Chapter 44: The Shoe Problem
“Are you saying that you want me to crawl out of the window in broad daylight and act like a humanoid spider clinging to the wall?”
“Trust me, if I do that, there will be news on tomorrow’s TV program, and your director will definitely want to ask you about it.”
“And your friends will also find out about the identity you’ve been trying so hard to hide.”
Luo Shuangyue emerged from Xia Mo’s wardrobe, revealing a rather helpless expression in response to Xia Mo’s confusion.
At first, she actually planned to run out through the window directly, but after looking up at the sun, glancing down at her entirely black outfit except for her hair, and peeking outside at the snowy white wall, she concluded that there was no choice.
Might as well just stay put in the wardrobe!
Xia Mo’s wardrobe was a bit small; Luo Shuangyue had to kneel inside to avoid bumping her head. When Luo Shuangxing entered Xia Mo’s room, she covered her nose and mouth, not daring to make a sound.
Clearly, she was a cold-blooded and merciless villainess, yet somehow at this moment, she found herself playing the role of a captured golden-haired character, which felt quite strange to Luo Shuangyue.
Fortunately, under Xia Mo’s mistaken yet normal demeanor, Luo Shuangxing temporarily dispelled her suspicions, allowing Luo Shuangyue to finally emerge from the wardrobe and surprise Xia Mo.
However, as she was about to come out, she inadvertently blocked a dress from Xia Mo, causing Xia Mo to suddenly develop the illusion that the Dark Butterfly was actually a delicate girl.
No, no, no! Xia Mo quickly shook off this strange thought; the Dark Butterfly was a very dangerous character, and she absolutely couldn’t let her guard down.
Especially not to the point of genuinely treating her as a fragile and cute girl just because of her appearance.
“Ahem, back to the point, I’m here to remind you not to think that catching a minor leader means the matter is over. The real executives of Snake Fang are still hiding in the shadows, waiting for opportunities.” Luo Shuangyue sat on the edge of Xia Mo’s bed, swinging her legs as she spoke to her.
She was worried that Xia Mo might think capturing a small fry meant everything was settled, overlooking the real big boss.
The black mist big snake summoned by that minor leader yesterday was most likely a ploy by the Snake Fang executive Tyrant Python, which meant that the Snake Fang executive who came to Xinghai City this time was most likely that Tyrant Python.
This guy has immense physical strength; even Luo Shuangyue couldn’t guarantee a 100% win rate against him.
“I know. And just for this, you could have just messaged me on QQ,” Xia Mo said, shaking her phone that she pulled out of her pocket. They had added each other as friends last night.
Even if the Dark Butterfly was worried about whether the messaging software conveyed the message accurately, she could just call; they had each other’s phone numbers, right?
“Some things are better said face-to-face; after all, who knows if some people will seem diligent verbally but actually do nothing… Don’t make that aggrieved expression; I’m not talking about you.”
“…Oh.” Xia Mo actually knew that the Dark Butterfly probably wasn’t talking about her, but the subtext of that warning still made her a bit uncomfortable.
She clearly could trust her a little more!
Even though we are enemies, I am a Magical Girl! How could a Magical Girl do something so two-faced?
“The message has been conveyed, and I should be going.” Luo Shuangyue jumped off the bed and walked toward the front door.
“Wait!” Xia Mo hurriedly grabbed Luo Shuangyue’s wrist. “There’s one more thing!”
Just to hide it from Shuangxing, she had lied earlier, saying that the Dark Butterfly’s little boots were hers.
If Shuangxing didn’t see those little boots when she came back tonight, wouldn’t that mean she was confessing to having a problem without even trying?
So, “Please, give me your shoes!”
Pressing on Luo Shuangyue’s shoulder, Xia Mo blushed as she made a loud plea.
Then, she saw the Dark Butterfly, who had been acting so carefree as if nothing could disturb her emotions, show a complex expression.
In that expression was a mix of shock, confusion, and even a hint of, “You’re actually this kind of person?”
This really couldn’t be blamed on Luo Shuangyue breaking character; just listen to Xia Mo’s request.
She, a villainess who came to threaten Xia Mo, was now asking her to leave her shoes behind.
Huh?
Those shoes were just randomly bought, not something valuable; if you like that style, just go buy your own, why would you want shoes I’ve worn?
Surely they can’t be kept as collectibles, right?
“I know my feet might evoke some perverse impulses in some twisted individuals, but I didn’t expect you, Rosemary, to be this kind of person as well…”
“It’s not what you think; I’m not a pervert!” Xia Mo shouted loudly, her face flushed.
After all, there was nobody in the house now; she could shout all she wanted.
“Who told you to take off your shoes at the door where Shuangxing could see them? I had to find a reason to dispel her suspicion!”
Dragging the Dark Butterfly to the front door, Xia Mo pointed at the shoes placed in the middle, saying this was her only option. As long as Luo Shuangxing wasn’t blind, she would see those shoes you took off.
“What could I do? Admit that there’s someone else in the room? The only thing I can say is those shoes actually belong to me!”
“What you said makes sense, but what am I supposed to wear to go back?” Luo Shuangyue accepted that reason was somewhat reasonable, but then the question arose—if she left the shoes here, would she have to go back barefoot?
“Can’t you transform? Just transform and fly back.”
“I only have this one pair of shoes; even if I can transform and fly back this time, what about the next time?”
Upon hearing the Dark Butterfly’s objection, Xia Mo was genuinely taken aback.
So, you really only have one pair of shoes!
Then, you probably only have one set of clothes too, right?
Living like this… You might as well come and join our Magic Department; the salary would be enough for you to buy a house full of clothes.
“You… are you that poor?”
“Not poor; I just spend money on more meaningful things,” Luo Shuangyue replied expressionlessly.
After all, she didn’t often use her identity as the Dark Butterfly; there was no need to prepare multiple outfits, as having too many would make it harder to hide.
This remark took on a different flavor in Xia Mo’s ears; it clearly sounded like stubbornness!
Dark Butterfly, your sister misunderstood you; I didn’t expect you to live such a poor life.
With a previously undecided mind, Xia Mo suddenly gained an idea. She opened a shoe cabinet beside her and took out a pair of black leather shoes she had just bought and worn once, handing them to Luo Shuangyue.
“If you don’t mind, you can wear my shoes to go back; our sizes should be the same.”
“…Ah?”
