Chapter 86

Chapter 7: Grew Up Again

　　Yuan Xiaoling went back to gaming face down, while Bai Ling didn’t play games and had nothing else to do, so she sat at the edge of the bed daydreaming about random things.

　　What could she do? Ever since her rebirth, her only source of entertainment was Xiaoling. Aside from that, there was nothing to occupy her time.

　　As for before her rebirth, she didn’t even have that one form of entertainment. Every day was either spent uncovering the truth behind grudges or attempting acts of revenge. In short—either holding a grudge or on the path of vengeance.

　　She couldn’t help but recall a question Yuan Xiaoling once asked her: “Apart from temporarily setting aside your hatred, is there anything else you want to do?”

　　Bai Ling didn’t know. She had never thought about this question, and even now, she wasn’t quite clear about it. But she felt that playing house with Yuan Xiaoling, as they were doing right now, wasn’t bad. It was trendy these days, and it was gaining popularity.

　　Of course, she wasn’t particularly fond of playing house; she just thought it was nice. It helped cultivate one’s temperament and improved emotional control abilities—anyway, that’s what Bai Ling believed herself.

　　That’s right, exactly like this.

　　As for Yuan Xiaoling’s request—don’t reveal their relationship to her mom within half a year—it was too simple. Bai Ling couldn’t think of any way it would fail. The initial meeting had already been perfectly handled; all that was needed afterward was to stay steady.

　　Nothing special happened after today. Lunch and dinner were eaten downstairs. Qu Wan asked some everyday questions, such as “What kind of dishes do you like?” “What hobbies do you have in school?” “What do you usually do?”

　　Bai Ling answered very steadily, though it was hard for her personally to answer, but she had references around her.

　　She liked chicken leg rice because the first time she went on a “date” with Yuan Xiaoling, that’s what the other person ordered.

　　Her hobby was playing basketball because she mentioned earlier in the morning that when Xiaoling was a cheerleader for the basketball game, it led to photos being leaked and getting noticed by others.

　　What did she usually do… This question was difficult.

　　”Usually play with… play with Xiaoling.” Bai Ling replied.

　　Qu Wan thought it made sense, indeed they were very good friends. Thinking about it carefully, it was reasonable. They weren’t in the same grade, so they didn’t intersect academically. They must have become friends by often playing together after class.

　　Only Yuan Weicheng quietly wiped sweat, knowing how dangerous that reply was.

　　In the evening, Qu Wan let Yuan Weicheng cook, specifically making a rich chicken leg rice meal. Bai Ling held her chopsticks, feeling complicated.

　　Yuan Xiaoling didn’t hesitate, grabbing the chicken leg and biting into it. Homemade food was conscientious, much better than fast food.

　　”Eat less,” even Qu Wan couldn’t help but say, “Leave some for Xiao Bai Ling.”

　　Of course, she didn’t know that Bai Ling’s answer was based on what Yuan Xiaoling liked to eat.

　　Bai Ling didn’t have favorite foods; she was used to eating whatever was available.

　　”Got it,” Yuan Xiaoling picked a chicken leg and placed it in Bai Ling’s bowl, “Here, eat it.”

　　”……?”

　　Is this the charm of the ‘playing house’ game? It seems… not bad, and it tastes really good. Bai Ling thought as she took a small bite.

　　Actually, it was just that Xiaoling worried she hadn’t eaten enough, and fighting on an empty stomach wouldn’t be fair.

　　This day passed peacefully and serenely. Yuan Xiaoling didn’t give her dad any signals, meaning there wouldn’t be any “battles” tonight, so it should be another pure night of sleep.

　　Bai Ling went to the bathroom and took a shower, sitting in the white bathtub, looking down at the little white rabbit floating on the water surface.

　　She had gradually gotten used to this size. This should be fine—not too big, not too small, just right. If it got bigger, although it might not affect combat (since she was a mental-type spiritual energy manipulator), daily life would definitely be inconvenient.

　　For example, like Yuan Xiaoling, who had to place her large assets on the desk during class, looking like a dumb busty girl.

　　It probably won’t get any bigger, right?

　　After taking a shower, wearing the pajamas that Xiaoling praised as “super cute,” Bai Ling returned to Yuan Xiaoling’s room and lay under the blanket.

　　Not long after, Yuan Xiaoling also finished bathing, carrying a fragrant floral scent as she climbed into the blanket.

　　”Goodnight.” Bai Ling greeted and closed her eyes.

　　But immediately, she heard Yuan Xiaoling whisper softly, “I’ve heard that everyone who says goodnight to you actually wants to jump you.”

　　Where did you hear such strange nonsense?

　　When Yuan Xiaoling spoke, she was very close, her breath brushing against Bai Ling’s ear like a kitten’s claws scratching her heart.

