Hidden Motives

“Let me go! Let me go now!”

“I’m never falling for your seductive charms!”

“Hmph, aaarghhh!”

Ji Yue gave an exasperated glance at the hands clinging tightly to her waist.

She wasn’t even using any force—just leaning down lightly.

Let you go?

Not tempted by beauty?

Why don’t you check how honest your body’s being?

“You’re talking a big game, but your hands are holding on for dear life.”

“…”

Luo You froze mid-struggle.

To an outsider, it might look like she’d been smothered to death.

“Pfft!”

Shoving Ji Yue off, Luo You gasped for air like a drowning survivor barely escaping.

Her eyes, filled with feigned terror, locked onto Ji Yue.

“You—you trying to murder me?!”

Ji Yue’s expression screamed, How can someone be this shameless?

It pierced Luo You’s heart.

No choice—she’d been caught out and had to cover it somehow.

“Sorry, I was just testing you.”

Ji Yue’s apology didn’t sound like one at all.

“That female pervert I mentioned? She said her type was big sisters who could smother her with their chest. That’s why I…”

“So you used that to test me?!”

“Yeah… but now I’m sure you’re not her.”

“Hmph! Obviously! My type isn’t what you said at all. It’s small, delicate… wait, no, I don’t even like women, period!”

Before her runaway mouth could go further, Luo You yanked open the sauna door and bolted.

Ji Yue’s expression turned intriguing.

Her fingers twitched, eager.

“Luo Youyou… could it really be you?”

When she’d pinned Luo You earlier, Ji Yue could almost see through to that depraved, enjoying face.

It was eerily similar to when Elera had humiliated her.

That same ravenous hunger.

Treating people like toys.

Never stopping until the brink of suffocation.

The only difference? This time, Ji Yue was the one in control, yet Luo You’s reactions mirrored Elera’s to a tee.

There were other clues only Ji Yue knew.

In Huahai City, Elera had saved Luo Zining—a seemingly trivial detail.

But only someone specific would notice the oddity behind it.

Zhou Xi had told her Elera had a daughter. That’s one.

Then, right after Luo Zining and Luo You arrived in Jiuming Sea, when Luo You left the hot springs, Elera appeared at the Canglan Ruins. That’s two.

What were the odds?

Ji Yue would rather believe Elera saving Zining wasn’t a coincidence—it was inevitable.

She was 60 to 70 percent certain now.

With that level of confidence, she could justify striking first—capture Luo You, interrogate her slowly.

But now…

“Ji Yue, what’s wrong?”

The sauna door swung open.

Zhou Xi, wrapped in a towel, stepped inside.

“I saw Youyou run out. Did something happen?”

“Probably just overheated.”

“Oh… I wanted to talk about that group you mentioned pulling me into…”

“Forget it. Pretend I never brought it up.”

Ji Yue’s sudden shift puzzled Zhou Xi.

Before, she’d been consumed with resentment toward Elera. Now, it was like that fire had vanished.

“Why… Never mind, I won’t ask. I was actually here to decline anyway, so don’t worry about it. I’m heading back to rest.”

“Mm.”

Good thing she didn’t press—Ji Yue had other plans now.

First come, first served, right?

If Luo You was Elera, Ji Yue was the only one who knew her identity.

The only one.

Calling in other magical girls to take her down?

Even if they succeeded, Ji Yue wouldn’t get to claim Elera.

Why not… keep this to herself?

“Don’t blame me, sisters. It’s about who gets there first, right?” Ji Yue muttered.

“But I probably spooked her today. She’s definitely on guard now. I need to do something to ease her suspicions.”

“Also, tomorrow, I’ll request a transfer to Huahai City from the Alliance.”

“Whew! That was close. She’s definitely suspicious of me!”

Luo You, still shaken, changed clothes and slipped into her room.

She didn’t believe for a second she’d fooled anyone.

Only a naive fool would think they’d gotten away clean.

“Tch, what do I do now… Why’s she even suspicious of me? Does becoming a scorned magical girl double your intuition or something?”

Out of millions, Ji Yue zeroed in on her.

By the logic of hiding in plain sight, as Zining’s guardian, she should’ve been the least suspicious!

“She’s not following…”

Confirming Ji Yue wasn’t tailing her, Luo You slipped into Xue’s room.

Xue was sprawled on the bed, idly rolling around.

With a tumble and a leap, she rolled right up to Luo You.

“You!”

“Oi, you little gremlin, call me by my name properly.”

“But it’s You, isn’t it? Sounds close enough.”

…Teaching me now, huh?

Time for the usual—hypnosis brainwashing!

Xue didn’t even resist anymore, used to it by now.

