Family

The dining table was laden with dishes.

Luo You, however, had no appetite whatsoever.

To her right sat Luo Zining.

Next to Zining was Ji Meng, voraciously devouring the desserts on the table.

At first glance, Ji Meng seemed like a child who minded her manners.

Who could’ve guessed she’d eat so ferociously?

A char siu bun in her left hand, a mala cake in her right.

Each bite was so fierce, it was as if she were chomping down on a sworn enemy.

Two quick chews, and it was gone, swallowed whole.

Even her eyes gleamed with a tiger-like ferocity!

Taking advantage of Ji Meng’s preoccupation, Luo You seized the moment to ask, “Zining, just out of curiosity, how old is your sister?”

“What? I’m telling you, don’t treat her like a kid. She’s 24!”

“Phew! Barely safe!”

A massive weight lifted from Luo You’s heart, landing softly.

Her expression was one of unburdened relief, like a wild horse freed from its reins, ready to gallop across open seas or soar through boundless skies.

Luo Zining caught that look and instantly flared up, misunderstanding something.

She grabbed Luo You’s collar, yanking her close and roaring, “I never would’ve thought you were that kind of person! I’m warning you, don’t even think about going after my sister! She’s only 24!”

“Did you flush your brain down the toilet last night?”

Luo You was furious.

Sure, she could tolerate being called a reckless, skirt-chasing scoundrel—she kind of was.

But a lolicon? That was a line she absolutely wouldn’t cross!

“Hmph, who knows what you’re into? Just stay away from my sister. She’s been hurt by bad women before, and I won’t let you reopen her wounds.”

“You’re so protective of your sister. Why’d you even bring me to meet her?”

“How was I supposed to know you’re into younger ones? And she’s your daughter’s sister!”

So you’re dead-set on pinning this label on me, huh?

Luo You thrust out her chest, hands cupping it proudly, her voice dripping with mockery.

“Idiot, what do you know? My type is a big sister who could smother me with her chest. Smother me, got it? Not some flat runway that’d bruise my head! If you were a big sister who could smother me, I might’ve considered it. But now? I wouldn’t even glance twice! Stupid, stu~pid!”

Luo Zining froze for two seconds before erupting in rage, her face flushed crimson.

What?! What was that?! Looking down on her? Calling her flat?!

She was at least an A+, okay?!

…Aaaaaargh!

Just as she was about to tear into her, Luo You suddenly softened.

“Sorry, I got carried away.”

“…”

Luo Zining’s fury had nowhere to go, leaving her trembling with suppressed anger.

Seeing this, Luo You smirked inwardly.

She knew Zining was a hopeless sucker for pretty faces!

“Sorry, Zining, mocking your figure was out of line. Can you forgive me?”

The tactic worked like a charm.

Luo Zining took several deep breaths, forcing her expression to cool.

“No next time.”

“Oh, there’ll be a next time.”

[…On the way back, I’ll buy some peaches and rub them on the underwear she’s planning to change into today.]

Luo Zining, without batting an eye, was already brewing a vicious little plan in her mind.

Kick—

Luo You’s small foot, clad in white socks, gave Zining’s leg a light tap.

“You slandered me first. Now we’re even.”

Thinking the matter was settled, her hand suddenly felt cold.

Luo Zining’s hand had somehow clasped hers.

“Sorry, Dad.”

“Mmm, recognizing your mistake is the greatest virtue.”

“I even thought about treating your ○○ to some peaches. Sorry.”

“???”

Luo You froze, then blurted, “Are you the reincarnation of some nine-day poison maiden?”

Her heart skipped a beat.

What were girls these days?!

Terrifying!

Her daughter was just a day student—how had she developed the kind of vicious cunning you’d expect from dorm girls?

“Pfft~ Just messing with you.”

Luo Zining playfully stuck out a bit of her tongue, like a summer storm melting into a spring breeze.

Luo You’s lingering fear gradually faded.

Well, after raising her for five years, she probably wouldn’t use such nasty tricks on her own “father,” right?

“Ahem… Mengmeng-jie, why’re you staring at me?”

Luo Zining looked up to find Ji Meng, who’d been gorging herself, now giggling at her.

“Nothing, just thinking you two get along so well. I was worried you might not have been happy these years after being adopted. Seeing you doing great is better than anything.”

Ji Meng swayed her head, her sweet smile practically melting with cuteness.

Luo Zining’s cheeks flushed slightly.

“Mind your own business. How’re you and Aunt getting along, Mengmeng-jie?”

“It’s fine. We don’t live together, just meet up now and then.”

The two chattered back and forth.

Luo You quietly ate her food, occasionally exchanging a few words with Ji Meng.

Until Ji Meng got a phone call.

Her childlike face instantly turned complex, like an adult weighed down by worries.

