[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-off-the-clock-then-a-magical-girl":3,"chapter-off-the-clock-then-a-magical-girl-off-the-clock-then-a-magical-girl-chapter-43":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Off the Clock, Then a Magical Girl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2349963,4594,"Chapter 43: The Privilege Called","off-the-clock-then-a-magical-girl-chapter-43",43,"\u003Cp>The act of \"becoming a magical girl\" was like a ray of light shining into Xia Liang's original life, allowing her to find a path toward self-salvation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So much so that she chose to agree without any hesitation, without even considering whether there would be a price to pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because for me, that was the first time in so many years that I felt needed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Cuique, Xia Liang’s eyes flickered: \"I am very lucky to have received the invitation from Lin Xiaolu and you, Senior, at that time. Being able to become a magical girl is a huge surprise to me, like a dream-like experience.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, why do you feel troubled now?\" Cuique nodded, maintaining her composure as she continued to ask. However, after hearing the \"story\" from Xia Liang, her heart was far from as calm as she appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason she did not immediately offer comfort was that she knew very well that for Xia Liang to have walked from the past to the present and maintained her current character, rather than being completely swallowed by past experiences and a bleak life, she must have been tempered in her temperament. Someone like her did not need \"pity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She told this story to her not to seek such useless emotions. Regarding personal suffering, pity is merely the most lightweight, irresponsible, and cheap form of kindness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she were a total stranger to Xia Liang and had only learned of a tragedy through social news, she would have expressed her pity without hesitation; but she knew Xia Liang. Xia Liang was the magical girl she had chosen for Fang Ting City and her daughter's future team, a child who truly existed before her, waiting for guidance. She had to be of real help to the other party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why am I still troubled? To be honest, I feel very confused about my own feelings right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following Cuique’s lead, Xia Liang couldn't help but lightly touch her chest, her expression dazed: \"I am undoubtedly feeling happy; this month of life has been more meaningful than my entire previous year. But, where exactly does this sense of emptiness come from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Perhaps the essence of it is \"loneliness,\" after all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cuique remained silent, yet she made a judgment in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Putting herself in the other's shoes, if she were in Xia Liang's position, living alone in this house that held memories of both happiness and misfortune. Returning home after finishing her daily activities as a magical girl only to face solitude—she imagined she would feel lonely, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since that was the case, she knew what she had to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xia Jin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After organizing her words following a moment of contemplation, Cuique spoke: \"What are your feelings toward your mother right now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a doubt, the person who had the greatest influence on Xia Liang during her growth was her biological mother. However, the concept of \"being a good child\" instilled in her by her mother had, in turn, led to Xia Liang's current self-doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cuique believed that she might not be able to eradicate the influence of this concept on Xia Liang in a few words, but at the very least, she had to tell her what was truly right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My mother? To be honest, I can't figure it out either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pondering Cuique’s question, Xia Liang lowered her head in a daze: \"I suppose I still have some attachment to her? That’s why I kept wanting to find her to get an answer, but ever since then, no matter how many times I go to the prison, she is completely unwilling to see me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, if I may be so bold.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changing her posture to sit upright, Cuique looked at Xia Liang with a solemn expression: \"I believe that what your mother said was wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Many people have said that to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Liang raised her head and gave a dry laugh: \"But no one has ever explained why. What do you think, Senior?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because there is no causal relationship between 'being well-behaved' and 'being loved.'\" Cuique’s expression was cold, but her tone was very serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a line of thought she had to help Xia Liang clear up, to make her recognize the difference between the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, that’s true. Although, I had actually thought of that much already.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of hesitation, Xia Liang said somewhat bitterly: \"I actually know that being obedient is useless. If I had stood up sooner before that day, maybe I wouldn't have had to become a child without a home? To put it bluntly, I was just satisfying and comforting myself back then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The human heart is complex by nature, so don't blame yourself for such things. You have already done very well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaking her head, Cuique interrupted her self-pity: \"Besides that, what I want to say is that there is nothing wrong with being well-behaved; good children should be praised and complimented. But at the same time, 'willfulness' is actually a child's privilege.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Willfulness?