

"..."

His gentlemanly demeanor lasted only a moment; now he was back to being shameless.

Ueda Nana could only give her home address.

She turned to look at Tao Zhimin and found him gazing out the window.

She leaned forward and saw a girl standing at the bus stop, dressed in a plain coat and a simple high-necked hand-knit sweater, holding books and looking around. Even as a woman herself, Ueda Nana envied her delicate features.

"No wonder you’re indifferent to Shiko now; you’re no longer the man she described. You’re seeing me home, not saying anything, and admiring another beauty instead. To think you bragged so much about how bad Shiko was."

Tao Zhimin turned to look at her and chuckled. "Everyone appreciates beauty. It’s normal to glance a few times when you suddenly see someone lovely. Now that she’s gone, should I keep looking at you instead?"

He really did keep his eyes fixed on Ueda Nana. She, never having faced such scrutiny, felt utterly awkward and raised her hand to block her face. "Shameless!"

But strangely enough, despite his shamelessness, she didn’t particularly dislike it. It was more... reproachful?

"Alright, I’ll stop joking." Tao Zhimin withdrew his gaze. "It’s heartbreaking to be called shameless. Since you’ve labeled me thus, I’ll have no choice but to treat you accordingly. Teacher Nana, you must help me solve the office problem!"

"...Who said I would definitely help you?"

"I don’t care; I’m shameless." Tao Zhimin grinned. "And you have to teach me swordsmanship too!"

"...I refuse!"

"I’ll strip off my shirt and practice sword strikes in front of you every day, until you agree!"

"...I’ll cut you down, you scoundrel!" Ueda Nana was on the verge of losing it.

The taxi driver was impressed: when pursuing a girl, thick skin is essential. Just look—the girl’s face in the rearview mirror is nearly crimson.

Tao Zhimin teased her, but his mind wandered to Lin Xiyu, whom he’d just seen.

Didn’t he say before, returning home before dark was safer?

Too bad, if only he hadn’t spent time seeing home the proud flower of the kendo club.

Then, perhaps, he could have happened upon Lin Xiyu and escorted her home.

...

When he reached the street near his home and paid the fare, he spotted Nara Yuma.

"Yuma-san, what a coincidence," Tao Zhimin greeted him with a cheerful smile.

Nara Yuma thought, "Coincidence my foot! Isn’t this because of Yuta’s orders?"

He’d been waiting so long, and finally caught sight of Tao Zhimin returning.

"Went to another briefing today? Any shopping vouchers? Big Brother Yuta has business." Nara Yuma offered a reasonable excuse.

Tao Zhimin paused, shook his head. "Not today. But Yosuke went out early for one. Maybe he has some."

"Let’s go check together then." Nara Yuma said, already moving.

Tao Zhimin followed, noting that Yuma didn’t speak, but kept scanning the houses and alleys along the way.

"...Yuma-san, what are you looking for?"

Nara Yuma coughed, reciting his lines, "Nothing. Staying vigilant is what we need most."

"...Professional," Tao Zhimin praised. "The way you said that was really cool!"

"..."

Nara Yuma quickened his pace. "Stop chattering, hurry up!"

They reached the house, and upon opening the door, found that Ueno Yosuke had indeed collected 200,000 yen in shopping vouchers today.

Nara Yuma was stunned. "Tomorrow... can I give you the money then?"

Tao Zhimin gave him a curious look. "Sure..."

"Then... when are you leaving home tomorrow?"

"...I’m not going out tomorrow."

"...Fine, I’m leaving!" Nara Yuma snatched the vouchers and hurried off.

Ueno Yosuke stared, "He’s not planning to spend the vouchers himself, is he? Why didn’t he bring cash? He used to always bring money when trading with you. Is he bullying me?"

"...You’re imaginative—would anyone need to go that far to bully you?" Tao Zhimin grumbled as he entered.

But when he reached the living room window and watched Nara Yuma’s departing figure—far from vigilant—he frowned slightly.

"There’s definitely something wrong, isn’t there?" Ueno Yosuke stood beside him, watching with worry.

Tao Zhimin murmured, "Yes, something’s wrong... very wrong..."