Chapter 16: A Life of Dualities and Unspoken Burdens

After her first mission as a Magical Girl concluded, Jin Shiling’s life superficially reverted to its familiar routine over the next few days. She once again became the ordinary, academically brilliant student who always greeted others with a smile at school. Yet, she knew that beneath this seemingly unchanging facade, certain transformations had subtly taken root.

Sitting in the classroom, she would occasionally recall the sights she had witnessed within the school overrun by Corroders. Everyone within her gaze had been weeping silently, their emotions of sorrow and anguish spreading like a virulent plague, forming a stark contrast to the peaceful scene before her.

Such tranquil, peaceful living was hard-won, and she, therefore, felt a profounder sense of responsibility as a Magical Girl.

Every day after school, when Jin Shiling opened her phone, she would find scores of messages in the Magical Girls’ group chat, most of which were predominantly sent by Cheng Zhenzhen. Through their exchanges over these past few days, she had also gained deeper insights into many matters.

Even during her first encounter with Cheng Zhenzhen, Jin Shiling had noticed her light brown short hair. At the time, she had been curious which school would permit students to dye their hair; it was only now that she realized it was Cheng Zhenzhen’s natural hair color.

Asherah, a hybrid of a serval, leopard cat, and domestic cat, is known as the world’s “largest, most precious, and most unique” domestic cat. This was Cheng Zhenzhen’s name as a Magical Girl, and the aforementioned description of the cat aptly elucidated some of her unique traits.

“My grandfather is from F-country, so my dad has half F-country blood. And my maternal grandmother is from K-country, so Mom also has half K-country blood. So, as Dad and Mom’s child, me… now, how exactly does that add up for me?”

Cheng Zhenzhen in the voice message began counting on her fingers, muttering to herself as she calculated.

‘So that’s it, an Asherah cat. What a complicated family tree, though.’

Cheng Zhenzhen currently attended Jingping University Affiliated High School, a top-ranked key high school located near the city center. As for how Cheng Zhenzhen, who struggled academically, managed to get into such a prestigious school, the answer was quite simple.

“Senior, senior! This is the medal I won last time! How about it? I told you I’d definitely win this time! Senior, I’m amazing, right!”

Just by listening to her voice, Jin Shiling could perfectly imagine Cheng Zhenzhen on the other side of the screen, wearing an expression that clearly sought praise. In such moments, Jin Shiling would typically send a praising emoji, and the concern and approval from Polaris would then arrive as scheduled.

Clicking on the image below, she saw a genuine medal hanging around Cheng Zhenzhen’s neck. From it, one could almost hear the cheers and applause from the arena, and envision the sweat-drenched figure crossing the finish line, that very moment captured by countless camera flashes.

The track and field club’s sprint ace—so Cheng Zhenzhen possessed this additional identity.

To have one’s own interests and dreams, to derive a sense of accomplishment and motivation from them, which in turn nurtured those dreams, to bear the weight of expectations under the gaze of many, and to reap the fruit of victory—in that moment, anyone would feel like the sole protagonist in the world.

****

“Snacks?”

“Hmm? What is it?”

Jin Shiling instinctively pressed the lock button on her phone, then looked up at her friend.

“We should be saying that to you, shouldn’t we? You’ve had such a solemn expression since just now. Are you alright?”

‘Me? A solemn expression?’

Noticing several pairs of concerned eyes, Jin Shiling incredulously glanced down. Through the completely dark phone screen, she indeed saw a blurred, somewhat unfamiliar face.

‘Such an expression should not be one I’m wearing.’

“I’m fine.”

Setting her phone down, Jin Shiling seized the ice-cold cola from the table, allowing the chilly liquid to surge through the straw into her slightly aching chest. A response quickly conjured itself in her mind.

“I was just thinking about the parent-teacher conference.”

At her words, the atmosphere at the table indeed shifted once more. Although she was still the subject of the conversation, Jin Shiling at least held absolute initiative on this particular topic.

Within this group, despite the existence of competition in subjects and scores, the bond that sustained these girls’ relationships was, in truth, a genuinely precious friendship.

They were already aware of Jin Shiling’s family situation and had long suspected her distress regarding the parent-teacher conference. Therefore, when she herself brought it up, even though Jin Shiling’s tone and expression reverted to her usual relaxed demeanor, this act was, in their eyes, equivalent to baring her wounds. For a moment, no one dared to delve deeper into the topic, fearing they might inflict further pain upon her.

Facing the brief silence she had caused, Jin Shiling’s gaze fell upon a droplet of water slowly sliding down the cup. Then, mimicking a teacher who clapped their hands to rouse sleepy students after the first class following lunch break, she clapped her own.

