Let’s go to the big city!

“Miss, I’ve put them on.”

While Ji Yue had still been frozen in thought, Luo You had already slipped into the torn stockings and boldly displayed herself before her.

One look nearly drove Ji Yue to slam her against the wall and spank her senseless.

Normally stockings drew the flesh inward, streamlining the leg. But this damaged pair pressed snugly, pushing the soft curves outward until her legs looked even fuller.

Worst of all, Luo You deliberately lifted her skirt, revealing where the tear split near her hips. The weave split across her thighs left glimpses of glowing white flesh peeking through the runs—like pearls shining from the darkness, searing themselves into Ji Yue’s eyes.

Ji Yue turned away, voice cold.

“Who told you to wear it so indecently? Take it off, now.”

“Eh~~ But wasn’t it Auntie who told me to wear it? You even tore them yourself and told me to put them on.” Luo You leaned in with a sly smile.

“I meant put on a different pair! Who told you to actually wear this one?!”

“Fufufu, then let’s say it was fate~ Anyway, I wouldn’t wear this outside. So I’ll gift it to Auntie. Treat it as an offering, okay?”

Ji Yue clenched her fists.

Maybe she should really let Herrera abduct this little goblin brat for a few days. Only then might she learn to behave, stop provoking her elders.

But even that thought didn’t ease her rage.

She glared, voice flat.

“Turn around.”

“Hm?” Luo You obeyed, back turned.

—Smack!

“Owww~~” Luo You’s playful cry, brimming with provocation, only stoked Ji Yue’s fury further.

But her hand would not fall again.

I am a magical girl! I am a magical girl! I cannot do something so shameful here!

Ji Yue repeated it endlessly in her heart. Without a word, she opened the fitting room door and walked out before anyone could sense the disturbance.

“Coward,” Luo You sighed in disappointment.

Every time—Ji Yue clearly had the impulse, but at the critical moment, she always retreated.

You want to. So what are you afraid of?

Shaking her head, Luo You smirked. Auntie is a troublesome one. Just like Liyun… though in her own way.

If it weren’t for Zining nearby, she would have pushed Ji Yue much, much further—until she broke past every taboo.

After more browsing, Luo You casually picked out five items totaling over 40,000. Not even polite about it.

Zining’s purchases barely amounted to 8,000.

When Ji Yue went to pay, Zining hissed under her breath:

“Dad, you’re way too greedy, aren’t you?!”

“Auntie didn’t even mind, and she’s loaded. She eats at fancy restaurants, what’s a few stockings? Besides, they’ll end up gracing Auntie’s legs. Worth every cent! An investment in myself!”

“Then I’m picking two more!”

And Zining indeed dashed back, returning with two extra sets, until they left carrying bag after bag.

“Don’t head home yet. Let’s grab dinner first,” Ji Yue said, summoning a car.

“I’ll pass, I already have an appointment,” Luo You waved.

“Hm? Didn’t you say you’re on leave?” Ji Yue frowned.

“It’s not work. Just a promise with someone.”

With someone… could it be Herrera?

Ji Yue’s eyes narrowed as she asked:

“This person. What kind of woman is she?”

Luo You blinked innocently. “Why ask?”

“I mean, her character.”

“Same as me, really… a bit timid—no, I mean composed.”

Ji Yue’s lips tightened. Did this brat just try to call me a coward by implication?

But from that, she knew—for now—it wasn’t Herrera.

So she turned her focus back, taking Zining along for a high-class dinner.

Meanwhile, Luo You hailed a ride to another site—

an abandoned school, now a professional photography venue.

The halls were rigged with complete sets, often used by TV crews for gritty drama shoots.

“Youyou!”

“I told you I’d be busy today. Why were you so desperate to drag me here?”

Though Luo You feigned irritation, she was far from displeased.

With Zining at Ji Yue’s side, she couldn’t push further there. Far better to invest her time into this other “Big Sis.”

She handed over the same torn-style stockings she’d just bought.

“Here. For you.”

Liyun blinked blankly. “Eh? Again? You’re giving me another pair?”

“This time brand new.”

“…Oh, new.”

Her fingers compared them unconsciously to the damaged stockings from yesterday.

Somehow, she found herself less excited.

Luo You grinned knowingly.

“Seems Big Sis prefers the ones I’ve worn. The originals.”

