Chapter 55: The Aquarium’s Invitation

In the days following the defeat of Doll No. 1, Qian Ling spent several uneventful days.

During the day, she searched everywhere for Bad Demons, defeating them and then absorbing their mana.

However, this was too limited for increasing her strength; the only result so far was the further strengthening of Iron Thorns.

Qian Ling sat on the roof of Yang Mo’s house, extending both hands in front of her. A steel tentacle emerged from each of her palms.

“This won’t do…”

She couldn’t help but sigh, then retracted the tentacles.

Should she proceed with the next step of her plan ahead of schedule?

Qian Ling felt stuck in a dilemma.

Since the end of the battle with No. 1, she had realized the limitations of her own abilities.

If she wanted to prevent the other tragedies in the original work from happening, heading to the most important stage of the story was essential.

Lancuan City.

Even if the bounty issued by Huang Ya had been lifted, it was still a dangerous place that could be called a demonic realm.

The strongest magical girls and enemies active in the original work were all entrenched there.

If she just wanted to operate in the shadows, it would be fine, but if she had to interact with them, was her current strength really enough?

While she was still thinking about this, a familiar shout came from downstairs.

“Qian Ling—are you there?”

“On the roof—I’m coming right now.”

She raised her voice to respond, then hooked the roof with Iron Thorns, nimbly flipping into the house through the second-floor window.

Waiting for her there was, of course, Yang Mo. As soon as she entered the room, Yang Mo approached excitedly with her phone.

“Look at this! The aquarium’s new exhibit area is opening this weekend!”

“Ah, it’s already that time.”

Qian Ling leaned over to look and indeed found the aquarium’s promotional page on the phone screen.

The new exhibit area marked on it included the Great Isopod exhibit, Yang Mo’s favorite. She had invited her to visit before, so she must have been looking forward to it for a long time.

Just as she imagined, Yang Mo’s next words were: “Remember our previous promise? Let’s go see it this weekend! Let’s bring my sister along too!”

“Yeah, let’s go together.” Qian Ling replied.

“Yay!”

She pumped a fist over her head, her joy overflowing in both her movements and tone.

At this moment, a question arose in Qian Ling’s heart.

Why was the progression of the plot different from the original work?

Originally, Yang Mo should have decided to go a few weeks after the new exhibit opened. Now, she was preparing to go just as it opened.

But thinking carefully, the strange part might actually be the original work.

Yang Mo clearly looked forward to the opening of the new exhibit so much, yet in the original story, she only visited after so much time had passed.

The only possible reason she could think of was that for the Yang Mo in the original work, doing this required some time to make up her mind.

Thinking about which part required determination, the problem was immediately solved.

Ah… it was Yang Xia.

I see, the issue was with the part of inviting Yang Xia!

The psychological pressure of inviting one person is always greater than inviting two.

Because when inviting one person, once it fails, the original itinerary is either canceled or one has to go alone.

Furthermore, among these “two people” now, the acceptance of one was almost certain.

Therefore, saying the invitation might be much easier than in the original.

Thinking of this, Qian Ling couldn’t help but start to worry.

She asked Yang Mo: “I’m happy to go, but will your sister agree?”

“It’s just accompanying her sister to the aquarium. Where in the world is there a sister who would have the heart to refuse? Unless she really has other important things to do.”

Yang Mo responded with full confidence, not recalling at all how her sister had stood her up before.

In response, Qian Ling could only pray silently: Hopefully, her joining would make Yang Xia make a different choice from the original.

***

Later, at the dinner table of Yang Mo’s house…

“I’m not going.”

Yang Xia announced this cruel fact with brief words.

Yang Mo, who was holding her bowl and utensils, was instantly frozen in place as if petrified. Even her chopsticks slipped from her hand, making a “clack” as they hit the table.

Qian Ling sighed.

Thinking: I knew it…

After Yang Mo came to her senses, she put down her things and reconfirmed with Yang Xia: “Sister, what did you just say?”

“I said I’m not going.”

The answer she gave was the same as before.

From here, a long argument gradually unfolded between the sisters.

“Why?”

“I don’t have much interest in the aquarium.”

“Just treat it as accompanying me and Qian Ling. Besides, can’t you also take the opportunity to wander around the city?”

“I’m very busy that Saturday.”

“Then what are you busy with?”

“I… I’m going to sing karaoke with friends that day.”

“Saying that now, Sister is definitely lying…”

Yang Mo puffed out her cheeks and glared resentfully at Yang Xia.

Yang Xia had been responding calmly earlier, but for some reason, she suddenly became agitated.

“Why would I lie to you? Besides, the thing you want to see seems to be some kind of bug, doesn’t it? Don’t you think that thing is disgusting?”

Hearing her favorite thing being belittled like this, Yang Mo couldn’t take it anymore.

She stood up against the table and retorted: “It’s not disgusting! And what do you mean by ‘bug’? A Great Isopod isn’t a bug!”

Unfortunately, her retort was still met with Yang Xia’s cold attitude.

“I don’t care. Anyway, I’m not going.”

Yang Xia turned her head away, putting on a serious expression and ignoring any further actions from Yang Mo.

Yang Mo sat back in her seat unwillingly after making a muffled “Muu” sound, picking up her chopsticks to eat in silence.

Only Qian Ling was stunned by the intensity of their argument. It took her several seconds to start moving her chopsticks.

That night, Yang Mo and Yang Xia hardly spoke to each other again.

Only when Yang Xia was about to leave did she say a flat “I’m leaving,” and Yang Mo replied with an “Oh.”

After saying goodbye to Yang Xia, Yang Mo sat listlessly on the sofa and then slumped over to the side.

“Does she really not want to go that much… Why…”

She murmured, not knowing if she was talking to herself or asking for Qian Ling’s opinion.

However, Qian Ling was also very curious about the real reason Yang Xia refused to go to the aquarium.

I remember the reason given in the original work was to go sing karaoke with friends, but just now it clearly seemed like there was another hidden story.

As she thought this, an idea quickly came to her.

So she sat next to Yang Mo and lowered her head to ask: “Do you really want to know the reason why your sister won’t go to the aquarium?”

Yang Mo slowly turned around, looking up at Qian Ling and answering: “Yes.”

From this distance, Qian Ling noticed her eyes were slightly red. She became even more certain about what to do next.

“Then leave it to me.”

Qian Ling raised an index finger and said with a smile: “Tomorrow, I’ll conduct a major investigation.”