Let’s Go Home

In Director Cao’s eyes, this sudden intruder was an unwelcome disruption—an unpredictable variable.

Judging by his age, he could be You Xi’s father. But then, what was the girl to him? A younger sister?

As if sensing his confusion, Teacher Li leaned over and whispered something into his ear.

“…Ah, I see.”

Now informed, Director Cao nodded slowly.

“Mr. You! Hello!” He stood up and extended his hand. “It must be tough raising a child on your own. You have my respect.”

“Not at all,” You Dong replied, rising smoothly and shaking his hand. “Nothing compared to how hard you must work, sir.”

Then, unexpectedly, You Dong turned to You Xi beside him.

“You Xi, look at this,” he said, voice laced with feigned scolding. “Director Cao was so busy he didn’t even check your family situation before rushing here for a ‘heart-to-heart.’ Don’t you feel guilty? Can’t you just make things a little easier for people?”

On the surface, he was blaming his niece.

But everyone in the room understood—the real jab was at Director Cao’s incompetence. He hadn’t even verified basic information about the student he was meeting with.

Director Cao caught the meaning instantly—but had no defense. All he could offer was an awkward chuckle.

“…Haha. Just doing my job, just doing my job.”

“Oh, sorry about this.”

No sooner had You Dong sat down than he picked up the voice recorder on the table, holding it up for both teachers to see.

“Old habits die hard. I’m always in meetings at work—guess I brought that energy here.”

“This… isn’t really necessary,” Director Cao forced a smile, a flicker of irritation in his eyes.

“We only called You Xi in because we care about her mental well-being after two weeks of suspension. Honestly, it’s just a casual chat.”

This young man seemed polite enough—but bringing a recorder, openly displaying it? That was beyond expectations.

“And so,” You Dong said, his gaze sharp and knowing, “as you said, Director Cao—this is just a casual chat. No demands, no requirements, right?”

Director Cao froze.

Only now did he realize—he’d backed himself into a corner.

By calling it “just a chat,” he’d stripped himself of any authority to impose conditions. If he tried to pressure them later, You Dong could simply say, That’s too serious for a casual talk.

And with that recorder possibly still running—hidden in a pocket but impossible to confirm whether it was on or off—any misstep could be used against him.

Faced with this reality, Director Cao knew pushing further today was futile.

“…Yes,” he said through gritted teeth. “Just a casual chat.”

A fake smile stretched across his face.

From this moment on, You Dong held full control of the conversation.

Relaxed, confident, he turned to Teacher Li.

“Teacher Li, I’m often busy with work—haven’t been able to keep up with You Xi’s school life. As her homeroom teacher, could you tell me how she’s been doing?”

“Ah…”

Caught off guard, Teacher Li instinctively glanced at Director Cao for permission.

“Oh! Look at the time—it’s almost four.”

Director Cao suddenly checked his watch—though no one had asked.

“I’ve got another meeting. Teacher Li, please stay and share some insights with Mr. You about You Xi’s performance.”

“And remember,” he added, patting her shoulder, “be objective. Don’t let personal bias cloud the parents’ understanding of their child. Understood?”

With that, he gave a quick farewell and left—fleeing the battlefield.

What had started as a trap—a hongmen banquet—ended as a twenty-minute discussion on You Xi’s academic performance.

After the meeting concluded, You Dong stepped outside, stretching his arms under the bright afternoon sun.

Behind him, You Xi followed quietly, head down, silent.

“Let’s go.”

He turned, smiling at his little niece.

“Go?”

“Home,” he said, as if it were obvious.

“Oh.”

You Xi nodded obediently. She looked around—no car in sight.

“Where’d you park?”

You Dong winced. He’d forgotten—his car was still stranded on the emergency lane of the overpass.

“My car… broke down. I actually took the subway here.”

“Oh.” You Xi nodded. “Then let’s take the subway back.”

“You don’t want to call a taxi?” You Dong raised an eyebrow.

It was several kilometers to the nearest station—nearly half an hour on foot.

“No. Today… I just want to walk,” she said softly.

And so, they walked side by side toward the subway entrance.

