The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 4 (Light Novel)

“This will be my pillow”—and put his head smack on Maomao’s knees. The crown of his head was pressed up into her stomach, and his arms were wrapped around her back.
“Master Jinshi...”

After a long moment, it was Maomao who spoke first: “I’m sorry, but might I ask you to protect me, Master Jinshi?”

Jinshi gazed at Maomao’s face. There was blood on it, and her left ear was swollen, although it had been smeared with ointment. None of this would have happened to Maomao if she had never gotten involved with him. The thought made his heart ache.

the spectacle of everyone selling out everyone else to save themselves.

Basen could only clutch his head in his hands. It made him fear for his hairline

H-Honored Uncle! I meant nothing of the sort. I wasn’t talking about you!”

Hee hee! It’s so nice to see you two getting along,” Shisui chirped, taking a bite of fried bread. “After all, you and Maomao could both use some more friends, Big Sis.”

“Shut up,” Suirei snapped.

“Quiet,” Maomao said at the exact same time.

So he had a halfway decent side after all. Maomao thought she might promote him from “little shit” to just “brat.”

She was going to be the adult here. Interestingly, though, the little shit received a knock on the head anyway, without Maomao’s having to do anything.

None of this would have happened to Maomao if she had never gotten involved with him. The thought made his heart ache.