The 30-Year-Old Magical Girl - Chapter 38
“…Xiao Tang.”
“I’ve had some family matters to deal with recently.”
“I haven’t been able to focus on work.”
“Thanks for covering for me.”
“Come on, Brother You.”
“Just head home.”
“I’ll take care of everything here.”
“…Thanks.”
“I’ll treat you to a good meal another day.”
You Dong lightly patted his subordinate on the shoulder.
The younger man grinned.
“What are you thanking me for?”
“I get overtime pay anyway.”
It was 5:40 p.m.
Work was finally over.
The sun still lingered lazily in the western sky.
Neither fully awake…
Nor fully asleep.
Among all times of day…
Twilight was the easiest time to awaken old memories.
Looking at the world bathed in its hazy golden glow…
You Dong unexpectedly found himself remembering his high school days.
Back then…
He had often practiced dribbling a basketball alone in the neighborhood park.
And from a distance…
His younger sister, You Huimei…
Would quietly watch him.
There had been countless moments between them that were far more important.
Yet somehow…
That ordinary afternoon had remained etched into his memory.
Every time the setting sun painted the world gold…
His thoughts drifted back to that distant day.
What had once been an ordinary moment…
Had now become something impossible to experience again.
Perhaps…
That bittersweet feeling…
Was what people called nostalgia.
It wasn’t exactly sadness.
But it made every step feel heavier.
Silently…
You Dong walked toward the parking lot.
Recently…
Living two lives at once…
As an ordinary office worker…
And as a magical girl…
Had exhausted him physically and mentally.
Handling You Xi alone was already draining enough.
And now…
Mo Li had joined the team as well.
Just thinking about it…
Made it difficult to breathe.
As he walked past the company entrance…
He noticed a familiar figure standing beside the security booth.
“…Chen Xi.”
“…What a coincidence.”
He forced an awkward smile.
Though…
He suspected it looked more like a grimace.
“…Coincidence?”
Chen Xi snorted.
“Stop pretending.”
“I came here specifically to wait for you.”
Without another word…
The two walked together toward a quiet corner nearby.
“…How long have you been waiting?”
“Did you wait very long?”
You Dong asked.
Today…
Chen Xi was dressed in a white off-the-shoulder blouse beneath a belted pinafore dress.
She looked youthful.
Fashionable.
Like an ordinary college student.
If not for that glare…
She’d probably be surrounded by admirers at any shopping mall.
You Dong smiled bitterly to himself.
Unfortunately…
He happened to be the reason behind that hostile expression.
“…I just arrived.”
“I wasn’t waiting for long.”
“I know you finish work at five.”
“…How did you know I’d leave on time?”
You Dong looked surprised.
After dating for so long…
Chen Xi should have known…
He almost always worked overtime.
“I asked your junior.”
“Xiao Tang.”
“He said you’ve been leaving exactly on time lately.”
“So I figured…”
“Something must have happened at home.”
“…You’ve been investigating me?”
You Dong’s eyes widened.
The situation he had feared most…
Had finally arrived.
Chen Xi was intelligent.
She had clearly noticed something unusual.
“So what?”
“Is there a problem with that?”
She calmly met his eyes.
Leaving him nowhere to hide.
“…If you had questions…”
“You could’ve just asked me.”
You Dong replied quietly.
“…Would you actually tell me the truth?”
“I seriously doubt it.”
“You won’t know…”
“Unless you ask.”
“…Fine.”
“Then I’ll ask.”
“What really happened that day?”
“What were you actually thinking?”
“…Nothing.”
You Dong shrugged indifferently.
“You already saw it.”
“I cheated.”
“There’s nothing else to explain.”
“…Alright.”
“Then hand me your phone.”
Chen Xi extended her hand.
“…My phone?”
“What for?”
Although confused…
You Dong obediently took his phone from his pocket.
“…Not that one.”
Chen Xi shook her head.
“I mean your company phone.”
“The one work issued to you.”
“…”
You Dong froze.
A thin layer of sweat formed across his forehead.
“…What’s wrong?”
“Scared?”
Seeing his unusually guilty expression…
Chen Xi couldn’t help feeling a trace of satisfaction.
She pressed even harder.
“You honestly think I don’t know anything?”
“Do you really see me as some naïve little girl?”
“…I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
You Dong continued pretending ignorance.
He still wasn’t sure…
How much she actually knew.
“…Still acting?”
Chen Xi snorted.
Then took out her own phone.
“…Take a look.”
She unlocked the screen.
Just before opening her message list…
You Dong accidentally caught sight of her wallpaper.
“…Huh?”
…Why does that look familiar?
“Wait!”
“Hold on!”
He hurriedly stopped her.
“…What?”
Chen Xi frowned.
“…Your wallpaper…”
“…What’s wrong with my wallpaper?”
She rolled her eyes.
“Hmph.”
“You dumped me.”
“And now you’re worried about my wallpaper?”
When they had been dating…
Their lock screens and wallpapers had both been matching couple photos.
Now that they had broken up…
Naturally…
She had changed them.
She assumed You Dong was upset because she had replaced those pictures.
The thought made her simultaneously annoyed…
And slightly amused.
“…You want to see it?”
“Fine.”
“Look as much as you want.”
She locked her phone again.
Then reopened it.
A crisp…
High-resolution photograph filled the screen.
It was…
Tidal.
The magical girl.
“…”
“Cute, right?”
“She’s ridiculously adorable.”
“She’s my favorite magical girl now.”
The instant she mentioned Tidal…
Chen Xi’s entire mood changed.
The irritation on her face disappeared.
Replaced by a bright…
Genuine smile.
“…”
You Dong stared silently at the wallpaper.
“…Why are you looking at her like that?”
Chen Xi narrowed her eyes mischievously.
“I didn’t know you liked little girls.”
“Huh.”
“I can’t believe I never discovered that fetish while we were dating.”
At that moment…
If a hole had suddenly opened beneath You Dong’s feet…
Leading straight to the Earth’s molten core…
He would have jumped in without the slightest hesitation.
Unfortunately…
Reality offered no such escape.
All he could do…
Was stand there…
His face burning red with embarrassment.
“…Wait.”
“I was only joking.”
Chen Xi blinked.
“Why are you actually blushing?”
“…Don’t tell me…”
“You really are guilty?”
“…Ah.”
Her teasing smile gradually disappeared.
Replacing it…
Was unmistakable disgust.
“…You’re actually a lolicon…”
“…That’s seriously disgusting.”
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