Chapter 30: The Price of a Secret

Gu Qianqian’s doubts deepened considerably.

Everyone knew that the Senior’s true age was not that of a young girl.

Yet, she couldn’t fathom what the fairy had been about to say.

“Alright, that’s enough!”

Hua Mu’ai swiftly scooped up the still-dazed Yuena, tucking her firmly under her arm.

“I’ve settled things with this fairy,” she declared, lifting her chin towards Qin Lan. “From now on, this little creature is under my protection. In exchange, she’ll help me resolve my form-switching dilemma.”

Without waiting for Qin Lan’s reaction, she strode out, Yuena still clamped under her arm, her steps so hurried it seemed as if a ghost pursued her.

“Hey, Tian Lanxing!” Qin Lan called out, hoping to stop her and get a clear explanation.

“Don’t bother me! I guarantee, on my honor, this little thing is absolutely safe. We’ll talk about the rest later!”

Hua Mu’ai waved a dismissive hand without looking back, her figure vanishing from the conference room doorway in a blink.

In the room, only a bewildered Gu Qianqian, Lin Xiaolu, and a deeply frowning Qin Lan remained.

“Group Leader Qin…” Lin Xiaolu whispered, breaking the silence. “The Senior seemed quite frightened.”

Qin Lan offered no reply.

Yuena’s interrupted words replayed incessantly in her mind.

‘I also saw that you’re not actually a young girl; you were originally…’

‘Originally what?’

‘What secret could possibly terrify Tian Lanxing to such an extent?’

****

Meanwhile.

Hua Mu’ai raced like the wind, dragging Yuena back to the convenience store, then slammed the door shut with a bang, locking it behind them.

She plopped Yuena onto the counter, glaring at her, breathless.

“Speak! What exactly were you trying to say earlier?!” Hua Mu’ai demanded, needing final confirmation.

Yuena shook her slightly dizzy head, gazing at her blankly. “I just wanted to say you were originally a man. To me, it’s merely a normal energy form transformation. Is there anything unspeakable about that?”

Hua Mu’ai felt her blood pressure surging once more.

“Do you know who was sitting down there? That’s my daughter! If she found out her idol was actually a man, how could I ever face her again? Even worse, what if she connected the dots and realized I was her dad? That would be the absolute end!”

Moreover, since Qin Lan had always perceived her as female, they had interacted as same-s*x individuals from the beginning, allowing her to occasionally take certain unwitting advantages.

If Yuena had truly revealed the truth today, wouldn’t Gu Qing’s lifelong reputation have been utterly ruined?

Yuena seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation, her long ears drooping.

“I’m sorry… human social dynamics are so complicated…”

Seeing her pitiful expression, Hua Mu’ai’s simmering anger simply couldn’t find an outlet.

“Forget it. Just remember this: what’s known by heaven and earth is known only by you and me. If a third person ever finds out…”

She made a throat-slitting gesture.

Yuena shivered in fright, nodding vigorously like a pecking chick.

The crisis was temporarily averted.

Now, it was time to discuss serious matters.

“Hey, fluffy,” Hua Mu’ai began, “Didn’t you say you needed to sleep to regain your powers? How does that work?”

“I need to reside in a place abundant with starlight energy,” Yuena explained. “A Heart Stone is the ideal vessel. The stronger a magical girl’s power, the faster I will recover.”

Her pale pink eyes then fixed intently on Hua Mu’ai.

“Your power is incredibly potent; for me, you are the best choice.”

“You want to live inside my Heart Stone?”

Hua Mu’ai felt a flicker of resistance, but then she recalled the analysis from her combat instinct…

[Target Locked]

[Species Identified: Fairy (Emerald Court Bloodline).]

[Current Status: Energy Depleted, Mentally Exhausted, Non-Aggressive.]

[Void Abyss Energy Analysis: Originates from purification acts, not self-produced.]

[Safety Assessment: No Threat.]

She had been momentarily stunned earlier; it was the first time her combat instinct had given such a high positive evaluation.

So, this little creature truly wasn’t an enemy.

“I won’t cause any trouble,” Yuena quickly added, noticing her hesitation. “I only need to stay in your Heart Stone for fifteen days to fully recover.”

“Once I’ve recovered, I can help you solve your form-switching problem and restore your diminished strength to normal.”

With Yuena’s final promise, Hua Mu’ai had no need to deliberate further.

To shed the appearance of a pink-haired brat and revert to a rough-and-tumble uncle who could freely smoke, go shirtless, and guzzle ice-cold beer—how could she possibly refuse such an enticing offer?

Hua Mu’ai suppressed the wild joy in her heart, replying with a feigned reluctance, “Ahem, since you’ve begged me so earnestly, this young lady will just have to agree.”

“But let’s be clear: if you dare to deceive me, this young lady will pluck out every single one of your hairs!”

“I swear by the honor of the Emerald Royalty, I will keep my word,” Yuena vowed repeatedly.

“Then it’s settled.”

Hua Mu’ai extended her palm, and with a flick of her thoughts, the four-sided die materialized there.

“Wow…” Yuena’s eyes suddenly sparkled. “Your Heart Stone is a die that determines fate… that’s so cool.”

Without further hesitation, her tiny body began to turn transparent.

“Oh, and one last reminder: if you encounter any emergencies, you can hold the Heart Stone and shout my name, and I will awaken early.”

With that, she transformed into firefly-like particles of light, all flowing into the die.

The die emanated a soft white glow, then returned to its original state, resting quietly in Hua Mu’ai’s palm.

She could feel a gentle consciousness slumbering within her Heart Stone.

Hua Mu’ai retracted her Heart Stone, leaning back wearily in her chair, murmuring to herself as she gazed at the reflection of the cute girl in the glass door.

“Hang in there. Just fifteen more days, and this nightmare can finally end.”

****

Two days later, Hua Mu’ai went to pick up the two little ones from school.

“Senior, are we going for desserts again today?” Lin Xiaolu whispered, her backpack slung over her shoulders.

“Haven’t you noticed?” Gu Qianqian asked, arms crossed, a slight curve to her lips. “Our esteemed Captain has developed a deep affection for sweets lately.”

Hua Mu’ai stumbled, nearly face-planting on the spot.

A sudden flush spread across her delicate face.

‘It’s all this damned form’s fault!’

‘How could a true, upright man like this young lady possibly enjoy such cloyingly sweet things!’

Yet, lately, whenever she passed a dessert shop, her legs seemed to develop a mind of their own, refusing to move.

“Nonsense, utter nonsense!”

Hua Mu’ai turned her head away, loudly trying to mask her guilt.

“This young lady doesn’t like them at all! It’s only because you girls are so greedy for sweets that I begrudgingly accompany you. You should be grateful, understand?”

“Yes, yes, thank you for gracing us with your presence, Captain,” Gu Qianqian replied solemnly, stifling a laugh.

Lin Xiaolu, standing nearby, couldn’t help but let out a giggle at the sight of her flushed face and stubborn denial.

“You dare to laugh!”

Hua Mu’ai’s temper flared.