However, after lying down for a while, I had to sit up and take another look.

At this rate, I simply couldn’t fall asleep...

"Big brother, I can’t sleep."

So, I just said it directly.

"Take a sleeping pill."

The reply from the other side was just as straightforward.

"No, come over."

Jiang Si walked into Keke’s bedroom, holding dumbbells while exercising.

Ever since their parents passed away, he practically hadn’t entered this room. Keke’s bedroom was decorated in a very girly style.

The pink walls were adorned with some pretty Magical Girl posters, especially the one of Senior Cui Que smiling brightly, standing out. Whether as a Magical Girl or an idol, she was the strongest Cui Que. Even in retirement, she was incredibly popular.

There were several dolls on the bed that their mother had bought her when she was young. Although they were a bit old, they were still clean and tidy, and the room was beautifully kept.

Keke was even more diligent in this aspect than Jiang Si.

"What are you doing?" Jiang Si, standing by the bed and moving his dumbbells, felt that these things were completely useless now.

He had to figure out how to get some heavier and smaller fitness equipment.

Keke moved a little further inside, and Jiang Si saw her wrapped up tightly, like a wriggling maggot.

Then Keke reached out her hand, patted the side of the bed, and said, "Sit down."

After listening, Jiang Si sat down, and Keke grabbed his free left hand, placing it by the pillow. Then she whispered:

"This way, I can sleep."

It’s really like a regression to childhood. When she was little, she loved sleeping while holding dad or mom’s hand.

If she didn’t, she would cry and make a fuss, leaving mom and dad with no couple time. Later, when Keke grew older, this task was thrown to Jiang Si.

Sometimes, after watching horror movies or experiencing something scary or upsetting, Keke would insist on holding his hand to fall asleep.

But that was when she was very young. As she grew up, it happened less and less.

"Remember to go to the hospital tomorrow."

"Why?"

"To see if you’re sick."

"...I just, I’m afraid that once I open my eyes, I won’t see you again. I can sleep peacefully with you by my side."

"Oh, tomorrow I’ll print a photo and stick it on the bed."

"..."

Whatever, that’s just how he is.

Keke had gotten used to it, and instead felt reassured.

She leaned against her brother’s rough palm, not very big, but solid and hard, safer and warmer than anything.

"Brother."

In a daze, she didn’t know if she was dreaming or if she had already fallen asleep.

She felt her brother patting her head, just like when she was little.

She tightly held her brother’s hand, just repeating in a murmur, like a plea.

"Don’t leave me alone, don’t abandon me..."

Jiang Si waited until she was fully asleep.

By the time Keke fell asleep, it was already dark outside.

She still cried in her sleep, don’t know what she was dreaming about.

I don’t know how many times she cried today.

She was a crybaby when she was little. For three years after their parents died, I thought she had matured, not crying much, but was that maturity bought on credit? Today she cried enough.

Repayment day? Hopefully, she’s not crying in installments...

If it continues like this, will she be truly independent in college?

Surely it won’t be up to me to support her for a lifetime?

After all, the Disaster Strategy Bureau should offer a Magical Girl mindset education course. How could a girl with such a mentality become a good Magical Girl...

If I have to educate her on everything myself, what’s the point of joining the Disaster Strategy Bureau?

My opinion of the Disaster Strategy Bureau has dropped a few more notches, glancing at Keke.

She probably hadn’t slept well for days, with dark circles showing, and she fell into a deep sleep as soon as she slept.

But once she was fine, Jiang Si pulled his hand back, washed his hands, changed his clothes, and went out.

Due to the Cyan Cloud Sect looking for someone, many people in Beihai now knew that Jiang Si was Zi Yuan’s boyfriend, but his appearance was only known to the Magical Girls of the Disaster Strategy Bureau and the now-dead members of the Witch Association.

There’s no worry about being recognized...

As soon as he stepped out, the neighbor greeted him, gossiping about whether Zi Yuan was indeed his girlfriend, if she was as cold and fierce in daily life as she seemed, and if such a strong Magical Girl had any cute side in her everyday life.

There were also teasing remarks about whether Zi Yuan would get angry, given that he supposedly had girls on both arms daily.

Before he even walked out of the neighborhood community, there were passersby who recognized him.

"Isn’t that the boyfriend of Magical Girl Zi Yuan?"

"Wow, he’s so short! Does Magical Girl Zi Yuan really like this type?"

"Midget with midget, short with short, it’s normal, "Mingtong Jinxi" even mentions it."

"But has Zi Yuan really come of age? Is this guy dating a minor?"

"Should we call the police to arrest him?"

"I feel not even the police would dare, let alone the Disaster Strategy Bureau..."

Clearly the neighbors’ aunties’ masterpiece.

Completely helpless, Jiang Si had to find a secluded spot to put on his mask before leaving. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Although still a bit awkward, no one was discussing him along the way anymore.

He glanced at the moon, letting out a sigh.

He hadn’t expected to waste so much time, planning to go to Cyan Cloud Sect today to give lectures to the disciples.

He had new insights into the Magical Girl’s realm from the Life Forbidden Zone, which could help disciples move forward, but it was so late, there were probably few people at the Cyan Cloud Sect.

Taking out his phone to ask Bingtang about the research on Full Bloom when suddenly, he heard a heart-wrenching scream.