Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl
Book 2: Chapter 24: Delphinium's Plan

Vol 2 Chapter 24: Delphinium's Plan

Under the soft, clear lighting, the white porcelain plates reflected a faint sheen of oil. Scattered utensils lay across the wooden table—some neatly arranged, others a bit messy. Veronica leaned back in her chair with her arms crossed, her right fingers rhythmically tapping against the crook of her left arm.

Across from her, Lin Xiaolu and Xia Liang sat up straight with perfect posture.

Between them were a few dishes of still-warm home-cooked food, which looked quite decent in terms of presentation. But judging from how much was left, it was clear no one had eaten much. The tension around the table was palpable—even Nini was sitting upright and proper, and only Moko at the table’s corner was happily chowing down, completely unfazed.

After dinner, Veronica had the two girls recount everything that had happened in front of everyone. When she heard that the tutoring money she’d given them had been misused, she pressed her lips together and stayed silent for a long time.

That only made Lin Xiaolu—who already felt guilty—more anxious. Though she kept a straight posture, her gaze was fixed on her knees, like there was treasure on the floor. Xia Liang, while not as panicked, clearly knew she’d messed up. She wore a sheepish smile, and her eyes silently pleaded for forgiveness as she looked at Veronica.

Veronica’s gaze moved back and forth between the two girls. After a long pause, she closed her eyes and sighed helplessly. “So, you both spent the tutoring money I gave you, but didn’t buy the books?”

Neither girl moved. They stayed silent, clearly admitting fault.

“What more is there to say? You’re not little kids anymore. I shouldn’t have to teach you the basics of using money responsibly.”

She squinted, her tone softening. “I’m your senior, not your parent. It’s not really my job to lecture you about what’s right or wrong. And even though I’m disappointed—and honestly, a little annoyed—it’s not enough to warrant a full-on scolding.”

“I just feel a bit helpless. I mean, I am kind of like your part-time teacher when it comes to school stuff. But the tasks I assign… you’ve been forgetting them more and more lately.”

“Maybe I’ve given you too much responsibility? You used to never have to patrol alone. Now you go to school during the day, patrol after classes, and still have me pushing you to study at night. Compared to other kids your age, maybe it’s a bit too much. Should I be giving you more personal time?”

“If you’re frustrated with me about any of this, just say so. I’ll ease up on your workload… Hm? What’s wrong, White Rose?”

Veronica paused mid-sentence when she noticed her daughter’s odd expression.

Lin Xiaolu’s shoulders were trembling slightly. Then her eyes turned red, and her nose did too. After a few sniffles, tears began to roll down her cheeks.

“I… sniff I didn’t mean to…”

She seemed to want to explain herself, but choked up, unable to get the words out.

Her reaction caught the attention of the others at the table. Xia Liang gave a helpless little smile that said called it, while Bai Jingxuan looked puzzled and confused.

“What’s going on?”

Veronica, who had been all stern just seconds ago, immediately panicked. She jumped up from her chair and hurried to Lin Xiaolu’s side, leaning in to check on her. “Why are you crying? Did I go too far?”

“No… I didn’t forget what you said, Veronica. And I never wanted to complain. How could I not care about or hate what you told me? I’ve never thought that—not even a little…”

Lin Xiaolu covered her mouth and nose, shoulders shaking. “I really just clicked the wrong thing… I’m sorry…”

“Just a mistake? Then I misunderstood you.”

Veronica softened her tone. “I get it. I won’t blame you, okay? Just stop crying, alright?”

“I… I didn’t mean to cry…”

“I just… couldn’t help it.”

“That’s okay. If you can’t hold it in, then just cry a little. It’s fine.”

Veronica gestured lightly with her hands. “Don’t hold it back. Let it out. I don’t mind.”

“I look so ugly when I cry…”

“No, even when a Magical Girl cries, she’s still cute.”

“I don’t want to be a bad person. Don’t hate me.” Lin Xiaolu sniffled.

“I don’t hate you. You don’t have to worry about that,” Veronica said, trying her best to sound sincere.

