Chapter 46: The Magical Girl Has Been Kidnapped!

Night.

Only two days remained until Lin Yu’s “formal employee evaluation.”

At this moment, the magical girl candidate was sitting quietly on the soft wool carpet in a perfectly standard “duck sitting” posture.

She wore her familiar blue sailor uniform and pleated skirt.
Her legs, wrapped in white over-the-knee socks, were neatly folded and pressed close together.

It was a posture that no ordinary man could ever manage—one that exuded an unguarded, girlish grace.

But Lin Yu, now transformed into a magical girl, did it effortlessly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

She wasn’t even aware there was anything strange about her posture.

After all, all her focus was locked on the holographic screen floating above her wrist—pink bubbles and sparkles spilling from her [Contract Bracelet].

On it, a chuunibyou-style tutorial looped endlessly—complete with exaggerated poses and embarrassing slogans.
It was the final performance demo for [SP-01: Shining☆Appearance].

“—Shining☆Appearance!”

Echoing the energetic cry of the virtual idol, Lin Yu took a deep breath and leapt up like the animation instructed.

This time, she didn’t hesitate.

Her left hand rested elegantly at her waist, while her right hand formed a radiant V with her index and middle fingers, pointing straight toward the ceiling—bold and confident, as if she could pierce the heavens themselves!

Her slightly pigeon-toed legs bent at just the right angle, and a bright, determined smile curved her lips.

“Buzz—!”

This time, she nailed it.

A dazzling burst of starlight exploded around her, scattering glittering pink hearts that slowly drifted down.

The radiant glow filled the living room, bathing even her short gray hair in a soft, shimmering halo.

【Ding-dong~❤ Congratulations, student! SP-01: Shining☆Debut, practice completion rate 100%! You are now a magical girl ready to make a dazzling debut! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧】

The bracelet chimed in a sweet, cheerful voice.

Staring at her reflection—surrounded by hearts, starlight, and pure embarrassment—Lin Yu let out a long sigh of relief.
Her expression mixed fatigue with a flicker of pride, like a student who had finally passed a long, dreadful exam.

(…Finally… I’ve got it down.)

Lin Yu’s inner voice muttered wryly.

(Even though I still want to die of secondhand embarrassment every time I do this… I have to admit, the light effects are… kind of gorgeous? If I do this during the assessment, the senior proctors might actually think I’m a total pro. Hehe…)

That little success gave her an unexpected boost of confidence.

Adrenaline surged through her veins, and for a moment, she felt unstoppable.

Her gaze shifted toward the “Witch’s Training Manual,” scrolling until she found the skill she’d been itching to try—a skill equal parts practical and mischievous.

【SP-04: Time for a Costume Change!】

[Skill Description: In non-combat states, consumes a small amount of psionic energy to randomly or selectively transform combat attire into everyday clothing from the [Dawn’s Home] APP template library for camouflage and infiltration within mission zones.]

[Note: More outfit templates can be unlocked with performance points~❤]

Lin Yu tapped the “Template Library” icon shaped like a sparkling little dress.

In an instant, a waterfall of dazzling outfits unfolded before her eyes.

From frilly Lolita dresses to sleek punk jackets, from modest nun habits to ethereal elven robes—each design outshone the last.

(…Holy crap.)

Lin Yu’s eyes went wide.

(Just how much time did the programmers waste making all this?! These clothes… they’re way too pretty! Uh—no, I mean, they’re… reasonably well-made.)

Her fingers darted through the air as she flipped through page after page like a kid lost in a candy store.

But soon, her excitement froze solid.

Almost every decent-looking outfit bore a small glowing tag in the corner—“Redeem for Performance Points.”

And the numbers made her heart ache with capitalist despair.

The gothic dress of the Dark Elf Queen she fell for instantly?
Fifty. Thousand. Points.

(Fifty… thousand?! That’s daylight robbery!)

She screamed internally.

(After risking my life to clear a Class C pollution source, I only earned a thousand points! What do they expect me to do, die fifty more times just to afford this dress?!)

Fuming, she slammed the “Premium” tab shut and opened the only other section available—“Free.”

The mood instantly plummeted.

Aside from a few dull T-shirts and plain jeans, there was only one somewhat “unique” outfit template.

A classic black-and-white set, complete with a white lace apron and a cute bow headband.

…A maid outfit.

Lin Yu stared at the icon in dead silence.

Inside her head, two little figures were brawling.

One—a bald man in a business suit—screamed furiously:
“Stop! Lin Yu! You’re a man! Wearing that will destroy what little dignity you have left!”

The other—a mischievous bunny girl with pink devil horns—whispered sweetly:
“What are you so afraid of? No one’s around to see you. Aren’t you just a little curious what you’d look like? Maybe… you’d be adorable~❤”

After a grueling thirty-second battle, curiosity won.

(…Fine. Just one try…)

Her cheeks flushed bright red, her heartbeat drumming uncontrollably.

(It’s for training! Yeah, that’s it. I’m just getting familiar with the skill. It’s work-related! Definitely not because I want to wear it!)

She convinced herself with the logic of a true corporate s*ave.

