As usual, Luo You arrived at the gym to clock in for work.
However, the front desk was crowded with a bunch of coaches, chattering away.
The manager stood in the middle of the group, surrounded by a horde of muscular men, flustered and explaining helplessly like a trapped little lamb.
“What are you all talking about? Isn’t there anyone to train the students?”
Curious, Luo You edged closer.
A familiar fitness coach greeted her, “Oh, it’s Sister You You! Listen, the bastard Manager Gou told us the gym is going to be acquired.”
“Huh? Acquired!?”
The odds of the place you work being acquired were as slim as your home being slated for demolition.
But the difference was—at least demolition came with compensation, while if your workplace was acquired, you’d get nothing at all.
“I only just started working yesterday. There’s no way I’d get fired after two days, right?”
Luo You shouted.
With the cute girl speaking up, the atmosphere immediately surged, and everyone started clamoring for an explanation.
The manager was sweating profusely.
If he didn’t give a clear answer soon, the muscular guys on the third floor would come down and give him a lesson.
“Everyone calm down! Actually, this is still under negotiation! I only heard some rumors! It’s no use asking me!”
The crowd wasn’t buying it.
“Then bring out the Boss!”
“Who’s the bastard trying to buy us out? I don’t want to even see them!”
“I want to use muscle to convince them!”
At that moment, the manager’s phone buzzed with a message.
“Good news, everyone! The so-called acquisition is just a management reshuffle!”
“What does that mean?”
“It means our business stays the same. We do what we’ve always done; it’s just a new Boss now!”
“Oh, that’s a relief.”
The crowd quickly dispersed—came fast, went fast.
Luo You breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, it was just a management change, so she wouldn’t be unemployed.
If she lost her job, she’d have to live off selling the dozen or so properties she bought back in her days with the Irregular Organization.
That would be just too ~~ tragic!
“Luo You You, hold on a second.”
The manager suddenly called out to her.
“What is it?”
Luo You joked, “Don’t tell me the new management has their eye on me and wants to make me some secretary with nothing to do?”
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
The smile on Luo You’s face gradually faded.
No way, right?
“No, no, you’ll still be a coach here, but the gym’s focus will shift a bit.”
“Focus shift? What do you mean?”
“Well, look at the gym’s vibe now—it’s still normal, anyone can come. But the new management seems to have outsourced the second floor to a certain group.”
Hearing this, Luo You more or less understood.
In simple terms, it was like some company bought a membership card for the gym, and their employees could come work out for free whenever.
“So what does that have to do with me staying?”
“Well, there has to be a resident coach on the second floor, so I want you to mainly take charge of that floor. You don’t have to worry about the rest.”
“I see…”
Luo You thought it over—it seemed okay.
Just a change of location, and those people probably wouldn’t come often, so she’d have more free time.
The manager went on, “Also, don’t take any new students. I don’t think you’ll have the energy. That An Jiu’er can go with you to the second floor.”
“Sure.”
Luo You agreed without hesitation.
Such a good deal—there was no reason not to accept.
“Does An Jiu’er have an appointment with you today?”
“No.”
“All right, the management is still negotiating some details with the acquirers, so you’ll be pretty free these next couple of days. If you can, go catch some people over at the food street.”
“Oh~~”
Luo You’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
Catch people, huh? That was her favorite thing—no one was better at it than her!
The food street was a real cancer—so close to the gym, and the delicious smells drifting far and wide caused many gym regulars to fall into temptation, abandoning workouts, their muscles withering, bodies ballooning.
At critical moments, someone had to pull these lost lambs back.
Back when, Luo You used to catch more than twenty people during her commutes. Everyone was afraid of her—it was perfect for her to handle this job.
“All right, I’m going now.”
Luo You grabbed the student list and left, moving fast, afraid the manager might change his mind.
Though he said “go catch people,” what she actually did was up to her. Even if she went elsewhere, no one would know.
***
“The food street is really crowded today.”
The flow of people was so dense that there was barely any space to move—at least twice the usual.
Luo You stood at the entrance, unable to push through.
“Wow… with this crowd, even I’d have a hard time catching people. Is there some event today?”
The food street was a major contributor to Huahai City’s revenue and close to the city center, so events were often held to attract crowds.
Luo You had run into this more than once.
No choice, she’d try somewhere else.
Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly collided with someone.
No, it was someone who bumped into her, sending her sprawling onto her backside.
“Sorry! Are you okay—…”
Hearing that familiar voice, Luo You looked up.
It was Lu Zi Ning, who should have been at school but was here instead.
“L-L-Lu Lu Lu Lu Ning!? Aren’t you supposed to be working?”
Lu Zi Ning panicked and stepped back repeatedly.
She looked like a kid who’d done something wrong, eyes darting everywhere.
Luo You had never seen her so flustered.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at school right now?”
“Th-The Teacher told me to come out and buy some things! The school anniversary is coming up! Ahahaha…”
“…Forget it. As long as your grades are good, I don’t care if you skip class. No need to be so nervous.”
“It’s not skipping class!”
Luo You shrugged—it didn’t matter if she denied it or not.
“Since we’ve bumped into each other, want to hang out for a bit?” she invited.
“Uh! N-No thanks! I’ll be back soon after I buy the things! Dad, you shouldn’t slack off at work either! Hurry home! So many people here, there’ll definitely be criminals watching you, ready to drag you off as Star Fury! So hurry home! Bye!”
Usually clingy, Lu Zi Ning actually rejected the invitation and turned to leave, disappearing into the crowd before Luo You could stop her.
Though she was still full of nonsense.
“What’s with that? In her mouth, I’m either some womanizing scoundrel or being constantly taken as Star Fury? Does she really not want me around?”
Luo You shook her head and started to leave.
But as she turned, her eyes caught the billboard at the food street entrance.
—Huahai City Magical Girl Concert! Opens at 10:00! Don’t miss it!
“No wonder there are so many people.”
Magical Girls who weren’t on the front lines, besides daily city protection duties, also had the social responsibility of entering entertainment to bridge the gap between themselves and ordinary people.
This was their way of survival.
With the Irregular Organization monopolizing official media, entertainment was the only way for Magical Girls to be known by the public.
Most Magical Girls followed the local idol route; a few who went viral got on TV shows, gained popularity, and eventually were invited to the Spring Festival Gala.
“A Magical Girl concert, huh? Maybe I should check it out…? Huh?”
Luo You’s gaze suddenly landed on a line of text on the billboard.
—New Magical Girl, Little Red Riding Hood! Shining debut! Everyone give a warm cheer!
Below was a silhouette shrouded in shadows, leaving plenty of mystery.
“…That must be Zi Ning, right?”
Luo You’s smile slowly twisted into something almost sinister.