Chapter 57: Settlement and Residence
After changing clothes, Zi’ai and I followed Lan to the meeting spot designated by Lily.
Li Nai also tagged along. She has now been appointed as Zi’ai’s temporary bodyguard, tasked with her personal safety.
To prevent information leaks, we deliberately chose a relatively secluded place. When we arrived, Lily was already there – sizzling some grilled meat alone.
“Wow, Teacher, you’re too lonely, eating all by yourself… Let me fill that void in your heart!”
You just want to fill your own stomach, don’t you?
Li Nai couldn’t resist the sight of the meat and immediately ran over to sit next to Lily, helping herself to the grilled meat. If it were just eating, it’d be fine, but she deliberately lifted her head, stuck out her tongue, and with a provocative gesture, placed the meat on her tongue before sliding it into her mouth, letting the juices drip from the corner of her lips before licking them with her tongue… If you’re going to eat, eat properly!
“Mmm~ Delicious! Hey, Juncheng, try some too! This is absolutely top-grade meat!”
“Then go eat your meat and don’t talk.”
“Eek! You’re so mean to me, Juncheng! You don’t love me anymore! *whimper, whimper*, I even let you ‘bite’ me every time…”
“Bite?” x3
Zi’ai, Lan, and Lianbing all turned their heads to look at me from three different angles, their expressions synchronized – clearly demanding an explanation.
“Hey, hey, hey, are you guys really going to believe what that zombie with a mind full of perverted thoughts says? Even Pinocchio is more honest than her!”
“Yeah, you can’t really trust Senior Li Nai’s words. Although sometimes she does make sharp, spot-on comments, but…”
“That’s too mean~ Junior Bai~ I wasn’t lying. Every time I ‘bite’ Juncheng… my fried pork cutlet, ahaha~”
She can talk about stealing my bento with such pride, you idiotic zombie!
Yuhui was already there, she must have come with Lily.
“Let’s sit down first. No one will overhear us in this private room.”
Lily urged us to sit. I took a seat opposite Lily. Zi’ai and the other two exchanged glances but hesitated to sit.
“What’s wrong? Come on, sit down.”
“Don’t mind them, they’re fighting over who gets to sit next to Juncheng. Hehe~ such typical girlish behavior~ You yo.”
Li Nai, with a teasing smile, ate another piece of meat. This time, her words were actually useful.
“…”
So that’s what it is.
Originally, Lianbing and Lan would have occupied my left and right sides, respectively. But now with Zi’ai here, the seating arrangement has become complicated.
Ah, what a hassle. I absolutely won’t get involved, and I can’t even if I wanted to.
…Is it a lottery? ~ or pulling
“By luck? Hehe, that’s fair.”
“Alright, alright, you two sit. I’ll sit next to Li Nai.”
In the end, Zi’ai conceded, yielding her spot to Lan and Bing, and sat on the other side, propping her cheek with a bored expression.
“Zi’ai, you’re really… such a good person!”
Are you two serious…? Zi’ai is getting even more impatient.
Uh, why are you glaring at me… Is it my fault…?
And then – suddenly, Xun’er and Xue Qing appeared out of nowhere and took up positions on my left and right.
Huh? When did these two sneak up on us? They’re like specters…
“Juncheng, Juncheng, I want some too!”
“Juncheng, I want some too.”
“Oh, hold on, I’ll grill some for you right now.”
“That’s favoritism!”
Lolicon.
“A lolicon.”
With that, Bing and Lan both shot me a glare and unhappily moved to sit next to Zi’ai.
???
Why do I have this feeling of heartbreak like I’ve been abandoned? And I feel like I’ve been looked down upon?
Watching them feeding each other meat as if they were on very good terms with Zi’ai, I felt a pang in my chest.
However, I couldn’t stop what I was doing to take care of Xun’er and Xue Qing, the two lolis who had asked for food.
“That’s strange, Xun’er, your relationship with Juncheng seems to have become particularly good?”
“Hehe~ Our relationship has always been good~”
This matter is difficult to explain, so I didn’t tell anyone that Xun’er had forgotten me. There’s no need to make a big fuss about it, nor is there any need to talk about it.
And they would never guess that this apparent deepening of our relationship is actually due to her amnesia, which has caused our relationship to be re-shuffled.
Once everyone was seated, Lily began the discussion for the day.
“So, you’ve probably guessed why I’ve called you all here, haven’t you?”
“Yes, it’s about the accommodation issue, isn’t it?”
“That’s right. Her identity issue will be handled by the organization, but where she will be settled depends on her own wishes.”
I thought for a moment and then suggested to Zi’ai first.
“Ah, well, why don’t you stay at my place for now? Xinran still has a spare bed in her room.”
“Oh, that? That brings back memories. Xinran and I used to share a room in elementary and middle school.”
“Yeah.”
This seems like the most suitable option. ‘I’ should indeed live at my own home.
“But would your sisters accept it, Juncheng? How would you explain it to them?”
….
This is indeed tricky to explain. I can’t just tell them that Zi’ai is a feminized version of me, can I?
Who would believe such a thing?
At this point, Lanhua put her arm around Zi’ai’s shoulders and said.
“Then why don’t you come stay at my place? My room is quite spacious!”
“Won’t that be a bother to your family?”
Lanhua’s home… Zi’ai seemed to know Lanhua in her previous world, so maybe that would be okay.