　　Bai Ling felt a bit ticklish inside but remained rational and calm.

　　”You didn’t ask Uncle to send Aunt away; they’re sleeping downstairs, they’ll hear.”

　　”Indeed,” Yuan Xiaoling sighed dramatically, “What a pity.”

　　Bai Ling felt something was off because Yuan Xiaoling wasn’t usually like this.

　　But she didn’t think too much about it. Anyway, it wasn’t possible today, so she should just sleep well.

　　A few minutes later, Bai Ling felt her neck itch, as if someone was blowing on it, and there was extra weight on her body, as if something had climbed on top of her.

　　Although it wasn’t uncomfortable, it was strange in the middle of the night. Falling asleep like this could lead to sleep paralysis.

　　What’s going on?

　　Bai Ling opened her eyes and saw Yuan Xiaoling lying on top of her, her clear aquamarine eyes calmly gazing at her. Under the moonlight, everything round seemed bright and lustrous, like two jade rabbits nestled together in the celestial palace.

　　The white-haired maiden blinked coldly, asking silently what she was doing.

　　The blonde busty girl blinked innocently, implying…the mood struck.

　　This reason Bai Ling couldn’t refuse because she had used this excuse before. If she didn’t allow Yuan Xiaoling to use it, it would be hypocritical.

　　”But Uncle and Aunt are downstairs,” she tried to calm Xiaoling down, “They’ll hear.”

　　If they were caught in the act, the improper relationship between senior and junior would be exposed.

　　”So the method is simple,” Yuan Xiaoling said seriously, “You don’t move, and we won’t be discovered.”

　　Ah, as long as I don’t move, we won’t… wait?

　　”If I don’t move, I won’t make noise,” the blonde girl explained with an innocent face, “I have a bit of a stress response; if I feel something’s off, I’ll make loud noises.”

　　Don’t ask why, it’s just ah ah ah ah ah!

　　Bai Ling was momentarily speechless.

　　”You’re different; you’re steady, unshaken even if Mount Tai collapses in front of you,” Yuan Xiaoling said confidently, “The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility.”

　　It sounded reasonable, but something still felt off. Bai Ling was cautious, leaving a note of caution: “Don’t go too far.”

　　”I won’t use my hands, alright?” Yuan Xiaoling said, “We’re all about fairness here.”

　　Bai Ling didn’t say anything, implicitly agreeing. Although this battle was completely unfair, it was late at night, and there wasn’t time to argue more.

　　”Alright, then let’s begin,” Yuan Xiaoling hummed, “Watch my prowess!”

　　To be fair, Xiaoling’s technique wasn’t excellent, like a little girl giving a massage—soft and gentle, like mountains embracing the moon, willow branches swaying in the wind.

　　Yuan Xiaoling realized herself that she wasn’t adept at physical attacks, so she switched tactics, using her exclusive secret skills.

　　Yearning! Heartbreak! Peerless! White Dragon!

　　Under precise spiritual power control, water elements flowed continuously, swirling into a dragon. However, without direct strikes, the first few moves had minimal effect.

　　Only the White Dragon managed to achieve some results.

　　”Hmm.” Bai Ling hummed lightly.

　　Not bad, a bit stimulating, but that’s about it. After all, this was the third time encountering this move.

　　”Can we sleep now?” she asked softly.

　　Yuan Xiaoling’s combo left her drenched in sweat, yet she received no system prompt indicating task completion. Instead, she saw Bai Ling’s calm expression, which left her slightly frustrated.

　　”So, are you planning to retreat mid-battle?”

　　”It’s not retreating, it’s just that today isn’t suitable, and I can’t move,” Bai Ling said helplessly, “Besides, you’ve exhausted all your moves.”

　　That’s about it, one set of combos finished, and that’s it.

　　”Who told you I’m out of moves?” Yuan Xiaoling gritted her teeth,不服气, “I can create new skills right now!”

　　Fine, fine, you can, you can. Bai Ling didn’t rush her, just lying there enjoying the “little girl massage.”

　　Yuan Xiaoling gently massaged for a while, with no significant progress. Just as Bai Ling was about to drift off to sleep, she heard her muttering something.

　　”…Having experienced pain, one understands the suffering of all beings. Having attachments, one eventually lets go… If one cultivates Buddhism, one must first cultivate the mind, wielding a spear of wind and snow, and a spear of ice!”

　　?

　　Bai Ling was about to ask if she was reciting poetry when she suddenly felt something was off. The calm flow of water became turbulent, converging toward the contact point.

　　Whirlpool, it’s a whirlpool boost!

　　”Sixth style of the Tidal Combat Technique.”

　　Yuan Xiaoling snorted coldly. At this moment, she was like the divine maiden of the Moon Palace, the master of the Jade Rabbit.

　　”Forgetful River!”

