Yes, I did all of this!

Before Duanmu Mo could answer, Xia Yan grabbed his shoulder: "Don't say anything like an ordinary person. Don't forget, I couldn't have recovered without you. Shen Wuyin is probably still in the shadow of her parents, and Shen Wuling has even been transformed into some kind of Zero-type monster!"

Xia Yan bit her lower lip, a vulnerable look on her face, as if she were still the sensitive and irritable homeless girl she once was: "In our eyes, you are special. So what if you have a long lifespan? I can't hold on for even a second!"

"Xia Yan..." Seeing this, Duanmu Mo shook his head. Magical girls are really sensitive, but this is the time for him to come in handy:

"Then I'll just say it directly, what do you plan to do? Will you commit suicide after me when I die of old age?"

"Yes." Xia Yan's words were without the slightest hesitation as she met Duanmu Mo's gaze: "I've already told you, you are my firewood, without you I will immediately go out."

"But what about the others who need to be saved? Do you deserve your identity as a magical girl?"

"I don't know." Xia Yan shook her head: "I only know what I have to do, whether it was when I awakened my power or when I made this decision."

"Is that so..." Duanmu Mo stared at Xia Yan, remained silent for a while, and then suddenly nodded: "Okay, let's do it that way then."

"what?"

Xia Yan was taken aback by Duanmu Mo's unexpected answer, and a look of confusion appeared in her eyes.

"But you must promise me one thing." Duanmu Mo extended his hand to Xia Yan: "Use this power to put in ten times the effort as before, and you must never utter those self-deprecating words again. How about this agreement?"

"...Is this all there is to it?"

Xia Yan still didn't react when she heard this.

"I hope you live a long life so that you can protect more people. If you can fulfill your responsibilities as a magical girl more quickly, then it is up to you to do whatever you want as Xia Yan."

Duanmu Mo remained serious: "In the end, even if I am special in your eyes, I still have no right to order you around. Only you can decide what you want to do."

"...But is this all there is to it?"

Xia Yan opened her mouth, then suddenly burst out laughing: "Haha..."

Faced with Xia Yan's sudden laughter, Duanmu Mo's expression remained unchanged, while Xia Yan smiled and lay down in his arms, holding him tightly.

"...and I always feel so at ease."

After nestled in his arms for a while, Xia Yan finally looked up at Duanmu Mo, smiled, and nodded: "Yes, I promise you. As a magical girl, I will work even harder. Just watch from now on."

After learning that Duanmu Mo was not her whole life, emptiness and fear overwhelmed her, making it impossible for her to find peace for the past few days.

And Duanmu Mo is still by her side now.

A casual remark shattered Xia Yan's thoughts that had been lingering for days, bringing her a sense of relief along with a complex mix of amusement and exasperation.

"Then good luck, Magical Girl Yuhi, and Xia Yan too." Duanmu Mo nodded with a smile, rubbing Xia Yan's head.

He has complex feelings about the word "hero," partly due to his experience in modifying humans. Although he has no intention of becoming a hero, he still feels a great sense of accomplishment watching heroes grow under his guidance.

That's why Duanmu Mo felt disappointed when Xia Yan had suicidal thoughts.

However, we can't expect too much from them. No matter how powerful magical girls are, they are still just girls at heart.

With proper guidance, Xia Yan's flame will continue to burn brightly.

Chapter 467: The Reason for the Burning Endure

After holding Xia Yan for a while, Duanmu Mo, listening to the sound of the water pipe beside him, finally couldn't help but say:

"Xia Yan, can you let go of me now?"

"No."

Xia Yan buried her face in Duanmu Mo's waist, still unwilling to leave.

"I'm afraid that if I let go, you'll disappear under the same pretext of a commission, just like before."

"No way..." Duanmu Mo felt a little guilty. He had indeed been running around like this before, and none of the five magical girls, including Cangyi, could stop him.

"Sometimes I really want to chain you up at home, so I can see you no matter what I do," Xia Yan said in a low voice. "I can hug you whenever I want, and I can always find time to play with you, instead of just hearing your voice through a phone."

"......Yeah."

"But then, you wouldn't be yourself anymore... and you would always appear when I'm feeling down, no matter how dangerous the place. These are the memories between you and me."

"Xia Yan..."

Sensing the tone in Xia Yan's words, Duanmu Mo remained silent for a while.

Xia Yan spoke softly, looking up at him and saying, "You said my indomitable will is very attractive and has become a role model for many. But without you, I couldn't do anything, Duanmu Mo..."

Her soft lips parted slightly: "You are the reason I've been burning so brightly all this time, you are my role model, my...hero."

"..."

The emotions in her eyes were overflowing. Since the words had already been spoken, there was no need for further explanation. Xia Yan chose to express her feelings through her actions, so she kissed him directly. The tender feeling was met with a response from Duanmu Mo.

After a long silence, Duanmu Mo glanced at the faucet and said, "Shall we go upstairs?"

"This will do."

