The Truth of the Flower Heir (2)

“How does it feel… being a magical girl?”

Faced with the middle-aged woman’s direct question, You Dong didn’t even have the will to deny it or play dumb.

Just as magical girls varied in power, humans differed in presence.

Like the unspoken hierarchy of the corporate world, the sharp, commanding aura radiating from this woman completely overwhelmed You Dong. He understood—before someone stronger, someone clearly above him, deception was pointless.

Accepting that, You Dong simply admitted it openly.

“But hold on—you seem to know all about me. Yet I don’t even know your name. Doesn’t that feel a bit unfair?”

“Shi Minjun.”

She extended her hand.

“I imagine you have many questions. Don’t worry—I came here specifically to answer them.”

You Dong took her hand. They exchanged polite nods.

On one side: a woman who knew his name, his identity, and even the classified fact that he was a magical girl.
On the other: a man who only had a name—and not even proof it was real.

This vast imbalance in information naturally made You Dong wary.

Yet his suspicious gaze didn’t escape Shi Minjun’s notice.

Seeing that he still couldn’t trust her, she smiled slightly.

“Hmm… good. A cautious one. Quite different from your sister.”

“If only Huimei had been a little more careful, a little more guarded… perhaps she wouldn’t have…”

She trailed off, her eyes drifting back to You Huimei’s tombstone—words left unsaid, heavy with regret.

Faced with Shi Minjun’s cryptic tone and the term “comrade-in-arms,” You Dong began to suspect the truth.

But to ask outright? It felt too absurd. The words stuck in his throat.

“I’d like to confirm something,” he said instead, voice low. “What exactly was your relationship with my sister?”

“I already told you,” she replied calmly. “We were comrades.”

“Comrades…?”

“You really don’t know anything, do you?” Shi Minjun sighed.

Then, she raised her left hand and turned her ring finger toward him—the one bearing a large, ornate ring.

“Well? Do you understand now?”

You Dong froze.

His suspicion had been right.

But the fact that his suspicion was actually correct—

The shock left his mind blank. His eyes locked onto the source of it all—

Embedded in the ring was a soul gem—the very symbol of a magical girl’s identity.

After dropping You Dong off at home, Shi Minjun drove straight to the address she had given him.

It was a standalone villa near the Fourth Ring Road, its gate marked with a sign reading [Minjun Trading Co.]. Beyond a courtyard filled with employee cars stood a wooden front door.

—Dingdong.

The electronic lock disengaged, and the door slid open automatically.

You Dong stepped inside without hesitation. Shi Minjun was already waiting in the entryway.

“You’re here. Follow me up.”

The first floor was an open-concept living space.
The second floor housed the office and break area—over a dozen employees sat at desks, deeply focused on their work.
The third floor was Shi Minjun’s private residence—a space inaccessible via elevator unless escorted by her personally. This design minimized intrusion and safeguarded privacy.

Despite driving a GT sports car and owning such an impressive estate, Shi Minjun’s private quarters were surprisingly simple.

The white-painted living room contained only a single, clearly expensive sofa and coffee table. No television, no decorations—nothing.

Does she not even watch TV? You Dong wondered silently.

“I’ll make tea,” Shi Minjun said, disappearing into the kitchen.

The stark simplicity of the space made You Dong uneasy.

He sat on the leather sofa, eyes darting around for anything to distract him from his growing anxiety. Soon, a photo frame on the coffee table caught his attention.

It felt rude to look without permission… yet despite this flicker of conscience, his eyes drifted toward it anyway.

The next moment, You Dong snatched the frame up in shock.

“…It’s really… it’s really Sis.”

The photo showed four young women. At the center stood You Huimei—his older sister.

She looked no older than twenty, vibrant and radiant, like a college student full of life. She flashed a peace sign at the camera, grinning brightly.

Beside her was a younger version of Shi Minjun—arms crossed, expression stern, utterly serious, a stark contrast to You Huimei’s playful energy.

Behind them stood a tall girl with dyed red hair.

If not for Shi Minjun’s cold demeanor, anyone would assume they were inseparable friends.

And then, the fourth figure… no, girl. She was clearly younger—fifteen or sixteen at most.

Dressed in a black dress, she stood apart from the others, as if existing in a separate layer of reality.

Clearly uncomfortable in front of the camera, her expression was stiff. Yet even so, her beauty shone through—unmistakable.

Ruby-red eyes. Striking silver hair…

Something about her felt oddly familiar.

The instant the thought formed, You Dong nearly dropped the frame.

Heilou!

Yes—it was her!

“Don’t get too excited. If you break it, I will be angry.”

Shi Minjun’s calm, emotionless voice came from behind him. Moments later, a tray with a teapot and cups appeared on the coffee table.

“You’re right. That is Heilou,” she said, pouring tea.

“Ahh… actually, she was quite cute back then,” she added with a sigh.

“…Cute?”

You Dong struggled to reconcile that word with the terrifying image of Heilou from just days ago—her overwhelming power, the way she had crushed him without effort.

No. Cute did not fit. Not even close.

“Forget that for now,” he said, voice tight. “My sister… she was a magical girl too?”

“Drink while it’s hot,” Shi Minjun replied, gently pushing a cup toward him.

“You won’t have fresh tea in the car later,” she added.