Then, with trembling fingers, she tapped “Confirm Costume Change.”

“Buzz—”

A faint pulse of psionic energy shimmered through her body.
The blue-and-white sailor uniform melted away like ice under sunlight.

The fabric reformed—its texture shifting from crisp and synthetic to soft, breathable cotton.
The deep blue hue faded, replaced by a pure, enchanting black trimmed with delicate white lace.

A ribboned apron wrapped snugly around her waist, and the feeling of being gently embraced by fine fabric sent a subtle warmth across her skin.

Lin Yu slowly opened her eyes and turned toward the mirror.

What she saw made her freeze.

Standing in the reflection was someone she’d never seen before.

No longer the distant “Gray Crystal,” but a maid who embodied both innocence and temptation.

A white lace headband rested atop her silvery-gray hair, accentuating her delicate features.

The dress was cut perfectly—neither revealing nor prudish.

The skirt fell just above her knees, outlining her long, graceful legs beneath the pure white stockings.

A large ribbon tied at her waist completed the look, perfectly highlighting her slim figure.

(…Oh my god.)

Lin Yu’s brain short-circuited.
Her cheeks turned crimson from her neck to the tips of her ears.

Shame and inexplicable excitement collided in her chest like a thunderstorm.

(…This… this is way too unfair!)

She opened her mouth, but words failed her.
She could only groan inwardly, like a defeated gamer watching his own downfall.

It was the same feeling as when a straight male gamer “accidentally” made a female avatar too beautiful—and secretly wanted to take screenshots despite claiming it was just a joke.

And then, an even more shameful impulse bubbled up.

Her gloved fingers pinched the hem of her skirt.
She bent her knees slightly and spun around shyly, just like a heroine from an anime.

The black skirt fluttered gracefully, blooming like a dark flower.

(Wait—what the hell am I doing—ahhhh!!!)

Her mind went blank as she stared at her reflection, mortified beyond reason.

Yet amid the chaos, an absurd new thought sprouted.

(…With how I look right now… if I worked at a maid café…)

(The hourly wage would be insane, right?)

(I wouldn’t even need to be a magical girl—just pay off that five-million-yen penalty in tips alone!)

Once that idea took root, it refused to leave.

She even began role-playing the scenario in her mind—Ash Crystal, the cute maid, kneeling gracefully at the doorway, greeting her “Master” with a sweet smile…

“Calm down! Calm down!”

She slapped her cheeks, flustered, and glanced around the empty room.

“Okay… deep breaths…”

Once her heart stopped racing, she gingerly removed the [Contract Bracelet], placed it on the table, and with guilty hesitation, turned on the recording function.

The camera lens blinked red.

She practiced her “professional” smile once, twice—then lifted her skirt slightly and bowed, her face burning like fire.

Her voice trembled as she forced out the forbidden line she’d only ever heard in anime:c

“Welcome back, Master…”

The moment the words left her lips, her body went limp.

She let out a strangled cry, canceled the transformation in a panic, and collapsed into a heap.

Pink light flickered—and the adorable maid vanished.

In her place was a disheveled man in a white T-shirt and beach shorts, gasping for breath like he’d run a marathon.

(Oh shit oh shit oh shit—)

He screamed internally, mortified beyond belief.

(What the hell was I doing just now?!)

He felt like a criminal caught red-handed—his heart pounding with equal parts terror and…
a hint of thrill.

Trembling, he grabbed the [Contract Bracelet], still flashing its recording light, intending to delete every trace of this disaster.

But—of course—curiosity struck again.

With a mix of guilt and morbid fascination, he pressed play.

On the holographic screen appeared the same black-and-white maid—her shy smile, her soft voice.

When he heard her whisper, “Welcome back, Master,” his heart seized tight.

A rush of heat surged from his tailbone to the top of his head.
His face turned scarlet.

His knees buckled, and he crumpled to the floor, covering his face.

(…I’m doomed…)

(Something’s seriously wrong with me…)

(Why am I happy just looking at myself like that?! Why am I blushing just hearing my own voice?!)

(They’ve definitely fried my brain! Chen Bing must’ve hit me too hard, or Li Qing electrocuted me! That’s the only explanation!)

His thoughts spiraled into chaos—careening wildly toward the dark abyss of self-doubt.

And then—

“Crackle.”

A faint sound came from above, like a dying spark.

The lights flickered erratically, the bright white glow dimming into a trembling, candle-like shimmer.

(…Huh?)

The strange disturbance washed away his shame in an instant.
He looked up at the ceiling lamp, sighing helplessly.

“…Again?”

This wasn’t the first time.

Ever since he’d moved into this “affordable dream apartment,” the place had been full of little problems.

The faucet dripped on its own.
The toilet flushed in the middle of the night.
And the living room lights flickered like they were haunted.

He’d even called maintenance once.
The technician fiddled around for half an hour, shrugged, muttered something about “unstable voltage,” pocketed fifty yuan, and left.

(Scammer.)

Lin Yu cursed silently at the greedy landlord who’d suckered him into renting this ghost-infested place.

(You really get what you pay for. This place is cursed!)

