The Most Reassuring Xiao Guang

On the stone steps in front of the door, several richly dressed servants were busy wiping the tiles on the door knocker and the edge of the flower bed.

Moreover, the "gatekeeper" appeared to be an outsourced security guard.

Instead of having their own servants take on the role like the Yuan'an family... although the nature of the role is similar.

After all, modern household servants are actually quite similar in nature to hired laborers.

Yes, at least the vast majority of cases are like that.

"Good morning, this is the Dongshang family. How can I help you?"

The gatekeeper who asked this question was a young man in uniform. He was sitting in the gatehouse and asked politely.

"The Yuan'an family made an appointment beforehand."

As the driver, the head maid, Nagashima, said this, and she replied politely in return, "To see Miss Higashino."

In response to the head maid's words, the gatekeeper picked up the walkie-talkie and said a few words.

He quickly pressed the button, allowing the group to pass. Several servants guided the vehicle to its parking spot, where they could see many Western-style decorations along the way.

The trees lining both sides of the road are lush and green, and the landscaping looks quite good.

With this in mind, Cong Yu and Gareth Yuan'an got out of the car... The head maid obviously wasn't going directly to see Dongshang Yahui Xiang, but instead stayed in the car to wait.

Led by the servants of the Dongshang family, the two headed towards the villa where they would be living.

"To be honest, it's more modern than the Yuan'an Manor."

As she said this, Cong Yu pondered for a moment and commented, "Let me guess... the Dongshang family is now completely under the control of Dongshang Yahui Xiang?"

"Completely"

Gareth Yuan'an puzzled. He pondered for a moment, then shook his head slightly. "I don't think so... The head of the Dongshang family is still alive."

Is that so?

However, Cong Yu persisted in her own ideas.

"However, there are some conflicts... The Japanese and Western styles clash, and those flowers and Western decorations were only recently added."

As she said this, Cong Yu looked at Gareth Yuan'an, who seemed not to care much about these details. "The Dongshang family must have had a power struggle before."

It should be a change... probably a peaceful change.

Or rather, in most families, power transitions are peaceful; cases like Gareth Yuan'an are rare.

This might be what a truly filial son is like.

Goodbye, Father... and goodbye to my cowardice.

"..." Before Gareth Yuan'an, recalling the details of their journey, could say anything in response to Cong Yu's words, a voice of agreement came from the main house entrance—

"As you said; conflict and harmony, modernity and the past intertwined... that's the idea I wanted to convey."

The woman speaking was dressed in a kimono and looked to be about the same age as Gareth Yuan'an: "Gareth shares similar views with me, so I feel we get along very well."

The woman walked out of the main house's entrance, her wooden clogs making a "clack-clack-clack" sound as she approached the two of them.

She wore a pale yellow outer garment over her kimono.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Dongshang Yahui Xiang, please take care of me."

Dongshang Yahui Xiang introduced herself and bowed to Cong Yu. Her refined manners gave the first impression of a well-bred young lady.

She perfectly embodies the image of a young lady from a wealthy family.

She speaks eloquently, manages her expressions well, and seems intelligent... that's the first impression she gives.

This is remarkable because...

My first impression wasn't that she was fat.

However, my second impression came from her face and figure—fat, obese, extremely fat.

She has a lot of fat on her face, but that doesn't really matter... in fact, it even looks kind of cute.

But when paired with her figure, it's hard to describe...

She was practically a round ball, probably because she was too fat. So her movements looked a bit slow, and each step seemed difficult.

Even the act of bowing was difficult to watch.

Then, there was a faint bluish tinge on the exposed arm... It didn't look like fat, but rather like swelling.

Swelling all over the body.

Even if it were cardiac edema, it wouldn't cause this much swelling... Besides, the other person is moving around normally.

"I am Cong Yu, nice to meet you."

As Cong Yu spoke, she scrutinized Dongshang Yahui Xiang, who calmly accepted Cong Yu's gaze... She was already used to it.

Gareth Yuan'an: "..."

Is it poison? Or some kind of curse?

Cong Yu made this assessment, then looked at Gareth Yuan'an: "There's nothing I can do about this. You should really call Doctor."

These words confirmed Dongshang Yahui Xiang's earlier guess.

"So, you really are... from the 22nd Group?"

As she said this, Dongshang Yahui Xiang slowly backed away, welcoming the two into the house. "It's neither poison nor a curse, but a worm called 'Gu'."

"..." Gu...?"

It should be noted that although Cong Yu is a snake, snakes are called "long worms" and are also one of the five poisonous creatures, along with scorpions.

However, Cong Yu had not studied Gu (a type of poison) much.

If reading novels about Gu practitioners or other related effects doesn't count as research, then he really hasn't done any research at all.

"I am indeed a member of the 22nd Group."

