V2: Chapter 23: Whether I Let You See the Child or Not is Up to Me!

"Wait, why did she suddenly come up?"

Liang Lin didn't want Liang Di to see the child, for reasons she couldn't quite explain, perhaps she was afraid Liang Di might get agitated and hurt the child.

Outside the door, the tentacle mother looked down pitifully, staring at her shoes.

Why did the door suddenly close? Because she saw it was me, so she didn't want me to come in. Liang Lin's dislike for me is still so strong, she actually shut me out completely.

Liang Lin frantically tried to put the child in the room, unsure where to put her.

She lifted her up, intending to place her on the bookshelf, but then pulled her hand back. Then, she went to the desk, opened the drawer, and tried to stuff the child inside, but it wouldn't fit. Finally, she glanced at the trash can on the floor; it was empty. Maybe she should just pretend the child was trash and throw her in the trash can.

 "....."

"Damn, do I feel like my IQ is really off?"

Liang Lin sighed.

Finally, Liang Lin's gaze fell on the space under the desk. This seemed like a good spot; the child wouldn't suffocate, could fit inside, and wouldn't have to pretend to be trash.

From the other side of the door came the sound of knocking, followed by Liang Di's pitiful voice, "Liang Lin, I need to talk to you, can you open the door? I'll leave right after I finish speaking."

Liang Lin quickly shoved the child under the desk.

Click~

The door opened.

Liang Lin tried to calm her wildly beating heart and asked, "What's wrong? Is there something you need? I'm going to sleep, I'm a little sleepy."

Liang Lin remained polite to Liang Di.

"Sister Liang Lin..."

Liang Di's gaze fell on Liang Lin's hand; Liang Lin's hand was on the doorframe, seemingly not intending for her to come in.

Of course we don't want her in! Our daughter is inside.

"Hmm?"

Liang Di took a deep breath.

"Sister Liang Lin, I have something very important to tell you. Can you let me in first?"

Liang Di saw the child in Liang Lin's room through the magic crystal ball. She peeked inside, but the child wasn't on the bed, nor on the sofa. Since Liang Lin had hidden the child while she was standing outside, and she hadn't brought the magic crystal ball, she didn't know where the child was hidden.

"Uh..." Liang Lin tried hard to control her mind, not turning her head to look at the table.

However, her panicked eyes had already betrayed her.

"Sister Liang Lin, is there something in your room? Is there something I can't see?"

"How could that be?!"

Liang Lin instantly fell into Liang Di's trap. To avoid arousing suspicion, she immediately released her arm, making way for Liang Di.

"What could I possibly hide? Come in if you want, really, it's all just trouble every day."

Liang Lin crossed her arms and turned away. She deliberately didn't lead Liang Di to the table, but instead led her to the sofa. "Sit down. Just tell me what's wrong, then leave quickly. I need to sleep."

How cold.

Liang Di pouted.

"Sister Liang Lin, I mean, I know..."

"Eeyaa~"

Huh?!

Liang Lin's expression suddenly turned very bad.

Why did the usually obedient Carol suddenly make a sound?

Liang Di was also instantly drawn by the sound, swallowing the rest of her words.

"Sister Liang Lin, was there a sound just now? I think I heard a child's voice."

Liang Di stood up, looking around.

Liang Lin immediately stretched lazily, yawning.

"Oh dear, I was the one yawning! I told you I was sleepy, and I think you're sleepy too. Where did that childish voice come from? You must have misheard. That was my voice! Oh, forget everything else, just get to the important thing! After you're done, hurry up and get back to sleep dam–… oh no, I mean, hurry up and get back to your room to sleep!"

Not bad, I didn't swear. How can that not be considered progress?

"Oh…"

Liang Di didn't intend to sit down. Her hearing was so sharp; of course she could tell where the sound was coming from. But before she could make a further move, the sound came again.

"Waaah~"

This time, it was the baby's whimper.

Liang Lin's face darkened further.

She silently cursed Carol for being spineless, an ingrate who forgot her own mother the moment she saw another mother.

