Chapter 77: The Needlepoint and Demolishing the Heights
I humbly request your guidance and teachings
This sentence carries great weight.
The weight of this sentence is such that ordinary individuals dare not easily take it upon themselves, nor can they make promises lightly.
Therefore, she displays great intelligence by intentionally obscuring the true essence of this statement through the application of grammatical nuance. It can be interpreted as "remainder of one's life" or "subsequent."
It is simply a matter of how the other party interprets it.
These are the cunning and subtle thoughts of a woman, easily seen through, much like marking both A and B as answers on an exam paper, often resulting in no points gained.
But now there is no one to grade her; she is dressed in pure white, speaking this sentence with utmost sincerity and gravity. Is it really necessary to explain it so clearly and thoroughly?
Even if it were a genuine blockhead, it would have opened up and blossomed at this moment.
Bai Wei naturally understood.
Assessing the situation and observing others' words and expressions are indispensable elements of the art of ruling, even for an emperor who has reigned for a lifetime, even if they have been a ruler of a fallen kingdom.
Having understood the other party's allusion, was there a stirring in the heart?
To some extent.
Bai Wei has always had a tendency to find a girlfriend… Being in a romantic relationship, it's not something to be ashamed of.
To hold anticipation and yearning towards love is also an essential stage in life. For now, he still believes in love.
For now, the world remains temporarily beautiful.
Just… agreeing like that, wouldn't it seem too frivolous?
Moreover, this is our first meeting, and we are completely unfamiliar with each other.
Bai Wei also couldn't comprehend it, even in the rollbacks, he hadn't helped the other person a few times, so how did the affinity level rise before his eyes?
The exclamation mark, once again, doesn't reveal the affinity level, leaving him unsure of its authenticity.
Stepping back for a moment, even if it were true, she is from Yingzhou and I am from the Ming Country. In the future, I will definitely have to return to the Ming Country. What would she say about that?
Hokusinn is also a prestigious family in Yingzhou. She seems to be the only daughter and is likely to attract suitors in the future. How could someone like me, Bai Wei, be a burdensome son-in-law?
Yes, of course I can.
In this lifetime, my health is not good, my digestive system is weak, so I can only eat soft food.
If necessary, we can always have a few more children. The eldest will take the mother's surname, the second will be surnamed Bai…
In a blink of an eye, Bai Wei's inner thoughts were abundant, to the extent that he even planned the allocation of the child's surname.
However, it's just a fleeting thought; giving a real nod of agreement is impossible.
Because… they probably can't bear to watch any longer.
Bai Wei silently counted in his heart: one, two… three!
Thump, thump, thump! The sound of footsteps rapidly approached as a figure swiftly positioned itself between the two individuals.
Yagyū Simozi glided three meters across the ground, precisely intercepting the path of Hokusinn Kichyō's movements.
Simultaneously, Saki Jingūji reached from behind and grasped Bai Wei's right hand, without looking back, dragging him towards the tram station.
"Don't ask anything, just come with me," Jingūji said, her expression far from beautiful.
"Where does this senseless urge to compare oneself to others come from?" Bai Wei exclaimed, echoing the sentiment of an elderly gentleman.
Hokusinn Kichyō extended her hand in an attempt to detain the person, saying, "Wait, I haven't finished speaking."
Her raised wrist was clasped by Yagyū Simozi.
"Speak if you have something to say," Yagyū Simozi narrowed her eyes. "But don't go causing trouble for my brother."
Hokusinn Kichyō furrowed her brows and then gently said, "Miss Yagyū, I was looking for Mr. Bai, not you, and you cannot make decisions in this matter either."
"Is that so?" Yagyū Simozi refused to let go. "Meeting face to face in such a public setting, wearing pure white attire, don't you think it imposes an overwhelming psychological pressure on others? Isn't it inappropriate to rush into marriage with someone you're meeting for the first time?"
Filled with hostility, Yagyū Simozi didn't hold back her memories from the rollbacks. This was her first encounter with Hokusinn Kichyō, a beautiful young woman dressed in bridal attire, and it instantly ignited a sense of competition and crisis within her.
Their gazes met, and electric sparks ignited in the air, causing Hokusinn Kichyō to realize, albeit belatedly, that Yagyū Simozi had not intentionally concealed this side of herself.
When she inhabited the body of Nishino Junko, Yagyū Simozi didn't feel excessively targeted, as her thoughts were not focused on that matter. Now, upon reflection, she realized that from any perspective, Yagyū Simozi and Bai Wei truly didn't resemble siblings.
It should have been realized long ago, one surnamed Yagyū, the other surnamed Bai, one from Yingzhou, the other from the Ming Country…
Hokusinn Kichyō delicately freed herself from the restraints and commented, "How cunning."
"What did you say?" Yagyū Simozi heard it clearly but didn't understand its meaning.
"There isn't actually much difference between you and me, our positions are very similar, yet you manage to secure a favorable position and keep me at a distance."
"Huh?" Yagyū Simozi raised an elegant eyebrow in confusion.
