TAISS – Chapter 37

Ha, what kind of question was that? What was there for her to recover? It wasn’t like she could beat Xilan, and even if she did recover, why would she have to go see Canglin Jingyuan?

Lin Jianheng cursed inwardly, gritting her teeth as she rapidly retreated, leaving a very thick crystal cocoon around Yan Su.

The next moment, she was countered by Jingyuan and thrown to the ground, forced to roll aside to dodge another attack.

Canglin Jingyuan’s combat skills were far more practiced than Lin Jianheng’s. She was fast and could even teleport. Lin Jianheng couldn’t see her moves at all, relying entirely on instinct to dodge.

She tried to shift from a defensive to an offensive stance but could never lock onto Canglin Jingyuan. Every attack missed its mark.

Lin Jianheng considered unleashing her spiritual power, but she hadn’t even reached the 3S-rank. How could she fight against the spiritual power of the royal family? Especially since most successive kings were the strongest of their generation in terms of spiritual power.

Canglin Jingyuan was certainly much stronger than Canglin Xilan, at least on a spiritual level.

Lin Jianheng couldn’t even handle Canglin Xilan yet.

The extremely fast-paced battle left no room for words. Lin Jianheng finally found an opening to leap up, using the recoil from a crystal cocoon to launch herself into the air, searching for an escape route.

But she had Yan Su with her. How could she possibly escape?

Before she could think, Canglin Jingyuan was upon her again.

How can spatial transfer work in mid-air?!

Lin Jianheng kicked out forcefully, sending the crystal platform beneath her feet hurtling toward the ascending Canglin Jingyuan. Of course, she didn’t succeed. The next moment, a blast of palm wind sent her crashing to the ground, coughing.

There was no killing intent in her opponent’s moves.

Lin Jianheng found it hard to believe. Despite the ferocity of the attack, Canglin Jingyuan didn’t actually want to kill her? What was she doing, then?

There was no time to hesitate. Lin Jianheng flung out a shower of crystals, a large enough quantity that she thought at least one would have to hit its target.

But in the next instant, Canglin Jingyuan appeared behind her, about to land a kick!

For such a powerful ability user to resort to physical combat was the very reason Lin Jianheng judged that she had no killing intent.

But she couldn’t just take the kick. Lin Jianheng spun around to block, taking a sharp breath and barely managing to steady herself with the help of a crystal shield before charging forward, using offense as her defense.

Canglin Jingyuan’s cold eyes were devoid of any ripple, as if she had anticipated Lin Jianheng’s counterattack, or perhaps she simply didn’t care—Lin Jianheng couldn’t hurt her no matter what. This was her arrogance, and also her confidence in her own strength.

Lin Jianheng changed her defensive strategy, and Canglin Jingyuan retreated accordingly, as if toying with her, or perhaps training her.

Lin Jianheng didn’t dare believe the latter. She didn’t let her guard down, treating the woman before her as if she were trying to kill her.

Her opponent was constantly teleporting, and her own attacks never landed. What should she do?

Did Jingyuan’s teleportation have limits? Could she use it indefinitely?

Even for powerful ability users, there were limits to their abilities. Just like that shadow person Lin Jianheng had encountered a few days ago, who needed to charge up to unleash an attack that could shatter her crystal shield.

If she could find the pattern, she might be able to hit Canglin Jingyuan in those few seconds.

Lin Jianheng no longer cared whether Jingyuan wanted her dead or not.

She, at least, was treating this as a life-or-death duel. She was fighting with the intent to kill Jingyuan. If she lost, Jingyuan would finish her off; otherwise, with such a huge gap in their strength, she would be in deep trouble.

Lin Jianheng flipped and jumped rapidly, creating as much distance as possible to force Canglin Jingyuan to use her teleportation skill.

She seemed to be using something akin to the sword-flying techniques from the cultivation novels of her other world, but the fundamental principle was still using recoil for propulsion.

The two began a chase. Lin Jianheng had to dodge Jingyuan’s attacks while creating distance, and also find opportunities to attack so as not to reveal her true objective.

After about two minutes, Lin Jianheng finally understood.

Jingyuan’s strength was formidable, allowing her to chain a move like spatial transfer almost without limit, but that was only at close range.

If the distance was increased to over five meters, Canglin Jingyuan would remain in place, using attacks to cover the process of charging up, which took at least three seconds!

Lin Jianheng took a deep breath, her eyes glinting. She didn’t even realize how excited she was at that moment.

It was like meeting a worthy opponent, but more than that, it was the prospect of countering a superior. She was eager to see Canglin Jingyuan fall just as wretchedly, to land at her feet.

After two more rounds, Lin Jianheng deliberately created an opening, luring Canglin Jingyuan closer, only to instantly unleash the new move she had just devised.

Spiraling crystal threads expanded outward from her in circles, creating a sort of “three-dimensional maze” under the refracting light. They wrapped around Canglin Jingyuan’s legs and, with a sharp tug—

Was she going to succeed?

“Not bad.” A word of praise sounded in Lin Jianheng’s ear. Her pupils constricted. She still couldn’t escape the fate of being kicked.

“Cough, cough, cough…” Lin Jianheng fell back to where Yan Su was, covering her mouth in resignation.

It was her oversight. Although she had considered the possibility that Canglin Jingyuan was holding back, she had no other choice at the time but to give it her all.

“Master!!” Yan Su threw herself against the crystal cocoon, pounding on it with all her might.

Heaven knew how anxious she had been for the past ten minutes.

She had a special ability, and it should have been recovering, but she was too unfamiliar with it. On top of that, she had overexerted herself against Sigu a few days ago, leaving her completely unable to use her ability now, no matter how much Mana she used to stimulate it.

“I’m… I’m fine. Just protect yourself…” Lin Jianheng slowly got to her feet, only to see Canglin Jingyuan walking leisurely toward her.

An unorthodox idea inevitably crossed her mind.

And in the span of a breath, she brought it to life—

A dozen floating crystal mirrors shot up from the ground at incredible speed, surrounding Canglin Jingyuan. Their surfaces reflected Lin Jianheng’s figure from various angles.

The real Lin Jianheng hid behind the crystal mirrors. Each mirror accurately projected a different attack, but only one was the projection of a real attack.

Jingyuan raised an eyebrow, not even bothering to use spatial transfer, watching her with great interest.

Lin Jianheng was poised to strike. Canglin Jingyuan had landed right in front of the trap.

This time, Lin Jianheng was much more careful. Her real body didn’t appear; only the crystal-replicated “Lin Jianheng” charged out, its attack about to land on Jingyuan.

“Still haven’t learned to conceal your aura.” Jingyuan finally teleported, appearing behind Lin Jianheng and forcing her into a direct confrontation.

Being able to use spatial transfer was just too unfair. Even Lin Jianheng’s crystal chains couldn’t bind her, and the trap was useless.

If only I could use spatial transfer too…

The next instant, Lin Jianheng felt her feet go light. In the blink of an eye, she vanished from her spot.

Jingyuan’s expression finally turned serious. The curve of her brow shifted slightly as she tracked Lin Jianheng’s likely direction of appearance, lying in wait.

It was Lin Jianheng’s first time using such an ability, and she was extremely clumsy. Moreover, she was certain she had never displayed this ability when fighting Xilan or Li Zhaoge.

She hovered in mid-air, not knowing how Jingyuan had caught up, but she instinctively used her crystals. Instead of dodging, she charged straight at Jingyuan.

