Kexin or Keling? That is the question...

The next day, in the morning.

My phone vibrated, and the clear notification sound of the payment arriving rang out.

Koizumi Aoyama's salary arrived on time, followed by a text message:

"Take good care of...my daughter."

Even through the screen, Jiang Ling could feel the fatherly love, tinged with gritted teeth, seeping from between the lines.

Sorry, I kidnapped your daughter...bullshit!

It was clearly your daughter who threatened me, okay?

Jiang Ling tried to clear her name in her heart.

Although the old saying goes, there's no such thing as half-hearted consent; so-called half-hearted consent is actually just agreement...

"Feed".

A cool, indifferent voice sounded beside me.

Shen Yue was already standing beside his desk, her purple ahoge swaying slightly as she tilted her head. Her large, calm eyes, like a deep lake, were fixed on him.

Good morning, Daddy.

Jiang Ling: ……

Jiang Ling paused for two seconds, then whispered in response, "Good morning, baby."

"Um."

Shen Yue nodded in satisfaction, her ahoge (cowlick) bobbing happily before she turned back to her seat, took out her book, and moved with meticulous care.

Lan Xinlan, who was sitting to the side munching on her breakfast bread, looked up like a startled mouse, her eyes wide, and silent tears welled up in her heart.

[Sobbing... What's going on? Why are they calling each other "baby"...?]

In the back row, Yan Youyou rested her chin on her hand, her gaze seemingly fixed on the window, but her inner thoughts were clearly heard:

[I heard from Ah Ling before that he really likes figurines... Should I buy him that Bandai Metal Build Kamen Rider Zero-One?]

I saw it on Aim, it costs over 30,000 yen... so expensive.

However, if it's for Ah Ling...

[Okay! I need to take on more part-time jobs from now on! For Ah Ling's sake, let's do our best!]

I can't wait for Christmas to come!

A young girl's thoughts are like bubbles swirling in the sunlight—transparent, radiant, and carrying with them cautious anticipation.

The famous school festival and the renowned Christmas are only two days apart.

Countless incidents involving hatchets have occurred during Christmas and school festivals.

Jiang Ling thought of a senior colleague who had split up, and silently clasped her hands together:

"Rest in peace, Cheng-ge. (cough~tui~)"

I hope my Christmas and school festival go smoothly and don't turn into a bloodbath...

Noon, on the rooftop.

The lunchbox was casually placed aside.

Yan Youyou was practically clinging to Jiang Ling, her arms wrapped around his neck, and she was standing on tiptoe, trying her best to gently kiss his lips one kiss at a time.

Perhaps because she hadn't been able to satisfy her cravings yesterday, she was unusually enthusiastic today, not even noticing the glistening saliva sliding down her lips and dripping onto her fair forearm.

"Ah Ling~"

She stepped back slightly, slightly out of breath, her eyes glistening. "Christmas is coming soon... Would you like to go to the movies with me?"

Jiang Ling released his arm from her slender waist, thought for a moment, and said, "If I have time, I'll definitely go with you..."

Of course, the key point of this sentence is "if there is time".

If something goes wrong along the way, he can use this as an excuse to get away.

"Oh... well, okay then."

A hint of disappointment flashed across Yan Youyou's face, but she quickly cheered up again.

She hugged Jiang Ling tighter, burying her flushed face in his shoulder, her voice muffled but earnest:

"Ah Ling, you must make time for Christmas Day."

"Even just once would be enough."

"I have something very, very important... to tell you."

[For Christmas... let's... make some real coins...]

[Waaaaah... Is it really okay for best friends to do this kind of thing?]

We're...becoming less and less like 'good friends,' aren't we?

Ah, counterfeiting real money...

Jiang Ling's heart stirred slightly.

He felt he had to make time for it.

It's not that I'm lusting after Youyou's body or her black stockings; I just want to seriously learn how to distinguish between real and counterfeit currency.

"By the way, Youyou, close your eyes."

"Eh... Oh," Yan Youyou raised her head, her eyes hazy, and closed them.

With a slight thought, Jiang Ling summoned the Myriad Soul Banner from the system space.

He took Yan Youyou's hand and gently pressed a corner of the banner onto the inside of her fair and slender forearm.

A very faint, tattoo-like black flag mark quietly appeared.

At the same time, the translucent spirit of the beautiful coconut coalesced beside him.

"Boss! What are your orders?" Mei Yezi stood at attention.

She felt that calling him "boss" better suited the relationship between the human and the ghost.

