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  • My Girlfriend is a Cold and Aloof Sickly Beauty 52

    Chapter 52: Do You Want to Wear My Clothes?

    Perhaps because she had carefully read every piece of information about guns, even if there were parts she didn’t understand, Xiao Luohan had still memorized a lot of theory.

    Now, with Jiang Xue’s instruction, she quickly got the hang of it and started practicing on the targets.

    “You learn so fast!” Jiang Xue praised generously. “Uncle Seuss had to restrain himself from scolding me in front of my sister and A-Xi.”

    They were both handling a gun for the first time, but Xiao Luo was much calmer than she was. She had only become proficient after practicing with the AR equipment.

    Even then, she was still afraid of accidentally misfiring and injuring herself or Uncle Seuss.

    “You shouldn’t underestimate yourself,” Xiao Luohan put down the gun and turned to her. “I’m determined to do this and succeed, so I have no hesitation. You’re different from me. It’s normal for you to feel this way.”

    She believed that precisely because Jiang Xue grew up in a peaceful era, without having to worry about war or sudden separation from loved ones, she had such a pure aversion to weapons that could take a life.

    This purity was extremely rare, and she herself had lost it, so she envied Jiang Xue.

    Jiang Xue paused, then shook her head vigorously. “There’s no right or wrong way to feel.”

    She knew what Xiao Luohan was thinking, but she didn’t think Xiao Luohan should feel guilty about it.

    “Even laws are based on protecting the rights of ordinary citizens. You live in a time of war, facing a tyrant who treats human life like grass… uh, a violent Crown Prince who casually takes lives.”

    “He’s the one who killed your elder sister and the soldiers of Beiliao, and not long ago, he almost killed you—if it weren’t for Shizhu and me, you would have frozen to death in the snow, with the servants watching!”

    “Not to mention, last night, he forced you to choose a ‘path to survival’ that was actually a dead end! I can’t imagine, if you had hesitated or shown fear, if he would have chosen between poisoned wine, white silk, and charcoal, and ended your life right then and there!”

    “Such a person deserves to die. If even this is ‘wrong,’ then I don’t understand what ‘right’ and ‘justice’ mean!”

    Her words stunned Xiao Luohan.

    But she could tell from the first sentence that Jiang Xue was speaking up for her.

    Jiang Xue didn’t want her to be burdened by killing the Crown Prince, to be haunted by nightmares, and even after arriving in the other world, to repeatedly question herself, “Was it really right to do that?”

    After all… this was indeed her first time doing something like this, and most likely, her last.

    She was about to agree with Jiang Xue when the young woman, her face filled with apprehension, pushed her towards the target. “Quick, quick, quick! Practice first! In case you suddenly wake up from the dream!”

    Xiao Luohan had used the excuse of “easily waking up from dreams due to restless sleep” to change the subject, and now it was being used against her.

    So she practiced diligently, trying to implement all the details and techniques Jiang Xue had emphasized.

    “Tomorrow, I’ll ask Uncle Seuss to export the videos of my error-free practice runs, and you can watch them on your phone. Correct any mistakes and keep practicing.” Feeling that the dream was about to end, Jiang Xue hurriedly said this.

    She had thought she would also wake up, but when she closed and opened her eyes, she found herself in the real Wangmei Pavilion.

    “…What’s going on now?” She was planning to draw the map of the Eastern Palace for Uncle Seuss first thing in the morning, and she was suddenly anxious.

    Had Elder Sister Red Fox deliberately left her here? Why?

    Was something about to happen?

    As she anxiously pondered, she heard a soft groan from the bed.

    As soon as Xiao Luohan woke up, she felt weak, achy all over, and drenched in sweat.

    This discomfort wasn’t unfamiliar to her. She immediately touched her forehead with the back of her hand. It was burning up.

    She had kept warm and taken medicine the night before last, and yesterday had passed peacefully, so she had thought her health had improved and that she would be fine, but she hadn’t escaped it this morning.

    “What’s wrong?”

    She heard Jiang Xue’s voice. “Could it be that you caught a cold?!”

    Jiang Xue remembered that when her own health was poor, she would often experience “delayed colds” during flu season.

    It wasn’t a serious matter, but it was bad timing!

    Not to mention that Xiao Luohan was living alone now. No wonder Elder Sister Red Fox had kept her here, even though it was time for her to leave the dream.

    Jiang Xue first went to find cold medicine, then brought ink and paper, asking Xiao Luohan to inform the other side—after the sudden “fainting” incident last time, Jiang Mei would be watching the diary while she slept.

    “Just say that I’m staying here to take care of you for now, and ask them to send some easily digestible food,” Jiang Xue said. “By the way, where’s the water and the things for boiling water?”

    Xiao Luohan pointed her in the direction and explained the method. Jiang Xue went to find the place, frowned at the unattended stove, and simply came back and asked Xiao Luohan to write in the diary, asking her sister to send over a few kettles of hot water.

    “You need to drink plenty of water when you have a cold. You’ll need hot water to wipe your body and apply a cold compress to your forehead, and also to make instant food. You can’t wash clothes with cold water in winter, you have to add hot water…” Jiang Xue listed the things she needed to do, then casually asked, “Where are your towels, washbasin, and bathtub?”

    Although she had never taken care of a sick person before, she had often been cared for by Sister Cheng and her family, and would ask questions from time to time—after all, if she went to a university far from home, it wouldn’t be convenient for Sister Cheng to come and go, so she might have to take care of herself. It was better to learn these life skills early on.

    Xiao Luohan felt her body and cheeks burning. She didn’t know if it was because of the fever or some other reason, but she still obediently pointed out where the various items were kept.

    When Jiang Xue returned with the wooden basin and bucket filled with towels, a small kettle full of hot water was already on the diary.

    She immediately made two packets of cold medicine, poured half a glass of water into Xiao Luohan’s usual teacup, and let it cool. Then she added hot water to the wooden basin, fetched cold water from the well outside, and started adjusting the water temperature.

    “Where are your clean clothes?” she asked, then hesitantly added, “Do you want to wear my clothes? They’re warmer and more comfortable to move around in.”

    Her suitcase was large, and Sister Cheng had packed three complete sets of winter clothes, from underwear to sweaters and down jackets, all compressed, so they should be able to be sent over.

    Now Xiao Luohan finally understood why her face was burning.

    She pursed her dry lips, deliberately avoiding Jiang Xue’s gaze, and softly replied, “Okay.”

    After the clothes arrived, Jiang Xue started wiping Xiao Luohan’s body.

    Perhaps because she was eager to take measures and prevent the fever from worsening, looking at the young woman’s smooth back, she had only one thought: thin.

    So thin! Wiping her with the towel, she felt like it was all bones.

    Her heart ached. After wiping her back vigorously, she couldn’t help but say, “I’ll ask Dr. Qi to give you a proper check-up later, and we’ll nourish you for a year or so, so you can gain some weight…”

    After finishing with the back, she felt too embarrassed to continue and simply rinsed the towel in the warm water, wrung it out, and handed it to Xiao Luohan. “Um… you can do the front yourself.”

    Although they were both girls, some areas were still private.

    There was no heating in the room. Considering that even a screen wouldn’t block much of the incoming wind, Jiang Xue thought for a moment and, since she was still in the dream, tried to float over and move the bookshelf, which was taller than her.

    She actually managed to move it!

    With the bookshelf blocking the wind, she drew the bed curtains and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

    Xiao Luohan had just finished wiping herself down, and Jiang Xue immediately unfolded her clothes and handed them over.

    Their sizes were indeed similar, but Xiao Luohan was thinner, so the clothes looked a little loose on her. However, for someone with a fever, looser clothes were more comfortable.

    Xiao Luohan felt a faint fragrance envelop her.

    It was the lavender scent of laundry detergent, but it was also Jiang Xue’s scent, comforting and reassuring.

    With Jiang Xue’s help, she put on the unfamiliar clothes from another world, one by one. Due to her unfamiliarity, her movements were a little clumsy.

    She glanced at Jiang Xue shyly, but Jiang Xue didn’t say anything, only carefully adjusted the clothes for her, smoothing out the sleeves and collar, preventing wrinkles, and folding down the collar of the turtleneck sweater to reveal a bit of her neck.

    “This is the front of the fleece-lined leggings, and the thermal underwear is like this…”

    Seeing her embarrassment, Jiang Xue patiently explained, then tucked the clothes into the quilt. “Sister Cheng taught me this. Warming them up with the residual heat from the quilt makes them more comfortable to wear.”

    Having done everything she could, hot porridge arrived just then. It was congee with preserved egg and lean pork, with the preserved egg, minced meat, and vegetables finely chopped, clearly made by Jiang Mei.

    After watching Xiao Luohan finish the bowl of porridge, Jiang Xue closed her eyes and left the dream.

    As soon as she woke up, she quickly got out of bed in Uncle Seuss’s guest room, washed up, got dressed, grabbed a piece of toast with jam, and rushed into Uncle Seuss’s study to find drawing materials.

    “So eager, it seems Xiao Linghan has responded,” Uncle Seuss said, entering with a glass of warm milk and a bacon and egg sandwich, followed by Jiang Mei and Xie Xitong.

    “She gave me a map of the Eastern Palace, including the bedchamber,” Jiang Xue said, trying to recall the details, her pen moving swiftly across the A4 paper. “But there were no markings for a body anywhere. I originally thought we had guessed wrong, that we had considered the worst-case scenario…”

    She shared her speculation with her family and friend.

    “Hmm… then we still need to use the mannequin during the simulation,” Uncle Seuss said. “Based on my understanding of ‘Chinese-style horror,’ if the Crown Prince really hid the body, he would probably have it sitting upright in a chair on that day, even dressed in wedding attire.”

    His tone was as gentle and calm as ever, but the three present all paled.

    “Anyway, let that little princess be mentally prepared,” Uncle Seuss pushed up his glasses, a cold glint in his green eyes. “As a man, I tend to assume the worst when it comes to the minds of scum like him.”

    He quickly took the map of the Eastern Palace that Jiang Xue had drawn and went to the gym to simulate the scenario.

    Seeing Jiang Xue silently drinking her milk, her gaze unfocused, Jiang Mei asked with concern, “Did you expend a lot of energy in the dream? Do you want to rest for a while?”

    “No, Elder Sister Red Fox seems to be protecting me. No matter how much I do in the dream, I don’t feel tired.” Jiang Xue shook her head, looking down at the milk in her glass. “I have mixed feelings now. I want to fast-forward to the ‘wedding day,’ but I also hope time will slow down, at least… at least let Xiao Luo recover first…”

    Xie Xitong gently patted her shoulder. “You’ve done your best. Just let nature take its course. Besides, we and Elder Sister Red Fox are here to help!”

  • Transformed into a Female Villain, But Captured by My Beautiful Girl Disciples v2c14

    14. Qiyou Candied Haws

    Gong Yiling waited at the alley entrance for a long time.

