episode_0038

Su Qingya was still by her side, staring intently at her—just like in the simulator—giving Xu Nian a slight case of the creeps.

She didn’t dare use this Emotion Artifact.

Because she couldn’t think of how to explain it.

She’d figure it out later when she was alone.

“Nian Nian, what’s this?”

“I just picked it up over there. Didn’t you see?”

Wrong. It was actually a system reward.

Xu Nian deliberately put on an act, leaving no room for suspicion.

Of course, Su Qingya had seen it. But what she was asking wasn’t how Xu Nian had gotten the box.

“What I mean is, since it’s someone else’s property, shouldn’t we take it to the lost and found? Nian Nian should be a good girl who returns lost items, right?”

“What?!”

This was Xu Nian’s!

This was the reward Xu Nian had just chosen!

Something she’d risked so much to obtain!

Even among all the simulations, this seemed like the most useful thing yet!

How could she just hand it over to the lost and found?!

You—Hajiya, since when did you become so unreasonably virtuous?!

“I think we should just put it back where it was. If the owner comes back and can’t find it, they’d probably cry in panic. Normal people… wouldn’t even think to check the lost and found.”

She activated the power of Joy.

“You’re right.”

Su Qingya didn’t suspect a thing.

Xu Nian pretended to return the box to its original spot, then nudged Su Qingya toward a nearby stall.

“Qingya, let’s go get some ice cream.”

“Not until the Emotion Beast incident is resolved. No eating anything here.”

“Then let’s go goldfish scooping.”

“Not until the Emotion Beast incident is resolved. No scooping fish here.”

“Then let’s—”

“No. Just no. No touching any of the facilities.”

“Seriously?! Qingya! You’re being way too paranoid!”

After all, according to those two officials, there was only one Terror Beast left, and they had already gone to deal with it. The rest of the attractions should be perfectly safe.

“Bored?”

Xu Nian nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

“Then I’ll play a round of games with you.”

With that, Su Qingya pulled out her phone.

Ugh, who comes to an amusement park just to duo queue?!

Xu Nian couldn’t argue, so she led Su Qingya to a quiet corner.

Of course, her goal had already been achieved.

While Su Qingya wasn’t looking, Xu Nian stealthily slipped the box into an inconspicuous cloth bag. Mission accomplished.

After a few rounds of gaming, the sky gradually darkened, and Xu Nian’s phone was nearly out of battery.

Just then, the outline of the amusement park slowly came into view in her vision.

“Seems like it’s been resolved.”

Xu Nian stretched, and Su Qingya noticed that her clothes had ridden up slightly, exposing a sliver of skin.

She quickly stood up, shielding Xu Nian while adjusting her clothes.

So this amusement park trip was wrapped up just like that?

It’s great when the officials are competent—no need for Xu Nian to lift a finger.

Turns out the trope of useless officials only exists in fiction.

If they were really that incompetent, how could they protect the city?

This was the most useful the officials had ever been.

Guess it’s usually just to make the protagonist look stronger.

But right now, the protagonist—the real one—had been by her side the whole time, never leaving.

She’d given Xu Nian all of her time.

Stayed with her the entire way.

That was enough.

As for the highlight of today…

Probably ranking up three stars in the game.

Wasn’t it a bit messed up that the best part of an amusement park date was playing mobile games together?

But Xu Nian’s marksman skills were insane, while Su Qingya played support to back her up.

A marksman-support duo? Unstoppable.

They bullied the enemy top laner into fleeing like a headless chicken.

As for their own top laner…

Whatever. The path of the strong is a lonely one.

A true warrior remains unshaken even when ganked by mid and jungle.

“If I’m not around, you’re only allowed to play top lane. Got it?”

“Got it.”

Seeing Xu Nian agree without hesitation, Su Qingya curled her lips into a smile. She wrapped an arm around Xu Nian’s waist, planting a light kiss—the perfect way to wrap up the day.

This amusement park trip was a complete success, right?

Xu Nian wasn’t foolish enough to wait around for the officials to notify her that it was safe to leave.

Better to be smart about it.

Just hail a cab and go home. At most, she’d send a polite text to the number on the business card.

Leng Xiao replied with just an “OK” emoji.

Short and to the point, as expected.

“What are your plans for tomorrow?”

Xu Nian asked curiously.

Earlier, the butler had called, telling her to return immediately—tomorrow was the day Su Qingya would go back to her family home, so Xu Nian couldn’t stay out any longer.

Which meant she couldn’t sleep at Su Qingya’s place tonight.

Besides, if her dad came to pick her up tomorrow and found her here, Xu Nian would have a hard time explaining.

So it’s finally happening, huh?

The return of the true heiress.

Pfft—pathetic Qingya, never suspecting that the fake heiress was right beside her all along.

“Mmm, my biological father wants me to go back tomorrow. I can’t put it off any longer. Nian Nian, I’m so nervous… I feel like I’m going to die.”

This fragile side of Su Qingya only ever showed itself around Xu Nian.

Xu Nian’s fox tail flicked playfully, her ears perking up as her lips curled into a smug “3” shape.

“Don’t be nervous, pathetic Qingya. I guarantee you’ll get an ending you’re happy with tomorrow.”

Just thinking about what would happen tomorrow…

She couldn’t hold back her grin.

[Joy Value: 63%]

“Why are you so sure?” Su Qingya eyed her suspiciously.

“Pfft— Not telling. So, does this mean I’ll have to start calling you Xu Qingya from now on?”

“You’re still laughing! Whether I’ll change my name or not isn’t even decided yet.”

Truthfully, Su Qingya didn’t want to change her name.

She still held affection for her adoptive parents. If not for the accident, she could’ve had a warm, loving family here too.

But fate is unpredictable.

Before she turned twelve, she did have a happy home.

Her childhood wasn’t broken.

Which was exactly why it hurt so much when her parents died.

She was terrified of loss. Truly, deeply terrified.

So when Xu Nian stumbled clumsily into her world, she became the only family Su Qingya had left.

She never wanted to experience that kind of pain again.

What? You say Xu Nian is just her girlfriend now, not family?

Then they’ll just get married.

Su Qingya would overcome any obstacle.

Hmph! Brave Qingya, fears nothing!

“Pfft— Pathetic Qingya, no matter what happens, I’ll always have your back.”

“Okay. Then I’ll be counting on Nian Nian’s support.”

“I’m heading home tonight. There’s some family stuff. We’ll live together again soon.”

“Alright.”

Su Qingya didn’t refuse. Though she wanted to cling to Xu Nian for comfort on this nerve-wracking night, she had no intention of restricting her freedom completely.

Tonight, she’d just pack her things. This rented apartment, filled with so many memories, would soon be returned.

With that thought, she watched Xu Nian leave.

Then suddenly rushed forward, hugging her tightly before planting a hickey on the back of her neck—only then did she let her go.

“Idiot! Stupid Qingya! Why’d you have to bite so hard?! There’s a mark now!”

Xu Nian rubbed her neck. She didn’t even need to look to know.

“Bleh~”

“Ahhh—! You femme fatale!”

“This is called ‘giving Nian Nian a taste of her own medicine’!”

“Ugh! Jerk! Big stupid jerk!”