Under her half-soothing, half-coaxing words, Lin Xiaolu finally stopped crying. But even after the tears stopped, she kept clinging to Veronica’s sleeve, like she was afraid she’d disappear.

After the little emotional storm passed, the dining room finally quieted down again. Once Lin Xiaolu was calmed, Veronica remembered she hadn’t finished what she was saying. But with the atmosphere like this, there was no way she could go back to being stern.

She looked around tiredly, her gaze settling on Xia Liang. “White Rose’s explained everything. Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

“I’m sorry, Junior. I won’t do it again,” Xia Liang quickly put her hands together and bowed her head. “Please spare me, I’m begging you.”

“...Sigh. Alright, fine.”

Veronica sighed again, then glanced over at Bai Jingxuan and pointed toward Xia Liang. “You see that? Don’t follow in their footsteps.”

Bai Jingxuan nodded obediently, like she’d just learned a valuable lesson.

Seeing that the youngest hadn’t been negatively affected by any of this, Veronica felt a bit more at ease. She turned back to the guilty duo. “Anyway, don’t let this happen again. I’ll transfer you both some more money tomorrow—for the books. This time, I expect you to actually use it as promised.”

“I’ll delete the game right now.”

Lin Xiaolu furrowed her brow and wiped her eyes. “I won’t spend money on games ever again.”

“Me neither. I promise.”

Xia Liang raised her hand. “But actually, about Xiaolu’s game… maybe don’t delete it right away? Most mobile games have refund systems, especially for underage impulse purchases. It’s worth a try. We might get the money back.”

Lin Xiaolu nodded. “Then… let’s try that first…”

“Alright, stop right there.”

Veronica tapped the table and waved a hand. “I’m not that heartless. It’s not like I don’t want you playing games at all. Just like I wouldn’t straighten Little Viola’s curls if she had her hair done—same with you, White Rose. You spent money because there was something in the game you wanted, right? Well, the money’s already spent, so go ahead and keep playing.”

“But… games are bad…” Lin Xiaolu muttered.

“That’s why you play in moderation and manage your time.”

Veronica raised a finger. “And I have one more condition: show me the game you’re playing. I need to see what kind of game it is that made you want to spend money—and to make sure it’s appropriate for your age.”

That had been her real goal all along. Rather than scold her daughter for spending, she wanted to understand why she spent money in the game.

Back in his younger days, Lin Yun played games too—but mostly with teammates at arcades or party games. He rarely touched long-term online games.

He also understood that in the Material World today, games were a part of growing up. While many parents treated them like monsters, his stance was more open-minded. He believed that instead of strict bans, it was better to understand what kids enjoyed and guide them properly.

Until recently, Lin Xiaolu hadn’t shown much interest in games—she was more into anime. Now that she was finally playing, and even spending money on it, Veronica was genuinely curious.

“Maybe I should just delete it…” Lin Xiaolu mumbled.

“Hm?” Veronica gave her a look.

“...Fine. I’ll show you.” Lin Xiaolu reluctantly handed over her phone.

Veronica took it and immediately spotted the Magical Girl Squad icon at the bottom of the screen. That already explained a lot.

She knew her daughter had always admired Magical Girls ever since she was little. They’d even chatted about it during late-night walks home. If it was a game about Magical Girls, it made sense it would catch her daughter’s attention.

Opening the game, she carefully examined the visual style. The art had a soft, storybook-like charm. The girls in the game wore tidy outfits—nothing inappropriate. Her subconscious approval ticked up a notch.

When she flipped through the character gallery, her scrolling gradually slowed. Finally, her eyes paused on a few specific characters.

“This game…”

Her brow lifted. “They used real-life Magical Girls as models?”

“That’s our guess.”

Lin Xiaolu stayed quiet, so Xia Liang spoke up. “We even saw one who looks kind of like Senior Sakura.”

“Which one?” Veronica asked.

“She’s called Dawnweed.”

Oblivious to Lin Xiaolu’s mortified expression, Veronica swiped through the gallery and found the character with the alias Dawnweed.

When she tapped the icon and heard the character’s voice lines, she froze slightly.

“Is this the one you wanted?” she asked. “Is this why you spent money?”