How could the King of the Empire let her have her way? The real attack was about to descend, accompanied by Yan Su’s heart-wrenching cry from below—

“Jingyuan, you’re old enough to know better than to bully my kid. Have you no shame?” A familiar and reassuring voice drifted over from the distance.

The voice seemed to have a physical force, raising a hand to dissipate Canglin Jingyuan’s impending attack.

It then caught the rapidly falling Lin Jianheng.

Lin Jianheng felt as if she’d been tossed up, only to land on soft ground.

How could the ground be soft? Lin Jianheng felt as if her own gravity had been altered, making her as light as a feather.

But upon hearing that voice, the blood in her veins relaxed.

It was a little warm beneath her, but Lin Jianheng paid it no mind, sitting on the ground and letting out a sigh of relief.

Mama and Mommy were here. She could rest now.

“If we hadn’t arrived in time, what state were you planning to leave her in?” Another, more bewitching voice cut in with a sharp edge.

Canglin Jingyuan glanced back, a hint of boredom in her purple eyes.

“Come see me at the palace on Sunday,” she tossed over her shoulder at Lin Jianheng before teleporting away without another look.

Lin Jianheng was utterly speechless.

Sunday was the deadline she had given Xilan. So after all that effort, Canglin Jingyuan had just come to notify her of the time.

She stood up and dispelled the crystal cocoon protecting Yan Su, only to be tackled into a hug by her little cat.

“Oh, it’s okay, it’s okay. Good kitty, you must have been terrified…” Lin Jianheng was held so tightly in Yan Su’s arms that she couldn’t move. It was even a little suffocating.

She gently patted Yan Su’s back, waves of warmth spreading from their skin-to-skin contact into her heart.

Her own world was truly the best. She had family who loved her and friends who cared for her.

And she had her own little cat.

“She didn’t have any killing intent. Maybe she just wanted to train me. It’s going to be okay.” Lin Jianheng’s chest gradually grew damp.

She tried to soothe Yan Su, but it only made more tears well up in the succubus’s eyes.

Yan Su held her so tightly, burying her face deep, as if trying to hide her inside her own body.

Like a symbiotic shell, enveloping a fragile butterfly.

In that moment, their roles were reversed. Lin Jianheng let out a slow sigh, not resisting.

They were both the same. So what if she was the shell sometimes, and the butterfly at others?

As long as they were nestled together, it was enough.

Feeling Yan Su’s sobs and hearing the footsteps behind her, Lin Jianheng had to interrupt.

If she could, she would have liked to linger in Yan Su’s embrace a little longer.

But, she was finally going to be reunited with her Mommy and Mama.

Lin Jianheng stroked Yan Su’s hair. “Good girl, Sister, let go for a second. My Mommy and Mama are back.”

Yan Su immediately loosened her grip, as docile as a doll, her eyes full of tears and her face flushed from crying. “Master’s… Mamas?”

“Yes, they helped me chase that person away. They just arrived.” Lin Jianheng patted Yan Su’s forehead again, wiping away her tears before turning around.

Just in time to see her two mothers walking toward her, hand in hand.

Even though they were only her adoptive mothers, Lin Jianheng considered them her real moms.

The shorter of the two was Jian Zunqiu. She had once traveled with her subordinates to the Bingji Star System, found Lin Jianheng in the ruins, and escorted her back to the Capital Star.

She had a head of fine, light brown curls that scattered behind her, and her eyes were the same gray-blue as Jian Lingxuan’s. Her features were sharp, making her face seem small enough to be held in one hand. Today, she wore a woolen coat, her black and brown attire giving her a cold, regal air.

Beside her was a woman in a red dress with a superb figure, who walked with the grace of a movie star. Her medium-length hair was tied in a bun, and her black eyes shone. This was Jian Zunqiu’s alpha partner, and the one who had primarily fed Lin Jianheng pheromones for three years—her Mommy, Song Qinghua.

“Baby! Are you alright?” Not only was Song Qinghua’s figure exquisite, but her voice was also alluring. Even calling her daughter sounded like flirting.

Lin Jianheng was used to it. She opened her arms for a hug from her Mommy.

“You’ll hug her but not me?” Jian Zunqiu stood to the side, looking utterly helpless.

Perhaps because Jian Heng had consumed so much of Song Qinghua’s pheromones, she had been closer to Song Qinghua since hatching.

Or maybe it was a matter of aura. Song Qinghua was indeed more popular with children.

“I’ll hug you too. Mama~” With her memories of the intervening 25 years, it truly felt like a long-awaited reunion with her two mothers for Lin Jianheng. She turned and started acting cute with Jian Zunqiu.

“Oh, my sweet baby. That was a close call today.” It was a good thing they had returned in time, and a good thing they had asked Jian Lingxuan where her younger sister was, wanting to give little Jian Heng a surprise.

Otherwise, if Jingyuan had really gotten ahold of her, even if she had no killing intent, her poor daughter would have been put through the wringer.

Their daughter had only just returned. That damn King hadn’t even considered Jian Heng’s physical condition.

“Mama, do you know why she’s targeting me?” Lin Jianheng released her hug, still a little confused.

“Who knows. Her brain’s a bit scrambled; she often does strange things. She told you to go to the palace on Sunday. Don’t listen to her. Leave it to us.”

As nobles, Jian Zunqiu and her family were naturally close to the Canglin clan.

Anyone who dealt with Canglin Jingyuan for long enough would know that she sometimes acted without thinking, doing whatever came to mind.

She was the King, so no one dared to say anything.

But when it came to bullying their own daughter, the two mothers rolled up their sleeves, ready for a fight.

“I still have to go,” Lin Jianheng said, meeting her mothers’ eyes and quickly explaining. “I arranged with Xilan before that they would tell me everything about the transmigration and Sigu this week.”

Sunday counted as this week, she supposed. They really knew how to procrastinate.

Jian Zunqiu fell silent, and Song Qinghua’s smile faded. “At least we’re going with you.”

Just from their reactions, Lin Jianheng knew they weren’t aware of the truth behind her transmigration.

Her Mommy and Mama didn’t know, and her sister didn’t know. On what grounds did Xilan claim it was her own wish?

“What a beautiful little lady.” While Lin Jianheng and Jian Zunqiu were discussing serious matters, Song Qinghua had already drifted over to Yan Su’s side.

Yan Su jumped in fright, wanting to shrink behind Lin Jianheng but hesitating because this was Lin Jianheng’s elder. She didn’t dare move.

Jian Zunqiu, as if remembering something important, let Lin Jianheng off the hook and went to look at Yan Su.

The two of them circled Yan Su, looking her up and down, causing the tears Yan Su hadn’t managed to hold back to fall.

She clutched her dress, at a loss, wanting to greet them but feeling terrified of these two people.

Yan Su wasn’t just afraid of her master’s sister anymore; now she was afraid of her master’s mothers as well.

“Don’t worry, little beauty, we’re just getting to know you.” So this was the new elopement partner her sister had mentioned?

She was quite nice. Her features were well-proportioned, and while her hair color was a bit unusual, it was vibrant and lively. As for her figure, by Song Qinghua’s standards, it was absolutely top-tier.

“Relax, we don’t bite.” Jian Zunqiu sensed that Yan Su’s pheromones and spiritual power were both very strong. She was a top-grade omega, perhaps even more powerful than Lu Yuanchen.

She was a good match for their little daughter.

Neither of them cared about Yan Su’s identity as a succubus. As long as Lin Jianheng liked her, that was all that mattered. When Lin Jianheng had insisted on getting engaged to a netizen she met as a child, they had helped arrange it.

