Chapter 76: Kuroki Hitomi and the Xia-Ke Family

It was noon on a summer day, and Lijing Square was packed. Water splashing from the fountain caught the bright sunlight and sparkled.

Stepping out of the Maybach, Kuroki Hitomi felt the world abruptly close in on her as the surging crowd flooded her vision.

She stood in the dazzling sunlight, looking around. The ebb and flow of passersby stretched into the distance like a fluid melody.

Then she noticed someone watching her from afar. She turned and spotted a familiar figure amid the bustling crowd.

It was Ke Mingqing.

Kuroki Hitomi paused, quietly studying the six figures surrounding him.

Are those his family members? the girl with the teardrop mole thought.

A moment later, as she looked over the group, super-human species panels continuously popped up in her vision.

[Codename: Alien Colonizer Z12235 (Danger Rating: ???)]

[Codename: Owl Judge (Danger Rating: A++ Rank)]

[Codename: Magical Girl Ember (Danger Rating: B+ Rank)]

[Codename: Enforcer Zero (Danger Rating: S Rank)]

[Codename: Rain Crow (Danger Rating: A++ Rank)]

[Codename: Red Lotus (Danger Rating: A+ Rank)]

In that instant, countless super-human species panels stacked in midair, taking up almost all of Kuroki Hitomi's vision.

She had neither the time nor the mental capacity to process the information on every single panel. Absolute shock slammed into her.

It took a long while for Kuroki Hitomi to recover her senses.

She scanned their faces. She saw Xia Lingxue staring at her from a distance, the woman's eyes practically saying, Don't even think about leaving.

Her gaze settled on Ke Mingqing.

Ke Mingqing was calmly chatting and laughing with them. He looked entirely natural, as if he were truly a part of this family, familiar and close with everyone around him.

Yet simply standing there and watching from afar, Kuroki Hitomi could already feel the pressure washing over her like a surging tide.

She could hardly imagine what kind of world she would see if she were standing in Ke Mingqing's shoes.

Kuroki Hitomi quietly observed how Ke Mingqing interacted with his family.

This was her first time truly realizing just how perilous his environment was.

She suddenly understood why Ke Mingqing had acted so ruthless and extreme that day at the train station, almost as if he had become a completely different person.

Because if he took a single wrong step, he would die. His situation simply didn't allow him the same leeway as other players.

Kuroki Hitomi gazed at his profile, thinking quietly to herself:

You live in a family environment like this, and yet you still haven't blown your cover?

Just how did you manage it?

Why wouldn't you tell me any of this? Are you afraid of dragging me down, or do you just not trust me?

As she wondered, a red bubble popped up in the communication list in the upper right corner of her vision.

She popped the message bubble with her mind, and a chat interface instantly sprang up before her eyes.

[Ke Mingqing: Why are you here? Didn't I warn you not to get close to the Hero Company?]

[Kuroki Hitomi: I came to find that player. I told him not to go near the Magical Girl Company or the Super Hero Company for a while, but he wouldn't listen.]

Ke Mingqing instantly understood. The reason Kuroki Hitomi had been looking around after getting out of the Maybach was because she was searching for the player named Li Chunchun. Good thing Li Chunchun had already left, or it would have been a disaster.

Stalling for time, Ke Mingqing sent her another message with his mind.

[Ke Mingqing: Leave now, there's no time. They want to drag you to the Hero Company. Get in your car and get out of here immediately. I'll just tell them you picked a fight with me.]

[Kuroki Hitomi: But won't leaving now just make them even more suspicious?]

[Ke Mingqing: It's better than exposing yourself directly. Hurry up, don't hesitate.]

[Kuroki Hitomi: The driver already left. If I run now, they'll just catch up to me.]

[Kuroki Hitomi: I'll figure out a way to bluff my way through.]

From a distance, Ke Mingqing stared at the girl with the teardrop mole in her black dress. He let out a soft sigh.

A moment later, Xia Ningzhi pushed him right in front of Kuroki Hitomi.

He straightened up, and the two quietly locked eyes.

Neither of them made a sound.

The girl with the teardrop mole lowered her eyes, then raised them again, completely at a loss for words. She had never had a boyfriend before and had no idea what to say in a situation like this.

She tilted her head, tentatively raised her pale right hand, and waved. "Hi?"

Ke Mingqing shrugged. "What a coincidence. Why are you here?"

"Just out for fun."

"Why didn't you invite me? Not that I have the time anyway—this bunch didn't give me a choice." Ke Mingqing spoke calmly, jutting his chin toward Xia Ningzhi. "This is my third sister, Xia Ningzhi."

He pointed at Xia Lingxue behind him. "And this is my second sister, Xia Lingxue."

Kuroki Hitomi nodded to them.

"Hello," she said softly.

