Chapter 84

Chapter 5: I’ll Do My Best

　　Upon seeing the man in front of her who looked like an old otaku, Yuan Xiaoling couldn’t help but feel a little emotional.

　　[Ding Dong. Yuan Weicheng, host’s father.]

　　The System briefly introduced him in her mind. It had prepared a long background description for the “first meeting” character.

　　But now, both it and Yuan Xiaoling knew that in the previous timeline from the future, they were already at least ten years of family.

　　”Dad, I came back by plane right after the exam. Oh, and I brought a… um, underclassman.”

　　Underclassman…

　　Bai Ling didn’t expect her to introduce herself with this title, but upon further thought, she really was an underclassman.

　　She stepped forward slightly and said softly, “Uncle, hello. I’m Yuan Xiaoling… the underclassman of your daughter, my name is Bai Ling.”

　　With her soft white hair flowing down her back, wearing a pure schoolgirl dress, and a beautiful face, her figure was well-proportioned. Compared to the exaggerated bust of his own daughter, she seemed more age-appropriate. A standard university beauty.

　　But, why would the daughter come home from afar just to bring a pretty underclassman?

　　Yuan Weicheng glanced at Bai Ling, then Yuan Xiaoling, their postures, relative positions, and subconscious habits when they touched.

　　”Let’s go home first,” he said, “Lingling, your mom is still working, she’ll be back later.”

　　”Oh, okay.” Yuan Xiaoling readily agreed.

　　The man led the way ahead, with the two girls following behind.

　　Bai Ling felt something was off. Although this was her first time visiting the girl’s family like today, she felt as if something was missing in the conversation.

　　Ah, she remembered.

　　”Why didn’t he ask you,” Bai Ling whispered near Yuan Xiaoling’s ear, “why you brought me back?”

　　It was summer vacation, a three-month-long one, and they had traveled far from Tianhai City. No matter what, he should have asked the reason, even if it was just bringing someone back to play.

　　”Maybe because of your small actions earlier, you gave it away,” Yuan Xiaoling also whispered close to her ear, “Dad plays Honkai Impact 3.”

　　Playing that game, he has a knack for recognizing lesbians.

　　Bai Ling blinked in slight surprise, “What small actions?”

　　”When you introduced yourself, you subconsciously leaned on me,” Yuan Xiaoling said, “and almost hugged my waist.”

　　”That’s impossible.” Bai Ling denied outright.

　　How could she have leaned on her so outrageously? She just stood a bit closer, which was normal behavior. As for almost hugging her waist, that was even less possible.

　　If she had lifted her hand at all, it was probably just to adjust her posture.

　　”I think you’re overthinking it,” Bai Ling said calmly, “Maybe your dad didn’t notice anything, he’s just like that.”

　　There’s no way a blonde busty girl could make such wild claims—oh, playing that kind of game, and developing a pair of fire eyes that can instantly recognize lesbians. And those small actions Yuan Xiaoling mentioned? Of course, she wouldn’t admit to them either.

　　Yuan Xiaoling didn’t respond, just let out a small humph.

　　The Yuan family didn’t live together with their main branch; they resided in a beautiful duplex house. Though there was no garden or lawn, there was a clean and spacious little yard.

　　Entering the house, warm lighting was turned on, and they stopped in the living room.

　　Yuan Weicheng invited Bai Ling to sit down and then said, “Little Bai, what’s the reason you’re following your senior here?”

　　Bai Ling thought, see? He just held off asking until they got home. She was about to give Yuan Xiaoling a look when she heard Yuan Weicheng add:

　　”Better come up with something decent. Your mom isn’t easy to fool.”

　　Both girls froze.

　　By now, Bai Ling understood clearly that Yuan Xiaoling’s dad had already seen through their unusual relationship—the kind where you’re intertwined (fingers), interdependent (water dragon).

　　So… Could he really be a genius?

　　”Just, make up some excuse,” Yuan Xiaoling said, “if all else fails, pull the heartstrings.”

　　Mainly, she herself didn’t know what kind of person her mom was.

　　Bai Ling started to get nervous. She didn’t know Yuan Xiaoling’s dad’s stance—whether he opposed or not. If he opposed, would she need to use her powers to interfere?

　　But staying here for three months, if she used her power to influence his perception just to stay, future interactions would definitely become strange.

　　As a fifth-tier Inner Stone of the Mind Spiritual Energy Manipulator, no one understood the limitations of mental invasion better than Bai Ling.

　　”So you didn’t prepare at all?” Yuan Weicheng sighed, “There’s nothing I can do but try to cover for you guys.”

　　Cover? Bai Ling quietly exhaled in relief.

　　No matter what, it seemed there was no need to worry about Yuan Xiaoling’s dad’s attitude.

　　”Really? That’s great, Dad.”

　　Seeing his daughter’s happy face, Yuan Weicheng was deeply comforted. He knew how risky this decision was since Mom wasn’t someone easily fooled and was very strict.

　　But if it made his daughter happy, it was worth the trouble…

　　”If that’s the case, Dad, could you cover for us more often?” Yuan Xiaoling added, “Sometimes at night, help take Mom out so she’s not home, letting us do that.”

　　Yuan Weicheng’s smile froze on his face.

　　”That?”

　　”That, you know, that thing.”

　　”That thing?”

　　”That, exactly.”

　　The man’s expression twitched.

　　They say girls change drastically by eighteen, and sure enough, his daughter had grown up and was no longer the innocent child she once was. But… how did she turn into this?

　　Yuan Weicheng glanced at Bai Ling, who remained expressionless.

　　Why was he looking at her? It wasn’t her doing… unless it was. Was it her daily influence, day after day, making people accustomed, even possibly… liking it?

　　That wasn’t right though; the blonde busty girl at school wasn’t this proactive.

　　If Yuan Xiaoling knew Bai Ling’s doubts, she’d surely tell her, she couldn’t help it—it was called being prepared. After all, with the weekly tasks, they had to do it a few times a week anyway, to find inspiration and complete the tasks.

　　”When exactly?” Yuan Weicheng asked after a long silence.

　　”This isn’t clear yet, we’ll have to see the timing,” Yuan Xiaoling replied, “When the timing comes, I’ll try to inform you earlier.”

　　”…” Yuan Weicheng was speechless.

　　The timing Yuan Xiaoling referred to was inspiration, while Bai Ling thought she meant her mood, unsure when it would arise, adding uncertainty to the timing.

　　She touched her ears, feeling a bit embarrassed for the first time since her rebirth.

　　”Your mom sometimes works late,” Yuan Weicheng struggled to say, “I’ll try to keep watch for you.”

　　What else could he do? He couldn’t demand his daughter practice abstinence.

　　”Thanks, Dad~”

　　Yuan Xiaoling smiled sweetly, preparing to tell Bai Ling not to worry, everything was going smoothly when the sound of the gate opening outside interrupted.

　　Yuan Weicheng’s expression changed immediately as he quickly stood up from the sofa, “Your mom’s back, quick, put it away… stop hugging and holding each other, act more reserved.”

　　Only then did Bai Ling realize that at some point, without noticing, she had unconsciously wrapped her arms around Yuan Xiaoling’s waist. Using Ningning as a big pillow was too comfortable, and she had gotten used to it.

　　———Divider———

　　PS: Owed two thousand words today, will double tomorrow, extra updates on the weekend.