“Oh come on, why are you all so serious? It’s not a big deal! You weren’t even this focused when we were taking the test just now.”

As she spoke, Jin Shiling leaned forward, reaching out to flip back two pages of a workbook placed in the center of the table. Pointing at a major problem, she leaned closer to the girl beside her.

“Milk Green, you were the only one who solved this problem completely! Everyone bought you milk tea, so won’t you explain it to your sisters first?”

Seeing the topic directed at her, the girl named Li Nailu, nicknamed ‘Milk Green’, immediately understood and accepted it. Following this prompt, she began explaining her problem-solving approach, and everyone’s attention returned to the problem at hand.

“How about it? Isn’t my method much easier to understand than the one Old Chen taught today?~”

The girl proudly shook her milk tea cup, letting the ice cubes and nata de coco scrape against the cup walls, creating crisp sounds.

“Your solution is excellent, but it’s mine now.”

“Excellent. The now-worthless Milk Green is no longer needed.”

Facing Li Nailu, who piteously looked at her, Jin Shiling, smiling, patted her shoulder.

“You’ve worked hard, Milk Green. You may go now.”

“W-wait, you heartless, unfeeling, ungrateful wretches who burn bridges after crossing them! How dare you toy with an innocent maiden’s feelings like this!”

The girl’s wail was enveloped by a burst of laughter, and under such an incredibly harmonious atmosphere, the hour after school swiftly passed.

“Well then, everyone, see you next week?”

“Bye-bye, see you next week.”

“Bye—”

“See you Monday.”

Waving goodbye to her friends, Jin Shiling, just as she was about to turn and leave, suddenly noticed one of the figures returning, mysteriously approaching her side.

“What is it, Blueberry?”

Girls’ groups in this age bracket often used nicknames to address their companions. It was a way to express a sense of belonging, shorten distances, and served as proof of their friendship.

Jin Shiling and her friends’ method of choosing nicknames was quite simple, all derived from their names: Jin Shiling became ‘Snacks’ (TL Note: A nickname for Jin Shiling, derived from a phonetic similarity between parts of her name and the Chinese word for snacks, ‘língshí’ (零食). The other nicknames follow a similar pattern: Song Ketong is ‘Coco,’ Li Nailu is ‘Milk Green’ (from a mispronunciation), and Wang Lan is ‘Blueberry’ (from ‘Lan Mei,’ meaning ‘Little Lan’ as she is the youngest in the class).).

“Snacks, about the parent-teacher conference… if you don’t mind… I could ask my mom to come.”

Wang Lan paused, and after confirming Jin Shiling had no other reaction, she continued speaking.

“I don’t mean anything else, it’s just… she really likes you. Because, Snacks, you’ve helped me so much with so many things. After last time, she said she wanted to see you again. She even jokes about wanting to adopt you as her goddaughter or something.”

Jin Shiling naturally understood this was Wang Lan’s way of showing care and offering help, so she blinked, adopting a thoughtful expression.

“Then… would I be the eldest or the second child?”

At Jin Shiling’s hesitant tone, Wang Lan froze momentarily, then subconsciously began to ponder the question herself.

“Generally speaking, it would probably be the second child, right… Huh?!”

Before she could finish, Jin Shiling reached out, pinched Wang Lan’s cheek, and tugged gently.

“Hehe, Blueberry, you’re quite the schemer, aren’t you? Trying to take advantage of your sister, huh?”

“N-no, I’m not! Let… let go!”

After giving the small girl’s face another playful rub, Jin Shiling finally released her grip. She patted Wang Lan’s back and stepped back two paces.

“Thanks a lot, Blueberry, but I’m really fine.”

“However, everyone’s been tutoring you in English lately. If, by any chance, you stumble again on those same types of mistakes in the final exam, Blueberry…”

Jin Shiling looked at Wang Lan with a benevolent smile.

“I might just pay your aunt a visit, have a little chat, and then become the eldest, riding high above you, you know?”

“Eh, eh?!”

“So focus more on yourself, Blueberry. Didn’t you say you’re going abroad with your family this summer? Get good grades to make your aunt happy. Travel with a relaxed mind.”

“…Okay, but if you need any help, you have to tell us, Snacks.”

“Yes, I will.”

Watching the somewhat reluctant figure recede into the distance, Jin Shiling let out a sigh of relief, then turned and began her walk home.

Regarding the parent-teacher conference, she wasn’t actually all that troubled. After all, she had no real choice in the matter.

For her, an orphan, the only option was her maternal grandmother, who lived nearby and occasionally visited her and Zhang Qingwei. As for Zhang Qingwei, she had never even considered him.

‘I’ll call Grandma this weekend,’ she mused.