    She kicked the pebbles around for a while, even wondering if the girl had been kidnapped after entering the alley, before there was any movement.

    “Sorry for the wait.”

    Yan Chuyue emerged from the alley, her appearance completely transformed.

    Her face was radiant, her skin fair with a healthy blush, like plum blossoms in the snow.

    Her long hair cascaded down her back, tied with a red ribbon, a small strand framing her face, accentuating her gentle and charming features.

    Her clothes were the same simple, light green dress, but now, paired with her beautiful face, she looked like a breathtaking beauty.

    Although Gong Yiling knew that Yan Chuyue’s beauty would eclipse most self-proclaimed beauties if she didn’t hide her face, she hadn’t expected…

    Her to be this stunning, her beauty rivaling her own.

    —Wait, why was she comparing herself to this girl? Shouldn’t she be comparing handsomeness instead?

    “So beautiful…” Gong Yiling, after regaining her composure, praised her sincerely. “Chuyue, you’re truly stunning.”

    “It’s alright.” Yan Chuyue chuckled and gestured modestly with two fingers. “Just a little bit better than average.”

    A little bit… more like a lot.

    Those delicate fingers held the weight of twenty-four Han Dynasty emperors!

    “Why do you still hide your face, Chuyue?” Gong Yiling smiled. “Your talent and unparalleled medical skills are evident now. There’s no need to hide anymore.”

    “You don’t understand.”

    Yan Chuyue shook her head. “It was necessary before. Otherwise, the First Prince wouldn’t have broken off the engagement so easily.”

    That was true.

    If he saw Yan Chuyue’s current appearance, he would probably regret it deeply and try to reinstate the engagement.

    Compared to the current Yan Chuyue, Yan Zilan was…

    Nothing!

    “Besides, you’re also hiding your face, Youyuan.” Yan Chuyue pointed at Gong Yiling’s veil. “I’m quite curious about what’s beneath it.”

    “I’ll let you see it eventually.”

    Gong Yiling shrugged. “If the opportunity arises.”

    “Eh… it depends on the opportunity? What opportunity?”

    “Who knows?”

    Gong Yiling gave a noncommittal answer and started walking, calling out to the bewildered Yan Chuyue, “Come on, didn’t you want to visit the night market?”

    “Yes!”

    —

    —

    “Freshly baked golden smiley faces! Juicy and delicious! Ten copper coins for two! Ten copper coins for two!”

    “Better than next door! Come and see! Four Gods Seafood Buns! Four different fillings! Ten copper coins for two! Ten copper coins for two!”

    —Seafood buns for ten copper coins? This guy must be a philanthropist.

    Besides these two loud vendors, the others only called out occasionally.

    Of course, their offerings were no less tempting: grilled chicken gizzards, braised pork trotters, fried tofu…

    And there were also fruit salads, tea stalls, and soup stalls to cleanse the palate.

    Among them, the largest stall, seemingly part of a chain, was called Qiyou Candied Haws.

    In the novel, there was no such place, but here, it was the largest and most popular stall in the entire Yanlie City night market.

    Gong Yiling found herself suffering from a severe case of indecisiveness.

    Aaaaaaaah—she didn’t know what to eat!

    Holding a “Qiyou Candied Haws Deluxe Set Free Trial Coupon,” she had a bold thought.

    —Did mercenary queens eat candied haws?

    They spent about thirty minutes choosing their food, then sat down at a communal wooden table to eat.

    However…

    Seeing what Miss Gong had bought, Yan Chuyue burst out laughing.

    “What did you even buy?”

    In Gong Yiling’s hands were…

    A large bunch of various candied haws and a bowl of plain beef soup.

    “I couldn’t decide, so I just bought some random things,” Gong Yiling admitted honestly.

    “You bought candied haws because you couldn’t decide?” Yan Chuyue examined her purchases.

    There were standard candied haws, candied strawberries, candied apples, candied bananas, and a mixed fruit skewer.

    Then there were some more peculiar items.

    Like a single candied hawthorn dipped in northern-style sesame sauce, candied strawberries dipped in Sichuan-style spicy sauce, and even more bizarrely…

    A new “Hell Spicy” candied hawthorn.

    This one was individually wrapped in a paper bag with a large flaming mountain drawn on it.

    Good heavens… what was going on in Gong Youyuan’s mind?

    Were these the so-called discarded ideas? The AI probably couldn’t come up with something this weird.

    “Is this the Qiyou Candied Haws Deluxe Set!?”

    Yan Chuyue’s excitement grew, much to Gong Yiling’s confusion.

    So this mercenary queen really liked candied haws? Or was this all an act?

    “I got a free trial coupon when I passed by earlier.” Gong Yiling opened her beef soup, staring at the thin slices of beef, thinner than Lanzhou lamian noodles, lost in thought.

    Because of the long line for candied haws, she had randomly chosen a deserted noodle shop called “Sanchuan Lamian” and ordered the quickest dish, beef soup.

    There was a reason why this place was deserted.

    If the food was good, there would be a line, right?

    “Why did you order this?”

    Yan Chuyue, already munching on her candied strawberries, pushed her garlic roasted pig brain towards Gong Yiling.

    “I ordered a bit too much. I also got two servings of tripe noodles. You can have this for now.”

    However…

    Seeing the roasted pig brain, Gong Yiling shuddered.

    She had never tried such a thing.

    When she first saw pig brains as a child, she mistook them for strawberry jam with peanuts and took a large bite.

    That… experience traumatized her for a long time.

    Gong Youyuan, on the other hand, loved it.

    Cooked, of course.

    —

     

  • After Failing to Find Immortality 215

    Chapter 215: The Lonely Star of the Southern Isles, A Visit from a Distinguished Guest

    Cheng Yishi felt a pang of awkwardness.

    She hadn’t expected her sister to appear so suddenly.

    Although she now possessed extraordinary powers, she didn’t want to reveal her connection to the supernatural to her family, to avoid worrying them.

    If Yuqing had seen her wielding a giant axe, chasing someone through the courtyard, she would have been terrified.

    That was why she had quickly dispelled her Yin energy and returned to her normal form. But she had lost her balance for a moment, almost stumbling into Yang Chanzhen’s arms.

    Fortunately, Yang Chanzhen had steadied her, preventing a potentially embarrassing situation.

    “Haa…”

    Cheng Yishi smoothed her hair and adjusted her robe, her face flushed. “I apologize for the interruption, Miss Yang. It seems there was an unexpected… complication.”

    “It’s fine. But that young lady, she’s your sister, isn’t she?”

    Yang Chanzhen’s voice was still calm and ethereal. “You two share a resemblance.”

    “Indeed, she’s my younger sister.”

    “She has a kind heart. You should cherish her.”

    Cheng Yishi’s eyes flickered. “You can tell if she’s kind-hearted just by looking at her, Miss Yang?”

    “It’s just a feeling.”

    Yang Chanzhen said calmly, “Her eyes are clear and pure. She seems to be close to you, her gaze filled with affection.”

    Cheng Yishi was silent.

    She had always been distant towards her younger sisters.

    But as time passed, they, especially Yuqing, had become more and more affectionate towards her. It made her feel a strange mix of emotions.

    She had grown up under the shadow of her parents’ dark secrets, and then her younger sister, Xinyin, had fallen into darkness, causing chaos and tragedy.

    For a long time, she hadn’t cared much about the Cheng family. If it weren’t for her duty as the eldest daughter, she wouldn’t have even bothered managing the household.

    But now…

    She was starting to realize that she had missed out on so much. Hatred and grief had blinded her, preventing her from seeing the love and care that still existed within her family.

    Seeing the complex emotions on her face, Yang Chanzhen suddenly said, “The ‘Lonely Star of the Southern Isles’… it’s an ancient legend. Those who bear this fate are destined for tragedy and betrayal, their families destroyed, their lives filled with hardship and suffering.

    They might possess extraordinary talent, but they’re ultimately alone, their fate a lonely and tragic one, a testament to the cruelty of destiny.”

    “…”

    Cheng Yishi clenched her fists, her expression grim. “Is that why you didn’t want to tell me the truth, Miss Yang?”

    “It’s not always a good thing to know one’s fate. Those with weak minds might even give up on life, their actions driven by despair, fulfilling the very prophecy they fear, their light extinguished before it can even shine.”

    Yang Chanzhen’s voice was calm as she walked back to the stone table.

    Cheng Yishi watched her go, her face pale.

    This Lonely Star of the Southern Isles… it sounded just as ominous as the “Solitary Star of Heavenly Slaughter.”

    If some charlatan fortune teller had told her this, she wouldn’t have believed it. Fate and destiny were abstract concepts.

    But she had already witnessed the power of the supernatural, and this Yang Chanzhen, her background and abilities a mystery, her words carried weight.

    “If I truly bear this fate… will it harm Tianlu and my family?”

    Cheng Yishi’s voice was low and filled with concern.

    Yang Chanzhen turned to look at her, her gaze calm. “Knowing this, you’re not worried about your own safety? You’re only thinking about Master Lin and your family?”

    “It’s my choice.”

    “You truly care for him.”

    Yang Chanzhen nodded slightly, then continued, “Don’t worry. I told you this because your fate won’t harm those around you, nor will it threaten Master Lin.”

    Cheng Yishi was confused. “Why not?”

    “You’re different from the previous Lonely Stars.”

    Yang Chanzhen touched her chest. “You have a heart.”

    “What does that have to do with anything—”

    “The Lonely Stars of the past were all cruel and heartless individuals, devoid of emotion. Even the loss of their families meant nothing to them.” Yang Chanzhen explained calmly, “They were cold and ruthless, driven only by their desire for power and conquest.

    Perhaps it was their very coldness and detachment that allowed them to achieve such heights in cultivation. They rose to power quickly, their names feared throughout the land. Those who encountered them trembled in fear. That’s why the legend of the ‘Lonely Star of the Southern Isles’ has persisted.”

    “Do you understand now?”

    Yang Chanzhen sat down gracefully. “The Lonely Star’s fate isn’t inherently destructive. It’s their lack of compassion and empathy, their disregard for morality, that brings disaster upon those around them. If they possessed a heart, if they understood human emotions, they wouldn’t have to fear this fate.”

    Cheng Yishi pondered her words.

    So it was a misunderstanding, a misinterpretation of cause and effect, that had given this fate such a terrifying reputation?

    In reality, the Lonely Star…

    “Whether it’s a blessing or a curse depends on the individual.”

    “Then why didn’t you tell me this before, Miss Yang? Why wait until now?” Cheng Yishi was still confused.

    “I wanted to observe you, Miss Cheng, to see if your feelings were genuine.”

    Yang Chanzhen’s expression remained calm. “According to the ancient records, there was once a Lonely Star who seemed perfectly normal, but it turned out to be a deception, a carefully crafted illusion.”

