Chương 176: Page 176

Apology and Hero's Gift Jiang Yuan's family.

"Does Mai want to stay the night?"

Jiang Yuan and Mizukami Mai had just finished bathing when Kirara entered the bathroom.

Jiang Yuan's bedroom.

Under the soft, bright light.

Looking at the "Doctor's version of Mai" wearing her white short-sleeved shirt, which was so oversized that it almost covered her calves, just like the Doctor's.

Jiang Yuan put down the hairdryer, combed Ma Yi's smooth, dried hair, and checked it again.

"Ah."

"Is this so?"

Looking in the mirror, Mai's face seemed even softer, perhaps because she had just taken a bath.

And from the vantage point above, a hint of pink was subtly revealed in his oversized coat.

Jiang Yuan's heart pounded, but she didn't look at it again.

He would never do something so lewd as to spy on someone.

He will win over the girls he likes with his true heart.

"Do your parents-in-law know?"

Upon hearing this, Mizukami Mai's ears turned red.

"..." Her half-open, blank, beautiful eyes flickered slightly, as if she were thinking about something.

Sitting quietly and obediently in the chair, letting Jiang Yuan play with her hair, Mizukami Mai looked like a delicate and adorable doll at this moment.

She shook her head and said, "I live alone."

My parents work in another city.

"That's it."

Jiang Yuan nodded, understanding.

No wonder he said that every time Mai ate, she either ate bread or 700 put a bottle of vitamin jelly in her lunchbox.

It turns out that since her parents weren't around, Mai probably didn't have time to make bento boxes herself.

Although it has a Mai-style vibe, it can lead to malnutrition.

Even though Mai had a good figure, Jiang Yuan was still worried.

It was very comfortable to hug Mai, but she definitely needs to gain some weight.

Not eating properly is not good; if you continue like this, your health will gradually deteriorate!

"From now on, I'll take care of Mai's bento boxes."

Jiang Yuan gently patted Mai's head and smiled irrefutably.

"…Okay." Jiang Yuan's kindness was not rejected.

She leaned back into Jiang Yuan's arms, her black hair falling onto his chest, as if it had wrapped around her heart, making her feel a little itchy.

"Hero." Mizukami Mai rubbed against Jiang Yuan's chest, then stood up, picked up her bag, and seemed to be holding something out.

immediately.

Under Jiang Yuan's questioning gaze, Mizukami Mai slowly turned around.

"An apology gift." She held out her hand and showed the item to Jiang Yuan.

"This is..." Jiang Yuan was stunned the moment it came into view.

All that could be seen was a delicate wooden carving in Mizukami Mai's hand.

The wood carving is exactly the same as Mai herself at this moment!

Water Mai: Holding an exquisite wooden carving.

Wood carving: The woman in the water-themed outfit is holding a small, chibi-style wood carving.

"stare--" Even the "staring" expression in her beautiful, dazed eyes was perfectly sculpted.

It's like wearing a big hemp coat over a small hemp coat, and then wearing a chibi-style small hemp coat over that too—it's quite ridiculous, yet surprisingly harmonious.

It's no wonder it's a work by the great Mai.

Strong and powerful! Strong and powerful!

"An apology?"

Gently cup it in both hands.

Jiang Yuan admired the lovely hemp wood carving in front of her, feeling happy but also puzzled.

Did Mai do anything to offend him?

The apology was so formal; Mai's adorable self is still the best.

"A glass jar, a token of courage."

"It wasn't protected well."

Seeing Jiang Yuan carefully protecting her apology gift, Mizukami Mai felt a warmth in her heart.

She knew that Jiang Yuan liked her very much.

So instead of the usual Maitreya Buddha, she chose to carve a wooden sculpture of herself to give to Jiang Yuan.

It was said to be an apology gift.

But perhaps... there's another meaning behind it?

But only Mai-sama herself knows this.

Jiang Yuan understood, then said with a hint of helplessness.

"You're not allowed to use such formal terms as apology in the future."

"Besides, Mai didn't do it on purpose, right? The glass jar is gone, so it's gone."

As if dealing with his overly serious girlfriend, Jiang Yuan's tone became earnest.

"The most important thing is people forever."

"Not things."

These are Jiang Yuan's heartfelt words.

He hadn't expected Mai to value that glass jar so much.

Because it wasn't properly protected, they even carved a "wooden apology gift" for him.

To be honest, Jiang Yuan was quite surprised.

Saying it's an apology or something is too formal.

Jiang Yuan didn't like it.

Although he could understand that Mai was just being too attached to his gift.

"Okay," she replied.

People are more important than things.

Mai Mizukami felt a warmth in her heart; she knew that she was very important to Jiang Yuan.

"It's quite a coincidence that my gift is very similar to Mai's gift."

After accepting the gift.

Jiang Yuan suddenly said something that made Mizukami Mai's eyes involuntarily open slightly.

"A gift?" Mai Mizukami tilted her head, seemingly puzzled, but in reality, her heart was already pounding with excitement.

So the hero...

Jiang Yuan made a magician's move.

With a light laugh, she flipped her hand and a lifelike little wooden carving, seemingly about to come to life, instantly appeared before her eyes.

Her eyes remained blank, yet seemed to shimmer with a hazy light.

The clouds seemed to have dispersed after the rain, and the sky was clear and bright.

'You haven't forgotten?'

"Take it." Jiang Yuan reached out and handed his masterpiece to Mizukami Mai.

"Is this a hero?" Mizukami Mai held it gently in her hands as if it were a precious treasure.

Looking at the wood carving, her heart stirred.

The wood carving depicted Jiang Yuan himself as an ordinary hero, just like the one on the cultural festival promotional poster he had drawn.

Dressed as a warrior, with a long sword at his waist, he turned around with a gentle smile and confidence in his eyes.

Every detail is so exquisitely carved that it seems to bring the wood carving to life.

The best proof is the gentle belief, clearly revealed through the use of wood, that one can protect those behind them.

"Yes, it's me," Jiang Yuan said with a smile.

"This is wood from Xiaoye Zichan," Jiang Yuan said, pointing to the deep purplish-red wood carving that emitted a faint luster and woody fragrance.

"It symbolizes peace, good fortune, and the pursuit of happiness and blessings."

"Besides, Mai has always called me the hero."

As Jiang Yuan spoke, he raised his hand and rubbed Mai's soft, comfortable head again.

At the same time, he couldn't help but recall the time when his negligence led to Mai being frightened by an evil spirit.

Jiang Yuan's eyes showed a hint of apology, and he said seriously, "Then I hope that I, who am called the hero, can always protect Mai in the manner of a hero."

After saying that, as if afraid of sounding too serious, Jiang Yuan quickly joked, "Take it."

Giving a thumbs up, Jiang Yuan winked and smiled, "This is the hero's 'hero's gift'."

Don't say He really does look a bit like a dull-witted, slow-witted male hero from a light novel series.

……

"..."

But what Mai Mizukami saw was a completely different scene.

The unknown depths of a young girl's heart.

Ripples and waves seemed to rise and fall, brewing a clear and bright sky that had long since cleared away the clouds.

Mizukami Mai lowered her head and remained silent.

She simply carried the wooden carving step by step, burying her head deep into Jiang Yuan's arms under his questioning gaze.

Then he muttered a sentence in a low voice.

"Brave."

"?"

"Too cunning."

"??"

"Snap! Kiraro, attack!"

"???"

"Congratulations, host, you have gained favor with Mizukami Mai. Favorability value +1, currently 89!"

……