X
Having listened to Liu Xingluo’s personal account of the day’s bizarre events, Liu Ruyan fell into a profound silence, her brow furrowed deep in thought.
“Sister, are you alright?”
Never before had Liu Ruyan displayed such an expression, prompting Liu Xingluo to inquire with genuine concern.
“Do I truly look ‘alright’ to you?”
Even though she had previously heard about the outrageous incidents Liu Xingluo had faced, Liu Ruyan now found herself questioning the very sanity of the world. ‘Am I truly still living in reality?’ she wondered, ‘Or am I merely a virtual NPC created by someone else?’ The very concept of “princesses” felt utterly alien; could such beings genuinely belong in her mundane life?
“Indeed, you don’t look it. But fear not, Sister. Just continue living your life as you always have; I will protect you, ensuring those princesses never lay a hand on you.”
Understanding Liu Ruyan’s difficulty in processing such overwhelming information, Liu Xingluo gently patted her shoulder. ‘They’re merely princesses,’ she mused internally. ‘I, along with the other Superhumans, can handle this. When humanity unites, there is no problem beyond our reach, just as we repelled the massive invasion of Evolved Beasts thirteen years ago.’
“Ah, Xiao Luo, your words bring me great comfort. Yet, you must also remain vigilant about your own safety. If these princesses are truly as formidable as described, even victory will come at the cost of tragic and substantial casualties. Promise me you won’t perish in the fray.”
Hearing her somewhat immature younger sibling declare a desire to protect her naturally filled Liu Ruyan with warmth. Simultaneously, however, a gnawing worry persisted: Liu Xingluo’s youthful impetuosity might well lead to her demise in the battles to come. After all, combating Evolved Beasts was an inherently perilous undertaking, and if these princesses were truly as powerful as rumored, engaging them in combat would undoubtedly elevate the risk to an unprecedented degree.
“That worry is quite unnecessary, Sister. Setting aside my own capabilities, do I not also possess a powerful friend who will safeguard my life? You will protect me, won’t you, Lain?”
“Indeed. Protecting Her Royal Highness is my solemn duty, and the very essence of my existence.”
After all, Lain’s singular mission was to protect Liu Xingluo, the youngest princess. He had been created for this very purpose.
Yet, one crucial detail remained unspoken: he was forbidden from intervening when Liu Xingluo engaged other princesses in combat. This stricture was an explicit command issued by the deity who had first brought him into being as a familiar.
“If that’s truly the case, then I can finally rest easy. All right, let’s begin packing your belongings. You’ll soon be living alone far away, so ensure you get ample rest, and without me by your side, promise to take good care of yourself.”
Though she had never witnessed Liu Xingluo and Lain in battle, Liu Ruyan was swayed by her sibling’s unwavering confidence. Believing wholeheartedly in her abilities, she proceeded to help pack the necessities for Liu Xingluo’s impending solitary life.
Even if her belief faltered, it would change nothing. The arrival of the princesses was an ineluctable event, and as a government-affiliated Superhuman, Liu Xingluo was destined to confront them sooner or later. As an older sister, all Liu Ruyan could do was place her trust in her younger sibling.
Yet, the prospect of Liu Xingluo living alone filled Liu Ruyan with profound anxiety. She worried endlessly about the living conditions there. Would Liu Xingluo reside by herself, or with other Superhumans? Moreover, in her current female form, did she even comprehend the nuances of daily life as a girl? Could she manage a proper bath on her own? Would she be able to blow-dry her hair? The myriad practicalities of independent living plagued Liu Ruyan’s mind, leaving her utterly unsettled. If only she had more time, she wished, to properly instruct Liu Xingluo on how to navigate life as a young woman before sending her off to live far away.
“Is a girl’s life truly this troublesome?”
Unable to quell her anxieties, Liu Ruyan diligently imparted as much of her life experience as possible to Liu Xingluo. Yet, merely listening to a fraction of it was enough to make Liu Xingluo’s head spin.
‘This girl’s life is simply too much bother,’ Liu Xingluo thought, exasperated. If not for the fact that she could only function effectively in her current form, she would have instantly reverted to her original state.
“That’s precisely how a girl’s life is,” Liu Ruyan explained. “Did you imagine it would be as simple and carefree as when you were a boy?”
“Alas…”
Faced with this reality, Liu Xingluo could only offer a helpless sigh. There was no alternative; if she was to maintain her female form long-term, she absolutely had to master these intricacies. After all, Liu Xingluo had no desire to see her remarkably beautiful self devolve into a frumpy, ‘huanglianpo’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term referring to an unkempt or neglected woman, often a wife, who has lost her youthful beauty due to household drudgery or lack of self-care) due to a lack of diligence in daily life, regardless of whether her inner self identified as male or female.
“Alright, I’ve taught you enough for now. It’s grown quite late, and you must be feeling hungry, aren’t you? Shall we go out for a bite to eat?”
By the time darkness had fully enveloped the outside world, Liu Ruyan had successfully imparted to Liu Xingluo all the essential life skills she believed a young woman simply *must* master.
As for Liu Xingluo, she now felt a profound dizziness washing over her. This sensation, however, stemmed not from hunger, but from the sheer volume and disarray of the information Liu Ruyan had presented; in such a short span, she found herself utterly incapable of processing the knowledge her sister had so diligently shared.
“My stomach isn’t really hungry… In fact, sensations like hunger and thirst have never once manifested in this female form.”
She pondered if this peculiar phenomenon was due to a portion of her current body no longer being entirely human. Whatever the reason, Liu Xingluo simply no longer experienced the pangs of hunger.
“Oh? Is that truly the case?”
Liu Xingluo had eaten only breakfast that morning, consuming nothing since but a single glass of iced tea. Despite this, she claimed no hunger. Could this be an effect of her Evolved Beast physiology?
“It’s true. Still, let’s go out for a meal. You must be hungry, Sister, aren’t you? After all, eating isn’t solely about satiating hunger; savoring the flavors is an equally vital experience. Come on, Sister.”
Even without hunger, Liu Xingluo yearned for something delectable to indulge herself. More importantly, she simply couldn’t bear to listen to her sister’s incessant lecturing any longer. Perhaps a meal out together would serve as a welcome distraction, allowing them to pass the time more pleasantly.
“Lain, we’re heading out to eat. Will you be joining us?”
“Naturally. It is imperative that I constantly safeguard Her Royal Highness’s safety.”
“In that case, please return to my shadow for now. Emerge only when I summon you.”
Lain’s attire was undeniably flamboyant; allowing him to openly accompany them would inevitably draw a multitude of curious stares.
Liu Xingluo, already self-conscious about her female appearance, wished to avoid drawing attention, yet her striking beauty naturally attracted numerous glances. Even these alone made her feel somewhat uneasy. Add Lain’s inevitable magnetism into the mix, and… well, Liu Xingluo might just find herself diving under Liu Ruyan’s skirt to escape the overwhelming scrutiny.
“Understood.”
Lain complied, dissolving into the depths of Liu Xingluo’s shadow.
“Oh?!”
Witnessing this spectacle, Liu Ruyan gasped, an incredulous sound escaping her lips. Though Liu Xingluo had indeed mentioned Lain’s ability to freely enter and exit her shadow, observing it firsthand was an entirely different, utterly astonishing experience.
“There’s really nothing to be surprised about, Sister. Hadn’t I already informed you that he could conceal himself within my shadow?”
“You certainly did tell me, but experiencing it firsthand truly is a world apart.”
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