She slipped back into her tiny room like a cat melting into shadow. Little Loli dove onto her bed like a tossed pillow. No time to savor anything—the fear crawled like cold ants; who knew when those people would show. She rubbed her cheek against the giant bear pillow like a kitten. Then the blonde girl scooped up fresh clothes and slid into the bathroom like a fish into water.
After a while, her clueless dad shuffled out, rubbing his eyes like grit in wind. Did I just hear something? He drifted into the living room like a sleepwalker. When did that door open? His gaze swept the room like a lazy broom. He saw Xiaoxue’s door yawning open like a cracked shell. Is Xiaoxue back?
He wobbled into Little Loli’s room like a moth toward light. A shower is the best! The blonde girl stepped out, a thin towel wrapped like mist around her. Huh? Isn’t that Xiaoxue? The clueless dad blurted, his voice popping like a cork.
You—ah! At first, Little Loli didn’t notice. She looked up, and her pajama-clad old man was right there like a scarecrow in a field. You… you! You pervy, degenerate old man! she screamed, dropping to the floor like a startled rabbit. The white towel slid off her shoulder like snow off a branch, exposing a pale, steam-wreathed shoulder like dawn mist.
She clutched the towel to her chest like a shield. Wet golden hair lay on her shoulders like seaweed. Her restored golden eyes looked up, scared, like lanterns in rain, at her clueless dad. Xiaoxue, you’re really back?! Her dad finally woke up fully, like ice cracking in spring. You—what… Out! Get out, now! Little Loli squeezed her eyes shut and shouted like thunder in a teacup. Sorry… The clueless dad jolted, slipped out like a shadow, and shut the door with a soft click like a closing shell.
I’m dead—she’ll kill me later, he muttered, guilt clinging like wet clothes.
Seeing the door close, the blonde girl sprang up like a coiled spring and changed. I’m leaving anyway, so I won’t hold it against him, she murmured, words light as feathers. Her hands flew, flipping open a suitcase like a clam and packing clothes like stacking clouds. Xiaoxue’s back already? Her doting mom pushed the door open like a breeze, called by noise. Little Loli had just finished packing and set the case down like an anchor.
Xiaoxue, did you just shower? Her doting mom pointed at the wet gold hair like dripping willow branches. Yeah! Little Loli nodded, droplets scattering like beads. Mom, make breakfast for me, please—I’m starving, she chirped, bowing a little like a sprout in wind, eyes sparkling like stars. You little rascal, I was already about to cook, her mom smiled, warm as morning sun, and turned toward the kitchen like a flowing stream.
Finish the rest of your packing, came the thought like a bell. With Mom out of the room, Little Loli went right back to the bags like a bee to flowers. Take this one? Or that one? she gritted her teeth, choosing like sifting sand. Damn that Esper Organization, forcing me into this, she cursed, anger hissing like steam. She didn’t know they had already made their move like knives in fog.
Xiaoxue, breakfast! her mom called from outside, voice floating like smoke. Coming! Little Loli tucked away the last item like a secret and stepped into the living room in casual clothes like a dancer changing scenes. Xiaoxue, you’re home—why put on outdoor clothes? Put your pajamas back on, her mom said, placing buns and mantou on the table like soft moons. Her clueless dad held up a newspaper like a cardboard shield and kept quiet like a mouse. It’s fine; it’s morning anyway… Little Loli stuffed food into her mouth like a starving squirrel. She’d barely eaten last night, and her stomach scraped like two empty bowls. Slow down—you look like a ghost escaping hunger, her mom laughed, voice like bells.
After eating, Dad, stop hiding behind that rag of a paper. That’s yesterday’s! Little Loli stepped up and yanked the newspaper away like pulling off a curtain. Ah? He looked at his stunning blonde daughter with embarrassment like a blush of sunset. He had just seen her wrapped in a towel again—yeah, again, don’t ask—like a guilty replay.
I forgive you. It’s not the first time anyway, the blonde girl huffed, lips skewed like a sulky petal. Thank you, my good girl! He hugged her again, arms closing like a blanket. She let it happen, helpless yet soft, like holding the last warmth of winter. Who knew if this would be the last hug, the thought fluttered like a moth.
Free at last, she slipped back to her room like a shadow returning to shade. Her phone rang on the bed like a startled cricket. Hello? Unease pricked like needles as Little Loli answered. Her fingers toyed with her white hem like a worry bead. Xiaoxue? Is that you! Lin Fan’s voice came through, urgent like sirens behind glass.
What is it? Why so anxious? Hearing Lin Fan steadied her heart like a stone dropped into ripples. Are you home now? Yeah. What’s up? In about three minutes, a SWAT team will storm your place like a wave. Before that, I need to tell you something. What?! Storm my house? Her breath hitched, disbelief cracking like thin ice.
Yes. What happened on the mountain got exposed like a stain in sunlight. The Esper Organization has you in their sights like hawks. Listen to me. When you run, ditch or destroy your phone like shedding a shell. Get out of City A, and stay unseen like a shadow at noon. Lin Fan’s breath came ragged, like someone running uphill.
Can’t you help me? Pick me up at least? The blonde girl hated how she relied on him, a thread tugging like ivy. Still, her hands packed fast like rain, never stopping. I told you, I really can’t help this time, he said, voice fraying like old rope. Besides, I’m tied up right now… His confidence faltered, rare as an eclipse. Got it. I’m going, then, Little Loli answered, making it sound easy like a tossed coin.
Be careful on the road, he said, warmth pouring like tea. When I’m done here, I’ll come save you at once. Here’s my emergency number, XXXXX… Care bled through each word like ink through paper, and her heart warmed like coals.
Alright. Bye. Mm. Bye. Little Loli hung up, eyes steady like a drawn bow. Claws sprang from her fingers like silver thorns and punched clean through the phone like a bullet.
Bye, big teddy bear. Bye, Dad and Mom, she whispered, hugging the brown plush bear like autumn leaves clutched in a child’s hand. She crossed the room and stole one last look: her doting mom wiping the table like polishing moonlight; her clueless dad scrolling his phone like a boy with a toy.
She slung on her backpack like a shell and grabbed her luggage like a lifeline. Battle mode slid over her like armor. Little Loli opened the window like a mouth and leaped out in one bound like a bird.
Here, right? A crowd of officers in SWAT gear massed at the door like black rocks. Yeah, this is it, came the reply, cold as rain.
Bang—the door slammed open like a drum. Huh? Her clueless dad stared, blank as a white page, as the door burst and a flood of SWAT poured in like a tide. Your daughter is suspected of homicide. Please come with us, the lead officer said, voice clipped like a knife. He gestured, and the rest swept into the rooms like a comb through reeds.
Xiaoxue?!
