Chapter 41: Old Liu Next Door

“What, the kitchen drain’s clogged?”

Lu Qingqi had just finished washing the dishes, hands still foamy and un-dried, frozen in place by the words.

She glanced instinctively at the sink’s lingering rice grains and veggie scraps, guilt creeping in.

Don’t tell me it’s because I rinsed the leftovers down yesterday to save hassle—clogging the pipe?

The white-haired blue-eyed girl leaned against the kitchen doorframe.

“Yeah, so I called a plumber—he’ll be here any minute.”

Mid-conversation, a knock sounded.

“Qingqi, it’s me, Old Liu—here to fix the drain.”

“Coming.”

The white-haired blue-eyed girl went to open the door; Lu Qingqi trailed, peeking curiously.

The door swung open, and in stepped a man in deep blue work overalls, a low-billed cap shadowing most of his face—exposing only a chiseled jaw and a hint of stubble.

Lu Qingqi eyed him for seconds, that build, that voice—familiar, nagging at her, yet fogged over, no solid recall.

“The kitchen drain’s busted—go fix it up, make it solid.”

“Got it.”

Old Liu acknowledged, gaze lingering a beat on Lu Qingqi, then flicking to the white-haired blue-eyed girl, before heading straight to the kitchen.

But passing the white-haired blue-eyed girl, the man suddenly raised a hand, landing a not-light-not-heavy pat on her perky rear.

“Nice and firm—looks well-kept~”

The crude, erotic, unabashedly masculine praise hung in the air.

With that, the man’s figure vanished fully into the kitchen.

Leaving Lu Qingqi—eyes wide, face etched in utter disbelief.

“H-H-He…… how dare he grope you?”

The black-long-haired girl jabbed a finger at Old Liu’s retreating back, cheeks puffed in fury.

“A mere mortal daring to affront a goddess like you—patting your ass.”

“Total old perv!”

“This kind of lech—gender-swap him into a girl, sell her off to rural bachelors as a wife!”

The white-haired blue-eyed girl listened to Lu Qingqi’s indignant barrage, eyes darting evasively, oddly guilty.

If only a pat on the ass.

Over the years, they’d tried it all—willing, semi-willing, half-coerced, coerced-into-willing, straight-up forced; what flavor hadn’t they sampled?

If past self learned of these “grand exploits,” she’d erupt!

Chuunibyou had its perks—confident, sunny, bold, unyielding; but downsides too—self-righteous, petty mastermind, prone to extremes.

Sure, in a sense, she’d ascended—eternal life, carefree bliss—but this godhood…… akin to “god” on that little blue bird site.

Stifling patience, she cooed reassurances; only then did Lu Qingqi’s chest heave ease, lips pursing.

“Truth is, I don’t mind him patting your ass—after all, we’re both guys, and for you, gender’s just a thought away.”

“Great Love Immortal Venerable nailed it: beauty’s but fleeting clouds; strip the flesh, it’s two hundred six bones.”

“I just don’t like his face—reminds me of someone.”

“Liu Wangjiang?”

The white-haired blue-eyed girl tensed, fearing a [Cognitive Barrier] slip.

“Not him.”

Lu Qingqi shook her head.

“With my temperament, once future me unlocks transcendent powers, I’d prank and revenge him thoroughly—for old grudges.”

“He’d never stand before me.”

“You get it, right—future me?”

Future Lu Qingqi: ……

A quick peek toward the kitchen—no stir; he hadn’t overheard.

Relief washed over her.

“That janitor just now reminded me of a creepy uncle from my childhood.”

The black-long-haired girl’s brows knit.

“Back in the countryside, some strange uncle popped up out of nowhere—kissed my cheek.”

“Still grosses me out—goosebumps rising.”

“Instant déjà vu seeing Old Liu like that.”

At this, the white-haired blue-eyed girl’s gaze turned peculiar.

“Fixed.”

