[Extra] Let’s Work! Magical Girl (Part 1)

“It has to be this one. No mistake.”

After triple-checking, Mo Li added the item to her cart and opened the checkout page.

As she hovered over the payment button, her finger hesitated.

“…How am I going to explain spending this much to Mom?”

Mo Li sighed. This wasn’t a hundred-yuan lipstick or snacks—it was a phone worth five to six thousand.

A few days ago at FanDou Paradise, she’d accidentally yanked You Xi’s phone from midair, shattering it into useless scrap.

You Xi had said it wasn’t her fault—no need to apologize or pay. But Mo Li couldn’t accept that.

After Bai Mian’s incident, she felt that if she didn’t take responsibility for her actions, unimaginable consequences would follow.

Driven by guilt, she’d decided to replace the phone.

“…Forget it. Can’t use Mom’s card.”

After long hesitation, she closed the tab.

Her account was linked to her mother’s bank card. Any charge would trigger a notification.

Their family was well-off, but for a high schooler, 6,000 yuan was a huge expense. She wouldn’t be able to explain it.

To avoid questions, she’d have to use money that was hers alone…

She opened WeChat Pay.

Three digits stared back. Not nearly enough.

“Guess I’ll have to earn some cash…” Mo Li thought.

Xinwang High School.

“Girls, urgent meeting.”

During break, Mo Li gathered her four closest friends in their usual spot—the secluded corner at the end of the hallway. They called it “the conference room.”

“What’s up? So serious.”
“I need to borrow some money,” Mo Li said, scratching her head with an awkward laugh.

“Huh? You broke something expensive?”

The four exchanged glances.

“I damaged someone’s stuff and need to repay them… Please help!” She clasped her hands, bowing earnestly.

“Here, take mine.”
“Just what I have. My weekly allowance—nothing more.”
“Got you covered.”

In seconds, Mo Li’s balance jumped by over 2,000 yuan.

“Still short 3,000…” She frowned at her phone.

“Wait, 3,000? What did you even break?”

Unable to hide it from friends who’d helped so much, Mo Li explained—removing the magical girl details—how she’d broken Xi Ning’s phone.

After listening, the group nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, you gotta replace it.”
“But how to get the rest?” Mo Li looked miserable.

One girl suggested: “Wanna go work at—”

“Get outta here!”

Mo Li kicked her lightly on the butt.

“Hehe, just kidding.” The girl hopped aside—still getting grazed by Mo Li’s shoe on her skirt.

“Seriously though,” she brushed off the dust, dropping the joke. “I think you’re right. But using your parents’ money or borrowing from friends… isn’t that just shifting the burden? Have you thought about earning it yourself? Like… a part-time job?”

“A job…”

Mo Li repeated the word.

For a wealthy heiress like her, “working” felt distant, almost foreign.

“I saw a new shop hiring college students as temps. Pays 300 a day.”

“300 a day?! What temp job pays that much?” another girl gasped.

“There are requirements—they want cute, good-looking student girls.”

She glanced at Mo Li, who paled instantly.

“N-not something sketchy, right?” Mo Li asked nervously.

“Relax. Totally healthy, totally legal.”

The girl patted her shoulder, then explained the store’s business and job duties.

Mo Li exhaled in relief. Her worries vanished.

“I… I can do this,” she nodded.

Though her voice trembled, her eyes were firm. She wanted to earn the money fast—to return the phone to Xi Ning.

“I’ll swing by tonight, send you the address and number. Good luck!”

Break was ending. Needing the restroom, Mo Li left early.

“Since when did Miss Pervert get so eloquent?”

After Mo Li turned the corner, one girl nudged the “job advisor,” smirking.

‘Through your own labor’… such a noble speech~”

“Hehehe…”

To everyone’s surprise, the girl burst into sly giggles.

“I actually worked there to pay off my Flower Credit debt. The boss said if I bring in a cute girl who works a full week, I get 500 yuan referral bonus~ Hehehe!”

“Wait, really? Share the wealth, or I’m snitching.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll take 200, you each get 100.”
“Deal!”
“OK!”
“Yes!”

They high-fived, grinning like conspirators.

Meanwhile, completely unaware she’d been “sold” for 500 yuan, Mo Li walked toward the restroom—grateful for her friend’s advice, heart fluttering with nervous excitement.

“Can I really do a part-time job…?”
“No. I will.”

She slapped her cheeks lightly.

She imagined You Xi’s face when receiving the new phone. Would she smile? Be moved?

That tiny fantasy made her giggle.

“Hehehe…”

Under confused stares from passersby, she skipped toward the restroom.

“Maid café… I’ve heard of these. There’s one around here.”

You Xi paused before the glass window, peering inside.

Wooden tables, minimalist Scandinavian decor—looked like any normal café. The twist? All staff wore maid outfits. Cute girls with different hairstyles, some even wearing cat ears and tails—embarrassing, yet oddly charming.

No idea why, but You Xi pushed the door open anyway.

“Welcome, Master~ What would you like today, Mi-Pa~?”

A girl a few years older—probably a college student—approached as soon as she sat.

“Mi-Pa? What even is that…” You Xi blushed instantly, as if she were the one being embarrassed.

“You’re so adorable, Master Mi-Pa~ How about a omurice? Mi-Pa~?”
“O-okay.”

“And drinks? Our seasonal special—honeydew melon juice, Mi-Pa~?”
“S-sure.”

You Xi nodded numbly, having no clue what she’d ordered. She wasn’t socially adept—faced with such cheerfulness, she could only comply.

“Please wait a moment, Master Mi-Pa~”

As the maid left with her tray, You Xi realized she hadn’t breathed. She gasped for air, trying to calm her racing heart.

“I shouldn’t have come…”

Pulling out her old phone—a model from middle school—she scrolled through news.

Her new phone had died during the aberration fight. This one had a small screen, dull colors, and, worst of all, a low refresh rate. After using smooth modern phones, the lag and ghosting hurt her eyes.

She could ask Uncle to buy a new one—he’d take her immediately.

But she didn’t want to.

A simple request… making him cancel his hard-earned days of overtime…

It felt empty. Selfish.

“Master~ Here’s your omurice and honeydew juice!”

Just as she thought this, a sickly sweet voice rang out.

Yellow-and-black maid dress, slightly revealing, hugged a slender figure. White thigh-highs accentuated tight, round legs—radiating youth.

“So… so cute…”

But… why did she look familiar?

The more You Xi stared, the more certain she became. A cold shiver ran down her spine.

“This is Mi-Pa’s temporary replacement! So please enjoy, Little Li—HWAH?!”

As the maid turned to serve, Mo Li froze. The glass slipped—honeydew juice splashed all over You Xi.

“WAAAAAH—!”

Two screams echoed through the maid café.