It was just that the woman ended up running away.

A succubus was actually quite good. There was a contract, and she needed pheromones, so she couldn’t run far.

“Ma, Mommy. Don’t bully my Sister Yan.” Lin Jianheng quickly stepped forward to rescue Yan Su.

“We were just taking a look. We have to vet her for you, don’t we?” Song Qinghua wanted to observe a little longer but was pulled away by Jian Zunqiu.

While the two of them conferred in their spiritual space, Yan Su felt an urge to hide behind Lin Jianheng’s back.

“Good girl, Sister, it’s okay. My Mommy and Mama are very nice. They won’t do anything to you, and they’ll like you a lot.”

Lin Jianheng turned to hug Yan Su and soothe her. Yan Su blinked her lashes, her eyes full of tears, the tips of her ears turning bright red.

Did this count as meeting Lin Jianheng’s parents?

No, what was she thinking? They weren’t that kind of…

But, but, for her master’s family to know that she kept a succubus… Yan Su was truly so embarrassed she felt like steam was about to come out of her head.

“Don’t be scared…” Lin Jianheng continued to comfort her timid cat while the two parents finished their discussion.

“Sweetie, can we discuss something with you?” Song Qinghua didn’t get too close, not wanting to interrupt her daughter’s affectionate moment with her partner.

It was making her teeth ache, though. Young people were so clingy. She and her wife had their child late; after more than forty years together, where was the passion they used to have?

Lin Jianheng quickly let go, like a thief caught in the act.

But she still kept Yan Su hidden behind her, her gaze flickering slightly.

Yan Su hid completely, the tears on her face dampening Lin Jianheng’s back.

How could she be so embarrassing, crying just because her master let go of a hug…

And in front of her parents, no less.

“Your mother and I came in a hurry and don’t have a place to stay. Your sister is busy with the company these few days and won’t be home. Do you think you could put us up for the night?” They were very curious about how their daughter got along with her new partner.

They had never seen it before. When Lin Jianheng was being lovey-dovey with that runaway fiancée, she wasn’t on the Capital Star. After she came home, she was guarded and wouldn’t let them ask too many questions.

They heard that their baby’s memory had only returned to when she was sixteen. Surely she wouldn’t be so guarded this time?

Sixteen-year-old little Jian Heng was especially cute, at that age where she understood everything but was still not quite mature.

“Of course. I just bought the apartment next door. It should be renovated by now. Mommy and Mama can sleep there.”

That wasn’t what they wanted.

Jian Zunqiu stepped in. She casually lifted the car, which had been partially buried again due to the battle, put an arm around Lin Jianheng’s shoulder, and grabbed Yan Su in the same manner, leading the two kids into the car.

“I remember you have a guest room,” she said. She and Song Qinghua were an old married couple; they didn’t need that many rooms. One bed was enough.

“I do, but…” Yan Su had often slept in the guest room before, and it hadn’t been tidied up yet. Lin Jianheng hesitated slightly before pulling Yan Su into her lap after getting in the car.

Yan Su was trembling like a leaf, climbing into Lin Jianheng’s arms like a cat and lowering her head without a word.

She was just Lin Jianheng’s pet, after all.

There shouldn’t be any pressure of meeting the parents.

Jian Zunqiu saw Yan Su’s red ears and didn’t press the matter.

It was normal for a bonded succubus to be timid. Besides, they were the ones who had shown up uninvited.

But if the two of them weren’t planning on getting married, that made things even easier.

Living a lifetime like Jian Lingxuan and Lu Yuanchen would be quite nice too.

“We might need to tidy up a bit,” Lin Jianheng said, patting Yan Su’s back. Anyway, she and Yan Su often slept together recently.

“Sure. I’ll cook dinner for you all later,” Song Qinghua sighed.

Ever since their daughter’s body had been possessed, she and Jian Zunqiu had spent less time at home.

With their eldest daughter looking after the business, they were happy to be idle elsewhere, and it also avoided the awkwardness of wanting to punch their own daughter’s body but being unable to drive out that soul.

Now that their daughter was back, they would probably stay on the Capital Star for a while.

In the interstellar era, the long lifespans and vast differences in childbearing age meant that every family had a different way of getting along.

Lin Jianheng’s family was the type where both parents were present during childhood, and they only moved out after becoming adults and finding a partner. They were a relatively close-knit family.

Lin Jianheng knew that in some families, members were not very familiar with each other. Some children were left to childcare institutions, while others were raised by their older sisters.

She was still very happy that her Mommy and Mama could spend more time with her.

“Mommy, you’re the best~” Lin Jianheng took Song Qinghua’s hand and kissed it.

Song Qinghua, in turn, stroked Lin Jianheng’s hair, making her squint her eyes in pleasure.

This was the first time Yan Su had seen Lin Jianheng act so much like a child.

She was somewhat surprised, never having imagined Lin Jianheng would be like this in front of her elders.

Was it because she felt more secure? Or had she always been this affectionate with her family?

Yan Su clutched the corner of Lin Jianheng’s clothes, feeling a pang of jealousy.

She also wanted her master to act cute with her.

“Sister Yan, how are you feeling? Still nauseous?” After her display of affection, Lin Jianheng returned to Yan Su’s side, reverting to her previous state.

Her gentleness and softness all came from her Mommy and Mama. No wonder Yan Su always felt like calling her Mommy.

Yan Su shook her head. “I feel much better now that we’re out. Thank you, Master.”

She felt it was necessary to clarify her relationship with Lin Jianheng.

They weren’t that close yet.

Even though she really wanted to be.

A good pet should know its place.

The two mothers’ ears perked up when they heard the word “Master.” They exchanged glances discreetly.

Playing such kinky games, even calling her Master in public.

“Then your period must be coming, right? I’ll remember your dates next time.” Lin Jianheng stroked Yan Su’s hair, completely unaware that there was anything wrong with their conversation.

In their spiritual space, Jian Zunqiu silently commented: Our daughter has really changed.

Song Qinghua replied: Has she? I think she was like this before. She always liked calling people ‘Sister.’ It’s normal for her to be into a little S&M, right?

Jian Zunqiu continued: There’s nothing wrong with playing those games, but isn’t it a bit bold to do it in front of us?

Song Qinghua thought about it carefully. She had certainly never done something like that in front of her own mother. She nodded.

Lin Jianheng and Yan Su looked up at her in unison.

“It’s nothing, kiddo. You do you,” Song Qinghua said, slightly embarrassed.

Just as Lin Jianheng turned back, Jian Zunqiu spoke again. “Baby, you haven’t told us her name.”

This time, Song Qinghua was saved, and it was Lin Jianheng’s turn to be embarrassed.

She had really forgotten to introduce Yan Su to her moms, and she hadn’t introduced her moms to Yan Su either.

Mainly because before she had a chance, her Mommy had gotten all close, scaring her little cat to tears.

“Why don’t you tell them yourself, Sister?” Lin Jianheng poked Yan Su’s cheek.

A name was important; it was the foundation of a person. Just like when she first communicated with Yan Su, learning her name was what earned back a bit of trust.

“Ah… um… Hello, Mama, Mommy. My name is Yan Su.” Yan Su didn’t know how to address the two elders, so she just followed Lin Jianheng’s lead.

There was a small, deliberate part to it, but it was mostly due to nervousness.

Song Qinghua covered her mouth and let out a soft chuckle.

She looked so gentle and ladylike, so shy and timid like a cat.

But in reality, she was quite cheeky, already calling them ‘Ma.’

