Chapter 52: A Shocking Homecoming and an Evolved Beast Guest

“I apologize, but I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll be taking my leave.”

Having learned today that Liu Xingluo had caused quite a stir behind her back, Liu Ruyan found herself unable to focus on work. Taking a leave of absence, she prepared to head home.

While she longed to visit Liu Xingluo, traveling between cities would consume a considerable amount of time. Consequently, she had no alternative but to return home.

Moreover, since Liu Xingluo had mentioned her plans to move to another city for work and settle down, Liu Ruyan decided to go home first and pack the essentials her sister would need for her journey.

A wave of worry washed over her, wondering if her still-immature younger sister could truly manage on her own out in the world.

Upon arriving home, she deftly unlocked the door and slipped into her slippers.

Then, Liu Ruyan saw him: Lain, seated on her sofa.

“Ah!!!”

Liu Ruyan immediately shrieked in fright.

What was this situation? Who was this fellow? Why was he in her home? Was he a thief?

“What’s wrong? Oh, Sister, you’re back. You’re home quite early from work today.”

Hearing the commotion from the doorway, Liu Xingluo, who had been admiring herself in her bunny girl outfit, poked her head out curiously, realizing her sister had returned.

“Xiaoluo, who is this man? Don’t you even realize we have a thief in the house?”

Seizing Liu Xingluo and shielding her behind herself, Liu Ruyan eyed Lain warily.

She feared he might commit some act of harm against her and her sister.

“No, Sister, it’s a misunderstanding. He’s not a thief; he’s a friend I just met today, Lain. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have been able to return to this world. Right, Lain?”

Seeing Liu Ruyan’s confusion about Lain’s identity, Liu Xingluo kindly stepped in to explain.

As she hadn’t mentioned Lain’s existence during their previous phone call, it was perfectly understandable for Liu Ruyan to be so mistaken.

“What Her Royal Highness says is true. There is no need for surprise, human. However, ‘friend’ is too great an exaggeration; I do not possess the qualifications to be Her Royal Highness’s friend. I am merely a shadow guard, a devoted subordinate sworn to risk my life to protect her.”

In stark contrast to the panicked Liu Ruyan, Lain calmly articulated the nature of his relationship with Liu Xingluo.

“Huh? Her Royal Highness? Xiaoluo, is there something wrong with your friend in that regard? What exactly is he talking about?”

Far from alleviating her confusion, Liu Ruyan found herself even more perplexed.

She pointed to her own head, demanding an explanation from Liu Xingluo about this person’s peculiar statements.

“No, no, his mind is perfectly normal. It’s just that because he’s an Evolved Beast, his way of thinking is a little different from ours.”

“What?! An Evolved Beast!!!”

Having heard Liu Xingluo’s explanation, Liu Ruyan’s eyes widened dramatically.

What on earth was this situation? She had merely gone out for a day of work, yet it seemed the world had transformed into something utterly beyond her comprehension.

“Keep your voice down, Sister. If you’re so loud, you’ll bother the neighbors. I’ll explain everything to you properly. In short, even though Lain is an Evolved Beast, he’s on my side, so don’t worry—he won’t hurt you.”

Since the house’s soundproofing was not particularly good, Liu Xingluo worried that Liu Ruyan’s outburst would not only disturb the surrounding neighbors but also attract trouble for herself and Lain.

“Alright… I’ll go get some water to calm my nerves first. Xiaoluo, you’d better give me a thorough explanation later… And what’s with that outfit of yours?”

It was only then that Liu Ruyan noticed Liu Xingluo, clad in a white bunny girl outfit, standing behind her.

Having been utterly startled by Lain moments before, she had completely failed to notice.

“Oh, this? Lain helped me pick it out. What do you think? Isn’t it rather… provocative? Especially with my sexy figure, I even find myself incredibly alluring.”

To emphasize just how captivating she looked in the bunny girl costume, Liu Xingluo even struck a deliberate pose.

“Xiaoluo, can you please just be normal? Your sister simply cannot accept you like this.”

Having already been terrified speechless for an entire day by her younger sister’s nude apron this morning, Liu Ruyan now found her arriving home in a sexy bunny girl outfit.

Liu Ruyan simply couldn’t accept her once-dutiful younger sister transforming in such a manner, especially since Liu Xingluo appeared to be thoroughly enjoying herself, completely reveling in it.

‘Could it be that she already fully believes herself to be a girl?’

“Eh? You can’t accept this? But Sister, you’ve worn quite a few similar styles of clothing yourself. Fine, then, I’ll go change into something a bit more normal.”

Upon hearing Liu Ruyan’s words, Liu Xingluo had no choice but to go back and change. She had originally hoped that, finally being home, she could try on some outfits she wouldn’t dare wear outside and admire her different looks.

But if her sister couldn’t accept it, then she would simply have to give up for now, waiting for another chance to wear them when she was alone at home.

“Oh, right, Lain, you mustn’t lay a hand on my sister, understand? If you harm her, I won’t let you off lightly.”

Fearing what might transpire while she changed, Liu Xingluo specifically warned Lain before returning to her room, strictly forbidding him from inflicting any harm upon Liu Ruyan.

“Her Royal Highness may rest assured. Without Her Royal Highness’s permission, I shall absolutely not harm this human.”

Merely by the tone of Liu Xingluo’s voice, Lain could sense her earnestness.

Thus, even though it was unnecessary, given that Liu Xingluo had previously issued similar directives to him.

Lain still responded to her.

After observing Lain, who sat obediently on the sofa, and recalling Liu Xingluo’s assurances—[he’s on my side] and [he won’t hurt me]—Liu Ruyan concluded that despite her reservations about his Evolved Beast identity, attempting to communicate with him would be best.

After all, he didn’t appear to be incapable of communication.

“Um… your name is Lain, correct? Since you’re visiting, would you like something to drink? Tea? Or coffee? Or perhaps a beer?”

Even though Liu Xingluo had brought him home, he was, after all, a guest. As the head of the household, she felt compelled to treat him well and strive to foster a harmonious relationship.

As an Evolved Beast, Lain did not possess the human flaw of requiring external energy intake to function; the energy within his own body was sufficient to ensure continuous activity.

However, since she was proactively offering him something, Lain saw no reason to refuse.

Yet, he had no idea what these beverages tasted like, leaving him unsure of how to choose.

Fortunately, Liu Xingluo had spent a considerable amount of time in the human world, so selecting based on her preferences would undoubtedly be a safe bet.