Esper X Family – Chapter 381 – Whoever Dares to Refute, I’ll Kill

From an individual’s perspective, awakening an ability is undoubtedly nothing but beneficial.

Setting aside the intellectual benefits, the boost in mental power ensures prolonged clarity at the very least, preventing one from falling into a daze or confusion in later years.

Middle-aged individuals experiencing waning energy might even seize this opportunity to enjoy a second spring.

Some elderly people may not understand what abilities are, but they can feel the changes in their bodies and simply know that they inexplicably feel much lighter.

An Qi’s grandmother appeared physically strengthened, and barring any unforeseen incidents, she should live a long life.

For the elderly, possessing a magical power isn’t what matters most.

What truly matters is being able to accompany their descendants in good health until the very end.

“Not bad.”

Watching this heartwarming scene, Ye Tong felt confident that her decision to usher in the new era was the right one.

Although it had started as a whimsical desire to gather attribute points, seeing such a sight ultimately made it worthwhile.

Just then, An Qi’s grandmother noticed Ye Tong and the others.

“You must be An Qi’s friends, right? Please, come in and sit. You should stay for dinner tonight. Consider it my thanks for looking after An Qi.”

“Well, we won’t be shy then. Thank you, Grandma~”

Ye Tong and Xia Lian didn’t decline.

Their immediate acceptance made An Qi’s grandmother smile even brighter.

It showed that An Qi shared a wonderful bond with these two.

She was a woman from the old generation who wouldn’t be able to care for An Qi much longer.

An Qi had no parents to support her, and once her only relative was gone, she might suffer mistreatment with no one to turn to.

That was why she had resolutely let the national authorities take An Qi away back then.

With the country backing her, at least she wouldn’t be bullied.

These two pretty girls were likely from the national organization too, and their bearing seemed extraordinary.

So, An Qi’s grandmother felt completely at ease with them spending time together.

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“Let us help.”

Ye Tong couldn’t stand the thought of the elderly woman bustling about for her, especially since these weren’t the robust old-timers from the Countermeasures Bureau.

However, An Qi’s grandmother declined Ye Tong and Xia Lian’s offer.

“No need. How could I let you young girls handle such rough work?

I’ll call for help. You just sit and chat while you wait for dinner.”

The elderly woman was rather stubborn.

But it wasn’t surprising that An Qi’s grandmother thought this way.

Ye Tong looked down at her own hands that were as white as jade, and felt that she truly didn’t look like someone suited for rough work.

Her modeling was so delicate, looking like a princess who had stepped out of a fairy tale.

Xia Lian’s modeling wasn’t lacking either. She simply looked too young, appearing not even twenty.

Ye Tong wanted to say something but held back, ultimately accepting it.

If she couldn’t even help in her young girl form, wouldn’t she be even more pampered if she reverted to her original loli appearance?

She really should’ve asked Old Jiang to draw some more mature-looking models. That would be more convenient.

Ye Tong had initially been a bit worried.

But her concerns vanished when she saw several robust men come over to help.

Apparently, they all shared the same surname. The village operated on mutual aid, essentially like an extended family network.

The elderly weren’t so isolated in the village that no one would know if something happened to them.

These were the interpersonal relationships of the older generation.

Such closeness had largely faded among the younger generation.

“Ye Tong, Xia Lian. Since Grandma won’t let you help, come and sit down.”

“Alright. I was hoping to show off my skills.

Ah well~ I guess we’re being underestimated.”

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Ye Tong seemed a bit resigned.

An Qi took Ye Tong’s hand and led her to an old-looking wooden stool.

“Grandma really likes you. That’s wonderful~”

Before Ye Tong could respond, Xia Lian spoke first, her face full of pride.

“Naturally. White Catty’s charm spans all ages. It’s not surprising.”

“Stop bragging, stop bragging. You’ll flatter this White Catty to death.”

“White Catty is too modest. It’s clearly the truth. Whoever dares to refute, I’ll kill them.”

