Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl
Chapter 128: Homecoming

A few months ago, back when he hadn’t yet resigned from the elevator company, Lin Yun used to get all kinds of calls from unfamiliar numbers every week.

Most of those were from clients or business partners, so even though the callers were strangers at first, Lin Yun would usually add their numbers to his contacts afterward for future reference.

But among all those entries in his phonebook, there was one number saved without any notes or name.

That number had long since become a deactivated line, yet Lin Yun kept it saved—just in case he ever needed to find it again.

It was the same number that had called him five months ago, on the night Lin Xiaolu was in danger, and told him where the attack was happening.

Lin Yun had never forgotten about that. In fact, he’d even tried to trace it and find out who it belonged to. Unfortunately, he’d come up with nothing. In the end, all he could do was leave it saved in his phone.

What he didn’t expect was that, after all this time, he’d get another call—from a different number, but clearly from the same person.

What was this person’s goal? Why give him information but refuse to reveal themselves? Why go out of their way to stay in the shadows?

With these questions circling in his mind, Lin Yun rode home.

Even though he felt uneasy, he could only bury those thoughts for now. The most important thing at the moment was to go home and see his daughter.

Whether it was for the holiday they’d planned to celebrate, or because of the potential danger hinted at in that mysterious call, he needed to keep Lin Xiaolu within his sight. He couldn’t let what happened last time happen again.

Which unfortunately meant he probably wouldn’t be taking her out tonight. Otherwise, he had planned to go out and admire the moon with her.

Every year during the Full Moon Festival, Fangting City would host a large-scale moon-viewing event. The government would set up designated areas, bring in sponsors, and hold a celebration and evening show.

The celebration didn’t charge any admission, but it featured exhibitions, performances, and a special moon-viewing area. Many families would attend together—and Lin Yun used to be no exception.

It was precisely because he had fond memories of those past moon-viewing nights that he’d wanted to go again this year, with Xiaolu by his side.

That would’ve been fine—if it weren’t for that second anonymous call. After that, Lin Yun had no choice but to abandon the idea.

Maybe next year… if there’s still a chance.

With that thought, Lin Yun returned to his high-rise apartment, let out a long sigh, and slid the key into the lock.

But before he could turn it, he felt the lock move on its own. The security door suddenly opened, and light from inside spilled into the hallway.

—“Ah, you’re back?”

The last person he expected stood behind the door: his former junior in name, Hong Siyu.

She was dressed in comfy loungewear, standing lazily at the doorway. Her already youthful appearance looked even more radiant in those casual clothes.

When she saw Lin Yun outside the door, she gave a teasing smile and opened the door wider. “Look who’s finally home! They say absence makes the heart grow fonder—so, what’s it gonna be first? Dinner or a shower?”

“Cut it out,” Lin Yun said with a sigh. “You’re too old for the cutesy act.”

“That’s the first thing you say?”

Hong Siyu widened her eyes. “Is that how a gentleman should act? Just come at a lady’s age like that?”

“Do we have to bicker over this every time we see each other?”

Brushing past her, Lin Yun stepped into the apartment. “Mind explaining why you're in my place?”

“What do you mean why…” Hong Siyu moved aside, clearly displeased. “Because it’s the Full Moon Festival, obviously.”

“I know it’s the Full Moon Festival,” Lin Yun said as he changed into slippers by the entrance, suitcase in hand. “But what’s that got to do with you being in my home?”

“It means I came to celebrate here, duh,” she said, tilting her head. “Would you rather I spend the holiday all alone?”

“I’d rather you went to visit your parents,” Lin Yun sighed. “Aren’t they still living here in Fangting City? You seriously don’t go home for the holidays?”

“Haha, see, Senior, you don’t know me at all.”

Hong Siyu laughed loudly and waved her hand. “I don’t have any elders to visit anymore.”

“…I see.”

He didn’t know whether to be shocked by what she said or confused by how casually she said it, but Lin Yun realized he might’ve touched on something he shouldn’t have. After a moment’s silence, he changed the subject.

“Alright then, I don’t mind. But did you at least talk it over with Xiaolu?”

“Oh, she totally objected,” Hong Siyu said proudly, crossing her arms. “She told me, ‘No way I’m letting some shady woman crash our Full Moon Festival.’ Super hurtful! But I didn’t let it bother me. I wore her down and got her to agree!”

“That’s not something you can just shrug off. Take it seriously,” Lin Yun narrowed his eyes. “And I can’t believe you actually went toe-to-toe with a kid… Can you act your age?”

“She’s sixteen now, you know.”

“Pfft.”

“What are you laughing at?”

“Nothing. Having a youthful mindset is a good thing.”

“So you do think I’m old?”

“I think you’re trying too hard to act young.”

Dropping his suitcase next to the couch, Lin Yun took off his coat and loosened his tie. “So why were you the one who opened the door? Where’s Lulu?”

“Guess it’s just our connection—I sensed someone at the door,” Hong Siyu said in a mock-whisper. “But let me ask again, dear Senior… dinner or a shower?”

“Quit it with the dumb jokes.”

Lin Yun clicked his tongue. “If you’re serious, let’s do dinner first. Did you cook?”

“Nope,” Hong Siyu grinned.

“Then why ask?”

“I just asked if you wanted to eat—I didn’t say I cooked.”

“…Fine, I’ll order something.” Lin Yun pulled out his phone with a blank face.

“Oh, no need. Dinner should be almost ready,” she added.

“Ready? Who—don’t tell me Lulu’s learned to cook?”

“She probably couldn’t manage on her own, but this time, she’s got help.”

“Help?”

After a short pause, Lin Yun realized what Hong Siyu meant and looked toward the closed kitchen door.

He walked over quickly and slid the door open—and there it was:

Three girls, busy cooking dinner together in perfect sync.

“Xiaolu, the radish!”

“Got it, got it!”

“Xuan, the eggs!”

“All prepped!”

Xia Liang was at the stove stir-frying, Lin Xiaolu was slowly chopping vegetables at the counter, and Bai Jingxuan was holding bowls and reading from a recipe, mixing seasonings accordingly.

They were so focused that none of them noticed Lin Yun had arrived.

It wasn’t until Moko—floating nearby with nothing to do—spotted him, flew over to tap Xiaolu’s shoulder, and brought her attention to the doorway.

When she saw Lin Yun, she froze for a moment, opened her mouth like she wanted to speak, then looked away awkwardly and muttered stiffly, “Dad, welcome home.”

Her voice made the other two girls stop what they were doing and look toward the kitchen door.

“Hello, Uncle!” Bai Jingxuan chirped politely.

It was her first time meeting Lin Yun, but based on what Lin Xiaolu had told her, she had no trouble figuring out who he was.

“Uncle, long time no see,” Xia Liang added with a subtle smile, still maintaining her usual good-girl image as she greeted him.

Well—if you ignored the way her lips kept moving afterward, clearly mouthing something else under her breath.