And funnily enough, Lin Jianheng didn’t seem to think there was anything wrong with it, even patiently guiding Yan Su through her self-introduction.

“Which characters are they?” She tilted her head to look at Yan Su, like a kindergarten teacher.

Her little student, face flushed and eyes wide, lowered her head and mumbled.

“It’s… it’s ‘yan’ as in ‘yanhua’ for fireworks, and ‘su’ as in ‘suya’ for simple and elegant.” She was truly like a child introducing herself for the first time, even using the exact words Lin Jianheng had once said.

Lin Jianheng beamed beside her, looking very pleased.

“Good girl, Yan Su. I’m your… Master’s mother, Jian Zunqiu.” Jian Zunqiu glanced at her wife, who was overflowing with affection, and took a gold card from her bag, handing it to Yan Su.

Yan Su’s brain shut down.

If she wasn’t mistaken, this card was only available to black gold members of the Empire’s largest bank.

It was an unregistered card, usually with no credit limit.

She was just giving it to her like that?

Yan Su didn’t dare to accept it. She was even more shocked than when she saw Lin Jianheng open an account for her with ten million in pocket money.

“It’s fine, take it, Sister. We have a whole stack of these at home.” Lin Jianheng wasn’t exaggerating.

It was literally a stack. When she was fifteen, Lin Jianheng had accidentally knocked over her mother’s bag, and a pile of cards just like this had spilled out.

At the time, the card was a new, limited edition release. Not many people in the high society circles had managed to get one. Lin Jianheng’s eyes had nearly popped out of her head. She had swiped a few, and they should still be in her safe at home.

Sigu probably didn’t know the password and had never opened it. Her little stash of private money was still there.

“Then, thank you, Mama.” As Yan Su accepted it, her tail was wagging uncontrollably, hitting the car door. It looked quite painful.

Lin Jianheng really wanted to help catch it for her, but with her Mommy and Mama there, she could only secretly reach out and poke Yan Su’s back.

Yan Su’s back tensed abruptly, and her tail shot straight up, twitching as if electrocuted.

Lin Jianheng quickly grabbed the base of her tail and pulled her back, sending Yan Su’s heart into a flutter.

The two mothers saw their interaction but had the decency not to point it out.

“I’m her Mommy, Song Qinghua. I don’t have much to give you, but please have a piece of candy.” Song Qinghua’s business was somewhat related to medicine and healthcare. This was also how Jian Lingxuan had met Lu Yuanchen.

“Thank you, Mommy.” It’s just a piece of candy, that should be fine, right? Yan Su took it and unwrapped it.

Although Lin Jianheng didn’t recognize it, she guessed it was one of her Mommy’s newly developed “candies” for regulating one’s health.

If it hadn’t been released yet, in terms of value, this candy was far more precious than that bank card.

Well, if her Mommy wanted to give it, she could. But why wasn’t there a gift for her?

Halfway through the drive, Lin Jianheng was already daydreaming about her happy life back home.

Suddenly, she let out a sharp “Ah!” startling Yan Su, who was dozing in her arms, and her mothers, who were communicating in their spiritual space.

“I forgot I have Li Zhaoge’s concert tonight…” And Lin Jianheng had to go alone.

Her family gathering—

Lin Jianheng was on the verge of tears. She opened her phone to check the time. If she went home now, got ready, and then rushed to the venue, would she make it?

“Xiao Li? You’re going to her concert? Why didn’t you get a couple more tickets?” Song Qinghua thought it was just a normal case of supporting an idol.

Although Li Zhaoge’s intentions had been obvious before, she figured that now that Lin Jianheng had another “sister,” there shouldn’t be any problem between them.

“She gave me the ticket. There was only one. I didn’t know you two were coming back today.”

Song Qinghua and Jian Zunqiu exchanged a look.

A private box ticket, just for Lin Jianheng. This was bad.

Li Zhaoge hadn’t given up on Lin Jianheng at all.

And Lin Jianheng only had memories up to the age of sixteen. She didn’t know what kind of world she had gone to for those two years she was away. Now that she was back, she was clueless about these things and definitely wouldn’t know.

“Can you not go? Mommy came back to see you after so long. I want you to spend more time with me.” Song Qinghua decided to be the bad guy this time.

It would be one thing if Lin Jianheng’s heart wasn’t already taken.

But she was clearly close with Yan Su. Yan Su was a succubus; they had probably already done everything they should and shouldn’t have done.

“Xiao Heng, go home and rest. You were just chased and beaten by Jingyuan,” Jian Zunqiu added, trying to persuade her.

In Lin Jianheng’s arms, Yan Su quietly looked up and met Song Qinghua’s eyes. The older woman winked at her.

Yan Su froze for two seconds, then mouthed: Thank you, Mommy.

Song Qinghua laughed to her wife in their spiritual space. This little succubus was quite interesting. She was clearly dying of jealousy but wouldn’t say a word, just watching as Jian Heng prepared to go to someone else’s concert.

They had to step in and teach her a thing or two.

“You’re right, it’s a bit late to go now anyway.” Lin Jianheng looked like she was pouting sadly, but inwardly, she was relieved.

She would much rather stay home, eat the dinner her Mommy prepared, spend time with her long-absent family, and comfort her frightened Sister Yan.

Li Zhaoge would have more concerts in the future. She would definitely go next time.

Lin Jianheng composed a message and sent it to Li Zhaoge.

---

“Sister Zhaoge, we should be going to get your look finalized. The stage performance is difficult today, you really shouldn’t be wandering around.” Li Zhaoge’s manager followed behind her, holding her dress as she chased after her.

Li Zhaoge was the captain of the Imperial Guard, and she walked at a considerable pace. Her manager was out of breath from jogging but still couldn’t keep up.

“Zhaoge, Sister, Sis, where are you going…” The manager felt increasingly out of shape.

She was just an ordinary beta. Her days were usually spent sitting in an office negotiating deals, so it was normal for her to be unfit.

But it was proving to be a problem right now.

Li Zhaoge was already far ahead, with no intention of replying.

Li Zhaoge opened the private box she had reserved specifically for Lin Jianheng. Looking at the greeting card, the specially prepared pastries and drinks inside, she let out a long breath.

Her heart ached with a sour, unbearable pain.

She had promised she would come. Why did she break her promise at the last minute?

Li Zhaoge took a sharp breath and put the card away.

It wasn’t easy to find something like this in this day and age.

If it weren’t for Xu Yuantong’s suggestion, Li Zhaoge wouldn’t have resorted to such a method.

In her heart, she would have been happy enough if Lin Jianheng had just come.

They had been apart for two years. For countless days and nights, she had prepared the songs for her concert, and the thought of her favorite pair of eyes being absent from the audience would make it impossible for her to sing.

Finally, she was back, and that real fiancée hadn’t come either.

But she still couldn’t…

Perhaps she shouldn’t have hoped for so much. She was only occupying the position of fiancée. She knew when she got close to Lin Jianheng that her heart belonged to someone else.

It was truly hopeless.

Li Zhaoge clutched the greeting card tightly. In the end, she didn’t throw it away. She smoothed it out and put it in her pocket.

“I said I was coming up to take a look. Why aren’t you in the dressing room?” Xu Yuantong had appeared at some point, leaning against the door of the box. Seeing Li Zhaoge’s actions, she had a good idea of what had happened.

“I… Your Highness.” Li Zhaoge habitually knelt on one knee.

Even though this wasn’t the one she had sworn allegiance to, she was still a member of the royal family, the current Princess.