It was just past four p.m. Office workers hadn’t left yet. Students were likely in their final class. The streets felt empty—like a festival ground after the crowds had gone, quiet and strangely peaceful.

“Hey, Uncle.”

“Hmm?”

“If… I mean, if… I said I wanted to become a magical girl… would you let me?”

The question hung in the air.

“Absolutely not.”

“…Even if I say this, you won’t listen anyway, will you?”

You Dong chuckled lightly.

“Hehe,” You Xi giggled too.

“Seriously though, why do you want to be a magical girl? Is it to avenge your parents?”

“If I could, sure… But right now, I just want to save a close friend.”

“Save a friend? You think your friend Bai Mian was taken by an aberration?”

“Yeah. Bai Mian…”

She hesitated.

“She was taken. That’s the only reason she’d disappear. So to save her… I have to become a magical girl first.”

“You’re being way too dramatic,” You Dong said, pretending to joke.

But inside, knowing the truth, his heart ached just as much as hers.

“…Still, I don’t think your idea is wrong.”

“What? You’re agreeing?!” You Xi’s eyes widened.

“Of course not. Fighting aberrations is dangerous. You think it’s a picnic?” You Dong shot her a look.

“I know it’s dangerous. But if I don’t do it now… I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”

“Well then,” You Dong sighed. “There’s nothing I can do.”

“…Since you’re so determined… I guess I’ll just have to go with you.”

“Go… with me?”

You Xi frowned, puzzled. That simple phrase carried layers she couldn’t untangle.

“I mean, I’ll become a magical girl too. That way, when you’re in danger, just call me—I’ll come running.”

“PFFFT—HAHAHAHA!”

You Xi burst out laughing, clutching her stomach.

“What are you talking about? There’s no way a thirty-year-old man could be a magical girl!”

“Hey, I’m just joking,” You Dong shrugged. “Can’t I joke around?”

“Fine,” You Xi grinned. “Then if I do become a magical girl, whenever I’m in trouble, I’ll scream, ‘Uncle, save me!’ And you better come running—in a cute little skirt, okay? Pffft—can’t handle it… HAHAHA!”

She laughed freely on the sidewalk, utterly unselfconscious.

But that was the real her. And You Dong didn’t mind one bit.

“Yeah,” he said, nodding seriously. “I’ll come.”

His expression was too serious.

Slowly, You Xi stopped laughing.

Wait… is he not joking?

Could he actually believe a grown man could become a magical girl?

The thought sent her imagination spiraling.

What would he look like? A girl just like her? A dashing magic knight? Or worse—some absurd comic where a muscle-bound man in a frilly dress blasts beams from his wand?

Ugh, no thanks.

She mentally discarded each image—until only one remained:

Tidal.

No. Impossible. You Xi shook her head, laughing at herself.

She dismissed the idea.

Earlier, during her self-reflection, she’d realized why Tidal and her uncle felt similar—they both cared for her deeply. That was all.

One was a single thirty-year-old man. The other, a lone mother. How could they possibly be the same person?

Once she saw the logic, You Xi smiled at her own wild imagination.

Besides—this whole conversation was just a joke, wasn’t it?

You Dong didn’t know he’d already become a magical girl.

So of course, in his mind, saying “I’ll become one too” was just playful banter—to match her fantasy.

Joke or not, the feeling behind his words was real.

Proven by that earnest face.

And in that moment, warmth flooded You Xi’s chest.

Gratitude rose unbidden to her lips.

“…Thank you.”

But they were nearing the subway entrance—noise rising around them.

The words vanished like dandelion fluff in the wind, never reaching You Dong’s ears.

“Huh? What’d you say?” he asked.

“Nothing. Hehe.”

Suddenly, You Xi darted ahead, sprinting forward. In seconds, she stood ten meters away, waving wildly at the subway entrance.

“This way! Over here!” she shouted, completely ignoring the stares.

Dozens of indifferent eyes flickered toward her—then quickly looked away.

Passersby had no interest in why a girl was so joyful.

But her bright, radiant smile wasn’t for them.

It was for him.

“Uncle!”

She waved her arm high, shouting with all her heart.

“Hurry up! Let’s go home!”