　　Bai Ling’s expression instantly changed.

　　Waterfalls converge into rivers, where rivers flow, there lies the gateway of life.

　　No, this won’t do, she’ll lose if this continues…

　　The white-haired maiden tightened her body, enduring with all her might. She realized this was completely different from last time.

　　Last time, no matter what, she could at least do something with her hands, like teasing the big white rabbit, which could somewhat divert attention and relieve pressure. But this time, she couldn’t move her hands, couldn’t change position, and certainly couldn’t use telekinesis.

　　Because if she moved rashly, Yuan Xiaoling’s so-called “stress response” would trigger, and she would surely shout loudly.

　　Bai Ling wanted to move so badly, even change to a more advantageous position, but every time she thought about moving, scenes from the past two days flashed through her mind. She remembered the harmonious family meals, the casual chats with uncle and aunt, the specially prepared feasts for her…

　　Until the end, Bai Ling didn’t move, only letting out a few muffled groans, her body trembling.

　　Minutes later, everything returned to silence.

　　[Ding dong, Congratulations Host for completing Weekly Task, obtained Fourth-tier Breakthrough Fragment (3/3). Collect three fragments, successfully break through to Fourth-tier. Please take a nap to refresh status.]

　　Ha↗Ha↘!

　　Yuan Xiaoling satisfiedly got off Bai Ling, crawled into the blanket, smugly saying,

　　”Goodnight~!”

　　Then closed her eyes and fell asleep soundly.

　　Zzzz

　　She slept soundly, but Bai Ling couldn’t. She stared at the ceiling with red eyes for a long, long time.

　　Previously, she was in the heat of the moment, her mind unclear. Now, during Sage Time, she calmed down and carefully reflected, discovering the problem.

　　This blonde busty girl was likely intentional, first talking about me moving and her not moving, emphasizing at the start that she shouldn’t move at all, or else she’d scream.

　　Bai Ling took a deep breath.

　　She had been outsmarted by a dumb busty girl! And completely fell for it!

　　Bai Ling could imagine that perhaps Yuan Xiaoling would pick up her phone tomorrow, open the QQ chat group with her roommate, and send a voice message saying, “Haha, Bai Ling was dealt with properly last night. She didn’t dare to move, just lying there quietly, not daring to speak!”

　　Pure black history.

　　She turned her head and saw the blonde busty girl sleeping soundly, her cute little face adorned with a hint of pride and arrogance, as if reliving the great victory in her dreams.

　　I need to find a way to teach her a lesson.

　　……

　　The next day, Yuan Xiaoling woke up leisurely at ten in the morning. Rubbing her eyes, yawning, and finally stretching lazily.

　　”Hum hum hum~~~, hum~~~ hey!”

　　Deliberately making sexier sounds than usual, anyway, you won’t dare to move in the house, you can only look at me unhappily… Hmm, she hasn’t woken up yet?

　　She then noticed Bai Ling was still sleeping.

　　Yuan Xiaoling didn’t know Bai Ling had insomnia last night, thinking it was due to her powerful tidal combat technique, which overwhelmed her, so she needed more rest.

　　I’m so talented!

　　After getting up and washing up, she found a quiet spot in the yard to bask in the sun and mentally chanted.

　　’System System, I’m fourth-tier now, right? What improvements are there on the panel?’

　　[Ding dong, Congratulations Host for breaking through to Fourth-tier. Total amount and intensity of spiritual energy全面提升, moderate improvement in self-recovery and endurance capabilities, Water Element High Pressure Coefficient +50%, Control improved (depending on personal proficiency).

　　Attack power of existing skill sets increased, regenerative capacity and water-related physical attributes of water constructs enhanced, Water Dragon LORD size +50%,殉爆 range +50%, maximum number of water constructs +2, current maximum number is 7.

　　Skill set added derivative skills, high-tier skill set obtainable through subsequent task rewards.]

　　”Tch, why do you still split mechanisms?” Yuan Xiaoling pouted, “But it doesn’t matter, any task is a piece of cake for us!”

　　This was the confidence given to her by the Tidal Combat Technique.

　　By noon, Bai Ling finally woke up, stretched quietly, and slowly got up from the bed.

　　Even though she had insomnia last night, she had slept long enough, so her spirit was still pretty good. Just after waking up, she noticed her chest felt heavy, and her shoulders a bit tired.

　　Could it be because Xiaoling pressed on her for too long last night?

　　She didn’t think much about it and went to the bathroom first to wash her face and brush her teeth. Then she returned to the bedroom, preparing to change into her regular clothes. First step, lift her hand, pinch the collar, and try to unbutton the buttons that inexplicably became hard to untie… Poof!

　　Looking at the button that just flew off, revealing an open collar, Bai Ling’s delicate face turned pale.

　　Again… grew up again.