Chapter 148

Damn it, this can't go on. I need to show some fatherly attitude and responsibility!

Tonight, I'll have a long talk with my Little Cotton-padded Jacket, and share my innermost thoughts!

"Come on in, it's only eight o'clock. Let's sit on the bed together and watch TV for a while."

Chu Yuanqing took her daughter's hand, pulled her into the room, and turned on the two nightlights.

Chu Wangshu blinked innocently, quietly turned the lock on behind her back, and then happily pounced onto Chu Yuanqing's soft bed. Her nose brushed against the soft quilt, and she smelled the comforting fragrance.

Hmm, it really does smell like Xiao Qing!

Seeing this, Chu Yuanqing found it adorable. She turned on the TV, which was linked to the Dream Weaver database, so she could watch almost anything she wanted.

And as if by some strange twist of fate, she turned on the TV series "Magical Girl Daliana," starring Tang Liuli, as the background for her conversation with her father.

A few minutes later, the father and daughter were lying in bed just like they had ten years ago, watching this children's TV series in a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Justice will prevail over evil, and the story ends happily and gently.

The torment and low points throughout the process all stemmed from the troubles of my youngest and most vibrant years, untainted by any societal or adult filth.

As long as the protagonist hasn't forgotten her initial dream of becoming Magical Girl, she can defeat one powerful enemy after another and embrace a happy future amidst laughter.

This is what Magical Girl story should be like.

Chu Wangshu felt a pang of nostalgia for the past, yet seeing the young Tang Liuli on screen felt both surreal and amusing. She murmured:

"Liuli acted so well, she's completely unlike herself now."

Chu Yuanqing knew more. She understood that Liuli, who was filming this TV series, was in the period when she enjoyed acting the most. She didn't comment much on this, but said softly:

"Xiao Shu, do you like this kind of story?"

"Will you think it's childish when you look back on it now that you're older?"

Chu Wangshu said matter-of-factly:

"I like it, because it's heavy, but it's better to keep it in reality."

"Whether it's childish or not is completely unimportant."

Chu Yuanqing was dazed upon hearing this. She suddenly realized that if she couldn't resolve the hidden dangers of the [Calamity Beasts], her daughter would eventually face a burden that didn't belong to Peaceful Era.

By then, Magical Girl Daliana will be a fantasy work even further removed from reality.

Chu Yuanqing's eyes sparkled, the lantern hidden in her pajamas shone pure white, her pink lips curled slightly, revealing a gentle smile, she looked up at the Little Cotton-padded Jacket eyebrows and eyes were gradually blossoming, and with a soft sigh, she stroked the face she had watched grow up with her fingertips.

For a moment, she had so much to say, but her status prevented her from saying it.

Chu Wangshu initially felt shy, but this earnest and gentle gaze gradually touched the softest part of her heart. A feeling of tenderness, like that of a fledgling bird, welled up in her chest, making her feel warm and happy. Like a small animal, she nuzzled her head against Chu Yuanqing and couldn't help but whisper:

"Xiao Qing, I don't know why, but sometimes I feel like you're so mature, almost... almost like a mother... a reliable older sister, which makes me really want to get close to you. Don't you find that strange?"

Chu Yuanqing found it somewhat amusing. She pinched her daughter's cheek and softly replied:

"Don't worry, it won't happen, not at all."

Chu Yuanqing thought for a moment, then, mimicking Charlotte's words, continued to comfort her:

"Xiao Shu, you can come to me anytime to confide in me, and you can also be cute with me anytime. I'm happy to be your support, so don't feel shy or have any worries. As long as you're happy."

Chu Wangshu was both happy and touched. Her head was spinning. She felt that Qing Bao was always so gentle with her. She couldn't help but blink her eyes and hug him tightly. She looked at the TV with her head turned to the side in a koala-like posture.

As I watched, sleepiness began to creep in, and I drifted off to sleep without even realizing it.

Chu Yuanqing looked at his Little Cotton-padded Jacket's adorable sleeping face, turned off the nightlight, stroked her hair, and whispered:

"Xiao Shu, I will work hard to create... a world where you can always be happy."

P. S.: Today I started a poll in the group about who my favorite character in the book is. Charlotte's "White Moonlight" attribute is too strong. It would take Little Sakura and the Great Demon King combined to beat her (meaning two more votes). So I simply started a poll in the chapters that only includes characters who have appeared so far, and let's see the results.

P. S.: Leave a comment below with your favorite character's name in the comments section. One vote per person! (The number of votes might influence their role in future scenes?)

1. Xie Qingxuan

2. Tang Liuli

3. Kiriwake Yayoi

4. Chu Wangshu

5. Liang Xiaoxiao

Volume 1: 145. The Daughter's Turn, Sleeping Together Under the Same Blanket! (5K2)

The next day, early morning.

