Chapter 09

"Like this... it shouldn't be bitter anymore, right?"

At first, Yae was a little confused and just blinked. But when she realized what was going on, she instantly felt a burning sensation.

"W-what are you doing... ah?"

Even though she had never experienced it in her previous life, it didn't prevent her from understanding what this meant.

"Well... according to humans, I think it's called a kiss?" When Yae hesitantly raised her question, the young man thought for a moment and said in an uncertain tone, "Is it because my technique is not up to par?"

This is not a matter of technique at all! Yae experienced for the first time the feeling of wanting to express something but being unable to find the right words.

The young man before her looked puzzled, but it seemed that she had overthought it—of course, that was indeed the case.

For Raiden, who had recently entered this world, his action was just learning from human behavior, no different from learning how to cook, swordsmanship, or eating and sleeping. Yae felt a sense of responsibility as an adult for the first time, so she sat up straight, took a deep breath, and tried to educate him. But in the end, she couldn't bring herself to say anything, and all she could manage was:

"...Where did you learn that from?"

"When I went to the city of Inazuma, I saw a mother chasing after her child to feed them medicine. The child didn't want to drink it because it was bitter, but under the mother's watchful eye, they had to endure and drink it. The child seemed to be in pain. After the child finished drinking the medicine, the mother kissed their cheek, and the child seemed to become happy." Raiden explained, "I didn't hear what was said clearly. Anyway, the child became happy."

Once Yae heard this, she understood.

Children are easily placated. Even if a mother simply praises them with "Good job" or "Well done," the child will proudly accept the mother's praise with a sense of accomplishment.

"But this is obviously different." Yae wanted to cover her face.

"Anyway, only very close people can do this... it's not about etiquette or life skills!" Looking at the innocent and naive young man, Yae suddenly worried that he might have been deceived by someone else. But seeing that he was just deep in thought and didn't seem to be paying attention to her words at all, Yae felt annoyed. She raised her hand and cupped the young man's face, forcing him to focus his attention back on her.

"I won't harm you. You should remember what I said." Yingjian pinched the boy's cheeks. "Be careful not to be deceived and end up counting someone else's money!"

"Yeah, I heard you," the boy looked at Yingjian. "So, are we very close?"

"Of course we are!"

"Then, if only very close people can do that, I didn't do anything wrong just now, right?" The boy was puzzled. "Why did you resist?"

"I..." Yingjian was at a loss for words and couldn't come up with a retort. In the end, she could only stubbornly say, "It depends on the person. Like the mother and child you saw, or lovers. Only they can do that."

"Lovers? What's that?" The boy didn't think too much and just asked, "If it's someone you love, I like you the same way."

If Yingjian now was the same as a few minutes ago, she would definitely be at a loss for words by the boy's words. But now Yingjian had completely understood Raiden Shogun's thought process, so she could only helplessly say, "It's not the same. You've just had very little contact with people. You'll understand in the future."

"Ah, it seems like I've become the kind of mysterious adult that kids don't like."

At that moment, Yingjian finally understood why adults liked to make empty promises to children.

"How do you judge that?" The boy was puzzled. "Can you kiss me to find out? If I feel happy..."

"Of course, you can't judge it that way..."

Although her heartbeat had calmed down and she was immune to Raiden Shogun's provocative words, she couldn't resist that extraordinary beauty. So she held the doll's face, and in the style of the doll, she solemnly said, "To be precise, we are friends."

"Friends?"

"Yes!" Yingjian nodded. "We are very good friends."

The beautiful boy blinked, seeming to understand but not really. Just as Yingjian was about to announce that the crisis was over, the boy's words made her tense again.

"Friends... What does that mean?"

"Well..." Thankfully, she didn't hear any strange words. Yingjian relaxed and thought for a moment. "It probably means someone you can rely on and trust no matter what situation you're in."

"Is that so?" The boy's tone became noticeably lighter. "Then I like this role."

Seeing the boy's previously somewhat dejected expression gradually returning to normal, Yingjian dragged her cheek and said with a slightly raised tone, "Are you happy?"

"Yeah."

The boy stood up and picked up the empty bowl. "Your Highness, go to sleep earlier."

"Okay~"

Watching the boy walk out with something in his hands, Yingjian finally relaxed and buried her face in her arms on the table.

"I have to go find Auntie Zhong tomorrow... I wonder if the Bargain Mom is there."

I wonder what kind of surprised expression they will have, hehe.

She was just starting to imagine tomorrow's scene when the sound of the door being pushed interrupted her thoughts.

"Little doll?"

It wasn't until the boy closed the door and skillfully extinguished the oil lamp that Yingjian's mind finally returned.

"Good night." The young boy, barefoot, walked to the door and said gently before pulling it open, "Sweet dreams, Your Highness."

As the door closed with a soft sound, Yingjian felt a bit confused.

In theory, this was the ideal outcome. But the problem was that she hadn't said anything yet, and Raiden Shogun already claimed to understand her...

Yingjian pondered for a moment and suddenly remembered something, raising her hand to touch her hair accessory.

"He should have heard it, right? Like the reasons behind it. Or maybe he sensed that she was in a difficult situation and left obediently?"

Initially, she felt uneasy because she hadn't fully explained the reasons to the young boy. But based on the current situation, Raiden Shogun must have heard it. Otherwise, given his personality, he would definitely ask for more details.

As Yingjian thought about it, she convinced herself and peacefully lay down, closing her eyes.

"When she recovers from the cold, if the little puppet agrees, she can start cooking. What dish should she make?"

"...Forget it, she has enough time now. It's better for her to learn honestly."

*

After stepping out of Yingjian's room, Raiden Shogun did not return to his own place, which he had never been to before, as Yingjian had expected. Instead, he sat on the steps of the corridor, quietly gazing at the faint moon reflected in the pond.

After watching for who knows how long, he finally shifted his gaze away.

"Hmm..."

"I understand."