This time it was Wu Qinglan who ruined my plans — does she really not read the room? She walked into my territory grinning like nothing was wrong, totally missing the look on my face.

I freaked and slammed the notebook shut, spun my chair around and barked, “Knock before you come in!”

“Oh my god, what a cute little creature!”

Ignoring my scolding, Wu Qinglan’s attention went straight to Qianxia. She cupped her face with both hands and squealed like she was about to melt — clearly overwhelmed by cuteness overload.

“Hey, behave — Qianxia is the neighbor’s daughter, she comes over here to play games,” I said, trying to be serious.

“I know. Your dad mentioned a little girl visiting, so I came to see.”

So she came for Qianxia, huh? I introduced them anyway. “This is Brother Wu Qinglan,” I said.

Qianxia jumped up from the carpet and bowed politely. “Hello, big sister!”

Wu Qinglan laughed, delighted. “Ah, what good manners — hmm?” She froze. I froze, too.

Huh? Qianxia called Wu Qinglan “big sister”?

Even though it’s a holiday, Wu Qinglan was still in that suit she wears at work — wrapped up tight at the chest so there’s no obvious curve; hunched over like she usually does, all the movements masculine… well, more like overly lecherous, so the disguise was pretty convincing.

Wu Qinglan actually broke out in a cold sweat at being called “big sister.” She wiped her forehead and squinted, correcting Qianxia. “No no, Qianxia, you should call me big brother! Or ‘onii-chan’ would be even better.”

Qianxia cocked her head in confusion. “But big sis you have breasts?”

…Impressive. This kid must have a built-in oppai radar. She saw through the disguise that even my dad hadn't noticed — the kid’s got potential.

I gave a quick explanation. “This big sister has reasons to pretend to be a big brother. Can you play along, Qianxia?”

“Okay! I’ll do it!” she answered instantly — I suspect she never really thought that through.

Well after some thought, turns out our worry was needless. Qianxia hardly even talks with Dad, so there’s little chance she’d accidentally blow the cover.

Maybe Wu Qinglan also realized that, because she relaxed — and then, showing her true colors, she knelt on the carpet and scooped Qianxia into a hug from behind. “Ah, Qianxia, what a good girl! Let sister hug you~ so cute~”

Hey — now she’s calling herself “sister,” well technically with her age she should already be called “auntie,” but whatever.

Strictly speaking, Wu Qinglan — being a rich, marriageable mature woman, I still don’t get why someone like her, who falls over herself at the sight of a pretty girl, would ever like a troubled older man. With her background she could pick anyone, right?

“Okay, brother Qinglan, tone it down. If my dad hears something it’d be bad. So why are you here today?” I said.

“Oh — actually I came to find you today,” she answered, unexpectedly. I’d assumed she was just trying to butter up my dad again.

“For me?” I raised an eyebrow. “What for?”

“If you’re free this afternoon I’ll take you out. Flash and Crow will be coming too. It’s a ‘Witch’s Workshop’ meet-up.”

No thanks — a nerd gathering sounds worse than staying home and gaming with Qianxia.

“As you can see, I can’t walk right now — my leg’s busted. I can’t go far,” I said, patting my broken leg and indicating Qianxia curled quietly in her arms.

“And I plan to spend the day with her,” I added.

“No problem — we’ll bring Qianxia along!” Wu Qinglan said.

“Nope. For lots of reasons she can’t go far. Her dad forbids it,” I said.

Wu Qinglan frowned. “What kind of parent is that? She’s so well-behaved, much better than I was as a kid.”

She must have been a handful as a child.

“We could sneak her out,” she suggested, mischief in her voice.

“No can do!” Qianxia was adamant. “Daddy said I can only go as far as the village entrance. Beyond that, it's dangerous.”

Good kid — she obeys her father. But the range he allows is tiny; I almost felt sorry for her.

Wu Qinglan: “Danger? Like some black-suited kidnappers jumping out?”

“Maybe. Don’t pry.” I spread my hands and declared, “If Qianxia doesn’t go, I’m not going either.”

Seeing I was stubborn as a rock, Wu Qinglan tried to sweet-talk Qianxia. “Qianxia, don’t you want to come along with your big sis here? There’ll be good food and fun stuff — we’ll be back before your dad notices.”

The way she phrased it sounded like a kidnapper. Qianxia shook her head harder.

“Don’t make it hard for her. Invite me next time,” I said.

Truth is I wouldn’t risk taking her out — even Brother Zhu himself barely leaves home. If something happened and she got snatched by a rival gang, I’d be ruined. Plus Qianxia has a tracker alarm; go out of the village and her dad will surely come looking for her — and with Lu Le just stabbed, gangs are probably more brutal than yesterday’s thugs. I’m honestly scared.

Wu Qinglan got a bit anxious. “Kai, come with me today! If you miss it, it’s over — I have something important to tell you.”

There was a purpose behind the invite then. “What do you mean?”

Because Qianxia was there, she hesitated, then said, “I’m going to start the final offensive.”

She sounded vague but dead serious. So she’s finally ready to move after all this planning.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Later, Xiao Lei came in dressed as a maid carrying a tray and handed me a fancy 48-yuan fruit juice. The layered color was pretty but felt like pure food dye, it sure looks unhealthy…

And of course, everything was Wu Qinglan’s treat today.

“You kicked me out earlier to give me a surprise here? I’m so happy!” Xiao Lei squealed when she saw me — she even had light makeup on and looked even cuter than usual.

“Wait, what’s up with this — you said you had something serious to talk about!” I didn’t have time for her. I turned to Wu Qinglan. She scratched her head innocently.

“I do. But there’s also the club meet-up. Flash and Crow will be here soon, so we’ve got time.”
Recalling back to the series of events…

Qianxia, a clever kid, sensed Wu Qinglan’s seriousness. “I’ve got a tutor this afternoon, so go on and have fun,” she said, freeing me to leave.

Instead, Wu Qinglan drove me straight into the Tianping Commercial District, pushed my wheelchair into Kamehameha manga café and booked a four-person booth — actually just a little cubby made of three bookshelves with no door.

The place was packed. Xiao Lei put the drink down and was immediately pulled away by customers. Wu Qinglan sipped her dye-filled beverage.

“Didn’t expect you to know Xiao Lei — she’s so cute and goofy,” she said.

“Yeah, I know her,” I said flatly. Inside I scoffed — I actually know all four of the café’s maids.

Wu Qinglan cleared her throat. “Back to business: I plan to formally win over your dad. I want you as my battle strategist.”

Wow — she’s recruiting the son to help court the dad. So I’d be picking my own future stepmom?

We’re at odds in interests: if I find my mom, I don’t want to accept her as stepmom. But she’s the one most likely to cure Dad’s fear of women.

I sighed. “Fine. Tell me your plan.”