    “But why did you suddenly tell me this after our spar?”

    “I trust my intuition.”

    Yang Chanzhen picked up her teacup and took a sip, her face still veiled. “I saw your concern for your sister, and your worry for Master Lin’s safety… You’re different from the Lonely Stars of the past, Miss Cheng. You can overcome this curse.

    And you have a special connection with Master Lin.”

    Cheng Yishi’s expression turned strange. “I think that last part is the most important, isn’t it, Miss Yang?”

    “Indeed.”

    Yang Chanzhen didn’t hesitate to admit it. “With Master Lin by your side, his power and abilities will protect you.”

    “You know about Tianlu’s power?”

    “Of course.”

    Yang Chanzhen sighed softly. “I don’t know how he obtained such power, but he’s truly extraordinary, practically a divine being. To him, I’m no different from those ordinary mortals outside.

    He could easily change a person’s fate, even that of a Lonely Star.”

    Cheng Yishi smiled faintly. “You have great faith in Tianlu, Miss Yang.

    But I still don’t know much about you, or your relationship with him.”

    “He and I…”

    Yang Chanzhen hesitated, her voice trailing off.

    She shook her head. “We haven’t interacted much. He saved my life, and I owe him a debt of gratitude. That’s why I’m here to protect you.”

    A life debt…?

    Cheng Yishi pondered her words, a playful smile appearing on her lips. “It seems there’s more to your story, Miss Yang. A hidden romance, perhaps?”

    “There’s no need to pry, Miss Cheng. I won’t tell you.”

    Seeing her unwavering expression, Cheng Yishi sighed inwardly.

    If she refused to talk, there was nothing she could do to force her.

    After all, their brief spar had revealed a significant gap in their strength. Even with all her techniques, she couldn’t defeat Yang Chanzhen, who had even been holding back, guiding her movements, teaching her.

    If they fought seriously, Cheng Yishi had no doubt that she would be utterly defeated.

    But…

    She clenched her hand, her expression darkening.

    Her cultivation was still too weak. Although she had never desired immense power or world-conquering strength, she still had to rely on Tianlu to protect her from her own fate.

    She felt a pang of guilt and frustration.

    “You seem to blame yourself, Miss Cheng.”

    Yang Chanzhen’s voice suddenly broke the silence. “You think your weakness is a burden to Master Lin?

    There’s no need for such self-deprecating thoughts. You have a close relationship with him. You’ll be married soon. And as husband and wife, there’s no such thing as owing each other. You should support and care for each other. He can guide you on your path of cultivation, and you can offer him your support in other ways.”

    Cheng Yishi bit her lip and nodded. “Thank you for your kind words, Miss Yang. I’ll keep that in mind.”

    But at that moment, a faint, unfamiliar aura drifted towards them.

    “—Who’s there?”

    Cheng Yishi frowned and looked towards the estate gate.

    Her maid, who had been standing in a corner of the courtyard, exchanged a few words with another maid who had just arrived, then hurried over, her face filled with concern. “Miss, it’s the ‘distinguished guest.’”

    “I understand. Stay here. I’ll go and meet him.”

    Cheng Yishi reassured her maid, exchanged glances with Yang Chanzhen, and walked towards the gate.

    Yang Chanzhen sipped her tea, her eyes following Cheng Yishi, her expression unreadable.

    But she glanced at the nervous maid and said softly, “You have a strong constitution and a fortunate destiny. Would you be interested in learning some self-defense techniques, to protect your mistress?”

    “Eh?”

    The maid was stunned.

    Then she shook her head vigorously, her hair flying around her face.

    Yang Chanzhen looked away, her voice calm. “There’s no need to rush your decision. We have plenty of time.”

    “…”

    …

    “Who are those people standing in front of the Cheng residence?”

    “Judging by their clothes, they seem…”

    “Shh! Don’t talk about them! They’re important people!”

    The street in front of the Cheng residence was filled with curious onlookers, pointing and whispering about the group of ten or so people standing at the gate, their identities and purpose unclear.

    Creak

    The gate opened, and Cheng Yishi saw a handsome young man, dressed in luxurious robes, his aura refined and noble. A single glance at the ornaments he wore revealed his high status.

    And behind him were several burly men, clearly his bodyguards. Even without drawing their swords, their powerful auras and martial arts cultivation were evident.

    They were all at least at the Pure Yang Realm, perhaps even the Azure Spirit Realm!

    Extraordinary experts!

    And beside the young man stood a young girl, her appearance sweet and charming in her colorful robe.

    But her face was clouded with a frown, and she said coldly, “We’ve been knocking for a while now. The Cheng residence is quite arrogant, keeping us waiting at the gate.”

    “Now, now,” the young man chuckled, tapping her shoulder playfully. “We must be polite. Don’t be rude.”

    He smiled and bowed slightly. “I’ve heard that the current head of the Cheng family is a great beauty, the most beautiful woman in Changling. And now, seeing you in person, Miss Cheng, the rumors are true. You’re truly captivating.”

    Cheng Yishi frowned slightly. “You flatter me, Sir. But may I ask why you’ve come here—”

    “Just a friendly visit.”

    The young man chuckled. “I’ll be staying in Changling County for a while, and I enjoy making new acquaintances. I couldn’t resist coming to see you.”

    “After all, most of the prominent families in this town have already paid their respects. But the Cheng family has been silent.” The young girl crossed her arms and grumbled. “We had to come here ourselves.”

    Cheng Yishi’s eyes flickered, and she said, “Actually, Sir, I don’t think you came here for the Cheng family. With your status and position, why would you bother greeting someone like me?”

    The young man smiled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “You’re as perceptive and intelligent as the rumors say, Miss Cheng.

    You’re right. I came here for the legendary Master Lin, hoping to witness his extraordinary talent. But I heard he’s out of town, so I decided to visit you instead.”

    Cheng Yishi nodded curtly. “Master Lin might not return for a few days, Sir. You’ll have to wait. If you’re willing to wait, you can return to your residence and come back later.”

  • The Villainous Older Sister Who Loves Her Younger Sister Aims for the Guillotine 63

    63: Ordering Clothes to Accentuate My Sister’s Cuteness

    “So, um… Lady Adelheid…” “Tailor” stammered, trembling slightly. She had been kneeling politely, waiting for our conversation to end.

    “About the order. Listen carefully.”

    “Yes, ma’am.”

    “First, I don’t need any new clothes.”

    “What?!”

    “No!”

    “Tailor” looked stunned, and Leticia’s face paled.

    “Lady Adelheid refusing new clothes?! This is a great loss for Eustasia!!”

    “Tailor” stood up, placing a hand on her chest, and declared dramatically.

    Though her words were rather… dramatic.

    “I’m going as the head of the family. This is the outfit you made for the head of the family.”

    “Tailor,” pressing a hand to her chest—which was surprisingly large, usually hidden by her hunched posture—crumpled like a puppet with its strings cut.

    “”Tailor”?”

    I was momentarily worried she had fainted from excitement, or perhaps suffered a heart attack.

    Then I heard her muttering,

    “Oh no, this is bad, this is really bad. This is impossible… I can’t… this is impossible…”

    It seemed she had lost her mind.

    Or rather, she had always been like this.

    “But Elder Sister… for a trip, you might want something more… casual…?”

    Leticia asked hesitantly.

    “It’s an inspection, not a trip. …Well, if time allows, I might go out incognito, concealing my status as the head of the family…”

    “Incognito! I love that word! This is where a tailor comes in!!”

    “Tailor” revived.

    “Since I need to blend in, tailored clothes would be unnecessary. In fact, they would be a hindrance.”

    I thought she would give up, but “Tailor” persisted.

    “Lady Adelheid, your elegance cannot be concealed! Just hide your noble status and dress as, say, a wealthy merchant’s daughter!”

    “I agree!”

    Leticia, for some reason, sided with “Tailor.”

    Could I mention the time I disguised myself as a boy in old clothes, and even the innkeeper, who knew me, couldn’t see through my disguise?

    If I were serious, I could dye my hair, even cut it, there were many options.

    However, as the head of a ducal family, such measures weren’t necessary.

    While Ciel had taught me about such elaborate disguises, I usually just changed my clothes.

    “You’ve already made clothes like that for me, haven’t you?”

    “W-well, yes, but… I’d like to make new ones… if you’ll allow me…”

    My agreement with “Tailor” wasn’t based on commission.

    Her pay didn’t increase with the number of outfits she made.

    Or rather, she didn’t receive a ‘salary.’

    In exchange for her livelihood—her life—she made clothes as instructed. That was all.

    And yet, she always wanted to make more clothes; she was a tailor to the core.

    Ah, she must have been terrible at navigating the world… it was no wonder she ended up in the “back alley.”

    While someone like me, a villain, was exploiting that trait, I also felt like I was being used by her to make as many clothes as she pleased, so it was probably mutually beneficial.

    ――A transaction always went smoothly if you offered what the other party desired most.

    That, presumably, was what they called a deal with the devil.

    Those who offered such convenient deals were usually up to no good.

    “”Tailor”, I understand your desire, but I decide what to order.”

    “Y-yes, ma’am.”

    “Tailor” straightened up.

    “Make clothes for my sister. Everyday clothes she can wear from summer to autumn.”

    “Yes! Summer and autumn outfits for Lady Leticia! Stylish ones!”

    She repeated my order cheerfully—but subtly changed it.

    “I said everyday clothes… well, I suppose… there’s not much difference.”

    There wasn’t a strict definition for what to call clothes worn when there was no dress code.

    “So, what kind of outfits should I make?”

    She mused, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

    I vaguely recalled Leticia’s outfits from the [Event Stills].

    Should I have her replicate those?

    …It didn’t matter.

    There was no need to overthink it.

    “—Clothes that accentuate my sister’s cuteness.”

    “Yes!”

    “…Huh?!”

    “Tailor” and I both looked at my sister, who had exclaimed in surprise.

    However, since she just opened and closed her mouth without saying anything, I turned my attention back to “Tailor.”

    Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

    I didn’t try to describe the outfits I had seen in [Moonlight Liberium] but chose my words to convey a similar image.

    “Without compromising Leticia’s innocent charm.”

    “Yes!”

    “Even for summer wear, keep it modest. Make sure she can adjust with a jacket if necessary.”

    “Certainly!”

    “Since the materials are high-quality, there’s no need for elaborate embellishments.”

    “Understood!”

    While her responses were always good…

    Only her responses were good…

    “…Um…”

    Leticia, who had been trying to say something throughout our conversation, finally spoke hesitantly.

    “What is it, Leticia? If you have any preferences, tell “Tailor” now.”

    “That’s not what I wanted to say…”

    She was being evasive.

    “If you have something to say, say it clearly. I don’t have all day.”

    I spoke sharply.

    I inwardly praised myself; that was quite villainous, wasn’t it?

    Thus prompted, Leticia spoke hesitantly.

