After saying goodbye to the others, the laziness on Xia Yu’s face vanished. With a serious expression, she dialed a number.
“Hello, miss. What can I do for you?”
“Check Vivi’s file for me.”
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before the person asked, “That’s all?”
It was a little awkward, but not a big deal. After thinking for a moment, Xia Yu opened her photo gallery.
When Vivi had come to work before, she had secretly taken a few photos. Now they were finally useful.
“I’ve sent you the photos. Her name is Vivi. Help me look into her.”
“Understood, miss.”
It was handled cleanly. Xia Yu let out a quiet breath. Now all that was left was to wait.
It would probably take quite a while. After all, aside from a name and some photos, she knew nothing else about Vivi.
At most, she knew that Vivi was currently an orphan. Thinking of this, she sent another message to that account.
“Both parents deceased. Most likely fifteen years old.”
***
Medication.
Another boring day. Vivi leaned back against the rear seat, gazing at the scenery outside the window.
Mild schizophrenia. That did match her experiences during this period.
She rubbed her temples, always feeling that Dr. Xu had seen through something, yet had not pointed it out directly.
‘Forget it. I probably won’t see her again anyway. It doesn’t matter.’
As she was thinking this, she heard voices from the front.
“Wu Menghan, how were your results?”
“Um… they’re okay, I guess…”
Looking at the report in her hand, Wu Menghan felt a bit embarrassed to say more.
Still, she had clearly realized her current problems. Dr. Xu told her that the symptoms were relatively mild for now and prescribed her a small amount of sedatives.
Originally, she wanted to pay, but Xia Yu stopped her, which made her feel quite apologetic.
‘Hmm… maybe I could work part-time at that lakeside road coffee shop in the future. I could earn money to pay it back and also see Vivi in a maid outfit.’
Two birds with one stone.
Wu Menghan felt this plan was highly feasible. The only question was whether Xia Yu would agree.
After all, she was still in high school, and her schedule was not very flexible. Many bosses did not like hiring people who worked so irregularly.
‘But… if it’s Xia Yu, she probably wouldn’t mind.’
Soon, the car stopped downstairs in the old residential district. Looking at the familiar old buildings, Vivi felt a wave of nostalgia.
‘If only that damn slime didn’t exist.’
As she was thinking this, Wu Menghan had already gotten out of the car. Only then did Xia Xiaoling turn around to look at Vivi.
“I’ll take you for a walk?”
“Huh… where?”
Vivi was a little confused. The plan did not mention going for a drive.
“Oh, just wandering around. We can buy a few things on the way.”
‘Oh, I get it. Shopping.’
Vivi was not too keen on the idea. Shopping with girls was exhausting. She had often accompanied Wu Menghan before and knew that very well.
But it did not feel right to refuse. After all, they had helped her so much. After thinking it over, she nodded.
“Alright, just don’t stay out too late.”
“Mm, don’t worry.”
Xia Xiaoling put on her tinted sunglasses and floored the accelerator. The car shot out like an arrow, arriving at the most bustling commercial street in the old town, Station Front Street.
When they got out of the car, Vivi’s legs were trembling. Xia Xiaoling’s driving just now had been terrifying.
Driving that fast in the city—only she could pull that off.
Following Xia Xiaoling into the mall, Vivi was dazzled by the wide array of goods.
Although she used to come here often, now that she had become a loli, the place felt huge.
Feeling curious, she ran over to a standee from an anime display. She was not even half as tall as it.
She pouted, very dissatisfied with her current height.
‘I really don’t know how that slime girl’s brain works, liking a short little runt like this.’
“Hm? Vivi, do you want to buy toys?”
“Uh… cough, no, I don’t…”
Vivi blushed. She really did want to go in and look, but she was already an adult. Going into a place like that would be…
Eh?
Xia Xiaoling walked inside. Seeing that Vivi did not follow, she turned back.
“Come on, come in and take a look.”
Her voice was like a devil’s whisper, luring Vivi forward.
Vivi swallowed, her feet refusing to move.
“Hurry up. There are lots of people here. I won’t be able to see you later.”
“Cough, Sister Xia, I’m not a child anymore.”
“What are you talking about? Aren’t you a child right now?”
‘Huh? Oh! That’s right, I’m a loli now…’
Then… just one look. Just one look.
Xia Xiaoling glanced at Vivi with some disdain. She was moving too slowly, and with so many people around, someone her height could easily get lost.
‘Sigh, forget it. Vivi is as light as a balloon anyway. I’ll just pick her up.’
“Eh! Hey—Sister Xia, put me down!”
Xia Xiaoling ignored Vivi’s protests and easily carried her into the shop.
People around them were startled by the sight. Carrying such a big child inside like that was something they had never seen before.
Soon, they were captivated by Vivi’s cute appearance. Especially a few girls who were looking at loli figures—when they saw Vivi, they all froze.
“Who broke the dimensional wall?”
“Damn, I want to go touch her.”
“Me too!”
Countless gazes focused on Vivi. She swallowed, feeling that she was in danger.
She struggled, trying to escape Xia Xiaoling’s arms, but the hold was too tight. There was no chance at all.
“Sis… sister, let me down. I… I’m scared…”
Her face was red to the extreme. Unable to resist, she could only resort to this embarrassing plea.
Xia Xiaoling glanced at the small crowd gathering around and smiled helplessly.
“What are you shy about? Look how popular you are.”
“Sister, can I touch her?”
“You’ll have to ask her first~”
Xia Xiaoling looked at Vivi and blinked, clearly urging her to agree.
Before Vivi could answer, Xia Xiaoling continued, “She agreed.”
The two girls stepped forward, bold and straightforward.
At that point, Vivi completely shut down.
She wanted to lower her head so no one could see her face, but right below was Xia Xiaoling’s impressive figure.
She did not know where to look. Everything felt inappropriate, and she was so anxious that tears were almost coming out.
Seeing her adorable reaction, the girls around her all laughed.
“Stop staring at me! Aren’t you buying anything, damn it!”
One girl thought seriously for a moment, then said, “These merch items aren’t as cute as you.”
Xia Xiaoling looked at the figures and dolls around them and nodded in agreement.
“Mm. None of them are as cute as my Vivi.”
Vivi’s brain crashed. She gave up on thinking altogether.