A few days later, one morning in Miss L’s office.
“Xiaoxi, although Miss Su Ying has nothing to do with the monster attack case, the black market merchant who came to her doorstep trying to sell a Magic Device is a highly suspicious lead.”
Xiaoxi frowned. “The Underground Black Market in Summersea City still exists? I thought the Association would have cleaned it up after the Great Chaos Era.”
“Xiaoxi, it’s not that simple. You know the Underground Black Market in Summersea City appeared during the Great Chaos Era. Even now, its roots are tangled and hard to eradicate. The Association’s strategy is more about containment than outright elimination.”
Xiaoxi was silent.
“Anyway, the Association will send people to investigate the Black Market. For now, you and Xingge don’t have to follow up on this case. You should take a break.”
Xiaoxi didn’t respond and just stared at Miss L.
“What’s wrong, Xiaoxi? Why are you staring at me like that? Is something on your mind?”
Xiaoxi finally lost it and raised her fists in a stance ready to take down a tough opponent, glaring at Miss L.
“Don’t call me by my real name anymore! You’re addicted to it, aren’t you?”
Being chased around by Miss L calling her real name felt strange— more embarrassing than being called out online by a stranger.
“It’s not my fault, Ah Xing,” Miss L said with a smile and swiftly dodged an imaginary punch. “You’re just too mysterious. I finally learned your real name, so I have to say it a few more times to savor it.”
“But don’t worry, I only boxed out your name and appearance. I haven’t dug into your other personal information.”
“I have principles, okay? Unlike Xingge who’s so hot-tempered that she’d recklessly box others if she got angry.”
Before Xiaoxi could respond, a knock came from outside. Miss L gave Xiaoxi a meaningful glance and straightened up immediately.
“Come in.”
Muxingge entered the office and happened to see Sirius lowering her head, getting scolded.
“Formatting mistakes in your mission report? Such basic errors are unacceptable. Rewrite it and submit it to me this afternoon!”
Miss L’s tone was stern. The two of them instantly changed expressions, no more joking around.
“What’s wrong, Xingge?”
“Nothing… I’m here to find Sirius.”
Muxingge shook her head. Sometimes Miss L could be really harsh with subordinates.
“Well, the Magic Girl Squad gave our team a short break, right? I happen to have a few Stage Play Tickets. Do you and Xiaohongmao want to go see the play during the break?”
Muxingge smiled brightly, trying to maintain good relations with both of them. Being friendly alone wasn’t enough; a little bribe never hurt.
“Uh…” Xiaoxi avoided Muxingge’s friendly smile. “I’ll pass. I’m not really interested in stage plays.”
Xiaoxi thought refusing Muxingge would end the matter, but that night while writing, Xiao Keke sent her a message.
“Big sis, are you free tomorrow night? I have some Stage Play Tickets. Let’s go watch it with Sister Xinglan.”
“[Cat peeking emoji]”
Of course, since Muxingge asked Xiaoxi about tickets, she must have intended to invite Xiaohongmao too.
Xiaoxi mainly declined because she didn’t want to get too entangled with her old teammates. But if her sister invited her… maybe she could go?
Besides, Xiao Keke had been in Summersea City for a while, and Xiaoxi realized she hadn’t really spent quality time with her little sister. She was a bit negligent as a sister.
“Wait a moment, I’ll ask Sister Xinglan.”
Xiaoxi wanted to check if Ye Xinglan was free the next evening. But upon entering the room and seeing Ye Xinglan focused on her game, Xiaoxi thought the question was unnecessary.
The little rich girl spent every night gaming—how could she not have time?
“Xinglan, Keke invited us to see a stage play tomorrow.”
“Oh, I don’t mind,” Ye Xinglan said without taking her eyes off the screen. “If you go, I’ll go.”
So the next evening, the three met at the theater entrance—
Ye Xinglan stared at the promotional board by the entrance, her features twisting into a grimace.
“Why this kind of stage play?”
The sign boldly read, “Eternal Star vs Blood Moon Witch, the strongest Magic Girl’s firsthand experience adaptation!” “Strike evil, the Righteous Magic Girl never compromises!”
Ye Xinglan was immediately displeased. Damn, I’m wasting time watching a play about how Eternal Star completely beat me up, huh?
Xiaoxi assumed Ye Xinglan disliked seeing a stage play about Eternal Star. Come to think of it, it was strange that Xiaoxi hadn’t asked Xiao Keke about the play’s content beforehand.
“Ha ha, we’re here already. Let’s just watch it.”
Xiaoxi comforted her by putting an arm around Ye Xinglan’s shoulders, who reluctantly followed the crowd inside.
Suddenly, Ye Xinglan’s steps paused as an uncomfortable feeling spread through her body. She instinctively glanced back, catching a flash of a tattoo.
It was an arm covered in thorns and flowers. Ye Xinglan only glimpsed it once before the person disappeared into the crowd.
“What’s wrong, Xinglan?”
“Nothing. Just felt like someone was watching me… Never mind, let’s go in!”
Although Ye Xinglan was unwilling, the Eternal Star-themed play was quite popular. Many people came, making entry slow.
But after the three entered, things improved since Xiao Keke had the best VIP Zone tickets. The VIP passage was noticeably less crowded.
The theater staff handed each of them a Paper Wristband as a VIP area pass. If they left temporarily for the restroom, they could re-enter the VIP Zone with it.
Soon, they understood why VIP treatment was special: their seats were in the highest private box, with no strangers beside them and an unobstructed view.
“Keke, these tickets must be expensive,” Ye Xinglan said, looking at the stage from the box. “This is too generous. Should I transfer the ticket money to you?”
“No, no,” Xiao Keke quickly waved her hand. “These tickets weren’t bought by me. They’re… part of our school’s New Student Benefit.”
“Your school’s New Student Benefit is this good?”
Xiao Keke could only laugh awkwardly. Xiaoxi glanced at her sister but didn’t expose the lie.
Naturally, the tickets given by Muxingge were the best. Not to mention, Muxingge herself wasn’t short of money.
As a well-known idol, she was familiar with people in the same circle, so getting VIP tickets to the theater was just a matter of a word.
[Translator’s Note: Xiaohongmao is used as the Chinese term of Red Riding Hood]