Wife, Do You Plan To Cast Me Aside Once We're Home?

Having decided on it, Kyoya swiftly informed Grandpa regarding Shouko's decision. The old man sounded sullen, so different than his usual jovial self.

"Let them come when you're coming too, Grandpa," Kyoya said with scorn, directed at the Yuasa couple. He threw his gaze to the view outside the windows. "I could rest assured if you're here."

"You brat, I know what to do," Grandpa purposefully nagged at him, trying to lighten the mood. "I'll come tomorrow morning. Just let Shouko rest first for today. "

"En."

They had arrived at Rosy Mansion. Kyoya headed straight to the study to make a call to Grandpa while Shouko went to the bedroom. While they were waiting for lunch to be served, they went to do their own things.

"Ryota told me of something," Grandpa lowered his voice. If this old man was sitting in front of him right now, Kyoya could see how his eyes became lackluster. "Yamashita Group is secretly planning a big event. Especially related to the bidding of the land. Have you thought of anything?"

Kyoya sneered. His voice was icy cold as he calmly replied, "They would have to judge their ability before provoking us. They failed once because of you. I won't let them succeed in their next try. I would be ashamed to face you if it happened, Grandpa."

Grandpa hummed in agreement, a bit proud in his heart. Well, at least his grandson was aware of his hard work all these years.

"What's your next move?"

"I'm thinking of letting them win the bid," Kyoya enunciated each of his words. He sounded as firm as usual, not giving others a chance to doubt him.

"What?" Grandpa was so shocked, his pupils dilated in surprise. "What are you thinking? You have worked hard for months just so we could win the bid."

"Believe me," His eyes glinted with malice, one corner of his lips turned upward revealing a smirk. "I'll share the information with you later."

Grandpa's exasperated sigh came from the end of the line. Somehow, his old heart was irritated by how calm and confident his grandson sounded right now.

What else this brat is planning?! I shouldn't easily praise him earlier!

"Alright, alright, you're the best so you know what you're doing," Grandpa rolled his eyes.

Kyoya let out a chuckle. His expression softened. "I'll call you again, Grandpa."

Kyoya stood beside his working desk. His gaze fell on the screen of the laptop placed on the desk. He had just encrypted a document sent by Ryota. After two torturous and sleepless nights, his younger cousin finally sent the information he needed.

Did they plan to outwit us? Dream on.

Kyoya turned off the laptop after encrypting the document back. He walked out of the study and headed to the master bedroom. From the gap of the opened doors, he faintly heard three voices talking inside. As he stepped closer, he saw Old Toshio and Mai who stood before the couch.

Shouko was sitting on the couch, comfortable in her knitted sweater and long skirt. There were various kinds of snacks as well as a pot of tea on the coffee table opposite her.

Old Toshio was the first one who noticed his presence. The old butler turned around and greeted him. "Young Master, you came."

Kyoya nodded once. He walked toward his wife, he placed one of his hands on the headrest behind her. "I thought you're resting."

Shouko smiled once she saw him, her eyes radiated happiness.

"I think I've napped enough in the flight," She gestured for Kyoya to sit beside her before she leaned over to take a cup of warm tea from the coffee table. "Drink some, Grandpa sent a can of new tea leaves while we're away."

Kyoya accepted the cup with a smile. The faint fragrance of the tea drifted in the air as the steam swirled over the surface. He carefully sipped the tea.

It was bitter before the taste gradually turned sweet at the end. It felt refreshing.

"We could pair it with some less-sweet desserts," He commented a bit, feeling relaxed after drinking the tea.

"Alright. I'll make some good desserts for you," Shouko readily agreed.

Old Toshio and Noriko who witnessed how intimate and good-heartedly the pair of husband and wife interacted looked at each other with a smile. The latter nudged at the old man, silently urging him over a secret matter.

Mrs. Shimizu was the one who told them through a phone call yesterday.

Old Toshio laughed without making a sound. He straightened his back, both of his hands were placed properly over his abdomen. His attention went back to the couple.

"Young Master, this old butler has something that needs your opinion," Old Toshio calmly said his piece.

"What is it, Old Toshio?" Kyoya averted his eyes from his wife, now looking at the old man who was as old as his grandfather. "It is regarding the household?"

"Yes," Old Toshio nodded. "Should I arrange for Young Master's belongings in the room opposite the hallway to be moved here?"

His question sent blush all over Shouko's face while Kyoya's eyes glinted with amusement. He cast a glance at Shouko who had lowered her eyes to the white carpet under their feet.

"Well, this question should be asked to the mistress of the household," His lips curled up into a smirk as he teasingly looked at him. "So, wife, what should we do? Could I move in here?"

Shouko was screaming loudly inside even though right now she couldn't even look at Old Toshio's and Noriko's smiling faces. Even more so to look at a certain someone who was currently teasing her.

"Shouko?"

Kyoya scooted closer to Shouko, he tried hard suppressing his laughter from bursting out. It was funny to see how his wife feigned ignorance by closing her eyes and turning to look at the other side.

"I know that we're home now but, wife, do you plan to cast me aside after taking advantage of me?" Kyoya frowned, he sounded as if he was being wronged by Shouko. He didn't even care that his employees were seeing him acting childish in front of his wife.

"Wh.. what? When did I take advantage of you? Don't speak nonsense!" Shouko was so flustered when she heard those accusations. Her brows furrowed as she glared at him with her cheeks flushed red.

"What nonsense?" Kyoya sighed. Right now, his eyes were blinking like how a puppy would look like when trying to get attention from its owner. "Do you forget how you asked me if I wanted to k..."

Shouko shrieked internally. She leaned forward and pressed his mouth from continue saying anything.

"Up to you! I don't care!"

Shouko quickly stood up and ran toward the washroom. She hid her face behind her hands, the tips of her ears turned redder as seconds passed by. With a loud bang, she closed the door of the washroom.

Aaaa! How embarrassing!

Kyoya laughed as he looked at the closed door. He couldn't help but tease his little lady when her reaction could be as amusing as this.

"Move all of my things here," He instructed Old Toshio, his smile was still deeply carved on his face. The coldness that would always linger in his eyes had long dissipated ever since he had another taste of happiness. "You could start while we're having lunch."

"Understood, Young Master. I'd arrange the maids to do the task," Old Toshio's smile was filled with contentment. As he too was infected by the pure bliss that radiated from his young master, he couldn't resist adding, "Young Master, this old man is happy to see you and Young Madam like this. All of us are relieved."

In his joy, there was a trace of sorrow when he remembered how cold and desolate this mansion was like one year ago. When he saw how this husband and wife bickering with each other, it was like he was seeing a scene from the past.

His young master had always loved teasing his wife. At first, his change of attitude from his usual aloofness was surprising to anyone in the mansion who saw it for the first time but they gradually got used to his display of affections.

Ever since their young madam broke through the wall guarding their young master's heart, this young man became lively and cheerier than how he had always been since the death of his father. They were glad about the positive change.

Everyone in this mansion was always hoping for the warmth to return. Never did they expect the coldness would be thawed by yet another disastrous event that fell on their madam.

It was an irony.

Gratitude flickered in his eyes when Kyoya heard the heartfelt words by the old man who had watched him grow up. He smiled turned faint, he nodded slowly, "Likewise, Old Toshio."

This happiness was like the spring breeze melting the darkest and coldest moment in his life.