After Transmigrating to Become Lady Skylark - Chapter 34.1

Chapter 34.1

“The atmosphere outside has been a bit strange lately.”

Time had marched on to the end of July.

Kina, having returned to the Hibari residence after picking up a brand order for Jin Chaoyan, spoke seriously. “There are men in black suits with unfriendly auras patrolling the streets. It feels like an underground organization is expanding its influence locally. Madam, for your safety, please minimize the number of times you go out recently.”

Jin Chaoyan was currently watching Kazumiko lure Hibird with snacks, attempting to teach the bird to say her name. Unfortunately, Hibird wasn’t buying it. It either perched on the long railing under the eaves watching her with its black-bead eyes, or it would wait for her to let her guard down, snatch a bite of the snack, and flap its wings back to Jin Chaoyan to peacefully eat its hard-stolen treat.

Because of this, Kazumiko was stomping her feet in frustration over her bitten snack.

“Why?”

“Why does it eat when Sister feeds it, and it only listens to you? Is there some secret to pleasing it that I don’t know? Tell me quickly!”

Jin Chaoyan lightly stroked the down on top of Hibird’s head with her fingertip. “There isn’t one. Just love it with your heart; that’s enough.”

After saying that, she turned to Kina. “Then let’s prepare more supplies to keep at home, reduce our outings, and try not to use the same exit every time… Also, let’s take down the nameplate on the gate first.”

Kina saw that her mistress’s expression was relaxed, not at all troubled by the situation. In fact, despite not leaving the house, she seemed to have a clear grasp of the state of affairs. Relieved, Kina smiled and replied:

“Understood, Madam.”

“Though it might not be of huge help, for safety’s sake, Kina, Kazumiko—the next time you go out, try to bring bodyguards with you…” Thinking of this, Jin Chaoyan magically produced two [G380-Companion] cards. She had pre-arranged with 001 to set herself as the destination for these cards, then handed them to the two women.

Wiping the smile from her face, she gave a solemn instruction: “If you encounter trouble that even bodyguards can’t solve, do not hesitate, do not linger—immediately chant the incantation [GAIN] to the card. It will bring you to a safe place. Do I make myself clear?”

Staring at her calm face—her eyes, which were usually as peaceful as a field of blooming lavender in Provence, now resembled a silent, dangerous lake—Kazumiko was stunned. She didn’t even notice Hibird stepping on her head or biting off another large chunk of her snack.

“Uh… yeah.”

She replied blankly.

Jin Chaoyan then looked at Kina, who hadn’t responded yet. “She’s seen the demonstration. Do I need to teach you how to use it?”

Kina stared at the card made of unusual material, then looked at Jin Chaoyan for a long time before offering her thanks. As she accepted it, she hesitated. “Madam, you really don’t have to… I’m just doing my job for a normal salary…”

“You are indeed doing your job for a salary, but Namimori is going to become very dangerous. I can’t let you lose your life because of me, can I?” Jin Chaoyan smiled at her. “Besides, Kina, you’ve been the one by my side ever since I woke up in that hospital bed. You are important to me. Regardless of what your career choices are in the future or how long you decide to stay with me, I don’t want anything to happen to you. Do you understand?”

“…Madam.”

Holding the card, Kina was uncharacteristically speechless.

Kazumiko also snapped out of the daze caused by receiving another card. She reached out and poked Kina’s cheek. “Wow, you’re blushing.”

She turned back to Jin Chaoyan and let out a sigh of admiration. “Sister, you’re amazing. You slay both men and women.”

“?”

Is that how that phrase is used?

Jin Chaoyan casually snatched all the snacks from her hand and asked with a smile: “Have you finished your summer homework?”

The bright yellow bird flew onto her wrist. Its sharp claws left a mark on the limited-edition Flower-Moon watch Jin Chaoyan was wearing today, but the woman only gave it a casual glance. She continued to break the special pet snack biscuit and crumble it in front of Hibird.

Hibird ate happily and echoed to Kazumiko, “Homework~ Homework~”

Kazumiko: “?”

She had a total breakdown. “There’s really no need to learn those words so quickly, Hibird!”

After being confined to the guest room to write her summer homework for two hours, Kazumiko heard the sound of packaging being torn next door. Finally unable to hold back, she rejected the game of “I feel like I’ve seen you before but I can’t recognize your face” with her science homework and clung to the edge of the screen door to ask:

“Is Sister buying new arrivals again? The Big Four fashion weeks are just over a month away. Are this year’s autumn/winter new arrivals about to be delivered? Sister, you’ll definitely be going to fashion week, right? Take me with you!”

In just over a month…

Jin Chaoyan unpacked a long autumn trench coat. Seeing the beautiful maple color, she held it up against the full-length mirror, then smiled. “I’m not going this year.”

“Why?”

During the time their relationship had improved, Kazumiko had come to know her love for these brands and new arrivals. Every year, the Big Four fashion weeks lead new trends. Given her sister’s tastes, she shouldn’t be missing such a fashion event.

Because compared to fashion, the matter of the world ending is more important.

Jin Chaoyan didn’t give a direct answer. She opened several more boxes. “By the way, didn’t you say you liked this mini bag last time? Come pick one.”

“Sister, I love you!” Kazumiko pounced over. Seeing the bags in the box—each one smaller than the last, almost like a set of Russian nesting dolls—she eventually picked up one that wouldn’t look out of place as a keychain ornament. She asked curiously, “Why did you buy such a tiny version, Sister? Is it for decoration?”

