Aftermath Cleanup

A hazy mist filled the bathroom, and steaming heat curled beneath the heater lamp. Lin Xiaolu scooped up a handful of water and splashed it over her face, leaning back in the bathtub as her expression gradually shifted from blankness to relaxation.

After spacing out for a while, the light returned to her unfocused eyes. She slowly submerged her face in the hot water, and bubbles escaped from her mouth with a "glub glub," rising to the surface with soft splashing sounds.

It was still afternoon, though it was already nearing evening. Lin Xiaolu was washing away the grime left behind by the battle in her own bathroom.

After lathering herself with body wash several times, rinsing repeatedly, then combing and rinsing her hair several more times, she finally sat down in the bathtub with a sense of relief and properly unwound.

There was no doubt that although today's battle against the Aberrant Beast had been full of problems and surprises, it had also brought considerable gains.

Aside from gaining combat and teamwork experience, she had also learned a little more about the rare Dissolving Cavity Type Aberrant Beast. At the very least, after a battle like this, Lin Xiaolu felt that she had truly learned something.

Larkspur's teaching method had been a success.

Her respect for Larkspur rose a little further. Lin Xiaolu could not help closing her eyes and imagining the day when, under Larkspur's guidance, she would become the magical girl of her dreams.

By then, she would surely be mature, cool, powerful, beautiful...

The daydream in her head brought an involuntary smile to Lin Xiaolu's face. The corners of her lips lifted and her brows rose, making it obvious that her mood had improved considerably.

—"Done soaking yet?"

"Wah!" The sudden voice by her ear gave Lin Xiaolu a fright.

Turning around, she saw Xia Liang standing beside the bathtub wrapped in a bath towel, smiling at her.

A little moisture still clung to her wet black hair, making it clear that she had just come out of the shower stall next door.

"No, not yet."

Lifting her face from the water, Lin Xiaolu said with disgust, "Letting you shower while I'm taking a bath is already extremely generous of me. Once you're done, go wait outside. This is my house, and I'm not giving you the tub."

"Aw—but I got filthy water poured all over my head too. I want to get in and soak already."

As she spoke, Xia Liang moved closer to the bathtub. "How about letting me squeeze in? I don't mind, you know?"

"I mind! It's way too cramped! You're so gross!"

Holding an arm across the edge of the bathtub, Lin Xiaolu rejected her three times in a row. "Do you seriously not understand the difference between host and guest? Don't push your luck, okay?"

"Then please?" Xia Liang clasped her hands together and blinked pleadingly.

"Changing your attitude won't help! Get out already!"

"I'm getting in."

"Don't come over here, and don't just climb in! I said don't—"

The arguing in the bathroom grew louder and louder. Though the exact words could not be heard clearly, Lin Xiaolu's loud fussing could be heard even from the living room.

Larkspur sat properly on the living room sofa with her legs tucked to one side, staring absently at the object in her hand.

It was a partially damaged green, disc-shaped piece of metal. It had been corroded until it was pitted all over, its original appearance no longer recognizable.

She had discovered it in the Aberrant Beast's remains just before leaving the previous battlefield. Thinking it seemed somewhat unusual, she had brought it back with her.

Staring at the disc, she felt that it looked somewhat like a... valve?

Why would an Aberrant Beast have something like that in its stomach?

Feeling as if she had grasped some clue, with certain dormant memories stirring in her mind, Larkspur simply leaned back against the sofa and raised her head to think.

—Click.

The bathroom door not far away was suddenly pulled open, and the previously muffled commotion became clear.

"Get out—now!" Lin Xiaolu's angry voice followed.

"Ah! Don't pull so hard, you're going to yank my towel off!"

Then came Xia Liang's voice.

Lin Xiaolu ignored whatever she was saying and pushed Xia Liang out the door. "You're so annoying!"

Bang!

Then the bathroom door was slammed shut.

Left outside the door, Xia Liang could only wrap herself in her bath towel and walk out of the bathroom. Passing through the living room, she met Larkspur's upturned gaze.

Unlike when they had first met a few days ago, Xia Liang's appearance had changed quite a bit.

The colored streaks in her bangs had somehow been washed away, and the slightly curled ends of her hair had been straightened again. Without the light makeup, her youthful features were fully exposed, making it obvious that she was only a middle school student.

If the Xia Liang on Electronics Street had looked like a flashy, fashionable girl, then the Xia Liang who now smiled gently simply gave off the impression of being a well-behaved, quiet child.

Larkspur's previously unfocused eyes gradually sharpened. Looking at Xia Liang, who wore nothing but a bath towel, she paused before suggesting, "Why don't you find a bathrobe to put on?"

"Hm? That sounds like a good idea?"

Xia Liang readily accepted, but quickly ran into a new problem. "But are there any bathrobes here?"

"Clean bathrobes are kept in..."

Larkspur instinctively wanted to answer, but then remembered that she was not currently Lin Yun. Though she was in her own home, she could not reveal that she was the owner. On the surface, she was merely a guest like Xia Liang.

So she smoothly changed her words. "If there's a storage cabinet by the bathroom door, maybe there are some inside? You could also ask White Rose."

"White Rose? Oh, heh heh, then I'll go ask her again."

For some reason, Xia Liang seemed extremely enthusiastic about provoking Lin Xiaolu. Realizing she had another excuse to bother her, she immediately chuckled and headed back toward the bathroom.

Maybe she gets angry like a little animal with its fur standing on end whenever someone pokes her? Maybe it feels fun?

Judging from their personalities, Larkspur could only arrive at that conclusion.

She did not mind Xia Liang's obvious but harmless provocation. As long as it did not turn into real resentment, it was merely young people joking and playing around.

Still, looking at Xia Liang's retreating back and her noticeably more advanced development compared to girls her age, Larkspur felt a trace of the concern only a parent could have for Lin Xiaolu.

My daughter won't end up being short, will she?

Although there was still plenty of hope at fourteen, and Lin Xiaolu had many years ahead to catch up and stage a comeback, there was currently not even the slightest sign of it.

Logically speaking, as Lin Xiaolu's parents, Lin Yun and Anya were not exceptionally tall, but they were certainly above average. Lin Yun, as her father, was over 1.8 meters tall, while Anya, as her mother, was close to 1.7 meters. There was no reason Lin Xiaolu should be shorter than her peers, yet she was currently only 1.43 meters tall, far below average.

Why exactly was that?

Larkspur set the damaged disc aside, stood up silently, and headed toward the kitchen.

Standing on tiptoe by the sink, she washed her hands clean, then opened the sterilizing cabinet and took out several teacups.

Skillfully arranging the cups side by side and adding tea leaves, she pushed herself higher on her toes without expression, then picked up the thermos and poured in boiling water.

Lin Xiaolu's personality made it unlikely that she would think to serve tea to guests, so this was something only Larkspur could do.