Xia Yan didn't want to waste a single moment. The gem on her wrist lit up, and the setting sun appeared in Duanmu Mo's arms. Wings spread out from her back and transformed into a pair of large hands.

One hand was cushioned by the two of them, feeling as soft as a feather, while the other hand, having already noticed Duanmu Mo's gaze, went to turn off the tap.

The sound of water stopped, but soon it started again on the first floor.

. . . . . .

"Ha... I've finished studying!"

Inside the library, Huizi suddenly closed the book, letting out a sound of liberation.

Yuzhi, standing to the side, also shook her head with a smile: "There's still a lot more. Huizi, you've only completed one course."

"Sigh~ I've finished studying one book too."

Hui Zi stretched and looked around. They were in a private room at a KTV with their classmates, but the colorful lights were off; the room was just lit by normal white light.

The soundproofing here is excellent, and very few people come to sing in the morning, so it's quite suitable for studying.

Although the previous library wasn't severely damaged, it certainly wouldn't be able to be repaired in a day or two. So when that library was closed, Huizi led everyone to this place she often visited.

However, the daily book club is now coming to an end, and the students are leaving chatting and laughing. Yuzhi is walking with Huizi.

"Ah, it's already this late." Huizi took out her phone and paused for a moment.

"what happened?"

"It's time to work," Huizi said somewhat dejectedly. "I'm in my second year of high school now, and my parents have cut off my allowance to prevent me from going out and having fun. I have to find my own way."

"That must be really tough... What kind of job is it?"

"Volunteer work is something like taking care of the elderly and patients in the hospital. Theoretically, there is no salary, but the hospital director posted a notice saying that you can receive a hardship allowance, so it can be considered a kind of part-time job."

Hui Zi's tone was cheerful, while Yu Zhi nodded: "Hui Zi is really amazing, she even does volunteer work during the holidays."

"No, it's for the money," Hui Zi smiled sheepishly.

Yu Zhi seemed to be deep in thought. She thought for a moment, there was nothing to do at home, and Duanmu Mo was at the agency, she didn't know what he was doing. She also didn't have any plans of her own, so she said:

"Can I help out? I don't have much to do lately."

"Oh! Is that alright? That would be a great help."

Hui Zi looked delighted and nodded repeatedly: "To be honest, it's quite busy there. The dean probably won't mind having one more person."

"Yes, please talk to the dean about it."

"Okay~"

Hui Zi took out her phone, spoke with the dean for a moment, and then smiled at Yu Zhi: "Okay, the dean agreed. He also said that if anyone can be introduced, we can let him know, and the salary will be guaranteed."

"Thank you... Which hospital are we going to?"

"It's a private hospital."

After leaving the KTV, Huizi led her to wait at the bus stop, and then they boarded a bus.

During this time, Yu Zhi sent a message to Duanmu Mo, telling him that she was going to work at the hospital with her classmates for a while. Seeing that he did not reply, she put her phone back in her pocket.

Duanmu Mo is usually like this. He will hang up immediately when others call him. After a while, they stopped bothering him after making one call and seeing that he didn't answer.

Now, Yuzhi just thought he was doing a commission, so she didn't take it to heart and continued to chat with Huizi about part-time jobs.

. . . . . .

"Private hospital..."

Duanmu Mo lay on the bed in the office, looked at the message Yu Zhi had sent, and replied: "I understand, take care of yourself."

As he dialed those words, his body swayed slightly, and the bed creaked. Xi Ri braced his hands against his chest, his fiery red hair cascading down his body.

The two made their way from the first floor to the second, locking the door to the office stairwell tightly to prevent any inappropriate disturbances. And now, this passionate exchange continues.

"Who are you talking to?"

She was breathing heavily when she leaned down and pressed her unarmored bodysuit against his torso, her warm breath brushing against his face as she asked.

"It's Yuzhi, she's out playing with her classmates. Hmm—"

No sooner had Duanmu Mo finished speaking than Xi Ri kissed him.

"Hiss... Hmm~ Now... look at me carefully."

Xi Ri slightly raised her head, gazing at Duanmu Mo. Her skin was rosy, her face flushed as if she were drunk, and the corners of her eyes seemed to have been painted with natural eyeshadow, making them even redder than usual.

"..."

Duanmu Mo didn't speak, but put his phone aside and supported her waist.

Chapter 468: The Wrong Time

. . . . . .

Upon arriving at the hospital, the person in charge quickly accepted Yuzhi, the newcomer, and had her work with Huizi so that Yuzhi could familiarize herself with the work there.

"The patients here seem to be in very bad condition, and the hospital doesn't seem to be very big."

Yuzhi, wearing ill-fitting clothes and carrying a broom, walked down the corridor with Huizi, talking in hushed tones, worried about offending the staff.

The wards in private hospitals are not large, and several patients share a room, making it feel somewhat crowded.

This hospital admits people with serious illnesses, such as those with physical disabilities or mental disorders.

"That's normal. Although the hospital director here is a good person, he hasn't been supporting these people for long enough to build a good hospital."

"Too short a time?" Yu Zhi asked, puzzled. "When did the hospital director establish this hospital?"