Tap, tap, tap — crisp footsteps of socks on wooden floorboards approached.
Hayato Ren looked at the small figure carrying a tray not far away and showed a helpless expression.
"Why is it you again, kid?"
Mei Terumi slammed the tray heavily onto the table with a bang, causing quite a bit of the miso soup in the bowl to spill out.
"Don't be so ungrateful, you jerk. I'm bringing you food, and you're not even happy about it."
Mei Terumi glared fiercely at Hayato Ren as she spoke.
Hearing this, Hayato Ren was almost amused with anger.
"Oh, did I beg you to bring me food? Isn't this a service I paid for? If you're so capable, refund my deposit in full. I've long wanted to leave this dump. First, some lunatic barges in at night, and now I can't even have peace after breakfast."
Mei Terumi's face immediately showed a hint of panic. After all, she was still just a student at the Ninja Academy.
If she really drove away a big client like Hayato Ren, her mother would never let her off.
Thinking of this, Mei Terumi's face instantly broke into an ingratiating smile.
"I'm sorry, I was impulsive last night. Please forgive me."
Hayato Ren stepped forward and glanced at the breakfast on the table.
"How am I supposed to eat this when the soup is almost all spilled? Hurry up and bring me a new one."
Seeing Hayato Ren's arrogant demeanor, Mei Terumi gritted her back teeth in frustration.
"Of course, I'll bring you a fresh breakfast right away. Please wait a moment."
...
"Why are you back so soon? Did the guest not like the food?"
"No, I accidentally shook my hand just now and spilled the soup. Please make another portion. I'll take it up again."
"Oh, alright. Be more careful. Business isn't great right now—we can't let that big cash cow get away."
Not long after, Mei Terumi carried a freshly prepared breakfast and headed toward Hayato Ren's room.
Just as she was about to reach his door, she suddenly stopped and cautiously looked around.
Then, she lowered her head and spat into the soup bowl.
"Eat, eat, eat—I'll make you eat, you hateful jerk. Have a taste of my saliva."
After doing this, a satisfied expression appeared on Mei Terumi's face.
But the moment she looked up, her expression froze instantly.
Hayato Ren was standing right in front of her, having appeared out of nowhere. He wore a faint, mocking smile and held a camera in his hand.
"Tell me, if I were to release this video, do you think your family's inn could stay in business?"
Hearing this, Mei Terumi didn't hesitate for a second. She set the tray aside and immediately dropped to her knees in a deep bow of apology.
"I'm sorry, please give me another chance. I promise I'll never do it again."
If the inn went bankrupt, Mei Terumi's comfortable days would truly be over.
Forget about continuing her studies at the Ninja Academy—she'd be lucky not to end up begging on the streets.
That's why she had so shamelessly surrendered to Hayato Ren earlier.
"It's not impossible for me to forgive you, but that depends on your performance."
A meaningful expression appeared on Hayato Ren's face.
Mei Terumi looked up, her face instantly changing color. She tightened her grip on her clothes and responded warily:
"You perverted old man, forget about it! No matter what, I won't yield to you."
Hayato Ren's expression froze for a moment before he looked Mei Terumi up and down with a disdainful expression.
"I'm not that desperate. A charmless brat like you—I wouldn't take you even if you paid me."
Mei Terumi immediately stood up, quickly walked over to Hayato Ren, and glared up at him angrily.
"You judgmental bastard, how dare you look down on me? You should look at yourself first..."
As she spoke, Mei Terumi's confidence noticeably wavered.
Bathed in sunlight, Hayato Ren's face seemed to glow brilliantly.
Even though Mei Terumi didn't want to admit it, Hayato Ren was still the most handsome man she had ever seen.
"Just a pretty face, but everything else about him is a mess. What a terrible person."
Mei Terumi muttered quietly under her breath before looking back at Hayato Ren.
"Fine, tell me what I need to do for you to forgive me."
Hayato Ren stroked his chin and gave his answer.
"Alright then. I'm new to the Hidden Mist Village anyway. You can be my guide until I leave."
The thought of gathering intelligence about the Hidden Mist Village under the guidance of the future Fifth Mizukage was quite amusing.
Thinking this, Hayato Ren couldn't help but show a mischievous smile.
"Eww, that expression on your face is so creepy. Besides, what if you stay here for years? Would I have to be your guide for years then? That's not fair at all."
Mei Terumi voiced her objection with clear disgust.
Hayato Ren reached out and flicked Mei Terumi's forehead hard.
"This place is too humid. I'll stay at most a month. Stop wasting time—I'm hungry. Take me somewhere to eat."
Mei Terumi rubbed her forehead and nodded.
There was no helping it. Hayato Ren had leverage over her now. When under someone else's roof, one has no choice but to lower their head.
However, Mei Terumi secretly swore to herself:
"Just wait until I steal that camera tonight. Let's see how arrogant you'll be then!"
After mentally comforting herself, Mei Terumi walked ahead and led Hayato Ren out of the inn.
Soon, the two arrived at a decent-looking barbecue restaurant.
Even though it was still morning, there were quite a few customers inside.
This suggested the food here must be pretty good.
After casually ordering some dishes, Hayato Ren requested a private room to wait for the food.
Sitting across from him, Mei Terumi seemed to be in a rather good mood, even humming an unknown little tune.
Looking at Mei Terumi's expression, Hayato Ren couldn't help but show a suspicious look on his face.
"Don't tell me you're the one who wanted to eat barbecue, so you broug
ht me here?"
Hearing this, Mei Terumi replied without changing her expression:
"Wasn't it you who asked me to take you out for a meal? Now you're blaming me again. You're really a difficult person."