Chu Yuanqing's eyelashes shimmered with light, casting shadows on her beautifully shaped eyebrows and eyes. Her profile was serene and dignified, her pink lips glistening like glass, with a jelly-like texture that evoked a desire to defile her.

The girl slept peacefully, her soft black hair cascading down her cheeks, her fair skin hazy in the daylight. Her eyelashes trembled, and she slowly awoke, her golden eyes, still misty with tears, opening them. She groggily reached into her soft flesh and pulled out the lantern, which was also fast asleep.

Chu Yuanqing rubbed the dull gemstone a few times with her fingertips, muttered a few words to remind the little guy not to be lazy. Tired and guilty, the lantern shook itself, obediently used its magic to disguise its eye color, and then continued to play dead and lay back on the soft and comfortable bed.

Regardless of whether Lantern had gone to sleep, Chu Yuanqing lazily sat up and glanced at the French windows beside the bed. The virtual reality scene created a vast blue sky, and the bright sunlight fell on the white sheets. This scene vaguely evoked fragmented images from her dream.

She whispered:

"It's been such a long, long time since I've had such a relaxing sleep."

"It seems like... I had a pretty good dream."

It was a dream that left a mark on my mind.

She lay amidst a soft, fragrant sea of flowers, the sky a pristine azure, a gentle breeze caressing her face, the earth pulsating quietly in her ears, the organ playing a melodious tune, the violin a lively timbre, the harmonious music telling a beautiful story.

All of this was comforting, except for a little loneliness.

It's as if someone who should have been there for a date has been late, causing the beautiful scenery and music to lose their luster and become dull.

Chu Yuanqing left the fragments of her dream in a corner. She glanced at the Little Cotton-padded Jacket sleeping beside her, tugging at her slender waist. Her pink lips curled into a doting smile. She reached out to touch the child's messy hair, then pinched the soft, sleeping face, and whispered:

"So cute."

"Yes, just like when she was little, she looks very well-behaved when she's asleep."

Last night, she slept in the same bed with her Little Cotton-padded Jacket for the first time in a long time.

Although she was a little concerned at first, upon closer reflection, she realized there was nothing to hide about her current body, and unlike other girls, no matter how her Little Cotton-padded Jacket changed, she was still a child in her eyes.

If your heart is free of impurity, why hide?

After all, in Xiao Shu's eyes, she was simply enjoying a rare late-night chat with her friend. Sleeping together was just a sign of closeness. What if the child felt sad when she woke up if she deliberately avoided it?

The Little Cotton-padded Jacket slept quite peacefully throughout the night, but she always liked to use herself as a pillow.

In Chu Yuanqing's eyes, this was largely due to a lack of security.

Even though the father and daughter reconciled, her years of neglect, whether intentional or involuntary, ultimately left her daughter with a sense of emptiness.

Overwhelmed with tenderness, Chu Yuanqing turned and embraced her, offering a warm hug. He hummed a lullaby softly, soothing his restless daughter, who resembled a small animal, and together they drifted off to sleep, unexpectedly enjoying a good night's rest.

Looking back now, if she still had her original body, she definitely wouldn't have had the chance to sleep with her daughter when she reached this age.

After all, since Chu Wangshu started junior high school, the father and daughter have been sleeping in separate beds. Even if they have reconciled and their parent-child relationship has improved, there is no reason for them to sleep together.

This is the most basic respect for a daughter's gender.

But after becoming Chu Yuanqing, she was able to comfort her Little Cotton-padded Jacket's heart in a different way, as a friend, with closer hugs, with more intimate conversations, and with a more passionate and outward way than her father's silent approach.

So... perhaps she's better suited to be an older sister, or even a mother, to make up for what her Little Cotton-padded Jacket missed during her upbringing?

Thinking about this, Chu Yuanqing seemed thoughtful, but didn't feel ashamed.

If it were for her daughter, she would be willing to overcome those awkward emotions and give all the maternal instincts that Liuli longed for to the person beside her.

Because...

Chu Yuanqing lowered her eyes and smiled, her pink lips revealing a loving expression in the sunlight. Her slightly childish face instantly lost its immaturity, like a sacred and solemn mother goddess in a palace, bestowing a precious blessing upon the child at her knees with her slender white fingers.

"This is the love you deserve."

She is Chu Wangshu's father. Regardless of the body or the form of her soul, the love residing in her heart should be given to her child without reservation.

Whether this love is more like that of a father or a mother doesn't matter.

Chu Wangshu was still half asleep. Her face rubbed against Chu Yuanqing's soft, fragrant waist. Amplified by the lantern, the loving affection conveyed to the depths of her soul made her feel the pampering of her mother. Subconsciously, like a spoiled little animal, she hugged Chu Yuanqing's waist even tighter.

Chu Yuanqing touched his daughter's head and asked in confusion:

"Xiao Shu, are you awake?"

Chu Wangshu was half asleep and half awake. She made a few cute humming sounds through her nose, blinked her eyelashes, and looked up at the person she was being affectionate with. Her brain, which was still dazed as if it were low blood sugar, was spinning around and in a state of being turned on.

