Under the blazing sun, the school stood isolated in the fields, with low hills lush with greenery behind it. During class, Yumemi Miu always gazed at the stretching mountains through the window.
The sound didn’t come from the direction of the school but from the opposite direction, from a two-story building standing alone in the fields, just like the school, guarding the path to school.
The building had been old, with one room on the ground floor serving as a small shop, the only one in Yori Village.
Last semester, the elderly lady who ran the shop moved away with her family. The day after they left, a red mini truck and a white van arrived. A group of people in blue uniforms got out of the vehicles and started working on the house.
During that time, the small shop and the construction crew became the hot topic among the students.
A young man who, like Miu’s family, had moved to the village from elsewhere, took over the house and the shop.
The shop was renovated and became three times its original size. It now had many more snacks and toys, and the wooden door was replaced with an automatic one. The teachers said the shop was now almost like a convenience store in the city.
At school, Miu often heard her classmates planning to visit the shop.
She had never been there. Her family’s snacks and daily supplies were mostly bought online by her mother.
At that moment, the voice calling her was coming from the shop.“Hey—!”
A fair arm stretched out from behind the shop’s counter, waving at her.
Yumemi Miu confirmed that the person was calling her.
She didn’t want to interact with strangers, and her mother had told her to stay away from handsome men. The new shop owner’s looks could rival those of TV celebrities, so he could be considered handsome.
However, since he had almost called her by name, it was too late to pretend she didn’t hear him.
She walked towards the shop. As she stepped inside, a wave of cool air greeted her, dispelling the heat from her body.
Miu took a comfortable breath of the cool air.
The arm that called her was still stretched out. She walked to the counter and looked at the owner.
Behind the white counter, there was a small folding bed. The shop’s new owner was lying on it, watching a video on a tablet.
“Make me a cup of beef-flavored instant noodles. The noodles are on the shelf, and the hot water is in the kettle on the table inside.”
The man’s tone was very natural. He glanced at her and then returned his attention to the tablet.
Yumemi Miu felt puzzled. Were they close? Otherwise, how could he make such a request so naturally?
She was too shy to refuse. She walked to the shelf, picked up a spicy beef-flavored cup noodle, and headed to the back of the shop.
There was a long table in the back, with an electric kettle in the corner.
She picked up the kettle and shook it, then put it down and walked back to the man, poking his leg.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“There’s no hot water,” Miu said softly.
“Just fill it up and boil it. Don’t be so reserved, just act like you’re at home.”
I don’t even know you!
How could I possibly act like I’m at home?
Miu thought to herself.
She returned to the shop, filled the kettle, boiled the water, and made the noodles.
During the process, her small head was filled with big questions.
Why am I making noodles for a stranger in his house?
When the noodles were ready, she placed the cup on the counter.
“Thanks.” The man sat up from the folding bed, propped up his tablet, and continued watching the video while eating the noodles.
His thanks were so casual that Miu felt no sincerity in them.
Feeling a bit dissatisfied, the girl started to walk out of the shop.
“Wait a minute,” the man called her again. “The mop is in the cleaning room at the back. Could you mop the floor?”
Forget about instant noodles, why should I mop the floor for you!
Yumemi Miu was full of doubts.
She wanted to ask the man, but he was engrossed in eating his noodles and watching a video. It was rude to interrupt someone who was focused, so she hesitated.
This hesitation lasted for a few minutes, and a new problem emerged: it was also rude to refuse after so much time had passed since he asked.
So, there was only one option left.
Miu walked to the cleaning room and picked up the mop.
The blue mop head scrubbed harshly against the white tiles. Miu vented her frustration on the innocent floor tiles.
Next time, she would definitely refuse decisively!
While mopping, she tried to think of a good excuse to refuse.
A direct refusal was too impolite; it needed to be more tactful.
Right, she could say her mother was waiting for her at home!
With a plan in mind, she worked faster. At home, she often cleaned with her mother, so mopping a small shop was no problem.
After washing the mop and putting it away, tidying up the messy cleaning room, and taking out the full trash bag and replacing it with a new one, Miu sighed with relief.
She carried the trash bag to the man and said, “I’m done.”
“Thanks.” The man’s tone was still casual and light, his eyes glued to the tablet, not even glancing at her hard work.
His lips paused for a moment before giving a new task: “Help me throw this away too.”
He meant the empty cup of noodles. This task was simple, so Miu didn’t refuse.
The girl opened the trash bag in her hand and placed the cup inside.
“Can you also get me a charger? There’s one for sale on the shelf; just grab one.”
This request was also simple. Miu turned and took a step.
Wait!
Miu, didn’t you decide to refuse?
Even though these tasks were simple, there was no reason for you to do them!
Damn adults, exploiting the labor of a child like me!
She handed the charger to the man and, before he could speak, quickly said, “I have to go home now; my mom is waiting for me.”
“Really? I was hoping you could help me tidy up the house. Living alone is such a hassle; I’ve been overwhelmed with chores lately. Could you finish this before leaving?”
“Sorry, it’s getting late, I have to go.” Miu was mentally prepared and had built a solid mental defense, determined not to be his free labor!
“I think it would be better if you helped me tidy up the house before leaving.”
The man’s words reminded Miu of lines from crime shows. She stepped back in panic, clenching her fists nervously.
“No need to be so tense, I’m not threatening you.”
The man’s eyes finally left the tablet. That handsome face now had a mischievous smile, and his deep eyes curved into crescents as he looked at her.
He spoke in a lighthearted tone, “How about this? Let’s play a logic puzzle game. Whether or not you can figure out the answer, you can leave. How does that sound?”
“Okay.” Miu was puzzled about what the man was planning.
The next moment, chilling words came from his attractive lips:
“Question: On a hot summer day, other kids are either staying home to avoid the heat or playing with friends outside in the sun. But there’s this one girl who neither stays at home nor plays with friends and spends many days wandering alone in the sun. Why is that?”
Miu’s body stiffened, staring at the man in shock.
“The answer is, she told her mom she was going out to play with friends, but she has no friends, so she can only wander alone until it’s time to go home. This girl is very inconsiderate, right? Her mom would be heartbroken if she knew.”
The man suddenly covered his mouth: “Oops, I accidentally gave away the answer without giving Miu time to think.”
He scratched his head as if he was genuinely apologizing.
“Miu can leave now, right? Your mom is waiting for you, right?” He stood up, looking at Miu with a full smile, “Or, did Miu realize she still has some time to help me tidy up the house?”
For the first time, Miu realized someone could smile so beautifully yet instill such fear.
This is a threat, right? Definitely a threat! If I don’t help him clean, he’ll tell my mom!
Just like on TV, some adults are really bad!
Her heart was crying.
“I…” She swallowed hard, “I still have some time.”
“That’s great. Let’s not waste any time, shall we?”
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