“Rise. She’s not coming?” Xu Yuantong was quite surprised. Lin Jianheng was a person of her word; she wouldn’t cancel without a good reason.

“…No.” Li Zhaoge’s throat had never felt so dry.

She even wanted to cancel the concert on the spot. Without her only audience member, what was the point of continuing?

“Did she say why? Or should I ask for you?” Xu Yuantong felt that Li Zhaoge’s situation was quite pitiful.

She also felt a little guilty. It was she who had encouraged Li Zhaoge to make all these preparations, to get her hopes up, only for the other party to stand her up.

She felt for her.

Li Zhaoge closed her eyes, her brow furrowed in pain as she fought an internal battle.

“The King attacked her on her way home.” For a moment, Li Zhaoge even thought that Canglin Jingyuan was targeting her, that this was retribution for her previous failure to report.

But it didn’t make sense. Canglin Jingyuan had so much to do every day; how could she remember what she had done, let alone a trivial matter like a concert today?

Xu Yuantong was stunned for a moment. She really didn’t know about this. She had rarely returned to the palace these past few days and didn’t often see this mother of hers.

“And then she said her parents came back and she had to spend time with them, so she’s not coming.” Li Zhaoge didn’t know Jian Zunqiu and Song Qinghua’s schedule, but she did know they were often away.

A voice deep inside her was trying to convince her. Maybe Lin Jianheng’s mothers hadn’t come back. Maybe she just didn’t want to come.

Maybe, she was just with that succubus.

The last thought caused Li Zhaoge unbearable pain. Sweat smudged her exquisite makeup.

“She said she would definitely come to the next concert, but…” Li Zhaoge wasn’t sure if she would still have the courage to confess by then, or if that succubus would have already made her move.

“How pitiful,” Xu Yuantong sighed after hearing the whole story.

Lin Jianheng’s reasons wouldn’t be false. But deep down, she probably didn’t want to come that badly.

It could only be said that the two of them were truly not fated to be.

Xu Yuantong took out a handkerchief and stepped forward.

She raised her hand and wiped the sweat from Li Zhaoge’s forehead.

Li Zhaoge looked at her, tears welling up in her eyes. Something she had been desperately suppressing was gently touched in that instant, and she could no longer hold it back.

Her loss of composure lasted only a moment. Just a single tear slid down her cheek.

“Ask her if she can come out tomorrow. Give yourself one last chance.” Xu Yuantong withdrew her hand as soon as she was done, with no other intention.

Li Zhaoge lowered her eyes and agreed, composing a message, deleting it over and over again, and only sending it much later.

---

Only after arriving home did Lin Jianheng realize that her moms hadn’t forgotten her gift; they had just sent it all to her house in advance.

It turned out the two of them had planned this all along.

And they weren’t planning on helping. Lin Jianheng had to carry the gifts into the house herself, to be opened later.

It had been a long time since her two moms had been to the place Lin Jianheng lived in by herself.

Jian Heng had moved out after skipping grades to go to university. This apartment was very close to her alma mater.

Back then, the two of them would occasionally come by to drop off food, or sneak into the university to see how their baby was doing in class, whether she was keeping up or being bullied because of her young age.

Until the great change two years ago.

But it was good that their daughter was back. The two of them entered the apartment and felt that not much had changed.

It still had a rather frugal style, with everything neatly arranged.

The house no longer had any networked smart furniture or butlers.

Jian Zunqiu had heard about the AI Butler incident. At the time, she was far away in the Bingji Star System, and she had been worried sick for her younger daughter.

Fortunately, Lin Jianheng had turned the situation around. That was when the two mothers had started making their way back, a journey that took some time.

“Mama, Mommy, wait for us. We’re going to tidy up the room.” Without an AI butler, they had to do this kind of thing themselves.

“Alright~ Mommy will go make dinner for you.” Song Qinghua stroked Lin Jianheng’s head and gave Yan Su a pat as well.

Yan Su lowered her head and thanked her.

Song Qinghua chuckled to herself. This little succubus was just shy and timid with strangers. She was still very polite, obedient, and cute.

After the two of them went to the guest bedroom, Jian Zunqiu helplessly put an arm around Song Qinghua’s waist. “You just like the obedient-looking ones. Xiao Heng takes after you.”

“She’s more than just obedient-looking. That intense hair and eye color, paired with that unique expression and soft reaction… no wonder our daughter likes her,” Song Qinghua quickly defended herself.

She remembered being quite the romantic in her youth. While she never got too serious, she had plenty of flirtations.

She and Jian Zunqiu had been entangled for a while before she was finally won over and settled down with her.

Jian Zunqiu gave her a light glance, her hand tightening on her waist.

Song Qinghua shut her mouth and obediently went to find ingredients.

In her relationship with Jian Zunqiu, she was only the initiator in that department. At all other times, she was completely dominated.

Their eldest daughter had inherited this trait almost perfectly. The wife she had found now was even said to be able to mark her back.

A chill ran down Song Qinghua’s neck. Fortunately, her wife had no such interests and was willing to let her take the lead.

While tidying the room, Lin Jianheng secretly sidled up to Yan Su.

“Sister, what do you think of our Mommy and Mama?” she asked, hugging a quilt, very concerned. She even rested her head on Yan Su’s shoulder.

Yan Su put down what she was holding and thought seriously.

“They’re very nice.” Not scary at all, much better than Jian Lingxuan. At least they wouldn’t pick her and her master up and carry them away.

Yan Su still remembered that time she was picked up by Jian Lingxuan. Her master couldn’t even resist, so she could only be obediently carried away.

When an older sister disciplines her younger sister, the little cat suffers along with her.

“That’s good. Just relax. Even though they’re not my birth mothers, they’re really good to me. I was very happy when I lived with them before.”

It was a childhood completely different from her life as “Lin Jianheng.”

Jian Heng was a prodigy. At a very young age, she was well-read and well-mannered, able to command the servants at home to take her wherever she wanted.

When her Mommy and Mama saw this, they didn’t scold her. Instead, they took over from the servants and personally carried her where she wanted to go.

When she was interested in biology, they built her a laboratory. When she liked swimming and playing ball, they built a gymnasium for her in the backyard.

The laboratory at Jian Lingxuan’s house wasn’t originally for Lu Yuanchen; it was for Jian Heng.

Sometimes, when the “Lin Jianheng” part of her took over, she would recall these days and feel very pitiful.

The life she had longed for, then despaired of and resisted for half her life, had been so close all along.

Other times, when the “Jian Heng” part of her dominated her thoughts, she felt that her time as Lin Jianheng was both tragic and the best she could have done.

That was the most she could have made of Lin Jianheng’s life. Escaping from a family that favored sons to study in a big city, only to be swept up in the tide of the times and become a worker, exploited by her boss until she died.

But she was Jian Heng, after all. Now she could do anything.

She knew that if she messed up, there would be three people unconditionally standing behind her, preventing her from shattering into pieces.

With such a life, there were no more shadows. Lin Jianheng had obtained the freedom she yearned for.

“What about your master’s previous world?” Yan Su’s tail hooked around Lin Jianheng’s waist, rubbing against her affectionately.

It was like a cat’s tail tickling her, so relentless.

“That one wasn’t good. No need to mention them. Maybe by blood, I’m closer to those two people. But they were worse than strangers I could have picked up off the street.” Lin Jianheng waved her hand, dispelling the shackles of the past.

Now, those shackles were as light as clouds, fading away with a wave of her hand.

Yan Su reached out and stroked Lin Jianheng’s hair.