Xia Lian said something terrifying with a matter-of-fact tone.

I’m telling you, this weakling Xia Lian is the world’s number one cat fanatic ¹ 猫孝子maoxiaozi. From the word 猫 (cat) + 孝子 (filial child). Basically people who treat cats like their parents or ancestors. , do you understand?

“Weakling, don’t say such strange things here. If someone overhears and thinks we’re weird, I’ll optimize you out when we get back!”

Ye Tong raised a fist the size of a sandbag ² Kung Fu Hustle reference. In this scene, Stephen Chow said “沙包那么大的拳头啊” (in Cantonese), which translates to “that fist is as big as a sandbag”. Youtube clip (8:10) if you want to see the scene. , displaying a small warning.

Unfortunately, it didn’t intimidate Xia Lian at all. Instead, she cheerfully pressed her cheek against Ye Tong’s fist.

“No way. I think An Qi’s grandmother already sees us as the country’s pillars. In her eyes, Ye Tong is probably a future big shot.”

Ye Tong couldn’t refute that.

In the eyes of the elderly, the identity of “being with the national organization” was indeed far more prestigious than that of Sequence Zero.

Although Sequence Zero had once been renowned in the ability world, it had always remained obscure to the public.

Ye Tong fell into thought.

It seemed that she needed to find ways to raise Sequence Zero’s public profile. Perhaps she could even gather attribute points from it?

But what method could she use to spread the word?

Get the Countermeasures Bureau’s help?

Hmm… that wasn’t ideal. Ye Yao didn’t want Sequence Zero to be too tightly bound to the Countermeasures Bureau.

This was the small group she had painstakingly built up. She couldn’t let the Countermeasures Bureau take the credit.

As she pondered, Ye Yao suddenly had a clever idea.

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She came up with a spectacularly bold move!

It would not only spread Sequence Zero’s renown but also put immense pressure on those Countermeasures Bureau old-timers.

She would give it a try in a few days!

Dinnertime arrived.

An Qi’s grandmother had prepared a table full of hearty dishes.

Although they didn’t look as appetizing as the meals in the Countermeasures Bureau’s cafeteria, they radiated genuine hospitality and kindness.

“Come on, don’t be shy. There’s more if you finish.”

“No, no, how could we possibly finish all this?”

Ye Tong swallowed hard. Her true body was just a little loli. How could she possibly eat all this rich food?

She wasn’t some big eater.

Did the elderly woman really think young girls could finish this much?

“Well, eat first, don’t worry about the cost.

The national organization sends supplies and subsidies every month. I, an elderly person, can’t use much anyway. It’s perfect to treat you all.”

What more could she say?

Ye Tong blinked and could only eat two big bowls of food with tears in her eyes.

Damn Countermeasures Bureau! If this fission body explodes from overeating, you’re taking the blame!

After dinner.

Ye Tong touched her flat, unchanging stomach, her expression blank.

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She was too stuffed…

An Qi’s grandmother, however, was all smiles.

For an elderly person, seeing someone eat until stuffed was the highest form of praise.

“Why don’t you stay for the night? You can leave tomorrow. There are still a few spare rooms; I’ll go lay out the bedding.”

“Okay… sorry for the trouble, Grandma.”

An Qi’s grandmother smile grew brighter.

She knew Ye Tong and the others wouldn’t stay long with An Qi.

They seemed to still be in school, or perhaps had more important matters.

One night’s stay was more than enough.

Knowing that they were there to support An Qi set the grandmother’s mind at ease.

“I’m entrusting An Qi to you.”

【Fulfilled An Qi’s wish “Grandmother’s Approval”. Reward: 5 attribute points.】

【Unallocated Attribute Points: 75】

Getting attribute points just for coming to eat a big meal?

Not bad.

Ye Tong confidently accepted the responsibility.

“Don’t you worry, Grandma. An Qi will never be mistreated with me~”

Author Note

Achieved 800,000 words!

Text: Put aside what you’re doing

You should come here to brush me.