    “…Elder Sister, do you… think I’m… cute, innocent, and… made of good material…?”

    …Oops.

    I had misspoken.

    “…………”

    I fell silent, my face expressionless.

    Help me, Ciel. I had misspoken. A very un-villainous-sister-like slip of the tongue. I needed to fix this. Stat.

    Of course, my mental image of my tutor offered no assistance.

    However, I had learned from her.

    Shortly after I became the head of the family, another family head had made a snide remark, “It must be nice to have such a capable assistant. No, forgive me, was that disrespectful to the head of the Vanderwaals, despite your youth?” Ciel was that competent.

    A few days later, that same family head was embroiled in a scandal involving his relationships with women and financial irregularities in his territory, and he was replaced.

    I hadn’t done anything.

    And, incidentally, a large portion of that family’s hidden assets somehow became ours.

    I hadn’t done anything, and I hadn’t even given any orders.

    It was so swift and efficient, even by Vanderwaals standards, that I hadn’t dared to ask for details.

    However, I did make a mental note to avoid angering Ciel.

    ――Alright, I would just own it.

    “I was simply offering an objective assessment. Do you have some complaint?”

    A cold tone, a condescending attitude, and a disdainful gaze—the perfect trifecta of villainy.

    While I disliked Prince Konrad, I agreed with his assessments: “You have a nasty personality,” “Your way of speaking is irritating,” and “If you didn’t speak, I might even consider you a lady.”

    I felt the same way about him, to the point of suspecting it was a case of “it takes one to know one.”

    Besides, I wasn’t pure enough to trust a kind-hearted king.

    “…No.”

    Leticia backed down obediently.

    But there was a smile on her lips, and she truly was… cute, innocent, and made of good material.

    “Tailor” approached her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

    “Have confidence. Among all the young ladies, Lady Leticia, you are very healthy and lovely.”

    “Oh, I…”

    Leticia blushed, which was also very healthy and lovely.

    However, objectively speaking, putting aside my sisterly bias, most noble ladies were probably suffering from overconsumption of sweets and lack of exercise.

    Especially those who were pampered.

    Even though imported sugar had become cheaper, and more milk was being used for cream.

    While the combination of butter, sugar, and cream was a flavor explosion…

    While everyone had a different constitution, and I found a slightly plump figure cute, gentlemen seemed to prefer the illusion of slenderness with curves in all the right places.

    Leticia, along with me, followed a strict diet managed by Ciel and the kitchen staff under her direction.

    Personally, I wanted to give my sister more to eat, more luxurious meals and sweets, but we couldn’t afford to show weakness and be underestimated.

    I also wanted to indulge in more sweets to relieve stress, but Ciel wouldn’t allow it.

    …I understood that we couldn’t be seen as vulnerable.

    Besides, my sister was working hard on her dance lessons.

    And I felt like my own waistline had become a little more… defined from practicing with her.

    However, I seemed to lose weight from my chest first.

    The areas I didn’t want to lose weight from were also becoming… less defined.

    …I decided it was just a margin of error.

    “…Now then, Lady Adelheid, Lady Leticia, if you’ll allow me, I’d like to take your measurements.”

    “Very well.”

    I nodded curtly.

  • Friend(GL) 109

    Chapter 109: The Truth

    Should she report it?

    You Ruxu looked at the press pass in her hand. Countless times, she had dreamt of revealing the truth as a reporter, of standing in front of the camera, apologizing to Zhou Qiming, countless times she had woken up, looking at her press pass, the urge to correct the past overwhelming.

    But she hadn’t.

    You Ruxu closed her eyes and said, “I’m not reporting on it.”

    Zhou Tianzui looked up at her.

    You Ruxu’s eyes were red and swollen, but her expression was calm, her voice soft, their eyes meeting, “It can’t be me.”

    Even though this was the story she had dreamt of, obsessed over, she couldn’t report on it. Zhou Tianzui asked, “Why not?”

    You Ruxu said, “If I report on it, how can I prove its truthfulness?”

    If she, as a reporter, presented this notebook, if she, as a reporter, reported on this story, her credibility, built over the years, would crumble. In the past two years, she had covered many stories, earning the public’s trust, and if she reported on Zhou Qiming’s case as a party involved, it would undermine the story’s credibility.

    Not her own credibility, but the truth of the matter.

    She couldn’t report on it.

    “Didn’t you say you could do an anonymous interview?” Zhou Tianzui’s voice was tense, “Do it anonymously then.”

    You Ruxu looked at her, “Zhou Tianzui.”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “I don’t want to hurt anyone else for the sake of the truth.”

    You Ruxu said, “But it’s what you deserve.”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “Yes, it’s what we deserve.” She said, “Then what about you?”

    “What do you want me to do?”

    Zhou Tianzui gave a bitter laugh, “Do you want me to ignore the danger you’ll be in?”

    You Ruxu pursed her lips.

    Zhou Tianzui’s tightly controlled emotions were on the verge of breaking. Her voice rose, “You Ruxu, do you think I can do that? If you were me, what would you do? How would you choose? Would you, for the sake of your father’s reputation, push me, push my family, into hell?”

    You Ruxu started to say, “I…”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “If you can, then let Chen Xiang report on it.”

    You Ruxu looked down.

    Zhou Tianzui looked away. Even now, she was being selfish. She knew this was You Ruxu’s burden, and she hoped You Ruxu could face it herself. She also knew that if they didn’t publish the story anonymously.

    They would have no future together.

    Even now.

    She was still thinking about their future.

    Zhou Tianzui covered her eyes with her hands, tears welling up. She buried her face in the pillow, her heart aching, a suffocating pain, but she suppressed her sobs. She felt she had failed Zhou Qiming.

    She had failed Yu Qiao.

    She didn’t deserve to be a daughter.

    You Ruxu, seeing her trembling shoulders, leaned over and gently hugged her. Zhou Tianzui suddenly grabbed her hand and bit down, her teeth sinking into You Ruxu’s skin, then she hesitated, unable to bring herself to bite any harder.

    You Ruxu said, “Just bite…”

    Her slightly choked voice only intensified Zhou Tianzui’s need to release her emotions. She bit down, hard, drawing blood, the metallic taste filling her mouth, then released You Ruxu’s hand. A deep bite mark remained on You Ruxu’s arm.

    Blood.

    Zhou Tianzui said, “Now we’re even.”

    You Ruxu murmured, “Zhou Tianzui.”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ve given you the notebook, whether to give it to Chen Xiang or not, it’s your choice.”

    Choose her.

    Or choose her father.

    Zhou Tianzui thought, she was also being quite cruel.

    You Ruxu left the ward. Yu Qiao rushed over, “What’s wrong with Xiao Tian?”

    “She’s not feeling well.” You Ruxu said, “Auntie, I have to go to the station.”

    Yu Qiao nodded, “Okay, okay.” Her gaze was filled with trust, making You Ruxu feel even more uncomfortable, like sitting on pins and needles. Only after reaching the elevator was she able to breathe again.

    Wu Xiulian drove her to the TV station. They ran into Shi Qi just as they arrived.

    Seeing You Ruxu, Shi Qi rushed over, “Xiao Xu, I heard the informant contacted you?”

    You Ruxu looked at her and nodded, “Yes.”

    “Was it—was it the victim?” Shi Qi asked, “Was it the victim herself?”

    You Ruxu said, “Yes.”

    “Who was it?” Shi Qi asked, then realizing she had overstepped, “I knew it, I knew our senior colleague was a good man.”

    You Ruxu carefully took the notebook from her bag and handed it to her, “This is his work journal.”

    Shi Qi said, “I’ll have it verified.”

    You Ruxu said, “Wait a moment, I need to take some photos first.”

    Shi Qi nodded and asked, “I thought you were going to give this to Chen Xiang?”

    You Ruxu’s leg wasn’t fully healed yet, not being able to report on the story herself was understandable. Shi Qi didn’t think much of it. You Ruxu paused and asked, “Where’s Chen Xiang?”

    Shi Qi said, “She’s inside.”

    You Ruxu, wheeled in by Shi Qi, hadn’t been to Team 2’s office for a while. Her colleagues, seeing her, were stunned, then crowded around her excitedly, “Teacher You!”

    “Teacher You, you’re finally back!”

    “We missed you so much, Teacher You!”

    Hearing the commotion, people from the other two teams peeked in.

    “You Ruxu is back.”

    “Is she discharged?”

    “Doesn’t seem so, she’s still in a wheelchair.”

    You Ruxu was surrounded, people offering her tea, water, fruit, and biscuits. She smiled faintly, declining their offers, and asked, “Where’s Chen Xiang?”

    “She’s in the meeting room.” Another reporter said, “Should I take you there?”

    You Ruxu said, “Please.”

    Chen Xiang, hearing a knock on the door, turned around and, seeing You Ruxu, her eyes lit up, “Teacher You!”

    She was surprised, “What are you doing here? You, you, you’re discharged? The doctor said you needed to stay for another week!”

    You Ruxu said, “Not yet.”

    She was wearing her usual professional attire, her injuries hidden beneath her clothes, her makeup impeccable, her hair neatly styled. If it weren’t for the wheelchair, she would look no different from usual, hence Chen Xiang’s surprise.

    She said, “Then why aren’t you resting at the hospital? Are you worried about Dr. Zhou? We’re discussing it in the meeting right now.”

    You Ruxu said, “I’ll join you.”

    She looked at Chen Xiang, “Is that alright?”

    “Of course!” Chen Xiang said, “We were just discussing the anonymous interview, should we invite them to the station, or do it elsewhere?”

    You Ruxu said, “Elsewhere.”

    Chen Xiang said, “That’s also fine, but the equipment will be a little more troublesome, I’ll ask…”

    You Ruxu said, “It’s just the two of us.”

    Chen Xiang let out a small gasp of surprise, then realized, “The interviewee’s request?”

    You Ruxu nodded, “Yes.”

    Chen Xiang said, “I understand.”

    The person beside her clicked her tongue, “Probably knows she’ll be criticized if she comes to the station, not only wrongly accusing Senior Zhou all those years ago, but now not even having the guts to come to the station.”

    “If she had the guts, she wouldn’t have chosen to be anonymous, how old was she back then? A few years old, we can say she was just a child, but now, after all these years, she’s almost thirty, and she can’t even face her mistakes, can’t even apologize properly.”

    “That’s not entirely fair.” The cameraman sat beside You Ruxu, “The police didn’t use her statement as evidence back then, officially, she has no obligation to do this interview.”

    You Ruxu’s fingers traced the edge of the document in her hand.

    Chen Xiang said, “Regardless, this isn’t the time for criticism, Teacher You, so it’s just the two of us going.”

    You Ruxu paused for a few seconds, then nodded.

    She said, “Chen Xiang, there are some things I want to discuss with you privately.”

    Chen Xiang responded with an “okay” and said to the others, “Let’s adjourn the meeting for now, everyone go back and organize the information I just sent.”