“I still feel bad for you, Master.”

Hearing Yan Su’s concern, Lin Jianheng’s lips curved into a small smile.

“Then, thank you, my dear Sister.” Perhaps she didn’t just have three people backing her up.

Yan Su would be by her side too.

Lin Jianheng’s hand rested on Yan Su’s lower abdomen. There was no force, just a warmth unique to Lin Jianheng pressing against her.

Yan Su held her breath and secretly pressed back an inch, letting Lin Jianheng catch her.

And then she heard two heartbeats.

It took them fifteen minutes to tidy up the room.

Yan Su had very few belongings, most of which were new things Lin Jianheng had bought for her.

She had ten million in pocket money but had bought nothing except for some adult toys. This forced Lin Jianheng to regularly buy her new clothes, accessories, and skincare products.

They finished quickly. Lin Jianheng took the new bedsheets and toiletries to be washed, so they would be dry by the time her Mommy and Mama went to bed.

Yan Su proactively helped set the table, which amazed Song Qinghua.

She wondered what her daughter had said to the timid cat in the room to make her no longer afraid of them.

“Where are you from?” At the dinner table, Mommy’s routine investigation began.

“I don’t have any memories from before, Mommy. I was bought by… by the previous one.” Yan Su said it so casually that it made the two elders frown.

That Sigu. Possessing their daughter’s body just to do this?

Their daughter had previously cultivated a hedonistic image to avoid trouble.

On what grounds did that ghost possessing their daughter’s body use that reputation to do whatever it wanted?

“So, sweetie, you got together with her after you came back?” In that case, their Jian Heng had inherited this succubus.

Their daughter was so kind. This succubus had no grudge against her; she could have just let her go.

The rose-tinted glasses of a mother were thick. The two of them never saw anything wrong with Lin Jianheng.

“Uh, I guess so? I have to thank Sister Yan for trusting me and giving me a chance.” Lin Jianheng put some food on Song Qinghua’s plate.

Jian Zunqiu quickly tugged at the gossiping Song Qinghua and changed the subject.

After dinner, the family found a recent drama to watch.

In reality, Jian Zunqiu was investigating the matter of Yan Su’s purchase on her optical computer, while Song Qinghua was checking the house for any traces of that Sigu.

Jian Zunqiu’s intelligence network was quite extensive. In just five minutes, she had found out the cause and effect of that incident.

It was the usurper, using their daughter’s identity, who had become close with that true second-generation heir of the Si family. They seemed to have made some kind of deal, with financial transactions between them.

As a favor and to get closer, the Si family heir had taken that person to the underground black market.

The Si family had been undergoing a transformation in recent years, gradually shifting from technology to emotional research and biological sciences. It was unclear if this was related to Sigu.

As for the underground black market, it had already been shut down. Rumor had it that they had provoked an enemy and been wiped out.

These reasons all seemed normal, but the timing…

Jian Zunqiu’s spiritual power was also at the SS-rank. She trusted her intuition.

Could it be that this group’s convoluted transaction was all for a single succubus?

Did this succubus have some special identity? Had she encountered any other incidents besides this?

Jian Zunqiu remembered what Jian Lingxuan had said about the AI Butler and decided to ask about it again.

Meanwhile, Song Qinghua had noticed the sealed utility room.

“Baby, what’s wrong with this room?” Song Qinghua’s spiritual power was not low either, fluctuating between S and SS-rank.

She had already walked to the door of the room.

Yan Su’s tail drooped, her nervousness visible to the naked eye.

Lin Jianheng quickly hugged her and gave her Mommy a look.

“Mommy, it’s just a useless room. Don’t mind it.” She couldn’t possibly tell Song Qinghua that it was where Sigu had locked Yan Su up.

“You haven’t been in since you came back?” Song Qinghua found the room even more suspicious.

“…No.” Lin Jianheng held Yan Su’s head, not wanting her to overthink, trying her best to envelop her with her body and give her some sense of security.

“Can I go in and take a look? Baby, you have to check the rooms after you come back. What if that person left something behind?” Song Qinghua’s hand was already on the seal.

Yan Su closed her eyes, wishing she were a small cat right now, able to completely shrink into Lin Jianheng’s arms. Even if Lin Jianheng were holding her by the scruff of her neck, she wouldn’t be this terrified.

“Then, Mommy, can you take a look for me? I’ll comfort Sister.” Even if she didn’t say it, her Mommy and Mama should be able to guess some of it.

But at this moment, Jian Zunqiu was still investigating the connection between Sigu, the Si family, and the black market, and had no time to spare.

Song Qinghua was completely drawn to this room, her intuition telling her that if she didn’t open it, she would miss something.

If Jian Heng hadn’t left this world for two years, she would have also learned to trust her intuition and feel it carefully.

Song Qinghua was still very careful as she removed the seal and opened the door.

A cloud of dust hit her, making her choke.

She turned on the light. It was indeed a storage room.

Standing amidst the clutter, Song Qinghua could see that someone had lain here before. There were also traces of food. She figured that person had locked Yan Su in here.

It was just an ordinary pile of old clothes, Jian Heng’s childhood toys, magazines, musical instruments, and a broken robot…

Song Qinghua took a deep breath, her eyes locking onto the robot.

She took the robot out, the rustling sound breaking the silence of the room.

She tried to turn it on, and of course, she failed.

But…

Something like a chip fell out.

Song Qinghua picked it up, and the warning from her intuition subsided.

This was… a chip that only the royal family had, some kind of recording device.

Letting out a slow breath, Song Qinghua left the light on and the door to the storage room open.

She left the room and placed the recording device in front of Lin Jianheng.

Lin Jianheng, as expected, recognized it. Still holding Yan Su, she almost stood up, clutching the chip in her hand, her whole hand trembling.

“What do you think this is?” Song Qinghua stared at her daughter.

This didn’t seem like something Jian Heng would have left.

“…I don’t know. But Mommy, I already have two of these.” This was the third one Lin Jianheng had found.

Lin Jianheng’s breath trembled. She finally realized that she seemed to be caught in a huge conspiracy.

It definitely wasn’t as simple as just having her body possessed.

Mechanical Lifeforms… what did they want?

If they just wanted to recruit her, why leave her three identical recording devices?

And then there was Meng Qinyi, who was suspected to be from the Demon Clan. The one she had killed back then was definitely not her real body. Where was her real body? What was she planning now?

She really needed to exchange information with the royal family.

Yan Su looked up from her fear, and her pupils constricted again when she saw the recording device.

“Ma-Master, isn’t this…” The thing that had been taken from her tooth was the same as the one their Mommy had found in her confinement room.

When Sigu was abusing her, was she also setting up a plan?

“Yes.” For a rare moment, Lin Jianheng lost the strength to comfort Yan Su. She just held her, a slight sense of powerlessness spreading up from her limbs.

“Then it’s not a coincidence,” Jian Zunqiu finally spoke. She hadn’t been able to find anything, but the only force involved with Sigu was the Mechanical Lifeforms.

“I suspect they brought you to the Capital Star for another purpose.” She looked at Yan Su, her feelings slightly complicated.

Her daughter was truly pitiful. The first one she liked ran away. Now the one she liked had a deeply entangled background.

Why couldn’t she just simply like a succubus? Living a simple life like that would be great too.

“Do you really not remember anything from the past?” Song Qinghua stared into Yan Su’s eyes.

Yan Su opened her mouth, hearing her heart fall heavily to the ground, shattering into death.

Then she struggled out of Lin Jianheng’s embrace, wanting to grab Song Qinghua but not daring to, almost kneeling in front of her.

