Chapter 18: Work Finalized

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“No wonder, that kid I hired said you didn’t scan the code and just paid with a bank card. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that.”

After calming down, Wenya Quan said thoughtfully.

“Don’t say anymore, don’t say anymore.”

Jiang Lingwei quickly gave a French Military Salute in surrender. “Right now, I feel like an ancient person who traveled to the modern world. Everywhere I look, there are amazing things I don’t understand.”

“By the way, why did you come over here? Could it be that you sensed Cloud Glow’s Magic Power?”

“Nothing so mystical. Magic Power sensing isn’t all-powerful. I came here looking for a job, of course.”

She directly took off the paper note from her head and waved her hand. “I’m not playing chess anymore. I’ll practice more first.”

“I came here thinking this shop might be hiring, so I wanted to ask. But as soon as I arrived, I saw the sign for Yao Guang Café. So, my original plan was completely thrown out.”

“Hmph hmph hmph, that’s because you didn’t pay attention. I put up Yao Guang Café signs all along this whole shopping street, just thinking—just in case—what if you guys came back?”

Wenya Quan’s sneaky hand pressed down on Jiang Lingwei’s head again. “If you ask me, why bother finding a job? That guy left you plenty of money. Use it with peace of mind, and then figure out a way to kill him later.”

“I won’t.”

Even though she had already undone her Transformation, Jiang Lingwei still showed Master of Wing Chun-level dodging skills, shaking her head and avoiding Wenya Quan’s big hands.

“I’m not his daughter. I’m not going to use his money. I have no reason to.”

“You already had his kid! And what if—just what if?”

Wenya Quan’s expression grew strange. “What if you actually had mutual feelings? You just don’t remember, it’s not like you were boiled in water. Who knows what happened in between?”

“Maybe he even sent you to the Healing Institute and left you a lot of money. Maybe he really is your true love?”

“Absolutely impossible!”

Jiang Lingwei slammed the table. “Spring Sister, there are things you don’t understand. Anyway, nothing like that will ever happen to me!”

“Sigh.” Wenya Quan shook her head. “Alright, alright, I won’t mention that. As for the money, it’s originally yours, so just use it. It’s good to have money to spend. You’re still so honest.”

“No! Absolutely not!”

“Then give me the coffee money.”

“Ahem ahem ahem…” Jiang Lingwei coughed nonstop, suddenly remembering she had already spent the money of her unknown husband.

She said awkwardly, “Uh… I mean, if I can avoid it, I will—hey!”

“Hahaha! Got it!”

Seizing the opportunity, Wenya Quan suddenly grabbed Jiang Lingwei’s head and started rubbing vigorously. “A brain in your twenties feels so different.”

“Ha!”

(fluffing hair) (blowing air) (shaking head)

“Damn it!”

After fixing her messy hair, Jiang Lingwei gritted her teeth. “I don’t believe I won’t find a suitable job.”

“Mm-hmm!”

Wenya Quan waved a recruitment poster in front of Jiang Lingwei. “Why don’t you keep working part-time at the café?”

“Anyway, it’s that kind of place. I’m confident I can make money. If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll go to a construction site and carry bricks! Carrying bricks can also make a living.”

“Hey~” Wenya Quan waved the poster. “Carrying bricks is so unladylike.”

“You’re the last one who should talk about being ladylike.” (expressionless)

“Don’t say that~”

“Alright, alright.”

Wenya Quan already stuck the poster on Jiang Lingwei’s face. Jiang Lingwei couldn’t pretend not to see it and reluctantly took it off. “When was this posted?”

“Just recently. I’m recruiting a Kanban Girl.”

Thinking about Jiang Lingwei’s personality, Wenya Quan hurriedly added, “It’s not like I only brought it out because you came. I’ve been recruiting for a while but haven’t found anyone suitable.”

“But I’m that ‘not suitable’ person.”

Jiang Lingwei looked down and glanced at her pale décolletage. “Generally speaking, a Kanban Girl should be the cute type, right?”

“Just use your Transformation form and change your hair color with magic, isn’t that enough? As for the health certificate and stuff, I’ll handle it for you.”

Wenya Quan held up two fingers:

“I can even pay you double wages. I’m good to you, right~”

“It’s not about the money. It really won’t work, you know…”

Jiang Lingwei touched the necklace around her neck. She had just told Wenya Quan that her Magic Core was damaged. She wasn’t a fully-fledged magical girl who could maintain the Magic Power cycle by herself, endlessly and steadily, without increasing the effort to sustain her state.