Old Liu emerged from the kitchen, wiping hands, handing over the work order while taking the repair fee from the white-haired blue-eyed girl.

Lu Qingqi figured that wrapped it; she opened her mouth for polite dismissal—when Old Liu strode straight to the living room sofa, plopping down, chin-jutting casually at her.

“Little miss, grab a cold beer from the fridge—worked up a thirst fixing that.”

His eyes locked unabashedly on the black-long-haired girl beside.

“Qingqi, this black-haired cutie your sister?”

Future Lu Qingqi, en route to the fridge for the beer, tossed back,

“Cousin—still young.”

“Oh, cousin, gotcha.”

Old Liu nodded, but his stare clung to the black-haired girl, chin lifting again.

“Perfect then—have your cousin fetch it; girls are quick on their feet.”

Lu Qingqi’s brows furrowed tight.

As a rich second-gen, she was used to being served—never the other way around.

Fists clenching to boot this overreaching plumber out—when future self tugged her sleeve discreetly.

Future Lu Qingqi shot a “follow orders” look; Lu Qingqi fumed but turned to the fridge, grabbing the cold beer—handing it over just as Old Liu snatched her wrist.

“Whoa, little miss—such fine skin, looks fresh and dewy; got a boyfriend?”

Old Liu’s fingers rubbed her wrist with ill intent, his appraising stare turning her stomach.

Then, he dangled the beer back at her.

“Here—pop it open for me.”

Lu Qingqi’s face darkened.

Overstepping—pushing her to snap!

As Lu Qingqi teetered on eruption, the white-haired blue-eyed girl hurried over, batting Old Liu’s hand away, then linking her arm through his, tone laced with coquettish reproach.

“Old Liu, that’s not cool—my cousin’s young, doesn’t know these things.”

With that, she plopped straight onto Old Liu’s lap, leaning in close—nearly pressed against him—her free hand snatching the beer, fingertips twisting the cap.

Pop—the bottle opened with a fizz; she smiled, offering it to Old Liu.

“See? I opened it for you—good enough?”

“That’s more like it.”

Lu Qingqi’s chest burned with stifled rage; she huffed sharply, storming back to her room, slamming the door with a bang.

In the living room, Old Liu swigged the cold beer, deep purple pupils glinting darkly, flicking from the door to the girl on his lap.

She grumbled resentfully.

“Sometimes I really don’t get what’s in your head—when I’m naughty, you force me sweet; when I’m sweet, you pine for my tantrums.”

“Men, huh—what you can’t have is what’s best.”

“How do I explain this to past me? In her eyes, I’m a ‘god’—now indulging you like this, she’ll suspect.”

“You’ll spin a tale—chuunibyou loves excuses; one tiny reason, and he’ll buy it.”

“Of course, if you choose honesty, I won’t stop—trust past me; even knowing the truth, past you could turn past her into my obedient wife.”

The girl fell silent a moment, then murmured softly.

“I won’t confess—I love you.”

“Though I know you worry it’s all a front—just to bolt again—so you test my limits with these ploys, conditioning my mind, taming my traits…… but I don’t want past me enduring all that hardship.”

“The road to happiness—too many pitfalls, too bitter.”

“Some bitters, I’ll swallow alone.”

“Those who’ve braved the rain always want to hold an umbrella for others.”

At this, the man leaned down, brushing her forehead with a feather-light kiss—his tone shedding rare edges of hardness, gaining a whisper of unguessed tenderness.

“Qiqi, you’re a good person—a good girl.”

“But sorry—I’m a bad man.”

“And I won’t let you become a man either; a lion won’t tolerate another lion—he’ll make her a lioness.”

“I know—so what’s next for you……”

Future Lu Qingqi asked.

“You!”

The man laughed.

In the next breath, he pinned her to the sofa, claiming her lips.

Hubby-cucking hour.

The ghostly male voice murmured at her ear, stoking her panic, her flawlessness, her…… breathtaking allure.

“Darling—keep quiet, or she’ll definitely notice~~”