Chapter 116: Plot Twist

Watching Rumi practice pitching with another baseball team member on the field, Lei Yin asked, “Does that kid practice this late every day?”

“Yes,” Kazumi replied. “The regional selection tournament is coming up. Only the winning team can go to Koshien for the competition. So, for the past while, they’ve been practicing every day.”

“What about her studies?”

“Her studies are manageable. She’s always been a good student, attentive in class and diligent with her notes. It shouldn’t be a problem. What I’m most worried about is her health. I’m really afraid she’ll collapse from exhaustion one day. I’ve already told her to quit, but she just won’t listen. You know how stubborn Rumi can be sometimes.” Kazumi sighed.

Lei Yin didn’t respond, silently watching Rumi focus intently on her practice.

After a long moment, he suddenly said, “Looks like they’re done practicing.”

Kazumi looked up and saw the team members starting to disperse. However, the bearded coach was still talking to Rumi, holding her back for the moment.

“Oh! You’re here too, Senpai!” After a while, the coach finally let Rumi go. Seeing Masashi waiting on the sidelines, Rumi’s face lit up with delight.

Since Lei Yin often skipped classes in the afternoon and rarely waited for them after school, especially after starting his relationship with Teacher Naoko, it was a rare and pleasant surprise for Rumi to see him there.

“Look at you, sweating all over. Wipe it off first.” Kazumi handed her a handkerchief.

“Thanks, Kazumi,” the kendo girl said, taking the handkerchief with gratitude.

“Let’s hurry home. Officer Maeda is coming over for dinner tonight. Mom should be almost done cooking by now. Thanks to him, we’ll have a real feast tonight,” Kazumi said with a smile.

Rumi couldn’t help but smile back.

Seeing her tired but cheerful smile, Lei Yin felt a pang of guilt. He realized he hadn’t been paying enough attention to this girl.

Thinking this, he took the relatively light bag from her hand.

“Senpai, I can carry it myself,” Rumi quickly protested.

“Let’s go,” Lei Yin said with a gentle smile.

Noticing the tenderness in his eyes, Rumi’s heart suddenly began to race, her face flushing red.

Lei Yin, lost in thought, didn’t notice her reaction.

The three walked quietly. Sensing the atmosphere, Kazumi wisely chose not to speak.

After a while, Lei Yin broke the silence. “Rumi.”

“Yes, Senpai,” the kendo girl responded, a little flustered.

“I wasn’t planning to interfere with your school life, but could you promise me something? Starting tomorrow, don’t attend the baseball team’s practices anymore. I’ll talk to the baseball team about it for you.”

Hearing his words, Rumi suddenly stopped walking.

Lei Yin also stopped and turned to look at her.

“Sorry, Senpai, but I can’t agree to that,” Rumi said, biting her lip after a brief silence.

“Tell me your reason,” Lei Yin asked, still looking at her.

“The regional selection tournament is coming up soon. Even though we know our chances of winning are slim, we don’t want to give up this opportunity. Every member of the baseball team is working hard. How can I quit now?” Rumi said, tears streaming down her face as she spoke.

“Alright, I’ll take back what I just said,” Lei Yin said, somewhat resigned. He had anticipated her refusal.

This completely surprised both girls, who hadn’t expected him to give in so easily.

Just as Rumi was about to break into a smile through her tears, he added, “In exchange, during the time leading up to the selection tournament, you can’t go to the kendo club for practice.”

“But…” Rumi quickly began to protest.

Before Rumi could finish her sentence, Lei Yin interrupted her. “No ‘buts.’ You can only choose one club. If this keeps up, you’ll collapse before the competition even starts. I’ll speak with Instructor Omura about this. It’s just a temporary break from the kendo club, so it won’t have any real impact on you. Unless you think practicing at home with me is completely useless.”

“Of course not. But I feel this isn’t right. I’ve already told Instructor Omura that I would finish my kendo club practice before going to the baseball team,” Rumi said, torn.

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it for you. Honestly, I don’t know what to say to you. Exercise is good, but if it leads to illness or injury from overdoing it, it loses its purpose. This matter is settled. Over the next few days, Kazumi and I will come to pick you up after school.” Lei Yin playfully pinched her cheek with a doting smile.

“Senpai…” Rumi, unsure whether to feel happy or wronged, suddenly threw herself into his arms and began crying loudly.

Nagakawa, rest assured, I won’t let your granddaughter suffer any harm, Lei Yin thought to himself while gently stroking her hair.

Watching the two embrace in the middle of the road, Kazumi’s lips curled into a warm smile.