Muttering, he got up, heading for the storage room to find his toolbox.

But just as he stood—

“Ding-dong—”

The doorbell rang.

He froze.

The clock on the wall read 9:30 p.m.

(…Who the hell would visit at this hour?)

His mind raced.

(Wang Wei? No, he’d message first.)
(Property management? Not a chance. They’re lazier than me.)
(Could it be… Lin Xue?)

He immediately dismissed the thought.

(No. She was here yesterday, and she knows the passcode.)

A chill crept up his spine.

He tiptoed to the door, cautious, and peered through the peephole.

The corridor light was on.

A young girl—maybe middle school age—stood outside, dressed in trendy streetwear.

Oversized graffiti hoodie.
Ripped denim shorts.
Limited-edition sneakers.

Her fiery red hair was tied into several short dreadlocks, and silver earrings glinted under the light.

She looked completely out of place in this quiet, upscale neighborhood.

At that moment, she knocked impatiently on the door, a small package in hand stamped with “Pinduoduo — The More You Buy, The More You Save.”

(…A courier?)

Lin Yu relaxed slightly, but didn’t open the door.

He asked through the wood, his voice wary:
“Who is it?”

“A delivery.”

The girl’s clear yet slightly irritable voice came through.

“Your Pinduoduo package. Open up and sign for it!”

(Pinduoduo?)

Lin Yu blinked, then recalled ordering a box of discounted toilet paper a few days ago.

(But wait…)

(When did Pinduoduo start door-to-door service?)

He asked suspiciously, “Don’t you usually drop them off at the station? Why deliver it personally?”

“Because of you rich people!” the girl snapped, her tone dripping with resentment.

“Headquarters ordered all packages in [Morning Dawn Gardens] must be delivered door-to-door, or we get fined! Now hurry up, I’ve got others to deliver!”

(Oh… I see…)

Her words completely disarmed his suspicion.
A faint, smug sense of superiority bloomed in his chest.

(So this is what being rich feels like…)

Feeling oddly pleased with himself, he unlocked the door.

“Thanks—”

He had just reached out to take the package when he froze.

(…Too light.)

It felt almost weightless—not like a box of toilet paper at all.

Before he could react—

“Crack-crack-crack—!”

A burst of sharp electric noise filled his ears.

The girl’s hand shot from her hoodie, holding a black, flashlight-shaped object—

—and she jammed it into his abdomen.

A stun gun!

A violent jolt of current tore through his body.

“Uhh—ah…”

Lin Yu let out a strangled groan before collapsing to the floor.

His vision twisted.
The ceiling spun upside-down.

(…What… why…)

He tried to move, but his body was numb, limbs heavy as lead.

The red-haired girl darted around his living room like a fox.

She didn’t touch his wallet or laptop—only sniffed the air like a hunting dog.

Her eyes landed on a half-open cardboard box in the corner.
She sliced it open, peeked inside, and nodded.

(…That’s just the toilet paper box…)

(What the hell does she want with that?)

Before he could figure it out, the girl spoke softly toward the door.

“Sister Scarlet Fox, the item’s been found.”

Lin Yu’s heart dropped.

(…There’s someone else?!)

Footsteps clicked against the marble outside—slow, steady, confident.

A woman’s husky, smoky voice drifted through the doorway:

“Well done, A-Que.”

“Take the boy.”

“Yes.”

The red-haired girl obeyed.

She pulled a white handkerchief from her pocket—soaked in something sweet and chemical.

The scent hit Lin Yu’s nose like poison.

(…Shit—)

At the same time, at the entrance of [Morning Dawn Gardens].

A slightly worn white SUV rolled smoothly through the gate.

In the driver’s seat, Luo Shaotian glanced at the foil-wrapped skewers resting on the passenger seat and smiled faintly.

It was Lin Yu’s favorite barbecue—the kind she could never afford back in college.

Even between brothers, you didn’t visit empty-handed. That was the rule.

(…I wonder how Ah Yu’s doing now…)

His heart swelled with a mix of nostalgia and unease.

(Now that he’s living in such a fancy neighborhood, he must be doing well. His social posts look pretty cheerful… maybe he’s finally stable.)

Lost in thought, Luo turned the wheel toward the visitor parking entrance—

—and a black MPV with tinted windows shot past him like a bullet!

The rush of air made his own car shudder.

“Shit!”

He slammed the brakes, heart pounding.

He was about to curse the reckless driver—until his sharp eyes caught a glimpse of the man behind the wheel.

That scarred face.
Those predatory eyes.

(…That’s him.)

The realization hit like lightning.

(The North Hall enforcer of the Chicheng Gang—Brother Long’s right hand. The Butcher!)

(What the hell is he doing here?! This is Zone C—the safest residential block in Xin Hai! The Hive District scum would never dare show up here!)

Every instinct screamed danger.

Without hesitation, Luo shifted gears and followed.

The black MPV merged into the main road.
He didn’t call for backup—he knew better.

Any sudden movement would alert them.

He gripped the wheel tightly, muttering under his breath:

“Ah Yu… looks like you won’t be eating that barbecue tonight.”