Chapter 25: A New Captain and a Golden Iris

For the next three days, the young woman remained slumped in the convenience store, lost in thought.

Having endured countless failed attempts, she had, for the time being, abandoned her efforts to transform back into a man.

In recent days, her mind had been incessantly replaying everything concerning Gu Qianqian.

She had always believed she was protecting her daughter; yet, ultimately, her actions had only proven counterproductive. Since she could no longer prevent it, she resolved to continue protecting her, albeit in a different manner.

Picking up her phone, the young woman located the number and dialed.

The call connected, and Qin Lan’s voice resonated from the other end.

“Hello?”

“Qin Lan, this lady commands you to immediately arrange a new identity for me. As compensation, all our previous grievances shall be wiped clean.”

A full five seconds of silence stretched from the other end of the line.

“To be honest, I still harbor some doubt that you are truly Tian Lanxing.”

Qin Lan remained deeply unaccustomed to the drastic shift in her dearest friend’s personality.

“Nonsense! If Tian Lanxing isn’t this lady, then who else could she possibly be?” The young woman’s voice sharpened with irritation. “You’re well aware of my current predicament; it’s unlikely I’ll be able to revert anytime soon.”

“What name shall your new identity bear?” Qin Lan rubbed her temples. “Alternatively, I could even choose one for you.”

‘A name? An idea, seemingly without origin, abruptly surfaced in the young woman’s mind.

“Let it be Hua Mu’ai.”

“Hua Mu’ai?”

“What? Are you disagreeing?” The young woman’s voice rose in pitch.

“Hm… of course, that’s perfectly fine. Just text me the name later.” Qin Lan continued, “Is there anything else?”

“Of course there is.” Hua Mu’ai inquired, “Is the captain’s position for the Linhai City Magical Girl Squad still vacant?”

Qin Lan paused, taken aback.

“Yes, three months ago, the squad unexpectedly encountered a Level Six Void Abyss (TL Note: A dimensional rift leading to dangerous entities and realms) known as ‘Hydra,’ resulting in the sacrifice of all its members. Currently, the only new recruits are Flame Rose and Morning Dew, both of whom are rookies. The captain’s post…”

“Enough, no more idle chatter.” Hua Mu’ai cut her off abruptly. “Since that’s the situation, this lady shall assume the role of squad captain.”

“Truly?” Qin Lan exclaimed, her voice laced with pleasant surprise. ‘Tian Lanxing is going to lead the team herself? This is a stroke of incredible luck, a veritable pie falling from the sky.’

“And why wouldn’t it be allowed?” Hua Mu’ai raised a delicate eyebrow. “You at the GSA insist on making this lady make public appearances; surely, you must grant me some actual authority, no? Conveniently, I find myself with ample free time, so I shall reluctantly take it upon myself to personally mentor those two greenhorns.”

“Yes, of course, it’s absolutely fine! Knowing that you’ll personally guide those two children brings me immense peace of mind.” Qin Lan, forcefully suppressing her burgeoning excitement, couldn’t help but inquire, “Still, what prompted this sudden change of heart?”

“Since you’ve all forcibly announced this lady’s return, I naturally need something to occupy my time, don’t I? Those two young women hardly inspire confidence, so it’s only right that this lady personally steps in.” Hua Mu’ai replied, as if stating the most self-evident truth.

Listening to her friend’s distinctly tsundere remarks, Qin Lan couldn’t help but find it amusing.

She suddenly recalled a message she had received a few days prior from Gu Qianqian’s father, the notorious drunkard, stating his consent for his daughter to continue her role as a Magical Girl.

Only after she later questioned Gu Qianqian did she learn that Tian Lanxing had personally intervened to persuade her father.

“Regardless, thank you.” Qin Lan’s voice was genuinely sincere. “Regarding Qianqian’s father, we truly owe you a debt of gratitude as well.”

“Thank me for what? This lady merely grew tired of seeing that girl constantly sniveling,” Hua Mu’ai’s cheeks flushed slightly. “Furthermore, if this lady is to emerge from retirement, there must be some operational funds, no? Or do you expect me to lead the squad while we starve (TL Note: A Chinese idiom, ‘hē xī běi fēng,’ meaning to go hungry or get nothing)? Therefore, tomorrow, you will lend me your privilege card.”

With that, she abruptly ended the call.

Listening to the dial tone on her phone, Qin Lan smiled, shaking her head gently.

From this perspective, Tian Lanxing’s shift in personality might not be such a detrimental development after all.

****

That very afternoon, Gu Qianqian and Lin Xiaolu found themselves summoned to Qin Lan’s office.