"Sister Liang Lin, that sound is coming from the desk over there, isn't it?" Liang Di pointed towards the desk with her index finger.

She took a step forward, wanting to go check.

Liang Lin was sweating profusely, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She used her once-in-a-lifetime teleportation ability, instantly appearing in front of Liang Di, arms outstretched, blocking her path.

"You, what are you doing? This is my room! How can you wander around without my permission?" Liang Lin blurted out, her mind racing.

Liang Di's gaze passed over Liang Lin's shoulder and landed on the desk behind her.

“That sound came from over there.”

“No! Absolutely not, you're just hallucinating!” Liang Lin stubbornly persisted.

Liang Di gently bit her lower lip. She hesitated for two seconds, then finally made up her mind and spoke.

“Sister Liang Lin, I know, we have a child.”

“Pfft! Cough cough cough!”

Liang Lin coughed violently twice, choking on her saliva, her face changing from shock to a look of utter disbelief.

“You, how did you know?”

I had clearly told my sister not to tell Liang Di.

Liang Lin's mind raced, quickly locking onto the suspect—Octaville.

Anyway, it couldn't possibly be her sister; her sister wouldn't betray her. It must be someone close to Liang Di, and it seemed… only Octaville remained. It must have been this person who told Liang Di.

Liang Lin's eyes were resentful as she thought, she absolutely had to tell her sister about Octaville.

Liang Lin started shoving Liang Di. She was very strong, and while Liang Di wasn't weak either, she wasn't as strong as Liang Lin. If it were before, Liang Di would have used her tentacles, but now, afraid of being disliked by Liang Lin, she didn't dare extend them and could only let the other push her out the door.

"No, I aborted the child."

Liang Lin was now in a stubborn, unyielding phase, refusing to admit it no matter what, even though she knew Liang Di wouldn't believe her.

Liang Di felt a void in her heart.

"Sister Liang Lin… you don't need to lie. I know whether there's a child or not. Have you forgotten? There was a magic ball; I could see it. I saw our child for a moment, though I didn't see it very clearly, but it was in your arms. I know it must be our child."

Liang Lin slapped her forehead.

Oh no! How could I forget that?! 

Ugh, those damned magicians!

"....."

Since she couldn't lie anymore, she had no choice but to confront them directly.

"No way!"

Oh dear, that voice, it actually sounds kind of cute, like a haughty young lady.

Although she found her wife adorable, Liang Di felt incredibly hurt by being rejected from seeing the child.

"Sister Liang Lin... that's my child too after all... I just... I just want to see our child for a moment. Our child is already a year old, and I haven't even seen her yet. I want to hold her too."

If Liang Di had puppy ears, they would definitely be drooping down right now.

Her words sounded pitiful and aggrieved, but Liang Lin's heart softened for only a second before she firmly refused again.

"Impossible. That's not your child, that's my child alone."

Yes, she's resorting to being unreasonable again. She blocked the doorway, refusing to let Liang Di in.

Liang Di looked into Liang Lin's eyes.

Liang Lin was stunned.

She noticed that Liang Di's eyes were already filled with tears.

Those large blue eyes were filled with tears, a particularly beautiful sight.

"Sister Liang Lin, do you really... hate me that much?"

Liang Di choked back sobs.

"Sister Liang Lin, I've protected so many people this past year. I can say I've protected everyone in the entire Soteland Empire, really... If, if this isn't enough to atone for my sins, then I'll continue doing those things... until Sister Liang Lin, until you can forgive me."

"....."

Liang Lin suddenly felt a pang of pity for the other woman.

It seemed she could never truly live for herself. Everything she did was for others, not for her own beliefs, her own mission, or her own happiness. Even though Liang Di's sacrifices were directed at her, Liang Lin still couldn't feel happy. She wasn't moved by Liang Di's actions, but rather felt a pang of pity.

"...Liang Di, those weren't things you truly wanted to do." Liang Lin sighed, looking at the tears streaming down Liang Di's face. She wanted to reach out and wipe them away. "You did it all for others, you did it to impress others, you did it to atone for your sins. But, Liang Di..."

