Chapter 1226: Chapter 1198 Mother-in-law Comes Chapter 1226: Chapter 1198 Mother-in-law Comes Actually, the food was quite delicious, but Yuzo Joel deliberately didn't say so–he couldn't let Arua get too cocky.
“Please bear with the darkness in your belly and reluctantly make do with this meal. After all, you may not have the chance to come again after today,” Mario Yuno's inner demon was roaring with laughter, roll on, roll on~
He was annoyed with Yuzo Joel, but his hands didn't stop working as he served Kiara a bowl of soup, “Daughter-in-law, drink some of this, especially made for you.”
“Well, then you're really going to be disappointed because I might just pop in every now and then,” Yuzo Joel replied.
At Yuzo Joel's words, Camden's spoon took a dive, and he scalded his hand.
“Come on, you're a big authority in this world, why on earth would you run to my home for no reason? Besides, isn't your turf in the Southern Region? You're not misguiding students over there, instead you're flying all the way here just to scrabble a meal from me that you don't even find tasty; isn't that wasteful?”
Yuzo Joel glanced at him with a smug look, “I'm thinking of transferring here. I've already spoken to Kiara's school–I'll have a position there, but I won't be taking on any students–except for Kiara, of course.”
“When did all this happen?!” Kiara was surprised, wasn't this a bit too sudden?
“Last year, when you were participating in the competition, I had already made up my mind.”
This revelation nauseated Mario Yuno and shocked Kiara.
It turned out that Yuzo Joel had decided to take Kiara under his wing quite early and had begun preparations to come over, all of which Kiara knew nothing about.
Now that he'd mentioned it, Kiara pondered carefully. She felt that her teacher, Professor Liu Taylor, probably knew about it a long time ago. The school was ready to secure her placement for a doctorate program, and although she mentioned it casually to the professor, the professor told her not to worry, probably because he already knew about Yuzo Joel's plan to come over.
This surprise was a little too big, and Kiara didn't know what to say to Yuzo Joel.
“Do you treat me so well because I look like your daughter?”
Enjoying someone's resources while exploiting their pain from losing a daughter, isn't that inappropriate?
“Half and half, I guess. I think you are her, but that isn't the reason I took you on as an apprentice. A daughter only needs to be cherished in the palm of one's hand, but taking on an apprentice still depends on ability. Without the ability, I wouldn't bother coming all this way.”
“If it weren't for Aka, I might actually believe what you said,” Kiara pointed out.
Aka was utterly clueless in her field, struggling to remember even slightly complicated medical terms. What kind of ability did Yuzo Joel see in her?
“Um…having ability isn't confined to professional aspects. At the very least, she has an advantage in gathering intelligence,” Yuzo Joel struggled to find some merit in Aka. He couldn't very well admit that he took Aka on just to get the chance to stay close to Kiara and protect her, could he?
Who knew Kiara would be so savvy at picking a partner? She chose a man skilled in self-defense, thereby eliminating the need for protection. This left Aka with nothing to do, wandering around aimlessly. Lately, she was getting quite close to someone with the last name Zheng–something Yuzo Joel hadn't taken the time to investigate yet. Each time he had a moment, he would come running to Kiara.
“Although I am very grateful for the kindness you've shown me, I also feel that it's somewhat inappropriate. We're not truly–your kindness to me, I may not be able to return the same feelings as a family member. It's unfair to you,” Kiara said tactfully, speaking the truth.
“Don't feel that it's inappropriate. I believe you understand this saying, 'Love does not care about the outcome; it is in the process of giving that one finds satisfaction. I'm kind to you not for you, but to fill a void in my heart. Would you be willing to help a father who has lost his child and is in pain move past this suffering?”
It was clear that Kiara benefited greatly from becoming Yuzo Joel's apprentice, since he had come all the way here for her, leaving the Southern Region behind.
Yet he spoke so gently as if by accepting her as his apprentice, Kiara had given him a great advantage.
His words not only moved Kiara but also touched Camden, who usually did not feel at ease in Yuzo Joel's presence.
“Kiara, do you think he might have that thing, what's it called, shredding the membrane?”
“Stockholm Syndrome?” Kiara answered.
“Yes! That's it! You treat him this way, and he's still so good to you. Isn't that indicative of a masochistic Stockholm Syndrome?”
Yuzo Joel was courteous towards Kiara but did not show the same pleasant demeanor to Camden.
“That shows why you laymen just don't get it. Stockholm Syndrome occurs under specific circumstances and is also known as the hostage complex. It refers to the behavior where hostages start to help their captors, not the masochism you're thinking of. Does Kiara look like someone who would harm me?”
Mario Yuno was utterly defeated by Yuzo Joel's imposing argument, as he really didn't have a clue about such professional matters…
“Have you ever encountered a case like that?” Kiara asked Yuzo Joel.
“Yes, when I was younger and overseas, I came across a case where a female bank employee was kidnapped by robbers. After being held for several days, the woman fell in love with the robber. She insisted on marrying him, even though he had been captured and imprisoned. Her family came to me, and at that time, I…”
As soon as Yuzo Joel began discussing these matters, Kiara's eyes lit up with excitement.
In her past life as in her present one, most of her experiences were confined to the Domestic Region, where it was difficult to encounter such special cases due to good public safety. Cases like those mentioned by Yuzo Joel were rare. As one spoke and the other listened, Kiara occasionally asked questions, and Yuzo Joel patiently answered each one.
Although Mario Yuno didn't understand what they were discussing, he was pleased to see Kiara and Yuzo Joel talking so animatedly. Kiara's fascination was undeniable, and for her, who was so eager to acquire knowledge, engaging with such an authority was as natural as a fish in the sea.
Their conversation was so engrossing that it continued over dinner, and once they finished eating, they moved on to chatting. Camden poured them another pot of water as they segued from talking to drawing sketches and writing notes about their respective fields, clearly showing a genuine rapport.
Mario Yuno analyzed Yuzo Joel's actions, noting how he had wanted to take Kiara as his apprentice during the competition but had not spoken outright. Instead, Yuzo Joel had offered help several times when Kiara was in need and alone. Importantly, he did not expect Kiara to remember his kindness.
Mario Yuno realized that these seemingly casual steps had captured Kiara's heart. He knew Kiara's personality well; if someone pressured her or expected favors in return, it was far less effective than stepping back and letting her give more on her own terms. From this perspective, Yuzo Joel seemed to have fully understood Kiara's nature.
As a husband, Mario Yuno did not feel disadvantaged by Yuzo Joel's kindness to Kiara. Rather, he became more vigilant. If someone could so accurately analyze his daughter-in-law's temperament, this person could easily exalt her or break her. However, seeing Yuzo Joel being so good to Kiara, and Kiara so keen to learn from him, Mario Yuno kept silent, maintaining a silent and wary stance as he observed Yuzo Joel. He would follow Kiara's wishes for now, but should Yuzo Joel commit any wrongdoing, Mario Yuno would not stand idly by.
As they spoke, someone knocked on the door. Mario Yuno answered it; his mother-in-law had returned.
Chapter end
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