\" Xia Liang was stunned for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Willfulness,\" Cuique affirmed calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opening her eyes slightly wider, Xia Liang asked in confusion: \"But, won't adults find willfulness annoying and end up hating me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are imagining adults too one-sidedly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cuique pressed one hand down, signaling her to listen patiently: \"Constant willfulness is indeed annoying, but appropriate willfulness is actually a form of flattery. You could even say it’s a way of acting spoiled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh?\" Xia Liang exclaimed in astonishment, \"Even if you say that...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Children who are too well-behaved, because they never act willfully and never express their own desires, appear too perfect and idealized, which instead makes rotten adults feel their own incompetence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lowering her eyes, Cuique explained slowly: \"In front of such a sensible child, they don't feel like competent adults at all, and they might even need the child to coax them, as if they were the ones who were completely senseless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it were an ordinary parent, it would be fine; they would reflect on their own shortcomings. But if it is someone whose heart is already filled with darkness, they will only alienate, reject, and even feel annoyed by such a child.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I were to make a wild guess, your mother likely felt exactly that way in the end. When you tried to comfort her, it only wounded her pride.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you were not actually wrong; it was your mother who was not competent enough. When you were in the roles of mother and daughter, she failed far more than you did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cuique finished this long speech and, seeing that Xia Liang was trying to understand, she stopped speaking to give her time to digest it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Liang, in her repeated reflection, found that she actually didn't know how to refute Cuique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...In that case, what should I do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, she said in a low voice: \"Even if I realize this now, I have no way to make up for it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have already said, this was never your fault to begin with, so how can there be talk of making up for it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling a bit of a headache over Xia Liang's obsession with this matter, Cuique sighed: \"If you really feel you can't let it go, then just store it away properly and look forward first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Liang remained silent, looking at her with some confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As I said before, how about you learn to be willful?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cuique’s tone softened as she raised her index finger: \"Not by blindly catering with a smile, but by learning to be a little selfish and considering yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That sounds a bit difficult.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Liang laughed along, looking troubled: \"And even if I want to learn to be willful, how should I go about it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can express your true feelings more to your teammates: Bai Mei and me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cuique turned her raised index finger to point at herself: \"Even now, I am right here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am an adult who can accept and tolerate willfulness, so you can use me as your target and try to say the things you usually keep suppressed in your heart. I will not hate you for such things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cuique gave her analysis calmly: \"Whether you think my teaching is strict or my attitude is too cold, just say them out loud. Even if I might not accept them, it will certainly help us understand each other.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, that’s amazing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing these words, Xia Liang showed an expression of \"reverence\" for the first time that night, and even her tone rose slightly: \"Senior, when you talk like this, you really sound like an adult!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is no 'sound like'; I am an adult, and I am much older than you,\" Cuique said, lowering her eyelids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, how should I start?\" Seeming to deliberately ignore this remark from Cuique, Xia Liang, having found a new goal, began to ponder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's start with daily life. School, or your magical girl companions—do you feel any dissatisfaction?\" Cuique offered her own suggestion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I, feel...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Liang looked up, seemingly thinking very hard: \"I feel... like I'm being excluded?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At school?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...No, in the squad.\" Xia Liang stole a glance at Cuique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The squad?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting a few seconds before realizing what Xia Liang meant, Cuique raised her eyebrows: \"Excluded? Why would you have such a feeling?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Probably because Lin Xiaolu is a bit biased, no, you are also biased, Senior?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if she had cleared a hurdle, Xia Liang clapped her hands and said affirmatively: \"Yes, both of you are very biased!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Although you always seem cold to everyone, Senior, you always care more about Lin Xiaolu. Lin Xiaolu is even worse; she is so enthusiastic toward you, but she is always fierce toward me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Liang widened her eyes, her speaking speed increasing: \"Although I think it's interesting when she gets angry, it’s still sad to be treated like that sometimes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is precisely because you think it's \"interesting\" to provoke her that you are being excluded, isn't it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this in her heart but not saying it out loud, Cuique looked at Xia Liang with a strange expression, weighed her words, and acknowledged her thought:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have known Bai Mei longer, so we are indeed more familiar with each other.