Hearing this, Mei's eyes lit up. She stepped aside and said, "Welcome, Lady Bianca."
Bianca stopped in her tracks, turned around, and walked into the house, "Well, since even Mei says so, I guess I'll stay."
Mei's eyes widened. Seeing Bianca play along so unpredictably, she felt like she had shot herself in the foot, her face turning bright red.
Rita handed a bag of cookies to Mei and said apologetically, "Sorry, Miss Mei. Lady Bianca is always like this. These are some cookies I made — please accept them as a token of goodwill."
--------------------------
As time flies by, the days pass unnoticed and slip away in an instant, like a flowing water in a stream. The years rush by swiftly, as if yesterday was still a snow-covered winter, yet now spring has already arrived.
It's been two years since Fu Lin came to this world, and Raiden Ryoma's visits home have become increasingly rare. In the first year, he would return every few weeks, but now months go by without a visit — only the occasional phone call to check in.
Mei wasn't particularly moved by this and simply replied with a quiet reminder to rest well, which once again dealt a blow to Raiden Ryoma's heart.
...
At this moment, in Mei's villa…
Fu Lin watched the harmonious interaction between Mei and Rita in the kitchen, then glanced at Bianca sitting nearby, and sighed helplessly.
When people share common interests and language, they naturally get along well — like Mei and Rita. But with Bianca, things were different. There was even a subtle, inexplicable sense of hostility.
Bianca sat cross-legged on the sofa, watching a soap opera on TV. From time to time, she would reach into the bag on her lap, grab a chip, and pop it into her mouth.
Hearing Fu Lin's sigh, her hand paused mid-air. After a moment of hesitation, she stretched her hand toward Fu Lin.
"Want some?"
"No, it's just…"
"You eat these junk snacks every day. Doesn't Rita say anything?"
Fu Lin waved his hand, declining Bianca's offer, but his gaze flicked between the chips and Bianca.
Finally, he couldn't help but ask the question that had been bothering him for a long time.
"I don't eat them every day. Only when you're around. As for Rita—" (crunch) "—she wouldn't say anything in front of others."
As she spoke, Bianca picked up a chip, gently placed it in her mouth, and chewed it with a look of quiet satisfaction.
Fu Lin's mouth twitched. His hand curled into a fist, and he forced a smile. "So that's why you've been coming over three times a week to eat my chips?"
"Hehe." Bianca tilted her head, her blue eyes blinking innocently as she looked at Fu Lin.
"Eh hey, gotcha!" An image of a mischievous bard suddenly flashed through Fu Lin's mind. His fist clenched tighter.
Bianca swallowed the last chip and casually licked her fingers. "Fu Lin, why were you sighing just now?"
"…" Isn't it because of you and Mei?!
That's what Fu Lin was thinking, but he couldn't say it out loud.
Instead, he propped his chin on his hand and gazed toward the kitchen, envy flickering in his eyes as he confessed a different worry to Bianca, who was just as helpless in the kitchen.
"The New Year is approaching. I originally planned to cook the New Year's Eve dinner myself, but despite trying all year, I haven't learned how. Sigh~"
"Did you manage to learn how to cook?"
At the mention of cooking, Bianca's smile instantly disappeared. She ignored Fu Lin and pretended to focus on the TV, but inside, she was fighting back tears.
It all stemmed from the time she foolishly trusted Fu Lin and tried to learn how to cook — which ended with the kitchen in total chaos and Rita scolding her for hours. Ever since then, a sign reading "Lady Bianca Forbidden from Entering the Kitchen" had been plastered on the kitchen door.
Now, the moment Bianca even set foot in the kitchen, Rita would appear behind her, smiling sweetly yet menacingly.
Seeing Bianca's silence, Fu Lin understood the answer he was expecting. His smile widened.
Fu Lin's lips curled up, his worries melting away slightly. He patted Bianca's shoulder.
Bianca glanced at his hand on her shoulder, blushing slightly when she saw Fu Lin's bright smile.
She whispered shyly, "You big jerk."
"Lady Bianca, please try this sweet and sour pork."
Rita placed a dish of golden-brown sweet and sour pork in front of Bianca, clasping her hands at her waist, her eyes full of anticipation.
"It's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The sweet and sour sauce is perfectly balanced with the succulent pork. Absolutely delicious, Rita."
Bianca picked up a piece, elegantly popped it into her mouth, and cast Rita a look of approval.
"As long as Lady Bianca likes it," Rita sighed in relief, smiling warmly. Then she turned toward Fu Lin, who was eyeing the dish greedily. "Mr. Fu Lin, would you like to try some?"
"Yes, yes!" Fu Lin eagerly picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a large piece, and stuffed it into his mouth. He gave Rita a thumbs up. "Rita, your cooking is getting even better."
Rita smiled faintly. At that moment, she heard approaching footsteps. "I have Mei to thank for that. Without her help, I wouldn't have improved."
"It's nothing, Miss Rita. You've taught me a lot as well."
Mei smiled humbly, shaking her head slightly. Then she placed a plate on the table and scooped up a spoonful of creamy almond tofu, holding it up to Fu Lin's mouth.
Fu Lin didn't even have to lift a finger before the almond tofu reached his mouth. He swallowed it contentedly, then glanced smugly at Bianca.
"Lady Bianca, would you like me to feed you too?" Rita teased, her lips curling upward.
"N-No… I can do it myself."
Bianca hurriedly waved her hands and picked up a spoon, eating by herself. Seeing Bianca's shy reaction, Rita's smile softened, though a hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes.
...
— Mini Theater —
One day, Dr. Tesla was organizing the research materials piled up in the corner. Noticing a dusty box, she curiously opened it.
Dr. Tesla (confused), "Huh? This is… my experimental aphrodisiac? Wasn't it all sold off?"
After some sorting and comparison, Dr. Tesla scratched her head, then her face suddenly changed. Σ(っ°Д°;)っ She rushed to the lab and grabbed Dr. Einstein's shoulders, shaking her wildly.
Dr. Einstein (dizzy), "What's wrong, Dr. Tesla?"
Dr. Tesla (calmly), "Chicken-head! Did you sell a box with a little card attached?"
Dr. Einstein, "Yeah."
Dr. Tesla, "That's fine then. That box just had some stimulants (aphrodisiac powder) I developed."
Dr. Einstein (shocked), "Why were you making aphrodisiacs?"
Dr. Tesla (waving smugly, laughing), "I was researching whether Honkai Beasts could reproduce. But I forgot they don't have… well, that."
"Even though it's useless for Honkai Beasts, it works on humans. Fast-acting and long-lasting — rich people will definitely scramble to buy it. I was planning to sell it to make a fortune."
"Chicken-head, I can't believe you accidentally sold it off! Hahaha!!"
Dr. Einstein (cold sweat), "…"