The American coconut believes that it is wrong to take over the title of the hostess.

"I'm worried that Youyou might look for a high-paying part-time job to buy me figurines, so please help me protect her secretly..." Jiang Ling instructed.

After all, he was very familiar with the plot of the classic story.

Besides, it wouldn't make any difference if he wanted Mei Yezi to stay by his side.

At most, she can be used as a pretty vase or as an air conditioner when it's hot.

It would be better to let her play a practical role in protecting the female lead, who doesn't yet have the protection of the "Pure Love Fragment".

[Current Soul Imprint: 1]

[Note! The main soul can jump between different soul imprints, but cannot directly return to the Myriad Soul Banner. Furthermore, the more soul imprints are divided, the weaker the Earthly Binding Realm becomes!]

"Yes, boss!" Mei Yezi puffed out her flat chest, then hesitated for a moment, and asked in a low voice, "Um... what's the relationship between this girl and you, boss?"

"A rather special good friend."

"I guarantee I'll complete the mission of protecting the boss's special friend!"

……

night.

"Sorry to bother you~"

"Welcome, welcome! Nii-chan! Rin missed you so much!"

The person who opened the door was still the adorable Ke Ling, whose smile was so sweet it made you swoon—with her pigtails.

"Ling-chan, we just met the day before yesterday, right?" Jiang Ling chuckled and rubbed her little head.

Ke Ling rubbed against his palm and opened her arms. "Hmm... anyway, it's been so long since we last met, Nii-chan~ I want a hug!"

Like a little bird returning to its nest, she buried her head in Jiang Ling's arms, hugging his waist tightly, and rubbing her little head contentedly against his chest.

Her unique scent, a blend of jasmine fragrance and a hint of milk, gently wafted into my nostrils.

Jiang Ling: "Oh ho~"

This is truly a 2D anime-style doll! So soft, cute, and adorable, I love it!

"Rin-chan... hurry up and do your homework! The summer recruitment exams are coming up soon, so you have to study hard!"

Ouyang Kexin, who had just come out of the bathroom, stood in front of the two of them, tiptoed, and touched her younger sister's braids.

"Okay~", Ke Ling rubbed against her brother again before letting go of his little hand.

"Summer exam? Ling, you're that good?" Jiang Ling asked, somewhat surprised.

The so-called summer recruitment exam is actually a test of deviation value by universities a year in advance.

People with high deviation scores can skip grades and enter university directly.

Then, you can participate in the summer recruitment for graduate programs at the university and skip directly to the research institute... becoming legal... cough cough, but, this kind of exam is very difficult.

"Hmph~ Lingbi is much smarter than her sister~ Passing the exam is just a piece of cake for her~"

Ouyang Keling put her hands on her hips, revealing a smug smile, her little nose practically pointing to the sky.

Ouyang Kexin helplessly pushed Keling into the room.

"Sister... what are you doing...?"

"Go do your homework, be a good girl!"

The bedroom door was closed gently.

The next second—

"Brother~!"

Like a fledgling returning to its nest, Ouyang Kexin turned around and rushed into Jiang Ling's arms, burying her face in his chest and arching her back like her younger sister, her ears turning bright red.

"Brother~ I want a hug too..."

[So embarrassing... If Ling sees this, my authority as an older sister will be completely gone...]

But... I also want my brother to hold me like this...

Jiang Ling sighed helplessly, reached out and wrapped his arms around her slender waist and back, his palm habitually stroking her gently...

Ok?

The movement stopped abruptly.

There was no unexpected barrier from that layer of fabric.

Jiang Ling stared blankly, swallowing hard. "Kexin... why aren't you wearing anything underneath?"

"Eh..." Ouyang Kexin's face flushed red instantly, her relaxed body stiffened, and she lowered her head and whispered, "B-because... I just finished taking a shower..."

[Waaah... I'm doomed! Will Brother A-Jiang think I'm an immoral girl...?]

After taking a shower, most average-looking girls don't wear that restrictive layer, but just put on a loose nightgown or coat.

Kexin is clearly one of them.

"Um……"

Ouyang Kexin was so embarrassed she was practically fuming. She couldn't help but reach out her index finger and timidly, gently, poke his taut pectoral muscles.

Wow, those muscles are amazing...

Just then—

"Click".

The bedroom door quietly opened a crack, almost imperceptible.

Behind the crack in the door, Ouyang Keling stood quietly, her clear eyes peering silently through the gap at the two people embracing in the living room.

She gently pursed her pink lips, her eyes filled with a complex and unfathomable expression.