For her now, even without using the powers of her Ling Yi and Magic Gear, just standing there for a while would completely exhaust her Magic Power.

If she were to undo her Transformation in front of customers and reveal that she’s a magical girl, it wouldn’t be something a loud “humming ahh ahh” could cover up.

“I have a solution for that.”

Wenya Quan patted her chest, looking like a female bandit. “Just tell me if you can do this job.”

Jiang Lingwei hesitated.

“If it really can’t be done, can I just work half a day?”

“So you agree?”

“You’re a piece of work. I was mentally prepared, but now I’m not so sure anymore.”

Time had only changed Wenya Quan’s appearance from a chūnibyō young woman to a middle-aged, still chūnibyō beauty, but it hadn’t changed her essence.

When she wanted to drag Jiang Lingwei to test all sorts of machines before, her expression was exactly like this, eyes squinted, mouth curved slyly. Jiang Lingwei almost imagined a fox tail flicking behind her.

“Wuu wuu wuu…”

Hearing Jiang Lingwei, Wenya Quan put her hands over her eyes, shaking them as if fake crying. “Extreme Light, you’ve changed. For you, it’s just been a few days since we last met. You already have a kid, and you don’t even trust your Spring Sister anymore… Wuu wuu wuu~ For heaven’s sake, when did I ever hurt you?”

“Well… you didn’t.”

Jiang Lingwei wasn’t buying Wenya Quan’s fake tears anymore. She no longer saw her as a woman.

Hearing she got married was like hearing a brother suddenly changed gender and gave birth to a kid—magical.

But Wenya Quan was right, in a way.

Though she seemed unreliable, she really hadn’t hurt Jiang Lingwei.

So Jiang Lingwei hesitated and said, “Alright then… thanks.”

“That’s more like it. Besides, I really need a trustworthy Kanban Girl. After my careful market analysis, the current customers just eat this stuff up.”

Wenya Quan chuckled. “You don’t even have to change your hair. Pink’s fine. Then I’ll put up some anime posters and hold regular events on the shopping street to rake in the otaku money. You don’t know, it’s not like before. Nowadays, the main crowd at anime conventions is more like social butterflies who love anime. They have money to burn, and the real otaku are willing to spend tons too.”

Wenya Quan counted on her fingers. “I’ll even open a few online shops. The true otaku won’t be able to escape.”

“Oh, you’re so evil.”

Jiang Lingwei found it disgraceful. “Please spare our otaku! You were the one who suggested we draw magical girl comics for funding before, and now this. You’re just milking the otaku life for all it’s worth.”

“If it works, I’ll give you a commission with no ceiling.”

“Boss, when do I start?”

“Not so fast~”

She stood up, took out a pot of stewed meat from the kitchen, then a plate of cold dishes from the fridge, skillfully set the tableware, and turned on the TV. Her eyes softened a little.

“Now, you can enjoy a glimpse of the future life here with me.”

“What’s so good about enjoying it… I don’t understand any of this.”

Jiang Lingwei didn’t notice the expression on her face and quietly watched the TV images, clearer than she remembered.

“Many shows have updated, like Reborn! already has a second season.”

“Really?! What about Hyouka?”

“That has a second season too.”

“Wow! And Highschool of the Dead?”

“Uh… that one, that one hasn’t. The author passed away.”

“Eh….”

---

“What’s Mom doing right now?”

Sitting on her chair, Jiang Yao watched the teacher scribbling on the blackboard, feeling a bit bored.

She threw her blank notebook aside and leaned on the desk.

She had already previewed all this material; it wasn’t difficult or interesting.

Even the teacher ignored her, which was even more boring.

Jiang Yao glanced to the right and whispered,

“Lin Yu, class is almost over. What do you want to eat in the cafeteria? How about the rotating hotpot?”

“….”

On the other side of the aisle, Lin Yu was seriously taking notes.

She grit her teeth, glanced back at Jiang Yao, and sent a silent message with her eyes:

(I’m trying to listen! Don’t talk to me! ٩(๑`ȏ´๑)۶)

(Okay okay, I’ll eat something else then.)

(… I never said I wouldn’t eat.)