In that instant, Yui Yuigahama and Miko Yotsuya were stunned.
Meanwhile, Ye Xing exchanged a glance with Sable.
Though man and dog didn't share a language, at this moment, words seemed unnecessary—they had already achieved a telepathic understanding.
'Woof, what now?'
'You tell me.'
'Woof woof, this is bad, I'm outta here.'
Watching Sable dart under the sofa in a flash, Ye Xing's mind raced.
Now, there were two possibilities.
First, Yui's mother had been unaware when Yui and Miko disappeared.
If that were the case, he'd only need to explain why he was in their apartment at this ungodly hour of 5 a.m., before sunrise.
Second, the commotion from the girls leaving earlier had already woken Yui's mother.
In that scenario, Ye Xing would have to explain where he'd taken two girls and a dog in the middle of the night.
As for why it fell to him to explain?
Just look at the two girls standing there, dumbstruck, too nervous to even speak—was that even a question?
Ye Xing's brain worked at lightning speed as his gaze swept over Yui's mother's face.
Hmm, bleary-eyed, still yawning.
Her hair wasn't tied up in a bun like Yui's but hung loose.
From these details, he could deduce that Yui's mother had indeed just woken up.
The question was...
If one's daughter and her classmate disappeared after 1 am, as a parent, how could Yui's mother not call the police and still manage to sleep? Does that make any sense?
In that case, only the first possibility remained.
Though Ye Xing's thoughts raced rapidly, less than a second had actually passed.
Facing Yui's mother, whose expression showed puzzlement mixed with wariness, he immediately adopted a friendly smile.
"Good morning. I'm Ye Xing, a classmate of Yui Yuigahama and Miko Yotsuya. Pleased to meet you."
Seeing his smile and hearing his naturally amiable tone, Miko felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Could it be...
Is it starting again?
"Ye... Xing-kun?"
Yui's mother first nodded politely, then tilted her head in confusion.
"Might I ask why you're visiting our home so early?"
"Actually."
Ye Xing lied without batting an eye.
"Yuigahama-san, Yotsuya-san and I belong to the same club. We need to arrive early today to prepare for club activities."
"Is that so?"
Yui's mother blinked, frowning slightly.
"But Yui never mentioned this to me."
"Please don't blame her. Yuigahama-san said if she told you, you'd wake up early to make breakfast. She didn't want to trouble you, so she planned to leave early and eat something outside. We didn't mean to wake you."
Yui Yuigahama herself was stunned.
'Bloody hell,' she thought.
'He just spins these lies off the cuff?'
Ye Xing's acting was flawless. Had Yui not known the truth, she might have been fooled as well.
"I see now."
Clearly, Yui's mother wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed.
After all...
Ye Xing glanced at the ditzy Yui Yuigahama.
Some things went without saying.
"Now listen here."
Yui's mother approached her daughter, covering her mouth as she whispered teasingly.
"When did you meet such a handsome boy at school? You never told me. Could it be...?"
Yui's face turned crimson as she hastily explained.
"N-no, it's not like that! Don't say such things, Mum!"
"Heh, youth is wonderful."
Watching this scene, a thought occurred to Ye Xing.
'Yui's mother and Yui looked so alike.'
'They resemble sisters more than mother and daughter.'
'If...'
'No!'
'Do I possess the chancellor's ambition and the martial legacy of Wei?'
"Wait a moment, you two."
Yui's mother stopped Miko Yotsuya and Ye Xing, speaking with great enthusiasm.
"Even if you need to go to school early to prepare for club activities, you can't just grab something from the convenience store. Breakfast is very important."
"Besides, this is Miko and Ye Xing's first time visiting our home. We must observe proper etiquette."
"Please sit and wait a while. I'll prepare breakfast—it won't take long."
Without giving Ye Xing and Miko Yotsuya a chance to decline, Yui's mother ushered them to the dining table before bustling off to the kitchen.
"Auntie, let me help you."
Before even settling into his seat, Ye Xing hurried to the kitchen and offered his assistance.
"Oh my, Ye Xing-kun, you're too kind. I can manage alone."
"It's no trouble at all. I'd just be sitting around otherwise."
"You're quite skilled. Do you often cook at home?"
"Not often, but I've made a point to learn some dishes."
"Boys who can cook these days are rare indeed."
"Thank you for the compliment, Auntie. Let me handle the miso soup."
"Haha, then I'll leave it to you. Let me taste your culinary skills."
Listening to her mother and Ye Xing chatting cheerfully in the kitchen, Yui Yuigahama rested her cheek on one hand and sighed helplessly.
Miko wore a similar expression and patted her shoulder.
"Ah, you'll get used to it. My mother adores Ye Xing too—she's been pestering me all weekend to invite him over for dinner."
Battle commences.
Opponent: Yui's mother.
Ye Xing used the skill: Housewife's Best Friend.
Ding!
Skill 'Housewife's Best Friend' is super effective!
"So you see," Miko said drowsily, rubbing her eyes, "you don't need to worry about Ye Xing feeling lonely at school. He's not bad at socialising—he simply chooses not to make friends with classmates. Don't trouble yourself over it."
"I see..."
Five minutes later.
"Finally finished."
Ye Xing wiped his hands and sat at the dining table.
Seeing his return, Yui pouted and gave a light hum. "Why are you being so chummy with my mum? I think she wants to adopt you as her foster son."
"Foster son? That won't do. It wouldn't pass censorship."
"Huh?"
Miko interjected with a frown. "At least consider how Yui and I feel. My mother keeps nagging me to invite you over for meals. What exactly are you trying to achieve?"
Hearing this, Ye Xing smiled and beckoned them closer.
"Pray, lower your heads, both of you."
Intrigued by his mysterious manner, Miko and Yui leaned forward.
With a faint smile, Ye Xing slowly spoke: "Having observed both your mothers, I deem them fine specimens of womanhood. Why not devise a scheme to lure them both into—"
"Die!"