“I don’t, I don’t remember, I, I really don’t know anything… My feelings for Master are genuine, I would never betray her,” she explained hastily, biting her tongue. The pain made tears and her heartbeat resound in unison.

“Sister Yan…” Lin Jianheng was the one who had spent nearly two months with Yan Su. Of course, she didn’t want to think about the possibility that Yan Su had been sent to her side by someone.

If there really was a mastermind, she would kill that person, just as she had promised that day.

So… please let her keep Yan Su. This was her little cat.

“Mama, Mommy, Sister Yan has no ill intentions. She… she might have been used. But, please don’t send her away, okay?” Lin Jianheng vouched for Yan Su, almost falling to her knees to beg her mothers.

But in the moment she lowered her head, Lin Jianheng heard a voice in her heart.

If Yan Su really was the Demon King described in the “original novel,” what should she do?

One day, Yan Su would also recover her memories, just like her, and change from Yan Su back to Yinsu.

At that time, would she have to kill Yinsu?

A wave of coldness swept through Lin Jianheng’s mind, hanging her upside down and tossing her into a washing machine to be churned.

Overwhelming nausea rushed up, and Lin Jianheng heard a retching sound.

She thought it was herself, but then she turned to see Yan Su coughing, her face flushed.

“Sister!” A sharp pain shot through Lin Jianheng, and she lunged forward to hug her.

She shouldn’t have hesitated.

Even if Yan Su became Yinsu, couldn’t they still be together?

The two mothers finally relented, placing their hands on their heads.

“Don’t be so tense. We just wanted to confirm that she won’t harm you.” Jian Zunqiu sighed, stroking both of them.

A mother’s palm is always warm. It easily calmed Lin Jianheng’s trembling and stopped Yan Su’s nausea.

“If you really don’t know anything, or even if you do, as long as you have no ill intentions toward our daughter, you can naturally stay.”

She paused for a moment, her gaze suddenly sharp.

It was like the glint of a newly drawn sword, cold and piercing, pressing against Yan Su’s skin.

“But, if you try to harm her, we will not let you go.” The sentence was both a threat and a kind of reassurance.

Yan Su nodded desperately. “Mama, Mommy, I won’t.”

She was completely devoted to her master; how could she betray her?

She already knew the consequences of betrayal and had made a deep, bone-marrow promise with her master.

Lin Jianheng squeezed her hand.

“Alright, my darlings, calm down.” Song Qinghua took out two pieces of candy and gave one to each of her babies.

“By the way, little Yan Su, are you feeling a bit weak?” To be so nauseous after just one scare, she was either pregnant or physically weak.

Her daughter shouldn’t be that reckless, right?

“I don’t think so…” Yan Su said, lacking confidence, her tail betraying the truth.

“Sister is a bit malnourished,” Lin Jianheng said, lowering her head with a blush as she ate her Mommy’s conditioning candy.

The two of them looked at Lin Jianheng with complicated expressions.

For a succubus, being malnourished meant not getting enough… bodily fluids, right?

Their daughter was so loving, so why was she starving this poor succubus lady and not feeding her?

“Ahem.” They were also loving and kind mothers, so maybe they shouldn’t disturb the young couple’s romance?

“Let’s have a proper chat about what you’ve been through these past few days tomorrow or the day after.” Jian Zunqiu concluded, leading the two young ones to their bedroom.

The adults needed to discuss countermeasures.

Now that their mother was back, their daughter could relax a little.

“Don’t starve your succubus,” Song Qinghua whispered in Lin Jianheng’s ear, making that side of her ear turn red enough to drip water.

Closing the bedroom door, Lin Jianheng found the safe and fiddled with it for a long time before placing the new recording device next to the old ones.

Yan Su squatted beside her, her tail wagging and hooking.

She had heard what Mommy said.

Would Master feed her?

“I feel like there’s still a piece missing.” Lin Jianheng fiddled with them, discovering that the three chips could be pieced together.

Meng Qinyi had said that the piece she gave recorded various incidents of artificial intelligence rebelling against humanity.

She didn’t know who had implanted the piece in Yan Su’s tooth; perhaps it was related to Yan Su’s past.

This piece, left by Sigu, was definitely related to the Mechanical Lifeforms.

She shouldn’t have killed her clone so easily when she went to capture Sigu last time.

The Bingji Star System… she had to go there at some point.

“What will happen if you put them together?” Yan Su sat down, pressing against Lin Jianheng.

Lin Jianheng hugged her and put the three chips back, locking the safe.

“We’ll find out then. We still don’t know where the missing piece is,” Lin Jianheng said, then pushed Yan Su down.

“My malnourished little kitty, are you hungry?” The troublesome matters were over. Now Lin Jianheng had to get down to business.

Yan Su stared straight at Lin Jianheng for three seconds. With a blink, her succubus features appeared.

“Answering me like that, huh? Then let’s not talk at all today.” Lin Jianheng kissed Yan Su’s lips, nibbling gently until they were as plump and moist as she had imagined today.

…

Today, she only gave a light mark.

Of course, they had a few rounds.

But after all, both of them were tired from the day.

Visiting the biology museum, fighting with Jingyuan, and then facing the double trial of her Mommy and Mama.

Lin Jianheng was a bit worn out and could only let her succubus down.

“Thank you for your hard work, Master.” Yan Su wagged her tail as she carried Lin Jianheng into the bathroom.

“…I’m sorry, Sister.” Lin Jianheng lay there limply, once again lamenting how weak she was.

It was probably because her body hadn’t been trained by Xilan and Li Zhaoge much during the two years it was possessed.

The muscle she had built up was mostly gone. Now, after a long day, she couldn’t even satisfy her little cat.

“It’s okay. It’s already wonderful that Master is willing to feed me.” Yan Su lowered her head to accept Lin Jianheng’s apologetic kiss.

Actually, the happiest thing today was that her master didn’t go to Li Zhaoge’s concert.

Yan Su could only rejoice in secret.

As they lay in bed together, she quietly moved closer to Lin Jianheng’s arm, snuggling into her embrace.

---

Lin Jianheng received Li Zhaoge’s message just as she had finished her fun with Yan Su.

Although it was just one time, the two of them had still been at it for two hours, so it was quite late when they went to sleep.

She stared at the message for a while before she understood it.

She was too tired. Lin Jianheng pressed her temples and thought about her schedule for tomorrow.

She didn’t have anything planned, so she could have lunch.

It was also a good time to resolve this matter.

When Yan Su heard the news the next morning, her world came crashing down.

Song Qinghua and Jian Zunqiu both fell silent.

They cast a glance at Yan Su, who had her head down, looking like a sad, crying kitten.

“It’s just a meal. I’ll be back right after. It’s okay, Sister.” Lin Jianheng instinctively comforted Yan Su, but she didn’t know why she was doing it.

Why was Yan Su always so dejected whenever she had to meet someone else?

Was it a friend’s possessiveness? A kitten’s dependence on its master?

Or… that possibility she didn’t dare to think about?

“Thank you for comforting me, Master. I-I’m fine. If Master wants to see her, I shouldn’t be like this.” Yan Su wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and forced a smile. Her smiles were rare, but Lin Jianheng had dreamed of them many times.

No matter what, Lin Jianheng wanted to keep that happy smile on Yan Su’s face, but what she got now was a forced one.

It made Lin Jianheng’s heart clench, and she suddenly didn’t want to go to her meeting with Li Zhaoge.

The concert, and now this meal.

