New Home

As she pushed open the door, a rectangular framed picture came into view, bearing the two large characters: "Qingyin."

Without being told, Qingyin knew exactly whose twisted sense of humor this was.

"Do you like the property certificate I prepared for you?" Youyue pointed at the frame.

"You're telling me this is a property deed?" Qingyin asked, the shock in her otherwise flat tone unmistakable.

"Yes." Youyue nodded.

Qingyin was so irritated that she laughed.

She laughed at this absurd situation that had shattered her common sense.

Something anyone could have printed at a random shop was supposed to be a property deed.

Where was her big red booklet? That rectangular, bright red booklet?

That was what she had come for.

Youyue slowly explained, "A house gifted to a magical girl belongs exclusively to that magical girl. It cannot be altered, and it can only ever be registered under that magical girl's name.

"If you ever lose your transformation abilities one day and someone else takes over your house, bring this to me. I'll stand up for you."

Qingyin found this rather puzzling, but behind every ridiculous rule was an even more ridiculous story.

Something unknown, something practically legendary, must have happened for them to stop issuing magical girls those red property deed booklets.

Like hospitals forbidding people from sticking their heads into the gaps of chair armrests, or microwaves warning users not to dry pets inside them.

Every rule being created meant that at least one adult had once confidently said, "I think this will be fine."

Surely some magical girl had put her wild imagination to use, which was why property deeds were no longer issued.

For all she knew, someone might have tried using a house duplication exploit to give houses away.

"I'll take it." Qingyin silently put away Youyue's unique certificate.

"Aren't you curious? Shouldn't you be asking me more about the house?" Youyue asked.

"That topic is over." Qingyin answered indifferently.

She stepped inside. The interior was exquisitely furnished, decorated with all manner of ornamental pieces, its walls painted a pristine white.

Qingyin toured her house curiously. Everything was spotless.

All the furniture and appliances were brand-new, and the daily necessities were fully stocked as well.

Inspecting her first new home, she wandered around, occasionally opening drawers and cabinets.

The refrigerator was filled with fresh ingredients, and when she sat on the sofa, it gave her just the right balance of softness and firmness.

"You're very satisfied, aren't you?" Youyue said as she sat beside her.

"Not bad," Qingyin replied.

"I thought so. You haven't shown any dissatisfaction." Youyue nodded and teased,

"You've been poking around like a curious baby, touching this and that. You have no intention of stopping at all."

Although she could not tell whether Qingyin was happy, she could tell whether Qingyin was unhappy.

If there had been anything she disliked, Qingyin would have already turned and questioned her with her eyes.

Not unhappy meant happy!

And that was indeed the case.

Satisfied.

Indescribably satisfied.

Even if Qingyin had paid to furnish a new home herself, she could never have achieved this level.

It was an absolute move-in-with-a-suitcase dream home.

"Aren't you going to look inside the rooms?" Youyue urged expectantly.

"Mm." Qingyin agreed.

She stopped examining the coffee table, got up, and pushed open the door to one of the rooms. Pink, like blooming peach blossoms, filled her entire vision.

Pink wallpaper, a pink desk and computer, a pink bed and carpet.

"How is it? Do you like it?" Youyue snickered behind her.

"It's a princess-level room."

"I like it," Qingyin had to admit.

Like was like. As a magical girl, she could not deny her nature.

She had actually liked that bold pink ever since her previous life.

But it was far too troublesome to arrange things that way, and with everyone else trying to talk her out of it, she had never been able to go this far.

"Fine... as long as you like it."

Youyue was somewhat surprised. The embarrassed and furious Qingyin she had imagined was nowhere to be seen.

She had thought that Qingyin, such a strong woman, would prefer something simple or mature. Who would have thought she had such a contrasting side in private, like a little girl?

After recovering from the princess's pink little castle, Qingyin's gaze shifted to the desk.

Only then did she notice the desktop computer with its transparent case. Even at a glance, it seemed anything but ordinary.

She suddenly had an overwhelming urge to stay here and live, but that warmth was quickly suppressed by a magical girl's cool-headed reasoning.

If she wanted to enjoy such a wonderful life, she really needed to switch back to the more emotional Ye Qing.

"Would you like to spend a night in your new home? We could break in the new place and have dinner here," Youyue suggested.

Qingyin thought for a moment. "Sure."

"The more people, the livelier it'll be. How about I invite a few more people and hold the celebration banquet we never got to have as well?"

"Sure."

Given how much free time she had, Qingyin could accept these household chores.

It was her first time, after all. There was nothing wrong with making it a little more ceremonial.

Judging by the time, by the time dinner for so many people was ready, her three students should be out of school.

With that decided, Qingyin opened the refrigerator, looked through the ingredients inside, and began considering what to cook that evening.

"Yaohua, come mooch a meal with us."

The head that suddenly popped out startled Yaohua. She reached up to tug her clothes tighter, then sighed.

"Youyue, stop appearing out of nowhere and scaring people," Yaohua said helplessly before asking,

"I'm fine with mooching a meal, but where are we eating?"

"At Qingyin's home," Youyue said with a grin.

"Um..." Yaohua hesitated slightly.

"Don't overthink it. You finally have a chance to slack off, so relax properly. You'll have to deal with Qingyin, who can release Magic Dress, sooner or later."

"All right."

Thus, thanks to Youyue's persuasion, there was one more person joining them for dinner.

Qingyin stared expressionlessly at Yaohua, who awkwardly shifted her body.

"I came to have dinner with you. You don't mind, do you?"

Showing up uninvited to mooch a meal without the homeowner's consent was not something Yaohua had the nerve to do.

Even though she was no longer young, she was more introverted by nature. Sitting in the position of District 28's director for so long had not changed that.

"I don't mind, but come help out." Qingyin pointed at Youyue.

"Ehh~" Youyue dragged out the sound in displeasure and protested,

"I'm a guest. What kind of host makes a guest work?"

Qingyin said nothing and simply stared at her.

"So I'm no longer a guest in your heart? I'm a little flattered, but we... Fine, fine, I'll help."

Youyue could not tease her. She truly could not tease that ice-faced girl.

They were clearly peers with little difference between them, yet whenever Qingyin stared at her for too long, Youyue felt an indescribable pressure.

Since they were making food for many people, it took quite a while to prepare.

They had busied themselves for nearly the entire afternoon. Just as they finally wrapped things up, energetic voices came through the door and into the house.

"Qingyin! We're here!"

Unlike the lively Feiyan, the other two seemed somewhat reserved.

"Sorry to intrude." Yuyan gave a polite half-bow.

Yalin still seemed like a little background character. She also offered a polite greeting before following the others into the house.