"Master, in this second life, Lixue... wants to be your rebellious disciple, no, I want to stay with you always and never be separated again."
Her voice trembled, as if it had taken great courage to say those words.
-------------------------------------
Looking at her like a little animal afraid of being abandoned, Fu Hua was slightly moved, her eyes faintly red. She gently pressed her forehead against Cheng Lixue's and said softly,
"Lixue, I promise you."
Everyone watching this warm scene showed gentle smiles.
Fu Shi stood to the side with one hand on her hip, watching Fu Hua and Cheng Lixue, the corner of her mouth lifting into a teasing smile, "Ehh~ So cheesy. Enough with the sentimental talk already."
Fu Lin smiled and nodded, also cutting off the sentimental moment as he said,
"I'll take good care of the Dragon Balls. Let's go back and enjoy a hearty meal to celebrate the resurrection of Miss Kallen, Mother-in-law, and Lixue. Then we can give a brief explanation of what happened after the Second Eruption."
Kiana's eyes lit up at the mention of food. She jumped up excitedly like a child, held Cecilia's hand, and said happily, "Exactly! Mom, I'm telling you, Mei's cooking is super delicious, you're going to love it!"
Cecilia looked at Kiana in slight confusion and asked, "Mei?"
Mei walked forward nervously, her hands awkwardly clasped in front of her, and stammered, "G-Good day, Ma'am. My name is Raiden Mei. I'm… Kiana's friend."
Kiana immediately retorted, "Not just a friend, she's-"
Halfway through, Kiana got stuck. A blush rose on her cheeks as she shyly looked at Cecilia, unable to finish the sentence.
Cecilia's gentle gaze fell on Mei as she observed the slightly nervous girl. She blinked, the corners of her lips lifting into a soft smile as she said gently, "Hello, don't be nervous. Kiana said your cooking is really good, I'll be sure to try it later."
Mei relaxed slightly upon hearing Cecilia's words, nodded seriously, and replied, "No problem."
At the end of the group, Kallen and Yae Sakura walked hand in hand like a loving couple, quietly sharing their experiences after being apart, their faces full of happiness.
Otto stood alone nearby, gazing at Kallen's smiling face. He gently removed his hat. Despite the lingering bitterness in his heart, he still wished for her to be happy.
...
Along the way, Cheng Lixue tightly held Fu Hua's hand, as if letting go would make her master vanish into the air like smoke.
Her gaze kept falling on Fu Lin and Fu Shi, growing increasingly suspicious.
These two looked so much like her master, could there be some special connection between them?
Finally, Cheng Lixue couldn't help but ask, "What's your relationship with Master? Why do you look just like her?"
Fu Lin and Fu Shi exchanged glances, both smirking with a mischievous, unreadable smile.
They seemed to reach a silent understanding in that moment, and answered in unison, "Old antique is our mom!"
"Huh?" Cheng Lixue's mouth dropped open, her face full of disbelief.
She hadn't expected such an answer, it hit her like a bolt from the blue, leaving her utterly dumbfounded.
In the next second, a dull thud echoed.
Fu Lin appeared to be struck in the head by something, slowly clutching his head and squatting down in pain.
Standing before them, Fu Hua wore a blank expression as she held up a still-smoking fist.
Fu Lin endured the pain, clutching his head as he looked at Fu Shi, who had narrowly escaped unscathed, with clear dissatisfaction and resentment.
He looked up at Fu Hua and asked angrily, "Why only hit me?"
Fu Hua, holding her forehead, replied coldly from above, "Fu Shi was born from my body. You weren't, were you?"
Fu Lin was instantly speechless. He opened his mouth but couldn't refute her words.
At that moment, Cheng Lixue finally snapped out of her shock.
Hearing Fu Hua's words, her anger ignited. Her eyes widened with fury as she shouted, "Master, who defiled you? I'll tear him to pieces right now!"
However, before she could finish, Fu Lin muttered quietly, "It was the Honkai Will."
"???" Cheng Lixue felt like her brain had been struck by lightning and crashed again.
After Fu Hua gave a long and detailed explanation, Cheng Lixue gradually came to understand the full story.
Then, Fu Shi suddenly pointed at Cheng Lixue and teased, "Lixue, you better be really thankful I reminded the old antique. Who knows how long it would've taken for you to come back otherwise."
"Thank you, Master Fu Shi, for reminding Master. Lixue is eternally grateful."
Cheng Lixue smiled awkwardly, bowed to Fu Shi, and then asked, "Will Master still remember the past?"
Fu Shi raised her chin proudly and said matter-of-factly, "Of course she will. With me around, you don't need to worry."
Everyone then returned to Himeko's dormitory, gathering around the table in a joyful atmosphere.
Mei and Mei☆ busied themselves in the kitchen. Before long, they brought out dish after dish of delicious food and announced, "All the dishes are ready. Everyone, dig in."
At that moment, Fu Lin's gaze suddenly turned toward Kiana, who was already chewing on something, and said, "Someone's already been sneakily eating without any hesitation."
Kiana froze mid-chew, eyes wide, and retorted indignantly, "I only ate because I saw you stealing food first! Fu Lin, how dare you accuse me!"
Cecilia laughed softly at their banter and said gently, "Alright, alright, no more bickering. Eat as much as you want if you're hungry."
Kiana immediately picked up a piece of tasty meat and placed it in Cecilia's bowl, grinning as she said, "Mom, try this! It's really yummy!"
Fu Lin looked at this warm and lively scene, feeling deeply content.
However, amid the joyful atmosphere, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. He muttered to himself, "Why does it feel like I forgot something important?"
Kiana☆ seemed to sense it too. She looked at Fu Lin thoughtfully, then placed her favorite dish in his bowl and nodded, "I feel the same. It's like someone isn't here."
At that moment, a certain forgotten person stood alone in an empty room, looking around in confusion and shouting, "Kiana☆! Brother! Where are you guys? I'm so hungry!"
Bella, hearing the voice, excitedly dashed out of the kitchen holding freshly roasted, still steaming chicken wings and shouted, "My Queen! I made your favorite grilled wings!"
Fu Lin suddenly slapped his forehead, as if waking from a dream, and said, "Oops! We left Sirin all alone in the room!"
He quickly grabbed his phone, opened his chat with Sirin, and typed a message.
Meanwhile, Sirin, who was happily munching on chicken wings, heard her phone ding.
She glanced at it and saw it was a message from her brother. Her eyes lit up and a joyful smile spread across her face.
Without hesitation, she dropped the half-eaten chicken wing, opened a portal, and walked through it, shouting to Bella without looking back, "Bella, hold off on the wings, we're going to eat something else!"
Bella stood frozen, watching Sirin disappear, still holding the untouched chicken wings. She was completely petrified. "My Queen… I made those wings especially for you..."
Bella muttered, her voice full of disappointment and sorrow, as if you could hear her heart shatter.