Chapter 24: A Matter of Style and Mortality

By early evening, after dinner, it was only around seven.

Before long, Su Xinxin had already finished her bath.

“The clothes young women wear these days… they truly come in a myriad of styles.”

Perched on a small stool, she kneaded the light-colored undergarments in the basin, a soft murmur escaping her lips. This familiar habit of talking to herself was akin to her past self, the old man, who always needed to fill the air with words, lest the silence become too heavy.

The underwear was made of soft, light-colored cotton, adorned with tiny, matching bows. She picked one up for a closer look before continuing her wash.

“You never mentioned it before, but why bring it up so suddenly today, Master?” Xiao Ming floated over, her voice adopting a strange, knowing lilt.

“I didn’t get a good look the other day.” Su Xinxin’s movements never ceased, a hint of feigned displeasure coloring her tone. “Now that I’ve seen them properly, can’t I comment?”

Xiao Ming blinked her ruby-like eyes, a touch uncertain. Was this the discerning criticism of ‘Old Master Gu,’ or merely a small complaint from ‘Miss Su’ directed at her, a spirit companion?

“If you ask me, it’d be easier to just toss them in the washing machine,” she offered, attempting to change the subject.

“Machine washing can never get things as clean as hand washing,” Su Xinxin countered, lifting a lace-trimmed bra to her nose for a thorough sniff, her expression complex. “Besides, these are undergarments, worn close to the skin. They need careful attention. You might not be particular, but I certainly am.”

Xiao Ming knew there was no winning an argument about ‘cleanliness’ with this inherently fastidious elder. She doubted Su Xinxin would believe her, regardless of whether machine washing or hand washing was truly cleaner. So, with a mischievous glint in her eye, she thought of another playful tangent.

“The ones Master has worn… do they smell nice? Let me have a sniff too!” She drifted closer, her long ears twitching with curiosity.

“Shoo, shoo!” Su Xinxin’s cheeks flushed as she hastily pressed the damp undergarment back into the basin, splashing a few drops of water. “I’m checking if they’re clean, what are you sniffing for?”

“I was just worried Master would be bored washing clothes!” Xiao Ming recoiled, pouting, feigning hurt at being rejected. “I came specifically to keep you company and entertain you!”

“Hmm…” Su Xinxin’s movements slowed. The word ‘thank you’ lingered on her tongue but was ultimately swallowed. “Just chatting will be fine.”

“Great! Chatting is great! I love chatting the most!”

Xiao Ming instantly perked up, bouncing on the edge of the washing basin. “So, Master, what are you planning to wear to the provincial library tomorrow? That off-white dress was washed today, right? And the light blue one doesn’t seem completely dry either. It’s the perfect chance to wear something new and absolutely adorable!”

This question struck a nerve.

Su Xinxin paused. This was precisely what she had been agonizing over—the other dresses in her wardrobe either had skirts that were too short or styles that were too ‘lively.’ Though the weather was warming, she still hadn’t grown accustomed to the cool sensation on her legs.

Should she wear stockings? The slippery feel, while admittedly… somewhat comfortable, was ultimately an unfamiliar restriction.

She didn’t answer immediately, instead silently wringing out the clean, light-colored undergarments. Droplets of water pattered back into the basin before she rose and walked to the small balcony, stretching on tiptoe to hang them on the clothesline.

“No answer?” Xiao Ming observed her back, a sly curve forming on her lips. “Then… how about I help Master choose?”

“Hey, you…” Su Xinxin turned, intending to stop her, but Xiao Ming had already zipped into the bedroom. She opened her mouth, but ultimately acquiesced, adding only, “…If you’re going to pick, choose something conservative!”

****

By the time she finished washing all the undergarments, she went to the bathroom to fill half a bucket with warm water and carried it back to the bedroom.

She had later applied to the organization for this plastic bucket and washing basin. It was an old habit; some things were simply more convenient to use. The application was quickly approved, and the expenses, naturally, were reimbursed.

She immersed her feet in the warm water, a comfortable warmth spreading from her soles, eliciting a soft sigh. Even in summer, this ritual of soaking her feet helped settle her turbulent thoughts, if only a little.

Just then, Xiao Ming flew over from the wardrobe, seemingly encircled by magic, hovering in the air with three pre-selected outfits, looking utterly serious.

It had to be said, the little one had good taste. The three combinations looked harmonious and each possessed its own distinct style. However… at first glance, none of them seemed quite right for her.

The first was a preppy style: an overall sweet-and-cool academic look, predominantly black and white. It featured a white shirt paired with a spider-web tie, topped with a black suspender tulip skirt, and completed with black slouch socks and platform shoes.

The second was a ‘hot girl’ style: an overall sweet-and-cool ‘landmine’ aesthetic, primarily pink and black contrasting colors. It consisted of a light pink lace long-sleeved top paired with a multi-layered ruffled black mini-skirt, completed with ripped, strapped black over-the-knee socks and platform shoes.

The third was a ‘soft girl’ style: a typical soft girl outfit, a three-tiered cake skirt in light blue and white, layered over a light blue striped long-sleeved top. White fluffy slouch socks with pom-poms dangling from the cuffs completed the look, making the entire ensemble feel soft and brimming with youthful energy and gentle sweetness.