"What I've always hoped for is that you can find yourself, be yourself."

Liang Di was stunned.

She didn't understand.

She truly didn't understand.

“Then, then, Sister Liang Lin, observe me carefully. Have I changed? I have changed! Can’t you feel it?”

Liang Lin nodded.

“You have indeed changed. I do think you’ve become better, but… whether or not you can see the child is still my decision. At least for now, I don’t want you to see her.”

“.....”

Liang Di’s pupils gradually turned green.

Seeing the change in her pupils, Liang Lin immediately became alert, as if facing a formidable enemy. Her hand gripped the doorknob; if the other extended a tentacle, she would immediately dart back into the room and close the door.

No, no, absolutely not. I can’t scare her.

Liang Di took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, trying hard to suppress herself.

In the end, Liang Di managed to suppress this desire.

A tear clung to the corner of her eye. She closed her eyes, and the tear dripped down her cheek to the ground.

When Liang Di opened her eyes again, her pupils were dull and lifeless.

“Okay, I understand, Sister Liang Lin. Then I won’t bother you anymore. We… we will see each other again in three days. I won’t bother you for the next few days. I’m sorry.”

“Eh?”

“....”

“No, you.....”

No!

Why are you looking so pitiful?! Seeing you like this makes my conscience hurt!

Liang Lin clutched her chest, feeling a sharp pain.

Damn it!

Clearly, clearly, she was the one who suffered more! That child she forced to have, born with efforts, was hers to decide whether or not to show it to the other person. Wasn’t that the right thing to do?

Sigh…

Liang Di’s back was thin and frail. She walked unsteadily, gradually disappearing around the corner of the corridor.

Liang Lin stood at the door, staring at the other person's back until Liang Di disappeared.

Liang Lin frowned, feeling a pang of pain in her heart.

In other words, considering Liang Di's experiences, she felt sorry for the girl and could understand where the girl's extreme and abnormal tendencies came from.

Of course, all of this was based on the premise that the other person hadn't harmed her.

"Sigh..."

That day, Liang Lin sighed countless times. She gently closed the door. Then, she went behind the desk, bent down, and picked up Carol.

"How could you betray your mother like that? Didn't we agree not to make a sound? You usually don't like to cry or shout, so why... just now, did you start crying and shouting?"

Carol pouted, seemingly lost in thought, her little hands clenched into fists.

Liang Lin pinched the baby's cheek, "You little ingrate! Have you forgotten who raised you from infancy, who breastfed you? Wasn't it me? How can you side with the one who never raised you?"

Perhaps hurt by the pinch, Carol waved her little hand forcefully, grabbing one of Liang Lin's fingers and babbling in protest.

Liang Lin released her grip.

She stood there, holding Carol, lost in thought for a moment.

She observed Liang Di. Anyway, they were returning to the capital together in three days, and she would bring Carol along. They needed to see each other, as long as Carol wasn't handed over to Liang Di.

Frankly, the biggest reason Liang Lin didn't want Liang Di to see the child was that she still harbored resentment towards Liang Di; it was a way of expressing her desire to avoid further involvement with her.

Liang Lin was conflicted.

One moment she felt Liang Di was alright, the next she felt Liang Di was unforgivable.

"Ugh, this is so annoying... (The rest of the text appears to be nonsensical and unrelated to the initial statement.)"

Liang Lin threw Carol onto the bed, grabbing and pulling at her hair. "This world is truly... utterly awful!"

Carol: ...Uhh, Dear Mama, I... What did I do wrong again? Suddenly I'm thrown onto the bed. I'm so innocent! I'm the one who's really dragged into this!

This time, Liang Di kept her word and didn't come to see Liang Lin for three days. And every time she encountered Liang Lin in the lobby or hallway, she would subconsciously avoid her, either suddenly turning a corner, quickening her pace, or simply turning back.

Huh?

Is this person throwing a tantrum?

Liang Lin was quite angry too.

Liang Di wasn't really throwing a tantrum. She was being extremely cautious, afraid that Liang Lin would dislike her. She thought that letting Liang Lin have some peace and quiet for a couple of days, thinking that not visiting Liang Lin during this time would lower Liang Lin's guard.

