Chapter 37 (4/4): The End

Lin Guanqi was stumped.

【I’m joking—but I won’t help anymore. If I do, I’ll be erased.】

“Okay, system, you worked hard—happy now?”

“How insincere! Is that the best you can do?”

If the system weren’t an ai, it’d say that out loud.

Baizhi appeared, without Bai Ningbing.

She must have something to say privately.

“You’re not here just to reminisce, are you?”

“You’re smart—I’m not here for that. Do you know your own condition?”

Her own condition?

Since the system returned, she felt fine.

“I know—I’m healthy as can be, why?”

“You don’t understand the seriousness. Your body is full of scars—basically, it’s like you have cancer.”

Cancer—what was that?

So without the system, she was like a cancer patient?

But now the system was back—could she still have cancer?

“Bai Ningbing didn’t tell you because she didn’t want you burdened. But I think you deserve to know.”

Baizhi looked like she was delivering a final message.

“Oh, you misunderstood. My earlier state was just from overusing energy—now I’m fine. If you don’t believe it, test me again.”

She patted her chest.

Baizhi believed her.

Was it really her own mistake? Lately, her research hadn’t gone well. Too strange.

But since it was said, she’d retest.

“So, I’m not sure if you’re telling the truth or just comforting yourself—but since you insist, I’ll check again.”

“Don’t worry—I’m not just reassuring myself. Wait for the report—it’ll be fine!”

With doubts in her heart, Baizhi retested her.

This time, the result surprised her.

“It’s odd—just a moment ago, your state was poor, now it’s fine. Did you find a new support source?”

Support source—what’s that?

Probably meant the system—it was her lifeline.

“No, not really. I’m the same as always—just overdid it, so it shut down to recover.”

Who knew if this lie would be believed—but Baizhi did. Miracles were always possible, after all.

“I didn’t believe it at first—too sci-fi. But it happened to you. I’m surprised. Are you sure your body won’t relapse?”

“I can’t guarantee it, but if it happens again, it’s just a matter of time. Don’t worry too much.”

Now Bai Ningbing needn’t worry; Lin Guanqi knew Baizhi’s visit was for her sister’s sake.

“Are you reassured now? I told you, I’m the world’s savior—haven’t even enjoyed being a hero yet. Still stuck in the hospital—when can I get out?”

Baizhi couldn’t help laughing.

After the battle, everyone had insisted she stay in the hospital. But clearly, she was energetic—she didn’t need to stay.

“Alright, you can be discharged today—you don’t need to occupy a bed.”

“So I’m a burden now? Please—you all made me stay!”

Their bickering showed she was well enough.

“Fine, I’ll handle your discharge later.”

After so long, she finally breathed fresh air. An hour after discharge, Bai Ningbing arrived, following the scent.

“You’re discharged? How could you let her mess around? What if she collapses after leaving?”

Bai Ningbing was nagging like a mom.

But she really was fine—how to convince her?

“Your sister tested me again—I’m really fine!”

She was almost suffocated by all this love.

No matter what she said, they didn’t believe her—what else could she do?

“Even if you’re recovered, you have to stay in bed for a month—to fully recover. If you relapse, what will you do?”

Bai Ningbing’s care was smothering, but warm.

“Alright, I’m fine! And I was going stir-crazy in the hospital. Let’s drop it, please?”

Oops—Bai Ningbing’s weakness was cuteness, so this move was bound to work.

“Sigh, I can’t help you. But you’re sure it’s not just a last burst of energy?”

“Definitely not—if it were, I wouldn’t be lively for days!”

Good point.

“Fine, let’s go. But I’m not taking you traveling again—your sick leave may be long and doesn’t cost credits, but you need to rest.”

Darn it, she’d gotten out early just to go out—now her escape route was cut off.

No way—since she was out, she wasn’t staying put.

“I want to go out! I got discharged early—you should take me out for fun. I don’t need more rest!”

Bai Ningbing didn’t look angry, but inside, she was.

“Letting you out early was my bottom line, but you want to play?”

