As if nothing had just happened, Qin Xiao and Yor walked home hand in hand.
The moment they stepped inside, a sweet, sugary scent drifted from the kitchen. Peeking in, Qin Xiao saw that the three women of the house had been making chocolates today.
"Daddy, you're back?"
Mouth covered in chocolate, Anya trotted over the second she saw Qin Xiao, eagerly throwing herself into his arms and smearing chocolate all over his jacket. Qin Xiao scooped her up and wiped her mouth clean with a tissue.
"Look at you, Anya! Your face is a total mess."
"Mommy and Haibara Ai made chocolate today. I helped out!"
Qin Xiao pinched the tip of her little nose and said affectionately, "Helped out, my foot! You went in there to sneak a taste, you little foodie."
"Nuh-uh, I worked super hard just now! Right, Mommy?"
"Yes, yes, yes, our little darling is the best," Yor replied with a smile.
"Qin-kun, look at these chocolates I made."
Unable to wait a second longer, Yor grabbed Qin Xiao's hand to show off their handiwork.
Looking at the somewhat clumsy-looking chocolates, Qin Xiao felt no disappointment at all, because these were made for him by the woman he loved most. Yor, seeing Qin Xiao standing there in a daze, assumed he hated her cooking, and her heart sank with sadness.
"Qin-kun, if you don't like them, I'll just throw them away."
With that, Yor picked up the box from the table and made to throw it in the trash, her eyes welling with tears. Just as she started to get up, Qin Xiao grabbed her and pulled her into his embrace.
"Silly goose! Who said I didn't like them? I was just so happy that I froze for a second."
He gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and leaned in to kiss her.
"Ahem! Could you two show a little restraint? This is a public space."
Qin Xiao turned his head to see Haibara Ai crossing her arms and giving him a look that clearly labeled him a creep. Nearby, Anya covered her eyes with her hands—though what was the point with gaps that wide between her fingers?
"Daddy, Mommy, you're so embarrassing!"
Startled by the interruption, Yor flushed and pulled away from Qin Xiao's arms.
"Qin—Qin-kun, try one and see how it tastes."
Anya hopped into Qin Xiao's lap and pointed a finger at a few animal-shaped chocolates. "Anya made these specially for Daddy."
"Oh! How cute! Look at my clever Anya!"
Hearing the praise, Anya happily kicked her little legs in the air. Finally, under everyone's watchful eyes, Qin Xiao picked up a piece of chocolate and took a bite.
"Well? Well? Is it good?"
Honestly, these chocolates tasted no different from any ordinary store-bought ones, but they were the best Qin Xiao had ever eaten, because they were filled with Yor's love for him.
"So sweet. This is the best chocolate I've ever had."
"Qin-kun is terrible at lying. That just tastes like regular chocolate!"
Though Yor grumbled in her complaint, the radiant smile on her face betrayed her true feelings.
That night, after everyone had gone to their rooms, Haibara Ai sought him out and shoved a small box into his hands.
"I made these. Try one!"
Qin Xiao took the box from Haibara Ai, opened it, and saw that they looked much neater than Yor's. He picked one out and popped it into his mouth.
"Not bad, pretty good!"
Hearing this, a quiet wave of happiness bloomed in Haibara Ai's chest.
"I just made those to thank you for your help, don't read anything into it!"
With that, Haibara Ai scurried back to her room like a flash.
Shortly after she left, Qin Xiao retrieved the diamond necklace he had bought that afternoon and walked over to Yor's room.
"Qin-kun, what's this?"
Yor looked curiously at the box in Qin Xiao's hands, instantly captivated by the exquisite patterns carved into it.
"Open it and see."
Yor rolled her eyes at him. "So mysterious."
The moment she lifted the lid, Yor gasped and covered her mouth. The diamond necklace inside sparkled brilliantly under the light of the room. Qin Xiao picked up the necklace and fastened it around Yor's neck.
"Happy Valentine's Day, my love!"
Looking down at the necklace, Yor let out tears of emotion. Qin Xiao pulled her into a hug and kissed away her tears.
"Do you like it, Yor?"
"I love it. It's the best gift I've ever received."
"Well, my dear Yor, shouldn't you reward me for this?" Qin Xiao murmured right next to her ear.
"Th-Then... what kind of reward do you want?"
Hearing her question, Qin Xiao pointed to his own lips. Yor caught his meaning instantly. She pressed a lightning-fast kiss to his mouth, then shoved him right out of the room.
*(Qin-kun is so bad! But why on earth was I so bold?!)*
Yor pressed her hands against her burning cheeks, leaning against the doorframe. The memory of that kiss, along with everything else that happened tonight, kept her awake all night long.
***
After finishing breakfast, Qin Xiao headed to the Tokyo underground black market, intending to cash in those maple leaf gold coins.
Upon entering the trading floor, he handed the coins to a staff member for inspection. The worker stated they lacked the authority to make a decision and needed to consult their superior. Qin Xiao agreed.
Before long, two men in black suits walked in. The previous attendant walked over, whispered to them while pointing at Qin Xiao, and then approached him.
"You're the one looking to sell gold coins?"
The man in black stared coldly at Qin Xiao.
*(I never expected Gin and Vodka to show up here. Looks like this place must be a stronghold for the Black Organization!)*
"That's right."
"You should know your merchandise is a bit hot, so we're only offering fifty million."
"No problem!"
Qin Xiao agreed readily because what Gin said was true. Even though a few days had passed, Megure Juzo and his team were still pursuing the case aggressively.
After finishing the transaction with Gin, Qin Xiao left.
Shortly after he departed, Vodka stepped up to Gin. "Boss, should I take him out and get our fifty million back?"
"No need. That guy is strong. Besides, there are a bit too many little rats sniffing around the organization lately; we don't need to invite extra trouble."
Moreover, anyone capable of running a black market here must have powerful connections behind the scenes, and Gin still had to show them a modicum of respect.
Qin Xiao had no idea he had just skirted the gates of hell, though even if he had known, he wouldn't have cared—he had worn a disguise before coming. Besides, given his current abilities, even if he couldn't kill Gin, he could easily make a clean escape.
Thinking of those "pitiful" girls trapped within the organization, Qin Xiao felt he had a duty to rescue them. In that sense, he had already made an enemy of the Black Organization.