Chapter 25: The Allure of Command and a Clean Canvas

“The method for transforming evil executives is quite simple, similar to how it was with you back then.”

Hearing this, Ye Qing paused, her gaze instinctively drifting towards the cabinet where the black slime resided.

“You want me to help them?”

An Yueying couldn’t help but smile, accustomed to Ye Qing’s startling remarks.

“You can if you’re willing, but theoretically, all they need to do is voluntarily use the transformation device. For instance, by becoming little girls who sell them…”

Ye Qing frowned slightly. ‘Why does this sound worse and worse the more I hear it?’

“Then why am I just a mascot with no combat power?”

“Because you lack the qualifications; your desires aren’t up to par. On a side note, don’t let my title as Evil Grand Marshal fool you; I don’t possess any combat power either. My only ability, much like yours, is manipulating mascot suits.”

“Then why did you seek me out? Weren’t you afraid of the transformation failing?”

An Yueying flashed a wicked smile.

“Is that so? I possess a certain degree of confidence in my allure. Does Miss Ye Qing recall what I was wearing when we first met?”

Ye Qing stiffened, a vivid image of the purple-haired woman, nearly naked and encased in a mascot suit, flashing through her mind. A blush crept onto her pretty face.

“I came prepared to transform you, even if it meant being apprehended on the spot.”

At that time, Ye Qing could have subdued An Yueying. Regrettably, she did nothing, allowing An Yueying to seize the initiative instead.

As for now… encountering a large dog would be a life-or-death struggle for her, let alone wrestling a tall, purple-haired elder sister.

After a moment of thought, Ye Qing raised one eyebrow higher than the other, placing her hands on her hips as she gazed at An Yueying.

“So, that means the entire evil organization only has two mascots now?”

An Yueying spread her hands, her expression one of helplessness.

“There’s no other way. The original evil organization in Jinzhou was completely eradicated, so I had no choice but to start from scratch.”

“So, unable to find suitable candidates, you transformed me, who also lacks qualifications, into a mascot…”

“Ehehe.” An Yueying, a rare sight, stuck out her tongue, attempting to charm her way out of the situation.

“Then our evil executives…”

An Yueying placed a hand on Ye Qing’s shoulder, her face alight with expectation.

“It all depends on you, Mascot Qing.”

Ye Qing remained silent, merely staring at her with a profound gaze, before finally speaking after a long moment:

“Fine. At least tell me where the evil executives’ combat power is supposed to come from.”

“Heh, that’s simple enough…” An Yueying curved her lips into a smile, then reached out to unbutton Ye Qing’s top.

By the time Ye Qing regained her composure, indignantly slapping An Yueying’s hand away, her pajamas had already slipped open.

Beneath her exquisite, porcelain-like collarbones, a subtle curve gently pushed apart the slightly opened lapels, half-concealed and half-revealed, creating an exceptionally alluring sight.

Paired with the black-haired girl’s pretty face, flushed crimson with shyness, she was truly a feast for the eyes.

“See? Isn’t this quite potent combat power?”

“There’s a time and place for jokes.” Ye Qing glanced at Gu Xuanyu behind her, hastily pulling her clothes together. “If seduction counts as combat power, you might as well recruit your executives from the red-light district.”

“Oh, that won’t do. The evil organization also has its standards… I’ll tell you a secret: in those places, people with a pink aura are a dime a dozen~”

“You’ve actually been there.” Ye Qing narrowed her almond-shaped eyes. “If you let them become executives, I’ll quit immediately.”

An Yueying chuckled softly.

“That’s precisely why you must personally cultivate them to find the most suitable candidates. The evil executives’ combat power stems from desire, and your task is to ignite the desires within their hearts.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Qing subtly glanced at Gu Xuanyu, hesitating for a fleeting moment.

“Does it have to be to an outrageous extent?”

“I didn’t say that. If the method is appropriate, the effect will only be stronger. For example, that blue-haired little girl, I imagine she’d be more interested in becoming a magical girl.”