Before Liyun could retort, she continued.

“Actually, I tried these just now too. And I made sure to damage them. That way, you can really get into character.”

Liyun flushed crimson.

“Youyou, you can’t keep doing this… Someone will really drag you off and—do things to you!”

“For example, you?”

“No, I—I’m not! Don’t gift me torn ones! What’s the point?!”

“They’re props. For the film. Haven’t you read the script?”

“Uuu… I read it. As expected of you, Youyou. But that witch in the script—she’s absolutely vile!”

Luo You’s smile grew darker. Ah, yes, I’ll have to add a triangular horse scene for her. Riding the rocking torment.

A chill ran down Liyun’s spine.

“Youyou, this location… what do you think?”

“Perfect. Reviewers online said this abandoned school even had dungeon sets. Let’s use them.”

“N-nervous…”

“As you should be. You’re playing the one being humiliated. Which only makes me more excited.”

This was a rehearsal.

Her chance to test Liyun’s raw acting before the real shoot.

She would never let her script be ruined by amateurish moaning.

The dungeon set lay beneath the main building, in the basement.

Amber lamps cast dim light over clouds of drifting dust, like countless restless spirits swirling in the dark.

Wooden braziers crackled with fire. The sound alone made the corridor oppressive.

“Ooohhh—” Luo You shivered in delight.

This atmosphere was perfect.

Real hunts of magical girls had seldom had such props.

“Big Sis, I’m getting excited. You’ll satisfy me well, won’t you?”

“Don’t say something so weird! This is rehearsal! Acting!”

Liyun’s eyes bulged. Her breath trembled.

She remembered: Herrera’s “film” was to be S&M themed.

She’d lived through it once before. But even then, Herrera’s methods had been “mild”—a collar, a dog’s bark, nothing enduring.

This time, though, it was clear—they were serious.

“Big Sis, are you afraid?”

“Of course I am! These are torture devices. I’ll never adapt!”

But Luo You thought coldly, Wrong. You’re the type who adapts frighteningly fast. Just one night, and you were broken for seven years.

Luo You slapped her chest with confidence.

“It’s fine. If you can’t adapt, I’ll help awaken that submissive streak. Then you’ll fit the role perfectly.”

“Absolutely not!” Liyun cried, near tears.

At last they reached Dungeon 7. Luo You shoved her through, smirking.

“Don’t dawdle. It’s 800 per hour here. You’re not rich, are you?”

Inside—every corner bristled with implements.

Tiger benches, water wheels, stocks, shackles, scorch irons.

Even fakes felt suffocating, rust and stains blurring together like old dried blood.

“Whoaa…” Luo You exhaled, rapt.

“This is incredible.”

“Th-they’re not functional, right?!” Liyun squealed.

“The big ones, no. The smaller ones—yes.”

As a whip cracked through the air, its sharp snap echoed. Chains glinted from the ceiling; iron brands smoldered in the coals below.

Liyun nearly collapsed.

“Don’t relax. In the real shoot, Herrera will absolutely use the real ones.”

“Ehhhhh—!”

Her eyes rolled. She nearly fainted.

Luo You chuckled under her breath.

If only she knew. Double the pain, double the fun.

“Get to your lines, Big Sis.”

“Uu… no matter how you torment me… I—I’ll never give in… uuu…”

“You’re already whining. Completely unconvincing,” Luo You sighed.

The atmosphere shifted into absurdity.

Her exasperation flared.

Look at you weeping like a pear blossom in the rain. Think of your sister. Back when she was captured, did she ever whimper once? No. She stood firm, defending her pride as a magical girl with everything she had.

And you? So many tools in this room. How many have even touched you? Just one lash, and your knees buckle? Look at yourself. Is this the pride of a magical girl?

Her chest tightened with something like bitterness, almost disappointment.

How can these magical girls be so fragile…?

Far away—

Xingyu sneezed suddenly, glancing around.

Who’s… thinking of me?

She frowned.

“Liyun mentioned she’d meet with Xingyue yesterday. But she hasn’t reported back… What is she doing now?”

Disquiet churned in her chest. Sitting still was unbearable.

It hadn’t even been that long since reconciliation with her sister. And already—her heart itched like ants crawling.

“I’ll go to Huahai City. Find her. Speak with her. And visit Zining and Youyou while I’m there…”