Writing Something You'd Rather Read

"Lynette, did Father really... cough cough, that?" Lyney whispered, leaning close to her sister to probe.

Lynette raised her eyes and cast a cold, resentful glare, her cat ears turning into airplane ears, and said in a nonchalant tone, "I thought my brother had already guessed it."

Lyney stood there, stunned, murmuring softly, "That was Father..."

Lynette lowered her eyes, tidying the training short sword beside her, and said calmly, "Father is human too, isn't he?"

"Well, I just didn't expect it, did I? I never thought Father would find us a mother..."

Lynette frowned slightly, her pointed cat ears tucked down, and she glared at Lyney again. "I never expected that someone would be here wishing lovers would end up as siblings."

Lyney chuckled awkwardly, trying to smooth things over. "Ahaha... an accident, an accident. By the way, when did you find out, Lynette?"

Lynette gave a soft snort, her earlobes drooping slightly, and tossed out, "Silly brother," before turning away decisively.

Lyney stood frozen in place, scratching his head with a helpless expression as he watched his sister's swift departure. He could only hurry after her.

Over the next few days, a little secret was discovered at the training ground after each day's training session.

Although Lyney grumbled aggrievedly, the thought of using his best magic tricks to give his father a unique and romantic gift filled him with joy, and he had no resistance to the extra practice whatsoever.

After all, who wouldn't want to hear about their father's outrageous scandal?

"Father! Something terrible has happened! Mr. Xingsu has just had a sudden accident in his room! The situation is very strange, you must go and see him immediately!"

Lyney looked extremely flustered and rushed to Arlecchino's office, speaking hurriedly and anxiously.

Arlecchino's fingers paused as she reviewed the documents, and a ripple instantly appeared in her previously calm, crimson eyes. The unexpected accident involving Xingsu made her heart tighten. Without thinking further, she immediately put down the file in her hand and rushed to Xingsu's room with Lyney.

The door was pushed open forcefully, but the room was clean and quiet, without any signs of accidental chaos.

On the table in the center of the room, there was only a soft, round-faced doll that looked like Xingsu's big head. It had cute eyebrows and eyes and a chubby body, making it look particularly comical.

Arlecchino stopped in her tracks, her eyes filled with confusion.

Before she could speak, Lyney immediately chimed in, speaking in a serious and earnest tone:

"Father! Mr. Xingsu was suddenly cursed by some strange magic and turned into this doll! And... this doll can talk! It's real!"

Arlecchino raised an eyebrow, a hint of helplessness and skepticism flashing in her eyes. She clearly saw through most of it as a children's prank, but still did as she was told, bending down to gently pick up the big-headed doll on the table.

The moment the fingertips touched the soft fabric, Xingsu's somewhat panicked voice clearly came from inside the doll:

"Please save me! I don't know who cursed me and turned me into this doll!"

The familiar voice rang out through the doll's built-in sophisticated communication device, so realistic that there was no doubt about it.

Arlecchino held the doll in her arms, remained silent for a few seconds, and asked softly with a helpless expression:

"Then how can I help you break the curse?"

After a moment of silence, Xingsu thought for a moment and answered seriously:

"I once saw this curse in a book when I was in Sumeru. It requires collecting three precious herbs from the Sumeru Rainforest region to perform a ritual to remove the curse."

Or rather... there's a fairy tale that says a cursed doll's curse can be broken if it gets a kiss from its loved one.

These words were direct and bold, carrying an undeniable ambiguity.

Lyney stood to the side, holding her breath, nervously and expectantly waiting to see what would happen next. Even Lynette, who was hiding behind the door, peeked out halfway.

Arlecchino sighed softly, her gaze sweeping over Lyney, who was watching eagerly with anticipation, and Lynette, who was peeking out from behind the door. With an undeniable composure, she said, "Lyney, Lynette, you don't need to stay here. Double the training today. Go to the training ground immediately for extra practice. No slacking off."

Lyney's face fell instantly, her curiosity and expectations dashed. She could only hang her head dejectedly, not daring to disobey her orders. Lynette also glared at Lyney. The two slowly turned and walked out of the room, obediently closing the door behind them.

As the door closed gently, it shut out the view of all outsiders.

The noise and restraint faded away, leaving her alone in the room with a doll that held someone's affections in her arms.

The helplessness in her eyes just now has completely transformed into tender affection, her scarlet eyes are filled with gentle smiles, and there is no longer a trace of coldness and aloofness.

Arlecchino looked down at the dazed doll in her arms, and without hesitation, leaned down slightly and gently and solemnly placed a warm kiss on the doll's mouth.

The moment the lips touched the warm fabric of the doll, the silent room was suddenly filled with a strange commotion.

With a soft "whoosh," the magic mechanism hidden inside the doll was instantly triggered. Pure white wisps of smoke surged out from the tiny pores around the doll, gentle yet dense, instantly filling the entire room and blurring the surrounding scenery.

Amidst the swirling smoke, the doll's outline rapidly blurred and dissipated in the magical light and shadow, turning into tiny specks of light that fluttered down.

Arlecchino's eyes widened slightly, and she subconsciously raised her gaze slightly.

The white mist surged and gathered, and the light spots piled up and recombine, until a slender figure suddenly appeared in front of him, where there had been no space before.

Xingsu replaced the puppet, suddenly appearing at close range. The gentle kiss that had just landed on the puppet, through the magic switch, landed precisely on his lips.

The two were extremely close, their breaths mingling, the warm touch clear and real.

The smoke slowly dissipated, and the room returned to its bright state.

Xingsu Su froze on the spot, her eyes filled with unexpected panic and burning warmth. Her ear tips turned bright red instantly, and the cunning she had shown through the communicator vanished in an instant.

He had no idea that the trigger point was so precise, turning what was supposed to be a prank-like fairytale magic trick into a real, intimate embrace.

A hint of surprise flashed across Arlecchino's scarlet eyes, followed by a gentle smile as she quietly gazed at Xingsu, who was so close to her.

The two stood silently facing each other, the air thick with lingering warmth. Xingsu felt as if all the blood in her body rushed to her ears, her cheeks flushed crimson.

He dared not move, even his breathing was extremely soft, his eyes widened slightly, staring blankly at Arlecchino so close to him.

Arlecchino looked down at his innocent yet passionate expression, her crimson eyes filled with a faint smile.

After a moment of silence, she looked at the boy's reddened eyes and brows, her heart stirred slightly, without the slightest hint of evasion or distance.

Before Xingsu could recover from the sudden kiss, Arlecchino leaned down slightly, gently placed her hand on his shoulder, and kissed him again, tenderly yet firmly.

This time there were no coincidences involving magic tricks, no setup with puppet doubles, and no jokes or tests.

It was a tenderness she willingly and proactively embraced.