"Wow, you're so cute!" Xia Ningzhi covered her mouth. "I thought you looked stunning when I saw you from afar at school, but you're even cuter up close! You look just like a doll. Are all foreign girls this pretty?"

"Do you have to be so dramatic?" Ke Mingqing asked helplessly.

Kuroki Hitomi blinked. Her ears turning red, she lowered her head. A strand of hair slipped free to lightly tickle her cheek.

"What's her name?" Xia Ningzhi asked.

"Kuroki Hitomi."

Xia Ningzhi tilted her head. "You live in China, but you don't have a Chinese name?"

"No need. Her real name sounds perfectly fine," Ke Mingqing said lightly.

Xia Ningzhi draped her arm over Ke Mingqing's shoulder. She blinked at Kuroki Hitomi and asked with a smile, "Hitomi, do you want to come hang out with us at the Hero Company?"

Feigning composure, Kuroki Hitomi looked up. "The Hero Company? Didn't they say ordinary people aren't allowed inside?"

Xia Ningzhi hummed, a smug little expression appearing on her face.

"Our dad is a police officer," she said. "He got a visitor's pass for the Hero Company! If you come tour it with us right now, you can also meet our mom and dad! They actually really want to meet you, so come on, keep us company!"

Kuroki Hitomi fell silent for a moment before shaking her head. "Just meeting his sisters is enough for me. I'm a bit shy. I can meet your parents some other time."

Xia Ningzhi froze. Seeing the other girl act so polite actually threw her off a little.

She bared her teeth in an awkward smile. "You really are such a good girl—"

She let out a woeful sigh. "At first, I thought you were one of those spoiled, bossy rich girls. But having such a wonderful girl fall into our Ah Qing's hands is really, really, really a huge waste!"

Ke Mingqing rolled his eyes at her. "Was it necessary to use that many 'really's?"

Xia Ningzhi waved Kuroki Hitomi over. Kuroki Hitomi looked at her quietly before gently leaning in.

Xia Ningzhi wrapped an arm around Kuroki Hitomi's shoulders and whispered right by her ear, "You should come over to our house next time. When you do, I'll tell you all of Ah Qing's embarrassing stories from childhood till now, plus everything about his ex-girlfriends. Deal?"

"Okay. Thank you for the invitation."

Kuroki Hitomi nodded, chuckling softly.

Ke Mingqing watched the two of them whisper. "Seriously, is she my girlfriend or yours?!"

"See that, Hitomi!" Xia Ningzhi puffed out her cheeks, shaking her head and sighing. "Ah Qing is always this mean to us at home. He makes me so mad I could die."

Kuroki Hitomi thought for a moment, then said softly, "But... he's very gentle with me."

Those words left everyone stunned. A second later, Xia Lingxue, who had been standing quietly behind them, let out a cold sneer.

Ke Mingqing fell silent. I wanted to kill you at the time, remember? he thought to himself.

"Alright, then once you become part of our family, you can help us keep this little tyrant in check," Xia Ningzhi said. Then, realizing her phrasing was a bit presumptuous, she quickly corrected herself. "Oh, wait, talking about marriage in high school is way too early! Sorry, sorry!"

Kuroki Hitomi shook her head to show she didn't mind.

Just then, Xia Zili strolled over at a leisurely pace.

Hearing what Xia Ningzhi had said, she froze. Her face darkened, and she shoved her ice cream cone into Ke Mingqing's hand.

"You lined up for so long, and you aren't going to eat it?" Ke Mingqing asked. He accepted the cone and took a lick.

"I don't want it anymore," Xia Zili muttered, keeping her head down.

Xia Lingxue hadn't said a word this entire time; she had just stood behind the others, quietly observing Kuroki Hitomi. Now she stepped closer, the corners of her lips curling upward. "Are you really not going to join Ah Qing for a tour of the Hero Company?"

Kuroki Hitomi paused, then shook her head. "I don't think so. I feel like it's too early to meet the parents. I'm already very happy just getting to know his sisters. I had no idea Xiao Qing had such a big family; he never really mentioned it to me."

Xia Lingxue continued to stare at her.

"You don't have to meet them." She paused. "But little sister, just come with me to the entrance of the company first."

Ke Mingqing froze. Snow-white ice cream dripped down the edge of the cone onto his hand.

Kuroki Hitomi was taken aback. She tilted her head in confusion. "Why?"

"Didn't she just say she doesn't want to go?" Ke Mingqing frowned at Xia Lingxue. "Are you trying to be annoying?" You old fox, he cursed internally. Do you really have to back people into a corner?

Xia Lingxue ignored him, her gaze fixed sharply on Kuroki Hitomi.

Folding her arms, she explained unhurriedly, "You don't need to talk to my parents about anything. Just go over and say hi. Let them get familiar with your face, so it won't be as awkward when you come over for dinner in the future."

