Chapter 498

Sunlight streamed through the delicate window panes, creating a bright and tranquil atmosphere.

The study's interior was sparsely decorated, with not a single luxurious item; the only thing that caught the eye was the bookshelf lined with books of varying ages.

"Forgotten…"

The other two women held wristwatches from the Cycle Space—ones he had personally given them.

Su Lin naturally understood the crowd's voyeuristic mindset; if he were in their place, he'd at least try to lock the door.

Carrying a heavy basket of fruit, yet the intended recipient was not here—only Su Lin remained in the room.

"Not all of them are grimoires; studying really is exhausting."

He glanced at the open book on the wooden desk, which sketched several different herb stems.

On the desk were also glass vessels containing soil, with a red seed placed in the center, seemingly ready for cultivation.

Dappled light from the window fell upon these books and vessels, revealing the moist ink stains on the white paper—proof the girl had taken notes here not long ago.

"Aren't you still in the mood to improve yourself?"

It seemed the witch had not been affected by external events—or perhaps her emotions had stabilized over these two days.

After all, there was no reason to believe in such mysterious, obscure things.

Su Lin regretted he couldn't add insult to injury by finding some amusement.

Following his magical perception, Su Lin pulled a grimoire with a six-pointed star pattern on its cover from the shelf, flipping through it gently; the recorded dimensional magic projected into three-dimensional symbols.

Don't misunderstand—it wasn't that Su Lin was snooping on her privacy; this book was his own.

To avoid studying magic, Su Lin had once made a deal with Young Lady Yi Leina: by copying and synchronizing her spellcasting memories and magical theories, he could improve his proficiency by merely reading the book.

The problem was that everyone's understanding and elemental perception differed—even reading this book required repeated practice.

In other words, it was a teaching aid.

"Who could've imagined that a few months later, that pigeon would have tricked me?" Su Lin sighed.

Yet… the types of magic within this book kept increasing; space and capacity were never issues for dimensional layering.

Perhaps, after a few more years and the accumulation of historical time, it would become a remarkable treasure due to its author's efforts.

"She's the complete opposite of me—I'm the kind of lazy fish who lies down the moment he achieves a little success." Su Lin smiled and closed the grimoire.

The latch clicked, and the wooden door slowly opened; Yi Leina removed her triangular soft-pointed magic hat and brushed off its dried broad leaves.

"I came back as soon as I saw Huiye's message—you're here after all," Yi Leina said, glancing at the fruit basket in Su Lin's hand, hands on her hips: "Sneaking into a girl's bedroom like this is tasteless. Terrible."

Her expression remained calm; her gray hair was slightly disheveled as if blown by the wind, still uncombed, and she carried two bulging linen sacks—likely just returned from outside.

"Didn't you also enter my room last time?" Su Lin pointed with his thumb at the anime poster on the wall behind him and the plastic figurines on the nightstand: "Everything in here was taken by you. Don't be hypocritical—start with yourself."

"Ugh…" Yi Leina's gaze shifted elsewhere, momentarily unable to refute him.

Though she'd originally gone along with Song Shuhang to take a look, it was indeed she who launched an investigation upon seeing Su Lin's poster.

On matters of petty grievances, this woman always found unanswerable arguments.

"Huh—"

She took a deep breath, calming herself; for a witch, maintaining rationality at all times was a required lesson.

"Then, Mr. Su Lin, what brings you here today?" Yi Leina smiled faintly, her blue-purple eyes reflecting Su Lin's figure.

"You know damn well." Su Lin.

He picked up the consolation gifts from the desk, pulled out a spirit fruit at random, and popped it into his mouth: "Forced to be the representative, I came to visit and deliver this crowd-funded fruit basket."

Then why are you eating it?!

Calm, Yi Leina.

Stay calm, as usual.

"Didn't you complain yesterday in the group chat about being swamped with work?"

She tried steering the conversation back to normal.