    Everyone left.

    Chen Xiang turned to You Ruxu, “Teacher You, have you met with the interviewee?”

    You Ruxu asked, “Why do you ask?”

    “I’m a little worried.” Chen Xiang said, “What if we announce the interview, and then she backs out at the last minute…?” Usually, they recorded the interview before releasing the news, but Zhou Tianzui’s situation was urgent, and since it involved a former employee of the station, the public reaction was even more intense, everyone hoping the online attacks and criticism would stop.

    You Ruxu said, “She won’t back out.”

    Her voice was hollow, “She won’t.”

    Hearing such a certain answer, Chen Xiang’s worries dissipated. She breathed a sigh of relief, “Teacher You, you’re amazing, how did you manage to contact her?”

    You Ruxu smiled faintly.

    She asked, “The evening news hasn’t started yet, has it?”

    Chen Xiang said, “Not yet.”

    You Ruxu said, “Can you ask their team leader to come here?”

    Chen Xiang agreed and hurried out.

    Outside, the sky gradually darkened. Zhou Tianzui lay in bed, Yu Qiao sitting beside her, feeding her porridge. Zhou Tianzui didn’t have much of an appetite, and after a few bites, said, “Mom, turn on the TV.”

    “Why watch TV while you’re eating?” Despite her words, Yu Qiao still turned on the TV. Zhou Tianzui changed the channel to Jindu TV. Yu Qiao stirred the porridge in the bowl, “Don’t watch too much TV.”

    She actually meant, don’t read those comments online.

    She hadn’t paid attention to them before, but today, the barrage of online comments almost broke her, she didn’t know how to respond, how to refute them, she just wanted to smash her phone, angry at those who made assumptions and hurled insults without knowing the truth, she didn’t want Zhou Tianzui to suffer the same fate, so she took away her phone.

    Zhou Tianzui didn’t ask for her phone back, just quietly watched the news.

    The familiar melody, the familiar anchor, the familiar tone.

    Yu Qiao said, “Xiao Tian, what did your director say? Will this affect your work?”

    Zhou Tianzui just hummed in response.

    Yu Qiao said, “About your father, I…”

    “We have a special guest on tonight’s evening news.”

    “Hello everyone, I’m You Ruxu, a reporter from Jindu TV’s midday news team. Regarding the recent online discussions about Reporter Zhou Qiming, the father of Dr. Zhou, who was recently attacked at the First Affiliated Hospital, we received a call from another party involved this afternoon, providing details about what happened all those years ago. This person also agreed to an anonymous interview, to clear Reporter Zhou Qiming’s name. We will now reveal excerpts from his work journal…”

    On screen, You Ruxu sat straight, her hair neatly styled, her makeup impeccable, the studio lights illuminating her face, her features magnified. Zhou Tianzui watched her, her expression calm, but the veins on the back of her hand, gripping the notebook, were bulging.

    Yu Qiao was silent.

    She stood up, looking at the screen, took two steps forward, and the spoon in her hand slipped, falling to the floor, shattering into pieces.

    The camera zoomed in on You Ruxu’s hands and the notebook, her slender, pale fingers against the black cover a stark contrast. You Ruxu’s eyelashes trembled slightly, she pursed her lips, suppressing her emotions as she opened the notebook to the first page.

    Written on the cover page.

    Jindu Midday News Team, Zhou Qiming.

    Her expression was solemn, as if she wasn’t just opening a notebook,

    But a truth buried for over twenty years, a truth unknown to the world.

  • Inferior A After Having a Baby with the Top Boss 40p2

    Chapter 40: Pheromone Guidance p2

    After dinner, Ming Fei watched cartoons with Ming Zaozao in the living room.

    At first, she watched even more attentively than Ming Zaozao, but gradually, her attention began to wander, and Ming Zaozao started playing with Lego on the carpet.

    Ming Fei didn’t leave.

    She picked up the smart reader, clicked on the e-book library, and connected to the public network, trying to search for information on the ancient creature W1215304 from the ancient book.

    But after twenty minutes of trying, she still found nothing.

    Then, she logged into the Independent State of Yi Meng’s public data network and searched for relevant information again.

    This attempt also ended in failure.

    The two consecutive search failures didn’t make Ming Fei lose patience. She reopened the electronic version of the ancient book, located page 113, and stared at the introduction of the ancient creature on this page again and again.

    Because she was so focused, she didn’t even notice her daughter moving to her side.

    “Eh?”

    Ming Zaozao said in surprise, “Mommy, why are you looking at this?”

    Ming Fei caught a hint of strangeness in her daughter’s tone, as if she had seen this thing before.

    She asked, “This? Zaozao, do you know it?”

    Ming Zaozao nodded: “Mm-hmm! Baby has seen it.”

    The question was confirmed, but Ming Fei froze, because this was clearly related to the mysterious research institute. And her daughter had actually seen this ancient creature, which only existed in ancient books, without her knowing.

    This made Ming Fei, worried about her daughter’s safety, feel a chill down her spine.

    She quickly hugged Ming Zaozao, checked her body and limbs for injuries, and asked anxiously, “Where did you see it, Zaozao?”

    Ming Zaozao hummed: “Mommy, it was Auntie Yuan next door.”

    “Once, Aunt Wang took Baby downstairs to play, and we met Auntie Yuan in the elevator.” Ming Zaozao, eating milk candy, struggled to organize her words. “Baby greeted her, and she was wearing a black bracelet with this on it.”

    After checking, Ming Fei felt a little relieved. If it wasn’t so late now, she would even want to take Ming Zaozao to the hospital for a full checkup.

    Ming Fei postponed this plan until tomorrow morning and placed the reader in front of Ming Zaozao, asking her to take another look.

    “Zaozao, are you sure it’s this one?”

    Ming Zaozao patted her round belly and assured her, “It’s this one! Baby is sure. Baby asked Auntie Yuan what it was, and she said… it was a magical animal!”

    Hearing this, Ming Fei was even more certain that Ming Zaozao probably hadn’t made a mistake.

    Because, besides this, Yuan Xiu, who lived in Hui Fu Garden, was a teacher at W University next door, and her research area was paleontology. And she had heard the information registrar downstairs mention that Yuan Xiu hadn’t originally been in the paleontology department, but had later transferred to W University’s Institute of Paleontology for some unknown reason.

    Although she wasn’t yet sure if Yuan Xiu was related to the research institute, Ming Fei immediately sent this important information to Zhu Yiqiao.

    She clearly described the whole story and attached a link to Yuan Xiu’s profile on W University’s official website. After sending the message, Ming Zaozao leaned against her, causing Ming Fei to accidentally touch an emoji.

    So, an extra image was added to her message—

    [[Little rabbit knocking on the door.jpg]]

    “Mommy, Baby is sleepy~”

    “Mm, then let’s go upstairs and rest.”

    Ming Zaozao acted coquettishly: “Baby wants to sleep with Mommy tonight!”

    “Okay.”

    Ming Zaozao smiled like a bright sunflower.

    Ming Fei picked up her daughter with one arm, no longer caring about retracting the little rabbit emoji. After returning to the bedroom on the second floor and washing up, Ming Fei softly told Ming Zaozao a bedtime story.

    “…The king in the fairy tale finally defeated…”

    Soon, Ming Zaozao fell asleep.

    The room was quiet, the bed warm and comfortable, and the little one in her arms was still warm, all of which made Ming Fei drowsy.

    Just as her consciousness was fading, the phone on the other side suddenly vibrated with a new message.

    Ming Fei’s sleepiness instantly vanished.

    She picked up her phone and glanced at it, finding that it was a message from Zhu Yiqiao.

    [Thank you, I’ll have someone look into it.]

    This message was received at 9:40 pm. She was washing up at the time, and after coming out, she hadn’t looked at her phone, picking up a storybook and coaxing Ming Zaozao to sleep.

    And the latest message was received a minute ago.

    [Come upstairs.]

    Ming Fei rubbed her eyes and replied, a little puzzled,

    [Is it about Yuan Xiu?]

    The other party’s reply made Ming Fei’s remaining sleepiness disappear completely.

    [Pheromone guidance.]

    Ming Fei’s eyelashes trembled, like a little sparrow that had strayed into a lotus pond, flapping its wings helplessly.

    …So soon?

    She didn’t know anything, hadn’t prepared anything.

    Calling her a blank slate wasn’t an exaggeration.

    Because of her anxiety and nervousness, Ming Fei remembered the question she had asked that afternoon.

    At that time, she had asked Zhu Yiqiao for a reason, and Zhu Yiqiao had directly listed the various pheromone disorders that could be caused by not undergoing pheromone guidance.

    All the listed pheromone disorders were, without exception, extremely serious, eventually even leading to a shortened lifespan and death.

    And Zhu Yiqiao had frankly said that she didn’t want Ming Zaozao to lose her mother, and told her that pheromone guidance was also compensation for her cooperation in acting intimate and playing the part.

    Perhaps she had been too surprised at the time, or perhaps too confused and bewildered, that in the end, she had blurted out a question to Zhu Yiqiao.

    “If it were someone else, would you also help them like this?”

    The moment the words left her mouth, she didn’t even understand why she had asked that. She subconsciously wanted to apologize, because this question had crossed the line, and it also made her seem ungrateful and unreasonable, like a fool who didn’t know her place or appreciate her kindness.

    But Zhu Yiqiao actually answered her.

    “—No.”

    After saying that, Zhu Yiqiao left, leaving her alone in the room, still in a state of confusion.

    Now, another message popped up in the notification box.

    [Come directly to the bedroom.]

    Ming Fei’s ears felt hot after reading the message.

    She repeatedly edited her reply, typing and deleting, deleting and typing again, and finally only sent two words and an emoji.

    [Okay.]

    [[Kitten teleporting.jpg]]

    Before getting out of bed, Ming Fei covered the sleeping Ming Zaozao with the blanket and placed the little lamb plush toy she had brought with her on Zaozao’s right side. As the door closed, Ming Fei’s shadow flitted across the corridor.

    The sensor wall lamp along the corridor automatically turned on.

    She walked towards the stairs leading to the third floor, her heart beating faster and faster as she approached her destination.

    Finally arriving at the bedroom on the third floor, Ming Fei glanced at the heart rate data on her pheromone bracelet and found that her heart rate had reached 130 beats per minute.

    This was really… too fast.

    She pursed her lips, not pressing the doorbell, but choosing to send a message to Zhu Yiqiao.

    [Jiejie, I’m outside the bedroom door.]

    [[Kitten peeking.jpg]]

    In the dim light, Ming Fei was still looking down at the chat window, and the security door, the next moment after the message was sent, opened as if it had sensed her presence.

    A new message arrived immediately.

    [Come in.]

  • The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated 501

    Chapter 501: “Don’t Spy on Me While I’m Bathing, Okay?”

