Looking at the admiring eyes of the two girls, Hong Lingyan felt a little proud too.
Although being respected as a powerful Ghost Cultivator at the Dongxu Stage was already commonplace for her,
But this kind of pure admiration from children always lifts one’s spirits, doesn’t it?
Suddenly, Hong Lingyan seemed to receive some information.
She nodded, murmuring thoughtfully:
“It seems that Bai family girl is quite decent after all. It wasn’t in vain that I used a clone to approach her.”
“Hm? Ling-jie, what are you talking about?”
Ling Xiaoyou didn’t hear Hong Lingyan clearly.
She only saw Hong Lingyan’s lips move slightly, as if she was saying something, so she asked curiously.
“It’s nothing.”
Hong Lingyan shook her head.
She had no intention of telling Ling Xiaoyou about using a clone to approach Bai Shuanglian.
After all, this kind of plot weirdly resembled those ‘I’ll give you a million, leave my son’ scenes in female-oriented novels.
Even though both of them were girls, and she wasn’t the type of vicious mother-in-law to say such things, there was still an odd sense of déjà vu.
“By the way, Xiaoyou, I have something for you.”
As she spoke, Hong Lingyan took out a Yupei from her Space Ring and handed it to Ling Xiaoyou.
“What is this, Ling-jie?”
Ling Xiaoyou took the Yupei handed over by Hong Lingyan and examined it.
This Yupei looked quite delicately crafted, with a crescent moon engraved on the front and the character ‘Ling’ on the back.
“This is a protective talisman for you. I originally wanted to give it to you when you came home for the holidays, but you ended up coming back to work today instead.”
Hong Lingyan rubbed Ling Xiaoyou’s small head, speaking in a helpless tone:
“Good thing nothing happened to you this time. If something really did, I’d be heartbroken!”
“If you encounter something like this again, remember to call for me immediately, understand?”
“Ehehe, I know, Ling-jie.”
Ling Xiaoyou understood that Hong Lingyan was worried about her and scratched her cheek shyly.
“And besides, I never thought that just answering a summoning would lead to such a ridiculous series of events.”
“Yeah, things really have been chaotic lately. I have no idea what these Devils are trying to do now.”
Hong Lingyan sighed softly.
“It looks like I’ll have to meet those old geezers again to discuss recent events.”
As she spoke, she paused, as if realizing something, then turned to Ling Xiaoyou:
“Alright, I still have things to deal with, so I’ll head back now, Xiaoyou.”
Then, Hong Lingyan pointed to the Yupei in Ling Xiaoyou’s hand.
“That Yupei can absorb spiritual energy from the surroundings to protect you. Of course, you can also infuse your own spiritual power to speed up the process.”
“But for now, there’s no need. I’ve already filled it with spiritual power for you. Hmm, it should be enough to withstand three attacks at the Lingshu Stage (the fourth realm of Ghost Cultivators). If you’re willing to let it shatter, it can even block a single attack at the Yin General Stage (the fifth realm of Ghost Cultivators).”
Hong Lingyan rattled off the explanation quickly.
Then, while Ling Xiaoyou was still processing, she waved her hand.
“I’ll go now. Remember to come back early, Xiaoyou.”
With that, Hong Lingyan disappeared from sight.
No trace remained.
“Ling-jie is in such a hurry? She must really have a lot to do.”
Ling Xiaoyou scratched her head, bewildered.
She’d rarely seen Hong Lingyan act in a rush.
After all, Hong Lingyan was a master slacker, always lazy about work.
This was the first time Ling Xiaoyou saw her so flustered.
But she didn’t dwell on it.
After all, as the Boss of the Ghostly Grievance Department, being busy was only natural.
Ling Xiaoyou turned her gaze to Xiaoyu, about to say something, when she heard a sound of something falling to the floor.
Immediately after, Bai Shuanglian’s familiar voice came:
“I’m back, Xiaoyou.”
“Oh, you’re back, Bai Shuanglian.”
Ling Xiaoyou deliberately put on an indifferent expression, just to annoy Bai Shuanglian.
But Bai Shuanglian only chuckled, ruffled her hair, and was immediately shaken off by Ling Xiaoyou.
Why does everyone like to touch my head!
Ling-jie does it, Sister Ming does it, and now even this annoying Bai Shuanglian is doing it!
She’s not a cat! Head pats don’t work on her!
Ling Xiaoyou pouted and stepped back, putting distance between herself and Bai Shuanglian.
Bai Shuanglian wasn’t angry.
She looked at Xiaoyu, who was watching her curiously.
Her gentle expression grew a little more distant, but not cold—just somewhat reserved.
“Your mother is fine now. She only suffered from blood loss and a bit of soul damage.”
“She’s receiving a transfusion at the Hospital. There’s no need to worry about her safety.”
“After some rest, she’ll recover.”
Hearing this, Xiaoyu—who was hiding behind Ling Xiaoyou, clinging to her waist with only half her head showing—brightened instantly.
She exclaimed in surprise:
“Really?! That’s great! Thank you, Bai Shuanglian-jie!”
“No need to thank me.”
Bai Shuanglian shook her head.
“I didn’t do anything. If you want to thank someone, thank the doctors.”
But Xiaoyu mimicked Bai Shuanglian’s gesture, shaking her head as well.
“But Bai Shuanglian-jie, you saved me from the Devil before, so I still have to thank you!”
“But in the end, it’s my fault the Devil did those things…”
“Alright, enough with the thank yous already!”
Hearing their back-and-forth, Ling Xiaoyou placed her hands on her hips.
“So fussy. It’s just a thank you.”
She looked at Xiaoyu, pointed at Bai Shuanglian.
“Come on, Xiaoyu, just thank her.”
Then she turned to Bai Shuanglian, making a face she thought was fierce.
“You, don’t talk!”
“Why is accepting a thank you so complicated?!”
Bai Shuanglian raised her hands in surrender.
“Fine, I won’t say a word.”
“That’s better!”
Ling Xiaoyou snorted in satisfaction and looked at Xiaoyu.
“Alright, Xiaoyu, you can thank her now.”
“…Okay!”
Xiaoyu blinked for a moment, then bowed solemnly to Bai Shuanglian.
Then, she looked curiously between Ling Xiaoyou and Bai Shuanglian, tilting her head.
“Bai Shuanglian-jie, are you henpecked?”