Chapter 30: If you continue like this, I will be angry

The Next Morning, Bai Yao’s Home, Lily Neighborhood

The living room was a chaos of giggles and tussles as Bai Feifei and Ye Xiao Xiao played, dawdling instead of heading to school. Only when Bai Yao brandished a feather duster did the two “little rascals” scamper out, embarking on their journey to campus.

With the girls gone, Ye Rou burst in from next door, flinging herself into Bai Yao’s arms, rubbing against her like a clingy cat.

“Yao~ My Yao~” Ye Rou wailed dramatically.

“What’s wrong? Trouble at work?” Bai Yao asked, concerned.

“I have to go to work again! Thinking I can only see you after work makes my heart ache! ”

“Oh, come on, it’s not a big deal. It’s not like you won’t see me today,” Bai Yao soothed, patting Ye Rou’s head. Despite being older, Ye Rou acted like a child.

“It’s a whole day! Yao, you say it so casually—I get it, I get it.” Ye Rou stood, wiping nonexistent tears.

Bai Yao watched silently, letting Ye Rou’s theatrics play out.

“My true feelings for Yao have been misplaced!” Ye Rou pounded her chest, voice quivering. “My heart hurts, it hurts so much!”

“…”

Bai Yao sighed, exasperated by Ye Rou’s over-the-top performance.

“Alright, I’ll make your favorite dish tonight. Now go to work—don’t be late.”

“I don’t want food.”

Ye Rou pouted, her eyes glistening with faux tears, looking pitifully at Bai Yao.

Bai Yao’s heart skipped. She’s serious?

“What do you want then? Not me, surely?” Bai Yao teased, half-joking.

“If Yao’s willing, I wouldn’t say no” Ye Rou’s tears vanished, her lips bitten shyly, not at all like the mature woman she was.

Bai Yao groaned inwardly. Can’t trust Ye Rou too much—she’s such a drama queen.

“Yao, Yao”

Bai Yao leaned back instinctively, a hint of disgust on her face.

“If Yao doesn’t give me one, I’m not going to work! Hmph !” Ye Rou crossed her arms, huffed, and turned her head, defiant like a stubborn child.

Bai Yao was speechless. What is she, five?

She thought as much, but her body betrayed her.

“Fine, fine, you win.” Bai Yao grabbed Ye Rou’s face and planted a firm kiss on her forehead.

It wasn’t her going to work. Why was she coaxing Ye Rou? Did Ye Rou split her paycheck with her? Sigh, meeting Ye Rou must be my lifetime’s luck—good or bad, who knows.

“Yao~” Ye Rou melted back into her arms, her voice soft and syrupy.

Bai Yao’s ears tingled, a strange thrill running through her. Ye Rou’s lazy, gentle tone could put an ASMR artist to shame.

“I knew you’re the best to me~ As a thank-you, I’ll kiss you back~” Ye Rou puckered her lips, aiming for Bai Yao’s mouth.

Bai Yao flailed, retreating. “Go to work! I’m getting mad!”

She faked anger, but it didn’t stop Ye Rou.

Ye Rou kicked off her shoe, pretending to trip over it, using the momentum to push Bai Yao onto the sofa, achieving her goal.

Bai Yao’s eyes shook, her mind reeling with indescribable emotions.

“Yao, if I say it was an accident, would you believe me?” Ye Rou sat upright, feigning innocence, like a kid who played a prank and feared scolding.

Bai Yao’s mouth opened, closed, opened again. A thousand words swirled in her mind, collapsing into a single sigh.

“Sigh.”

She shot Ye Rou a resentful look. It wasn’t on purpose, and it’s done. What can I do? Chop her into pieces?

“Alright, just go to work. I’m begging you,” Bai Yao pleaded, desperate for Ye Rou to stop causing chaos.

“Yao, you gotta believe me—it wasn’t intentional~” Ye Rou slipped her shoe back on, pouting in defense.

“Go to work. I’m not mad, I don’t blame you. Let’s drop it, okay?”

Bai Yao pushed Ye Rou out the door, exhausted. She never imagined dealing with her best friend could be this draining. Ye Rou might as well have stayed on her business trip.

“Yao, I’m off to work! I’ll eat your cooking tonight~” Ye Rou chirped, her mood flipping to joy.

Bai Yao’s lip twitched, a cold smirk forming. Eat my cooking? After kissing me?

She was a bit mad now. Tonight’s dinner list? Ye Rou was off it. Let her starve—let her learn the consequences of messing with her!

“Damn it !” Bai Yao fumed, storming to the bathroom to brush her teeth.

She felt dirty.

After washing up, her negative emotions cleared. Truthfully, she didn’t mind Ye Rou. They often shared food, even when Ye Rou passed her unwanted dishes at the table. Like a mom eating her kid’s leftovers, Bai Yao never complained.

But sharing food and kissing were worlds apart. Eating Ye Rou’s food was fine; kissing her sparked a tiny wave of disgust.

“Ugh… whatever, not the first time a woman’s kissed me.” Bai Yao shook her head, tossing the thought aside.

She had important work today—checking surveillance.

She needed to find who framed her and Huang Ran’s team.

Raising her left hand, palm facing her, she recited the Pride Witch’s incantation.

“In the solitude of the spider lily, heed my will, let karmic flames burn through illusions!”

Dark red flames engulfed her from head to toe. As they faded, Pride emerged, her face expressionless, like a wooden figure.

She left the house, murmuring, “Filthy bug, you’d better hope I don’t find you.”

At the Abandoned Munitions Factory

Augustus’s dragon-like pollution entity thrashed within its containment field, its black wings scraping the walls. The magic collar kept it in check, but its power was undeniable. Lilith stood by, her eyes gleaming with admiration.

“Darling, it’s magnificent! You’ve outdone yourself,” she purred.

Augustus adjusted his crow mask, his voice brimming with pride. “This is just the beginning, Lilith. With this dragon, the Tarot Society will beg me to join the Arcana. And those magical girls? They’ll be dust under my feet.”

He turned to the creature, its red eyes glaring. “Now, let’s test your strength. We’ll unleash you on that school again—let’s see how the Pride Witch and her little friends handle you.”

Lilith tilted her head. “What about the other magical girls? They’re suspended, aren’t they?”

Augustus sneered. “Even better. Without them, the witch is alone. And if she falls, the city’s mine to harvest.”

At the School

Pride hovered above the chaos, her crimson whip lashing the dragon entity. Its roars shook the ground, but her attacks were relentless, slicing chunks off its regenerating hide. Jasmine and Rose protected Lin Xue, who watched in awe.

“She’s so strong…” Lin Xue whispered.

Little White nodded. “That’s Pride. And you’ve got that same potential, kid.”

The dragon lunged, its claws grazing Pride’s barrier. She gritted her teeth. “You’re tough, but I’m tougher.”

In the shadows, Augustus watched, his watch glowing black. “Keep fighting, witch. Your struggle only feeds my power.”