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't think that's the reason. The degree to which you and Lin Xiaolu care for each other is definitely not that simple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rarely showing a somewhat dissatisfied expression, Xia Liang frowned: \"Lin Xiaolu said you saved her, so she admires you. What about you, Senior? You say you are an adult, a mature magical girl. Come to think of it, Lin Xiaolu also mentioned before that her father seems to be planning to remarry...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, as if realizing something, Xia Liang covered her mouth in horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was clearly too late for this action; Cuique had already moved to her in three steps and gave her a fierce flick to the forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It hurts!\" Xia Liang cried out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Slander does not fall under the category of 'willfulness.' There is a price to pay for speaking recklessly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cuique sat back on the sofa, arms crossed: \"This was a warning. I didn't use much force, but next time might be different.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won't dare to do it again,\" Xia Liang said, covering her forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In any case, I acknowledge that the problem you mentioned exists. So, what do you want?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bringing the topic back to its original track, Cuique continued to ask: \"To learn to be willful, you must first face your true thoughts. You think I am biased, so how do you want me to change?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me think...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Liang pondered and replied: \"Ask me if I have any questions during lessons too? Don't just ask Lin Xiaolu?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will take note of that,\" Cuique nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And, don't always notify me last when you find a Remnant Beast!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"During the study session just now, there were actually many things I didn't understand!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will teach you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Praise me more when I do well in my magic practice, because I actually worked very hard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And also, also...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if the floodgates had been opened, following the first item, Xia Liang immediately proposed a series of requests that sounded quite troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some of these requests were indeed things Cuique hadn't done well in the past, while others were trivial matters. If she hadn't spoken them out now, Cuique would never have noticed such thoughts of hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Xia Liang usually seemed to be free-spirited and said whatever was on her mind, it was clear that this \"free-spiritedness\" was also the result of internal deliberation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one before her now, picking apart these small problems one by one, was the real her, having opened her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Liang summarized things this way, while Cuique occasionally offered her own evaluations on the side, until she had finished every item she could think of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the most important one!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Liang raised her head, the smile on her face more genuine than it had ever been: \"I want to become closer and more intimate with Lin Xiaolu and with you, Senior!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Intimate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This request left Cuique feeling slightly puzzled, and she went on to explain: \"Magical girl companions are already intimate comrades-in-arms by nature. Once your experiences fighting side-by-side increase in the future, and you even reach my level of strength, our relationship is destined to be very intimate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, not that kind of intimate!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Liang gestured with her hands: \"Since magical girl companions are such important relationships, shouldn't they be better than ordinary friends? I want something more affectionate, something that can warm the heart more...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something that could make up for the \"love\" missing due to a broken home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understanding what she meant to express, Cuique added a silent thought for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lacking love and craving love, Xia Liang, who had always been pursuing connections with others, still had not been able to feel \"love.\" That was why she still felt lonely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What she wanted from Cuique and Lin Xiaolu was not just the camaraderie of battle, nor just the bond between teacher and student, but something that could replace the void of a family—familial love.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this was already the most explicit expression she could make in her ignorance: she seemed to hope that this current magical girl squad could become her next \"home.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make such an excessive request when they had only known each other for a month could be called completely \"willful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, how specifically do you want this intimacy to be manifested?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cuique leaned against the sofa, listening to Xia Liang's words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was precisely because of this almost obsessive idea of Xia Liang's that she felt the girl before her was a true child, one who still held many immature thoughts in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Cuique's question, Xia Liang paused for a moment, then pressed her palms together and revealed a sweet, well-behaved smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I already said it before, Senior.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes shimmered as she looked at Cuique as if pleading:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's sleep together tonight, okay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2520,"2026-06-21T02:45:47.620Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","4179097f1d813f33639a68ae9b19a56451ab344f7646de2c50be6c2510f6bfaa","off-the-clock-then-a-magical-girl-chapter-44","off-the-clock-then-a-magical-girl-chapter-42",364,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foff-the-clock-then-a-magical-girl-cover.jpg"]