The call connected after a busy signal.

“Hello? Mom?” Lu Yue said into the phone.

There was no familiar greeting from her mother, only silence.

“Is Mom there?” Lu Yue asked cautiously after waiting without a response.

Suddenly, intermittent panting came from the other end, as if someone was struggling to endure something.

“Hello? Xiao Yue, is something wrong?” Alicefiel’s voice came through, slightly muffled.

“I don’t have any clean underwear. Do you know if there are any spares at home?” Lu Yue asked.

“Underwear, huh? Mm… ah~” Alicefiel’s voice slipped, unable to hold back.

“Huh? Mom?” Lu Yue’s legs clamped together, her face flushing red as realization hit.

Though she’d never been in love, Lu Yue wasn’t clueless.

She’d once stumbled upon a webpage full of intimate content, learning things no schoolteacher would cover—self-taught knowledge.

Wasn’t it obvious? Her parents were doing what couples do on a trip.

It wasn’t like they were monks on a pilgrimage.

Maybe in a year, she’d have a little brother or sister.

As a young child, Lu Yue had dreamed of having a sibling.

Back then, it was just her and her parents—peaceful but a bit too quiet, lacking liveliness.

She’d once asked for an older sister, but her parents just exchanged glances and laughed it off.

If she had a sister…

Lu Ming’s cold face flashed in her mind.

Ugh! Why did I think of her first? So annoying!

That woman wasn’t gentle at all.

Only Mom’s gentleness was enough.

An older sister would be great—someone to talk to about everyday things without the baggage of sibling dynamics.

“In the master bedroom wardrobe, there are a few new pairs in a bag in one of the drawers,” Alicefiel said, her voice halting.

“Okay, Mom,” Lu Yue said, quickly hanging up.

She didn’t want to interrupt their sweet moment.

Listening to those sounds was too awkward—every second she lingered might delay her potential sibling’s arrival by a day.

No, no, stay calm.

Lu Yue slapped her cheeks, stood, and headed to the master bedroom.

She needed to find the underwear and shower to cool off.

Opening the wardrobe on her mother’s side, her eyes caught two gift boxes tied with ribbons—one blue, one purple.

“Hm? Gifts Mom hasn’t given me yet?” The purple ribbon was clearly for her.

She considered opening it but decided to keep the anticipation and left the boxes untouched.

Lu Yue pulled open a drawer.

Inside were several plain pairs of underwear.

She grabbed a bag, took one out, and returned the rest to their place.

Flopping onto the master bedroom’s large bed, she held the underwear up with both hands.

She and her mom had almost identical figures and looks, Lu Yue thought, her mind wandering.

Well, except for those two assets on her chest.

Frustrated, Lu Yue kneaded her chest until it hurt, stopping with a wince.

When will I ever match Mom’s size?

Hers were only slightly smaller.

Just a little.

Lu Yue rolled over, burying her face in her mother’s neatly folded nightgown, inhaling deeply.

Mom’s scent is so nice.

It reminded her of the gardenia-like fragrance she’d noticed when Flash guided her training today.

Mom’s scent.

The scene shifts.

In an SUV parked on the emergency lane of a highway, Alicefiel’s petite form curled up in the driver’s seat.

Sweat plastered her silver hair to her cheeks.

If a kind gentleman passed by and saw such a frail beauty, he’d surely want to cradle and protect this delicate flower.

But on this usually busy highway, not a single car appeared except for Alicefiel’s.

Why?

Alicefiel forced her eyes open, staring at the clusters of giant “rats” at the road’s end.

Ten minutes earlier, Lu Xin had been driving, planning to reach a far-off place from Tongzhou City to endure tonight’s pain.

A sudden stab in his heart spread through his body.

Gritting his teeth, he pulled into the emergency lane, turned on the hazard lights, and transformed into Alicefiel as golden patterns crept up his neck.

Just then, the car radio broadcast a warning: Magical beast activity detected on the road. All vehicles and personnel, evacuate immediately. If unable to leave, find a safe place to avoid attack. The Bureau of Magical Affairs…

After taking Lu Yue’s call amidst the pain, he collapsed in the driver’s seat.

The giant rats, seemingly nearsighted, circled a few times before noticing the glinting object nearby—her car.

Something sweet inside drew them, and they scurried toward it.

From a distance, they didn’t seem large, but as they neared, Alicefiel realized they were bigger than her SUV.

Their approach sent tremors through the car’s frame.

“Of all things, I run into this,” Alicefiel said with a self-deprecating laugh.

“Think I’m an easy target?”

“You’re just unlucky to cross me.”

Already in pain, her anger made it worse.

Alicefiel opened the car door, stepping onto the open road.

As she moved forward, her outfit transformed.

Moonlight bathed her, coalescing into a light armored gown.

Her right hand reached upward, pulling an ornate, carved spear from the solidified moonlight.

“I can’t use magic in this state,” she said.

“But I can still summon my regalia. Dealing with a few rats is more than doable.”

Alicefiel twirled the spear, spinning it in flourishes before pointing it at the oblivious beasts.

“Let’s make this quick,” she said.

“I haven’t even had a proper rest.”