“I’m telling you—I won’t allow it!”

Seeing Bai Ningbing so firm, Lin Guanqi dropped the subject.

“Fine, fine. So fierce—what if I ignore you from now on? Maybe I’ll give you the silent treatment for a few days…”

That made Bai Ningbing panic.

“You know I’m doing this for you—your body’s just recovered; you can’t run around!”

Lin Guanqi understood, but couldn’t stand being cooped up.

It was in her nature to wander; staying home wasn’t her thing.

“If you think about it, going out will lift my mood. Staying in may help my body, but my spirit will suffer. You don’t want me unhappy, right? If I get bored, I’ll just go drive.”

Drive?!

No way!

“Er, drive? That’s not allowed!”

“Then let’s just go have fun!”

—

XXXX: “So, you failed, and the Corrosive Beast was heavily injured?”

Zhong Siyi admitted it, with no excuses—what’s wrong is wrong.

“Yes. Lin Guanqi’s sudden power surge seriously wounded it.”

But XXXX didn’t blame Zhong Siyi; puppets like him, especially those who could cross worlds, were rare.

Killing Zhong Siyi was a waste—the beasts could be mass-produced, but not dolls like him.

Even a hundred high-level beasts couldn’t make another Zhong Siyi.

XXXX: “Fine, since there was an accident, I won’t pursue it, but you still have to pay.”

XXXX: “I need you to do something. If you complete it, I’ll let it go—everyone makes mistakes, even you.”

Zhong Siyi knew the task would be harsh, maybe even cost him his life—but he was a creation. He had to obey.

So he agreed.

“I am your creation; anything you command, I’ll do.”

“But I’m grateful you gave me a chance.”

XXXX: “Chances are earned, not given. I believe you’ll give me a satisfactory result.”

He still didn’t know what the task was, but it wouldn’t be easy.

XXXX: “Since you said the beast was destroyed by a girl, I want you to win her over. Bring her to our side. Is that too hard?”

Not too hard? Was this a joke? Could a magical girl really betray the light?

Though he’d never shown his face.

He’d only appeared for an instant, face hidden—she wouldn’t recognize him.

But completing this mission…

Seemed almost impossible.

“I’ll do my best, but I can’t guarantee 100%—she’s a magical girl. You think she’ll join the beasts?”

XXXX: “If she falls for you, and you reveal yourself, wouldn’t she follow?”

So that was the plan—to win her heart.

Unbelievable coming from XXXX.

But he had no choice.

So-called conditions were just for show.

“If you keep failing, what use are you?”

—

“Achoo! Why do I feel like someone’s talking about me?”

Lin Guanqi and Bai Ningbing were enjoying themselves—this time at a seaside resort. Last time, she’d missed out on the water because of her period; this time, she chose a country by the sea.

“You sure know how to live.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? The sun’s so hot here—can’t I play by the sea?”

Well, if that’s what she wanted…

Bai Ningbing was already in her swimsuit.

She teased, but changed into swimwear herself—so much for complaining.

Lin Guanqi grinned.

Her turn to change—she was confident about her figure. Not model-standard, but still a good shape.

“How’s this? Isn’t my swimsuit cute?”

She showed off for Bai Ningbing.

Bai Ningbing was stunned—her figure suited it perfectly, but instead of sexy, she looked adorable.

“Beautiful—absolutely beautiful.”

Their outstanding looks drew male and female attention alike. Both had great figures—especially Bai Ningbing’s perfect proportions. Lin Guanqi couldn’t compete, but her face was stunning.

“I think I’ve seen a fairy—have fairies come to earth? I just saw one!”

“Did I just see a goddess? Have they come to experience life? Did my wish for a girlfriend come true?”

“Come on, brother, you think giving two oranges to a goddess will earn you two beautiful girlfriends? Are you crazy or am I?”

“Hey, maybe the goddess likes oranges?”

The two felt awkward under the stares, but they’d had worse in their country—like when working at the café.

“If you’re uncomfortable, we can leave the beach.”

Bai Ningbing was perceptive.

