episode_0040

Ah, there’s really no dealing with this gaming-addicted mom!

“Fine, which role do you play?”

“I go mid. There’s this fox champion I really like—you support me.”

“We’ll get flamed for that!”

What kind of nonsense is supporting mid?

And this mid laner is a complete newbie, no less.

On top of that, Su Qingya had said that when she wasn’t around, Xu Nian could only play top lane.

But her own mother wouldn’t have it.

“You won’t even grant your mother this one little request? I raised you with my own hands, changing your diapers and feeding you drop by drop, working myself to the bone every single day. I watched you grow from this tiny little thing to this slightly bigger tiny little thing. And now that I’m older, you won’t even support me in a game?”

She sniffled slightly, and Xu Nian could tell she was putting on an act.

But being a fox girl, even her fake crying was enough to tug at the heartstrings.

…Well.

Whatever.

It’s not like supporting her own mom in a game was a big deal.

“Alright, fine. I’ll grant your wish, Mom.”

“Great!”

Xu Nian could see her mother’s large white tail—much bigger than her own—swaying happily. Just looking at it made her want to give it a good rub.

“Let’s eat, let’s eat.”

This was probably the first time Xu Nian had played games with her mother. Somehow, it felt… different.

“So? Am I good?”

How did it feel to be praised by her usually composed and elegant mother?

Xu Nian couldn’t shake the feeling that something was on her mind.

“Of course my mom’s the best.”

Right then, Su Qingya sent a question mark.

[Who are you playing with?]

[Our mom.]

[???]

[Seriously. She just got into the game and even checked my rank.]

Su Qingya stared at the “Join Team” button, hesitating over whether to click it.

She wasn’t ready to meet her future mother-in-law yet.

After a moment of deliberation, she decided against it.

The esteemed mother was, of course, exempt from her hit list.

Besides, she still had to figure out how to make a good impression on her.

Hmm~

[How about this—after I finish reclaiming my family name, you take me to meet your parents?]

[Sure.]

Xu Nian didn’t refuse. In fact, she was delighted.

Everything would happen tomorrow.

She could already imagine the look on that loser Qingya’s face.

With that, Su Qingya sent a random emoji, and the conversation ended.

“What’s got you grinning like an idiot?”

Her mother’s voice suddenly came from behind.

“N-Nothing.”

Curious, her mom leaned in to see what was up, but Xu Nian had already frantically switched back to the game screen.

Pouting, her mother didn’t catch the conversation—but she did spot the hickey on the back of Xu Nian’s neck.

“Nian Nian, you—!”

She gasped.

“You have a boyfriend?!”

“N-No, I don’t!”

Xu Nian reflexively denied it, only realizing what her mother had seen when she touched the back of her neck.

A hickey!

Dammit!

That damn Su Qingya—why did she have to leave such a landmine behind before leaving?!

“Then what’s that mark on your neck?”

“A mosquito bite.”

“That’s the excuse I always used. You think I’d believe that?”

What the hell?! You used that excuse?!

“Don’t tell me you’ve been staying at some guy’s place these past few days! Out with it! What’s his family like? His personality? His character? Please tell me he’s not some delinquent!”

What the hell?! A delinquent?!

“She loves me,” was all Xu Nian could say. “And I love her too.”

The answer seemed to click something in her mother’s mind. She must’ve connected the dots to something.

“You… I get it. I believe in how things change over time, but you have to bring them home. I need to vet them properly.”

“Huh?”

What “guy”? It’s a girl, okay?

And how was she supposed to bring her over?

Should she just say, Hey, my girlfriend is actually your biological daughter?

Actually… that might not be so bad?

No, no!

Absolutely not the right time to say that!

Her mother didn’t press further. Instead, she sent a message to Xu Nian’s father.

[Where are you?! Our cabbage got stolen! Get back here now!]

[What?! Which brat did it?! I’m coming home right now! Damn it, she’s only eighteen!]

Xu Nian’s father didn’t have much work today anyway, so he immediately dropped everything and sped home.

“Which brat was it?! Tell me! Now!”

Before he arrived, Xu Nian’s mother had already spent the whole time lecturing her—No doing that kind of thing before finishing college entrance exams!

If they’ve got a bad personality, that’s unacceptable too!

On and on she went.

Though nagging, she didn’t seem opposed or angry.

Her words were full of concern for Xu Nian’s future.

Now that her father was back, he joined the nagging brigade. The usually mature and steady man was now practically fuming.

“Ugh! Fine! I get it! I’ll bring them home next time so you can vet them, okay?! Now get out! Both of you, out!”

Fed up, Xu Nian shoved her parents out of her room and slammed the door.

The couple exchanged a glance.

“Now I understand why your father was so against us being together,” Xu Nian’s father muttered.

Having raised this “cabbage” himself, he was now burning with fury at the thought of someone stealing her away.

“I kind of get it too. Maybe we should visit your parents sometime?”

“…Let’s not. I’m afraid your dad might hit me.”

Curled up in her room, burying her face in the blankets, Xu Nian was still happy.

She could feel their concern, even if it came with a side of nagging.

But she understood what they meant.

Even if the real heiress comes back, we won’t stop caring about you.

Even if you have an older sister now, we’ll still love you the same…

Was she overthinking things?

Or was she just projecting her own emotions onto this world?

Maybe it was time to change her mindset.

Lying in bed to cool off, she didn’t fall asleep just yet.

Xu Nian pushed the blankets away and pulled a box from her cloth bag.

This was the Sealed Wraith Lantern, a reward from today’s simulation.

Originally, she’d planned to test it out while alone.

But after some thought… nah.

She had the simulator, after all. No need to take risks experimenting with this thing herself.

She’d wait until tomorrow, after getting another simulation attempt.

That way, she could be safer—and bolder.

Gotta make full use of that cheat ability.

She stuffed the box back into the bag.

After some tidying, she cleared out the useless items, keeping only the Sealed Wraith Lantern, the red nose, and the knife.

As for the Holy Sword…

Straight into the trash.

She would never use that thing again!

Never!

She wrapped it in multiple layers of plastic bags, ensuring it was completely hidden, before tossing it into the bin.

Now, it was time