"A woman secretly in love with me is ill—even if the safety of the Three Realms, Six Paths, and the entire universe were at stake, I'd make time to come see her." Su Lin said, quoting a classic Chinese xianxia drama trope, while handing over the basket and casually pulling out Zhongli's "fruit knife":

"If you plan to assassinate any mythic being with a mouth, I can provide some tools."

I'll secretly kill both of you and bury you together!

Yi Leina snatched her consolation gifts away in anger, stowing it in her personal space, thus avoiding Su Lin's covetous gaze toward the sacred fruit.

"You went out of your way to come visit me in your busy schedule? Thank you so much!" She laughed, as if amused: "Someone who's had my portrait hanging in their room since school days, hehehe."

That was a poster, and besides, he had dozens of paper-cut wives in his own room.

Su Lin shrugged slightly, glancing at the ceiling and the buildings beyond the glass window, deciding not to pursue the topic further: "What city is this? The inn's not bad."

"City? Inn?" Yi Leina tilted her head in confusion, her fingertip resting on her chin: "This is my home."

Su Lin turned back to her, watching as Yi Leina snapped her fingers and deactivated the magic array outside the room.

Four women and one man had been curiously tapping at the air outside the door—but now they tapped nothing, stumbling forward into the room.

Then

They saw Yi Leina—and Su Lin, still dazed inside the room.

"Taking a few days off to return home isn't exactly unusual, is it?" Yi Leina said: "Now I can face myself more honestly—coming home to share travel stories with Mother, next time I can just teleport directly to the anchor point in the previous city."

"By the way, since you're here, why not join us for dinner?" Yi Leina said with a beaming smile, her eyes curled like crescent moons.

This reminded Su Lin of a creature called a fox—and the stereotypical impression of it: cunning, scheming.

"No."

He refused without hesitation, turning to leave—only to find the teleportation gate already closed, and his hand reaching for a cross-realm talisman blocked by a slender arm.

"Nee, nee, you went out of your way to come visit me—how could you leave without eating a meal?"

Her soft hand gripped Su Lin's wrist, her voice nearly tender: "I made your favorite—Yi Leina's special vegetarian fried dumplings."

Nat made vegetable dumplings. 」

No no no

What I like most is not fried vegetable balls—I've never eaten your cooking. What I truly love is Chef Emiya's private recipe.

Su Lin, covered in goosebumps, heard that artificially sweet "nana," and his old otaku soul didn't ignite—it felt like a greasy slab of pork belly had been forcibly shoved down his throat.

Surrounded by people, he couldn't spit it out, and he couldn't swallow it either.

Only now did Su Lin notice those crescent-shaped eyes—empty, even slightly dark.

"Yi Leina, please be normal," Su Lin said flatly, trying to pull his arm away. "My mom made dinner. I have to go home."

"Aren't I always normal? I even dropped work just to come visit you, and now you're being hypocritical," Yi Leina said softly, her back to the group, her hollow eyes open, a strange smile curling at her lips.

"When I'm crucified as a Dimensional Witch and sealed away, and you devour every universe as a Fallen God, our happiness for this lifetime will be over."

Are you serious?!

Shit, this

This guy's brain is completely broken.

Among the four women radiating magical energy, a girl around ten years old—with neat black short hair and a gender-neutral face—saw this scene, rolled her eyes back, and fainted.

"Saya, Saya?!!!"

Su Lin: "Anyone here? I have a commission—generous reward, just need you to come over."

Ye Fan: "Bro Su, Ye Zi is at the door!"

Xiao Yan: "Bro Su, Yan Zi is at the door!"

Purple Gold Divine Dragon: "Hun Tian Di, Little Dragon has gathered the army!"

Yi Leina: "Su Lin, is my home-cooked meal not to your taste?"

Ye Fan: "I just remembered there's something I need to attend to at the guild."

Xiao Yan: "Cai Lin is calling me. Sorry, Su Lin."

