Chapter 10: Unexpected Dinner and a Troubling Confession

Let’s rewind the clock a little.

Lin Han had rushed to the pharmacy, retrieving bandages and anti-inflammatory medication with all haste. Upon his return, he found Liu Yun still waiting where he had left her.

He was about to tend to her wounds.

However, Liu Yun insisted, “Teacher Lin, you don’t need to worry about me. I can handle this myself. Please, quickly check if anyone else is injured and unable to escape, like me.”

This certainly saved time.

The situation was dire, and it was hardly the moment for him to display chivalry.

“Then take care of yourself, Teacher Liu.”

He swiftly headed back toward the direction of the battle.

Only then did Liu Yun breathe a sigh of relief. In this era, everyone learned basic first aid and emergency bandaging.

If Lin Han were to discover that she hadn’t actually sprained her ankle… even if he didn’t realize her identity as a Magical Girl, he would undoubtedly think her a pretentious woman.

Perhaps a teenage girl, acting a little dramatic, feigning injury to seek comfort from someone she liked, might be considered somewhat endearing. At most, people would dismiss it as ‘youthful ignorance.’

However, at her age of twenty-eight, such behavior would be utterly foolish. It would only make her appear affected and annoying.

Had Lin Han insisted on bandaging her himself, she would have been forced to use her Magical Girl powers to actually sprain her ankle.

She couldn’t, under any circumstances, leave a bad impression on the man she admired.

With the Regenerator having fled, there was no immediate danger in Lin Han rushing back. Perhaps there were other injured people in need of assistance.

She wrapped the bandages on her ankle quite thickly.

With them on, even walking properly would be an impossibility.

After waiting a little longer, she finally saw Lin Han slowly making his way back.

He appeared somewhat perplexed.

“What’s wrong, Teacher Lin?”

Her question seemed to rouse Lin Han from a daze. “Nothing, Teacher Liu. It’s just that the Regenerator seems to have been defeated by a Magical Girl named Ink Crystal. I haven’t heard of this Magical Girl before; she must be a recent emergence.”

Liu Yun recalled the new Magical Girl and nodded. “I haven’t heard of her either… Did she defeat that monster?”

“It certainly looks like she won. I searched around, but found no injured individuals.” As Lin Han spoke, he gently helped Liu Yun to her feet. “Could you accompany me to the pharmacy first? The monster should be defeated by now, and I need to pay for the bandages and medication. The owner likely fled earlier.”

Liu Yun nodded, then teased him playfully, “Does Teacher Lin even have money left?”

“…Bandages and medication cost barely anything.”

“How about we pay first, then go for a meal? Didn’t you promise to treat me to dinner earlier?”

Liu Yun blinked. “After that scare earlier, I’ve worked up quite an appetite.”

“That’s true, but… in your current state, would it be convenient for you to dine out?”

Liu Yun replied, a hint of distress in her voice, “It really doesn’t seem very convenient… How about this, Teacher Lin? Can you cook?”

“Yes, I can.”

“Then I’ll order some ingredients to be delivered to my new place, and you can cook. How about we have a grand feast together?” Liu Yun pondered for a moment. “It’ll be a housewarming, and your presence, Teacher Lin, would certainly liven the place up. Besides, in my current condition, you’ll have to escort me home anyway, won’t you?”

‘You know, she’s right.’

Lin Han considered it, and a sudden realization dawned on him; her suggestion made perfect sense.

“That’s actually a good idea.”

Liu Yun felt utterly brilliant. This was her chance to lure Teacher Lin to her home… With her feigned leg injury, she could then ask him to help her with things like cleaning herself…

And with youthful passion igniting between them, it wouldn’t be impossible for something to happen right then and there.

She wasn’t a conservative or traditional person. If all went well, she’d ideally get their marriage certificate next week, then send out invitations to all the teachers and leaders at school, buy wedding candies for the students in her class, prepare a few small red envelopes… and then she could embark on the happy life of her later years…

They would have two children, ideally a boy and a girl. The boy would be named Lin Nuoyan, and the girl Lin Ruyi…

‘Feigning a sprained ankle today was truly the smartest decision I’ve ever made.’

****

He Yao’s first battle as a Magical Girl had gone far more smoothly than she had anticipated. Yet, she had undeniably discovered a significant gap between her own strength and that of a seasoned Magical Girl like Amethyst.

While everyone knew mages had high offensive power, Amethyst’s demeanor suggested that dealing with the Regenerator wasn’t much of a challenge for her. Moreover—was she truly unable to track the Regenerator? It seemed as though she had pressing matters to attend to.

But He Yao herself certainly didn’t dare to continue pursuing the Regenerator.

Therefore, a clear disparity in strength truly existed between her and Amethyst.

So, how exactly could a Magical Girl grow stronger?

She keenly felt the reality of her own lack of power.

Had Amethyst not arrived, she might very well have lost to the Regenerator today. After launching only two attacks, she had already expended most of her energy, only managing to conjure a simple Ink Crystal to act as a shield, defending without retaliation.

It wasn’t like a fantasy novel, where one could simply cultivate to enhance their power.

According to the legends within *Filial Piety*, it was the power of love and justice that strengthened Magical Girls. But then again… that was merely fiction.

What about in reality?

After some thought, He Yao transformed into a Magical Girl once more.