Huh? Where am I? What time is it?

Why is Xiao Qing here? And why am I hugging Xiao Qing and acting all cute?

Then, the memories of last night quickly returned.

Chu Wangshu felt a mix of shame and surprise. She had actually slept with Xiao Qing last night! Did that mean they were good friends? But was it really appropriate for her to keep hugging Xiao Qing's waist like this?

But... it's so soft, I want to hug it a little longer. I feel so pampered and happy.

So the little girl pretended to be dead, closing her eyes as if she were going to take a nap, enjoying the blissful feeling of being pampered by her mother.

Chu Yuanqing watched all this and found it amusing, but she was happy to be relied on by her Little Cotton-padded Jacket a little longer, so she simply let it be, humming a few songs she had recently learned, and touching her daughter's face and hair with her little hands.

It's amazing how, just smelling this child's scent and feeling their warmth brings a lasting sense of happiness and even peace to my heart.

Chu Yuanqing could feel that the sense of self that had begun to fade, become distant and drift away with the fragmentation of her memories was being rekindled in this happiness and love.

Yesterday's illusion has once again stripped away some of her soul's memories. Perhaps one day, she will forget her great feat of slaying the Disaster God, and she will also forget creating the epic of the second playthrough, burying everything in the dust.

Even if she forgets all of that, her love as a father and the 17 years she spent raising her daughter still anchor her in the past known as "Chu Yuanqing".

Because, even if he forgets his obsession with saving the world, his comrades' tragic wishes, and his past dreams, as just an ordinary father in the mortal world, he still has a reason to Burn Ash his soul and pull out Laevateinn.

Ten minutes later, the alarm clock rang, and the virtual reality view outside the window became even brighter.

Half asleep and half awake Chu Wangshu realized that if she continued to play dead, it would affect Xiao Qing's breakfast preparation. She could only greedily take one last sniff of the warm, comforting scent emanating from Xiaoqing, then opened her eyes and looked innocently at Chu Yuanqing was closing the book in her hand.

Chu Yuanqing didn't expose her. She pinched her daughter's cheek and said with a smile:

"You're awake? Get up, I'll make you breakfast."

Chu Wangshu blushed under their gaze. She realized she couldn't continue down this path; it would be too cruel to keep treating Qing Bao a mother, especially since Qing Bao herself was still so young!

The little girl, determined, moved her head from her slender waist to her plump thighs. After pretending to be half-asleep for two minutes, she obediently got out of bed, shuffling in her slippers, and left with a cheerful "I'm going back to my room to wash up."

Chu Yuanqing went to the bathroom to construct his Magic Armor, then deactivated Magic Armor and applied a dust-removing buff.

Then, the girl unbuttoned her pajamas, changed into a sports bra, a dance outfit for later training, and a loose, plain-colored T-shirt. Like a lotus emerging from the water, she walked towards the kitchen.

On the sofa in the Living room, Tang Liuli was still playing NieR: Mech on her PS5. It seemed unlikely that she would be able to play Baldur's Gate 3 and Armored Core 6, which she hadn't yet downloaded from her game library, during the recording of Flash Dance.

To be honest, Chu Yuanqing couldn't quite understand how this child could still squeeze out time to read comics and play games amidst such inhumanly relentless classes, developing such a shut-in attitude. Could it be... she's really a genius?

Compared to Liuli, Yayoi is much healthier.

The cherry blossom JK (high school girl) sat on the other side of the sofa, skillfully performing finger exercises. Her slender, fair fingers, tinged with a healthy pink, danced in the sunlight, creating soft arcs and shimmering with a crystal-clear light, making her very beautiful.

Beside her slender yet fleshy thighs lay an old, slightly worn guitar, clearly a long-time companion.

After Chu Yuanqing finished frying the eggs, Little Cotton-padded Jacket hurriedly came to the Living room. She sat at the dining table, put on her headphones, practiced her English listening skills, and silently memorized words. She was clearly very used to using fragmented time for learning.

A short while later, a simple breakfast was laid out on the table.

The Little Cotton-padded Jacket took off her headphones.

Tang Liuli saves the game.

Kiriwake Yayoi was warming up by practicing scales on the guitar.

The three of them huddled together at the table and quickly assigned seats.

If you look closely, you'll notice that Little Sakura, who was furthest from Chu Yuanqing yesterday, is now sitting to Chu Yuanqing's right. Tang Liuli has automatically moved to sit opposite him, while Chu Wangshu is still in his original position.

All of this resembles an unspoken exchange of interests.

The Green Eyed Cat surveyed its surroundings, its alarm bells ringing. Last night, Xiao Shu hadn't slept in the same room as it; could it have been won over by this Sakura Girl and ended up sleeping together?

Damn it, if Xiao Shu and she are that close, wouldn't she lose everything? I have to check the situation!