She paused before adding, "Besides, since you're already here, wouldn't it be quite rude to just leave without greeting them? I heard you were a young lady from a wealthy family. I thought you would understand basic manners."

Listening to Xia Lingxue's aggressive tone, Xia Ningzhi broke into a nervous sweat.

What's wrong with Second Sister? she wondered.

With a taut expression, Ke Mingqing asked, "Second sister, don't you think you're being totally unreasonable? My girlfriend already said she doesn't want to."

"Watch your tone," Xia Lingxue said expressionlessly. "I think this is just basic courtesy. Our family doesn't welcome rude people."

Xia Ningzhi hesitated, then cautiously coaxed, "There's no need to be so harsh, sister."

Xia Lingxue remained silent.

Her gaze hadn't shifted from Kuroki Hitomi's face for even a second.

Ke Mingqing made up his mind. Regardless of the consequences, it was best to just grab Kuroki Hitomi and pull her out of here. He would worry about the fallout later.

Just as he was about to step forward, Xia Zili spoke up calmly beside him. "She and I made plans to go shopping today. Make way, all of you."

"Shopping? When did you make plans with her?"

Xia Lingxue asked, turning to look at Xia Zili.

"Just now. Is that a problem?"

Xia Zili spoke coldly, raising her head to meet her gaze.

"If you want to introduce her to Mom and Dad so badly, why don't you just invite her over to our house later? And you have the nerve to call someone else rude. I think the ones being rude are clearly our family."

Finishing her sentence, Xia Zili walked over to Kuroki Hitomi.

Ke Mingqing stood frozen in place, quietly watching her icy profile.

"I'm going shopping with her. If you guys want to tour the company, then go tour the company. Don't bother us."

Throwing down those words, Xia Zili grabbed Kuroki Hitomi's hand and pulled her toward the other side of the square.

The two girls walked briskly, and before long, they disappeared into the indoor shopping street beneath a closed dome.

Ke Mingqing watched Xia Zili's retreating back.

The scorching sunlight left him feeling a bit dazed.

He had been fully prepared to forcibly drag Kuroki Hitomi away. He never expected Xia Zili to lend her a helping hand at a moment like this.

He had been worried that Xia Zili would seize the opportunity to expose Kuroki Hitomi's identity in front of the family. But Xia Zili hadn't done that—in fact, she had done the exact opposite.

Good thing my little sister already found out her identity, otherwise we'd truly be screwed. With Second Sister's stubborn personality, she absolutely wouldn't have let Kuroki Hitomi go without testing her right here and now. Is this a blessing in disguise?

Ke Mingqing thought to himself.

It was only then that Ke Linye approached from a distance, carrying a few skewers of candied hawthorn he had bought by the street. He looked at them curiously.

"What's wrong?" He glanced between them. "You guys look like you just had a pretty unpleasant chat."

"Well, about that—" Xia Ningzhi threw her hands up.

Turning around as if in a fit of pique, Ke Mingqing walked toward the Hero Company while complaining, "My girlfriend already said she didn't want to meet Mom and Dad, yet Second Sister kept trying to drag her along. Bro, you be the judge. My girlfriend and I haven't even been dating for a week. What sense is there in meeting the parents? Not everyone is as mindless as Third Sister."

Xia Ningzhi's eyes widened. "Hey! Complaining about Second Sister is one thing, but why did you have to drag me into it?!"

Ke Mingqing didn't even turn his head. "Anyway, if she breaks up with me because of this, I'm never telling the family anything about my love life ever again. Do whatever makes you happy."

Xia Lingxue remained silent.

She lifted her head, looking at Ke Mingqing's back. "You've learned to talk to me like that now?"

Ke Mingqing couldn't be bothered to respond. He simply let out a cold snort and quickened his pace, leaving the others behind.

"Alright, alright, stop fighting. Mom and Dad are waiting for us!" Xia Ningzhi said in annoyance. She caught up to Ke Mingqing, draped her arm over his shoulder, and walked with him toward the company entrance.

Xia Lingxue and Ke Linye were left behind.

Ke Linye looked at their retreating backs, then down at the candied hawthorn skewers he had spent so long lining up for, and gave a helpless shrug.

After a long pause, he looked at Xia Lingxue and said casually, "Ah Xue, you can be as serious as you want at work, but I suggest you stop acting like a control freak at home. It just makes the people around you resent you."

"Someone who snoops outside his little brother and sister's rooms in the middle of the night has no right to lecture me. You aren't much better," Xia Lingxue shot back.

She turned her head slightly, watching Xia Zili and Kuroki Hitomi disappear into the commercial street, swallowed by the surging crowd.

"Relax. I already tested Little Li before; she's not a player," Ke Linye said plainly. "It doesn't matter if we let her go out and play."

"I'm worried about Ah Qing's girlfriend."

