"... Huh?"

Suimizu's refusal caught Chongzong by surprise. All along, Suimizu had always appeared unreliable but enthusiastic and proactive. Chongzong had thought that this task wouldn't be difficult for Suimizu and that he would readily agree.

But now, even before Chongzong had fully explained what he needed help with, Suimizu had already refused. It was true that it was understandable for Suimizu to decline helping with something like stealing. But this was Suimizu, the same person who had even taken Chongzong to a hotel room.

"Is there a problem?" Chongzong asked.

"To be honest, there may be difficulties, but I had no obligation to help you in the first place. So, please don't use this kind of reasoning that I should help you and now need a legitimate excuse not to," Suimizu replied.

After Suimizu said this, Chongzong suddenly realized that he had made the same mistake. When someone had been kind to you for a long time and suddenly treated you poorly, you forget that they had no obligation to be good to you in the first place. You only think that they are treating you badly now.

"Oh, sorry," Chongzong quickly apologized, understanding this point. This apology came so quickly and abruptly that Suimizu didn't even have time to react. This candid and straightforward apology made him uncertain about how to respond.

"Ah, it's not that serious," Eiji Hayamizu awkwardly laughed to diffuse the tension. "I can still help with things I am capable of."

"Oh..." The air remained awkward for a few more seconds. To ease the atmosphere, Suimizu asked a few questions.

Suimizu: "Earlier, you mentioned next Thursday. Specifically, when?"

Chongzong: "Around 8 a.m. next Thursday morning."

Suimizu: "What kind of help do you need?"

Chongzong: "It's not really necessary, but just in case, I need a car to help me escape if I get caught."

Suimizu: "I see. It's to ensure a smooth getaway in case of discovery."

Chongzong: "Yes."

Suimizu: "It doesn't sound too difficult."

For a moment, Suimizu relaxed a bit. But then he changed the subject.

"But I still have to apologize, I can't help you."

Suimizu's interpersonal skills were undeniably impressive. Through this conversation, he not only eased the tension between them but also firmly held his ground of not helping.

"I understand. No need to force it," Chongzong said.

"Well, I'll go back now."

"Okay."

Suimizu escorted Chongzong to the door and watched him as he walked away before closing the door.

—This straightforward guy is truly the most difficult type for me to deal with.

Suimizu felt that he had almost compromised. But he had already fulfilled his obligation to Chongzong. Getting involved in this troublesome situation didn't align with Suimizu's carefree and unrestricted nature.

Suimizu's refusal was not within Chongzong's expectations. But perhaps there's a silver lining in every cloud.

After Suguo's refusal, Chongzong realized that his previous idea was a bit narrow-minded. Escaping doesn't necessarily have to involve driving. In fact, in the city with many narrow roads and alleys, driving would only make it easier to be intercepted.

"Let's get a motorcycle instead," Chongzong said.

"But where can we get a motorcycle?"

"We don't have a license, so we definitely can't buy one."

"And we don't have the money either."

For a moment, they really didn't have a clue.

With this idea in mind, Chongzong returned home.

Things gradually moved into the next phase.