    Shien was quite satisfied with having a natural hot spring all to himself.

    It was just a pity that Diere wasn’t here to enjoy it with him.

    Thinking of that proactive and decisive girl, Shien felt a pang of longing.

    “Well, it’s only for half a month.”

    Shien put aside his longing and turned to Carol.

    “What? Is there a problem?”

    Carol asked immediately, noticing Shien’s gaze.

    Shien simply replied,

    “It’s not that I have a problem, but that you have a problem.”

    Shien said with a smile.

    “???” Carol was confused. She frowned and asked, “What problem could I possibly have?”

    “You don’t have a problem?” Shien nodded knowingly, then changed the subject. “Then why are you still here? Do you want to watch me undress?”

    “You…!” Carol blushed, annoyed, and finally unable to maintain her serious and rigid demeanor, glared at Shien.

    But she didn’t say anything, just turned around and left.

    Shien looked smug, then as if remembering something, he quickly said,

    “Wait, no one will come here, right?”

    Shien had to confirm this first.

    “Are you worried?” Carol said sarcastically, “Don’t worry, no one will come and peek at you.”

    Did this man really think that elves would be interested in such a thing?

    Who were they?

    Elves who valued purity!

    Elves would never peek at a man bathing!

    However…

    “Am I worried about being peeked at?” Shien retorted, “I’m worried that you unreasonable women will barge in here, take advantage of me, then pretend to scream and attract everyone, and then accuse me of being a pervert. Who would I complain to then?”

    These words truly angered Carol.

    But Shien wasn’t joking.

    Similar scenarios had happened countless times in cliché novels. Whether it was accidentally seeing something beautiful, or being seen by others, the male protagonist always ended up suffering in the end.

    Shien didn’t want to fall into such a cliché trap and be falsely accused.

    Otherwise, with the special treatment of men from other races in the Elven Homeland, he would never be able to clear his name.

    And with his temper, if that happened, he wouldn’t be like those cowardly protagonists who didn’t dare to fight back when targeted, pretending to be righteous and not wanting to bully or hit women. That wasn’t righteous at all, but foolish.

    If he encountered such a situation, then he would apologize, capture them all, and teach them a lesson.

    Only after subduing them would he have the right to speak. Otherwise, how could he expect a group of angry women to be reasonable?

    “Anyway, I’ve said my piece. If someone barges in later and causes trouble, I won’t be polite.” Shien said with a smile, “We haven’t finished our fight from today.”

    Carol stared at Shien, her gaze as if she wanted to pounce on him and bite him.

    After a while, Carol finally gritted her teeth and said,

    “Only Her Majesty comes here. Lady Leia and Lady Nia sometimes accompany her, but during the Peace Festival, none of them will come.”

    After all, bringing Shien here and letting him use this hot spring was Sophie’s instruction.

    Under such circumstances, Sophie naturally wouldn’t come here, and the two legendary commanders wouldn’t come either.

    “I’ll wait for you outside. You can rest assured now, right?”

    Carol said, then as if she didn’t want to talk to Shien anymore, she turned and left.

    Until…

    “Waiting outside is fine, but don’t spy on me while I’m bathing, okay?”

    These light words made Carol stumble, almost falling.

    Finally, Carol stomped away angrily.

    She didn’t notice the smug smile on Shien’s face.

    “Trying to act all high and mighty with me? I’ll piss you off.”

    Clearly, Shien deliberately said those annoying words.

    …

    “Ah~~~ so comfortable~~~”

    With a comfortable sigh, a figure entered the natural hot spring.

    “This hot spring is something special.”

    Shien soaked comfortably, looking at the hot spring thoughtfully.

    If someone with the [Magic Perception] skill were here, they would discover that this natural hot spring wasn’t just emitting heat and steam, but also dense magic power.

    Shien noticed this as soon as he arrived and instantly understood.

    “This isn’t a hot spring, it’s a source of magic power!”

    Indeed, this wasn’t an ordinary hot spring, but a natural source of magic power.

    The hot water in this magic power source was entirely condensed from the magic power of nature, not ordinary hot spring water.

    With the perception of [Outer Awareness of Heaven’s Decree], Shien saw through many things.

    “This magic power source, while expanding, must have absorbed the special magic power from the deepest part of the Tegor Forest, causing some changes and transforming into a hot spring-like form.”

    Magic power sources varied in scale and level, some small, some medium, and some large. Depending on their scale and level, the quality of the spring water within also differed.

    This hot spring-like magic power source was originally a small one, having expanded towards medium size over countless years, but because of the special magic power here, it didn’t become a medium-sized magic power source, but transformed into this hot spring form.

    “That special magic power should be the reason why the Elven Race was born from nature here, right?”

    Shien sensed his surroundings with [Outer Awareness of Heaven’s Decree].

    Generally, magic power was converted from life force, and the same went for natural magic power, which was naturally converted from the life force emanating from the “world,” the largest existence.

    Therefore, magic power was closely related to life force. If there was a problem with life force, there would be a problem with magic power, and vice versa.

    This meant that all magic power contained a dense life force, just not as pure.

    But Shien discovered that the natural magic power in the Elven Homeland not only had a life force as pure as life force itself, but also a special pulsating sensation.

    If ordinary magic power flowed like air currents or rivers, then the magic power here, while flowing, also pulsed like a heart, very rhythmically.

    That feeling wasn’t like the air currents or rivers of ordinary magic power, but more like blood flowing through blood vessels, very special.

    It was because of this special magic power that elves were born from nature, becoming natural lifeforms.

    The same went for this hot spring-like magic power source. Having absorbed the magic power here for many years, it underwent a peculiar transformation.

    “If one frequently bathes in such a hot spring, it would definitely activate the magic power within their body, accelerating its growth, even benefiting their life force, making them live longer, and even healing serious injuries.”

    Shien mused.

    “This is far more precious than ordinary magic power sources.”

    Shien was certain that if this magic power source appeared in the outside world, it would be fought over by countless forces and even nations.

    Many countries wouldn’t hesitate to go to war to seize the land containing such a miraculous magic power source.

    Its value was limitless, a true priceless treasure.

    “No wonder even elven royalty comes here.”

    Shien turned his head and looked to the side.

    There, several unicorns were drinking the spring water, their heads lowered.

    The levels of these unicorns weren’t low at all, the lowest being level eighty-four, and there was even one at level eighty-eight and another at level eighty-nine, just one step away from the legendary level.

    Being able to drink the spring water here must be a great benefit to these unicorns, right?

    “The world only sees the Elven Race’s strongest magician corps, but they don’t know that the monsters and fantasy creatures under their command, having drunk this spring water for many years, are also of high levels.”

    Shien curled his lip, easily imagining that in the Elven Homeland, besides the Elven Corps, there was also a high-level monster legion no less powerful than the former.

    Although the Elven Race had a small population, not only were they long-lived, but they also coexisted peacefully with, and even managed, so many high-level monsters.

    Shien believed that if necessary, the Elven Race could definitely command this high-level monster legion.

    At that time, with powerful monsters charging at the forefront, and the elves supporting them from behind with their powerful magic, their combat power would be no less than any other race in the human world.

    Note, it was “race,” not “nation.”

    If it was just a single nation, even the Kingdom of Mitra or the Ragna Empire, against the Elven Race, Shien felt that they wouldn’t be able to gain any advantage.

    Of course…

    “No matter how strong, in the eyes of transcendent beings who have surpassed the limits of life, they’re all just ants.”

    The current Shien clearly understood the huge gap between those who had transcended and those who hadn’t.

    “Without transcendent beings, even a powerful race like the Elven Race would still have to fear Airi and Lilith.”

    Shien saw through this.

    Just then…

    “Airi…?”

    A very soft voice suddenly reached Shien’s ears.

  • Reborn to Stew Soup (GL) 115p2

    Chapter 115: The Age of Yuri p2

    Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin were separated by Zhang Zijing. Mi Hongdou, watching the film, noticed a flickering light beside her and, assuming it was Zhang Zijing up to something, turned around and saw Ji Junxin bent over, typing on her phone, her expression serious.

    Ji Junxin’s hand blocked most of the light, but Mi Hongdou could still see her serious expression.

    What could be so important? Mi Hongdou felt both curious and worried. But before she could do anything, Ji Junxin put away her phone, the light disappearing.

    In her previous life, Mi Hongdou had watched “Imperial Secrets” countless times. But watching this version now, the one she had filmed with Ji Junxin, based on Pan Xiang’s revised script, she felt it was much better. Ji Junxin’s portrayal of Miao Qianye was captivating, from her initial naivete, to her later growth as a mother, to her final loneliness, a woman’s life, vividly portrayed. The final shot, Miao Qianye, lost in memories, sitting on the steps, leaning against the door frame, her eyes closed in the setting sun.

    Although she knew it was just acting, Mi Hongdou couldn’t help but cry. Fortunately, she heard soft sobs from the audience, she wasn’t alone.

    During the end credits, she quickly wiped her tears. Just as she finished, the lights came on.

    The actors and the production team went on stage to thank the audience. The actors would leave last, after the audience.

    Mi Hongdou wanted to talk to Ji Junxin, but Ji Junxin’s seat was empty!

    Although she might have gone to the restroom or to touch up her makeup, Mi Hongdou instinctively felt that she had left.

    Ji Junxin’s absence during the final curtain call, the host announcing that she had left due to something urgent, confirmed Mi Hongdou’s suspicion.

    She felt a pang of disappointment. Ji Junxin hadn’t even stayed for the entire premiere.

    Qiong Yu wouldn’t have scheduled other work for Ji Junxin on the same day as the premiere, that wasn’t Qiao Rubai’s style. Mi Hongdou, seeing Qiao Rubai and Yang Lianyi chatting, decided to ask Qiao Rubai later.

    But it seemed she was destined for disappointment.

    After the thank-you speeches, the audience began to leave. Bai Tang, having arranged it beforehand, brought Mi’s mother over.

    Mi’s mother’s eyes were red, and she seemed a little embarrassed as she approached Mi Hongdou, sniffing and looking away. I cried watching my daughter’s film… how embarrassing!

    With about half the audience gone, only the actors, the crew, and some media remained. Mi Hongdou, figuring there would be interviews later, decided to use this opportunity to ask Qiao Rubai about Ji Junxin’s early departure.

    But just as she took a few steps towards Qiao Rubai, she saw two people trying to push past the security guards, towards the stage, against the flow of the departing audience.

    At first, she thought they were overzealous fans, ignoring the rules. But then she recognized them… the man arguing with the security, her… father. And the beautifully dressed Mi Yu.

    With her mother, who definitely didn’t want to see them, standing next to her, and the media all around, Mi Hongdou could already foresee the upcoming drama.

    She quickly pulled Yang Lianyi aside and briefly explained the situation.

    Yang Lianyi’s smiling expression vanished, replaced by a serious frown. She glanced at Mi Hongcai, who was still arguing with the security, and lowered her voice. “Would you mind if I… had them removed? Not very politely, I mean.”

