Chapter 101

Regarding the question of where to go for the weekend, Cuique and Xiaoliang had already discussed it once, and the initial options listed were the amusement park, the film city, and the aquarium.

Subsequently, after further discussion between the two and some reference to online reviews, they ultimately chose the amusement park as their destination.

According to Xiaoliang herself, her parents had taken her to the old amusement park in Fang Ting City when she was young. Although newer theme parks gradually emerged and the old amusement park lost much of its popularity, it still remains open. She wanted to see that old amusement park again.

As for the film city and the aquarium, though both were popular local outing options, the former had recently been plagued by operational accidents, and the latter had some exhibits under renovation, so neither became their final choice.

If everything went smoothly, on the weekend, Cuique and Xiaoliang would go to the amusement park together. Unfortunately, life is unpredictable.

On Sunday, it rained.

Sitting in the dim living room, gazing out at the steady rain beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, Xiaoliang lay motionless against the sofa backrest. The sudden downpour had disrupted her plans, leaving her momentarily overwhelmed; even her usual smile had vanished, replaced by a faint sense of disappointment.

Boom!

A deafening clap of thunder suddenly echoed, a brilliant flash of lightning pierced the dark sky. Moments later, another bolt of lightning through the clouds illuminated Xiaoliang's face, making her pallor starkly visible.

Cuique remained silent. This sudden downpour had caught even the weather forecast off guard; no matter how thoroughly she had prepared, she had never anticipated such a situation on the weekend.

No one would willingly go to an amusement park in a downpour, and even if they did, the experience would be a mess. There was no doubt— their original plan had completely fallen through.

All they could do now seemed to be staying at the base, hoping the rain would stop soon. But the endless curtain of rain stretched on, the heavy clouds gathering without sign of dispersal, showing no indication of ending anytime soon.

Unlike the gloomy atmosphere on Xiaoliang's side, the other side of the living room showed Lin Xiaolu wearing headphones, sitting in the center of the sofa playing with her phone; Bai Jingxuan was happily playing with Moke, the two of them enjoying themselves in harmony. The living room looked just as it always did, as if today had always been like this—no plans, no outings.

Cuique slightly bent forward, propped her elbows on her thighs, rested her chin in her palm, and gazed at Xiaoliang's back, her eyes half-lidded.

She was thinking about what she should do right now.

Logically, since heaven had not cooperated and the weather was unsuitable, this situation was unavoidable. She could simply declare their agreement canceled, let the invitation lapse, and treat today as an ordinary weekend.

After all, this awkward arrangement had been Xiaoliang's unilateral idea, and her methods hadn't pleased Cuique at all; letting it dissolve might even serve Cuique's own interests.

Moreover, Xiaoliang's recent pranks had indeed crossed the line, even hinting at an intent to deliberately see Cuique embarrassed. If she seized this chance to douse Xiaoliang with cold water, to cool her down and calm her, it would help Cuique reassert her authority as an adult and senior, restoring clear boundaries between them.

This was a perfect opportunity: by canceling the outing, she could subtly "reprimand" Xiaoliang and reinforce the idea that adults are adults, seniors are seniors, and there must be hierarchy between them—that Xiaoliang should recognize her place.

If she wished, she could once again pull Xiaoliang's overly close distance back, keeping their relationship at its previous distance and preventing further misplaced ideas.

But should she really do this?

Cuique asked herself inwardly.

Defining clear class and status was merely the most fitting approach for an "adult," but it did not seem fitting for a "senior."

An "adult" must establish authority before children; a "senior" must educate and guide her juniors toward proper growth. This guidance should encompass all aspects—whether in magical girl power, interpersonal conduct, or one's perspective on the world.

Then, before this child Xiaoliang, should she be an "adult," or a "senior"?

After long contemplation, Cuique slowly closed her eyes and finally made her decision.

She rose from the sofa, walked to Xiaoliang's side, placed a hand on her shoulder, and said: "Let's go."

The sudden call snapped Xiaoliang out of her daze, but she still didn't know what to do, only turning to Cuique with confusion: "Where?"