Su Xinxin gazed at the three outfits floating in the air, feeling the blush on her face, already warmed by the hot water, intensify even further. She was soaking her feet, so how had the heat traveled all the way to her head?

Xiao Ming watched her, flushed and flustered, secretly chuckling.

“The one in the middle… take that away first.” Su Xinxin averted her gaze, her voice muffled. “That kind of… it doesn’t feel quite proper!”

“Mhm, mhm! Master is a good girl!” Xiao Ming nodded vigorously.

“It’s not a matter of being good or not…” Su Xinxin instinctively retorted, then felt she was only making things worse and pressed her lips together in annoyance.

“I understand, I understand~”

“The first one is still somewhat proper,” she shifted her gaze back to the first outfit, a slight frown on her brow. “But the skirt is still a bit short. The last one’s skirt is long enough, but it’s too… too cute, it doesn’t feel suitable for me.”

She found herself in a dilemma.

“Then it depends on whether Master values ‘conservatism’ more, or can better accept ‘cuteness,'” Xiao Ming analyzed, sounding perfectly reasonable. “Do you choose the first outfit, which is neither particularly conservative nor particularly cute, or the third outfit, which is sufficiently conservative but particularly cute? If you prioritize conservatism…”

“Then… the third one, I suppose.” Su Xinxin unconsciously bit her lower lip, as if making a monumental decision.

“Alrighty then—”

“Wait!” She suddenly looked up again, her eyes brightening with a hint of expectation. “Could we… combine these two outfits? Like this top with that skirt?” She pointed to the white shirt from the first outfit and the sleeveless dress from the third.

“Uh…” Xiao Ming’s expression froze. “Th-this combination, this aesthetic… I dare say, your head-turning rate will definitely be high when you go out! Of course, most people would be looking at a ‘weirdo.'” (TL Note: “Head-turning rate” means how many people stop and stare.)

“Head-turning rate?”

“It’s exactly what it sounds like!” Xiao Ming clutched her forehead. “Besides, the sleeveless dress from the third set is actually a one-piece; it can’t be separated. And furthermore…”

“…Alright.” Su Xinxin’s shoulders slumped as she nodded resignedly.

****

It was past nine at night.

Su Xinxin lay in bed, yet sleep eluded her.

“What are you worried about?” Xiao Ming nestled by her pillow, her voice soft. “Afraid of being targeted by bad guys for dressing too cute? Relax, you’re a magical girl.”

“It’s not that I’m worried about…” Su Xinxin turned over to face the ceiling, remaining silent for a moment before speaking. “I’m thinking about the battle I saw last time on Star River Commercial Street, and… sigh, it’s not even about worrying about battles. I’m thinking about Jasmine, that child. If… if I don’t pass my probation, will I… disappear?”

“Yes,” Xiao Ming’s voice also dropped. “Strictly speaking, this body, this house, everything inside it, even the clothes you’re wearing… they’re all the organization’s ‘property.’ If the contract terminates, all of these will be reclaimed.”

“So, what truly belongs to ‘me’ is just this old soul, encased in a young shell?” Su Xinxin gazed at the dim ceiling, her voice somewhat ethereal. “But if I disappear, what about the connections I’ve formed? Will Jasmine be sad for a ‘student’ who suddenly vanishes? That’s why, during this time, I’ve tried not to get too close to many people… I’m afraid of planting a seed in someone’s heart, only for myself to be gone first. That would be more painful than withering, wouldn’t it?”

She paused, old memories surfacing. “Sometimes I think of those ‘unsolved mysteries’ I used to watch on TV, and cold cases where the killer was never found… could they also be related to the ‘Erosion,’ and these things we don’t know about?”

“The organization will handle the cognitive confusion caused by the ‘Erosion’s’ influence, so you don’t need to worry too much about that,” Xiao Ming said softly. “However, memories between fellow magical girls… are usually not interfered with.”

“My probation… will I pass it?” Su Xinxin closed her eyes, a self-deprecating smile on her lips. “Sometimes I feel both too confident and too lacking in confidence. An old person who has already died once, wouldn’t it be too outlandish for them to have extreme thoughts?”

Xiao Ming didn’t answer immediately, merely nudging closer and pressing her warm, fluffy body against Su Xinxin’s hand.

“Sigh, let’s worry about tomorrow’s problems tomorrow,” Su Xinxin sighed. “One day at a time. I’m going to sleep.”

Hearing this, Xiao Ming habitually tried to burrow under the covers with her—just as she had done when Su Xinxin was feeling unwell before, offering comfort with her body heat.

“Hey! Don’t crowd me, it’s hot…” Su Xinxin pushed her away.

Yet Xiao Ming stubbornly burrowed further, her fluffy head resting beside Su Xinxin’s arm. She was still nursing a small grudge because Su Xinxin hadn’t mentioned ‘Xiao Ming’ as a bond of friendship in her earlier musings.

Su Xinxin sighed in resignation, gently patting her, no longer trying to shoo her away.

*Forget it, let her be.*

As night deepened, the occasional sweep of car headlights outside the window briefly flickered across the ceiling.

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