At least before Qianling actually fell asleep, she was quite confident about the quality of her rest tonight.
But, unfortunately, things did not go as she had hoped.
Even though she felt relaxed as she drifted off, Qianling, for the first time in a while, had a nightmare.
Inside the Pawn Shop that Yangmo had described, she wasn’t sitting atop a mountain of junk; instead, like Bima Wen, she was buried beneath the mound.
In the darkness, there was only a small gap through which she could barely sense the outside world.
A sharp chill seeped into her heart from the metallic debris, making her feel both uneasy and lonely.
Suddenly, a Blonde Girl in a school uniform passed by outside.
She shouted at the girl with all her might: “Yangmo! I’m here, I’m right here!”
But no matter how loudly she called, the girl never turned to look at her, simply continuing along her original path.
Gradually, the girl’s figure disappeared from view through the crack.
Then, the Truck from the Pawn Shop dumped more junk onto the little hill, and the sudden increase in weight crushed her body to pieces.
Ka-ta——
Wait, why does it sound like that?
Even in a nightmare, this sound made Qianling confused. It didn’t sound like her body being smashed to bits, but rather like the crisp click of Clockwork Gears interlocking.
With this question in mind, Qianling opened her eyes.
As soon as she woke up, she found herself lying flat on the bed just as she had been before falling asleep, her posture completely unchanged. But Yangmo was not in the same state.
Yangmo was lying across Qianling’s chest with her mouth open, almost drooling, both of them stacked in an “x” shape, and at some point, the blanket had been kicked aside.
Yangmo’s hand was still clutching one of Qianling’s arms, making it look as if she were using the Joint Technique on her.
“……”
Qianling fell silent.
Good grief, so the reason I had that nightmare was all because of you!
I was cold because the blanket had been kicked off, and dreamed of being crushed because someone really was using my body as a mattress!
Remembering how she had said “I sleep badly” last night, Qianling could only think of herself as an idiot.
She sat up in bed and pinched Yangmo’s cheeks hard with both hands.
“Get up. Now.”
“Uuu… uuu…”
After making some muffled noises, Yangmo finally opened her eyes.
Yangmo’s cheeks were so soft, it felt nice to squeeze them, and Qianling almost didn’t want to let go at this moment.
Yangmo, realizing she had climbed off Qianling, quickly understood what had happened.
“…Qianling, I’m sorry.” Yangmo knelt on the bed and apologized, her head lowered, cheeks tinged pink, looking very embarrassed.
Though, it was also possible her cheeks were red from being pinched.
She explained to Qianling, “When I get too excited before bed, sometimes I move around a lot. Jie Jie used to complain about this too.”
Qianling folded her arms and said sternly, “If this happens again, don’t even think about sharing a bed with me.”
“It absolutely… absolutely won’t happen again!”
“Then I’ll let you off just this once.”
“Ugh… Qianling, you’re the best.”
Seeing Yangmo so grateful she was about to cry, Qianling just hoped she’d really keep her word.
After this early-morning commotion was over, the two of them changed clothes and started getting ready to wash up.
That being said, Qianling suddenly realized she didn’t really need to do this at all.
She’d bathed yesterday because she was covered in dust, but today Qianling’s face wasn’t oily at all, nor did her mouth taste strange.
Is this the difference between a Doll and a Human?
As Qianling pondered this, she silently watched Yangmo wash her face.
Yangmo found it odd too and turned to ask, “Aren’t you going to wash up?”
No need, I don’t sweat, so I just need to wipe off any dust.
Qianling wanted to answer like that, but after some thought, she decided to go about her morning routine as usual.
So she replied, “I’ll wait until you’re done.”
A Doll’s body really was convenient.
But as a “Human,” Qianling still preferred to keep her life in its old rhythm.
Aside from what had already been mentioned, this body had surpassed all of Qianling’s expectations so far.
Some parts were almost identical to a Human’s, like the texture of the skin, and the ability to sleep like a Human.
She hadn’t expected much, but after closing her eyes last night, Qianling had really fallen asleep quickly—and even dreamed, just like a real Human.
But there were also clear differences from Humans, such as the lack of waste products, and an absence of biological “instincts.” Every facial expression and bodily movement had to be consciously “controlled.”
The Doll Witch wanted to create a “perfect” Doll. Were these differences due to limitations of her power, or intentional?
As Qianling mused about this, Yangmo had already finished washing up, and now it was her turn.
After a while, when Qianling walked from the washstand to the door, Yangmo pulled out two pieces of bread from the fridge and waved them in front of her.
“Want one? Come to think of it, Qianling, you didn’t eat anything last night…”
“I’ll try it.”
Qianling immediately tore open the packaging and took a small bite, chewing it slowly.
After swallowing, there was nothing unusual. In fact, she felt as though her Magic had been slightly replenished.
“Mm, it’s date-flavored. Not bad.”
Her thoughts about the flavor just slipped out, and Qianling felt rather pleased.
She told Yangmo, “Looks like I can eat food.”
“That’s great.” Yangmo smiled, her eyes turning into little crescents.
“Eating is one of the joys of being alive. It would be such a shame if you couldn’t enjoy it, Qianling.”
“I feel the same.”
Staring at the bread in her hand, Qianling began to imagine her future life.
Anyway, from now on, she wouldn’t have to control her diet anymore. She might as well start by trying every delicious thing she could find.
On the other side, Yangmo didn’t open her bread right away.
She stuffed her bread into her school bag, getting ready to head out.
Today wasn’t a weekend, and as a student, of course, she was leaving for School.
At the door, she said goodbye to Qianling.
“I’m going to School now. Qianling, can you watch the house for me?”
“Mm.”
Qianling nodded.
“There are other snacks in the fridge. If you want something to eat, just help yourself.”
“Okay.”
Qianling nodded again.
“Well then, see you!”
“Mm, I’ll be waiting.”
With that, the two of them waved at each other, and Yangmo left the house with a spring in her step.
Qianling watched Yangmo leave, standing at the door for a while. Then she muttered to herself, “No way I’m just going to stay home.”
First to the garden wall, then to the utility pole—Qianling leapt up easily, not even needing Iron Brambles, and the bread in her mouth didn’t fall once throughout the process.
Of course, to avoid drawing attention, she’d already activated Stealth Magic.
“Alright then, let’s try hunting a Bad Demon first.”
And so, her day began.
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