After Lu Liang cried himself to sleep, Lu Xiaoling expertly removed his clothes, stained and polluted by the sewage, and tossed them into a nearby basket to be washed later.
She effortlessly lifted Lu Liang onto her back and carefully laid him down on the bed.
Since Lu Xiaoling was preparing to apply for Magical Girl High School, she had been doing strength training regularly.
Despite her pure and cute appearance, her strength rivaled that of an adult.
Covering Lu Liang’s body with a quilt, Lu Xiaoling caught the scent on him and blushed deeply.
“Hehe, I’ve got big brother’s scent on me.”
Lu Xiaoling buried her small face in the bedding by Lu Liang’s bedside, rubbing it repeatedly like a hamster.
Her mouth opened and closed in a charming smile—not foolish, but adorable.
When Lu Xiaoling was very young, both her and Lu Liang’s parents had died in a tragic accident.
Over the years, it was Lu Liang who had defied everyone’s objections, working tirelessly to support her.
Without him, Lu Xiaoling would probably be living a half-starved life in some orphanage right now.
Thanks to Lu Liang’s care, her life these years was no worse than that of other kids with parents.
A big brother like a father, Lu Xiaoling always held a deep respect and trust for Lu Liang. But besides that, in her heart, there was a strange emotion she couldn’t quite put into words.
She didn’t know what this feeling was; she only vaguely sensed it wasn’t simply familial dependence.
Perhaps because she was still too young to understand what kind of feelings were swirling inside her.
But once she became a Magical Girl and had plenty of time and money, she would probably understand what she truly wanted.
“Big brother, can I give you a kiss?”
Without taking her eyes off Lu Liang’s face, Lu Xiaoling suddenly blurted out this sentence.
Lu Liang was sound asleep and naturally couldn’t respond, so Lu Xiaoling withdrew her previously naive demeanor and smiled slyly:
“Big brother, since you’re not answering, I’ll take that as a yes. Mua!”
She puckered her thin lips, about to plant a kiss on Lu Liang’s cheek, but stopped just before contact.
“I can’t do that though, after all, you and I are family.”
Lu Xiaoling murmured to herself, her expression tinged with loneliness and regret.
She wanted to stay with Lu Liang a little longer, but time wouldn’t wait. What time was it now… hmm? Four thirty?
Startled, Lu Xiaoling froze for a moment.
There was a famous saying in education circles—Three Win Four Lose.
It meant that if a student only slept three hours a day, she had a chance to get into Magical Girl High School.
If she slept four hours, she could only get into a Key High School.
Although Lu Xiaoling hadn’t slept at all today, she had subconsciously counted the time she spent being close to her brother as sleep time.
Now, at half past four, she still hadn’t left for school. This was very bad behavior—slacking off!
“I don’t want to slack off just because I slept an extra hour and end up only getting into a Key High School!”
Panicking, Lu Xiaoling hurriedly gathered her things and prepared to leave.
Her brother had worked tirelessly day and night for her; she absolutely couldn’t disappoint him!
With all her Equipment ready, Lu Xiaoling dashed out the door but stopped just before leaving.
Her movements suddenly softened and slowed, as gentle and beautiful as the moon hanging quietly in the sky.
“Big brother, I’m off to school now. See you again early tomorrow morning.”
She stuck out her tongue and gently closed the door behind her.
Inside the room, moonlight poured over Lu Liang, pure and beautiful.
Ding ding ding ding ding!
“Damn! It’s already 5:30!”
Lu Liang was startled awake by a string of phone calls. When he woke, he realized it was already five in the morning. Lu Xiaoling had long since left for school.
Lu Liang, oh Lu Liang, you’ve slacked off.
Regretting this, he scolded himself inwardly.
In the working world, there was a saying—Three Survive, Four Die.
It meant that if an ordinary worker only slept three hours a day, he could keep his whole family alive.
But if he slept four hours, his whole family would probably starve.
Though somewhat exaggerated, this perfectly described Lu Liang’s current situation.
Lu Xiaoling’s Entrance Examination was this year, and yet he hadn’t saved enough money for Magical Girl High School.
Time was precious! Not a single second could be wasted!
Lu Liang quickly dressed and prepared to go out to work.
Ding ding ding ding ding!
At that moment, his phone rang again. Flustered, he quickly opened it to check the caller ID.
The caller was saved as “Flat-Lying.”
It was Him! Why was He calling now?
Lu Liang’s heart jumped. The caller was exactly as he had labeled him—a flat-lying individual who insisted on getting seven hours of sleep every day and often preached about scientific sleep quality.
But if that were all, Lu Liang wouldn’t have saved his contact.
Flat-Lying was also an Information Broker!
His methods of gathering intelligence were strange yet remarkably accurate.
The news about Tentacle Monsters in the Subway had come from him.
“Ah Liang, why are you answering the phone only now!”
As soon as the call connected, a neutral voice, encrypted with Ai Encryption, came through:
“Don’t you see what time it is?”
“Sorry, I’ve slacked off.” Lu Liang said shamefully.
“Why are you calling me?”
“Hehe, did you make any big money in the Subway yesterday?”
His tone was lecherous.
The mention of this made Lu Liang inexplicably angry.
Big money? He hadn’t earned anything, in fact, he had lost 200 yuan!
“No.”
Lu Liang coldly snorted the two words through his nose.
“No worries. Today I have good news for you.”
His voice suddenly became excited.
“I’ve got reliable information—a new type of Insectoid Monster has appeared in the Subway! There are many of them, but they’re low threat. Even rookies like you, a Scavenger Rookie, can catch a bunch.”
“And there’s a company on the Black Market putting out bounties. They’re offering 100 yuan per captured common Monster, and if you catch a Zerg Queen, you can earn at least 400,000 yuan!”
Four hundred thousand!
Lu Liang was shocked by the figure. Of course he was tempted.
But Monsters in the Subway? Yesterday there were only two killed, right?
Could they be reinforcements coming for revenge?
Though tempted, Lu Liang also felt worried.
He had fought against Magical Girls and knew their madness.
Now, with so many Monsters in the Subway, the Magical Girl Association must have noticed.
Even though Lu Liang had the Transformation Ability and could protect himself, using it would automatically deduct his current money…
Sensing Lu Liang’s worry, the voice on the other end added:
“Ah Liang, I know what you’re worried about, but don’t worry. Most Magical Girls, like me, value scientific sleep.”
“So, you still have a chance.”
Oh right! How had he forgotten that!
Lu Liang suddenly realized that as a caste above Civil Servants, Magical Girls didn’t have strict working hours.
Except for a few workaholic Magical Girls desperately chasing performance, most of them worked from 8 AM to 5 PM and lived a rather flat-lying life.
“These lazy bugs.”
Envious, Lu Liang for the first time in his life was grateful that Magical Girls worked late.
“Alright, what reward do you want?”
While preparing his gear, Lu Liang hurriedly asked.
“Same as before. If you get something good, remember to sell it to me first. Hehe.”