Chapter 317

One hundred and twenty-six pages

[November 30 / Saturday / 9:50 AM]

[Inside the Spatial Jewel]

Today was the last day of November, and with the monthly targets met, it was supposed to be a rare day for relaxation. However, due to AJ’s call last night, I had to arrange my morning time to meet her needs.

Although I still didn’t know why AJ wanted to meet me today.

I also needed to pick up Sister Zǐ since she was present when AJ called, insisting on coming to help.

The morning sunlight slanted through the glass dome of the jewel, casting a radiant golden glow onto the bed. This was one of the few sunny days recently, though the distant winter sun provided little warmth. Still, it brought good spirits, and… the sunshine-filled Yòu Zi.

Hmm, the fluffy fur of the small animal lying on the bed shimmered in the sunlight, almost as if it were glowing.

Noticing my gaze, it crawled over on all fours and climbed up to my shoulder, its slightly curled whiskers tickling my neck. It said in a high-pitched voice, “Xiǎo Kǎi! We’re going to buy perfume today! You’ve got the money, right? Don’t go back on your word!”

I teased Yòu Zi by stroking its chin, and it opened its mouth, grinding its four sharp little teeth against my fingernail with a threatening pose.

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t buy it. Though it’s a bit expensive, I’ll keep my promise.”

“Thank you, Xiǎo Kǎi! Kiss!”

Yòu Zi’s pink nose rubbed against my neck, an action close to a kiss that expressed its affection… Then it was lifted by Lǐn Huā by the loose skin on its neck.

Helpless Yòu Zi waved its tiny paws in the air.

“What are you doing? You won’t eat my vinegar, will you?”

Lǐn Huā tapped its nose and replied, “Yòu Zi, perfume used by humans might be toxic to you!”

Yòu Zi was startled, and said sharply, “Really?!”

“It’s just a guess. Different species have different reactions. Perfume is a chemical product; what’s harmless to humans might be harmful to you. Plus, you like to lick your fur all the time—”

Like a mink whose tail was stepped on, Yòu Zi loudly rebutted, “I don’t! I don’t!”

Xiǎo Lěi chimed in, “I can testify! I saw Yòu Zi licking its fur in a corner. Is it going to throw up hairballs now?”

Yòu Zi was even angrier, kicking its legs in the air.

“I won’t throw up! I’m not a cat!”

Fun fact: Pet ferrets, like cats, have a habit of grooming themselves, which can lead to hairballs.

Perhaps influenced by human customs, Yòu Zi denied it vehemently while wriggling in Lǐn Huā’s hand. But Lǐn Huā paid no attention to its struggles and turned to me, saying, “I can’t accompany you today? Aunt Huāyíng stayed with Grandma at the research institute for two days, and she needs to rest today, so I need to stay with Grandma now.”

“Didn’t you mention this when we came back last night? I’m not a child, you know. Why does it matter if you’re not around? Besides—”

Cherry Sauce interrupted halfway through my sentence.

“—I’m here too! Once AJ’s matters are settled, we’ll visit Grandma!”

Sharing the same mouth to speak was still somewhat strange.

Cherry Sauce would drop Lǐn Huā off at the research institute, then pick up Sister Zǐ, before meeting AJ at the Balance Commercial District.

Since obtaining the Spatial Jewel, my daily step count had plummeted dramatically, and I was even worried about weight gain from lack of exercise.

Cherry Sauce added, “It’s getting late, let’s go.”

A habitual vibration occurred, and the clear sky of dawn transformed into a rocky cave under a twist of reality.

We arrived at the research institute.

Lǐn Huā asked, “Should we go down and say hello?”

“No, we agreed to meet AJ at the pedestrian street at ten. We’re already running late.”

“Alright.”

Putting Yòu Zi down, Lǐn Huā stood up and warned, “AJ’s situation is a bit complicated, but everything is up to her. If she really doesn’t want to have a child, don’t try to stop her.”

“…I understand.”

“Then I’ll leave.”

Lǐn Huā waved goodbye, and Cherry Sauce tossed her out.

Next, Sister Zǐ, with her skirt pressed tightly, fell from above, landing on the bed with a muffled groan—”Mmm!”

I helped her sit up, noticing she looked somewhat dazed today.

“Zǐ! Are you alright?”

“Mmm, nothing serious. I slept late last night, so I feel a bit groggy.”

Sitting in a duck-like position, Sister Zǐ rubbed her eyes and looked at the people inside the jewel, asking, “Eh? Is Zhào Lěi coming too?”

“Of course! Since Lǐn Huā isn’t here, I am! I’m also Chairman’s girlfriend!”

The proud idiot nodded with folded arms, but I said, “No, Xiǎo Lěi is still working at the tea shop today, so she’ll part ways with us at the commercial district. Yòu Zi will go with her too.”

