The 30-Year-Old Magical Girl - Chapter 20

When she finally came back to her senses, You Xi realized she was sitting alone on a park bench.

…Where am I?

She slowly raised her head, her eyes filled with confusion as she looked around.

She couldn’t remember what had happened after running out of Mo Li’s house.

The only thing she could do…

Was retrace everything back to the beginning.

And so, the events that had unfolded inside Mo Li’s home replayed endlessly in her mind.

Like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from.

Mo Li collapsing onto the floor.

Her pained cries.

The faint streak of blood staining the wooden armrest…

You Xi squeezed her eyes shut, desperately trying to erase the memories.

When she opened them again…

Her trembling hands were still in front of her.

There was no escaping the truth.

She…

Had pushed Mo Li.

The lingering sensation in her palms kept reminding her.

Again.

And again.

…It’s over.

Dark thoughts rapidly filled her mind.

There had been blood on the armrest.

That meant Mo Li’s head had been injured.

If it was only a superficial cut…

Maybe it wouldn’t be too serious.

But…

What if she’d injured her brain?

The thought hit You Xi like a crushing weight.

She suddenly found it difficult to breathe.

What should I do…?

Should I go back…

And apologize properly?

She didn’t have the courage.

Then…

Should I just pretend nothing happened…

Hide somewhere…

And leave everything to Uncle?

The moment that thought appeared…

She hated herself for it.

How could I think something so irresponsible?

The more she thought…

The heavier her heart became.

Yet…

The weather today was wonderfully clear.

The cheerful sunshine only made her feel more irritated.

She looked up.

Warm sunlight gently brushed against her face.

Something wet clung to her cheek.

It tickled slightly.

She reached up and touched it.

…Tears.

“Wuu…”

She quietly broke down.

“…Mom.”

“I messed everything up again.”

“What am I supposed to do now?”

Curling into herself…

You Xi hugged her knees tightly.

Then buried her face against them.

Morning exercise time had already passed.

Very few people remained in the park.

Only the occasional passerby hurried past without noticing the lonely girl silently crying on the bench.

Bzzz…

Her phone vibrated inside her pocket.

She took it out.

The caller ID displayed one simple word.

Uncle

“…Hello.”

“Where are you?”

You Dong’s familiar voice came through the speaker.

Steady as always.

“I’m…”

“I’m in a park.”

After hesitating for a moment…

She quietly asked,

“…Is Mo Li badly hurt?”

“Mostly superficial injuries.”

“There might be a mild concussion.”

“They’re still doing examinations at the hospital.”

You Dong answered honestly.

“…I see…”

“So that’s how it is…”

She didn’t really understand what a concussion meant.

But hearing the word mild…

Made the weight on her heart ease ever so slightly.

“You Xi.”

“Listen carefully.”

You Dong’s calm voice continued.

“I’m calling to tell you something.”

“Go home.”

“Stay there.”

“Don’t do anything.”

“I’ll handle the rest.”

“B-But…”

“Mo Li’s mother is extremely emotional right now.”

“This isn’t the right time for you to apologize.”

“Do you understand?”

“…Mm.”

Holding her phone tightly…

You Xi quietly nodded.

“And another thing.”

“Your homeroom teacher called me.”

“You’ll be staying home for the time being.”

“…Okay.”

“And…”

“They’ve already reported the incident to the police.”

“…I know.”

“…You Xi.”

“Are you even listening to me?”

“…Yeah.”

“…Wait.”

“You’ve been crying?”

“I’m not!”

“I’m absolutely not crying!”

She hurriedly wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

Yet…

The trembling sobs escaping her throat completely betrayed her.

“…You’re crying.”

“…Yeah.”

“So what if I am…”

This time…

She didn’t argue.

She simply sniffled over and over.

“You really crossed the line this time.”

You Dong sighed.

“…Honestly.”

“I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do anymore.”

He was angry.

Whenever You Dong became angry…

His speech unconsciously sped up ever so slightly.

Most people would never notice.

But after living with him for five years…

You Xi knew immediately.

Normally…

She would have argued back without hesitation.

But not today.

She didn’t have the strength.

They had gone there to apologize.

Yet because of her impulsive actions…

Everything had only become worse.

She could already imagine…

Her uncle smiling apologetically.

Bowing again and again.

Swallowing every ounce of humiliation alone.

The thought made guilt flood her heart.

Right then…

You Xi silently made herself a promise.

No matter how harshly Uncle scolded her afterward…

This time…

She wouldn’t argue back.

“I’ll stay until the hospital finishes the examinations.”

“Then I’ll head back to the office.”

“What about you?”

“Where exactly are you?”

“Should I come pick you up?”

“Or can you take a taxi?”

“Do you have enough money?”

He paused for a moment before changing his mind.

“…Forget it.”

“Just send me your location.”

“I’ll come get you.”

“I…”

“I can take a taxi home myself.”

You Xi quickly refused.

Right now…

She didn’t know how she could possibly face him.

“…What a complete mess…”

Meanwhile…

Back at the office…

You Dong collapsed into his chair like a puppet with its strings cut.

He didn’t turn on his computer.

He didn’t answer emails.

He simply stared blankly into space.

Mo Li’s mother had already filed a police report.

Sooner or later…

You Xi would be called in for questioning.

Before that happened…

What could he possibly do?

It felt exactly like when a subordinate made a major mistake at work.

As a manager…

Your first responsibility wasn’t criticism.

It was damage control.

Solve the problem first.

The lecture could wait until afterward.

That was precisely why…

He hadn’t scolded You Xi over the phone.

Well…

To be honest…

He’d wanted to.

Very badly.

But…

The moment he heard her quietly crying on the other end of the call…

Every bit of anger simply disappeared.

All that remained…

Was the heartache of watching the girl he’d raised suffer.

“…What should I do now?”

Still lost in thought…

His phone suddenly vibrated across the desk.

It was Old Lin.

“…Seriously?”

“Of all times?”

Frowning…

You Dong answered.

“Hey, Dongzi.”

“A new Aberration has appeared.”

“…Do we deploy immediately?”

“What about the Fourth Ring?”

“They’re already tied up on another mission.”

“They can’t get there in time.”

“This time…”

“It’s up to you and Raging Flame.”

“…Did you notify You—”

Realizing his mistake, You Dong immediately corrected himself.

“…Raging Flame?”

“Already informed her.”

“You idiot!”

“Next time…”

“Notify me first.”

“I’ll move out first.”

“Then call her.”

“Got it?”

Without waiting for Old Lin’s reply…

You Dong ended the call.

He grabbed his coat from the back of the chair…

Then sprinted out of the office…

Heading straight toward the location where the Aberration had appeared.