A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 2379 - 1597: After a Night

"Great job!"

It was already evening by the time we walked out of the JIF venue, and Ruby stretched out her arms and yawned deeply.

"Did you guys see that? So many people cheered for us today!"

"Yeah, yeah, even though we expected it, I’m still so happy to see so many people supporting us."

MEM nodded in agreement.

"Today, my mom and my brothers also came to watch. I met them just now, and my mom even cried. I’m a bit embarrassed; I’m already twenty-five years old..."

"My mom came too, and she was really happy."

Feng Bin Hexiang forced a smile.

"What about you, Ruby? Oh, right, the president is your mom, after all, always watching from backstage."

"Haha, yeah, but my sister also came, I saw her."

"Huh? Ruby has a sister?"

Feng Bin Hexiang was a bit surprised at Ruby’s response.

"Yeah."

Ruby nodded emphatically. It was hard not to notice the white hair flying atop that tall billboard next to Chi Yin... Knowing her sister so well, Ruby wasn’t surprised at all.

After living together for so long, she was used to her sister’s eccentric behaviors.

"...Ruby, do you like your sister?"

"Not really..."

Ruby was a bit taken aback by Feng Bin Hexiang’s sudden question and tilted her head, pondering.

"Well... It’s more like I’m a bit afraid of her than really liking her."

"Afraid? Is she not nice to you?"

"Not at all."

Ruby smiled and waved her hand dismissively.

"My sister takes good care of me. It’s just sometimes, how do I put it... She feels like a strict dad. Whenever I do something outrageous, she severely reprimands me."

"But it’s surprising you’re so obedient."

MEM was quite surprised to hear Ruby say this.

"I understand that feeling. When my brothers get rowdy, I scold them too. But they ignore me, often saying I’m only a few years older, unfit to discipline them..."

"Haha, that’s how I used to think too, but..."

"But?"

"My sister is downright terrifying." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Recalling her childhood, Ruby trembled all over. Just like MEM said, she used to be willful and do outrageous things. Whenever this happened, Duanmu Huai would reprimand her. Initially, Ruby was annoyed with Duanmu Huai, thinking she’s just bossy because she’s older. But she wouldn’t have it, being a reborn genius kid!

Then Duanmu Huai would grab and spank her, leaving Ruby howling.

Even if she wanted to talk back, Duanmu Huai’s murderous glare would shut her up quickly.

However, as long as Ruby behaved, Duanmu Huai wouldn’t scold her, so Ruby managed to grow up smoothly... Yup, the carrot and stick are part of family education.

Due to Saito Kyoko’s busy schedule with Mei PRO, Duanmu Huai took care of Ruby most of the time.

"Whenever I made a mistake, she’d sternly reprimand me. If I dared talk back, she’d spank me. Such disgrace was never experienced... But she wouldn’t always scold me; as long as I didn’t misbehave, she was quite gentle."

"I see..."

MEM and Feng Bin Hexiang’s expressions were a bit complicated hearing Ruby’s tale, even with Ruby saying her sister often spanked her, she didn’t seem resentful at all.

"By the way, what did you get spanked for?"

"The last time I remember... was in elementary school when I left the curry cooking to watch TV, only for the kitchen to fill with smoke when my sister returned..."

"..."

"My sister put out the fire, then spanked me on the sofa. It still hurts thinking about it."

"...Why did you leave cooking halfway to watch TV?"

"I suddenly remembered an idol variety show to watch at the time! Got carried away watching... Haha..."

"..."

Well, honestly, it’s deserved.

"Alright, get ready, we’re heading back to the office."

Having packed up, Saito Kyoko called out, and the three left with her, heading to the parking lot.

By the way... I’ve never seen my sister act spoiled with anyone."

Walking behind while carrying her suitcase, Ruby thought as she gazed at the night sky in the breeze.

Whether being with Ai or with Kyoko, Ruby would often act spoiled or sometimes be willful. But her sister never did such things; even as a baby, she seemed distant from others, hardly interacting with Ruby. Ruby even suspected her sister had developmental delays — in fact, Duanmu Huai just found her annoying.

After growing up a bit, Ruby viewed her sister as a solitary child who disliked talking and interacting, always alone. Even in kindergarten, she rarely interacted with others, sitting quietly aside. Even with her mom, she wasn’t particularly close.

But she wasn’t an entirely antisocial loner either. To Ruby, her sister seemed the type who could survive entirely alone.

