Chapter 83: Wishes Fulfilled

Chen Zi'ang's understanding of cooking was entirely based on his extensive hands-on experience with modern kitchenware. He hadn't used a grill much, so he left that to Goro Emon, while he busied himself cleaning and preparing the ingredients.

Goro Emon's technique was clearly much more practiced: he brushed the marinade on decisively, turning the skewers from time to time to ensure even heat, then finished by sprinkling cumin, pepper-salt, and chili powder before arranging the skewers on a pristine porcelain plate.

Suzuna Tsukimi took the plate, carefully pulling the meat and vegetables from the iron skewers. She patiently blew on the food to cool it, then fed it to Xiao Zhu.

Little sister eats first.

Once Xiao Zhu was full, Chen Zi'ang wiped her mouth and settled her onto a lounge chair nearby before returning to dine with the others.

The meal was of excellent quality. The meat was juicy, the vegetables fresh, and everything was cooked to just the right degree, making it impossible not to relish every bite.

Yet Chen Zi'ang was not one to overindulge. As a public safety officer, he was often on duty and had grown used to grabbing a couple of yakisoba buns from a convenience store to get by. So, after eating until he was about sixty percent full, he stopped reaching for more skewers.

Suzuna, however, was still eating—not because she ate a lot, but because she ate slowly. She took small, delicate bites, chewing elegantly and swallowing with grace, the very picture of a refined lady.

“Mr. Chen,” Goro Emon said, producing a bottle of liquor with a smile. “If you don't mind, I have a bottle of 'Clear Dew' here—it's perfect for aiding digestion with a meal.”

The bottle was a deep green, corked with sponge-wood, and the label bore the bold calligraphy of “Clear Dew,” suggesting a drink of some distinction.

Before Chen Zi'ang could reply, Suzuna called out, “Pour me a cup first!”

“Of course.” Goro Emon quickly fetched two glasses, filling them both with the amber liquid.

Since the drinks were already poured, Chen Zi'ang didn't refuse. He took a sip.

The taste was gentle at first, but as it slid down his throat, a wave of warmth rose from his stomach, leaving him comfortably aglow.

Suzuna smiled slightly and, without a word, exchanged a glance with Goro Emon.

He immediately understood, swiftly tidying up the grill in preparation to leave.

In truth, this was a carefully orchestrated scheme, meticulously arranged by Suzuna. Barbecuing on the balcony provided an excuse to stay in her senior's room. Sharing a few drinks after dinner was the most natural invitation. Yet, this particular liquor was notorious for packing a punch—a few cups would quickly go to one's head. Once her senior was drunk and Goro Emon made his exit, with only “little sister” left in the room, wouldn't her senior be at her mercy?

Of course, Suzuna was a proper, traditional girl. She wanted her senior's heart more than his body, so she had no intention of taking advantage of him. At most, perhaps a kiss, a gentle embrace, or falling asleep nestled in his arms…

The thought was so sweet that she couldn't help but secretly smile, and began coaxing Chen Zi'ang to drink more.

Chen Zi'ang, though unaware of her intentions, knew better than to be greedy with alcohol. Once he felt a little tipsy, he refused to drink further.

But the drink's name was deceptively mild—it sounded like the islanders’ “sake,” but its alcohol content was anything but low.

By the time he realized, his mind was already drifting.

“Senior,” Suzuna probed, as if idly, “it’s such a shame that this beautiful wedding was ruined by Miho Nishikawa.”

“Mhm.” Chen Zi'ang made an effort to stay clear-headed. “At least only two people died.”

To a public safety officer, it was indeed a relief the death toll was not higher, but such words were inappropriate to say aloud—especially since there were fatalities.

That her senior would say this to her was a sign of trust, but also a clue that he was at least a third or halfway drunk. No matter how few, deaths made it a serious incident; no positive assessment should be given.

So Suzuna continued to encourage him to drink, and together they downed another ten or so cups.

“Poor Mimi-chan, even her wedding couldn’t happen,” Suzuna tried again. “By the way, her wedding dress won’t be used for now, right? Senior, what do you think if I borrowed it to try on?”

“Sure,” Chen Zi'ang replied, eyes closed, voice slow. “If it was rented, it probably hasn’t been returned yet.”

Senior, with her family background, how could the dress be rented? It must have been custom-made and bought outright! He must be at least halfway or more drunk… Suzuna snickered to herself.

After another thirty or so cups, she sensed the time was ripe and asked, “By the way, senior, I heard from Mimi-chan that when a mainland woman marries, she doesn’t have to change her surname?”

“That’s right,” Chen Zi'ang nodded.

“But among us islanders, we do. If you married an island girl, would you have her change her name or not?”

“Either is fine,” Chen Zi'ang replied thoughtfully. “If she doesn’t care, then she doesn’t have to.”

“If she minds, she can take my surname.”

“Really?” Suzuna wondered if her senior could not hear the hint in her words.

And why wasn’t he drunk yet…

Suddenly, she became aware of a heavy sensation in her neck. Her head drooped uncontrollably.

No… she realized, she’d forgotten something important: at this point in time, her body—with no tolerance for alcohol—was not only visiting the aquarium for the first time but also tasting alcohol for the first time.

What a pity. How could she be the first to get drunk? She’d so wanted to fall asleep in her senior’s arms…

Her body, beyond her control, slid sideways from her chair, only to be caught by Chen Zi'ang’s quick hands.

Honestly, if you can’t drink, you shouldn’t drink so much.

He hesitated only a moment before lifting Suzuna into his arms and carrying her to the bedroom.

Perhaps feeling the warmth of being held, she instinctively curled up, like a kitten sleeping in her master’s arms—never expecting her wish would be fulfilled in another way.

He laid Suzuna on the bed, gently removing her outer layer and covering her with the blanket.

Then Chen Zi'ang returned to the balcony, carried his little sister to bed, and let her sleep alongside Suzuna.

As he turned back, he saw fireworks rising into the sky outside the window, bursting into brilliant colors.

Given the earlier incident with Miho Nishikawa, any planned fireworks display should have been canceled on the spot. But, as a public safety officer, Chen Zi'ang had seen it all and quickly surmised the fireworks had been set up that morning—set to go off automatically at a scheduled time, unaffected by the afternoon’s attack.

A shame—a collective wedding turned into a bloody affair, many guests having already left the Thousand Islands as soon as their identities were checked. Who was left to appreciate such a beautiful display?

Perhaps life is just like that—you can never predict what the next moment will hold.

Leaning against the sliding glass doors of the balcony, a bottle dangling from his hand, Chen Zi'ang watched as one firework after another painted the night sky, imprinting their fleeting beauty on his memory.