But Lin Guanqi disagreed—if she ran now, she’d always run. Better to use this chance to overcome her issues.

Magical girls were always in the spotlight—at home, abroad, everywhere.

“If I run from everything, I’ll never accept myself. I want to use this opportunity to train.”

Hearing that, Bai Ningbing didn’t stop her.

“Alright, let’s go play in the sea.”

“Great—let’s go!”

The sea, the blazing sun—perfect. If only there were a Coke, it’d be perfect.

“I bet you’re wishing for a Coke now, right?”

Then, somehow, Bai Ningbing pulled out two bottles of Coke.

How odd—she hadn’t brought any earlier.

Meanwhile—

“Strange, honey, have you seen my Coke? Where’d it go?”

“Nope—you always had it with you, right?”

Well, now they knew whose it was—drinking someone else’s Coke always tasted better.

“You should pay for it—or I’ll feel guilty.”

What did Lin Guanqi take Bai Ningbing for?

Of course she’d pay—she wasn’t the freeloading type.

“Of course I paid—what kind of person do you think I am? If I couldn’t afford two Cokes, how could I be your partner?”

Bai Ningbing was generous—she paid two thousand for two Cokes, a thousand per bottle. Anyone would take that trade.

“I didn’t pay cheap—if they find out, they’ll be thrilled.”

Suddenly, excitement erupted behind them.

“Wow, I lost my Cokes, but I got two thousand and a note saying, ‘I took two of your Cokes, so here’s two thousand.’”

Lin Guanqi thought that was insane.

Was that how rich people spent?

A thousand per Coke—even the manufacturer would be delighted.

“I know you’re rich, but you can’t be so extravagant.”

Bai Ningbing didn’t mind—money meant nothing to her, as long as Lin Guanqi was happy.

Money comes and goes.

Love is irreplaceable.

To Bai Ningbing, feelings mattered most.

Money could be made, but love only had one person.

“Remember—money isn’t that important to me. Only you are. Don’t think I’m wasteful—maybe my love for you is too light?”

“Actually, I don’t feel that way.”

“I don’t know what makes you think that. I feel liking someone isn’t about spending money—you can tell from behavior.”

“Maybe—but for me, if I like someone, I’ll spend on them. Didn’t all those short videos say, ‘no material, no love’?”

Maybe that’s true for most, but for many, like girls helping their boyfriends deliver food, that’s still love and happiness. Not everyone can be rich—if love depended on money, it’d just be material.

“Maybe you rich kids can’t understand, but what I’m saying is what many experience.”

“They can’t choose their birth or talent, so their love is simple, but they’re happy.”

Maybe Bai Ningbing wouldn’t get it—Lin Guanqi thought so—but in fact, she did.

“I might not fully understand, but I’ll try—because I like you, that’s what I should do.”

“If you don’t feel safe, I’ll even give up my fortune, just for you.”

Give up everything? Better not—what’s the point of abandoning such wealth to “experience life”?

“You don’t need to. I’m happy as I am—you always give me the best, care for me, and are never with anyone else.”

“You make me feel secure, while I haven’t given you much. Honestly, I think I’m the one who should change. You’re perfect—even more attentive than a boyfriend.”

Wait—why say “boyfriend”? Had she dated one? No way—she was straight! She must be crazy. Maybe being a girl had changed her thinking.

Yes, that must be it. Not because she’d dated a man.

Bai Ningbing was touched.

“Enough—let’s stop. We’re here to play, not talk about heavy stuff.”

With that, she splashed a handful of seawater at Lin Guanqi.

“How’s that? I’m great at water fights!”

Lin Guanqi wasn’t about to take it lying down. She pretended to surrender while secretly prepping a big move.

From behind, she whipped out a water gun and bucket.

She quietly filled both with seawater—Bai Ningbing didn’t notice.

“Wuwu, you’re bullying me…”

Bai Ningbing was about to apologize, but didn’t expect this.

Suddenly, a bucketful of water poured over her head. She’d fallen for the trick!

“Fine, Jiaojiao’s learned to plot—come on, take this!”