After hanging up, she said apologetically, “Sorry, something came up at my company. I have to head back.”

“Huh?! Mengmeng-jie, you have a job?”

“How rude! I’m 24, you know! I can support myself!”

Ji Meng huffed, pounding her tiny fists, though her usual spark seemed dimmed.

“Alright, I’m off. See you, Youyou.”

“See you.”

After Ji Meng left, Luo You glanced over and quipped, “She’s your sister, but she looks way younger than you.”

“She actually knows a ton. Don’t underestimate her.”

“I can tell.”

Seeing isn’t always believing, and Luo You knew that better than anyone.

[She might look like a kid, but her magical girl form’s got curves.]

The moment they met, it was confirmed: Zining’s sister, Ji Meng, was a magical girl.

And Luo You had slept with her.

Not just once—twice.

It happened seven years ago, during her third-to-last hunt before retiring.

Back then, Luo You did something she deeply regretted: using her Azure Authority: Shatter Illusion to peek at this magical girl’s true form.

She hadn’t expected what she saw.

It nearly scared her to death.

Who could’ve imagined a magical girl with such a mature, curvaceous figure would look that young in real life?

After that, Luo You swore off any further entanglements with her.

For the next two months, she didn’t hunt another magical girl.

Thankfully, meeting Ji Meng today and learning from Zining that she was 24 meant that seven years ago, she would’ve been around 17 or 18—not as bad as Luo You had feared.

Because of that experience, just days ago in Huahai City, Luo You had been extra cautious.

She’d used Shatter Illusion to check Little Red Riding Hood’s true form, ensuring she didn’t accidentally “unlock” her own daughter’s CG.

What a sin that would’ve been.

This should’ve been something she could bury, like she did with Ji Yue, and pretend it never happened…

But Ji Meng’s appearance brought up something she couldn’t ignore.

“Zining, you mentioned you have two sisters, right?”

“Yeah, they’re twins. Mengmeng-jie’s the older one, but my second sister went missing during a Sea of Realms disaster when I was little. We still haven’t found her… Why’re you asking?”

Luo Zining thought she was just curious about her family, but her expression shifted suddenly.

“Wait, have you seen someone who looks like Mengmeng-jie somewhere?!”

“No, no, no, just asking.”

“Tch…”

Sorry, Zining. I’ve seen her.

A shadow flickered deep in Luo You’s eyes.

But that was something she couldn’t say.

In the rideshare car, Luo You leaned against the door, her gaze drifting to the distant view outside.

[Xingyu, Liyun—one’s the Third Seat, the other’s the Sixth… Who’d have thought they were Zining’s family too? And then there’s Ji Yue. Did I stumble into a magical girl nest or what?]

Luo You never believed in “fate” or other mystical nonsense.

No scientific basis, just coincidences.

But reality had slapped her with four loud wake-up calls.

A family of four magical girls, and she just happened to be the witch who hunted them?

Could that really be a coincidence?

“This is getting dangerous,” Luo You muttered.

Luo Zining scooted closer.

“What’s dangerous?”

“You misheard.”

“Tch, probably did something guilty again, huh?”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re right about everything.”

Brushing Zining off, another question nagged at Luo You.

If Liyun, the second sister, was alive and with Ji Meng, why didn’t Zining, their younger sister, know?

Ji Meng didn’t go to any “company.”

After parting ways, she went straight home.

“Liyun, you okay?”

Clatter—

A crash came from inside, and soon a slender, graceful girl rushed out.

“Sister, is it true? Has Elera really resurfaced?”

The girl bore a slight resemblance to Ji Meng but was noticeably more mature.

Seeing her, Ji Meng’s eyes flashed with irritation, though she held her patience.

“Yeah, I attended Xingyue’s meeting this morning. For safety, she’s requiring the Ten Seats to pair up. You…”

“I’m in! Sister, let’s be magical girls together again!” Liyun shouted, her voice brimming with excitement.

Ji Meng fell silent for a long moment, her silver teeth clenched, forcing down her emotions.

Her voice was cold.

“If you want to come back, fine. I’ve been fighting to keep your seat reserved. You’re welcome back anytime.”

Her eyes held only melancholy and disappointment.

For seven years, she’d tried to convince her sister to return, to no avail.

She’d all but given up on her.

Yet Elera’s reappearance had done what seven years of effort couldn’t—effortlessly pulling Liyun back to the path of a magical girl.

Talk about a blow…

“Awesome, Sister! We can be magical girls together again!”

Liyun hugged her tightly, her genuine smile something Ji Meng hadn’t seen in ages.

Finally, Ji Meng couldn’t hold back.

“Why? Are you so obsessed with Elera? You even abandoned your real name, keeping only your magical girl name…”

“…Sister, why ask that?”

“Sorry, forget I said anything.”

Ji Meng crouched on the floor, her eyes dim and lifeless.