Anqi's "Pain" and "Endurance"

"Huh? Who is it?"

"Thump thump thump thump!"

"Dang it!"

Himeko put down her wine glass, got up, and stepped out of the bathroom. She casually pulled a bath towel to cover her chest, completely ignoring the water droplets dripping from her body and hair, and strode toward the door of the room.

"You'd better give me a good reason... Oh, it's you, little one. What are you looking for me for?"

Facing the newcomer who had moved in just today, Himeko's anger subsided slightly as she softened her tone.

Anqi had originally maintained a poker face, but the moment Himeko opened the door, the expanse of snowy skin and the taboo temptation dotted with water droplets instantly made Anqi's blood rush to her head, producing a blush that spread from her cheeks to her earlobes.

Anqi hugged her pillow, covering half her face, and said muffledly:

"Can't sleep..."

"If you can't sleep, go for a walk outside. What are you looking for me for... Oh, could it be that you're too lonely by yourself and want to sleep with me? Wow, so this little one is so bold? How long have we even known each other? Hahaha!"

Himeko quickly understood Anqi's intention, and seeing her instantly flushed earlobes, the anger of being disturbed had completely dissipated, replaced by amusement and playfulness.

Meanwhile, Anqi had fallen completely silent.

She had wanted to leverage her autistic persona to take advantage of some benefits—after all, dependency-based autism still counted as autism, right!

However, she hadn't expected it to be so stimulating right off the bat!

Sis, I can't take this!

This figure is just too good!

As expected of my 2D game waifu, hehehe!

Go for it, me!

Whether everyone can eat their fill tonight depends on you!

The Anqis in the theater were already cheering and wolf-whistling.

The Anqi in reality, however, was hugging her pillow with steam gradually rising from the top of her head.

Suffice it to say, although they were all herself, in different environments she really was a completely different person.

"Pfft! We're both girls, what on earth are you shy about? Come in."

Himeko casually patted Anqi's head, stepped aside, watched Anqi mechanically step inside, and then closed the door.

"Right, did you take a shower?"

"No. Not dirty, plus I'm not used to it, don't want to wash."

"That's just right, drop the pillow, I'll wash you!"

"Huh!?!?"

When Anqi came back to her senses, she was already sitting beside the bathtub while Himeko was scrubbing her hair, the bubbles mixing with warm water as they flowed over her body.

Anqi blue-screened once again.

Dizzily cooperating with Himeko to finish the bath, she then dizzily sat down in the tub, lying against Himeko's back, supported by an indescribably, incredibly soft sensation.

Ah, this old man's two lifetimes have been worth it...

Hey, snap out of it, we haven't lived enough yet!

Scatter, everyone scatter! Put yourselves in her shoes—if it were you, would you still have the consciousness to pay attention to us right now?

Tsk! Such great fanservice, completely wasted! How can you be so spineless?

Talked as if she isn't you.

In the end, Anqi, who was already bubbling over with happiness, was carried out of the bathroom by Himeko like a doll being manipulated, and finally fell fast asleep in Himeko's fragrant, soft embrace.

"Tsk, that me is already a lost cause; in the end, the save-point plan can only rely on me!"

Late in the night, by the quiet roadside, an Anqi dressed in a black hoodie and wearing a face mask lay prone among the grass without any light source.

After waiting for a long time, a jeep drove slowly over.

Anqi's eyes lit up, a golden micro-light appearing in her pupils.

The Thousand-Person Herrscher did not possess ultimate destructive power, but outside of that, Anqi's powers had extremely broad applicability. The so-called Ruler of Domination was a Herrscher who destroyed civilization from within human society, naturally possessing many skills suited for manipulation rather than mere slaughter of humans.

For instance, puppet strings capable of operating puppets, dolls, or other inanimate objects.

For instance, illusion and hypnosis abilities targeted at humans; even against a Herrscher it could cause interference, and dealing with ordinary people was even easier. In a sense, it was a castrated version of the Herrscher of Reason.

There was also the ability to transform puppets, dolls, corpses, and even living humans into clones—this was the old trade of the Thousand-Person Ruler.

And there was the Theater of Domination capable of spatial transfer, possessing even the power to seize other authorities.

Right now, Anqi used hypnosis and control abilities to make the jeep driver stop the car, then quickly climbed into the back seat.

The vehicle continued forward, while Anqi looked around the back seat and found only the driver alone with no other passengers, which allowed her to breathe a slight sigh of relief.

"Does this car have surveillance?"

"No."

"Where is your destination?"

"The outskirts."

"Going to the outskirts at this hour, alone? What for?"

Anqi frowned, suddenly feeling that something was a bit off.

Then she heard the driver reply in a dazed tone:

"To dispose of a corpse."

"???"×29

Anqi stroked her forehead and sighed, not expecting to run into an unusual incident the moment she came out. Should this be considered good luck or bad luck?

However, after having the driver recount the details of the incident in full, Anqi's eyes grew brighter and brighter. She was certain—this was definitely one-of-a-kind good luck!