“...Yeah.” Lin Xiaolu nodded.

Veronica’s expression turned complicated.

It was the kind of look no one could fully read, filled with mixed emotions. Even Xia Liang, who was usually good at reading people, couldn’t decipher it.

“I understand.”

After a moment, Veronica handed the phone back. “Then I approve. Think of the money as your allowance.”

“Allowance… from you?”

Lin Xiaolu looked up in surprise. “Are you sure that’s okay?”

“Just think of it as a gift from an adult.” Veronica tapped the back of the phone. “For all your hard work on patrol.”

“So what’s the verdict?” Xia Liang, now full of curiosity, leaned over again. “I’ve never seen Senior Sakura in person, so only you would know. Does she really look like her?”

Even Bai Jingxuan perked up, especially at the mention of “Sakura.”

“...Not really.”

Veronica slowly closed her eyes. “But there are a lot of little things that remind me of her.”

“Not alike, but still makes you think of her?” Bai Jingxuan asked.

“You don’t need to look alike to evoke memories,” Veronica replied, her expression complex. “If you’re familiar enough, even a line of dialogue, a belief, or a preference can make you think of someone.”

“I still don’t get it…” Bai Jingxuan shook her head but didn’t press further.

She and Xia Liang both noticed that mentioning Dawnweed, who resembled “Sakura,” had clearly shifted the mood.

“Anyway! I just thought of something—if there are so many characters based on real Magical Girls…”

Xia Liang raised her voice, trying to lift the mood. “Then maybe there’s one based on Junior too?”

That got everyone’s attention.

Even Lin Xiaolu, who had been down moments ago, perked up. “Why didn’t I think of that? Maybe there is a Veronica in here!”

“...Wouldn’t that be kind of pointless?” Veronica countered. “I’m literally right here. Why go looking for me in a game?”

“That’s different!”

Lin Xiaolu opened the gallery again. “I want to see what game-Veronica looks like!”

“Me too!” Bai Jingxuan jumped off her chair and ran over. With Xia Liang already there, the three of them crowded around the screen.

Veronica just stood back, watching them with no words to offer.

The three little ones scrolled line by line through the gallery. But their excitement gradually faded. When they finished looking through it all, a strange silence fell over them.

“What’s wrong?” Veronica finally asked.

“Nothing…” Lin Xiaolu muttered, disappointed. “We didn’t find anyone like you.”

“There was one who kind of looked like you in color and style,” Xia Liang offered. “But she was taller, and her alias was Silvercress. Probably someone else? Maybe Blue Star from Tiandu City?”

“Why isn’t Mommy in there?” Bai Jingxuan asked, not realizing the way her words made everyone around her freeze.

“Wait… you…”

Lin Xiaolu opened her mouth to respond, but then remembered the misunderstanding from a few days ago. She decided to let it slide.

“Never mind, forget I said anything.”

The girls kept searching for a while longer, but with no character resembling Veronica, they finally gave up.

Lin Xiaolu had also given up—until she remembered she still had twelve pulls left to hit her pity mark. So she pursed her lips and returned to the main menu to continue pulling.

But just as she returned, a notification popped up.

It was an event announcement for the game.

Dear fairies, hello! “Magical Girl Squad” will launch a new story event, “Invasion! The Claw,” starting November 28. Read the event story, challenge bosses and event stages, and earn rich rewards!

Story Summary: After defeating a giant Ravager that attacked the city, the Magical Girl Squad obtains a mysterious crystal. But unknown to them, this crystal has caught the attention of a certain secret organization. A fierce battle over the crystal is about to begin—and with it, a new enemy emerges...

Event Participation Requirement: Complete all story stages of Chapter 22.

Event Maintenance Time: November 28, 9:00–13:00

Bonus Characters: [Memory Reborn] banner exclusive: [SSR] Morning Glory.

“…What the heck?”

Lin Xiaolu stared at the announcement, feeling like something was off, though she couldn’t say exactly what.

After a moment’s thought, she saw that everyone else had begun cleaning up the table. She decided not to overthink it, letting the announcement—and her unfinished pulls—slip to the back of her mind.

She turned off the screen.