Su Mu tore herself from the dreamscape in a flurry, yanking off the device with every intention of throttling Tang Nai.
Only then did she learn it was all a jest.
“But I couldn’t help noticing how shaken you were,” Tang Nai teased, her voice light but probing.
“Don’t tell me you’ve lived through something like that yourself?”
“None of your business,” Su Mu snapped, her tone clipped.
“Come on, spill a little. It’ll help us look out for you better, you know.”
Tang Nai’s persistence was relentless, her grin promising to pester until she got answers.
Su Mu let out a defeated sigh, her voice low and grudging.
“Fine. I haven’t had it that bad, but I’ve got a mother who’s… similar, let’s say.”
“Oh, I see! So, our Su Mu’s the type who needs a little extra love, huh? Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to shower you with care from now on.”
“Pass!” Su Mu shot back, her cheeks flushing.
Her thoughts drifted to the fragments she’d glimpsed in the dreamscape, a pang of melancholy settling in her chest.
Should she share them with Luo Jialan?
The weight of those revelations felt too heavy, too raw, to voice.
It seemed almost wrong for her to be the one to speak them aloud.
“That wasn’t Ning Xi’s dreamscape anymore,” she murmured, half to herself.
“The entire second layer belonged to Luo Linglan. That’s… not how it’s supposed to work, right?”
Tang Nai shrugged, her casual tone betraying her ignorance “‘Beats me. I’m no expert on dreamscapes.”
Su Mu’s lips pursed in frustration.
She had to admit, her handful of dives into the dreamscape left her barely more knowledgeable than a novice.
“Those two memories you saw,” Tang Nai continued, “they had something in common. You picked up on that, didn’t you?”
“Yeah,” Su Mu replied, her voice tentative.
“They were both about her father, right?”
Tang Nai’s brow arched slightly.
“Well, sort of. But that’s not the point. In a dreamscape, it’s not the people that matter most—it’s the emotions they carry. In both those memories, one emotion stood out, sharp and searing: hatred.”
Su Mu nodded slowly, half-grasping the idea, then suddenly slapped her forehead.
“I think I get it!”
Tang Nai’s eyes glinted with amusement.
“Oh? Enlighten me.”
It was clear from her smirk that she knew Su Mu hadn’t quite cracked it, but she was eager to hear what wild theory she’d concoct—like listening to a kindergartener spin a fantastical tale.
“Ning Xi embodies the part of Luo Linglan that turned dark,” Su Mu declared.
“That’s why the other Ning Xi test subjects function normally, but she rebelled so fiercely and broke free.”
Tang Nai stifled a laugh.
As expected, Su Mu’s “epiphany” was a charming mix of insight and nonsense.
“Okay, but answer me this: Luo Linglan was always by Little Lando’s side before her fall. So why wasn’t she in those memories?”
Su Mu faltered.
“Uh…”
“Sorry, little Su Mu, no gold star for you today,” Tang Nai teased.
“But don’t worry, I’ll still take good care of you.”
“I’m not a kindergartener!” Su Mu huffed, her cheeks puffing out in indignation.
“Fine, then what’s your theory?”
Tang Nai leaned in, her voice dropping conspiratorially.
“If I’m right, Luo Linglan’s memories are split by core emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, fear, love, hate, desire. Each emotion is assigned to a different test subject. But with Number Six Ning Xi, someone meddled. They stuffed both hate and desire into one vessel, making her far stronger than intended.”
Su Mu’s mind finally clicked into gear, following Tang Nai’s logic.
“That… makes sense. Wait, yeah, that tracks! But—does it?”
Her thoughts were a tangle, her left brain wrestling with her right.
“Got a question?” Tang Nai prompted.
“What about Number Zero Ning Xi? You know, Ning Ling—the cheap apprentice you used to mess with me. What’s her deal?”
Tang Nai’s smile turned cryptic, her voice a whisper.
“Who knows? But isn’t there another key player in this mess who hasn’t shown up yet?”
***
When Mi Xian handed over the intelligence on Motes to Edma, the regal blonde loli raised a delicate brow, a rare flicker of confusion crossing her face.
“Where did you get this? Even I find the magical girls’ secrecy a headache.”
Mi Xian studied Edma’s expression cautiously, weighing how much she could fudge the truth.
Edma was nestled comfortably in the embrace of the older woman beside her, seemingly too distracted to press further.
A little omission wouldn’t hurt, right?
“The magical girls told me themselves,” Mi Xian said smoothly.
“Apparently, this Motes is very eager for your revenge.”
“Is she now?” Edma’s lips curled into a faint, enigmatic smile.
“Well, I’m looking forward to it. I hope she’s prepared.”
Mi Xian bit back a retort.
Edma’s excitement didn’t exactly scream “battle-ready warrior.”
Still, there was no mistaking her intent: she was plotting to crush Motes and reclaim what was hers.
‘Once I’ve got that woman pinned, then I’ll figure out what comes next,’ Edema mused.
‘Her place better be spacious.’
“She thinks she’s got me figured out?” Edma scoffed, her voice dripping with draconic pride.
“Pathetic. She has no idea how powerful I’ve become, wielding two concepts at once.”
Her arrogance seeped from her petite frame, though her cute appearance drew a soft giggle from the older woman, who gently stroked her head.
Edma, the imperious dragon queen, melted under the touch, her eyes fluttering shut as if her very soul had reshaped into that of a little girl.
Mi Xian watched, dumbfounded.
‘Is this what happens when a monster’s core gets corrupted?’
She silently vowed never to fall so far.
Just as she thought she’d escaped scrutiny, Edma’s voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding.
“By the way, Mi Xian, I’ve noticed you get awfully fidgety whenever we discuss something important. That’s not good. You know I used to be quite fond of you. I’m pleased you didn’t lie just now—so let’s keep that loyalty intact, shall we?”
The words pierced like needles, sending a chill down Mi Xian’s spine.
‘She’s onto me?’ Her mind raced.
‘All those other monster cadres dash off to the bathroom, and they’re fine. But you—you’ve got your eye on me, don’t you?’
“I’ll… make sure to plan ahead next time,” Mi Xian mumbled, retreating with a vague excuse.
Edma’s lazy dragon eyes cracked open, locking onto Mi Xian’s slender retreating figure.
‘Once my revenge is complete, I might indulge in some old hobbies,’ she thought.
‘I hope you’re smart enough to stay in line, Mi Xian.’
***
In the cozy warmth of the coffee shop, the night air crackled with energy.
“Little Mu!” Ye Wanqing burst in, her voice brimming with excitement as she hauled a clattering box to the sofa area.
She plopped down beside Su Mu, startling the poor girl so badly her handheld console flew from her grip.
And with that fumble, something “questionable” lingered on the screen.
“Hey, hold up!” Ye Wanqing grinned mischievously.
“I definitely saw something juicy. What’re you hiding from me?”
Su Mu scrambled to retrieve her console, forcing a sheepish laugh.
“Nothing! Just… low on inspiration lately, so I was doing some research.”
‘Irina, Genius Girl, has crashed.’
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