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Hearing this, Lingsha smiled faintly. "You're already this strong—what could there be that absolutely requires big sis to handle it? Go on, just say it. As long as it's doable, big sis will definitely agree."
"Really?" Bailu's face lit up with delight when Lingsha agreed so readily. "No take-backs!"
My distraction plan is just about to succeed big time!
Seeing that expression—just like before an exam when she tried to get her allowance increased—Lingsha laughed indulgently. "Of course. So, what is it? Say it quickly."
Not just her—Stelle, March 7th, and even Dan Heng quietly perked up their ears.
They were also very curious what kind of matter could still trouble the current Bailu.
Could it be that along with her strength skyrocketing, her talent for causing trouble has also grown exponentially? Did she accidentally release Shuhu before coming here? Though… Shuhu might not even be able to beat her now.
Even Taoran and Shaoying nearby were secretly guessing.
Does this have something to do with Bailu suddenly becoming stronger? Though they no longer dared harbor any thoughts of resistance, they couldn't help being drawn in by the Dragon Venerable's "inside secrets."
With everyone's eyes on her, Bailu instead became a little hesitant.
Y-you all don't have to stare at me like that!
But this really was the best timing. She had just made a huge splash, scared everyone half to death—if she waited until they got back, what if Big Sister Lingsha wasn't this shocked anymore?
Do I need to drag out a few more Dragon Masters and beat them up?
Finally, Bailu took a deep breath, looking as if she'd resolved herself. Eyes shut tight, she shouted, "It's about… me sneaking out to play this morning! Don't put me in confinement anymore, okay?!"
She raised her hand and pointed straight at Taoran and Shaoying, making both of them shiver violently, yet she continued, "I'm already this strong—I definitely won't cause trouble again!"
After blurting it all out in one go, she closed her eyes and waited for Lingsha's verdict. But after a long while, there was still no reply, so she sneakily peeked.
She discovered that Big Sister Lingsha—uh, and everyone else—were all standing there frozen in place.
Her heart sank.
It's over… was my request too much? Why was she raising one chubby finger? She instinctively added a concession. "One day. Just one day of confinement."
Lingsha stood there savoring it for quite a while. After a moment, she couldn't help but laugh, resting a hand on Bailu's head. "Bailu, so you came here today… actually for this?"
Bailu answered guiltily, "Y-yeah."
Her gaze drifted around, and then she saw the two Dragon Masters staring wide-eyed, seemingly agitated.
Suddenly, their eyes reddened. Throwing all dignity aside, they burst into loud sobs, their voices trembling. "T-tools! We ended up like this—not because of evil deeds, but because we were picked to be apology tools! Just because of this!"
It was hard to imagine what they were feeling right now. Everyone else remained indifferent to their plight; only Stelle stepped forward to comfort them. "Stop crying, it looks awful. Just treat it as… uh, as getting what you deserve."
After a brief pause, she added, "After all, you weren't good people to begin with…"
The others also snapped back to their senses, exchanging knowing smiles at Bailu's request.
"Is this some new kind of Versailles?" Tail said helplessly, then turned to Huohuo. "Look at her—she even shows off so freshly and elegantly. You've got to straighten up too!"
"I—!" Provoked by Tail, Huohuo's voice instantly jumped an octave, but after shouting just one "I," it dropped again as if all her energy had drained away. "I… I'll try."
"Hey, hey, hey!" Seeing everyone being so unconcerned about her matter, Bailu protested loudly. "Whether you forgive me or not—that's the most important thing, isn't it?!"
Lingsha smiled with relief. Even though Bailu had grown this powerful, she still valued her so much.
She gently patted Bailu's little head and smiled. "Of course, big sis forgives you. Not only that—when we get back, I'll even make lots of delicious food for you."
"Really!" Bailu pressed her little belly that had been close to starving flat this whole time, her eyes lighting up again.
Hehe, my plan was a huge success!
...
Inside the Curio Trash Cans Shop.
Facing the next trash can, Aventurine touched it again and again, hesitating, not daring to open it.
Earlier, he'd thought to himself, 'As long as the last can gives something good, everything before doesn't count as a loss,' and that seemed to have unknowingly planted a massive flag for himself.
Just like those phrases such as 'After this battle, I'll go home and get married,' or 'As long as you don't step out of this circle, nothing will happen.' It always felt like once you said them, something bad was bound to happen.
Could it be… I've fallen victim to that weird law too?
For a moment, Aventurine felt a cold sweat break out.
In the rest area, Qingque stared straight at him, urging, "Hurry up, don't waste time. I'm still waiting to get off work."
Aventurine brushed it off. "Don't rush. Luck and patience are twin siblings."
Sylvester stared at Aventurine's face for a while. The more he looked, the stranger it seemed.
This expression… why does it feel so familiar?
Pinching his chin, he thought for a moment—then suddenly realized.
Isn't this the exact look of someone with awfully shit luck who only has one last desperate ten-pull left, but the banner's soft pity hasn't even built once?
A hint of amusement appeared in Sylvester's gaze as he looked at Aventurine.
So even the lucky ones can develop gacha-related trauma?
Still, to improve his work efficiency and get to listening to podcast about fictional narratives sooner, he decided to boost Aventurine's confidence a little.
"Mr. Aventurine, have you ever heard of a reverse flag?"
"?" Aventurine asked blankly. "What's that?"
Sylvester smiled. "For example, saying, 'I never want to see you again in my life!'—and after that, you end up seeing them every single day, maybe even getting so close that others envy you."
He spread his hands. "If used properly, it might work wonders."
Like getting people to willingly throw money into a banner just to see a splash—who says it has to work on the banner? It can work on people too.
"Makes sense." Aventurine felt it wasn't a bad idea.
After all, luck had always brushed up against superstition. Maybe it really would work.
And these past few days, he'd also learned a new way of dealing with things, called…
"Well, since we're already here, might as well try." After thinking it through, Aventurine declared loudly, "Today I really want green curios! Or even white, black ones! The moment I see purple or gold, I'll feel uncomfortable all over—like all the stocks I bought just hit limit-down and got locked in!"
With that, he reached out and lifted the lid. "Open!"
Qingque looked at them with a face full of skepticism.
Mathematics is the underlying logic of gambling. You're messing with superstition here—how could you not lose horribly?
Then, right before her doubting eyes, a surge of purple light flooded her vision.
"Nani the fuck?"
Aventurine was completely unaware of the strange looks from the rest area. At this moment, all his attention was fixed on the Curio in his hands.
He could barely suppress the excitement in his heart. This was the first high-grade Curio he'd ever pulled!
Forcing down his joy, Aventurine asked, "Shopkeeper Sylvester, what is this?"
Sylvester glanced at the scroll in Aventurine's hand and said, "[Guide to How to Cast a Spirit Bomb, From Beginner to Mastery]. A devastatingly powerful Destruction-type technique."
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