Chapter 176: Cute?
Hokusinn's family matters were settled, and he couldn't handle other people's household affairs either.
After receiving double the medical expenses and compensation, he hurried back home.
Before leaving, he signed a simple contract with Izumi Dojo, with daily wages and a minimum of one class per week for at least four hours, hourly wage of 14,000 yen. Since it was a temporary contract, they couldn't offer more. If he were to be present for five fixed days every week, the salary could double.
Can a dojo like this expand solely based on the tuition fees from the disciples?
The answer is no.
So how do these types of dojos make money after all?
Connections, skills.
Each dojo has industries other than the dojo itself expanding. The more disciples there are, the more extensive the network of relationships becomes. Most likely, important figures in politics and business have some contact with the masters in the dojo. There are significant hidden benefits in this, but nowadays, the era of pioneers has passed, and interests have been divided, making it difficult for new dojos to emerge.
Bai Wei knew this deep down, and the actual situation in Foshan's martial arts scene was similar. When he came out of the Youth Center, he was hailed as a prodigy renowned in the surrounding area. However, he didn't choose to join various martial arts academies or clubs because joining meant possibly having to fight professionally in the future. Instead, he chose the National Martial Arts Academy, where he received average resource cultivation while also balancing his studies and taking care of his sister.
The means of earning money in an industry naturally do not come from this aspect.
It's like asking if an artist's income solely comes from acting fees.
Business is not such a straightforward matter.
Bai Wei is just looking for a part-time job. Whenever he gets bored, he goes next door to stir-fry chili peppers at the Sichuan restaurant or goes to another nearby Chinese restaurant to cut beef tripe.
That's how he earns a living based on his skills.
...
Outside the main gate of Yagyū's residence.
A graceful figure stood by the doorway, raising her hand as if to press the doorbell but then retracting it.
She raised her hand several times, unsure of what she was hesitating about.
“Sigh... Why not just knock on the door and enter?”
She muttered to herself, "What am I being so coy for?"
Jingūji had finished her trip to Kyoto and returned to Edo. As soon as she finished reporting at the shrine, she hastily made her way to Yagyū's residence.
She even dragged her luggage, hurriedly walking. The reason she had given herself deep in her heart was to come over for a meal, not wanting to cook.
But when she reached the door, she suddenly realized that her heart was pounding loudly. She hesitated and didn't know whether to press the doorbell or not.
Her current mood was very different from before. She had never felt so nervous and tense in the past.
What was she nervous about?
She didn't know.
Perhaps it was because she had rushed all the way here without putting on makeup?
Maybe it's because she didn't know how to greet after knocking on the door?
Or maybe it's because the person opening the door might be...
She involuntarily thought of someone, and her heartbeat suddenly intensified, thumping forcefully, rushing blood and raising her body temperature.
Jingūji held her flushed face and said, "What's wrong with me? Am I getting a fever? Pull yourself together, me..."
She lingered in front of the door for a while, calming herself down. This was just a simple visit to say hello, nothing to be nervous about.
Just in case it's him who opens the door, I'll greet him like I did in the past.
Just asking a simple "Have you eaten?" as a casual opening line would be most appropriate since he is from the Ming Country.
If he says he hasn't eaten, I can conveniently join him for a meal.
If he says he has eaten, I can conveniently join him for leftovers.
But... what if he thinks I'm a freeloader? Coming over for meals all the time, will he look down on me for not being able to cook? Although I really can't cook well, should I enroll in a cooking course?
Oh right, the shrine seems to have a training program for brides, hosted by Master Nori... Hmm? No, no, why am I thinking about this? It's all a jumble, being a bride and all, it's too early for me, I'm not mentally prepared yet, but shouldn't I study in advance to be prepared? Becoming a bride, wearing a white gown, the wedding ceremony... eh-heh, eh-heh-heh-heh-heh...
She hadn't realized that she had become adorable at this moment, like a female character from the teenage manga she had read before.
At this moment, a cough suddenly came from behind, "Ahem!"
She immediately turned around and saw a young man standing three steps away.
“Ah!” she exclaimed, "When did you hide there!"
“Since you started giggling," Bai Wei held his forehead with his hand, "Did your intelligence drop below the average line after you went to Kyoto?"
“I, I, I didn't!" she stuttered, looking uneasy as if her weakness had been exposed.
Saki Jingūji felt guilty for a while, but quickly realized she shouldn't feel like this and thought about straightening her back.
But Bai Wei walked towards her directly.
