Inside the Anteiku Coffee Shop, time seemed to pause for this heartwarming scene.
Behind the counter, Koma Enji, who was wiping coffee cups, and Ru Jian Xuan, who was organizing accounts, simultaneously stopped their movements.
The two exchanged glances, and a silent, knowing smile appeared on their faces.
Dong Xiang, whose violet eyes usually held a hint of coolness, now softened, with a gentle glow quietly flowing within them.
Nishio Nishiki and Kaneki Ken, who were conversing in low voices, exchanged an "I knew it" look.
Nishio Nishiki gently pushed up his glasses, while Jin Mu revealed a relieved smile.
Even some bewildered customers were touched by the atmosphere of family reunion and ceased their conversations.
They watched the heartwarming scene with kind smiles on their faces.
He Xi Qian Yu quietly walked to the staff area and had just tied the knot of his apron when his shoulder was suddenly held by someone.
"It took you so long to come back," Nishio Nishiki's gaze swept over the reunited Di Kou family, then returned to He Xi Qian Yu's face, "Mrs. Di Kou was quite worried."
"I coincidentally met Mr. Deguci at the amusement park," He Xi Qian Yu smiled slightly, "I think Mrs. Di Kou shouldn't blame me."
"Who do you think would believe that?" Nishio Nishiki rolled his eyes, a hint of concern in his tone, "You're not hurt, are you?"
"Of course not," He Xi Qian Yu shrugged, "You really don't trust me?"
He scrutinized Nishio Nishiki from head to toe, then slowly nodded.
"What are you thinking about now?" Nishio Nishiki felt uncomfortable under his gaze.
"I'm thinking, Nishiki, you really should consider improving your strength."
He Xi Qian Yu showed a teasing smile, "Has someone not realized that he's already the weakest one in the coffee shop?"
"What are you talking about?" Nishio Nishiki immediately retorted, subconsciously pointing at Jin Mu, who was quietly listening nearby, "This guy…"
Mid-sentence, he suddenly recalled his experience of being badly beaten by Jin Mu.
Even though Jin Mu couldn't control his kagune well at that time, he still couldn't win.
Nishio Nishiki paused, then pointed to Koma Enji and Ru Jian Xuan at the counter: "What about those two?"
"What about those two?"
"Koma-nii and Ru Jian Xuan?" He Xi Qian Yu raised an eyebrow, "Their CCG ratings are both SS-rank.
Unlike someone, who is just an A-rank."
Nishio Nishiki was instantly speechless.
"What about the manager?" He still didn't give up, looking at He Xi Qian Yu, expecting a negative answer, "That old man can't possibly be stronger than me, can he?"
The latter was barely suppressing his laughter.
"Is the manager very strong?" Jin Mu also asked curiously from the side.
"The manager is even more powerful than Koma-nii and Ru Jian Xuan," Dong Xiang walked over, lowering her voice to reveal this not-so-secret secret, "He is SSS-rank."
"What about Qianyu-nii?" Jin Mu's gaze turned to He Xi Qian Yu.
"Him…" Dong Xiang looked at He Xi Qian Yu, deliberating before speaking, "He should also be SSS-rank."
"So amazing." Jin Mu's tone was filled with admiration.
"Jin Mu, your talent is very high," He Xi Qian Yu patted his shoulder, "As long as you persist in training, you'll reach this level sooner or later."
This was false; training alone cannot achieve SSS-rank.
For ordinary Ghouls, there's only one way to reach SSS-rank—cannibalism, but he didn't say it out loud.
Compared to the slow improvement brought by training, the effect of cannibalism is much more significant.
It's like asking an A-rank Ghoul who trains diligently every day to challenge Yoshimura Eto; the outcome would only be instant annihilation.
Even individuals as uniquely talented as Dong Xiang and Si Fang Lian Shi would find it difficult to break through SS-rank and advance further without relying on cannibalism.
However, Jin Mu currently feels aversion even to consuming human flesh, so asking him to devour the kagune of his own kind is undoubtedly a fantasy.
As for Nishio Nishiki, He Xi Qian Yu knew he must understand the meaning of cannibalism, but the instinctive resistance of being a Ghoul still required him to overcome it himself.
"Qianyu, I need your help with training." Nishio Nishiki suddenly spoke.
"Me? No time." He Xi Qian Yu shook his head decisively, "You know, the Anteiku Coffee Shop can't do without such an excellent employee like me."
He changed the subject, "But you can find Si Fang Lian Shi; he's training Jin Mu these days, so one more won't make a difference."
He Xi Qian Yu looked at Nishio Nishiki, his tone becoming a bit serious, "Just don't give up halfway."
"No time" was just an excuse.
Firstly, he had no experience in teaching others, and secondly, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to control his strength and might accidentally kill Nishio Nishiki.
Nishio Nishiki patted his chest, his face full of confidence.
Sometimes, He Xi Qian Yu really didn't know where this guy's mysterious confidence came from.
He could almost foresee Nishio Nishiki wailing after being trained by Si Fang Lian Shi tomorrow.
…
Just then, the warmth of the family reunion subsided slightly.
Fueguchi Ryoko held Hinami's hand, and Deguci Asaki also followed beside them; the family of three walked towards He Xi Qian Yu.
Their faces still bore traces of unshed tears, but more so, there was the joy of reunion and gratitude towards the young man before them.
"Tsuruki-xiansheng," Fueguchi Ryoko spoke first, with an undeniable seriousness.
She bowed slightly, and Hinami also mimicked her mother, bowing earnestly to He Xi Qian Yu, "Truly…thank you very much."
Fueguchi Ryoko's voice trembled slightly, "If it weren't for you…we really wouldn't know what to do.
Hinami…" She looked down at her well-behaved daughter, tears welling up in her eyes again, "And Asaki…"
Deguci Asaki took a step forward, his expression serious and sincere: "Tsuruki-xiansheng, our Di Kou family will never forget this kindness.
If there's anything at all we can help with, please don't hesitate to ask."
Hinami looked up, her large eyes sparkling with pure light, she looked up at He Xi Qian Yu, her voice clear: "Thank you, Qianyu-nii!"
He Xi Qian Yu looked at the family of three bowing deeply before him, the usual relaxed smile on his face receding slightly, replaced by a gentle warmth: "Mr. Deguci, Mrs. Di Kou, please rise quickly.
Hinami is very well-behaved, and it's my honor to be of help."
He bent down and gently ruffled Hinami's hair, his movements showing a rare tenderness, "There's no need for so many thanks.
Seeing Hinami safe and happy, and seeing your family reunited, makes me very happy."
Koma-nii and Ru Jian Xuan, behind the counter, exchanged smiles.
Dong Xiang's gaze lingered on He Xi Qian Yu for a moment, the subtle softness in the depths of her violet eyes seeming to deepen a bit more.
Jin Mu also showed a warm smile as he watched this scene.
Nishio Nishiki pushed up his glasses, muttering quietly, but the corners of his mouth curved slightly upward: "This guy…sometimes he's quite reliable."