Liu Yunshuang's gaze burned like a torch, firmly locking onto Flame Heart's breathtaking face at close range. Yet from beginning to end, the latter refused to meet her eyes.
The office lights cast dappled shadows between them. The air fell into silence, so still that even the sound of breathing seemed frozen.
Flame Heart could clearly feel the large hand resting on her shoulder trembling slightly.
That heavy, warm breath brushed against her face like a rising tide, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible trace of unease.
Yet she kept her head lowered, her arms hanging loosely at her sides like a puppet with its strings cut.
After a long silence, Liu Yunshuang finally let out a soft sigh. There was a hint of exhaustion hidden within it.
She slowly released her clenched hands, her fingertips trembling faintly, before leaning back into her chair with a sense of finality.
If one looked closely, faint marks could be seen on the fair, delicate skin beneath Flame Heart's red dress, left behind by that earlier grip.
After returning to her seat, Liu Yunshuang remained silent.
Her face was calm, like carved jade, devoid of expression, yet impossible to read. Beneath that stillness, her emotions churned like unseen currents beneath fog.
Flame Heart stood just as quietly.
This was only the second time she had seen her aunt show such intense emotion.
The first time had been when her mother passed away and her father disappeared.
And now, it was because of her.
Her fingers tightened unconsciously around the fabric of her red dress, leaving faint wrinkles behind. Yet she still offered nothing—no explanation, no defense, no comfort. Only silence.
Those ruby-like eyes had lost their former brilliance, now clouded by shadow, leaving behind nothing but dim emptiness.
"Fine. Auntie believes you know what you're doing. But you must agree to a few conditions."
Sensing the suffocating atmosphere, Liu Yunshuang tapped the desk lightly and spoke first.
Flame Heart slowly raised her eyes and listened.
Liu Yunshuang did not hesitate, raising her fingers one by one.
"First, I won't stop you. But everything you do must prioritize your safety. Do you understand?"
Flame Heart nodded slightly.
"Second, we haven't seen each other for years. From now on, you must contact me regularly. If something delays you, you report it in advance."
"…Alright."
"Third… in front of me, you must maintain that cute and petite appearance of Liu Xiyue."
Flame Heart: (●—●)
Liu Yunshuang: (ಡωಡ)
"Auntie, you…"
"What? You're my niece, practically my daughter. Isn't it only natural to satisfy such a small request?"
Liu Yunshuang smiled brightly, her tone light and teasing, as if the earlier tension had never existed. Her demeanor returned to its usual gentle, carefree state.
Flame Heart froze.
She had prepared herself for a storm of scolding, only to find her aunt still fixated on her obedient Little Girl form.
Liu Yunshuang ignored her reaction, casually folding her arms.
"As for the rest, I'll tell you when I think of them."
"What? Auntie, that's cheating. You said there were only three."
"I never said there were only three."
"You… you…"
Flame Heart: (ꐦÒ‸Ó)
Liu Yunshuang: (๑•́ ₃ •̀)
Flame Heart pointed at her in disbelief, her finger trembling slightly, only to realize she had indeed fallen into her aunt's trap.
A sly smile curled on Liu Yunshuang's lips, her eyes glinting with mischief.
"Hehe. My dear niece, you agreed to it yourself. And just in time, I bought a very cute dress for you. You'll have to wear it for me. I guarantee you'll look absolutely radiant."
Realizing she had been played, Flame Heart flushed with frustration, yet had no way to refute it.
She turned her head away with a huff.
"Hmph. Auntie, you're just a perverted lolicon. Did you trick innocent girls like this before? Besides, it's impossible between us. You'd get arrested."
"Heh? What nonsense. I clearly like the plump and sexy type."
Liu Yunshuang lightly pushed her head, clearly displeased.
But Flame Heart resisted and continued.
"I'm still young. But Auntie, when are you going to find a husband or a wife? Stop staring at paperwork all day. When the time comes, let me meet them so I can check for you. If it doesn't work out, I…Ow!"
"You're getting more and more outrageous, daring to tease your aunt. Whether I find someone or not is none of your business."
Liu Yunshuang pinched her ear without mercy.
"And besides, with your aunt's figure, men stand at attention and women cry. Are you worried I can't find someone?"
"Eh, then why are you still single… Ow!"
"Mind your own business."
Flame Heart: (┯_┯)
Liu Yunshuang: (ꐦÒ‸Ó)
At this moment, their relationship seemed to return to how it once was.
That familiar warmth and unspoken understanding filled the space between them, bringing a sense of ease neither had realized they needed.
The atmosphere softened, like sunlight pouring gently into their hearts, leaving both of them smiling without realizing it.
But soon, it was time to return to serious matters.
Everything before had been personal.
Now, Liu Yunshuang needed to explain why she had suddenly come to Canglan City.
The reason was simple.
A mystic realm had appeared in the city.
Originally, Liu Yunshuang had no intention of requesting external support. However, too many unusual variables had emerged.
First, the sudden appearance of the Fox Mask Girl.
Then, the recent rumors of a so-called Cat Phantom Thief.
On top of that, the situation surrounding the mystic realm itself was far more complicated than before.
All of this placed the Ability Bureau under immense pressure, pushing them beyond what they could handle alone.
That was why Canglan City had requested reinforcements.
And as things stood, this mystic realm might require Flame Heart's involvement.
This was also the opinion of Liu Yunshuang's father.
However, there was no rush.
Flame Heart had just arrived after an early flight and had not yet had time to rest properly.
Liu Yunshuang decided to let her recover first. The rest could wait.
Flame Heart nodded in agreement.
After a brief farewell, she turned and left.
The door closed with a heavy thud, and the office fell into complete silence.
Liu Yunshuang remained frozen in place, her hand still slightly raised in midair. After holding it there for too long, her arm trembled faintly before she finally lowered it.
The gentle expression on her face faded away.
In its place, a fragile mist gathered in her eyes, like a lake on the verge of overflowing.
Her shoulders trembled slightly as she clenched her teeth, forcing herself to hold back.
She did not know whether her niece had truly left. A mere door could not block the hearing of a Special Grade Esper, and she dared not make a sound.
But in the end, the tears still fell.
Liu Yunshuang buried her face in her arms, her shoulders shaking as suppressed sobs escaped her, broken and uneven, like a wounded young beast.
"I know… I can guess… Little Yue… you still chose to keep it from me… didn't you…"