Purple Gold Divine Dragon: "I forgot to collect the congratulatory gifts."

Su Lin: "Li Huowang"

Li Huowang: "Alright, I'm coming right away."

Meng Qi: "Huowang, I need your help with something urgent—life or death!"

Li Huowang: "Meng Ge, wait for me!"

You bunch of newborns probably

"Su Lin," the gray-haired Cheng Xing spoke. "Not to your liking?"

"Delicious," Su Lin said, gripping the iron spoon, sitting upright, his expression devoid of its usual frivolity. "But before coming here, I already ate. Thank you all for your hospitality."

Su Lin could be casual with friends, but in situations where friends' parents and relatives were present, the "proper guest" template automatically loaded.

Yi Leina's father stared at Su Lin with a stern, scrutinizing gaze: "This was made by my daughter herself."

Su Lin gently pinched the spoon, scooped up some potato cream soup, and put it in his mouth.

Honestly, the taste was good.

But why is everyone staring at me while eating?

The Star Dust Witch Fran, with hair as dark as night; the Night Witch Xila, with golden hair as soft and luminous as star dust; and Saya, whose eyes burned with the fury of a wife stolen.

Including Yi Leina, opposite him, propping her chin, staring at him with that "gentle gaze."

"This woman's finally lost it," Su Lin muttered, lowering his head, beginning to eat under the collective gaze—wasting food was shameful.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing. Young Lady Yi, I'll charge this bill to Kleine."

"Oh my, that's our telepathic connection, isn't it?"

Su Lin felt the table begin to shake—it was probably Saya's trembling from despair and rage.

"Your letter mentioned you," Yi Leina's mother, Victoria, smiled warmly. "In the land of iron structures, there's a kind soul who generously teaches others unique magic. She planned to travel there for a while—I'm sure she was under your care."

"Not at all," Su Lin replied with a polite smile.

"In the second letter, she said that though she's often eccentric, overall she's a very good person," Victoria continued.

"That must be a misunderstanding between your daughter and me," Su Lin smiled. "Madam, I believe one should respect a girl's privacy."

Yi Leina looked at her mother, eyes fluttering with panic: "Mom!"

"Still calling me 'madam'? That's awfully formal," Victoria said with a smile, giving her husband's calf a light kick.

"Ahem—eating under the same roof, no need to be so stiff," he muttered.

"Uncle, Auntie," Su Lin nodded, set down his spoon, and explained: "I came here on behalf of several busy friends to visit Yi Leina. Thank you for your hospitality."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a message arrived through the chat group across the table.

Yi Leina kicked Su Lin's leg with a dull thud, then bent over, clutching her foot in pain.

Yi Leina lifted her head, smiling through the pain: "It's so late now. Su Lin, stay the night—sleep in my room."

"Yi Leina," Victoria gazed at her daughter with a gentle smile. "Enough."

"Mom?" Yi Leina blinked, then heard a sniffle beside her. She turned. "Saya…"

She hadn't noticed Saya's eyes were slightly red earlier, when she was throwing a tantrum.

Yes—Miss Saya adored her deeply, and even took Night Witch Xila, Mother's other disciple, as her teacher.

Though she herself had no interest in the internet's talk of "yuri," tonight she had clearly hurt the other girl.

She had specifically sought out Miss Saya through Miss Xila, hoping to share her travel experiences and discoveries.

I'm such a terrible person.

Yet now, Saya was like a startled hamster—every gaze upon her, especially Yi Leina's, made her so ashamed she wanted to flee.

Don't look at me like that

"Actually, I came here today for another reason," Su Lin suddenly said to Yi Leina.

"That day, Yi Leina commissioned our guild to craft a magical wand for spellcasting, saying she wanted to give it to her best friend when she returned home, but our guild has been overwhelmed with orders lately, and it's only just been completed."