“That one is for Hibird.”

“…” Kazumiko, who had been ecstatic, looked at the little bird perched on the windowsill. “Damn, now I’m actually jealous of it.”

This bird has better luck than a human reincarnation?!

Hibird seemed to know what she was saying. It flew from the window to the gift box of new bags, hopping and chirping at her, “Bite to death~ Bite to death~”

“What does that mean?” Kazumiko rarely heard that phrase. Finding it cute, she asked her sister curiously.

“Oh, it’s a catchphrase Hibari says every time he wants to deal with an enemy. Don’t worry about it.”

“…It’s… it’s hard not to worry QAQ.”

Kazumiko’s respect for the beautiful and powerful male master of the house, who had yet to return, had not faded over time. Being reminded of it now, she instinctively offered up the bag belonging to Hibird, not daring to covet its possessions.

Meanwhile, Jin Chaoyan was sharing her new clothes in the dessert group, tagging everyone to come over and pick a bag when they were free. She had bought the entire series of a new arrival and planned for the sisters to walk the streets each carrying a different color—it would definitely be a sight to see.

Haru: “Eh? Is that okay? But that bag looks so expensive…”

Jin Chaoyan: “It’s fine.”

Kyoko: “What a shame. I’m attending a seminar in Tokyo these two days. It might be a few days before I can get back to Namimori to meet you. Chaoyan’s bag is really cute and suits you perfectly.”

Kurokawa Hana: “Public security in Namimori seems a bit bad lately. Kyoko, when you come back, try to travel during the day. Stay safe.”

I-Pin: “Do you need me to pick you up at the station when you return, Sister Kyoko? @Chaoyan, Sister, let’s wait until Sister Kyoko arrives in Namimori before we gather?”

Jin Chaoyan: “OK. In short, everyone be careful when going out. I’ve heard those men in black on the streets are up to no good. Try to avoid them. Kyoko, let me know when you’re back, and we’ll decide on a meeting time then.”

Because she unexpectedly got a new bag from her sister, Kazumiko was happy for two days. She not only actively participated in the “model” photoshoot for Hibird’s new look but also tried hard to photobomb Hibird’s shots.

She was at her most energetic age. Unlike Jin Chaoyan, who had experienced the life of a corporate slave in her previous life and now only wanted to stay home changing into new outfits and looks after becoming rich, this high school student got restless after only two days. She once again coveted Jin Chaoyan’s sports car, wanting to go out for a drive.

“I have a driver’s license, Sister. And I won’t drive far, just a lap around the city.” She tried hard to act spoiled with Jin Chaoyan, softening her voice and pulling on her arm, refusing to let go.

“Namimori isn’t big,” the person being pulled replied helplessly, “but the lanes aren’t smooth either. Do you want to crawl through the streets at twenty kilometers per hour like a tortoise?”

“Is speed the important thing?!”

Kazumiko clenched her fists, her face full of anticipation and excitement. “It’s the car! It’s this unique, beautiful modified sports car!”

“…Suit yourself.”

Unable to talk her out of it, and remembering the Jin family files she had read, Jin Chaoyan felt that Millefiore likely wouldn’t target members of local prominent families. She only gave a final instruction before she left: “Don’t play until too late. Come back before 5:00 PM.”

Thinking about it, she still felt it wasn’t safe enough. She looked at the housekeeper. “Kina, how about—”

“No! My classmates are also on holiday here. I’m planning to let them experience the passenger seat. Don’t make Kina go with me. I’ll just come back after eating at that Take Sushi tonight. Don’t worry!”

Having received her “unsealing order,” Kazumiko impatiently grabbed her new bag and headed out. Even her wave was hurried, as if she feared she would be kept in this beautiful mansion for continued imprisonment if she was a second too late.

Watching her energetic departure, Jin Chaoyan was puzzled. “Is staying home not good?”

Hibari’s estate was massive, with many empty rooms. There was even a small hot spring pool drawn from the mountain at the edge of the courtyard—it could be used as scenery or for bathing. Recently, while the owner was away, Jin Chaoyan could do karaoke at home, play games on a projector, soak in the hot spring, plant flowers, have outdoor BBQs…

She found it incredibly fun. Why couldn’t Kazumiko stay?

Kina thought for a moment. “To each their own?”

6:00 PM.

Jin Chaoyan was in the kitchen researching a lotus-shaped pastry. Because it was difficult to control the temperature of the flaky pastry while frying, either the edges were too charred or the center was too raw. She lost track of time. During a break, she took off her disposable gloves and checked the time on her phone.

“Kina, has Kazumiko not come back yet?”

“No, Madam.”

The housekeeper, who was cleaning up the pastry mess on the counter beside her, also realized the time had passed the agreed point. She instinctively tried to soothe her: “Maybe Miss Kazumiko is young and got over-excited meeting friends? Should we try calling her first?”

“Mm.”

As she answered, Jin Chaoyan had already dialed the number.

She listened patiently for a moment. The line changed from a ringing tone to “outside the service area.” A question mark couldn’t help but pop up over her head.

Subsequently, sensing that something was wrong, Jin Chaoyan dialed several more times. The phone was consistently outside the service area. She felt a moment of panic.

Then, by reflex, Jin Chaoyan opened the Mall Map, wanting to check Kazumiko’s location. She then realized that when this damn map first appeared, it only marked the top ten strongest people in the world. Other characters didn’t even qualify to appear on it. Since she hadn’t specifically added or noted Kazumiko, she naturally wouldn’t be on it.

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