Chapter 12: Anqi's "Pain" and "Endurance"

"Eldest Miss? You... how are you..."

"What about me?"

"I... um... well, the family just received a ransom note from kidnappers, the Madam is currently raising cash, and we thought..."

"Ha? What kidnappers? I just went out for a walk by myself to clear my head, you guys didn't get scammed, did you? Never mind that, I'm tired, go draw a bath and prepare dinner."

Amidst the respectful posture of the poised maid, sporting the appearance of a pretty-faced, graceful young heiress, Anqi leisurely and comfortably walked into this tranquil and elegant garden villa.

This was the corpse found in the trunk of the jeep; although a bit cold, it didn't prevent the Thousand-Person Herrscher Core from inhabiting it, so Anqi decisively overcame her psychological barrier and changed herself into a new identity.

The fake succession struggle: masters trading blows, blades leaving no blood, top-tier game theory, dazzling to behold.

The real succession struggle: as long as all the brothers and sisters are dead, I am the heir.

However, this really is our Lucky day!

Never expected to suddenly possess a legitimate and influential identity. Ah, the Eldest Miss in heaven, I thank you!

Then, how should we repay her?

Naturally, by sending her enemies to meet her and offering a face-to-face apology!

Anyway, judging from the Eldest Miss's memories, none of these people are any good; we'll just consider it acting on behalf of heaven.

Hehhehehe!

In the Theater of Domination, the Anqis put their arms around each other's shoulders, collectively letting out the comical laughter of super villains.

"Snap!"

Walking halfway, Anqi suddenly paused in her steps, as if remembering something, and snapped her fingers to summon the maid behind her.

"Right, go acquire that clothing enterprise on West Street. I quite like their clothes, very tasteful!"

"Yes, Eldest Miss."

"Pfft!"

On the morning at St. Freya, Anqi tugged at Himeko's hem, following closely behind her toward the living room just like last night, and suddenly burst out laughing.

Himeko turned her head while walking.

"What are you laughing at?"

"You snored last night."

"What? Impossible! No, did I really? You're not lying to me, are you?"

"Pfft!"

With a poker face, Anqi laughed out loud once again. Of course she didn't know whether Himeko had snored or not, seeing as she had been sleeping so soundly. But windfall wealth of this sort made it hard not to laugh with joy, didn't it?

Yet Himeko believed it.

With a somewhat dazed expression, she couldn't help but stroke her face. In truth, it was still delicate and tender, but under the heavy blow, she actually felt the illusion of fading youth.

"Not only am I getting older, but I also love to drink, and with all the official business, now I even snore. Wouldn't that mean..."

Wouldn't that mean she would be even less likely to ever find anyone?

The little person inside Himeko's heart bit her handkerchief. Even though in her heart of hearts she had long since accepted that her ending would be dying in battle, as a woman, the fact that no one wanted her was simply too much to accept.

At that moment, Anqi tugged at Himeko's hem and said woodenly:

"I don't hate it."

"Huh?"

"Even if you snore, I won't hate it."

Anqi said each word distinctly, appearing exceptionally sincere, and in fact, it came from the bottom of her heart. After all, Big Sister Himeko's bedding was so warm and comfortable; Anqi liked it a lot!

Decided, I'm going to cuddle in Big Sister's bedding tonight too.

Completely unaware of the various little schemes inside Anqi's little head, Himeko only felt that this child was growing increasingly trusting and dependent on her, her desolate state of mind thoroughly healed by Anqi's earnest little expression.

"Such a good girl."

Himeko smiled and rubbed Anqi's small head.

By this time they had arrived in the living room, and Kiana abruptly poked her head out from beside Himeko.

"Eh, the relationship between you two seems to have suddenly gotten super good?"

Anqi clung to Himeko, walked around to the other side, and separated herself from Kiana.

Himeko looked at Anqi beside her, then at Kiana on the other side, and smiled:

"This little one couldn't sleep alone in the middle of the night, so she hugged her pillow and ran over to share my bedding. What do you think?"

"I just feel that you are someone who can be trusted."

Anqi lowered her head, once again emphasizing her current stance—well, I actually trust all of you pretty much, so trusting Himeko is also the absolute whole truth.

Every waifu, I am not lying!

Kiana tilted her head and slowly blinked her watery blue eyes.

"Putting it like that, doesn't it sound just like a little kid? Eh, I think I suddenly get your moe point, Anqi!"

"You're the little kid!"

"Hahaha, don't be shy! From now on we'll be roommates and classmates, let's be friends!"

Kiana bypassed Himeko, attempting to reach out and touch Anqi.

In an instant, Anqi darted into the nearby corner, poked half her head out, kept a poker face, and stared vigilantly at Kiana, giving off the strong impression that she would continue hiding if Kiana dared to come over.

Kiana blinked again, looked at her own hand, and said blankly:

"Why? Could it be because we fought a fight before? But I've already forgiven you, can't you be as magnanimous as me?"