Ye Qing fell silent for a moment, nodding as if she understood, yet didn’t quite.

‘If that’s the case…’

***

When Shen Congqing stepped into the old art studio once more, the sight within immediately brightened her eyes.

The scattered easels were neatly stacked in a corner, the dusty floor had been swept clean, leaving only faint traces of paint stains on its mottled surface.

The grimy windows had been meticulously polished, allowing bright sunlight to stream through.

Meanwhile, a petite, black-haired girl, clad in white socks, stood on a chair, carefully extending a broom towards a cobweb on the ceiling.

Seeing her on the verge of falling, Shen Congqing rushed forward, yet the black-haired girl remained completely oblivious to her presence.

A slender waist was suddenly steadied, and Ye Qing’s body trembled, as if an electric current had surged through her. She nearly lost her balance, hastily turning to meet Shen Congqing’s emerald eyes directly.

“It’s fine, Teacher Shen, I can manage on my own.”

However, Shen Congqing unceremoniously lifted her from the chair, effortlessly raising her by simply grasping her underarms.

“No, that’s too dangerous.”

Feeling her feet dangle in the air, Ye Qing couldn’t help but panic, tensing her body. She fluttered her feet like a small rabbit caught by its ears, only turning her head blankly after landing.

‘Am I really that light?’

“I know you mean well, but you should still tell me beforehand about things like this. After all, there are many items in the art studio, and if something gets lost, it could cause you trouble.”

Shen Congqing spoke with a hint of helplessness, her gentle voice carrying a trace of indulgence. As she gazed at the black-haired girl’s bewildered face, her fondness grew even stronger.

While Silver Moon was also quite good, she wasn’t passionate about painting, nor would she ever proactively clean the art studio.

Just then, Gu Xuanyu entered, holding a broom. Seeing Shen Congqing and Ye Qing so close, she quickly stepped forward.

Shen Congqing looked at the silver-haired girl who had suddenly blocked her path, her willow-leaf eyebrows subtly arching in confusion.

She could recognize almost every face she had seen in the classroom, yet she couldn’t recall ever seeing such an exquisite and beautiful girl, despite a strange sense of familiarity.

“Student, may I ask which class you’re from? I don’t seem to recall you…”

“Teacher Shen, this is my friend, Gu Xuanyu. She’s from the Literature Department.”

Ye Qing quietly pulled Gu Xuanyu behind her, offering an explanation.

Ever since taking Gu Xuanyu home, she had stayed by Ye Qing’s side all day, even during sleep, proving clingier than Ye Qing’s own younger sister. Fortunately, she wasn’t as mischievous as that other girl.

Shen Congqing’s gaze drifted between the two girls’ faces, her usually serene expression subtly tinged with a faint blush. She cleared her throat softly, as if a realization had dawned upon her.

“I understand… Is student Gu interested in painting?”

When Shen Congqing asked, a faint glimmer appeared in the silver-haired girl’s wine-red eyes, but she quickly shook her head.

“I apologize, I’m not skilled with a brush.”

If her magical girl powers were still active, she could have manipulated brushstrokes even more deftly than Ye Qing. But now, even holding a pencil steadily was an extreme challenge for her.

Perceiving Gu Xuanyu’s difficulty, Shen Congqing pinched her chin, pondering for a moment.

“In that case, perhaps she could be a model. You are very beautiful, quite similar to someone I know…”

Ultimately, Shen Congqing swallowed her unspoken question.

Gu Xuanyu gave her a feeling very similar to Magical Girl Bai, with whom she had fought alongside. However, due to the magical protection during transformations, she couldn’t discern her true face, so she remained uncertain.

Bringing up matters of magical girls to ordinary people would only bring them trouble. Unless absolutely necessary, she had to avoid involving those around her, especially a student she favored.

Speaking of which, the evil organization had been silent for quite some time. She wondered if they were plotting an even greater scheme.

‘But no matter what, I will stop them.’