Hua Ling finally understood who Tianqing Jie's 'mysterious friend' was.
It was this young lady from a wealthy family who stepped out of the luxury car! And Hua Ling even knew her.
—Li Kexin, the true form of Magic Girl Mai Sui, her senior.
She never expected that Li Kexin was Tianqing Jie's mysterious friend!
"Ke... Kexin senior?" Hua Ling said in astonishment.
"Yes, it's me. Good morning, Hua Ling," Li Kexin said with a smile.
Hua Ling couldn't fathom how Tianqing Jie had connected with this senior; she had even been discussing with Hyacinth just this morning how to rescue Mai Sui.
But Mai Sui had already been rescued. Did Tianqing Jie do it?
Speaking of which, Hua Ling had indeed received a magic message from Tianqing Jie as Magic Girl Dandelion on the divine code stone yesterday, but because she wasn't very skilled at using the divine code stone, she hadn't paid attention. She never expected it to be...
Hua Ling suddenly felt a surge of guilt.
"Excuse me, Miss Tianqing, I've kept you two waiting," Li Kexin said politely, interrupting Hua Ling's thoughts.
"It's fine, I just arrived myself~"
Golden Fox smiled in return.
"And there's no need to be so formal. Just call me Tianqing. Aren't we friends?"
"Is... is that so?"
"Yes, friends don't need those fancy honorifics. That's how good friends are."
Fox Fox's face still held that bright and dazzling smile.
...
"So..."
A little later, in a dessert shop at the mall, Hua Ling pinched her chin, deep in thought,
"Tianqing Jie, you snuck into Xin Yuehu's sub-dimension yesterday and rescued Kexin senior, and then you two became friends?"
"That's right," Su Tianqing admitted generously, taking a bite of the banana split in front of her.
Li Kexin also nodded, taking small bites of the dessert cake by her hand.
A cognition-concealing barrier was still set up around the three of them; people nearby would only feel like they were having a casual chat.
But people's gazes still occasionally fell on Li Kexin, marveling at the wealthy young lady's luxurious attire, and naturally, they also noticed the fluffy Golden Fox at the same time.
It even made Hua Ling, the quiet literary girl, seem to have a much lower presence.
"Then how did Tianqing Jie do it? Hyacinth and I tried many times but couldn't find a way in," Hua Ling pressed.
"I had stayed in Xin Yuehu's Mindscape World last time and knew she would leave a back door for entry and exit in such sub-dimensions, which is why I was able to sneak in successfully."
Su Tianqing had long prepared a self-consistent explanation, explaining with a smile.
Ben Hu always thinks things through! Moreover, the matter of 'Dandelion rescuing Mai Sui' was also part of Ben Hu's plan!
While Hua Ling was realizing this, Su Tianqing's attention returned to Li Kexin.
Her goal today was very clear: to find more clues related to Red Rose from Li Kexin.
She also wanted to assess Li Kexin's current psychological state, to understand whether she was experiencing post-traumatic dependence or transference, which would help in designing her subsequent plans.
As for why Hua Ling was also called along... of course, it was to find more fun!
This one in front of you is your senior, Hua Ling! Fox Fox brought this senior right to you, Hua Ling. Isn't this creating the perfect environment for you two?
You two, quickly become friends! Right now, immediately!
"Kexin, do you usually dress so luxuriously?" Taking advantage of Hua Ling still trying to understand her method, Su Tianqing asked casually.
"Eh... because it's my first time going out with friends... I thought I should dress more formally, so I..."
The girl said nervously, looking very awkward,
"Do I look strange like this? Should I ask the butler to bring a new set of clothes?"
"Strange, not quite... it's just a feeling of being out of this world. Hmm," Su Tianqing nodded.
"It's too luxurious and beautiful. It makes people feel like you're not going out to play with friends, but rather preparing to attend a dinner party."
"But... hmm..."
Li Kexin looked thoughtfully at her own attire, then at Su Tianqing and the other person, tilting her head, as if she couldn't quite understand.
As expected, things were almost exactly as she thought; she was completely a wealthy young lady lacking common sense, Su Tianqing thought.
Look at her outfit; just one bracelet probably costs more than all of her clothes combined! If you wear this kind of attire to play with friends, it would be strange if they weren't intimidated!
Look at Hua Ling, she's your direct junior, and even her gaze towards you is off. This speaks volumes.
Perhaps in Li Kexin's understanding, 'luxurious attire' was the best way to show respect.
"If your attire is too luxurious, the sense of oppression it gives off is too strong, making people easily keep their distance from you."
Su Tianqing said directly,
"If friends feel pressured by you, they will be wary of you, or even directly avoid you."
"Is that so...?" Li Kexin murmured to herself, as if she understood something from Su Tianqing's words.
Is this why all her attempts to make friends had failed?
"So—Hua Ling Meimei!"
The sudden call made Hua Ling flinch, almost dropping her glasses onto the table.
"Eh?!... What, what is it?"
"Today, I'm entrusting you with one task: pick out an outfit for Kexin that's suitable for everyday outings, how about it?"
Su Tianqing felt that she was someone who would act immediately once she had a plan.
And Hua Ling was also very interested in this sudden task, and immediately began browsing the mall.
The three of them went from the clothing section to the accessories section, and Li Kexin's clothes and accessories, which were initially opulent and luxurious, became much more ordinary, appearing more down-to-earth:
A simple knee-length dress, paired with a warm winter coat, her socks and shoes remained, and the rather mature precious metal bracelet on her wrist was replaced by a simple floral string.
"Perfect!"
Su Tianqing scrutinized Li Kexin's outfit, giving Hua Ling a thumbs-up.
"Hua Ling Meimei's aesthetic is really good; just changing a few clothes can make Kexin's aura completely different!"
"I'm quite confident in that aspect," Hua Ling said proudly.
Li Kexin looked awkwardly at herself in the full-length mirror.
Although she lacked the carefully chosen dignity and elegance she had when she left home, she looked much more refined and approachable.
She even gained a literary girl's aura.
"Wear this today. The changed clothes can be stored at the mall and picked up when we go back later."
Su Tianqing nodded with satisfaction.
"Now then, let's start with the basics!"
"Do you like Magic Girl merchandise, Kexin Meimei~?"