Chapter Twenty-One

As they walked along the road, Long Yan held Ayako's hand with his left hand while pushing the bicycle with his right hand.

Passersby couldn't help but glance in their direction, causing him to frown.

He blinked and quickly released her hand, apologizing with a flushed face.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Ayako. I got carried away for a moment," he stammered.

He realized that he had been too caught up in the moment and had forgotten about her presence.

Ayako, usually outgoing and cheerful, now had a blush on her face as she averted her gaze, looking into the distance.

"No, it's fine."

She responded, her heart still racing from the sudden burst of assertiveness he had shown at the sushi restaurant.

She found him surprisingly handsome at that moment, and her feelings for him began to shift ever so slightly.

The two of them shared a laugh, amused by the unexpected turn of events.

"Hahaha, who would have thought that something like this would happen during a sushi meal." Long Yan remarked, still in disbelief.

She playfully patted his shoulder and winked, a mischievous smile on her face.

"Indeed, Long Yan, I had no idea you were a rich young master." she teased.

She was intrigued by the discovery of his impressive basketball skills and his privileged background.

Curiosity piqued, she asked, "Long Yan, why did you come to study in Japan? And how do you feel about Japan?"

He furrowed his brows for a moment, pretending to contemplate the question.

He then replied with a smile, "I actually quite like it here, especially playing basketball with everyone. It brings me a lot of joy."

As for why he came to Japan, he didn't have a definite answer.

It was more of a spontaneous decision.

She chuckled, finding her response endearing.

She then proposed, "By the way, I go for a run every morning. It seems like your skills are good, but your physical strength could use some improvement. How about we run together? There's a small river nearby that's perfect for jogging."

Ayako felt a warmth in her heart as she made the suggestion.

"Okay, then I'll see you tomorrow morning."

With a grin on his face, Long Yan bid farewell to Ayako and headed back home.

As he approached his home, he couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and curiosity.

He remembered that his family was well-off, but the exact details of his luxurious home were still a mystery to him.

Walking through the front gate, he was greeted by a sprawling mansion surrounded by a beautifully landscaped garden.

The grandeur of the estate left him in awe.

He took a moment to soak in the sight before making his way towards the entrance.

"Wow! It looks absolutely fantastic!"

The corners of Long Yan's mouth curled up slightly, indicating his satisfaction.

Reincarnation is indeed such a lucky thing, and it appears that he is truly a wealthy heir.

"Welcome back, young master," the maid greeted respectfully as soon as he entered the courtyard.

Long Yan acknowledged her with a nod and proceeded to walk inside.

As he gazed at the intricately carved garden and the exquisite potted plants, he couldn't help but be amazed.

In his previous life, such sights would have been worth not just a few hundred million, but much more when considering the grandeur of the imperial capital.

He strolled leisurely through the courtyard, taking his time to look around and fully appreciate its beauty.

Eventually, he reached the gate.

The grandeur of the high foyer and the majestic gates, adorned with round-arched windows and intricate cornerstone masonry, exuded an air of both romance and solemnity.

It was a testament to the elegance and opulence of his new home.

Filled with curiosity, he embarked on a personal exploration of his residence in this current life.

Nearly half an hour passed as he meticulously explored every nook and cranny of the indoor rooms, yet he found no trace of his parents.

It became apparent that they were likely consumed by their business endeavors, constantly racing against time to amass wealth.

Feeling a mix of emotions, Long Yan settled himself on the spiral staircase and let out a deep sigh.

Supporting his hands on his waist, he muttered, "Ah, this house is simply too enormous."

Glancing at the time, Long Yan realized that it had unexpectedly become ten o'clock.

Feeling a bit fatigued, he decided to take a brief rest.

After freshening up with a quick wash, he set the alarm clock and prepared himself for sleep.

The following morning...

"Ding! Ding! Ding!"

The alarm clock on the bedside table chimed loudly, abruptly pulling him from his slumber.

"Ah! What a wonderfully comfortable sleep," he mumbled, stretching his limbs and yawning.

With a swift movement, he silenced the alarm clock and rubbed his eyes, gradually adjusting to the soft morning light that seeped through the window.

He slowly sat up, fully awake and ready to embrace the new day.

With May approaching, the sky outside had brightened considerably.

After a simple wash and a change into sportswear, he stepped out of the house.

It didn't take him long to reach the designated meeting point as Ayako had instructed.

Just as he arrived, he heard her voice from behind him.

"Hey! Long Yan, I didn't expect you to be so punctual."

Ayako, clad in loose blue sportswear, wore a pink peaked hat and had her long hair tied up in a ponytail.

Her vibrant appearance exuded a youthful aura.

"Ayako, I didn't expect you to be here so early," Long Yan chuckled.

"So, where should we begin our run? You can lead the way, and I'll follow behind."

He stretches his muscles as he glances up and down at her, taking in her appearance.

"Great! Let's get started then!"

Ayako nodded affirmatively, feeling the energy surge through her muscles as she prepared herself for the morning run.