Chapter 23

At nine at night, Lin Yun dragged his exhausted body through the front door.

After returning to the office in the afternoon, his superior reminded him about his recent increase in absences; then, back at his desk, he opened his work phone to find yet another string of missed calls from subordinates and clients.

Fortunately, he had turned off his phone and left it in the office, or else he might have been harassed by calls even during his encounter with the residual beasts.

After a full day of busyness, he finally clocked out under the night sky and rushed home on the train.

Walking into the living room, he saw Xia Liang sitting on the sofa, playing with her phone.

Since she hadn't brought spare clothes, she was wearing what appeared to be Lin Xiaolu's outfit—the once loose pajamas that hung on Lin Xiaolu now clung to her figure.

Hearing movement from the entrance, Xia Liang turned toward Lin Yun; upon seeing a stranger of a middle-aged man enter, she froze for a moment, then quickly understood the situation, stood up, and smiled with a sweet, obedient posture:

"Hello, Uncle!"

Xia Liang's natural appearance already evoked impressions of "quietness" and "obedience"; now, with these traits deliberately accentuated, she radiated undeniable charm—perfectly matching the stereotype of "the perfect child" in every parent's mind.

She's playing the part well.

Lin Yun loosened his tie and made his assessment.

But he had no right to criticize Xia Liang—he was currently Lin Xiaolu's father, not Senior Cuique, so he too had to act as if he didn't know Xia Liang at all.

"Oh, you're Xiaolu's classmate?"

He wasn't used to smiling, but he managed to lift the corners of his mouth slightly, softening his expression: "Come over to play with Xiaolu?"

"Yes, we just finished our homework together!"

Xia Liang spoke without blinking, uttering what was surely a lie, then beamed: "Finally done!"

"It's so late—aren't you going home?" Lin Yun kept his expression neutral, showing no intention to expose her.

"Xiaolu asked me to stay, so I took the liberty!" Xia Liang bowed with perfect politeness.

"I see. Did you let your family know?" Lin Yun's tone was gentle.

"I told them the situation, but it's not confirmed yet—I'm waiting for your opinion, Uncle."

"Hehe, of course I won't object. Young people should spend more time together…"

The two chatted amiably in the living room.

Leveraging his role as a parent, Lin Yun asked numerous questions about family and studies, trying to glean information about her background—but Xia Liang's answers were flawless, perfectly performing the role while revealing not a single personal detail.

Soon, a head with a single ponytail poked out from a nearby room.

Lin Xiaolu leaned against the doorway, secretly observing the two in the living room, curious about what they were saying.

But her hiding was crude, and Lin Yun spotted her immediately; he made no effort to indulge her, calling out directly:

"Xiaolu, have you been properly hosting your classmate tonight?"

"Mmm…"

Caught red-handed, Lin Xiaolu had to step out from behind the door, glancing between Lin Yun and Xia Liang, who was smirking beside her, then muttered reluctantly: "I ordered takeout."

"You're letting your classmate sleep over—have you arranged where she'll sleep?"

"Uh…"

Lin Xiaolu fell silent again, stammering for a long time before finally grumbling:

"Not yet."

In fact, Lin Yun didn't know that until half an hour ago, Xia Liang had still been lingering in Lin Xiaolu's room.

But since Xia Liang had done nothing but idle beside her while she did homework, occasionally bothering her, she had been kicked out of the room.

Not only had Lin Xiaolu not prepared a sleeping spot for Xia Liang—she'd wanted to throw her out of the house entirely—but she couldn't bring herself to be that cruel, so she ended up banishing Xia Liang to the living room and locking herself in her room.

"Wait a moment—I'll find some spare bedding in the master bedroom."

Fortunately, Lin Yun never expected his daughter to be thoughtful—getting her to lend clothes was already beyond his expectations. Following basic hospitality, he felt obligated to provide Xia Liang with a place to sleep.

Back in the master bedroom, he rummaged through the top shelf of the closet, pulled out several unused bedding sets, selected one with suitable size and pattern, spread it out, shook it to check it was clean, then folded it again and carried it to the door of Lin Xiaolu's room.

"Leave these here for now—I'll go find a soft cushion too."

Handing the bedding to Lin Xiaolu, he added:

"…Thank you, but this is enough."

Lin Xiaolu hugged the bedding, head slightly bowed: "This is my responsibility—I'll handle it."

"Do you even know how to make a floor bed?"

Lin Yun, accustomed to this, felt no slight; he merely raised an eyebrow: "Or are you planning to share the bed with your classmate?"

"I know how. Don't worry. Go take care of your own things." Lin Xiaolu's tone was firm.

Clearly, she didn't want Lin Yun to continue managing Xia Liang's accommodation.

Having lived with his daughter as Senior Cuique for so many days, Lin Yun had begun to understand her thoughts a little.

Probably, even if she disliked Xia Liang, Xia Liang was still tied to her identity as a Magical Girl. Lin Xiaolu had her own ideals and dreams about being a Magical Girl, and she didn't want those aspects to intersect with her hated father.

What a stubborn child—no idea who she takes after.

If I were Senior Cuique right now, she'd probably gladly accept my help, wouldn't she?

He sighed inwardly, but there was nothing he could do—so Lin Yun stepped back, raising his hands to signal he wouldn't interfere further: "Alright, do as you wish."

The strange, stiff atmosphere at the bedroom door caught Xia Liang's attention.

She had been quietly observing the distant exchange between Lin Yun and Lin Xiaolu, and now realized the father-daughter relationship seemed unusually cold.

She needed to help ease the tension.

So she put away her phone, feigning ignorance and obliviousness, then stepped forward:

"Oh! Are Xiaolu and Uncle preparing a bed for me? I'm so sorry to trouble you both—thank you!"

Her slightly forced gratitude broke the frozen atmosphere, softening the tense exchange between father and daughter.

Lin Xiaolu disliked Xia Liang, and she disliked her father—but with both of them present, she couldn't openly reject either, so she merely muttered a dull: "Mm."

"Perfect! I'm a bit tired."

With an exaggerated clap, Xia Liang smiled and pushed Lin Xiaolu's back, guiding her into the room: "Then I'll help you. Let's make the bed together."

Lin Yun stood in place, watching the two walk step by step into the room. Lin Xiaolu turned her head to look at him; he merely waved with one hand and silently said, "Goodnight."

Very well. Let the young people get to know each other better.