...Mo Xin couldn't help but feel a bit emotional. Early this morning, she had learned about Acheron's situation from her sister's parents. This left Mo Xin's heart filled with confusion, her thoughts a tangled mess, unsure of how to deal with this sudden turn of events.
The horror of this intermittent amnesia was far worse than ordinary memory loss. After all, Acheron herself couldn't predict when she would forget whom or what; she didn't even know what she had forgotten! Moreover, Mo Xin strongly suspected that Acheron's cold temperament might be because of this as well!
Anyway, after Mo Xi woke up today, she predictably went through the same experience as Mo Xin. Although Mo Xi didn't show any flaws on the surface, Mo Xin clearly caught the way her sister secretly clenched her fists. Because of Acheron's matter, the originally warm atmosphere at home was suddenly shrouded in a heavy haze. That silence felt as heavy as a thousand catties, refusing to dissipate for a long time, every inch of air congealing with unspeakable sorrow and oppression.
When afternoon came, Mo Xi chose to return to her room to take a few days off by herself. Mo Xin stopped bothering her. But now, having a rare bit of free time, she suddenly didn't know what to do with herself. After a brief thought, she remembered that the remaining rent for her rental house hadn't been refunded yet. Since she was idle now, she might as well go and settle the refund for the rental house. Although her sister's parents were quite wealthy and this small amount of money was just a drop in the bucket for them, hardly worth mentioning... Mo Xin thought about it and still wanted to maintain her habit of frugality.
...Time returned to the present.
Mo Xin's thoughts slowly returned to reality. Her gaze unconsciously fell upon the little cutie in front of her, who was a head shorter than her. That little face was so adorable it made one want to rush up and give it a pinch. At this moment, the corners of her mouth seemed to be cast with magic, instantly curving into a super sweet smile! It instantly chased away all the gloom in her heart, making her feel as if her body and mind were soaked in a jar of honey—super healing!
Mo Xin and Yunli were sitting together in a restaurant. Since Mo Xin had already eaten lunch, she spent the whole time watching Yunli feast heartily. Setting aside the cute contrast of Yunli's tiny body being able to eat three people's worth of food, this carefully dressed-up cosplay little girl image before her was like an elf walking out of a fairy tale; the more she looked, the more her heart filled with joy.
It wasn't just Mo Xin. Although there weren't many people in the restaurant right now, everyone's eyes were like they were stuck to a magnet, all looking at the same spot. After all, such a rare creature was truly hard to come by. The only slight regret was that she didn't have white hair; otherwise, her rarity and unique charm would surely reach the next level. But combined with this exquisite and cute outfit, she was still extremely adorable.
There was just one thing that Mo Xin was very concerned about. During her 'unintentional' touches, Mo Xin was surprised to find that the red scorch marks on Yunli, which she had thought were just decorations, were actually real scars! Mo Xin's fingers recoiled as if from an electric shock. Recalling the heat coming from her fingertips, she couldn't imagine how strong this girl, who was smaller than her, actually was.
What Mo Xin didn't know was that these scars were actually almost healed, with only surface traces remaining that could be easily washed away after a few cleanings. As for the bit of residual heat, it meant nothing to Yunli, who had studied Sword Forging since childhood...
"I'm so full! Thanks for the treat!" Yunli patted her flat belly, revealing a satisfied smile.
Fortunately, before she left, her parents insisted on giving Mo Xin 'a bit' of pocket money, otherwise she might have really stomped her feet in distress. After all, who would have thought that this petite and exquisite girl would have such an amazing appetite. Seeing that Yunli was full, Mo Xin also spoke up to ask.
"Little sister, your name is... Yunli, right? Why are you out here all alone? Where's your dad?"
"I don't have a dad."
"Uh... then what about your mom?"
"No mom either."
...Mo Xin ⊙﹏⊙∥: Why can't I just keep my mouth shut?
At this moment, Mo Xin didn't know what to say for a while. She suddenly realized that she seemed to have inadvertently hurt the child's young and fragile heart. Especially after guiltily glancing at the child and finding that the other party still had a calm, indifferent expression as if it had nothing to do with her. In an instant, the guilt and self-reproach in Mo Xin's heart surged like a tide, while at the same time, a strong protective urge flared up again like a fire.
Mo Xin said with a soft expression, "Little sister, you..."
"I remember... Mo Xin, right? Although I'm grateful, you only look about 17, so I'm not a 'little sister'."
Hearing that tone used for teasing children, Yunli curled her lip in dissatisfaction and immediately interrupted her. This made Mo Xin's face stiffen, as she simultaneously realized in surprise that the other party was actually an adult!
'The one I picked up while passing by is actually a super rare Legal Loli!'
"Ahem, well..."
"It's fine. I've lived with my grandfather and learned crafts since I was a child; I'm no longer some fragile little girl, so there's no need for you to feel guilty about it."
Seeing the girl's stammering tone, how could Yunli not understand the guilt in her heart. Although her heart was indeed touched after the past was mentioned, she had already solidified her convictions for the future and would never waver! And Mo Xin, walking beside her, just happened to notice the incredibly firm look in Yunli's eyes. The other party's experience and spirit momentarily reminded Mo Xin of her own past. Mo Xin didn't have that kind of hopeful spirit; compared to Yunli, she was just lucky to have a sister who cared for and looked after her.
As she thought, Mo Xin's heart no longer held sympathy for Yunli, but rather an added measure of respect.
"Alright then. By the way, Yunli, where did you buy this cosplay outfit? I really want to get one too!" Then, Mo Xin changed the subject, shifting her attention to the other's attire. After all, Acheron's outfit was a bit too bold for her, and more importantly... Mo Xin looked down at her own body. 'Sigh, why is the gap between people so large?'
"Is something wrong with you?" Before Yunli could answer, she noticed Mo Xin's expression of utter despair. This inexplicable emotional change left Yunli completely baffled. Hearing this, Mo Xin waved her hand and quickly composed herself. Seeing this, Yunli just assumed she had some sort of nervous breakdown; after all, she didn't seem particularly bright.
"This isn't a cosplay outfit; this is what I normally like to wear!"
"Uh, alright then..." Mo Xin just assumed the other party was unwilling to say, but then... "What are you doing?"
Seeing the other's wandering hand, Yunli immediately pulled away in alarm. Mo Xin froze and awkwardly withdrew her hand. She hurriedly explained, "No, I was just curious about the material of your cosplay outfit and wanted to feel it."
"Really?" Yunli crossed her arms, her face full of disbelief. Especially with the other's drooling expression, Yunli couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "Perverted small fry."
However, this did not escape Mo Xin's ears.
Mo Xin (●—●): First of all, I'm not; and second, could you keep your voice down when you're insulting someone?
If Yunli weren't so cute, Mo Xin would definitely have shown her who's boss. But... Mo Xin's gaze covertly swept over Yunli a few times. 'Hmm, she's so cute. If I punched her, she'd probably cry for a long time.'