Xia Lingxue didn't turn back around until the two girls had completely vanished from her sight.

"Ah Qing doesn't just have a girlfriend. He also has a whole bunch of close classmates and friends," Ke Linye said slowly. "By that same logic, it's the same for everyone else in the family. Are you going to investigate Dad's colleagues at the police station, or every neighbor Mom chats with in her free time?"

He shrugged. "It's not very realistic, Ah Xue."

Xia Lingxue was silent for a moment. "Fair enough. Let's just manage our own people first."

Ke Linye smiled faintly, turning his head to look at Xia Ningzhi and the others, who were currently passing through the device check. "Yeah. Who knows, there might still be some kind of worm hiding inside our home."

Meanwhile, over on Lingmu Commercial Street.

The commercial street boasted a long history, the old-fashioned store signboards hanging overhead marked by time.

There were many roadside stalls and secondhand bookstores, and every few steps brought an antique shop into view. The dome directly above blocked out large swathes of sunlight, keeping the area as cool as the shade of a tree.

Kuroki Hitomi quietly followed behind Xia Zili.

The two girls walked in tandem, bicycles and electric scooters weaving past them.

Xia Zili had let go of Kuroki Hitomi's hand. She didn't speak, simply clasping her hands behind her back as she took the lead.

Kuroki Hitomi kept her head down, her sandals scuffing against the pavement as she moved forward.

She knew perfectly well that if Xia Zili hadn't bailed her out just now, the moment she got near the Super Hero Company, she would have been detected by the player scanner and triggered the alarms. She would have been arrested on the spot by the guards, never to see the light of day again.

If she had tried to force her way out of there, it only would have aroused their suspicion, and her chances of survival afterward would have been just as slim.

Xia Zili casually browsed the old goods at the roadside stalls.

She stopped at a street corner and crouched down, glancing at a panda plushie on a vendor's mat.

Reaching out to gently rub its head, Xia Zili asked the stall owner for the price.

The stall owner waved his hand, saying the prices were all marked right next to the items, and as a small business, he didn't haggle.

Xia Zili checked the price and stood back up.

Just as she was about to walk away, Kuroki Hitomi lowered her head, picked up the panda plushie that Xia Zili had been eyeing, and took out her phone to pay the owner.

Holding the plushie, she trailed behind Xia Zili. After a short while, she called out to her back, "This plushie... is for you."

"I don't want it,"

Xia Zili said expressionlessly.

Kuroki Hitomi said, "I just wanted to thank you for helping me out. There's no other meaning behind it."

Xia Zili ignored her.

She continued to walk slowly forward. After a long silence, she said in a lukewarm tone, "Don't flatter yourself. I wasn't helping you. I just didn't want my brother to be sad."

Kuroki Hitomi pulled back her outstretched hand. Xia Zili lowered her eyes in thought, then asked, "Little Red Riding Hood—no, An Youlu. Does she know you're a player?"

"She doesn't know yet," Kuroki Hitomi said, shaking her head. "But I will tell her in the future."

"Then how exactly do you, a fake, plan on telling her?"

"I... haven't figured that out yet."

"In her eyes, someone she trusted for a long time has just been replaced by someone else. Do you really think she'll forgive you?"

Hugging the panda plushie, Kuroki Hitomi cast her eyes down at her sandals, not knowing how to reply.

"In your eyes... am I despicable?" she asked after a while.

Xia Zili frowned, saying without turning her head, "I don't hate you, but I don't trust you either."

"I know." Kuroki Hitomi raised her head. "Because I'm a player, you think I'll hurt your family, right?"

Xia Zili suddenly stopped in her tracks.

This time, she fell silent for a long time. She lowered her head, her falling bangs obscuring her eyes.

"I won't hur—"

Kuroki Hitomi was cut off before she could even finish.

"Consider this a warning." Xia Zili opened her mouth slightly. "I'm not like other magical girls. I don't like singing praises about love and hope and all that nonsense. I think that stuff is endlessly stupid."

She paused. "So, even if it's only for a single second—if you ever have the slightest thought of hurting my brother—"

Xia Zili turned her face halfway, her peripheral vision locking onto Kuroki Hitomi.

In the dead silence, she enunciated practically every single syllable, "I will kill you."

Kuroki Hitomi froze. She slowly looked up, meeting Xia Zili's gaze.

In that moment, she seemed to see a bizarre shadow reflecting in the other girl's pupils. It looked like a witch. The witch's shadow spread its lips into a grin, narrowing its elongated, blood-red eyes, smiling mockingly at her.

Kuroki Hitomi was stunned.

By the time she snapped out of it, Xia Zili's retreating back had already been swallowed by the surging crowd.

With the scorching sun hanging high in the sky, the long street was completely silent. The girl with the teardrop mole hugged the panda plushie, standing all alone in the exact same spot.