Cong Yu said this, she sat down on the sofa that Dongshang Yahui Xiang had dragged over with one hand, and said, "I have even less research on these 'Art Beyond Sorcery'... Can't you find a magical girl who can solve your problem?"

Dongshang Yahui Xiang said nothing, only shook her head.

Meanwhile, Gareth Yuan'an, sitting next to Cong Yu, was somewhat puzzled. He hadn't understood what Cong Yu had just said, "Art Beyond Sorcery? What are those?"

To Gareth Yuan'an, Cong Yu simply explained, "A spell that uses magic is called a spell, while the Inner Side power that doesn't involve magic is called Art Beyond Sorcery... a spell that isn't a spell."

It's not a technique of magic... Does such a thing even exist in the world?

Seeing Gareth Yuan'an's expression, Dongshang Yahui Xiang knew what he was thinking, so she explained, "Gu is... and divination."

So that's how it is. So divination can be done too...

With Gareth Yuan'an nodding, Dongshang Yahui Xiang smiled, then picked up the controller from the low table beside her. "Instead of this, how about playing a game?"

Upon hearing the other party's words, Gareth Yuan'an immediately became interested and entered serious mode. "Come on! Let's start a new game! Monster Hunter, which was just released recently!"

As he said this, he looked at the stunned Cong Yu and invited, "Would you like to come, Lord Cong Yu?"

"..." No, why did the topic change so quickly?

We were just talking about spells and Gu worms... why are we suddenly switching to a fun game segment?

But...

"Come!"

Chapter 266 The Most Reliable Little Guang

Dongshang Yahui Xiang... seems like a nice kid.

Although she was also a katana player, Cong Yu didn't look down on her.

(Gareth Yuan'an: Protest! Protest!)

It's not because she gets preferential treatment as a female player... it's just that she plays very steadily, doesn't squirm much, and has high damage output.

(Gareth Yuan'an, feeling guilty:... I... I also have high damage output--)

This... this... this is incomparable to Gareth Yuan'an!

Once this person has properly sharpened the blade, he will immediately...

In a frantic rush, we prepared to board... board! board! board!

All they could see was the mountain!

And the outcome was obvious: nothing! Nothing! Nothing!

Then, in one smooth motion, came the cat!

Cong Yu's evaluation is...

It's too low down.

(Gareth Yuan'an: QAQ)

Cong Yu's face darkened as she played... she almost turned into a black-faced Sea Tiger, but Dongshang Yahui Xiang wasn't annoyed, she just stood there smiling.

It's almost fair to say that this child is a perfect young lady from a prominent family, even possessing a friendly and approachable demeanor... and a young heiress of a wealthy clan.

Aside from their appearance, they are a good match for Gareth Yuan'an.

Moreover, their appearance and physique seem to have been affected by the presence of the Gu... If that's the case, the solution is quite simple.

However, this is not about eliminating the Gu worms.

Instead, they directly replaced the body...

This is the solution offered by the Doctor: they can give her 500,000 yuan to help Dongshang Yahui Xiang get an identical body.

However, the body of the Gu worm must be given to her for research.

This may also be the reason why "Gu" has declined in modern times... Whether it is Gu or poison, these kinds of things are ultimately effective on the body.

Those who are capable can simply get a body transplant.

Even if the Rabbit Man is Tarsal Bone Poison, he will simply change bodies every now and then.

Well, that's true, but only a minority of people have the ability to change bodies... Most people still have to rely on magical girls to heal them.

Only a few people have the means to contact those who can do this.

Moreover, the price is quite high.

In Cong Yu's understanding, anything that can be mass-produced and easily replicated through the ears using scientific methods, and at a low price...

Perhaps only Doctor would be left.

So...

Cong Yu once again performed a good deed, reinforcing the core value of "If you have any difficulties, find Cong Yu," and affirming her as "the most loving," "the kindest," "the most persistent," and "the most meticulous"...

It's not a good time to talk about this during the Chinese New Year; I feel like the author might get arrested.

Shivering--

If the favorability rating system could be materialized, then Gareth Yuan'an would have maxed out his favorability rating for Cong Yu right now.

I also gained a lot of goodwill from Dongshang Yahui Xiang.

To be honest, Gareth Yuan'an seems to have developed quite a bit of affection for Dongshang Yahui Xiang... They even called each other by name when they met.

In Japan, people mostly address each other by their names.

Similar to Mr./Ms. XX.

People like Cong Yu, who have a habit of calling others by their full names, are actually a minority... but it doesn't feel out of place, as if that's how he should address others.

Because this is Cong Yu!

It's raining heavily again and again!

Even if Dongshang Yahui Xiang remains overweight her whole life, it feels like the young couple will still end up together, perhaps...

This is just like love!

"Their relationship is so beautiful, it's like a fairy tale--"

Yaochuan Guang listened attentively, his eyes sparkling. "Yuan'an's older brother and Dongshang-sama... so pure."

Cong Yu declined to comment on Yaochuan Guang's words...