    Mi Hongdou shook her head.

    Yang Lianyi nodded, satisfied. “Take your mother and leave through the side entrance, the one you came in through, go straight to the car, and wait for me there. I’ll be there soon.”

    Mi Hongdou, glancing at Qiao Rubai longingly, realized that today wasn’t a good time for a conversation. She followed Yang Lianyi’s instructions and quickly led her mother, who still hadn’t noticed her father and Mi Yu, away.

    Mi Hongcai and Mi Yu, stopped by the security guards, watched as Mi Hongdou left.

    Mi Yu flung her hand, her carefully applied makeup unable to hide her anger. “Dad! Look what you’ve done! We were almost there, we could have talked to her in front of the media!”

    “I told you, we should have contacted her beforehand, you insisted on this surprise, and now look, the security doesn’t even believe us, how are we supposed to get through?” Mi Hongcai, after arguing with the guards for so long, was also frustrated.

    “Contact her beforehand? Didn’t you see her avoiding us like we were the plague? She just doesn’t want to acknowledge you, or me.” Mi Yu sneered. “She thinks she can just walk away? The media is still here. We’ll go over there, pretend to be looking for her, chat with the media, act like a concerned family, and we’ll be in the news, riding on her coattails.”

    Mi Hongcai frowned. “Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to approach them without even greeting her?”

    “Dad!” Mi Yu whined. “After everything you said to her, did she show any sign of wanting to reconcile? I’m not even going to say anything bad about her, I just want some screen time, some media exposure, what’s wrong with that?”

    “…” Mi Hongcai couldn’t argue with Mi Yu. Since he had promised to help her get into the industry, she had been pestering him constantly. But investing in a production was expensive, and Mi Hongcai, a self-made man, was reluctant. And then, with “Divorce, So Be It” becoming a hit, and seeing that Mi Hongdou was about to become famous, with the sequel filming and the movie about to be released, Mi Yu had become even more insistent, urging him to try the “family affection” card again. But Mi Hongdou hadn’t been swayed, she wouldn’t even answer his calls. He had even called her landline, which… was disconnected.

    Mi Hongdou’s resolute rejection made Mi Hongcai want to give up. But Mi Yu wouldn’t let it go. If he didn’t help her use Mi Hongdou’s connections, she wanted him to fund her acting career. Faced with this choice, he chose to deal with Mi Hongdou. He had spent a fortune to get two tickets to the premiere, hoping that in front of the media, as her father and sister, showing their affection, Mi Hongdou wouldn’t be as ruthless. But… the security had stopped them, and Mi Hongdou had left.

    Just as Mi Yu was insisting on using the media, and Mi Hongcai was still hesitating, two large security guards appeared, claiming to be from the organizers, suspecting that their tickets were fake, and asking them to come to the office.

    They said this loudly, in front of everyone, and without giving Mi Hongcai and Mi Yu a chance to speak, dragged them away. The two imposing guards, after asserting their authority, quickly and efficiently apprehended them, covering their mouths before they could protest, half-dragging, half-carrying them away.

    Yang Lianyi, seeing that the crisis was averted, left with the little girl. The rest, naturally, was left to Qiao Rubai.

    Back in the car, Mi Hongdou was uneasy. Since the premiere of “Divorce, So Be It,” Mi Hongcai, as if having forgotten her warning, had been constantly contacting her, impossible to shake off. Mi Hongdou had decided that after establishing herself with a few successful projects and a solid fan base, and with her mother’s consent, she would publicly sever ties with them. Until then, she would just have to endure the occasional calls. But she hadn’t expected them to show up here, in person. Couldn’t he see her mother was also present? How shameless!

    Mi Hongdou glanced at her mother, who was trying the pudding. In this life, after “Divorce, So Be It” aired, her mother had also asked her if she regretted the divorce. This time, Mi Hongdou, no longer swayed by any lingering longing for a father, had reassured her mother and praised her for her decisive action!

    And so, she hadn’t seen the guilt and regret she had seen in her mother in her previous life. With her encouragement, Mi’s mother had quickly recovered and seemed much happier. Their relationship had also improved considerably.

    One’s words and actions could truly change so many things.

    Mi Hongdou sincerely hoped to give her mother a better, happier life than in her previous life. But… on certain matters, she might… disappoint her again.

    Just as Mi Hongdou was thinking about her love for Ji Junxin, the impossibility of marriage and children, of giving her mother grandchildren, her mother, after finishing a jar of pudding, said, “This pudding is quite good, I think Ji Junxin would like it. Did you give her some?”

    Mi Hongdou touched the cooler, feeling frustrated. Perhaps, having Ji Junxin over, her mother wouldn’t be so disappointed after all.

    The premiere ended, and as she had hoped, Mi Hongdou saw both Ji Junxin and Qiao Rubai. But she hadn’t had a chance to talk to either of them… Ji Junxin had left early, and she hadn’t even been able to give her the pudding, which Yang Lianyi had taken.

    Well, a box of pudding for some peace and quiet was a good trade.

    Back at the hotel, Mi Hongdou texted Ji Junxin, asking why she left early. But… Ji Junxin didn’t reply. Two hours later, she texted Qiao Rubai, who did reply, but said the matter was complicated and she would explain in person when she visited Shudian.

    “Complicated” worried Mi Hongdou. But Qiao Rubai’s response wasn’t a rejection, and Mi Hongdou was looking forward to their meeting, so she didn’t press further.

    She waited for days, restless and anxious. But before Qiao Rubai contacted her, she received a message from Ji Junxin.

    Ji Junxin said she was in Japan, a work-vacation trip, and would be there for a while. Mi Hongdou asked about her leaving the premiere early, and Ji Junxin simply said she had something to do.

    One said it was complicated, the other said it was just “something,” Mi Hongdou instinctively felt that Qiao Rubai’s version was probably closer to the truth.

    But with Ji Junxin in another country, there was no way to ask.

    Strangely, with Ji Junxin abroad, their contact actually increased. They chatted about scenery, food, weather… although just superficial topics, it was still better than the previous months of silence.

    Much better.

    Perhaps because of the distance, the longing intensified. Ji Junxin could no longer maintain her aloofness, waiting for Mi Hongdou to contact her first. And she felt she had detached from the role, so there was no need to avoid Mi Hongdou. So, during her time in Japan, she texted Mi Hongdou frequently. And when Mi Hongdou wasn’t filming, she spent most of her time exchanging messages with Ji Junxin.

    Mi Hongdou was grateful that she had already filmed “Divorce, So Be It 2” in her previous life, the lines somewhat familiar. Otherwise, with all her free time spent on her phone, she wouldn’t have had time to learn new lines.

    As their long-distance communication intensified, “Imperial Secrets” premiered at the end of August.

    The premiere audience, all invited guests, their reviews, whether from media or individuals, were mostly… neutral and predictable. The fans, avoiding spoilers, were also cautious in their praise. The focus was on positive publicity.

    But after the official release, the general audience, unrestricted, could say whatever they wanted.

    “Imperial Secrets” premiered at midnight in cinemas nationwide.

    The midnight box office exceeded six million yuan…

    After the first screenings, reviews flooded the internet.

    Because of the demanding filming schedule, Mi Hongdou usually collapsed after a few texts with Ji Junxin. Even on the day of the premiere, she had fallen asleep around eleven. But with the film on her mind, she woke up around four in the morning and saw a text from Yang Lianyi about the box office numbers.

    Over six million, two million more than the four million in her previous life…

    This news made it impossible to sleep.

    Mi Hongdou, who now had a Weibo account, decided to check the online reviews.

    And then… her phone crashed.

    After rebooting, she was surprised to find that she had over ten million followers!

    And she only had three posts! A generic greeting message, a repost of Ji Junxin’s Weibo, and the trailer…

    She had already gained millions of followers from Ji Junxin’s repost, this sudden surge to over ten million in just a few hours, what had happened?

    She texted Yang Lianyi.

    [Did you buy me fake followers?]

    Yang Lianyi, having waited up for the box office numbers, had just fallen asleep when she was woken up by the message.

    Seeing Mi Hongdou’s name, she opened the message, then, after reading it, immediately went back to sleep, muttering “idiot” before drifting off.

    Mi Hongdou, not receiving a reply, opened Weibo.

    So, could someone explain the comments flooding her three meager posts, all variations of “The Empress and the Noble Consort should be together!” “The Empress and the Noble Consort forever!” “They’re true love!” “Empress, don’t die, the Noble Consort loves you!” “Empress, just hold on, you can be happy with the Noble Consort!” “The little prince is actually their child!” “The Empress is heartless, poor Noble Consort!” “Empress, you’re so stupid, the Noble Consort can never be happy now!” What was going on?

    Well… those comments related to the plot were one thing, but those like, “Yuri is supreme! Yuri is the best!” “Who’s the top and who’s the bottom between the Empress and the Noble Consort?” “The year’s best yuri film, the age of yuri has arrived!” “Let yuri be our companion, live freely and unrestrainedly~~” “Galloping across the plains, sharing the glory of the Ji circle~~” what were those even about…

    Pan Xiang probably wouldn’t survive the night…

    And that comment, “Empress, walk slowly on the path to the underworld, the Noble Consort is right behind you, wait for her, wait for her…” why did it make her shiver, then feel a little like crying!

    Mi Hongdou refreshed the page, and even more comments appeared.

    “This film is so yuri! I’m definitely watching it again tomorrow, already bought my tickets!” “Wait for me, I’m going too! I think I can watch it three more times!” “Fourth viewing, fourth viewing, must support this yuri masterpiece!”

    She felt… strangely touched.

    Mi Hongdou checked the most liked comments on her latest post. The top comment read: “The Empress is too cowardly, she’s definitely the uke! My Noble Consort is full of tachi energy!”

    Full of tachi energy? Have you seen that person, curled up on a sofa, looking all cute and pitiful, waiting to be fed? Mi Hongdou, annoyed, started typing a reply, then stopped, breaking out in a cold sweat.

    What… was she about to do with her official Weibo account?

  • Reincarnated as a Holy Nun, I Refuse to Lose! v2c25

    Volume 2: Witch Kingdom Arc

    Chapter 25: The Time Witch

    Luo Yuxi didn’t know how to react. Yun Keke looked at her lovingly, while Luo Yuxi struggled even harder, not to clear up the misunderstanding, but to protect herself.

    “Wait a minute, a mother-daughter threesome? No way!”

    “Big sister, why are you struggling? Why do you object so much? My mom is also very pretty, although she’s a bit older, her figure is just as good as yours~”

    “This is not the point! This will lead to a bad ending!”

    As Luo Yuxi struggled, Lislia stopped Yun Keke, who had started to undress. She had a feeling things were about to take a strange turn.

    “Alright, Little Yun, it’s great that you don’t blame Mom, but Mom still prefers cute girls like your little mommy~”

    “Little mommy?”