“It won’t be a bother! My family only has my auntie, and she’s usually not home.”
Her aunt?
Wait, Lanhua’s room was the source of the tracking devices, wasn’t it?!
The image of a room plastered with photos, dimly lit only by the glow of a monitor, flashed in my mind.
“Wait, Lan, your room won’t work!”
Zi’ai clearly thought of the same thing and nodded, saying.
“Yes, I don’t want to stay in a stalker’s room. Hmm? Oh, right. In this world, it’s not my photos plastered on the walls, but Juncheng’s photos… That might be acceptable then?”
What?
“Hehe, then we can also admire Juncheng’s embarrassing photos together?”
“Dream on! And you shouldn’t hesitate either!”
Why is it okay if it’s my photos? No matter whose photos are plastered, no one would want to live in a room like that!
“Senior Lanhua, please be mindful of yourself. Your room is not a place a person can live in. And besides…”
Yuhui didn’t finish her sentence, but Lan seemed to understand what Yuhui meant. She pouted and mumbled something about it being a shame, apparently abandoning the idea of Zi’ai staying with her.
“Ah, I live alone too, so Zi’ai can…”
Just as Lily was about to suggest her place, Zi’ai, who had been acting indifferent until now, suddenly intensified her tone and strongly refused.
“Absolutely not!”
*Ugh….*
SF Light Novel
Oh, I remember now. Last time Lily had her… episode, I seemed to have left Zi’ai there. It’s no wonder she’s so resistant. Seeing Zi’ai hugging herself with a darkened expression, she must have been traumatized.
“Although I’d love to suggest Zi’ai come stay with us, we have plenty of room… But I doubt you’d agree, would you? Hehehe…”
Zi’ai didn’t respond, but it was tantamount to an admission. It seems she really doesn’t intend to build a good relationship with Lianbing.
So, where else is there? Li Nai’s place isn’t ideal either. Although her mother could look after Zi’ai, that place is…
“The organization’s suggestion is to have her live with my mother…”
“Oh, the Principal’s place? Indeed, having the Principal herself take care of her is the best option.”
“The Principal? Isn’t she an old grump…”
Zi’ai looked confused, seemingly not understanding why the Principal was being mentioned.
“Ah, I haven’t told you yet. The Principal is Teacher Lily’s mother. Her usual old man appearance is just a magical illusion.”
“…So, she’s also a beauty?”
“Well, yes, sort of…”
Why that meaningful expression again?
Are you suspecting that I’m involved with the Principal too?
Good grief, she’s a married woman. How much of a scum would I have to be… No!
I recall the Principal mentioning something about mother and daughter… Although it was parting, it could still be… maybe indeed mother and daughter together… No, no, no, no!
Stop thinking about such perverse things!
Shaking my head and forcefully pushing the thought away, I cleared my throat and continued.
“Besides, Xun’er lives with the Principal, so it would be… relatively…”
Xun’er living with the Principal seems like a good option.
But before I could finish speaking, Zi’ai responded instantly. “No.”
“Ah, it seems Zi’ai doesn’t like my…”
Zi’ai glared intensely at Xun’er, her eyes filled with dissatisfaction. Xun’er, in turn, looked innocent, not understanding why she was being targeted.
Is it because of my injured shoulder that she has a bad impression of Xun’er too?
Zi’ai is really just like my past self. Once she identifies someone as dangerous, she immediately distances herself, with no desire to approach them.
Avoiding danger is the best way to maintain normalcy. I understand this very well, but…
Ah, forget it. If Zi’ai doesn’t want to, then so be it.
“Hmm, in that case, where else?”
As I folded my arms and continued to ponder where else she could stay, Xue Qing tugged at my clothes and said briefly, “My place.”
“Huh? Oh, right, Xue Qing’s place! Xue Qing’s house is right in Black Street, so it’s very safe.”
“Xue Qing’s place… well, that could work. I heard you need Juncheng’s care, right? Then let me take care of you instead.”
This time, Zi’ai didn’t refuse. Xue Qing nodded as well. This way, it seems settled.
“Ah, but Xue Qing’s place has some rather frightening things…”
Those body parts in the freezer… The first time I saw them, I almost peed myself, terrified of being dismembered.
“If you tell me in advance, I won’t be scared.”
With my previous experience as a precedent, if I explain everything to Zi’ai, she won’t be afraid, right?
And being able to help take care of Xue Qing will also put my mind at ease.
Then, with the free time I’ll have… I should check on my sisters. Their dissatisfaction levels must be nearing critical.
They’re probably looking for me everywhere right now.
“Alright! Now that we’ve decided on Zi’ai’s place of residence, next, let’s hold a welcome party for her!”
I have to admit, having someone like Li Nai to liven up the atmosphere at times like this is very useful. Zi’ai’s expression, which had been tense all along, softened considerably.
Having a new place to live in this world must be incredibly significant for her.
When she stayed at my place, the familiar yet unfamiliar environment made her look lonely…
Does she feel like she has no place to belong in this world?
Then… I’ll create a place for her!
I stood up, raised my glass, and exchanged glances with Zi’ai. She also picked up her glass with a wry smile and stood up. Everyone else followed suit.
Smiling, I announced loudly.
“Everyone! Let’s toast to our new companion!”
“Cheers!”
And so, I, from another world, and An Ai found a new place to live.