As long as Yan Su showed any unhappiness, she didn’t want to go.

Why was that?

“Master, you should go have your meal. Have fun.” Yan Su even reached out and hugged Lin Jianheng.

Something fragile shattered at the touch, scattering all over the floor around Lin Jianheng.

It pricked her, stealing her breath.

An answer, an answer Lin Jianheng was unwilling to face, was already hidden behind the door to her heart.

All she had to do was push it open to see.

Lin Jianheng lowered her eyes, reached out, and hugged Yan Su, patting her back.

“I’ll be back soon.”

She had to go open that door.

And then come back to Yan Su’s side as soon as possible.

---

Li Zhaoge had done her makeup today.

Light makeup concealed the dark circles under her eyes. Her style of dress was completely different from usual, refreshingly new. A simple dress paired with a knitted cardigan, her accessories carefully color-coordinated.

Seeing her like this, Lin Jianheng’s heart skipped another beat.

Actually, there was another reason she didn’t want to come.

She knew what Li Zhaoge wanted to do.

But she didn’t know what she should do.

This reflected Lin Jianheng’s most feared dream, her most confused heart.

She nervously resisted what Li Zhaoge was about to say. She didn’t want to cut ties with Li Zhaoge from now on.

But after a confession between same-sex friends fails, can they still be friends?

Lin Jianheng didn’t understand.

She had never experienced it. She was only gradually realizing that in her life as “Lin Jianheng,” quite a few girls had actually liked her.

But no one had ever confessed to her. Before she awakened, she had remained good friends with them, and now she could still play dumb and be friends with them.

But Li Zhaoge clearly couldn’t hold it in any longer.

This world was not Lin Jianheng’s other world. Liking someone of the same sex was something that could be said out loud.

“Xiao Heng, you’re finally here.” Li Zhaoge stood up, her hands clasped together, visibly nervous.

Lin Jianheng sized her up for a second before sitting down in front of her. “Sorry, yesterday was really an emergency.”

“…It’s okay. I’ll have more concerts in the future.” Li Zhaoge’s smile was just like Yan Su’s that morning.

Why did everyone have to force a smile for her?

As if she were some kind of villain, and they all had to put on a mask in front of her.

Liking someone was truly a selfish and bitter thing.

Lin Jianheng sipped her tea, her gaze fixed on her own reflection.

Her eyes were full of weariness, about to be shattered by this inescapable maze.

Seeing her absent-minded look, Li Zhaoge’s heart shattered completely. “Actually, Xiao Heng, you know what I want to say, right?”

“You’ve always been smart, and you’re kind to everyone. How could you not see it?” Her laugh was almost self-deprecating.

Lin Jianheng’s face fell too. She finally understood why everyone had to force a smile.

She was the same now, her bitter eyes holding a mocking light.

“So, are you going to say it?” Lin Jianheng put down her teacup. The light green liquid reflected her face, a thin layer of mist gently rippling across it.

“I still want to say it. It’s not really about giving myself a chance; I know I probably don’t have one. I’ve known for a long time.” Li Zhaoge took out the greeting card she had prepared.

“I just… want to give this secret crush an ending.” She wanted to draw a line under it. This was the final chapter of her years of love for Lin Jianheng.

Lin Jianheng was slightly stunned, looking at her. “So, you don’t actually need my answer?”

As if grasping something, she sat up a little straighter.

“Maybe. I just wanted to tell you about this, because I know it’s impossible for us.”

She was a knight, and Lin Jianheng was a princess.

Her role was only to protect her; how could they ever be together?

She had never had such extravagant hopes.

It was just that when she saw Lin Jianheng liking someone else, her body would ache with pain.

Lin Jianheng accepted the greeting card.

In this era, such paper items were hard to find. Li Zhaoge had put a lot of thought into it.

The handwritten characters were elegant and fresh, clearly the result of long practice, which was quite remarkable for someone who had never left the Empire.

Lin Jianheng read Li Zhaoge’s heartfelt words, and this time, she didn’t casually cast them aside.

Li Zhaoge wrote that they had always had the relationship of a knight and a princess.

Lin Jianheng remembered that she herself had chosen Li Zhaoge from among all the members of the cavalry corps to be her personal guard.

Li Zhaoge wrote that she used to have no self, that she was a machine trained under strict discipline. It was Lin Jianheng who had helped her rediscover the feeling of being “human.” She began to develop feelings, for people, for things. When she changed from the captain of the Imperial Guard back to “Li Zhaoge,” the first person she had feelings for was Lin Jianheng.

The memories sealed away by Jian Heng awakened at this moment, becoming a storm that swept over Lin Jianheng.

The storm in Lin Jianheng’s mind told her that it was she who had encouraged Li Zhaoge to pursue singing, to make it her second career.

It was she who had funded Li Zhaoge’s first concert, becoming her first audience member when even Li Zhaoge’s family didn’t support her.

It was she who had used the royal family’s resources to clear the obstacles in Li Zhaoge’s path to stardom. She would also look out for them during training.

The memories returned bit by bit, the dullness gradually clearing.

Lin Jianheng came to understand Li Zhaoge better and better.

Finally, one day, Jian Heng asked Li Zhaoge to teach her how to use her special ability, as usual.

The look in Li Zhaoge’s eyes was no longer just respectful and obedient.

There was an added fire.

Li Zhaoge wrote that she had started to like Lin Jianheng from that moment on.

But she had never thought of crossing the line, only wanting to protect her for a lifetime.

She had a very strong sense of knightly duty, but when Lin Jianheng’s fiancée left, she had other thoughts.

She wrote that she had actually been the one to approach Jian Zunqiu and her wife first to ask about the matter.

She wrote that she had originally wanted to avoid suspicion, but she couldn’t resist when she heard the proposal.

She wrote that she had lied on the day she made the promise.

Lin Jianheng remembered her saying she wouldn’t cross the line.

Actually… it wouldn’t have mattered if she had.

Li Zhaoge just… liked her.

They would continue to be good friends, to maintain this special relationship. She just… wouldn’t reciprocate Li Zhaoge’s feelings in a romantic way. And Li Zhaoge didn’t expect to be a part of Lin Jianheng’s love life.

Ah… so that’s how it was?

So even if you once liked someone, there comes a time when you can let go.

Even if you love someone to the extreme, you can wake up in the early morning and know that it’s not possible.

So this was what liking someone was like. Intense, yet restrained. What mattered was your own sense of propriety.

Maybe, liking someone wasn’t selfish after all.

Something heavy that had been dragging down Lin Jianheng’s heart was gone.

Her shoulders relaxed, her mind cleared, and her heart no longer ached.

“I’ve finished reading.” Lin Jianheng folded the greeting card and returned it to Li Zhaoge’s hand.

If her heart were unattached, she could have kept the card.

But now, Lin Jianheng could no longer pretend.

“Thank you, Sister Zhaoge. I’ve received your feelings.”

Actually, knowing that someone likes you doesn’t change much, right?

So, it was okay for her to like someone too.

“But I have to correct you on one point.” Lin Jianheng pressed down on Li Zhaoge’s hand, which was clutching the card, unwilling to take it back.

“It’s not that you were too late. It’s not that you’re not worthy. So what if you’re a knight? You’ll eventually meet the person who is willing to take your hand. I’m rejecting you only because…”

Lin Jianheng took a deep breath.

From this day on, she was completely free from the shackles of her other world.

No longer repressed, no longer confused.

“It’s only because my heart already belongs to someone else.” She had to tell herself.

She liked Yan Su.

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