She tried to be assertive for a second but instantly became timid, noticing Bai Wei looking at her with calm eyes.
But the calmer he looked, the more her face burned.
...If you have something to say, just say it, why do you have to come closer!
As Bai Wei looked at her and approached, he remained silent, which brought a great deal of pressure.
Saki Jingūji dared not look into his eyes and lowered her head. She quickly glanced up, but then lowered it again, even lower.
Bai Wei's right foot had already come forward. She blushed and stepped back, repeating the motion three times.
Her back was already pressed against the door, and her heels were also against the iron gate, making a not-so-dull sound.
She didn't even know why she was so flustered. Seeing that she was about to collide, she instinctively raised her hands to protect herself. Her right hand clenched the thumb of her left hand, which she placed in front of her chest, and her ample chest was pressed into a dough-like shape.
Saki Jingūji didn't know what the other person was about to do, and even forgot to rebuke.
Her ability to think was being quickly stripped away, and her mind was in complete chaos.
What was even more excessive was that the young man's left hand crossed over her shoulder and pressed against the door. There was a thud, like a heavy stone that landed on her heart.
The girl instantly faltered, "Yo-you-you..."
Like a cornered little rabbit, she trembled cutely, but seemed to be anticipating something more intimate.
Bai Wei's left hand naturally rested on her waist, touching her soft waist through her clothes.
Jingūji had a relatively mature and full figure, but curiously, she had a slender waist. Although it couldn't be compared to the 3A character design of Yagyū Simozi, her waist was less than three-fifths of her bust size, with her pelvis below and ribs above. Her waist was soft but not flabby, with a wonderful tactile sensation.
Bai Wei subconsciously touched it for a few seconds before confirming that it was indeed her waist. Surprised, he glanced at Jingūji. The proportions of her figure were really unrealistic, weren't they?
Jingūji's mind was tense, her teeth clenched, and her muscles were taut. Even through the clothes, she could feel the warmth of his palm. Her fast heartbeat made her nervous and almost gave her hiccups. Her body was tense, trembling slightly, and yet she still had a demeanor that faced the storm head-on and resisted while also welcoming it.
Bai Wei, "..."
He glanced down at the tightly blocked keyhole that Jingūji had just prevented him from opening, his mouth twitching.
I just wanted to open a door. Why are you blocking my doorway, glaring at me with an angry look on your face?
Click! The sound of a metal latch spread out as Bai Wei quickly released his hand. He realized that he had touched her for a bit too long... but the sensation was really good.
As his palm left, Jingūji breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt slightly disappointed. She wondered why he stopped touching her after just a brief moment.
“You'd better stand steady," Bai Wei said, twisting his right hand at the same time.
“What?" Saki Jingūji didn't hear clearly.
The unlocked door swung open, and her back lost support, causing her to tilt backward and almost fall. There were cobblestones behind the door, and it seemed like she was going to hit the back of her head and get a big bump.
But there was a force supporting her back, and she didn't touch the ground.
Bai Wei looked at her waist and complimented, "Nice waist."
Jingūji stared at him, and after the shock, all the charm disappeared. "You should have said you were going to open the door earlier."
"What else could I be doing if not opening the door?" Bai Wei asked inexplicably.
"You..." Saki Jingūji's face turned red. She couldn't express the fantasy she had just had. She swung her small fist wildly, but worried about hitting too hard. All that could be heard was the sound of tapping, but it was as strong as Master Ai's guasha.
Bai Wei neither dodged nor avoided. He lifted her waist, spun around, and walked through the door with one hand supporting her and the other placing down the luggage. He leaned his heel against the door, closed it, and his movements were graceful, like a waltz in the center of a ballroom. And his hand naturally became the dance partner. After a spin, his body leaned back and fell into the arms of a gentleman, romantic and artistic.
Saki Jingūji narrowed her eyes, and now she thought this misunderstanding was quite nice. She smiled happily.
Then her bottom hit the ground first, and she fell down, exclaiming, "Ouch!"
Bai Wei let go and let her fall onto the lawn. Jingūji touched her bottom and got up. After turning her head to take a look, her face turned pale.
"Misunderstanding." Bai Wei let go and acted like a rushed City Hunter Meng Bo who dropped a girl to the ground.
Yagyū Simozi stood at the entrance holding a kitchen knife dripping with blood, and she squinted her eyes. "I'm listening."
Bai Wei chuckled awkwardly, "It's really a misunderstanding..."