She then took two photos, aiming at the floor-to-ceiling window in her room.

As expected, they turned out pixelated.

‘What if I removed this interference?’

She tried again and successfully captured Magical Girl Ink Crystal’s appearance.

“This… this means…”

A few rather unsavory thoughts, entirely normal for teenagers of her age, flashed through her mind.

****

Having battled the Regenerator yesterday, He Yao found herself on the streets once again today. She headed directly to the site of yesterday’s conflict, which was now undergoing repairs.

There, she spotted Magical Girl Emerald.

Emerald appeared to be inspecting something.

Emerald clearly noticed her as well.

Moments later, she noticed her phone screen light up.

[Liu Xingyue has sent you a message via group chat.]

[Wait for me at the bubble tea shop over there. Also, order a bubble tea for me and add me as a friend; I’ll transfer you the money.]

‘It seems she has something to discuss.’

‘But it doesn’t really matter.’

She made her way to the nearby bubble tea shop, ordered two drinks, and then immersed herself in her phone.

It wasn’t long before Liu Xingyue appeared before her.

“This one’s yours.”

“Mango Pomelo Sago? This is a bit too sweet.”

He Yao nodded. “It is a bit rich, but isn’t it quite popular?”

“Never mind—it doesn’t matter. There was a battle with a monster here yesterday; what brings you to this area?” Liu Xingyue asked casually. “I received a request from Amethyst to see if I could help deal with the Regenerator.”

She stated the purpose of her visit.

“I simply heard there was a battle here and a new Magical Girl emerged, so I decided to come and take a look.”

Still engrossed in her phone, she answered Liu Xingyue’s question, “They say her name is Ink Crystal.”

Hearing her words, Liu Xingyue looked slightly perplexed. “Are you very interested in Magical Girls?”

“After all, knowing your classmate is a Magical Girl, one can’t help but have some thoughts, right?” He Yao wasn’t skilled at conversation, so she remained impolitely absorbed in her phone, not meeting Liu Xingyue’s gaze as she spoke.

However, Liu Xingyue didn’t seem to mind. She had long known He Yao was a shut-in; could one really expect particularly polite behavior from a recluse?

As they continued talking, He Yao’s expression turned slightly mischievous. “Honestly, if you were a gentler girl, I’d probably say, ‘You wouldn’t want others to know you’re a Magical Girl, would you?’ and then proceed to do some rather unsavory things.”

Liu Xingyue wasn’t an ignorant elementary schooler; of course, she understood what kind of meme He Yao was referencing.

“If you tried anything like that, I’d kill you.”

“That’s why I *didn’t* say it to you. So, why did you want to see me?”

Only then did Liu Xingyue seem to recall the real reason for their meeting. “That girl from the sports equipment store, do you remember her?”

“Ah… Zhang Xiao, right? Isn’t Teacher Lin in charge of her psychological counseling? She even specifically asked to see me before, and I accompanied Teacher Lin to meet her.” He Yao recalled the girl, finally putting down her phone and looking at Liu Xingyue. “Has something happened to her again?”

“It’s not exactly a ‘problem,’ per se…”

Liu Xingyue sighed. “I met with her yesterday… I expect Teacher Lin will also discuss this with you later.”

“Hm?”

‘No wonder I didn’t see Emerald take action yesterday; she must have gone to see Zhang Xiao… Magical Girls certainly have busy schedules.’

“Specifically, what happened?”

“She said she likes you.”

“…Huh?”

Liu Xingyue stared at He Yao. “I said, that middle school girl named Zhang Xiao said she *likes* you. Are you deaf?”

“No… likes *me*? Are you sure she’s not delusional? I broke her leg!”

It was no wonder He Yao’s eyes widened as she posed such a question. After all, putting herself in Zhang Xiao’s shoes, if someone had broken her leg—even if they had saved her life—she would, at most, feel gratitude, but certainly not affection for them.

He Yao pondered the matter seriously. “I have a bad feeling about her intentions.”

“…No wonder you’re such a shut-in; you clearly don’t understand a thing about a girl’s heart. I, however, don’t think she’s lying.”

“A girl’s heart?” He Yao’s face was utterly blank. “No, why *should* I understand something like that? And no matter how you look at it, this isn’t normal, is it? Does that girl have masochistic tendencies? But as far as I know, even in the BDSM community, they wouldn’t just straight-up break someone’s leg, would they?”

Liu Xingyue then countered, “Do you think someone capable of birthing a monstrous demon can be considered normal? It’s perfectly reasonable for them to have some unusual preferences.”

“Hiss! You actually make a good point! I’m completely at a loss for a rebuttal… So, why are you telling me all this?”

“Whether you accept her or not… that’s your business. However, your approach should be gentle. Until her mental state is completely stable, the monstrous demon she manifested is quite powerful—if it happens again, it might become even stronger, and I’m not sure I could defeat it. It could potentially turn into a much more severe disaster.

She’ll likely seek you out later. Before you speak, consider your words carefully. Don’t use the same blunt manner you use with me when talking to that young girl; it will only make her dislike you.”

“Oh. I understand.”

Liu Xingyue then picked up her bubble tea and departed.

He Yao looked at her phone.

‘By the way, isn’t this the first classmate’s friend request she’s accepted, aside from Ye Liuyun, the class monitor?’

‘Even if it was just for the money transfer.’