## Chapter 264: This Familiar Sense of Security
Xu Xiaoya: …
Xu Xiaoyue: …
“Little Moon! We’re doomed!” Xu Xiaoya clung to Xu Xiaoyue’s thigh, wailing, “Mother’s coming! She’s going to hit me!”
Xu Xiaoyue covered his face.
“Calm down. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.”
“Right, not a big deal. I can just run away. As long as I run fast enough, the belt won’t catch me.”
“Not again… are you seriously thinking about running away? Don’t let the image you just built collapse!”
“It’s different! Mother is terrifying—it’s worse than a World Boss fight!”
“…”
Xu Xiaoyue lifted her up, standing at attention.
“Listen up! What we need to worry about isn’t whether Mom will hit you, but how you’re going to explain your situation.”
“I should absolutely run! If Mother can’t see me, I’m safe. Yes, yes, I should definitely run!”
With that, Xu Xiaoya pulled out a little bamboo basket and started stuffing it full of snacks from the table.
“Stop! Where exactly do you think you’re running to? And if you just vanish, that’s a bigger problem! Mom will seriously call the cops on us.”
“What do we do then?”
“In my opinion, you can’t avoid the inevitable. You need to figure out how to explain it to Dad and Mom.”
This was definitely something that needed explaining. Xu Xiaoyue had promised Xu Xiaoya they wouldn’t say anything yet, but that was just to buy some time.
Now, almost two months had passed. That should be more than enough time.
“But how do I explain it…?”
“Just be honest! Explain it the same way you explained it to me. Simple as pie!”
“But it’s different! Little Moon and Dad and Mom are not on the same wavelength!”
“What’s so different?” Xu Xiaoyue tilted her head. “I get it! You’re just too scared to say it. Leave it to me; you can be the ostrich.”
Xu Xiaoya shrank her neck. “Can I really be an ostrich?”
“Yes! Leave it to me! I’ll handle it nicely.”
“Then… I’ll leave it to Little Moon.”
“Don’t worry! I’m like a ninja with Mom—I know how to handle these things. Once we calm Mom down, Dad is no big deal.”
“Okay…”
That’s how it is in their family.
Xu Ma was the boss, Little Moon was second in command, while Xu Ba and Little Wind were at the bottom of the hierarchy.
Little Moon got along well with Xu Ma, while Little Wind banded together with Xu Ba for warmth.
In fact, from Little Moon’s perspective, dealing with this situation was pretty straightforward. She just needed to help Mom understand the current state of affairs.
From what she knew about Mom, seeing this adorable “new daughter” would only make her happy!
Hit someone? If hitting was really on the table, maybe they could just take a shot at Xu Ba instead.
The only tricky part was convincing Xu Xiaoya to agree to be honest.
Today’s little incident was actually a blessing in disguise, forcing her to confront reality head-on.
“Let’s get ready. First, you need to change into something cute, something that shows off your lively charm.”
“My clothes? How about this?”
Xu Xiaoya pulled out a little red hood costume.
“Huh? When did you buy a cosplay outfit?”
“I didn’t! I… huh? Where did I even get this?”
She started inspecting the outfit closely.
The more she looked, the more bizarre her expression became, and finally, she slapped her forehead.
Uh-oh… this looks like the real deal!
Thinking it through, Xu Xiaoya could only assume this, like her bamboo basket, was something she was born with.
If the bamboo basket made it to Blue Star, it wouldn’t be surprising if her Little Red Riding Hood costume made the trip too.
“Anyway, I think this outfit should fit the bill.”
Xu Xiaoyue sighed lightly, deciding to let it go.
Too many strange things had happened to Xu Xiaoya—what’s a little outfit compared to all the chaos she’s faced?
“It does fit the bill. But it shouldn’t be revealed directly like that; we should take it step by step. Let me pick something for you.”
Xu Xiaoyue chose a plain white dress for Xu Xiaoya, simple and elegant, just like the cute girl next door.
Although this “girl” didn’t really fit the description of cute, she looked nice enough at first glance to pass off as adorable.
“I’ll go pick up the flight. Just stay home and play nice. When Mom arrives, just listen to me.”
“Okay,” Xu Xiaoya said as she reached up, tightly gripping Little Moon’s hand, looking pitiful. “Little Moon, my life depends on you.”
Xu Xiaoyue gently ruffled Xu Xiaoya’s hair with her other hand. “Don’t worry! I’ll protect your smile, so… could you call me… big sister?”
“Huh?”
Xu Xiaoya blinked her big eyes.
But thinking about how her fate rested entirely on Little Moon’s efforts, she pouted.
Just this once wouldn’t hurt, right? It wouldn’t cost me too much.
But if I got hit with that belt, my little self might just lose a piece!
“Sister… save me.”
Xu Xiaoyue’s eyes lit up like a supernova, her face blooming like spring flowers soaked in rain, glowing like autumn fruits kissed by the sun.
She grabbed Xu Xiaoya and spun her around three or four times.
“Don’t worry, Xiaoya! I’ll handle this perfectly! No one’s touching a hair on my little sister, not even Mom!”
“Yes, please.”
Xu Xiaoyue checked her parents’ flight info on WX and promised to pick them up.
Before long, it was the next afternoon. Little Moon looked at the time and decided to head out.
Before leaving, she reminded Xu Xiaoya over and over not to run away, assuring her everything would be fine.
She was genuinely worried that when she brought her parents back, the house would be empty.
Although Xu Xiaoya’s current appearance made it inconvenient to do anything outside, she had money! And she had skill.
Having money can solve most problems, and being strong means you don’t have to worry about danger.
If she really hid outside, even with her impressive physical abilities and unpredictable space magic, a spirit wouldn’t be able to find her.
And Xu Xiaoya?
As soon as Little Moon walked out, she began packing up her stuff.
Two hands ready—it was a guaranteed win.
She absolutely would not get hit. Not in this lifetime.
Even the Emperor and Empress, and her big brothers and sisters had never hit her.
And it’s the same with Mom—she certainly wouldn’t fight back! If it came to that, she’d just run!
She remembered back in middle school when she played hooky with friends and ended up getting hit hard when she got back. She still remembered how much it hurt!
Now after two months of skipping out? With Mom’s personality, she really might hit someone!
She paused her packing and reached for a suitable book.
A little cushion wouldn’t hurt.
Learning from her past mistakes, she decided not to grab anything too big this time.
Preparing her three-step plan ensured everything would go smoothly.
If Little Moon didn’t handle it and Mom wanted to hit someone and she hadn’t made a run for it, at least she would have an escape route.
Indeed, this was the safest and most secure plan.
