Ding—

Ding—

Ding— ×N

Countless elegant, big-sister beauties ring a cushion where a loli sits like a porcelain doll. Yellow tape spans the circle like crime-scene ribbon, holding back predators with lipstick and heels. If anything’s missing, it’s a museum glass dome.

Yes—this is Ling’s job right now: sit sweetly, let the pack gaze. Zi sold it as therapy, a calm shore for stormy hearts so the girls could reset and train. Without Ling, minds might wilt, drills would stall, and the upcoming show would crash.

It sounded proper enough to fool her. Ling sat haloed by borrowed glory, like a tiny guardian taking on a sacred post—stupid-cute and earnest.

But even a silly loli knows when reality turns strange. The slow, syrupy patience snapped; the silly loli finally blew.

Smack!

She flung the white placard that read “Admire from afar, hands off,” and her small face flushed storm-red.

The crowd saw the thundercloud and got the message. Feet scattered like leaves in a gust, and they hauled off any loli-obsessed friends still snapping shots of her angry face.

Ling hopped down from the pedestal—only one loli tall—and strode with steps that owed no kin, beelining for Zi.

“I’m telling you, that loli is just—”

Zi was chatting with Zha. She spotted Ling, cut the topic dead, and wore an awkward smile. She hadn’t expected her little mark to realize the con this fast.

“Well now—Ling, right? Having fun at work?”

“Hmph! So—ver—y—fun!!”

There goes my survival hope, Zi thought. No doubt, the loli came seeking vengeance. I’m dead… unless—

“I choose you—little Zha-beast!”

Zi shoved Zha forward. Zha lost balance and pitched ahead. Ling’s reflexes were sharp as a cat; she caught the girl. Zi used the beat and bolted.

“You okay?”

Ling asked from habit, cradling the girl. Silence. Warm breath brushed her skin like steam off winter tea.

What?

She glanced down. Zha’s cheeks were ripe-apple red. Hot white vapor puffed from her lips. Pink hearts floated in her eyes—blissed-out, adrift in a sea of [redacted].

Fine. I’ll admit it—I’m a woman steeped in sin. But sins can wait. Today, I’m cracking Zi’s butt.

She laid Zha gently on the floor. Even while fainting, Zha murmured “Lady Ling…” with shameful devotion. Ling locked back onto her prey.

Zi ran like she’d practiced this all her life. With a slim frame and a certain barren advantage, the crowd’s thicket couldn’t snag her.

A wall of bodies? She planted palms on shoulders and vaulted like a mountain goat.

A spot too tight to clear? She kicked off the side wall, rose into air, spun once, and landed light.

Three-classrooms’ worth of enclosed space turned into her private parkour course. If possible, someone should have dubbed her a line: “Running is freaking fun!!”

“Having fun?”

Zi was high on the motion, far from remembering why she fled. The voice on her back didn’t spark caution; she smiled, pure as spring water.

“Ah! Super fun!”

“Oh? Is that so? Then… make me happy too, Zi—sis—ter—♡”

?!!!

Fear hit first, then sweat. Zi’s inner alarm rebooted and screamed. Her sprint stuttered to a stop, and cold beads slid from her brow.

She didn’t dare turn. This wasn’t that alley where you mustn’t look back—no black hand dragging you into an abyss. This was worse: a cute loli who’d pop your skull cap the moment you glance. And that cute loli was lying on her back.

“Zi-sis~ Not running anymore? Weren’t you thrilled?”

“Miss Ling… no, Lady Ling, I swear I didn’t mean it. I’d never use being Alicia’s friend as license to tease you. A Daemon fogged my head. I lost myself, that’s all…”

“Oh my, so you’re Alicia’s friend. No wonder she acts familiar with you. And earlier—Youxiang and Zha as well?”

“Yes…”

Zi’s answer matched Ling’s guess. Ling, pleased, patted Zi’s head—her first time reaching up to touch someone taller by several heads. It warmed her heart, like tapping a bell and hearing it ring true.

“Mmm—good, good. Didn’t expect Zi to be so obedient. You deserve a reward.”

“This—this mustn’t be. Serving the great, the adorable, the world’s smartest and the universe’s mightiest Lady Ling is honor enough. How could I crave a reward?”

Smart woman, Ling thought. Her flattery landed right on time. And Ling was susceptible; her little nose tilted skyward, proudly unconvinced by humility.

“Mm-hmm. Still, words should mean something. Tell me your wish. I’ll make it happen.”

There it is! She said it! Unlike the earlier ‘dangerous’ reward, a wish is real!

Zi had planned for this beat. Her lips curled high; joy spilled out like sunlight.

“Then… I have only one wish, and that is…”

To Be Continued…