Chapter 52: Why Did I So Naturally Accept Bai Shuanglian?!

“Hey, is it really okay not to let kids sleep? She went through so much tonight, shouldn’t she get some rest and relax?”

Xiaoyu was cheering, while Ling Xiaoyou pulled Bai Shuanglian to her side and asked in a low voice.

“I know you’re worried about Xiaoyu’s health.”

Bai Shuanglian nodded, looked at Xiaoyu, then at Ling Xiaoyou.

“But this child is still worried about her mother. Even if she lies down, she won’t be able to sleep.”

“So rather than letting her overthink things in bed, it’s better to distract her. Maybe she’ll fall asleep before she knows it.”

After hearing this, Ling Xiaoyou finally nodded in understanding, a look of realization on her face.

“So that’s it. I didn’t consider all that. I thought you were just saying things without thinking.”

Bai Shuanglian: “?”

She reached out her right hand and flicked Ling Xiaoyou lightly on the forehead.

“Do you really think I’m the type to speak without thinking?”

“What kind of image do you have of me in your mind?”

“The image I have of you?”

Although Bai Shuanglian’s flick had no real strength—more like a gentle tap—Ling Xiaoyou still instinctively rubbed her forehead.

She glanced at Bai Shuanglian, who looked both exasperated and curious, and thought for a moment.

“Um… probably a super pervert who likes petite girls like me!”

“What else could it be?”

Bai Shuanglian fell silent.

She stared at the smug little expression on Ling Xiaoyou’s face that seemed to say, ‘That’s what I think, what can you do about it?’

Then she leaned down, bringing her face close to Ling Xiaoyou’s ear.

Ling Xiaoyou thought Bai Shuanglian was going to whisper something to her and listened carefully.

Suddenly, she felt something warm, soft, and wet lick her ear.

In an instant, her confusion turned to shame and disbelief.

Ling Xiaoyou scooted back, face red, trembling as she glared at Bai Shuanglian.

“Y-y-you… what are you doing?!”

“A surprise attack like that!”

“Weren’t you the one who said I was a super pervert?”

Bai Shuanglian smiled sweetly, as if what she did was perfectly normal.

“Then I can only act as a pervert should!”

“You!”

Ling Xiaoyou’s little hand shook as she pointed at Bai Shuanglian, wanting to scold her.

But with Xiaoyu nearby, it wasn’t right to curse, and she felt that if she really did, this despicable pervert might actually take it as a reward.

“Come on, Xiaoyu, let’s watch TV to relax, before some pervert ruins our mood.”

Forcing herself to calm down, she huffed and led the clueless Xiaoyu—who watched the two older girls bicker with wide eyes—away.

In the Living Room, where the Television was set up, Ling Xiaoyou told Xiaoyu to sit on the Sofa and wait, then went to turn on the Television herself.

“Um… how do you turn this thing on?”

Ling Xiaoyou stared at the screen, which was blue with the words ‘Network unable to connect to Server’ displayed.

She looked utterly lost.

She hadn’t used a Television in years.

In her memory, wasn’t a TV supposed to work without a Network?

She fumbled with the Remote Control, pressing random buttons, but still couldn’t figure it out.

“Let me do it.”

As she struggled, Bai Shuanglian appeared beside her.

She casually took the Remote Control from Ling Xiaoyou’s hand and, with a few presses, fixed the no-signal Television.

“Eh? That’s it?”

Ling Xiaoyou stared at Bai Shuanglian in surprise.

“Yeah. You just hadn’t connected to the Network. Once you do, it works.”

Bai Shuanglian nodded, handing back the Remote Control.

Ling Xiaoyou took it back, but for some reason felt a bit uncomfortable.

“Xiaoyu, what do you want to watch?”

Ling Xiaoyou glanced at the dazzling options on the screen and asked Xiaoyu, who was swinging her legs on the Sofa.

“Um, I want to watch !”

After a moment’s thought, Xiaoyu declared excitedly.

“Eh? Be careful, watching that might make it hard to sleep at night.”

Ling Xiaoyou warned, hands on her hips.

“It’s fine! Pen Fairy Sister, you’re here, so I won’t be scared!”

Xiaoyu replied confidently.

Seeing this, Ling Xiaoyou didn’t argue further.

She didn’t bother to explain the difference between horror movies and reality.

After all, if kids don’t watch a horror movie or two, can they really call it a complete childhood?

As she searched for , Ling Xiaoyou still felt something was off.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bai Shuanglian walking toward the Sofa and realized.

That’s it! Bai Shuanglian!

Then, a wave of embarrassment hit her.

Why did she appear beside me so naturally?

And helped me fix the TV!

Are we just pretending that didn’t happen?

And more importantly…

Why did I accept her presence so naturally without feeling anything wrong?!

Ling Xiaoyou’s hand froze on the Remote Control as the started playing on the screen.

But she couldn’t focus, her heart in turmoil.

It must be because I’ve been around Bai Shuanglian too much, so I stopped rejecting her instinctively!

That has to be it!

Ling Xiaoyou put down the Remote Control, determination rising in her heart.

I can’t let this continue!

We’re supposed to be enemies! Being this close makes no sense!

I have to keep my distance from Bai Shuanglian!

Yes! That’s right!

You can do it, Xiaoyou! Stay away from that wicked Bai Shuanglian!

Cheering herself on, Ling Xiaoyou walked toward the Sofa.

Next, I’ll sit on the other end, with Xiaoyu between us.

That way, I can put some distance between us!

This is a good start to drawing the line with Bai Shuanglian!

Just as Ling Xiaoyou was thinking this, she saw Bai Shuanglian smiling and waving her over, patting the seat next to her, inviting her to sit.

Still filled with fighting spirit, Ling Xiaoyou sat down right next to Bai Shuanglian—so close their shoulders touched.