Thinking about it, Ruby felt a bit sorry for her sister.

Though Ruby has faced many things over these years, Aunt Kyoko and her sister always cared for her, and she has close friends too.

But my sister... doesn’t seem to have a similar connection.

Recently, I’ve seen her talking to Arima Kaname and Hei Chuan Chi Yin at the agency, but are they really good friends?

... It’s kind of ambiguous.

Maybe I should go back and ask.

Considering this, Ruby decided to head back to the agency.

However, that night, Duanmu Huai didn’t return home.

"Hmm........"

Duanmu Huai stood up, stretched in the sunlight pouring through the window.

"Never thought it’d end up like this, huh......"

Mumbling to himself, Duanmu Huai turned his head, only to see Hei Chuan Chi Yin fast asleep on the bed. Judging by the mess, it wasn’t hard to imagine the fierce battle that took place here.

Honestly, it’s quite unexpected.

Last night, when Duanmu Huai was escorting Hei Chuan Chi Yin home by train, she suddenly seemed very uncomfortable, face flushed and breathing rapidly. Duanmu Huai quickly took her home to rest, but to his surprise, as he helped her into the bedroom, the girl turned and pushed him down!

Duanmu Huai was utterly baffled at the time.

What’s the situation?

Hei Chuan Chi Yin, panting and glaring, made Duanmu Huai wonder if someone had cast "I love you, Shiba" on her!

But soon, when Duanmu Huai saw the strange tentacle mark on Hei Chuan Chi Yin’s arm, he instantly understood the situation.

Indeed, creative types are very prone to connecting with The Ancient Dominator’s spirit, with Cthulhu’s aura resonating with artists, singers, writers, and actors alike, making them easily influenced.

But... there’s always a trigger, not just random influence.

Even those polluted by Cthulhu’s spirit connect through stories or by acquiring Cthulhu’s divine statue – these deities necessitate a certain trigger to connect with others.

However... I have no such connection with Hei Chuan Chi Yin?

Though Duanmu Huai wasn’t sure what was happening, he surely wouldn’t let Hei Chuan Chi Yin have her way!

After all, she’s merely a helpless kid. Duanmu Huai could easily subdue her single-handedly!

Of course, the cost was the bed sheet, as though drenched... Hmm, they shouldn’t get dehydrated.

They shouldn’t.

"Ah......"

Duanmu Huai sighed silently, feeling the urge for a post-event cigarette, but unfortunately, he only held his phone.

Checking the phone revealed a series of missed calls, prompting Duanmu Huai to make a return call.

"———Sister, where did you go!"

Predictably, Ruby’s angry roar echoed from the phone in the next moment.

"Didn’t I leave a message saying Chi Yin was unwell, and I was taking care of her at her place?"

Duanmu Huai claimed he wasn’t lying, all were facts. As for the unwell condition and care details, those need not be scrutinized.

"But you could have answered at least one call!"

"Forgot."

"Hah........."

Faced with Duanmu Huai’s blunt response, Ruby was left speechless.

"Anyway, good thing you called back; otherwise, Aunt Jingzi would have reported to the police if any later."

"Sorry for worrying you, I’ll continue checking the situation today, as for rehearsals... Take a leave."

"Alright, got it, sister."

"Oh, by the way, Ruby. I watched yesterday’s performance, well done."

"Hehe..........."

Ruby chuckled smugly at Duanmu Huai’s response.

"I knew you’d say that, sister."

After a few compliments, with Ruby purring like a contented cat, Duanmu Huai hung up the call. At that moment, Hei Chuan Chi Yin’s voice resonated from behind.

"Hmm... ooh... is it morning already...?"

Yawning, Hei Chuan Chi Yin sat up, but when she spotted Duanmu Huai at the window, she froze.

"Xiao, Xiao Ai?"

At that moment, last night’s events flooded back into Hei Chuan Chi Yin’s mind. She vividly recalled how her hidden memories awoke, torching her sanity in wild flames when she encountered that scene on the train.

When Xiao Ai helped her home, feeling her breath and petite figure, Hei Chuan Chi Yin’s last bit of reason snapped, then........

"Wahhhh!! What did I do!"

Red-faced, Hei Chuan Chi Yin wished she could dig a hole to hide in!

"Anyway, I’ll get some food."

Sparing not a glance at the flustered Hei Chuan Chi Yin, Duanmu Huai walked out of the room, while Hei Chuan Chi Yin hung her head, speechless.

Or rather... she truly had no idea what to say!