"What are you doing here?" Kiana☆ asked in surprise, her voice still a little hoarse from sleep. "Is the livestream over?"
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And Kiana☆, that just-woken-up look of hers, caused Fu Shi to feel a surge of emotions that were both exasperated and amused.
"Heh… the livestream has long ended."
Then, she paused slightly, the corners of her lips lifting faintly, and said lightly, "As for them, of course, they're here to find Fu Lin. Who else could they be looking for? They'd do whatever it takes to get a taste, while someone here was snoring away in bed…"
When saying this, Fu Shi deliberately emphasized the words "Fu Lin" and "taste," pairing them with a half-smiling, half-mocking expression, as if ridiculing Kiana for not being fully awake.
Kiana☆ was rendered speechless by Fu Shi's words, suddenly realizing how foolish and ridiculous her own question just now had been.
However, Fu Shi's words also made Kiana☆ instantly alert. She narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp as she looked toward Mei☆ and Elysia.
Elysia waved enthusiastically at Kiana☆, her face glowing with a radiant smile, as if nothing had happened.
"Hi~ Good afternoon, Kiana☆~?"
'This girl… pretending not to see, huh.'
Kiana☆ silently averted her gaze, completely ignoring Elysia's warmth, cupping Fu Lin's delicate cheeks in both hands, and softly asked, "Fu Lin~ what were you just talking about?"
Fu Lin, lips pursed and forced to respond, answered with a small mouth opening and closing, "Didn't I promise to take you to meet Stelle before? We can go now, and I can take six people with me…"
Kiana☆'s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as she pressed further, "So they want to come too, right? And you agreed?"
Elysia sighed with disappointment, "Ah~ Kiana☆ ignored me again~"
Fu Lin's gaze met Kiana☆'s, slowly clasping her hands, lowering his face slightly, his eyes full of deep emotion, speaking softly, "Mm. Although your relationships may be… not very harmonious, in my eyes, you're all my family. I truly hope you can get along…"
Fu Shi raised an eyebrow, staring at Fu Lin in surprise, as though astonished he could even say such words, and wondering if Kiana☆ could stay calm.
Kiana☆, upon hearing Fu Lin's words, furrowed her brows slightly, clearly unwilling in her heart, but when she met his eyes, her heart trembled involuntarily.
She couldn't help taking a deep breath, the helplessness between her brows becoming more apparent.
"Ah~ Fu Lin, with you saying that, what else can I even say~"
There was a trace of helplessness in Kiana☆'s voice; she deliberately dragged out the last few words, her faintly resentful tone stirring a kind of tenderness in others.
"Wouldn't that just make me seem petty, even more inferior to the other sisters~"
After speaking, she didn't forget to sweep a glance at Mei☆ and Elysia out of the corner of her eye, her gaze carrying a faint warning, as if to say, This time I'll let you off, but don't push your luck!
Fu Lin, "…" Where did this even come from?
At that moment, Elysia suddenly blinked playfully, pressing her hands together and showing a sweet smile, as if she hadn't taken Kiana☆'s warning to heart at all.
"Don't worry, Kiana☆. We're going for love and duty, you know. We're not scheming like that~?"
Seeing this, Fu Shi crossed her arms and snorted, speaking bluntly, "Duty is to win over Fu Lin. And love? Is it ***?"
Fu Lin's eyes widened at this, utterly shocked, cursing inwardly, 'Where did Fu Shi even learn that? That's way too crude!'
Mei☆'s face instantly turned red, glancing at Fu Shi in embarrassment, softly saying, "Fu Shi…"
This sudden shift in tone made Fu Lin feel uneasy. He hesitated for a moment, looking down at Kiana☆ in his arms, and spoke, "Kiana☆, that universe is dangerous. I don't really want to take you…"
Before he finished, Kiana☆'s expression darkened. Without another word, she pinched the soft flesh at Fu Lin's waist, scolding playfully, "Fu Lin! Don't push your luck, or I really won't mind locking you up!"
Caught off guard, Fu Lin hissed sharply in pain and hurried to explain, "I'm worried about your safety!"
Kiana☆ didn't stop, only slightly easing her grip as she huffed, "Since when have I, Kiana☆, ever feared danger? Don't underestimate me. Besides, you promised to take me to see Stelle. How can you leave me out over something like this now?"
Fu Lin smiled wryly, gently taking hold of Kiana☆'s wrists to try and get her to release him, his voice tinged with helplessness.
"Kiana☆, you see, if you still had your powers, do you think I'd still be sitting here so leisurely? You'd have locked me in that little black room long ago. And you're pregnant now. If any danger comes, no matter who gets hurt, it would break my heart…"
Kiana☆'s brows softened gradually, and she couldn't help but chuckle softly, her laughter carrying a trace of mischief.
"Fu Lin, you sure are self-aware." Kiana☆'s lips curved up, her gaze on Fu Lin half-smiling.
"But if you don't take me with you, hmph, don't blame me for locking you up right now to show you whether I can still use my powers."
Fu Lin smacked his lips at this, looking helpless.
"Tsk, Kiana☆, you can be really stubborn sometimes."
Kiana☆ just smiled carelessly, replying,
"Good you know it."
Fu Lin sighed helplessly, finally compromising, his expression serious as he spoke to Kiana☆, "All right, all right. But I'm saying this now, you must stick right by my side."
Kiana☆ rolled her eyes at Fu Lin with a playful pout, saying sweetly, "No need to tell me; I'd stick right by Fu Lin anyway. I can't let you have the chance to flirt around."
Fu Lin nodded and, slapping the table in decision, announced, "Then, the people going this time will be me, Fu Shi, Kiana☆, Mei☆, and Elysia, a total of five. As for the last slot, I've decided to leave it for Little Sirin."
Kiana☆, hearing this decision, also agreed, "No problem. Sirin's been cooped up in her room lately. Taking her out for a walk will do her good and help her relax."
Fu Lin continued, "Mm. But before we set a departure time, I'll first try to ask about the situation in that universe."
With that, under everyone's curious gazes, Fu Lin pulled from his system space the Herta puppet that had apparently been left unused for countless chapters.
The puppet stood there quietly with its eyes closed. It wasn't clear whether the Herta of the other universe could link its consciousness to this one.
Fu Shi blinked curiously, staring suspiciously at Fu Lin fiddling with the little Herta puppet, and asked, "Fu Lin, where'd you get that Herta puppet? Don't tell me you stole-"
Fu Lin hurriedly cut her off, explaining, "How could something cultural be called stealing? I traded Nanook's blood for it. It was a mutually agreed deal!"
However, just then, a sudden voice rang out unexpectedly, "Oh? Really? Because I clearly remember the deal at the time being for that shattered blade. No one ever said you could use my puppet."