RNP Chapter 111 Everyone Has Their Own Troubles
Chapter 111 Everyone Has Their Own Troubles
"He's my boyfriend, Lin Xiuyi," Eri Kisaki introduced simply, a hint of subtle pride in her voice. She then added to Lin Xiuyi...
"Shuichi, this is Prosecutor Kujo Reiko."
"Hello, Mr. Lin."
Reiko Kujo extended her hand, a polite smile on her face.
"Prosecutor Kujo, I've heard so much about you." Hayashi Hideichi also extended his hand and shook hers lightly.
The moment my palm touched hers, I could feel that her hand was very strong and exuded a capable aura.
Generally speaking, regardless of how well you know each other, on a special day like Valentine's Day, you should politely leave after exchanging a few pleasantries.
After all, nobody wants to be a third wheel and disturb their time together.
However, Reiko Kujo's attitude was a bit strange. She didn't seem to want to leave. She just stood by the dining table and chatted idly with Eri Kisaki.
The conversation swirled from work to life, going on and on, with no sign of them leaving.
Eri was puzzled, wondering why Reiko Kujo was behaving so strangely today.
However, given that the two were colleagues and frequently met in court, it was inappropriate to directly ask them to leave.
He could only patiently deal with her, and the smile on his face gradually became somewhat forced.
Lin Xiuyi was also a little puzzled at first. Kujo Reiko didn't seem like a person who didn't know her place, so why would she deliberately disturb his date with Eri on Valentine's Day?
He subconsciously glanced at Reiko Kujo's male companion. The man was wearing a light gray suit and glasses, and looked quite refined.
As Eri Kisaki vaguely mentioned earlier, it was Reiko Kujo's assistant at the prosecutor's office, named Sasaki.
Lin Xiuyi carefully observed the two and noticed that Sasaki was standing a few steps behind Kujo Reiko, with his hands placed in front of him in a respectful posture.
The distance between him and Reiko Kujo was noticeably greater, and there was no tenderness or intimacy in their eyes, but rather a hint of restraint.
It's obvious that the two are not in a romantic relationship, but it's quite unusual that they went out to eat together on Valentine's Day.
Then, recalling Kujo Reiko's deliberate decision to stay, Lin Xiuyi immediately understood.
Thinking of Eri Kazuki, their relationship could be described as a love-hate one in the courtroom.
Lin Xiuyi wanted to help her, so he directly invited Kujo Reiko and her male companion to have dinner together.
"what?"
Reiko Kujo paused for a moment, then, upon seeing the meaningful smile on Hideichi Hayashi's face, she immediately realized that this man must already know about her predicament.
Thinking of this, Kujo Reiko hesitated for a moment before accepting Hayashi Shuichi's offer.
……
A dinner where everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts and felt awkward finally ended in a stifling atmosphere.
Sasaki sat up straight the whole time, his eyes unconsciously glued to Reiko Kujo. His cautious attempts to please and his persistent gaze made the air thick with awkwardness.
Reiko Kujo tried to appear calm, dealing with her assistant's gaze while trying to find topics to talk about with Hideichi Hayashi and Eri Kisaki. The smile on her lips was so stiff that she could barely maintain it.
Lin Xiuyi and Fei Yingli tacitly restrained their intimacy, trying to chat about trivial workplace anecdotes, but they still couldn't dispel the strange dullness.
Sasaki was the first to get up and say goodbye. He adjusted his glasses and gave Kujou Reiko a gentle yet somewhat melancholic smile.
"Prosecutor Reiko, I'll head back now. I'll pick you up for work early tomorrow morning. I've already packed the documents in your bag."
"No need, I'll drive myself tomorrow. You should get some rest too." Reiko Kujo said calmly, deliberately avoiding his gaze.
She had rejected him countless times, but Sasaki refused to give up. This overwhelming affection had become a burden for her.
Sasaki's disappointment deepened, but he still nodded respectfully, gave a slight bow to Hayashi Shuichi and Eri Kisaki, and then turned and quickly left the restaurant.
Only after his figure completely disappeared at the restaurant entrance did Reiko Kujo breathe a long sigh of relief, her tense shoulders instantly relaxing.
She raised her hand and rubbed her temples, her eyes softening as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Mr. Lin, Attorney Fei, thank you so much for today."
Reiko Kujo turned around and gave the two of them a slight bow.
"If you hadn't invited me, I'm afraid I would have remained awkward all day and ruined your Valentine's Day. I'm truly sorry."
"It's nothing, just a small favor."
Lin Xiu waved her hand with a smile, and seeing her relieved expression, she couldn't help but offer some advice.
"But I think, Prosecutor Kujo, since you clearly dislike Mr. Sasaki, you should make things clear to him and put an end to his hopes."
"Dragging this out is torture for both you and him."
Reiko Kujo sighed helplessly, her eyes filled with struggle: "...I've clearly told him several times, but that guy is too stubborn and refuses to give up."
"We've worked together for so many years and handled so many cases side by side, so our friendship isn't shallow."
"I really didn't want to hurt his feelings too much, and I was even more afraid that things would get too tense and affect our future work cooperation."
"It's better to have a short, sharp pain than a long, drawn-out one."
Eri Kisaki, standing nearby, also offered advice, her tone carrying a hint of wisdom from someone who had been through it all.
"The more soft-hearted you are, the more hopeful he will become, and in the end he will only fall deeper into it. When you finally refuse him decisively, it will only hurt him more and affect his work more."
"The best option is to make things clear as soon as possible and get him to give up completely."
"Yes, I will seriously consider it."
Reiko Kujo nodded thoughtfully, then looked at Eri Kisaki with a genuine smile.
"I was quite worried when I heard you had a new boyfriend... But now it seems that Mr. Lin is gentle and insightful, and he's really a good match for you."
"hehe……"
A faint blush rose on Eri's face, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up, her eyes filled with sweetness.
She glanced at Lin Xiuyi beside her and thought to herself: Yes, this guy is really good in every way, except that he is naturally attractive to women and occasionally causes some minor trouble.
After saying goodbye to Reiko Kujo, Hideichi Hayashi and Eri Kisaki did not contact Jodie to come pick them up.
As night deepened, a gentle breeze blew through Mika City, carrying a touch of spring warmth and dispelling the hustle and bustle of the day.
The streetlights on both sides of the street emitted a warm yellow glow, casting long shadows of the two people. A few petals fell from the cherry blossom trees by the roadside and gently landed on their shoulders.
The two tacitly took hands and strolled slowly along the street, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility and warmth that belonged only to them.