The iced milk tea was almost empty, the thick, sweet liquid gliding over his tongue and down his throat.
Luo Xiao suddenly felt that the entire world had become so novel.
The bustling street outside the window, the ever-familiar blue sky, white clouds, and tall buildings—
At this moment, it all seemed to have lifted a hazy veil, revealing its true form to him.
He was stepping into a mysterious and secret world, while the ordinary life of the past ten-plus years flew away like a white dove.
This feeling made his heart pound wildly, unable to distinguish whether it was joy or tension.
“Miss Nagu, how many magical girls are there now?”
“I, the magical girl [Kong Nue], and the magical girl [Jian Qi]. As for Se Nie, she’s missing as I just said.”
“Are the other two magical girls from the Leonard Company?”
“Yes.”
Xia Lan nodded.
“Among them, the transformation user of [Jian Qi] is none other than the heiress of the Leonard Company president. Moreover, it seems that young lady voluntarily proposed to become a magical girl. She has the least seniority, but her strength cannot be underestimated.”
A company heiress voluntarily becoming a magical girl, such a high-risk profession?
‘To secure her position, or out of rebellion?’
Luo Xiao couldn’t help but pay more attention to this magical girl [Jian Qi].
Soon, the milk tea was empty, and the vague reflection of Xia Lan could be seen on the cup wall.
Done drinking…
Really sweet…
“Luo Xiao, haven’t you eaten lunch yet?”
Suddenly, Xia Lan sniffed and asked.
“Huh? No, I have.”
“Lying isn’t a good child’s behavior.”
Xia Lan frowned, and her slender fingers lightly flicked Luo Xiao’s forehead, making him cry out in pain.
“You are now my chosen one. Not only can you use my powers, but you are also like my child. I can tell how you’re feeling just by sensing it.”
Child? Child?
Looking at this girl who was about the same age as him, young yet full of maternal instinct, Luo Xiao was stunned for a moment.
He subconsciously blurted out, “Mom? Mother?”
To his surprise, the moment he said that, Xia Lan froze.
A deep crimson blush instantly climbed up her cheeks, and she couldn’t help but scold, “Don’t actually call me Mom! That’s just a metaphor!”
Seeing this usually gentle girl so flustered and embarrassed, a strange joy welled up in Luo Xiao’s heart.
Miss Nagu is so cute!
“Ugh, forget it. I’ll take you to eat soon. It won’t do to let you go hungry. By the way, do you want to buy anything? Clothes, perhaps…”
Thump!
Luo Xiao had already left his chair.
He went down on one knee, clasped his hands together, his expression solemn and loyal.
“My adopted mother above, please accept your son’s bow!”
“Meeting you is like parting the clouds to see the sun, like opening a blocked passage. I will serve Miss Nagu with utmost loyalty, sparing no effort, and make those false god’s angels retreat in defeat… Ouch!”
Luo Xiao cried out in pain.
Xia Lan withdrew her fist, her face still bright red, and snorted, “Try being silly again. Which Lu Bu do you think you are?”
“I won’t dare, I won’t dare.”
“Hmph.”
Xia Lan pinched Luo Xiao’s cheek, then stood up to pay the bill.
‘What mother? I was clearly a boy before. Even if I can’t change back for now, being called mother directly is way too embarrassing.’
‘I never thought Luo Xiao would be a wannabe brother. How did I not notice that in class before? So embarrassing.’
[Hahaha, this kid is really interesting.]
“Don’t tease me, Sister Liuhua. So embarrassing… this guy…”
Xia Lan pouted, sounding a bit aggrieved.
[But Little Xia Lan, aren’t you happy too?]
Liuhua’s voice, seemingly gratified, echoed in her mind.
Xia Lan paused, surprised by her words.
“Happy? How could I be…”
She turned around.
Luo Xiao was silently following behind her, like a little penguin.
[You’ve always acted alone, afraid of involving others. But just this once, let him be your companion and walk the path together with you.]
Liuhua’s words were incredibly gentle, slowly seeping into Xia Lan’s heart.
“A companion?”
Xia Lan gazed deeply at Luo Xiao.
“Maybe… I can give it a try.”
“Miss Nagu, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking you’ve gotten thinner. Let’s go get some good food later.”
“You really are my adopted mother!”
“You… ugh, forget it.”
Sunlight spilled onto the street.
The boy and girl walked side by side toward the city center.
Her white skirt fluttered gracefully.
Her slender, fair calves moved like a nimble white deer, swaying in the gaps of sunlight.
The girl’s beauty and smile drew the gaze of men and women around them, and the boy beside her also received no small amount of attention.
Sunlight, white skirt, the scent of youth spreading through the air.
The weather really is nice.
This is my first time walking around in a girl’s form.
I remember reading in many books that when a female character gets stared at by surrounding men for her beauty, she often feels proud—
Because it represents her outstanding charm.
But when Xia Lan was actually in that situation, she felt a bit uncomfortable.
Those gazes—
Whether appreciative, lustful, amazed, or jealous—
All focused on her, as if they were stripping her body inside and out.
It made her unconsciously lean closer to Luo Xiao.
In the past, as a girl, Xia Lan had been surrounded before, but back then she could change back to a boy at any time, and she was usually fighting enemies, so she didn’t react much.
But now, she was walking with a boy in a white skirt, not as a magical girl, but as an ordinary pretty girl.
That gave her a completely different feeling.
Perhaps, after all these years, I’ve really been too tense.
Just for today, let me relax a little.
“Miss Nagu seems really happy. Did you think of something good?”
“Did I?”
“Yeah.”
“Hehe, who knows?”
Just then, a well-dressed blond man stepped in front of Xia Lan, flashing what he thought was a charming smile, and said lightly, “Beautiful lady, want to add me on WeChat?”
“Sorry, if there isn’t anything else important, I’ll have to decline.”
Xia Lan replied politely.
“Come on, just be friends.”
The blond man tried to persist, but Luo Xiao immediately stepped forward and blocked him.
“She already refused. Don’t be a sticky plaster.”
Xia Lan covered her mouth and giggled, while the blond man’s expression turned ugly.
“Kid, who are you to her?”
“I’m her—”
Before Luo Xiao could take another step, Xia Lan cut him off, speaking playfully, “Sorry, sir. This is my child. I didn’t raise him well, so his manners are a bit rough. Please forgive him.”
Luo Xiao:
“?”
Blond Man:
“?”