She had already given up on the amusement park plan. She didn't want Cuique to risk going out in the rain just to accommodate her—such an outing would surely be miserable.

Yet when her gaze met Cuique's face, she saw only cool calmness, as if Cuique had already planned everything.

Their conversation drew Lin Xiaolu's attention. She lifted her head and removed her headphones: "Where can we go now?"

"We two are going out on an errand."

Cuique gave no further explanation, merely told Lin Xiaolu briefly, then gestured lightly to Xiaoliang: "Enough daydreaming. We're leaving."

"But…" Xiaoliang glanced at the gloomy window, "going out now makes no sense, does it?"

"Why not change the destination? Choosing to wait helplessly at home versus changing the destination and going out now—which do you pick?"

Cuique brushed off her doubts with ease, nodding toward the door: "You were the one who suggested going out today, weren't you? Or are you saying you don't want to go because it's raining?"

"Of course I want to."

Xiaoliang blinked dazedly, then snapped to attention, rising from the sofa: "Why wouldn't I want to go out? I was just worried…"

"Then don't worry. I'm here."

Cutting off her words, Cuique took two steps toward the villa's staircase and turned back: "Don't ask questions. Just follow."

Cuique's calm tone finally gave Xiaoliang confidence. She no longer hesitated, hurried after Cuique, and the two entered the staircase, heading toward the basement.

—"So where exactly are you going?"

Lin Xiaolu, still puzzled, called out: "It's still pouring outside—do you really have to go now?"

In response came the rustle of fabric. Cuique, in the staircase, did not look at Lin Xiaolu; she simply raised her arm and tapped lightly on her coat pocket.

After this gesture, she led Xiaoliang into the basement, then to the villa's garage.

Inside the garage stood a small silver-white SUV.

This SUV was not Lin Yun's car; it had been custom-ordered for Cuique by the Yici Bureau, at Hong Siyu's request, during the setup of the secret base. The pedal height had been specially adjusted to suit Cuique's stature, and a special driver's license had been issued using Cuique's photo.

After all, living with the magical girls, Cuique couldn't possibly revert to Lin Yun's form just to drive.

She helped Xiaoliang into the car, fastened her own seatbelt in the driver's seat, stretched her foot to feel for the clutch and brake pedals, then started the engine and drove off in the new vehicle.

Xiaoliang, who had followed her all the way, finally began to catch up, her voice tinged with curiosity and anticipation: "... Senior, where are we going next?"

"Do you remember where we found you?"

Cuique asked suddenly.

Xiaoliang froze, then realized: "Ah, you mean—"

"Correct. We're going to Electronics Street."

Cuique nodded, her expression tinged with nostalgia: "Beyond the entertainment spots you know, there are places there you might find interesting."

Since she had taken the initiative to change Xiaoliang's outing destination, she certainly wouldn't pick just any random amusement spot.

The amusement park they had originally chosen held special meaning and memories for Xiaoliang; now, since they were changing the destination, she should offer something equally meaningful in return.

Specifically, she should take Xiaoliang somewhere more significant, to make up for the lost original plan.

After much thought, the only place in Fang Ting City that remained unaffected by the rain and still existed was Central Electronics Street.

Electronics Street, especially the Xizhao District's Central Electronics Street, as Fang Ting City's most bustling pedestrian commercial district, had enjoyed its prosperity for decades, with generations of people leaving their footsteps along its streets and alleys.

This generation of people naturally includes some even more special existences, such as magical girls.

"The place of interest?" Xia Liang repeated the words, indeed revealing a somewhat inquisitive expression, "Specifically which one?"

"Twenty years ago, the route the Fang Ting City magical girl squad took for recreation during their vacation in the electronics district."

Turning the steering wheel in his hand, Senior Cuique looked at the road ahead of the garage, his gaze flickering slightly: "I haven't experienced this in a long time either; today I will take you to retrace it."

Polishing and polishing, it went from 3.5k to 3k... Let's leave it at that for today.

And thanks to the reader Platinum Gao Ta for the Silver Alliance; the boss spent money, and I am deeply grateful.

(End of this chapter)