But instead, Liang Lin misunderstood.

On the third day.

In the morning.

Liang Lin went downstairs. The Dukes, including his uncle, were already seated below.  Their expressions were grim, as Sylvester had said he hadn't found the assassin or any significant clues.

"So, we have to return to the capital?" Lionel said irritably. "Duke Sylvester, your people are utterly useless! Three days and not a single lead."

Sylvester echoed, "Sigh, Duke Lionel, you're right. I've already given them a severe scolding. So, have the knights you brought found any clues?"

"..."

Now it was Lionel and Gardner's turn to be speechless.

"Dukes, when shall we depart?" Liang Lin stood at the top of the stairs. "We can't keep His Majesty the King waiting too long. You came here to take me to the capital, didn't you?"

Lionel and Gardner exchanged a glance.

Their most intelligent member, Springhall, was dead; these two weren't quite up to the task and didn't know what to do.

They had planned it out last night: if they failed the first time, they would try again. However, this time, not at the Duke's mansion.

Yes, that's right, on the way to the capital.

Liang Lin had to die. If she didn't, the King would definitely punish them.

"Alright, we'll set off at noon today." Gardner glanced at Liang Lin. "Miss Hersel, I hope you won't cause any trouble and delay our progress. Oh, and by the way, we're only responsible for picking you up; you can't bring any other attendants."

Liang Lin thought of Liang Di.

If those two tried anything underhanded, she really wouldn't be able to handle it alone. It would be best to have Liang Di come along, for double insurance.

"Oh, can I bring a maid? The one you saw last time, the one with the blonde hair."

That's right, Liang Di wore a wig last time.

After all, her long silver-white hair was too eye-catching; there were very few people with long silver-white hair in the entire Soteland Empire.

Lionel and Gardner exchanged another glance. Thinking of Liang Di's frail appearance, they agreed without hesitation.

"Okay."

Such a thin little girl, it wouldn't hurt to bring her along. They could just take her out together later. What, could she mutate? Mutate into some kind of super-strong Barbie and beat them all to death with one punch?

The thought was laughable.

The two dukes burst out laughing, leaving Liang Lin bewildered. She thought these two old guys were mentally ill, seriously so, bordering on insanity. She needed to get out of this troublesome place quickly; her IQ wasn't high to begin with, and she didn't want to be infected and become even lower.

"Alright, since it's decided, I'll go back to my room to pack my things. Dukes, you should pack yours too." Liang Lin didn't want to stay any longer, so she turned and went upstairs.

In the corridor, Liang Lin looked up and saw Liang Di standing not far away, hands behind her back.

Tch, it's that girl again.

She's run into her countless times these past few days.

Liang Lin frowned, recalling how the other one had been avoiding her these past few days, and a surge of anger instantly rose within her.

She lowered her head. 

"You're avoiding me, huh? Fine, I'll avoid you too! I'll just charge straight at you! I won't even glance at you!"

Hmm, this strange competitive spirit.

Just as Liang Lin was about to brush past Liang Di, Liang Di suddenly blocked her path.

"Sister Liang Lin!"

Hmm?

Why isn't she avoiding me this time? And she's even calling me name?

But Liang Lin wouldn't even look at Liang Di.

Her head was lowered, her face dark, feigning aloofness. She pretended not to hear her and tried to walk around her to return to her room.

"Sister Liang Lin! Wait! I have something to say to you!"

Why does she have something to say to her again?

This Liang Di is really unpredictable, changing her attitude every other moment.

Liang Lin, annoyed and with a fierce look in her eyes, looked up at Liang Di.

"Speak quickly if you have something to say, or shut up... Hey! What are you doing! Holy crap!"

Suddenly, Liang Lin's hand shot out from behind her back, clutching something large. It appeared so suddenly that Liang Lin didn't see it clearly, only hearing a "whoosh" sound.

Liang Lin took a few steps back in terror, stopping abruptly and staring at the object in the other person's hand.

"For you."

"Huh?"