Sister Zǐ looked at the furry creature lying on the bed.

“Is the small animal going with the idiot today?”

“Don’t call me an idiot!”

Xiǎo Lěi growled, but explained, “Yòu Zi wants to see something new, so I’m taking her to ‘Kamehameha’ to check out where I work. I think she’ll like it?”

Having a small animal as a mascot in a café would be nice, and since Yòu Zi is quite clean, such a cute little thing should be popular with customers… although the customers there are mostly otaku, so Yòu Zi might not enjoy it.

“Let’s go then.”

Another jolt, and the scene above changed to a dark stairwell. We were thrown out of the jewel amidst a dizzying whirl.

“Outside is the first-floor mall, and below is the underground shopping street.”

According to Cherry Sauce, this was a safety exit connected to the main road. The mall generally didn’t allow pets, so Yòu Zi hid in Xiǎo Lěi’s down jacket, pretending to be a piece of faux fur.

“Then we’ll go down from here. Chairman, goodbye.”

Before leaving with Xiǎo Lěi, Yòu Zi stuck its head out again, reminding, “Don’t forget to buy me perfume!”

“Got it~”

Xiǎo Lěi stopped, turned around, and raised her hand to speak, “Chairman, I want a gift too!”

I asked, “What do you want?”

“Hmm…”

This idiot hadn’t thought this through. She scratched her ear, pondering.

She answered, “…How about some plum cookies? With salted egg yolk?”

This idiot is too easy to please!

—————

[10:02]

Though it had just opened, being a Saturday, the mall was bustling with tourists.

When I found AJ, she was releasing a low-pressure atmosphere near the fountain in the pedestrian street. She held her stomach with both hands, looking dejected, completely unlike her usual lively and strong personality.

She didn’t notice our approach, and Sister Yǐjī wasn’t beside her. Even passersby avoided her.

“Sister A, sorry we’re late.”

The appointment was at ten, but we took a detour to the research institute, so we were delayed. By the time we left the mall, we were already late.

Actually, Cherry Sauce could have teleported directly into the mall, but since it wasn’t open at ten, we couldn’t get out…

AJ, who had been pregnant for two days, looked up at us and shook her head with a bitter smile, “It’s fine, I just got here too.”

“Where’s Sister Tāo?”

“She has to stay and deal with the police investigation. Sister Yǐjī is with her.”

Was it because of the cross-province law enforcement last night?

Even though Xiao Hai Tang forced Jū Wànshòu and his group to turn themselves in, they still had to follow the proper procedures. The tricky part was how Sister Tāo and her team would explain to the police that the man named Long Táozhe no longer existed.

I said, “That matter is indeed important, but she shouldn’t let a pregnant woman run around outside.”

As soon as I spoke, Zǐ poked my lower back, and I realized the issue, but AJ’s face had already fallen.

“Sorry, I forgot you didn’t want to talk about the pregnancy right now…”

“It’s okay.”

AJ placed her hand on my shoulder and asked, “I don’t want Tāo妹 to know about this, so I invited you out alone.”

Her words made me uneasy. Did Lǐn Huā really hit the nail on the head?

Zǐ asked indifferently, “So, why did you call us out?”

AJ touched her still-flat abdomen with her other hand and replied, “I want to—”

“Sister A! Think it through!”

I interrupted her, holding her hand on my shoulder.

Despite Lǐn Huā warning me not to meddle, things had come to this point, and I couldn’t just watch AJ abort the child.

“Huh? Think it through? What do you mean?”

Instead, she seemed taken aback by my reaction.

“This child is the result of your love with Tāo妹. It’s not right to decide to terminate it without discussing it with her.”

“Ugh, what nonsense are you talking about!”

She raised her hand and knocked me, then continued, “I’m going to tell Miss Grizelda about this child!”

“So, Sister A, you’re not planning to terminate the pregnancy?”

She frowned, questioning, “Of course I’ll have the baby. How could you think that?”

“Cough, cough, some girls can’t handle the pressure and choose to end it. Your personality is…”

My words clearly upset her, so I stopped, clearing my throat to hide my embarrassment.

“I am anxious because of the child, but I would never do that!”

AJ frowned seriously, pointing at my nose.

“Because I respect Tāo妹’s mother! She chose to keep Tāo妹 despite the despair, and now I have the person I love most by my side… Lingmeng, how can I deprive this child of its chance to live?”

“…”

Oh! My dear comrade! How can I feel that AJ is shining today?

I apologized sincerely, “Sorry, I didn’t expect your perspective to be so high.”

“You make me feel sad! How much did you look down on me before?”

Zǐ said beside me, “Heh, you seem more energetic than before.”

“Stop teasing me. It’s time to go!”

AJ turned and walked toward the mall.

But after two steps, she turned back and said, “But, Chairman, I’m glad you could come today!”

Finally, she stopped smiling bitterly.