***

Recalling his negotiation with Omura, the kendo club advisor earlier that morning, Lei Yin felt a wave of frustration.

Who would have thought this chubby guy had such a knack for haggling? While Omura agreed to let Rumi temporarily step away from the club, his condition was predictable: he wanted Lei Yin to join the kendo club.

Lei Yin, of course, refused. After rounds of back-and-forth, he reluctantly agreed to Omura’s final condition: to visit the club two to three times a week and provide guidance to the members.

Teaching one student, especially someone as talented as Rumi, was satisfying. But teaching a large group? The mere thought gave Lei Yin a headache. Still, he had no choice but to compromise since he needed Omura’s cooperation.

Unlike Lei Yin’s current mood, Naoko seemed to be in high spirits. Humming a tune, she focused on brewing coffee, her lips occasionally curling into a gentle smile.

Seeing her so cheerful, Lei Yin couldn’t help but smile.

Rising from the sofa, he quietly walked over to her.

“What happened? Why are you so happy today?” he asked, suddenly hugging her waist from behind and leaning close to her ear.

Feeling his warm breath tickling her sensitive ear, Naoko’s body went soft, her strength draining away.

Noticing the pink hue spreading across her ears and neck, Lei Yin realized she was becoming flustered. Mischievously, he leaned down and gently took her delicate earlobe into his mouth, nibbling it lightly.

“Ah…” If he hadn’t been holding her, Naoko might have collapsed.

Given her naturally sensitive constitution, Lei Yin knew that teasing her further could escalate things uncontrollably, just like last time. So, he stopped and instead scooped her up, placing her on his lap.

Holding her soft body close, he asked again, “Come on, tell me what happened.”

Blushing deeply, Naoko shyly glanced up at him before saying, “I went to the hospital this morning for my follow-up examination. The doctor told me my condition has stabilized and is steadily improving. He was even surprised by the progress. Maybe… I won’t have to leave you so soon after all.” Tears welled up in her eyes as she finished speaking.

Overcome with emotion, Lei Yin hugged her tightly.

While she quietly wept, Lei Yin sent a stream of energy into her body to examine her condition. He found that her qi and blood flow were remarkably smooth. It seemed his efforts had truly been effective in helping her recover.

When Lei Yin and Naoko were alone, whether watching TV or chatting, he always held her in his arms. Naoko didn’t realize that, aside from enjoying her scent, the main reason he did this was to channel his qi into her body through physical contact, subtly nurturing and regulating her meridians.

The fundamental difference between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine lies in their approaches. Western medicine examines pathology on a microscopic level and treats the body’s tangible biological structures. TCM, on the other hand, is revered for its depth and breadth, addressing health from a macroscopic perspective using theories like yin and yang, the five elements, and the balance of ruler and minister relationships. This often results in different interpretations and treatments for the same ailment by various practitioners. *

Lei Yin understood that contemporary Western medicine was powerless against congenital hereditary diseases like Naoko’s, typically offering only drugs to prolong life. Though he had studied Western medicine, he didn’t believe himself to be more skilled than the cardiology experts who had treated Naoko. Thus, he turned away from conventional treatments and adopted a TCM-based approach, using his own qi to gradually unblock her meridians every day.

While he had used this method to save lives before, he had never treated congenital heart disease, leaving him uncertain of success. However, the recent test results showed promising outcomes.

Because the qi Lei Yin transferred into her body was subtle and gradual, Naoko rarely noticed it. Occasionally, she might feel a gentle warmth flowing through her, but that was all.

After a long while, Naoko finally stopped crying.

“Lei,” she softly called.

“Yes?”

“I asked the doctor, and she said that if things continue improving, in time… even doing that kind of thing won’t be a problem.” Her voice became so quiet toward the end that even Lei Yin’s sharp ears could barely make out the last part.

“What kind of thing?” Lei Yin released her and looked at her with a teasing smile.

Naoko’s face flushed deep red, and she couldn’t lift her head to meet his gaze.

Lei Yin, amused by her shyness, gently lifted her chin and kissed her blushing lips. Slowly, Naoko began to respond to him tenderly.

“The weather’s great today, and we’ve received such good news. Let’s go out for a walk and pick up something to celebrate,” Lei Yin suggested.

“But what about the coffee? It’s almost ready,” Naoko hesitated.

“We’ll have it when we get back.”

“Okay.”

***

“Wait a moment.” As they passed a clothing store, Lei Yin glanced at a white dress displayed in the glass case and suddenly stopped.

“What is it?” Naoko asked, puzzled.

Without speaking, Lei Yin compared the dress’s fit to her figure. After a moment, he said, “That dress would look great on you. Could you try it on for me?”

