城市猎人：系统升级之王

Chapter 25: I Am Also an Esper

Yuexi patted her chest nervously, her ample chest trembling slightly, sparkling in the light. "Yeah, you're right, Chang Chang, you're so smart."
"It's because you're too impulsive," Yue Chang sighed, a fragrant breath escaping her lips. "Xixi, when are you going to change that rashness of yours? It worries me so much."
Yuexi scratched her face, blushing as she stuck out her tongue. "What can I do? I'm a fire elemental esper after all!"
Fire, by nature, embodies uncontrollable aggression. Influenced by her own powers, Yuexi's personality became lively and unpredictable, often giving Yue Chang headaches.
"Well, there's nothing we can do about it!" Yue Chang sighed, her delicate scent filling the air. "I'll talk to Big Brother later and see how things are."
"About what?" Yuexi blinked, curiosity dancing in her eyes.
"Just to test the waters, see how it goes," Yue Chang rose, her glowing fair skin outshining even the moonlight.
On the third floor of the villa, Li Nianlong sat hunched on the edge of his bed, elbows on his thighs, fists supporting his chin. His gaze, slightly blurry, rested on a photo of Li Ying.
"Mum, what should I do? Although they don't seem like bad people, the fact that they kill so casually... Is it safe to keep them around?"
"I'm not afraid, but I'm worried about Ruyue. She's just an ordinary girl, powerless. If they decide to harm her, I fear I might not be able to protect her."
"Mum, I forgot to tell you, Ruyue reminds me so much of you. Both of you are gentle, kind, intelligent, and capable. I really like her... Don't be jealous, I just see her as a little sister, like how I love you. You're both my family."
"But Ruyue never tells me about her past. I imagine a girl like her must come from a prominent family, elegant and virtuous. If she stays with me, I'll find her a suitable match someday. But it might not be easy, given Ruyue's condition. Ordinary men might accept her, but exceptional ones might not."
"As I said, if she can't find a match, I'll take care of her for life."
"Mum, are you doing well over there? Are you eating enough, keeping warm, and do you have enough money? If not, tell me, I'll burn a cartload of Jade Emperor statues for you. Can't use them all? That's okay, save them. When I join you, we'll spend them together."
"And, say hi to Uncle Guan for me. He must be reunited with his family now, and surely he's bringing them over for meals at your place, right? Hehe, don't be stingy, at least give Uncle Guan a meal. When he's reincarnated, he can continue being our workhorse. Hehe, am I being too wicked?"
Knock, knock, knock...
The sound of knocking interrupted Li Nianlong's thoughts, and he frowned, getting up to open the door.
Yuexi stood there, her short, pretty hair framing a medium-sized figure with a slender yet curvaceous build, dressed in a cool, white and blue droplet-patterned vest and shorts, exuding a sweet, youthful aura. Her soft, gentle demeanor was like that of a docile lamb waiting for affection.
"Why aren't you sleeping yet?" Li Nianlong's tone softened at the sight of Yue Chang.
"Big Brother, can I talk to you?" Yue Chang's voice was as gentle as ever, her black gem-like eyes shimmering with a hint of yearning.
After a brief silence, Li Nianlong turned around. "Come in!"
Yue Chang smiled brightly. "Okay."
Closing the door behind her, Yue Chang sat demurely across from Li Nianlong, her legs pressed tightly together, her left leg crossed elegantly over the other.
Li Nianlong tossed her an apple. "What's on your mind?"
"Thank you, Big Brother." Catching the apple, Yue Chang held it in her lap, looking at Li Nianlong's calm gaze. "Big Brother, why are you upset?"
Li Nianlong gazed back at her, his voice was slight, "Am I upset?"
"Even Xixi dared not joke around." Yue Chang's words, though seemingly unrelated, hit the mark. If Yuexi, the lively prankster, was affected to the point of gloominess, how could Li Nianlong claim he wasn't upset?
After a pause, Li Nianlong peered into Yue Chang's eyes and asked softly, "Where did you two go these past couple of days?"
Indeed.
Hearing this question confirmed Yue Chang and Yuexi's suspicions. Her expression unchanged, Yue Chang tilted her head with a feigned confusion. "We visited a nunnery to pray and burn incense, and we drew a fortune slip. Is that okay?"
Li Nianlong ignored her probe, shook his head lightly, and gazed into her eyes. "Chang Chang, I genuinely consider you a friend, even like a sister. Same goes for Xixi. Though we bicker daily, I believe that's what family and friends do. When you lost your wallets, I was reluctant at first but still let you stay. As a friend, I feel I've done what I could. Would you disagree?"
Warmth flickered in Yue Chang's eyes as she gently shook her head. "Thank you, Big Brother."
"Are you still going to hide things from me?" Li Nianlong looked at Yue Chang, noting her hesitation. "Even though you've taken lives, I'm still considering whether to keep sheltering you. But I hope you can be more honest with me. If there's something you can't share, that's fine, but at least don't make me feel uneasy."
These words stirred up a tempest in Yue Chang's heart.
"Big Brother, are you like us?" She recalled Yuexi's earlier suggestion and, looking at Li Nianlong's composed eyes, felt a surge of excitement and surprise. Could Big Brother be like us?
"Big Brother, how did you know?" Yue Chang held back her impulse, maintaining caution before understanding how Li Nianlong had discovered the truth.
Li Nianlong paused, took a deep breath, and sighed. "If I told you I have a special ability to discern anyone's virtue and vice, would you believe me?"
A wave of astonishment swept over Yue Chang. So... So... Big Brother really...
"Really?"
"You can choose not to believe me." Li Nianlong's tone was nonchalant. "Treat it as a lie if you want."
"No, I believe you, Big Brother." Yue Chang's smile was a mixture of relief and joy. "Because Xixi and I killed, you saw us as turning into villains, right?"
"Not exactly villains." Li Nianlong shook his head, explaining, "Based on the sins you've committed, the people you killed were not innocent, but they weren't the worst of sinners either. They were just people with lots of resentment. Killing them doesn't increase their sins much, so your guilt isn't severe. That's why I'm willing to give you a chance."
"So that's why! That's why!" Yue Chang's smile brightened.
"But..." Li Nianlong's expression grew serious. "The fact that you and Xixi acted normally after killing worries me. It suggests you're used to it, like eating and drinking. My greatest concern is whether you would harm me or Ruyue. Keeping you here is a gamble, betting that you're not insane killers."
Yue Chang's smile faded gradually as she gazed at Li Nianlong's handsome face. "Big Brother, if I say I might silence you, aren't you afraid?"
"That's why I said it's a gamble. Besides..." Suddenly, a watermelon knife appeared in Li Nianlong's hand. "I'm not defenseless. Killing me won't be easy."
The sudden appearance of the knife startled Yue Chang, her dark eyes widening like a frightened lamb.
This reaction eased Li Nianlong's heart, and he smiled faintly. In the next moment, the knife vanished, returning to his inventory.
As the knife disappeared, Yue Chang's eyes returned to their usual softness, now tinged with excitement. "Big Brother, are you an esper too?"