"A good place?" Dubian Che's eyes showed a hint of confusion.

"A good place," Mrs. Jiutiao laughed.

Mrs. Kiyono also looked at Dubian Che with a secretive smile.

Dubian Che laughed amusingly, "What exactly is this good place? Are we keeping it a secret?"

"No need, just teasing you," Mrs. Kiyono laughed girlishly, "We're planning to go hiking, camping."

"Hiking with mutual support, setting up tents together, the young ladies resolving their differences through cooperation?"

"That's why you're number one in the country," praised Mrs. Jiutiao.

"Not all number ones are as clever as me," Dubian Che said with a playful retort, "Is it okay to go hiking? It'd be better to travel to safe places."

Dubian Che remembered last May in Ochazuke; if he hadn't been there, he wondered whether Jiutiao Meijie would've come out of it safe.

To ease the relationship between Kiyono Lin and Jiutiao Meijie, both mothers probably wouldn't bring any subordinates.

"You'll protect us, right? I heard you're quite good in every respect," teased Mrs. Jiutiao with a playful tone.

"Sweet son, Mom has a question for you," Mrs. Kiyono said, "If the four of us face danger, who would you protect first?"

"Definitely the two mothers, that goes without asking."

"You'd say that because Meiji isn't here, right?"

"Ah, that's true," Dubian Che admitted with a laugh.

Both mothers were amused, laughing like jasmine in the early morning and red roses in the evening.

"Don't worry about safety," Mrs. Jiutiao said, "We've closed off the mountain in the name of maintenance."

"Typical of the Jiutiao family," Dubian Che commended.

"It's our home, Mr. Dubian," Mrs. Kiyono said discontentedly.

"Mom, we're family, at times like these, of course, we have to sing the praises of the Jiutiao family," Dubian Che spoke in the manner of Kiyono Che.

"Hey, Jiutiao Che, what are you saying!" Mrs. Jiutiao lost all her ladylike composure, sounding like a spoiled young woman of seventeen or eighteen.

Mrs. Kiyono, holding back laughter with a napkin over her mouth, suddenly seemed to remember something and put her hands together lightly:

"It's a rare opportunity, let's go shopping for hiking clothes, camping gear, oh right, and swimsuits—there are streams on the mountain."

"Shall we call Meiji and little Lin?" understood Mrs. Jiutiao.

"That's exactly what I mean!" Mrs. Kiyono nodded.

Surely not missing any opportunity, Dubian Che continued eating his spaghetti.

Mrs. Jiutiao took out her cell phone and called her daughter.

"Meiji, come out and shop with Mom and Aunt Kiyono."

"I'm busy, working."

"Don't be so cold; it's to prepare for our trip at the end of the month, Mr. Dubian is here too."

"Dubian? How come he's with you?" Jiutiao Meijie's voice turned cold.

She was jealous of even her own mother's attention; aside from her own propensity for jealousy, her mother's youthfully youthful appearance played a part as well.

"We had a date today," Mrs. Jiutiao smiled as she watched Dubian Che nearly choke, "listening to a concert, having Italian food."

"...Let him talk."

"Mr. Dubian, your turn," Mrs. Jiutiao handed over the phone.

"Meiji."

"What's wrong with you!" She scolded right off the bat.

"I..."

"Get back here immediately!"

Dubian Che looked to the other side of the table, at the previous generation of Jiutaio and Kiyono, one elegantly sipping her red wine, the other resting her chin in her hand.

The former: Don't disappoint me; the latter: I believe in you.

He took a deep breath: "Your mom's glaring at me."

"Pfft." That might have been the first time Mrs. Jiutiao lost her composure like that.

"Cough cough cough." She wiped the wine from her mouth with a napkin, her eyes, well-maintained to a fragile softness, reddening slightly from distress.

While patting Mrs. Jiutiao's back, Mrs. Kiyono laughed softly, "This is too funny, Mr. Dubian is really interesting."

"Did you hear that, Meiji? Your mother almost choked. Hurry up and save me, or you'll miss out on seeing your boyfriend. The address is the Italian restaurant across from Red Circle Dental Hospital near Kyoto University."

"You're causing me trouble," Meiji's stern tone barely concealed her amusement.

Jiutiao Meijie ended the call on her own.

"Mother, mission accomplished," Dubian Che handed the phone back to Mrs. Jiutiao.

Mrs. Jiutiao patted her youthfully firm chest, "I almost passed out, you unfilial son."

"Yes yes, I'm sorry," Dubian Che continued with his spaghetti.

Mrs. Kiyono also called her daughter.

"Lin."

"Hmm?"

"Do you have time today?"

"Reading."

"How about you come out and shop with Mom?"

"I don't want to go out."

"Meiji will be there."

"Hanging up."

"Mr. Bian is also here."

"...Is that so."

"It's mainly to buy things for the trip and swimsuits; some things are better chosen in person."

"...Address?"

After Mrs. Kiyono gave Lin the address previously mentioned by Dubian Che, she put down the phone and gave an 'ok' sign.

"Why bring up Mr. Bian?" asked Mrs. Jiutiao.

"Mr. Bian is Lin's friend. If a friend is there, she's likely to come out. That's the best way," Mrs. Kiyono said innocently, then turned to Dubian Che, "Isn't that right, Mr. Bian?"

Dubian Che looked at Mrs. Jiutiao, "Mom, isn't that right?"

"Now you remember me as your mother?" Mrs. Jiutiao said irritably.

"You will always be my mother."

They cleared the plates away, ordered dessert, and casually chatted while waiting for the two young ladies to arrive.

Light from outside the window shone in, hitting the white tablecloth and creating a blinding reflection that made it difficult to see clearly.

In this Italian restaurant at noon on Saturday, they seemed to stand out in a sea of light, appearing exceptional, like a scene from a movie.

Roughly twenty minutes later.

"Lin!" Mrs. Kiyono waved towards the entrance.

Dubian Che looked over; Kiyono Lin was coming their way.

As always, dressed fresh and stylish, she carried a tote bag embroidered with dolphins, her lustrous black hair fluttering.

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