Chapter 5: The Price of Envy and a Determined Return Home

The golden ring on Envy’s index finger quivered, as if it had heard his gritted curse—no, not ‘as if’; it truly had.

The ring twisted and deformed, coiling like a serpent around his finger, raising its head.

It split open a maw bristling with sharp teeth and whispered softly to the embodiment of sin.

“Master, my dear Master, why do you take such matters so seriously?

Have you forgotten my exclusive magic?

Cruel, malicious… yet frail, ‘Fireworks’ is a devil from hell to her peers, an irresistible blazing sun.

But to me, she is merely a lamb to the slaughter.”

The golden ring’s voice was as melodious and gentle as fine wine.

Envy gazed at it, and the seething resentment in his eyes receded slightly.

“Gold, my dear Gold, if it were a one-on-one fight, I would have no doubt you could dispatch her cleanly and efficiently.

However, that pest is as shameless as she was a year ago, still fond of sticking together with others.

She is currently in a hospital with comprehensive security, surrounded by countless guards from the Starlight Group.

Guards, doctors, and herself… if even one person detects something amiss, they will summon other magical girls for reinforcement.

How do you propose to infiltrate without anyone being the wiser and confront her one-on-one?”

The ring’s laughter deepened.

It coiled its way up Envy’s arm, slithering to the man’s ear, its golden fangs brushing past his earlobe.

“Your plan is indeed impeccable, truly admirable.

However, she will not remain in the hospital forever, nor will she always be protected by others.

Within a week at most, she will surely leave the hospital to that safe deposit box—which, to me, is nothing more than a facade—to retrieve… no, to re-steal the Heart of Silvermoon, which only you are truly worthy of possessing.

At that time, I will definitively end her life for you and return the treasure that rightfully belongs to you.”

****

One week later, on a bright morning, sunlight streamed into the hospital room.

A nursing attendant surveyed the room, picked up the water glass from the bedside table, and placed it into a travel bag, then addressed Lu Chen, who was sitting on the bed changing his clothes:

“Is this everything?

There shouldn’t be anything else to take back, right?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Lu Chen replied, simultaneously removing his blue and white striped hospital gown and changing into loose sweatpants.

The hospital in Linzhou boasted many mages proficient in healing magic.

Thanks to their diligent treatment, and Xia Shi’s nightly affectionate cuddles and playful lifts, Lu Chen’s body and spirit recovered remarkably quickly, meeting the criteria for discharge.

However, his legs had not fully recovered, causing him to limp when he walked, making it truly difficult for him to pack his luggage alone or cross the street via subway.

Lu Chen had no family to care for him, and Xia Shi was tied up with numerous commitments.

The girl had successfully completed her hospital examinations but was busy with media interviews, coordinating with company personnel, and other troublesome matters, having been constantly on the move across the city in recent days, appearing fatigued each evening they met.

Though somewhat reluctant, Lu Chen truly did not wish to trouble her further, asking her to spend an entire day accompanying him again.

He was content just to see her in the evenings.

Fortunately, the Starlight Group was not a heartless company.

Lin Wan arranged a nursing care company for him, their valuable asset injured on the job, free of charge, to help him navigate the many challenges of returning home.

As Lu Chen folded his discarded hospital gown, the attendant also finished organizing the travel bag and pushed a wheelchair to the bedside.

As he stood from the bed and settled into the wheelchair, the hospital room door creaked open.

Xia Shi’s radiant figure slipped silently into the room.

No longer in her transformed state, the girl’s smooth, long hair had returned to its inky black hue, accentuating the delicate fairness of her exquisite face.

Under Lu Chen’s astonished gaze, she glided gracefully to the bedside in a pair of dark brown leather shoes, handing him a pear.

“Good morning.

Here’s today’s pear.”

Lu Chen accepted the fruit and questioned the girl:

“Th-thank you.

Didn’t you say yesterday that you had a detailed report to give at the company this morning?

Is it alright for you to be here now?”

Xia Shi nodded, a faint, proud smile gracing her pink lips, as if seeking commendation from Lu Chen.

“Yes, there was supposed to be a meeting, but I asked Ms. Lin to postpone it until tomorrow.

The hospital is a bit far from your home, isn’t it?

I can’t let you hobble home alone.”

She pulled a small receipt issued by the hospital from her pocket and waved it at Lu Chen.

“Look, I’ve already rented a wheelchair; you can use it when we go downstairs.

I also called for a suitable taxi in advance, and it’s waiting outside the hospital right now… uh.”

With that, the girl seemed to belatedly notice the wheelchair beside her and the attendant pushing it.

She scrutinized the attendant’s attire, her expression turning somewhat bewildered.

Her hands instinctively fell to her front, and she bowed 30 degrees to the attendant, saying:

“Hello, I am Mr. Lu’s friend.

You don’t seem to be hospital staff, do you?

Why are you here?”

Taken aback by this unexpected formality, the attendant’s expression also turned somewhat bewildered.

He tentatively returned the bow, repeating Xia Shi’s phrasing:

“Hello, I am a nursing attendant hired by Mr. Lu, responsible for helping him get home.”

The girl’s gaze flitted between the wheelchair and the small receipt in her hand for a moment, before a blush of shame crept across her face, reminiscent of a primary schooler who had stammered for an hour during a school-wide speech.

“…I’m sorry.

I made a mistake.

Goodbye.”

After whispering the three short phrases, the girl turned her back and scurried towards the door.

Lu Chen quickly raced after her in his wheelchair, grabbing her wrist.

Xia Shi had a habit of fixating on minor details; she had once spent an entire evening consumed by self-reproach, enveloped in a somber mood, simply because she was five minutes late for a date, and afterwards, she had even sent him a lengthy handwritten apology and self-reflection essay.

If he were to let her leave like this, the consequences would be dire.

“It’s my fault!

I apologize for not telling you sooner!

Please come home with me!”

The girl’s lips curved subtly, and a flicker of satisfaction, like a hunter seeing their prey take the bait, crossed her eyes.

However, upon turning back to face Lu Chen, she had already reverted to her adorably sparkling-eyed expression, all traces of playful cunning having vanished.

“But, but, I’m certainly not as professional as the attendant, and I’d only needlessly make the taxi feel cramped.”

The attendant and Lu Chen exchanged a glance, then he immediately understood and stepped forward, addressing the girl:

“It’s alright, Mr. Lu merely has some muscle atrophy; there’s no particularly serious illness.

There’s no need to feel burdened; with genuine intent, you can certainly be of help.”

Lu Chen added, seizing the opportunity:

“Exactly!

Please, I’m counting on you!”

After their joint persuasion, Xia Shi nodded.

She lightly bit her lip, clenched her dainty fists—capable of leveling an entire building—her eyes igniting with a brilliant flame, adopting a serious expression as if preparing for battle.

“I understand.

Then I’ll trouble both of you.

I will certainly do my best and not let your expectations down!”