Su Lin took out a brown wooden box from his pocket; inside lay a "Ollivander-made unicorn hair wand."

"Apologies for the wait, Young Lady Yi Leina. By the way, the related fees will be deducted from your personal account with the guild."

"Apologies for the wait, Young Lady Yi Leina; by the way, the related fees will be deducted from your personal account at the merchants' guild."

Yi Leina took the brown wooden box, slid it open, and revealed the wand fixed atop a sky-blue velvet lining.

In Saya's stunned gaze, Yi Leina handed the box to the girl and smiled: "Congratulations on becoming a novice witch."

"Young Lady Yi Leina…" Saya's eyes slowly moistened, her eyelids reddening further.

Yi Leina instinctively wrapped her arm around Saya's shoulders, just as she had on the night they parted: "You've still got a long way to go before becoming a witch."

Yi Leina couldn't help but wrap her arms around her shoulders, just as she had on the night they parted: "You're still far from being a witch."

Crackle, crackle.

In the fireplace, orange-red flames danced, warmth and comfort gradually filling the living room; on the walls hung photos of the family of three.

Yi Leina left with two other witches to accompany Saya in testing her new wand.

Su Lin had intended to take his leave, but was asked to stay for a cup of tea.

Yi Leina's father smiled: "How is the tea?"

"It tastes familiar," Su Lin sipped: "From my family's estate?"

"My daughter sent back plenty of local specialties. To be honest, I've never seen many of these items before—I'm not sure if that child can manage her personal finances out there," Victoria set down the teapot and sat on the sofa.

Su Lin smiled and said: "She earned all of it through her work. Don't worry."

She's supporting one person with over a dozen jobs.

"Thank you both for your hospitality tonight," Su Lin said gratefully.

"Don't mention it—we're the ones who should thank you for looking after her day to day," Victoria looked curiously at Su Lin: "I've never seen that child act like this before."

"Don't mention it—this side should be thanking you for taking care of her on a daily basis." Victoira glanced curiously at Su Lin: "I've never seen the child act like this before."

Su Lin maintained a faint smile: "I apologize for my sudden visit; it may have caused her some discomfort."

"No," Victoria shook her head: "This is the first time she's interacted so naturally with someone her own age. Seeing her like this, I'm truly relieved."

"Of course, you two aren't dating, are you?" Yi Leina's father asked.

"Of course not," Su Lin lifted his teacup, sighing: "Please don't pay attention to those rumors."

"By the way, those paintings your daughter brought back—weren't they from your room, Su Lin?" Victoria's question made Su Lin cough awkwardly, ripples forming in his tea.

"Of course not." Su Lin lifted his teacup and said with a sigh: "Please don't mind those words."

"By the way, those paintings my daughter brought back—they're from your room, aren't they, Su Lin?" Victoira's voice made Su Lin cough awkwardly, causing ripples in the tea.

"I just said I didn't know how to handle a possible advance, then sighed in relief when I realized the person had no such intention—without naming anyone."

Talking to a smart person is troublesome.

Su Lin sighed, then calmed his emotions and spoke honestly: "I once heard her story somewhere in the past. When I was a teenager, I once harbored such admiration."

After all, I've been traveling since I was fourteen—several years now, so it's plausible.

"Then, how about seriously considering my daughter?"

After all, he'd been traveling since he was fourteen, so it's been several years—easily explainable.

"Then, why not seriously consider my daughter?"

Victoria smiled faintly, her mind involuntarily recalling the latest message she'd received:

—"This journey has been incredibly fulfilling. I've traveled to all kinds of places, just like Nicole. And most importantly, I've met the best group of friends! There's no way I'm secretly in love with that guy!"

Victoria smiled faintly, her mind involuntarily recalling the latest message she had received, which read

——"This journey has been incredibly fulfilling; I've traveled to all sorts of places just like Nicole, and most importantly, I've met the most amazing friends! There's no way I'm secretly in love with that guy!"