    “Well, my identity was discovered during a mission, and I had to submit. That’s how you two were born, as children of a witch…”

    Luo Yuxi realized Lislia had the same preferences as Doris. Lislia continued, a melancholic look on her face, as if recounting a tragic past.

    “I was transmitting information to the Saintess when your witch mother discovered my identity. To protect myself, I had to… give in to her~”

    “Mother-in-law, but last time you said you were the one who…”

    Before Luo Yuxi could finish, she was gagged again. Yun Keke, although confused by her mother’s actions, was curious about her other mother.

    “What’s my other mother like?”

    “She has silver-white hair like you, gray eyes, a small and delicate body, fair skin, and she cries easily when bullied~”

    “That doesn’t sound like someone who could…”

    Yun Keke, although puzzled, understood the situation. Besides the Seven Deadly Sins, which witch could bully her 2nd Order mother? It must have been consensual.

    “So I have a witch mother too. But in that case, let’s leave big sister out of this, she’s not Mom’s type~”

    Yun Keke removed the chains binding Luo Yuxi. Yu Keke helped her up.

    “Finally, I can move…”

    “I’ll let you go this time, for my daughters’ sake. But next time, I want to know why you know so much…”

    Lislia was about to leave when Luo Yuxi stopped her.

    “Wait, you haven’t told me about the First Order Time Witch yet!”

    “Hmph, since you know everything, finding that out shouldn’t be a problem for you!”

    Lislia left, leaving Luo Yuxi and the twins in the room. Luo Yuxi scratched her head, wondering when she had offended her mother-in-law.

    “Mothers-in-law are the worst. No, wait, why am I even thinking about this? I need information…”

    Luo Yuxi sat down, thinking about the Time Witch. Yun Keke and Yu Keke, seeing her deep in thought, didn’t interrupt, going to the bed to prepare for their upcoming “activities.”

    “Besides the game’s plot, where else can I find information about witches…?”

    Luo Yuxi thought about the game’s events, but the information was limited. She had played the game for the CGs, not the story. Then she remembered the book she had seen in the basement, The History of Witches.

    “Maybe that book has what I need…”

    Luo Yuxi looked at the markings on her hand. They had appeared after the book merged with her body. Although similar to the Holy Marks in the game, they didn’t grant her any skills.

    “What does this thing do…?”

    [Ding]

    [“The History of Witches” loaded. Preview?]

    Luo Yuxi, who had been wondering how to find another copy of the book, realized the mark on her hand might actually be a skill, allowing her to access information about witches.

    “This thing always reacts when I encounter a witch. Could this be my skill?!”

    Luo Yuxi clicked “preview” and saw pages of text, too much information to process.

    “I think I saw something about this before…”

    [Year 2113 of the Common Era, the Pure White Saintess, one of the strongest in the Church headquarters, suddenly fell into witchhood. The reason is unknown. After becoming a witch, she killed 16 Second Order members of the Church, and countless Third and Fourth Order members died or were injured. The news was subsequently suppressed.]

    “The Pure White Saintess, the Saintess before the protagonist? Wasn’t it the Word Spirit Saintess?”

    Luo Yuxi saw the words “Time Witch Chapter” on the side and realized the Pure White Saintess was the Time Witch, the strongest witch.

    “The strongest witch was from the Church? But why would she fall into witchhood after reaching the top…?”

    Luo Yuxi read about how the Pure White Saintess had killed 16 Second Order members while escaping. She had barely seen any Second Order members during her time in the Church.

    “So the Church was originally much stronger than the Witch Kingdom. The current balance of power isn’t because the Witch Kingdom is strong, but because the Church was severely weakened…”

    Luo Yuxi finally understood why most of the current 12 bishops were only 3rd Order and newly appointed. The Church had lost two-thirds of its high-ranking members after the Pure White Saintess’s betrayal.

    “This is the power of a First Order…”

    Luo Yuxi closed the panel, her gaze drawn to a picture of a girl with empty eyes and an aura of pure white, as if no other color could touch her.

    [Time Witch]

    [Image]

    [Formerly a First Order powerhouse of the Church, the Goddess’s representative on earth, known as the Pure White Saintess for her pure heart and innocent soul. For unknown reasons, she fell into witchhood, gaining control over time, becoming an enemy of the Goddess.]

    “This is her profile, then the other information should be…”

    As Luo Yuxi was about to continue reading, she felt arms wrap around her waist from behind. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

    “Little Yun, don’t be naughty, I have important things to do…”

    “What important things could weakling big sister possibly have? Standing here spacing out~?”

    “No… I…”

    “Big sister, Little Yu and I heard everything you did with that white-haired witch last night. We were so lonely~”

    Yun Keke pressed against her, her nightgown practically transparent. As Luo Yuxi turned to explain, Yun Keke stepped back, striking a seductive pose, one hand on her hip.

    “Big sister, Little Yu and I bought some super lewd pajamas~”

    “Super lewd… wait, does that mean Little Yu also…?!”

    Luo Yuxi looked at Yu Keke, who was wearing a matching purple nightgown, her face red, her hands covering her chest, the garter straps on her thighs incredibly alluring.

    “B-Big sister, don’t stare at me like that, it’s embarrassing…”

    Yu Keke looked down shyly. Luo Yuxi’s mind short-circuited. Yun Keke, seeing the opportunity, led Luo Yuxi to the bed and pushed her down, then hugged Yu Keke from behind.

    “Big sister, Little Yu and I don’t want to sleep tonight~”

    “Th-That’s not a good idea…”

    “And it’s a dangerous period tonight~”

    Yun Keke wiggled her stocking-clad foot suggestively. Chocolate ice cream or vanilla? Which one would you choose? Luo Yuxi, a veteran of “one versus four” loli battles, chose “all of the above.”

    “If you don’t want to sleep, then don’t. What Time Witch? What Legion Witch? They can’t compare to twin lolis~”

  • Reincarnated as a Holy Nun, I Refuse to Lose! v2c24

    Volume 2: Witch Kingdom Arc

    Chapter 24: A Wonderful Misunderstanding

    Luo Yuxi stood up, watching Lislia approach. Although she wanted to retort with a “What’s it to you?”, this was her mother-in-law, after all. Such rudeness would definitely lower her affection rating. She could only try to appease her while slowly backing away.

    “Tell me, how did you know?!”

    As Lislia closed in, Luo Yuxi stumbled and fell, her escape route cut off. She looked up at Lislia, who was looking down at her. Doris crouched down beside them, smiling at Luo Yuxi’s predicament.

    “Need help, Master? I can easily get rid of her~”

    “No, mind your own business!”

    Luo Yuxi frantically searched for an excuse. She couldn’t tell them she had played through this world hundreds of times as a game, sleeping with witches, kissing bishops, becoming a harem king, even capturing the Slime Queen.

    “Your eyes are darting around, trying to come up with a lie, aren’t you? What are you hiding?!”

    Lislia, growing more agitated, straddled Luo Yuxi, pinning her down. Luo Yuxi blushed at the compromising position. Lislia, seemingly losing her reason, just wanted to know how a kidnapped nun knew about the upcoming war.

    “Tell me! Don’t try to fool me with some precognition nonsense! A nun can’t have two inherent skills!”

    “I… I…”

    Luo Yuxi didn’t know what to say. This witch, despite her age and two children, was incredibly attractive, and now she was straddling Luo Yuxi.

    “I’ll tell you! Just get off me, Mother-in-law! If someone sees us…”

    “Trying to trick me into getting off so that grinning idiot can take you away? I risked my identity to save you, and you’re still hiding something important from me…?”

    Before Luo Yuxi could reply, a hand covered her mouth, her arms pinned down. She looked at Doris, who was smirking at her. Lislia was also taken aback by Doris’s actions.

    “What are you doing?”

    “Helping you interrogate my Master~”

    “Helping me? Heh, I don’t need your help. And if you’re helping, why cover her mouth…?”

    Suddenly, the sound of something falling at the door caught their attention. Lislia’s expression shifted from confusion to shock as she saw the person standing there.

    “M-Mother… what are you doing…?”

    “Little Yu! Wait, it’s not what you think! I… I just…!”

    A red apple, like a miniature sun, rolled across the floor. Yu Keke stared at the scene, frozen, as if she couldn’t believe her eyes.

    “Hey, Little Yu, why are you standing there? Big sister promised to play with us~”

    “Little Yun! Don’t come in!”

    “Mother’s voice, is she here too? Great, I have something to ask her and big sister…”

    Lislia tried to stop them, but she heard footsteps approaching. Yun Keke, oblivious to Yu Keke’s distress, entered the room. Lislia tried to stand up, but a chain suddenly bound her wrist to Luo Yuxi’s. Luo Yuxi was also bound, gagged, and blindfolded, completely helpless.

    “Your little daughters will love the surprise I’ve prepared for them~”

    “You! You bastard!”

    Doris vanished into the shadows. Lislia turned and saw Yun Keke standing at the doorway, her eyes vacant. There was no way to explain this.

    “Little Yun, Little Yu…”

    “Mother…”

    Lislia calmed down, broke the chain with her magic, and stood up. Yun Keke’s eyes lost their vacant look, and she rushed over, looking at the scene before her. Lislia felt a sense of resignation.

    “Why did you do this?!”

    “…”

    Yun Keke stopped before Lislia, her voice flat and emotionless. Luo Yuxi, bound on the floor, struggled to remove the gag and explain. She didn’t want this misunderstanding to ruin their relationship.

    “It was so sudden, I didn’t expect Mother to do such a thing…”

    “I…”

    “But this is too much, even for Mother!”

    “I know… I’ll le—”

    “Tying up big sister like this will hurt her…”

    “Hmm?!”

    The tense atmosphere shifted. Lislia was confused, her mind seemingly short-circuiting. Even Luo Yuxi stopped struggling, trying to understand what Yun Keke meant.

    “Big sister promised Little Yu and me that tonight was ours. Even if Mother likes big sister, we won’t object…”

    “That’s… not the point…”

    Lislia was bewildered by her daughter’s logic. Yun Keke crouched down and helped Luo Yuxi up, her eyes fixated on her.

    “Don’t worry, Mother, we understand. Big sister is so beautiful, it must be hard for you to resist~”

    “Th-That’s not what I meant…”

    Yu Keke also approached, looking at Lislia with gentle eyes and a sweet smile.

    “I thought there might be some tension between big sister and Mother because of what happened before, but since Mother also likes big sister, I’m relieved~”

    Thus, the expected confrontation and drama turned into a strange but positive misunderstanding. Luo Yuxi, caught between the three, felt something was off.

    “Wait, th-this isn’t right, this is wrong!!”

    Luo Yuxi was the only one who suffered. Lislia wanted to explain, but seeing her daughters’ relieved expressions, she simply hugged them tighter.

    “I’ll explain later…”