“Okay,” Naoko replied, blushing as she nodded.

“Welcome! Please feel free to browse,” a pair of young saleswomen in uniform skirts greeted them as they entered.

“Please help this lady try on the white dress in the glass display,” Lei Yin requested.

“Of course! This way, miss.” One of the saleswomen guided Naoko to the fitting room.

Naoko glanced at Lei Yin before following.

“Lei, don’t you think the hem of the dress is a bit short?” Naoko asked shyly after they left the store.

“It is a little short. I didn’t expect your legs to be even longer than I imagined,” Lei Yin said with a teasing smile.

“Stop it! That’s so corny,” Naoko protested, laughing as she lightly swatted him.

Noticing an unfamiliar, mischievous smile playing on his lips, Naoko asked, “Lei, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Let’s head back.”

“Alright.” Naoko happily held onto his arm as they walked.

As they passed a neighborhood park, four delinquent youths suddenly approached from the front. Their appearance screamed trouble. Two of them had brightly dyed hair, one wore a lip ring, and the other had a tiger tattooed on his arm. Their outfits and demeanor epitomized the classic image of Japanese gangsters.

Seeing the group of men approach, Naoko was gripped with fear. Even the hand she held onto Lei Yin’s began to tremble lightly.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here,” Lei Yin whispered softly into her ear.

The four men stopped in front of them, and the one with the lip ring sneered, “Miss—”

“Save the nonsense. If you’re going to make a move, just do it already. You’ve been tailing us for a while now. Oh, and by the way, your breath stinks,” Lei Yin interrupted, his tone calm but cutting.

The four exchanged startled glances.

“If you’re not making a move, we’re leaving,” Lei Yin continued, patting Naoko’s hand reassuringly before pulling her behind him.

“You’re asking for it! Don’t blame us for what happens next,” growled the man with the tiger tattoo on his arm. He charged at Lei Yin first.

“Argh!” Before the others could react, the man let out a miserable cry, clutching his lower body and collapsing to his knees.

“Oops, sorry. I was aiming for your stomach. Guess you’re just too tall,” Lei Yin remarked casually before stomping his forehead, sending him sprawling on his back.

“Well? Are the rest of you coming or not?” Lei Yin asked, glancing at the remaining three.

“Die, you bastard!” They exchanged another glance before rushing at him simultaneously.

It was then Naoko finally understood how Lei Yin had saved her two years ago from the students who had sinister intentions toward her.

The three attackers were knocked to the ground as if they were mere props in a farce. Lei Yin dispatched them so effortlessly it seemed unreal.

Watching the four writhing and groaning on the ground, Naoko could hardly believe her eyes.

“Trash,” Lei Yin muttered, his voice cold. From start to finish, he had only used his feet—he didn’t want to dirty his hands.

“Naoko, let’s go.” Returning to her side, he nonchalantly took her hand and led her away as if nothing had happened.

Not long after they left, a man carrying a black briefcase stormed over, fuming.

“What the hell is this? You couldn’t even handle a high school kid?” he roared.

“Why didn’t you warn us that guy was so strong?” wheezed the man who had been kicked in the groin, his face pale.

“How was I supposed to know? Honestly, I don’t even understand how you all managed to screw this up,” the man with the briefcase sneered.

“Don’t think your money makes you invincible. Damn it, hand over the rest of the payment now!” shouted the lip-ringed thug, grabbing the man’s collar.

“Why should I pay for such incompetence? Go to hell!” the man barked, kicking the thug hard in the stomach, sending him sprawling. Without sparing the four a second glance, he walked away.

The injured thugs, too battered to pursue him, could only groan in frustration.

“Why would he do this?” Naoko asked, puzzled, as she and Lei Yin observed the scene from a discreet corner nearby.

“Silly girl, can’t you see? It’s a cliché ‘hero saving the damsel’ setup. Old-fashioned, sure, but effective. If I hadn’t noticed him following us earlier, we might’ve been treated to quite the show. Picture this: instead of me taking them down, I get defeated. Just as you’re in the gravest danger, an ‘elegant’ man suddenly appears and valiantly dispatches the four villains. What a thrilling drama, right?” Lei Yin smirked coldly.

“I never imagined Junichiro Nishinaka would stoop to something like this,” Naoko murmured in surprise.

“Just be careful around him, alright?”

“I understand. I won’t answer his calls anymore.”

“That’s unnecessary. Just don’t meet him alone. That guy’s a wolf.”

“Okay.”

“Let’s head home.”

With that, Lei Yin finally took her hand, and they left for real this time.

---

* This only works on fiction. Always consult real doctors.