Su Ziling’s principle had always been to handle external matters before internal ones.
But she wasn’t the type to stay firm all the way. Seeing Su Lili’s expression on the verge of tears, she could only let out a helpless sigh.
“Why didn’t you tell me you couldn’t go back?”
In fact, Su Ziling had also sensed that Su Lili’s inability to return wasn’t that simple.
Just a moment ago, due to insufficient mana, Su Lili’s figure had become extremely transparent, as if she might disappear at any moment.
This was different from her previous disappearances, more like a complete erasure of existence.
If Su Ziling hadn’t reacted quickly and transferred some mana to her, things would have taken a very bad turn.
She could also tell that Su Lili’s personality was indeed a bit strong-willed and independent, perhaps related to what had happened in her family.
Su Lili lowered her head, her restless little hands twisting the hem of her skirt. After hesitating for a long time, she finally spoke.
“Because… I know Mom’s family is having financial trouble, so… so I didn’t want to cause you trouble.”
“Then why not go find Lin…”
Her voice cut off there, and then she covered her forehead, looking up at the sky in speechless resignation.
Thinking about it, even the future Lin Yizhou couldn’t take good care of this little one, let alone his current self.
‘So what had gone wrong in her future self’s head to fall for him?’
“Forget it, you can come live with me. It’s just one more mouth to feed, won’t cost much.”
For Su Ziling, she really wasn’t at ease handing Su Lili over to Lin Yizhou now, especially remembering the childish magical girl printed on his ita-shirt. He might be a hidden lolicon, better to be cautious.
“Is that really okay?”
“However cruel I might be, I wouldn’t leave you living alone in a place like this.”
Su Ziling reached out and patted the little one’s head.
“You’re still young. I don’t know what you’ve been through, but it’s okay to rely on adults a bit more.”
“Mm-mm!”
The little one seemed to enjoy Su Ziling’s head pats.
During the wait, Su Ziling also noticed that Su Lili’s magic wand seemed to be constantly absorbing mana from the freak.
Because of Su Ziling’s earlier words, the little one opened up and told her everything about the magic wand.
After patiently listening, the former spoke.
“So you need a large amount of mana to maintain yourself in this time-space?”
“That’s right, that’s right.”
Su Lili nodded repeatedly.
“By eating, or by defeating freaks, magical girls, witches, or other magical beings, I can absorb their mana and use it for myself.”
Su Ziling pondered for a long time, then voiced the doubt in her mind.
“What happens to the person who gets absorbed?”
“Probably become a normal person?” Su Lili said uncertainly. “This absorption doesn’t deduct mana points, but mana cap.”
“I see…”
Su Lili’s words completely dashed Su Ziling’s idea of supplying mana to her herself.
Deducting mana points she could handle, but deducting the cap was a bit deadly.
Fortunately, Su Lili could replenish mana by eating.
Thinking of this, Su Ziling couldn’t help but feel a bit relieved.
Good thing she discovered it early, otherwise if the little one had vanished inexplicably, she might not even have known.
‘Come to think of it, why had she suddenly become so concerned about Su Lili?’
Su Ziling glanced at Su Lili leaning on her arm.
‘Maybe she really was just that cute.’
About half an hour later, the Magical Girl Alliance finally arrived on the scene to handle the situation and took away the unconscious freak who had turned back into human form.
Like magical girls, freaks were also transformed from humans.
“It’s taken care of. Let’s go back.”
“Home time, home time!”
Su Lili hopped and skipped ahead of Su Ziling, clearly overjoyed.
—
Meanwhile, in another shadow of the Urban Village.
A figure dressed in strange black-and-red armor stood in the darkness between the buildings.
Lin Yizhou’s gaze pierced through the night, locked onto the two figures being taken away by Alliance personnel in the distance, his brows furrowed.
He turned his head slightly and spoke to the empty darkness beside him in a low, cold voice.
“Isn’t that one of your ‘Red Rose’ people?”
His fingertips tapped lightly on the armored gauntlet, producing crisp, cold sounds.
“How did they stoop to breaking into ATMs?”
Facing his question, a woman slowly emerged from the darkness, so gorgeous she seemed to carry thorns, making people dare not approach.
“Do you think everyone is a rich second-generation like you?” The woman said with a teasing smile. “Paying my subordinates’ salaries is really hard, you know. Standing here won’t get anything done. How about coming with me for a drink at the bar downstairs? We can talk while we drink?”
Lin Yizhou didn’t like this woman. He got straight to the point.
“If you have something to say to me, just say it directly. Don’t beat around the bush. My time is precious.”
Of course it was precious—it was almost eleven, and he still had daily quests for over a dozen games on his phone.
“As cold and aloof as ever.”
This woman seemed a bit helpless too.
“With such a lack of charm, even if you’re handsome, your luck with women will fly away.”
Lin Yizhou flatly refused her invitation.
“No need.”
Lin Yizhou’s answer was like a frozen hard stone.
“Just tell me what you need here.”
As they talked, the woman sat down next to Lin Yizhou, but he immediately moved aside.
“Your perfume is too strong. Stay away from me.”
“…”
Hearing this, even she, who could usually keep her composure, had a slightly stiff expression.
“Fine, just like the rumors say, a man with absolutely no sense of romance.”
The woman crossed her legs and continued speaking to Lin Yizhou.
“About that Shapeshifting Magical Girl, you should know, right?”
She pulled a card from between her chest, on which was printed a black-and-gold magical girl.
“That one has been pretty active lately, giving us a headache. The higher-ups need your ‘Ashes’ to investigate her background.”
At this point, her voice paused, and she spoke with a slightly teasing tone.
“Of course, I believe if you take it on, you could not only investigate but even directly confront and capture her. Facing such a cute magical girl… aren’t you tempted?”
“I only do the work I’m assigned.”
Implication: Lin Yizhou only investigates, won’t get too involved.
He had no interest in the conflicts between freak organizations and magical girls.