After taking a circuitous route, Alicefiel returned to the Magical Mechanics Building.

Instead of heading to the meeting room, she slipped into the bathroom.

Perhaps because it was lunchtime, the restroom was empty.

Alicefiel turned on the faucet, vigorously scrubbing her face.

She stared at her delicate reflection in the mirror, exhaustion etched across it.

“Damn it, how did I run into the Captain here?” she said, slamming her hand on the sink’s edge.

She had resolved to cut ties with her past.

Yet, after seventeen years of hiding, her carefully guarded mystery had crumbled under Corona’s radiance.

Lu Ming probably figured out my identity, didn’t she?

With the “mystery” shattered right in front of her, she’d soon connect the dots that I’m Yuehua.

I should’ve been more decisive back then—faked my death and never shown up in this body.

It would’ve saved me all this trouble.

But Xiao Yue couldn’t grow up without a mother.

Maybe all of this today was fated.

And the direct reason for my seventeen years of secrecy falling apart? Lu Ming.

How did I even end up taking her as a student?

Alicefiel closed her eyes, sifting through her earliest memories.

About five years ago, she was just a nominal professor, teaching light classes on Fridays.

She didn’t even need to show up sometimes—just guide student experiments for a hefty paycheck.

When a colleague was recruiting graduate students, Alicefiel’s eyes landed on Lu Ming.

She hadn’t planned to take on students, but the moment she saw Lu Ming, her heart stirred.

On a whim, she took her in as her star disciple.

That girl was a genius—diligent, driven, often burning the midnight oil for results.

She reminded Alicefiel of her younger self.

Lu Ming’s relentless energy even cured Alicefiel’s years-long habit of coasting.

Alicefiel touched her chest, feeling her heartbeat.

Riding that momentum, she and Lu Ming rose together, eventually becoming the dean of the college.

It was getting late—time for the meeting.

Alicefiel washed her face again, retying her silver hair in front of the mirror.

Whatever comes next, I’ll deal with it later.

At the school’s commercial street, in a fried chicken shop, Lu Ming and Corona sat across from each other.

Their table was piled high with fried chicken, burgers, fries, and… a dish of sesame paste?

Lu Ming looked helplessly as Corona shoved a sesame-slathered chicken leg into her mouth, occasionally letting out kitten-like noises.

“Hey, have some idol dignity,” Lu Ming whispered, noticing a few girls at a nearby table sneaking photos with their phones.

“At least mind your image.”

Lu Ming grabbed a tissue from Corona’s bag and wiped her mouth.

“It’s just fried chicken. What’s there to fuss about?” Corona said, ready to argue.

“Hey, isn’t that Senior Lu Ming?” The shop’s door swung open.

It was Kaiwen, a junior Lu Ming had worked with on projects during her PhD.

They’d collaborated well and were on friendly terms.

“Oh, Kaiwen! Long time no see,” Lu Ming greeted.

“Senior, you’re living the high life, snagging a beauty like her,” Kaiwen teased, hooking an arm around Lu Ming’s neck before recognizing the person across from her.

“Oh, it’s Senior Lu Ming’s sister! Sorry, sorry, my bad,” Kaiwen said, nearly dropping to her knees.

She’d seen Lu Ming’s sister visit before, but Kaiwen’s brain short-circuited around pretty girls, often leading to unintentional offenses.

“It’s fine,” Lu Ming said, steadying Kaiwen by the shoulder.

“You’re making this one happy just by saying that.”

“Aaah, please forgive me, big sister!” Kaiwen pleaded.

“I’m actually delighted Lu Ming has a friend like you,” Corona said, gracefully wiping her mouth with a smile.

“She’s so gentle. I want one!” Kaiwen said, looking pleadingly at the unfazed Lu Ming.

“Sorry, sisters aren’t for giving away,” Lu Ming replied.

“Speaking of, have you thought about where you’ll work after graduation?” Lu Ming asked, recalling her advisor’s words from earlier.

“I heard there’s a new Magical Mechanics Research Institute opening in Tongzhou City, Inner Plains Province, so I’ll probably head there.”

“Then I hope we’ll meet again someday.”

“Yeah, see you then. Oh, and happy graduation, Senior!” Kaiwen said, giving Lu Ming a quick hug.

“Happy,” Lu Ming replied.

Kaiwen grabbed her pre-packed fried chicken and left the shop.

Soon after, the two finished their meal and strolled out side by side.

“Ahh, so full,” Corona said, letting out a kitten-like moan as she stretched.

They walked together, wandering through the commercial street, eventually reaching a quiet park.

“You’ve probably guessed your advisor was a magical girl, right?” Corona asked, hands clasped in front of her.

“Yeah, I know,” Lu Ming nodded.

“No point hiding it.”

“She’s actually my old teammate who left without a word—Yuehua.”

“I heard every bit of what she said to you earlier.”

“Who would’ve thought? She retired in such a hurry because she was blinded by love.”

“Her kid’s already sixteen. Wonder which guy got so lucky.”

“So… Sister, are you going to find her?” Lu Ming asked.

“Of course!” Corona said, hands on her hips, letting out a soft huff.

“I need to see how my Little Moon’s been doing. With her soft personality, I also want to check on her kid.”

“So, I’ve decided.”

“I’m going to Tongzhou City to be a training mentor for new magical girls.”

“Hey, don’t make decisions so rashly!” Lu Ming said, exasperated.

“I’m helping lighten your load, aren’t I?” Corona said, tilting her head at Lu Ming.

“Fine, fine, whatever makes you happy.”

“Now hurry back to your place and pack your bags,” Corona urged.

“We’re leaving soon.”

“I can’t wait to catch up with my dear old friend.”

Meanwhile, in Tongzhou City, Lu Xin collapsed onto the sofa at home.

He turned on the TV, flipping to a random channel.

With trembling hands, he pulled a cigarette from a crumpled, old pack.

Lighting it, he took a deep drag, coughing violently before recovering.

He half-listened to the TV news: The Central Republic’s first manned lunar mission successfully completed…

Sure, he said he didn’t care, but inside, he was panicking.

There was no calm acceptance—only endless mental torment.

He could already imagine Corona showing up, warmly asking how he’s been, checking on his life.

That was the real torture.

Not accusations for leaving without a word.

He’d fled twice already, and Lu Xin was almost unable to face Corona.

But Yuehua only fled once.

Yuehua was Corona’s dear friend, the one who could be forgiven.

Not Lu Xin, no matter the price he’d already paid.

The cost of sin is never something you declare paid in full.