"Even if it were me, I would do the same. However, I believe my approach would be faster than yours, rather than dragging it out with hesitations."
"I don't particularly enjoy arguing with others, but if that's your intention… I can accommodate you."
Yagyū Simozi was struck at her sensitive point, as she was not willing to maintain a distant sibling relationship. However, over the years, the distinction between family members had become blurred.
Hokusinn Kichyō fearlessly took half a step forward, narrowing the distance between the two women in an instant to less than five centimeters, eye to eye, nose to nose.
"I am merely stating the facts, Yagyū! Simozi, my dear!" she emphasized the name "Yagyū" with emphasis.
"I'm not that familiar with you, so please don't casually call my name," Yagyū Simozi responded stiffly.
First, tensions escalated as swords were drawn and bows were strung.
Then, the banners were lowered and the drums fell silent.
After several relatively mild clashes, they regained their composure and took a step back.
As the number of passengers around increased, Bai Wei had already left the tram platform; it wouldn't be beneficial to continue confronting each other like this.
With a dismissive snort, Yagyū Simozi turned and walked away, knowing that as long as she successfully disrupted the situation, it would mean victory for her.
Hokusinn Kichyō felt a slight reluctance in her heart, but she could only choose to temporarily let go, sighing at her ill fortune for forgetting about them.
She walked out of the subway station, and in just a short while, a sedan parked by the roadside with the driver opening the car door.
"Miss, it's time. I have come to pick you up and take you back."
Hokusinn Kichyō nodded gently, took a seat in the back of the sedan, and rubbed her tired and sore legs. After a day of hustling and bustling, she couldn't say it was entirely fruitless, but the gains seemed rather limited. She sighed to herself, realizing that she was still too immature. There were clearly many ways she could have handled things better. If only she had another chance…
Unfortunately, there probably won't be another chance.
Given the situation, she cast aside unnecessary thoughts and pondered in silence, contemplating how to reverse the decline.
"Underestimated. Did not factor in the presence of Yagyū Simozi here."
"Making a direct visit to the Yagyū residence would be an imprudent endeavor, as it would render one susceptible to her manifold constraints."
"I cannot have contact with him in front of Yagyū Simozi. I must find a way to avoid her… I need to go back home first and discuss with trustworthy individuals."
…
"What is your relationship with that woman?" Saki Jingūji asked. "Speak up, confess and leniency may be granted."
"Then end up in prison for life?" Bai Wei chuckled helplessly. "How many times do I have to explain before you understand? We've only met a few times, that's all."
"Do you think I would believe that? After a few encounters, she came dressed in a wedding gown to meet you?" Jingūji's tone and expression were both exaggerated. "Where did you get such charm that after just two or three meetings, she would throw caution to the wind for you?"
Bai Wei also touched his chin, "I am also curious as to what kind of experiences her little brain has gone through to be so enthusiastic… Well, at least I have some principles, otherwise…"
Jingūji raised an eyebrow, "Otherwise?"
Bai Wei, avoiding direct response, subtly implied, "In the Ming Country and Yingzhou, there is no explicit legal provision for monogamy. While polygamy and polyandry are uncommon, they are not unheard of."
The gender imbalance in the world's birth rate is not quite balanced, fluctuating by around ten to twenty, leading to significant population declines and surges. The male-female ratio has remained imbalanced for years. Seventy years ago, the male-female ratio was 6:4. Now, fifty years later, there are more females than males. Yingzhou's ratio is relatively balanced, also at 6:4. However, the Ming Country is in a desperate situation, with a ratio of 7:3. Almost all of Bai Wei's childhood classmates are either tomboys or feminine girls. Therefore, whether it's the Ming Country, Yingzhou, or Europa, all are encouraging childbirth and striving to reverse the population decline that has been plummeting for nearly a century. Naturally, it is impossible to adhere strictly to a one-man-one-wife system. Moreover, polygamy naturally facilitates childbirth more easily than polyandry.
The human race is considered relatively well off, but even more tragic are the non-human ethnic groups. Some races, such as the Alliance bloodline and the Centaur race, have a significantly higher number of females than males. A ratio of nine to one is unable to be balanced, and the population is still plummeting. The tribal leaders have gone mad, frantically seeking crossbreeding with other races. It is said that this has already caused significant social impacts within Europa.
"You dare!" Saki Jingūji said with a touch of indignation.
"What's there to fear! I have a bold idea! Besides, it's not against the law." Bai Wei stretched lazily and continued, "It would be quite nice to marry several wives in my hometown."
"Can you afford it?"
"Joking aside, do you expect me to support them? Shouldn't the wife be the one supporting me? I'd rather lean against the bed with a straight back, a little tiredness is still better than going to work."
"Are you really planning to become a burdened son-in-law?" Jingūji blinked her eyes, as if she had just discovered a new continent.
"Yes," Bai Wei stroked his chin, "that's why I first need to find a girlfriend who is broad-minded."
Saki Jingūji immediately placed her hand on her chest and asked, "So… what do you think of me?"
