Chapter 29: Welcome Home

“Mom? What happened yesterday?”

Since morning, her daughter hadn’t stopped staring. It wasn’t until Jiang Yao reheated last night’s fried eggs and stew, serving them to her, that she finally asked.

Jiang Lingwei, prepared, feigned confusion: “I don’t remember. I was cooking, then… no idea. I woke up on the sofa.” She touched her forehead: “Maybe I was too sleepy.”

“Mm…” Jiang Yao ate her eggs, heart brimming with tears.

Since waking, her mother hadn’t shown such exhaustion, except that first night when she seemed groggy, perhaps unadjusted. But now, faint dark circles marred her mother’s perfect face, wounding her pure, kind heart!

‘Damn demon!!!’ She cursed inwardly, then quickly asked: “So, Mom, are you feeling okay today?”

Maybe it was her imagination, but her mother, mid-bite, shot her a resentful glance before saying calmly: “Nothing, just sleepy. Probably didn’t rest enough last night.”

“Oh, then you should nap today.” Jiang Yao had no better solution but felt relieved. Her mother was likely knocked out and taken by the demon, spared from facing those evil, terrifying moments. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be just sleepiness.

She recalled the mysterious pink-haired magical girl [Aurora] saying, “She will not be affected.” Silently praising Aurora’s reliability, Jiang Yao began packing to leave.

It wasn’t a holiday yet. After breakfast, she had to head to school, unable to linger.

Jiang Lingwei mused: In 2032, population pressure was lighter than before. How else could students have colorful hairstyles, stylish uniforms, and start school at eight? Back in her day, she was at school by six for morning study, lugging a fifty-pound bag, wearing clothes stitched from flour sacks… and fighting a couple of monsters on the side.

“Mm-hm.” Nodding, Jiang Lingwei saw Jiang Yao to the door.

Before reaching it, the girl, schoolbag slung over her shoulder, grabbed her hand: “Mom?”

“Oh, oh.” Nearly forgetting in her drowsiness, Jiang Lingwei placed a hand on her daughter’s head, stroking gently. Jiang Yao squinted, her face softening like a content kitten.

‘Sai gao!’ * The little figure in Jiang Lingwei’s heart leaped with joy.

• Sai gao: Chinese internet slang for “super awesome,” often used playfully to express excitement.

Though they’d done this before, and she stayed calm outwardly, Jiang Lingwei’s heart melted as a parent. Her daughter’s cute expression made having a daughter worth everything!

This was the loving head-pat Mom gave before heading out. Jiang Yao had always loved it, recently even asking for it before school or outings, calling it “absorbing Mom’s energy.”

Jiang Lingwei was no stranger to this. As a full-fledged magical girl, she’d often patted teammates’ heads post-battle. The “heart” resided there—she could channel positive magic to ease the stress of intense fights. Now, she didn’t need actual magic; it was just love.

This wasn’t just her duty as [Aurora] but her respect for teammates—ordinary or timid, yet all bravely defending the city. She never tired of caring for them in daily life or after battles.

Unbeknownst to her, her teammates saw her “As the only male in the team, I must be strong and responsible” mindset as… motherly. Well, except for Beifeng.

The team’s big sister and captain, Beifeng was oddly sensitive. Once, after a head-pat, she let out an indecent squeal on the spot. Worse, Beifeng knew Jiang Lingwei’s “male” secret. After fleeing, red-faced and screaming, she never sought Aurora’s help again.

“I’m here.”

At the door of a modest house, Jiang Lingwei eyed the “Yaoguang Coffee” sign and smiled, phone in hand: “You guys… every shop’s really called this.”

This wasn’t the bustling commercial street but a quieter area. Wen Yaquan had called that morning, sent the address, and arranged to meet here.

“Of course, it’s a great name.” Wen Yaquan’s voice crackled through: “Go in, tell the clerk [the evil black dragon has entrusted you with a dark mission, and you must get a cup of boiling lava from the earth’s core today], and she’ll guide you.”

“…Can I skip that?”

“Hmm~~ Nope, nope! Sister Quan insists~ No code, no entry!”

“Then I’m leaving.”

“I’ll pay extra.”

“Deal, boss.”

Jiang Lingwei’s face shifted instantly. Why not say that sooner? The boss calls the shots.

Ding-a-ling. The familiar wind chime greeted her, same as the original Yaoguang Coffee. That must be their brand logic.

Looking around, Jiang Lingwei noted the morning lull—no office workers, no dessert-seeking lunch crowd yet. “Good.” She sighed softly, gliding to the clerk’s side.

“Welcome~” The clerk, a lively girl, radiated middle-school energy.

‘Time to act.’ Jiang Lingwei glanced around—no one was watching. ‘Now!’

She leaned over the counter, voice low and cryptic: “I’ve been entrusted with a dark mission by the evil black dragon. Today… I must receive a cup of boiling lava from the earth’s core.”

“Wait, slow down!” The clerk looked startled.

“Huh?” Jiang Lingwei froze: “I said, the evil black dragon gave me the (omitted)…”

“…” The clerk’s face screamed she’d heard something wild, hand hovering over her phone, lips pursed warily.

“…” Jiang Lingwei fell silent.

Head bowed, she pondered melancholically for seconds, then looked up, glaring sinisterly: “I said, I serve the evil black dragon…”

Three minutes later, they descended a hidden passage beneath the café.

“Go to hell, Wen Yaquan! Do you know how mortified I was?!”

“Ow, ow! I explained, didn’t I? I forgot the clerk was afternoon shift! I fixed it, didn’t I? Yue—don’t choke me—I’m dying…”

“Hmph! Fake your death, and I’m done with you.”

Releasing Wen Yaquan’s neck and tossing her aside, Jiang Lingwei sighed: “So, why am I here?”

“Hehe.” Wen Yaquan, recovered in seconds with unnatural vitality, led her to a steel gate, pointing to a red button: “One-touch operation. Press and see.”

“Hm?” Jiang Lingwei pressed it gently.

Buzz— Mechanical whirring lasted over ten seconds, ending with a bang. Two seconds later, the door slid open.

Bright light bathed Jiang Lingwei’s shocked face. “I planned a champagne welcome, but there was a mix-up. Still, welcome!” Wen Yaquan stepped inside, donning a white coat from a hanger.

She turned, laughing, arms wide, eyes glistening: “Welcome back to the Magical Girl Base.”