Both girls felt their hearts flutter nervously (TL Note: A Chinese idiom, ‘qī shàng bā xià,’ describing a state of anxiety or agitation), fearing yet another reprimand.

To their surprise, however, a smile graced Qin Lan’s features.

“I have some truly monumental news to share with you both.” Qin Lan announced, “Effective today, our Linhai City Magical Girl Squad will be personally led by none other than Tian Lanxing herself, as captain!”

“I didn’t mishear that, did I?” Lin Xiaolu pinched her own cheek, her face a mask of disbelief.

Gu Qianqian, too, widened her eyes, her heart beginning to pound wildly in her chest.

‘Her very own idol—that senpai (TL Note: Japanese honorific for a senior or mentor figure, often used in Chinese web novels for a cool or respected elder, even if younger in actual age) who was shy, prone to blushing, and utterly adorable—was going to be their captain?’

“Indeed, the order takes immediate effect.” Qin Lan’s lips curved upwards. “From this moment forth, you two shall be the official members of Linhai City’s ‘Starlight’ Squad, under Captain Tian Lanxing.”

“This is wonderful, Qianqian! We’ll get to fight alongside senpai from now on!” Lin Xiaolu exclaimed, embracing Gu Qianqian in her excitement.

With their senpai present, she felt an instant surge of courage, as if nothing could frighten her anymore.

Gu Qianqian’s cheeks, too, were tinged with a faint blush, and a surge of fighting spirit welled within her heart.

She resolved to perform exceptionally well, determined to make her idol look upon her with newfound admiration (TL Note: A Chinese idiom, ‘guā mù xiāng kàn,’ meaning to see someone in a new light or with renewed respect).

“As is customary, the establishment of a new squad certainly warrants a celebration.” Qin Lan explained, “Your captain has announced that she’s treating, and the venue has already been selected: the Golden Iris Western Restaurant, located in the heart of the city.”

“Senpai is truly so generous!” Lin Xiaolu gasped in awe. “I’ve only ever seen that restaurant in magazines; they say the per-person cost is frightfully exorbitant.”

“Don’t worry,” Gu Qianqian reassured Lin Xiaolu, patting her shoulder with an expression of absolute certainty. “Tian Lanxing- Senpai is a super great hero who once saved the world, so she must be incredibly wealthy!”

****

The following evening, at the ‘Golden Iris,’ Linhai City’s most distinguished Western restaurant.

Nestled in the city center, the restaurant offered breathtaking views of the brightly illuminated cityscape through its immense floor-to-ceiling windows.

As Hua Mu’ai, Gu Qianqian, and Lin Xiaolu stepped into the restaurant, their entrance immediately drew numerous gazes.

Hua Mu’ai, especially, leading the way, with her long pink hair and exquisitely doll-like features, made her exceptionally striking among the trio.

Trailing behind her, Gu Qianqian and Lin Xiaolu wore expressions of wide-eyed wonder, for this marked their inaugural visit to such an upscale establishment.

“Senpai, where should we sit?”

“It’s far too noisy out here; we’re going to a private room!” Hua Mu’ai declared proudly.

‘Having finally gotten the chance to play the part of a wealthy patron, she naturally intended to indulge herself fully.’

As Hua Mu’ai requested a private room, a waiter approached, his professional smile subtly laced with scrutiny.

‘These three high school girls, still in their school uniforms, hardly looked like people of means. Could they, perhaps, be here to cause trouble?’

“Miss, just to confirm,” the waiter interjected, a hint of impatience coloring his otherwise polite tone, “our private rooms here require a minimum spend of ten thousand, in addition to a twenty percent service charge.”

‘His unspoken implication was quite clear: Can you truly afford this?‘

Gu Qianqian and Lin Xiaolu’s breathing instantly hitched in their throats.

Hua Mu’ai, however, didn’t even deign to lift an eyelid.

“Lead the way.”

The waiter’s smile froze for a moment before swiftly returning, though the disdain in his eyes had noticeably deepened. He offered a slight bow and gestured ‘this way,’ his posture impeccable, yet entirely devoid of any genuine warmth.

As the trio settled into their seats and the waiter presented them with the gold-embossed menus, the atmosphere thickened once more.

Gu Qianqian and Lin Xiaolu gazed at the terrifying strings of numbers displayed on the menu, their palms beginning to perspire.

The waiter observed their palpable discomfort, a faint, almost imperceptible sneer curling at the corner of his lips.

“Young ladies, if you find this arrangement unsuitable, the main dining hall offers…”

His sentence remained unfinished, yet its implication was undeniably clear.

“What?” Hua Mu’ai lifted her chin, her gaze piercing. “Are you perhaps concerned this lady cannot afford it?”