Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl
Chapter 21: Cleaning Up Afterwards

A misty haze filled the bathroom, swirling in the warmth under the heating lamp. Lin Xiaolu scooped up a handful of water and splashed it onto her face, leaning back into the bathtub as her expression gradually softened from blankness to relaxation.

After spacing out for a while, her unfocused pupils regained their clarity. Slowly, she buried her face into the hot water, releasing bubbles from her mouth that floated to the surface with a soft "bloop" before popping.

It was still the afternoon, though the time was edging closer to evening. Lin Xiaolu was washing away the grime from battle in her home bathroom.

She lathered herself in body wash multiple times, rinsed off repeatedly, and meticulously combed through and washed her hair several rounds before finally sinking into the bathtub with a relieved sigh, allowing herself a moment to unwind.

Without a doubt, today's battle with the Ravager had been filled with unexpected challenges, but the gains were substantial.

Besides accumulating combat and teamwork experience, she had also learned more about the Melt-Chamber-type Ravager, a rare variant. At the very least, this battle had taught her something valuable.

Veronica's teaching methods were effective.

Lin Xiaolu felt a growing sense of admiration for her and couldn't help but close her eyes, imagining the day when she, under Veronica's guidance, would become the ideal Magical Girl she aspired to be.

By then, she would surely be mature, composed, powerful, and beautiful…

Her daydreams unconsciously brought a smile to her face. The corners of her mouth lifted, and her eyebrows arched slightly—her mood had clearly improved.

—"Are you done soaking yet?"

"Ahhh!" The sudden voice at her ear startled Lin Xiaolu.

Turning her head, she saw Xia Liang standing beside the bathtub, wrapped in a towel, grinning at her.

Droplets of water still clung to her damp black hair, showing that she had just stepped out of the nearby shower.

"Not yet, not yet."

Lifting her face from the water, Lin Xiaolu scoffed, "Letting you shower while I’m in the tub was already an act of supreme generosity. Now that you're done, just go wait outside. This is my house, and I’m not sharing my bathtub with you."

"But I got drenched in that nasty water too! I wanna soak as soon as possible!"

As Xia Liang spoke, she moved closer to the edge of the bathtub. "How about I squeeze in? I don’t mind, you know?"

"I mind! It’d be way too cramped! You’re so gross!"

Lin Xiaolu threw up her hands defensively against the edge of the tub, rejecting her outright. "Do you even know what 'guest etiquette' means? Don’t push your luck!"

"Pretty please?" Xia Liang clasped her hands together and batted her eyes at her.

"Begging won't help! Get out already!"

"I'm getting in—"

"Stay back! And don’t just climb in— I said don’t—!"

The bathroom grew noisier and noisier, the heated argument carrying through the house. Even though the exact words were muffled, Lin Xiaolu’s exasperated shouts could be heard from the living room.

Veronica sat gracefully on the couch, legs folded to the side, staring intently at the object in her hands.

It was a partially corroded, greenish metal disc, pitted and scarred beyond recognition.

She had found it among the Ravager's remains just before leaving the battlefield, sensing something off about it. On a closer look… it almost resembled a valve?

Why would something like this be inside a Ravager’s stomach?

Feeling like she had stumbled upon a clue, something long-buried in her memory stirred. She leaned back against the sofa, tilting her head as she pondered.

—Click.

The bathroom door suddenly swung open, and the muffled arguing became crystal clear.

"Get out! Now!" Lin Xiaolu’s frustrated voice rang out.

"Ahh! Not so rough! You’re gonna pull my towel off!"

Then came Xia Liang’s protest.

Lin Xiaolu ignored her and shoved her out the door. "You're so annoying!"

Bang!

The bathroom door slammed shut with force.

Xia Liang, now banished, walked out wrapped in her towel, making her way into the living room. Her gaze met Veronica’s.

She looked quite different from when they had first met a few days ago.

The highlights in her bangs had somehow washed out, and the slightly curled tips of her hair had been straightened. Without the subtle touch of makeup she usually wore, her youthful features were fully exposed—revealing a middle schooler, plain as day.

If the Xia Liang from the electronics district had been a flashy, fashionable girl, then the one standing here now, smiling softly, looked like a quiet, well-behaved kid.

Veronica’s previously unfocused gaze sharpened as she took in Xia Liang’s towel-clad appearance. After a brief pause, she suggested, "Maybe go find a bathrobe to wear?"

"Hmm? Oh, good idea!"

Xia Liang accepted the suggestion easily but quickly hit a snag. "Wait… does this place even have bathrobes?"

"The clean ones should be in…"

Veronica instinctively started to answer, only to realize she wasn’t Lin Yun right now.

Even though this was technically her house, she couldn’t let on that she was the actual homeowner. On the surface, she was just another guest, just like Xia Liang.

She seamlessly changed her response. "If there’s a storage cabinet near the bathroom door, there might be some inside. Or you could ask White Rose."

"White Rose? Ohh, hehe, then I’ll go ask her!"

For some reason, Xia Liang seemed to take great joy in provoking Lin Xiaolu. The moment she realized she had another excuse to go bother her, she chuckled mischievously and turned back toward the bathroom.

Was it because Lin Xiaolu reacted like a little animal bristling at the slightest poke? Did that make it extra fun?

Judging from their personalities, Veronica figured that was probably the case.

She didn’t mind this kind of harmless teasing—so long as it didn’t turn into real resentment, it was just playful antics between kids.

However, as she watched Xia Liang’s retreating figure, a thought crossed her mind.

Compared to Lin Xiaolu, Xia Liang was noticeably more developed for her age.

And that made Veronica experience a rare moment of parental concern.

Would her daughter end up being short?

At 14, there was still hope—plenty of time to hit a growth spurt and surpass her peers. But for now, there wasn’t even the slightest sign of that happening.

Logically speaking, Lin Xiaolu shouldn’t be this short. Her parents, Lin Yun and Aya, weren’t just above average in height—they were well within the taller range. Lin Yun was over 1.8 meters tall, and Aya was close to 1.7 meters.

There was no reason for Lin Xiaolu to be below average, yet here she was, standing at a mere 143 cm.

Why?

Veronica set down the corroded metal disc, fell silent for a moment, then stood up and walked toward the kitchen.

She rinsed her hands at the sink, then opened the sterilizer, pulling out a few tea cups.

Skillfully, she arranged them in a row, added tea leaves, and stretched onto her toes, reaching for the hot water kettle. Expressionless, she forced herself a little higher and poured the steaming water into the cups.

Knowing Lin Xiaolu’s personality, she probably wouldn't even think of serving tea to guests. That meant it was up to Veronica to handle it.