Chapter 264: Staying the Night, Meow?

Wange Yue had grown up relying on her grandmother.

She had originally thought that no one would come to the funeral, but to her surprise, many people showed up that day.

Familiar neighbors from the neighborhood, acquaintances from the community church—all came.

There were also many people Wange Yue didn’t recognize; upon asking, she learned that her grandmother had privately helped many people during the Great Chaos Era.

Back then, Wange Yue was busy being a Magic Girl and hadn’t paid much attention to such matters.

Regardless of religion, her grandmother had always been a very kind person.

Seeing that so many people still remembered her grandmother, Wange Yue felt a little better.

“Wange, don’t be too sad.”

A trembling hand patted Wange Yue’s shoulder. It was the neighbor Apo. Wange Yue quickly supported her.

“Your grandmother was a good person, and so devout. The Lord has seen it all. She will surely go to heaven.”

“Yes, Grandma will go to heaven…”

It was merely a reflexive response, but after saying it, Wange Yue herself was stunned.

She instinctively recalled the bits and pieces of attending church activities with her grandmother in the past.

Yes, her grandmother was a very kind and devout person.

Although she herself did not believe in the existence of so-called gods, at this moment she couldn’t help but think, ‘If there really were gods in this world, then Grandma would surely be able to go to heaven, wouldn’t she?’

Thinking this, the sadness in Wange Yue’s heart was somewhat diluted, even though her reason told her that gods probably did not exist.

“Yes, Grandma will surely go to heaven.”

Wange Yue looked at the crowd that had come to attend the funeral.

Everyone bowed their heads to pray for her grandmother.

She suddenly understood—just as funerals are held for the living, religious faith is the same.

She had heard this saying before: the dead need no ceremonies, for death represents complete nothingness.

Funerals and tombstones are things for the living to place their thoughts and memories upon.

So perhaps religion is a psychological comfort for the living.

“So Wange doesn’t believe in the existence of gods; she just understood what gods mean to her, which is why she stayed with the Tianqi Church.”

The Minister took a deep drag of his cigarette, feeling the numbing sensation in his lungs.

“Yeah, a very gentle approach. I have to say, that’s just like Little Elegy—very much her style.”

“So do you understand?” Qiuli stared intently at the Minister. “Wange tolerated the church because she understood the importance of faith. She didn’t want the believers to be disappointed if the Tianqi Church’s true nature was exposed. But what about the church? They only exploit this and make even more excessive demands on Wange!”

“Now that Wange has been killed, shouldn’t the Association thoroughly investigate the church…”

“Hey—” The Minister blew smoke into Qiuli’s face. “You know I hate trouble. Don’t tell me this. Besides, it’s useless to talk to me. The higher-ups will consider how to negotiate with the church. This isn’t our concern, understand?”

Qiuli was clearly dissatisfied, but she dropped the topic.

“So what about Ling’er? How has she been lately?”

“You mean the Silverflame Dragon Princess? As a Guardian, her credibility is certainly higher than yours, a Monster. After the interrogation the day before yesterday, she was allowed to go back, but you’ll probably have to stay here for a few more days. After all, you’re the last person to have seen Little Elegy after the Silverflame Dragon Princess. Right now, you’re the prime suspect.”

“What, are you dissatisfied with the Association’s differential treatment?”

Qiuli shook her head calmly.

“No, I was just asking out of concern as a friend. As long as Ling’er is fine… that’s good.”

After the Minister asked a few more supplementary questions, the interrogation ended.

Xiaoxi frowned. Last time they met, Qiuli had said she didn’t know much about the church and Wange Yue, but Xiaoxi felt that Qiuli seemed to have vaguely guessed something and just wasn’t saying it.

“Xiaoxi, Xiaoxi~ Sweet Xin said she’s already bought her ticket. She’ll arrive in North Blossom City tomorrow at noon.”

“That fast? I understand.”

The sound of knocking interrupted Xiaoxi’s thoughts. She looked up and responded.

Given Da Tianxin’s impatient nature, it was typical for her to rush over to play.

But come to think of it, if Sweet Xin was going to stay at their home for a while…

The next day at noon, Xiaoxi seriously called Ye Xinglan into the bedroom for a guardian talk.

“Xinglan, since this is the first time an outsider is staying at our home, I think we need to set some ground rules in advance.”

“First, tone down your daily habits. Don’t expose tentacles or other things in front of Sweet Xin. Second, don’t casually bring up matters related to the Association. And…”

Ye Xinglan let out a big yawn, barely managing to keep these words from going in one ear and out the other.

She wasn’t a child anymore, so why did she still need to be told these things? Honestly.

“Finally, and most importantly—”

Xiaoxi pointed seriously at the big bed in the bedroom behind her, then crossed her arms in front of her chest to form a big X.

“Eh—” Ye Xinglan immediately let out a dissatisfied voice. “Why? What does that have to do with having a guest over…”

“What do you think? She’s staying in the second bedroom right across from us! With an outsider around, we definitely need to be more restrained! And also, normally be careful not to get handsy with me at home like before! Do you hear me!”

Ye Xinglan didn’t say a word, slumping down like a slime that had lost all its strength.

Before Xiaoxi could emphasize it a few more times, the doorbell rang outside.

“Remember this well, got it… Coming!”

After opening the door, a lively pink blob carrying two large suitcases rushed in, patting Xiaoxi’s back cheerfully.

“Long time no see, Xiaoxi!”

“Long time no see, Sweet Xin… You came really fast. I thought Xinglan and I would go pick you up at the station.”

“Hehe, no need, no need. Since I’m imposing on you for lodging, it wouldn’t be good to trouble you to pick me up~”

Da Tianxin was as cheerful as ever. After hugging Xiaoxi and jumping around for a while, she seemed to remember something and hurriedly pulled something out of her bag.

“Oh right, this, this is a little gift that Store Manager Su asked me to bring. We baked these cookies together~… Ah, Xinglan! I missed you so much, wah!”

It seemed Ye Xinglan had come out of the bedroom. Da Tianxin’s eyes lit up and she bounced over to pounce on her.

Xiaoxi smiled quietly. That pink-haired ball was as lively as ever…

But then she heard a wail from behind her.

“You’re finally here, Sweet Xin,” Ye Xinglan said with a kind smile. “I’ve been waiting for you for so long~”