She had no clue what Luo You was doing to her, only that it left her feeling light and relaxed.

No harm done, and it was even kind of pleasant.

“Is this one of those unspeakable things being done to me?” Xue asked, all innocence.

“…In a way, yeah. Don’t say stuff like that to anyone else, or I’ll end up in jail.”

Though no prison could hold this gal. Luo You smirked inwardly.

Soon, Xue was hypnotized, her mind blank and pliable, like a wooden puppet.

“Figuring out what to do with her is such a hassle. And I still need to throw Ji Yue off my trail… Ugh, so annoying!”

Luo You paced to the window, irritated.

Outside stretched a lush forest blanketed in snow.

Hot spring hotels always picked these remote, underdeveloped spots with no proper transit.

“…Oh?”

Luo You’s eyes glinted with a faint red glow.

The snowy ground below looked empty, just a pristine white expanse.

But it was like she’d activated “Spiritual Vision.”

Any suspicious traces stood out like main quest markers in a game, highlighted in red halos.

They’re finally making their move, huh?

Someone was targeting Zhou Xi—she’d noticed it yesterday while soaking in the springs.

The culprits? A group of rogue outsiders.

Their goal? To extract intel on Elera.

“What a perfect opportunity. Time to make use of it.”

Luo You smirked.

Talk about a pillow when you’re sleepy—a chance to clear her name had just fallen into her lap.

She glanced at the dazed Xue, left a note on the table, and headed out.

Then she went to Zhou Xi’s room.

Knock knock.

“Who is it?”

“Me.”

Luo You held up a can of honeyed citrus.

“Bought this on the way back yesterday. Take it, if you don’t mind.”

“Oh? That’s too kind… Wanna come in and sit?”

Zhou Xi had been drained from the Ten Seats meeting that morning.

Luo You’s visit threw off her rest plans, but she couldn’t just leave her at the door.

Inside, Zhou Xi brought out two cups of hot tea, fragrant with honeyed citrus.

She’d used it to brew the tea.

“Drink up.”

“Thanks.”

The sweet taste and soothing aroma made Luo You feel drowsy.

After the sugar hit, Zhou Xi’s eyelids started drooping too.

“Ah, don’t mind me. Rest if you need to.”

“Then why’re you here?”

“Uh, to hide…”

Luo You pointed at the room next door, her meaning clear.

Zining was out, so she was dodging Ji Yue.

Zhou Xi caught on—she’d noticed the weird vibe between Ji Yue and Luo You.

She didn’t pry.

Meddling in family drama was a bad idea.

“I’m gonna nap. Lock the door when you leave.”

“Sorry for the bother.”

Time ticked by.

The room was quiet, save for Zhou Xi’s steady breathing.

Luo You sat motionless in a chair, staring out the window.

Then, in an instant—

A chilling breeze swept through the sealed room, from who-knows-where.

Luo You shivered, then felt her body go numb, her mind losing control.

She collapsed sideways, hitting the floor hard.

Zhou Xi jolted awake on the bed.

“Who’s… ngh—?!”

She tried to transform but succumbed to the same paralysis, collapsing.

Her last glimpse was of unfamiliar workers in repair uniforms entering the room before her vision faded to black.

Half an hour earlier—

Magical Alliance, Huahai City Branch

“Ugh, isn’t this super dangerous?”

The magical girl Qiushui scrolled through a video on her phone, her voice tinged with worry.

This caught Xingyue’s attention.

“Something wrong?”

“Hm? New face? You new here?”

“No, just visiting today. Nice to meet you.”

Xingyue gave a gentle smile, not revealing her identity.

She was only here to check things out, unsure if she’d stay “‘You see something nasty on your phone?”

“Yeah, take a look.”

Qiushui showed her screen, displaying a post from an account called “Famous Fitness Blogger.”

A flood of comments followed.

The latest post read, “Cornered in the sauna by a gorgeous big sister.”

“This has to be a crime, right?” Qiushui pointed at the post.

“Should we go help?”

Xingyue glanced at it, a bit speechless.

“…You’re overthinking it. It’s staged, fake.”

“Huh? Staged? So we don’t need to bother?”

“Exactly. She’s probably enjoying it.”

Xingyue shook her head.

These low-ranking magical girls were too naive…

Hm?

Her eyes caught the previous post—a photo of feet soaking in a fish therapy pool.

“Can you zoom in on that one?”

“Something weird?”

Xingyue squinted at the soft, pink feet glistening from the hot water.

“Check the location of this account’s posts. I’m heading over.”

“Wait, didn’t you say it was staged and not worth bothering?”

“Better to waste a trip than miss a crime. Hurry up.”