Ascending the stairs, she pulled out her keys and unlocked the door. Upon returning home, Jin Shiling noticed other sounds within. Glancing slightly to her right, she saw a figure bending over, their back to her.

The clock on the wall showed the hour and minute hands forming an almost straight line; it was six o’clock. ‘He’s certainly back early today,’ she thought.

Jin Shiling withdrew her gaze. Just as she was about to ignore him and retreat to her room, a voice from behind called out to her.

“Have you eaten dinner?”

Zhang Qingwei’s tone was flat, devoid of any inflection, stiff, like a robot. No, even robots of this era could likely convey more ‘vitality’ than him.

“Not yet. Don’t worry about me.”

Jin Shiling still didn’t turn around, answering casually. Her brief words carried a hint of impatience.

However, the words she heard next compelled her to turn and face him.

“I’m going to the hospital in a bit. Are you coming?”

The hospital? This sensitive location made her halt. She turned to observe his back once more, and only then did she notice Zhang Qingwei seemed to be packing something.

Jin Shiling didn’t press for details. She knew he would provide the latter half of the sentence, yet she couldn’t help but inwardly grumble about how he always spoke in incomplete sentences, never getting straight to the point.

“Grandpa has been hospitalized. Grandma is with him at the hospital now.”

Still dressed in his work suit, Zhang Qingwei entered the living room, one hand gripping a plastic bag, the other lifting a backpack. Their eyes met, but then both quickly shifted their gazes away. He was waiting for her reply, though he already knew what she would say.

“…Of course I’m going. Where are Grandma and Grandpa now?”

Placing her schoolbag on the sofa, Jin Shiling extended a hand, motioning for Zhang Qingwei to hand her the plastic bag.

“It’s quite heavy. Never mind.”

“Give it to me.”

“”

Taking the plastic bag, Jin Shiling realized Zhang Qingwei hadn’t been exaggerating. Nevertheless, she merely adopted a composed demeanor and carried the plastic bag with both hands to the door.

“I’ve already called a car; it should be here soon. Let’s go.”

“Mm.”

They descended the stairs in silence. Jin Shiling led the way, Zhang Qingwei followed. On their way, they encountered an elderly couple from upstairs. Jin Shiling greeted them warmly and exchanged a few pleasantries, while Zhang Qingwei, trailing behind, offered a simple greeting and a nod.

After reaching the ground floor, they passed an empty parking spot near the iron fence. Jin Shiling cast a sidelong glance at Zhang Qingwei behind her. That had once been their family’s parking space, where a red SUV had once occupied it. It was the car Zhang Qingwei’s mother had bought before she even met Jin Shiling’s father, and the very SUV they had been driving when the tragic accident occurred.

Her father had been driving at the time of the accident. The cause of the tragedy was ultimately attributed to her father’s fatigued driving, resulting in an unforeseen mishap.

The car was eventually repaired and delivered to the siblings. However, Zhang Qingwei did not accept it. Immediately, citing his lack of need for it and inability to drive, he handed the car and keys to his maternal uncle after obtaining Jin Shiling’s consent, allowing him to dispose of it as he saw fit. This was despite the fact that he had obtained his driver’s license during the summer break after graduating high school.

Zhang Qingwei’s mother had been a fervent traveler. She also enjoyed outdoor sports and participating in volunteer services. In the past, she often drove that car, taking friends or relatives on excursions. Jin Shiling occasionally joined them, camping in scenic areas with mountains and rivers, foraging for wild vegetables, or fishing, creating many cherished memories.

In her memory, Zhang Qingwei’s mother had always been a warm, cheerful, outgoing, and easygoing woman. She was well-liked by everyone, rarely quarreling with anyone, and many people adored her.

The glass cabinet in their home still held numerous certificates, medals from her volunteer competitions, and photos from her travels. Her dream had once been to explore as much of the country’s landscapes as possible after retirement, while her body was still able, to witness the magnificent rivers and mountains of her homeland and leave no regrets in life.

‘Indeed, not a single bit like Auntie,’ Jin Shiling thought silently, gazing at Zhang Qingwei in the passenger seat from the back of the ride-sharing car.

She saw no trace of his mother in Zhang Qingwei. In her eyes, he was always taciturn, his face rarely showing emotion. He was awkward with people, preferred solitude, and at home, he exuded a faint sense of languor, as if uninterested in or indifferent to everything.

These characteristics of his had been present even before their parents’ accident.

As for why she had suddenly thought of her seemingly estranged brother, perhaps it was because when she heard that Grandma and Grandpa were hospitalized, she had a faint premonition: for this parent-teacher conference, she might have no choice but to rely on this man.