"Oh, I see!" Yun Mingxin didn't doubt her for a second.

If it were yesterday, he wouldn't have believed a massage could have such miraculous effects.

But now he'd seen it with his own eyes. The results were right there, undeniable.

What else could he do?

Of course, he chose to believe her.

He'd heard before that in some small towns, traditional Chinese doctors were incredibly skilled.

Many conditions Western medicine claimed needed lifelong treatment, they cured completely in no time with amazing results.

It seemed the theory of acupuncture points wasn't just empty talk after all.

"Your skills are amazing! They've helped me so much. You're truly incredible!" Yun Mingxin praised her.

"Thank you for your kind words. Knowing I've been of help is my greatest honor!" Kujou Kana lifted her skirt and bowed slightly.

"Haha, no need for so many formalities. I'm just an ordinary person; this makes me awkward."

"Also, I call you Kana, so don't call me 'Master Mingxin' anymore. Just Mingxin, Xiao Xin, Xiao Yun, Xiao Ming—pick any you like."

Seeing her like this, he felt a bit helpless. Was this professional dedication?

"Understood. I'll skip tedious formalities, but in certain situations, I must still address you as 'Master.' It's unchangeable etiquette."

"OK, no problem at all."

"Then... Xiao Ming?"

"Uh... yeah!" Yun Mingxin's face stiffened slightly.

Kujou Kana keenly noticed this. Rarely showing guilt, she looked remorseful, whispering, "So it's unsuitable for me to call you that? It makes you uncomfortable..."

"No, no, not at all!" Yun Mingxin hurriedly objected.

"It's just that in our country, there's a guy named Xiao Ming. One second he buys two hundred candies and eats one hundred ninety-eight."

"The next, he transforms into an astronaut in zero gravity, dropping a lead ball from above the moon."

"It just sounds like that legendary figure. I feel a bit weird about it."

He explained anxiously, seemingly afraid she'd be upset.

Seeing his eagerness, Kujou Kana felt a warm glow in her heart.

She liked it.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on her face.

"Shall I choose another name?"

"No need. If you want to call me Xiao Ming, go ahead."

"Okay!"

Kujou Kana nodded, then suddenly smiled radiantly.

Her smile was captivating, heart-stirring. Even though he'd seen the same smile from Kujou Nana before,

for a moment, it made Yun Mingxin feel the beauty of early spring.

Perhaps it was a difference in temperament.

Kujou Nana was like an immature child, not fully grown up.

His heart started beating faster.

Around him...

On the table sat documents, a steaming bowl of porridge, and a vegetable sandwich.

Did she make all this?

In Yun Mingxin's eyes, Kujou Kana seemed to glow with a golden light.

Just as his attention focused on her, she suddenly stood up.

This startled Yun Mingxin. Had he stared too long, being rude and making her angry?

But the next moment, Kujou Kana bowed apologetically. "Xiao Ming, I'm sorry. I need to leave soon. We've just become friends."

"Become friends?" Yun Mingxin realized—in her tradition, calling each other by first names meant true friendship.

He didn't mind having a maid friend like her.

"No need to be so polite. Go attend to your matters. Here, you don't have to be formal with me."

"Mm!"

As she left, Yun Mingxin walked her out.

Just outside the door, she stopped abruptly, turned, and spoke in a serious tone. "I have a question for your answer, Xiao Ming."

"Okay, ask away." Yun Mingxin's expression turned solemn, matching hers.

"You said—is there really meaning in being born?"

The confusion in her eyes revealed helplessness and vulnerability.

This stirred a pang of sympathy in Yun Mingxin. Such a capable person, having such negative thoughts?

His mind raced.

He pondered her meaning.

Saying this meant she hadn't found her direction yet.

Though honestly, he lacked clear goals too. Living ordinarily—playing games, writing novels, traveling—was a dream for many.

Many said sticking to simple days was itself a goal and happiness.

So he had no such worries.

He needed a good answer.

But after thinking, he still couldn't find the best one.

He wasn't good at judging others without sharing their experiences.

Kujou Kana waited quietly.

Rubbing his head, Yun Mingxin took a deep breath. "I don't have a definite answer either."

At this, Kujou Kana visibly slumped, her eyes filling with loneliness.

Then he continued, "I think life's meaning is to find it yourself, then pursue what you want."

"Pursue what you want?" Kujou Kana looked up, her starry eyes shining.

"Yeah. For me, I want my life filled with happiness."

"Games, anime—everything has mixed reviews. But to me, you might cry over a game character's short scene."

"Or shout 'waifu' at an anime moment."

"That instant of joy is what I chase. My meaning is clear."

"I just hope this life continues, and maybe someday find a beautiful wife. Haha!" Yun Mingxin laughed.

Kujou Kana nodded thoughtfully.

She almost bowed in thanks but recalled his words—no formality meant closeness.

With a helpless smile, she nodded and vanished from his sight.

Walking back to school, Kujou Kana had one question: What did she truly want?

If like Yun Mingxin, prioritizing her own happiness, then what made her happy...

Recalling yesterday's near-mishap with Yun Mingxin's mouth, a rare blush colored her fair cheeks.

That experience wasn't bad.

Without her skill, his mouth would be too swollen today to eat tofu...

Pursuing her own joy.

Now she wanted to understand Yun Mingxin's culture better.

Remembering his Xiao Ming story, she pulled out her phone.

The top search result—Xiao Ming is buying clothes; he brought...

Answer: The shirt costs nine pounds fifteen pence. Choose option C and mark it on your answer sheet.

Kujou Kana read it with great interest.