Esper X Family – Chapter 703 – An Unexpected Turn

Ye Yao was filled with anticipation.

Living a second life… no, to be more precise, this was a second playthrough, starting from the very beginning.

Even though she had already lived a full and satisfying life, Ye Yao still missed the moment she first met Mama Xiao Jing and the Dayun Truck Lou Wei.

Although she had nearly been scared out of her wits by the title “Strongest of the Current Era” back then, that was also where her dream began.

Ye Yao had started this new game plus partly to get a little payback for the sake of her past self… no, that wasn’t it. It was to relive that warm, beautiful moment!

Returning with a max-level account this time, she was absolutely going to have a blast!

Ye Yao followed the orphanage director out the door. She didn’t treat her like some throwaway NPC; instead, she chatted with her warmly and amiably, while secretly using her abilities to strengthen the elderly woman’s physique.

Just enough to make her walk with more energy and have a bit more stamina.

Anything too obvious might alert an expert like Lou Wei.

Then, Ye Yao wouldn’t be able to pull off her “return of the dragon king” act.

“Child, why are you so much more lively than before? You talk more, and you’re more affectionate. I really wish I could keep you by my side forever.”

The director gazed at her with pure adoration. She was completely defenseless against this adorable little one.

Especially since Ye Yao had such a sweet tongue; everything she said made the director exceptionally happy.

Just thinking about sending Ye Yao to a new family made the director reluctant to let her go.

But she also knew that Ye Yao deserved a better life.

Staying with her would most likely waste her potential.

Only by being placed in a good family could Ye Yao find happiness.

And as it happened, the director had obtained information about a couple who were willing to adopt. Their conditions were excellent, and they even had stable government jobs!

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Ye Yao would definitely live a good life by their side.

“Come on, I’ve found a wonderful pair of parents for you. They’re waiting. After you leave the orphanage, make sure to live well, okay?”

Ye Yao blinked, neither crying nor fussing, as if calmly accepting the arrangement.

“Don’t worry, I’ll come back to visit you, Director!”

“What a good child, so easy to take care of…”

The director patted Ye Yao’s little head, completely reassured.

Ye Yao chuckled inwardly.

The director thought that she would quickly settle into a warm, loving family, but she had no idea that on the very first night, the Dayun Truck would turn her into speed bump and flatten her like a pancake.

For a long time, the director never learned the truth.

But Ye Yao thought that it was for the best.

The director was just a kind, ordinary person. Knowing too much would only weigh her down with worry. It was better to let her stay in the dark.

A little while later.

Ye Yao finally saw the familiar faces!

Mama Xiao Jing and the robotic Dayun Truck!

They were just as she remembered, and the sight filled her with nostalgia.

Then, the director spoke the familiar introduction from her memories.

Ye Yao immediately greeted them boldly.

“Hello! My name is Ye Yao. Are you going to be my new mom and dad?”

The girl’s voice was especially lively, with no trace of shyness or timidity. It was polite yet carried a striking warmth and charm.

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It was hard to imagine feeling such “charisma” from a little girl.

Back when Ye Yao had first met them, she had been incredibly timid.

Deep down, she just hadn’t been confident enough, and Lou Wei’s reputation had scared her half to death.

This time, she was going to conquer her fears and be her true self!

Even the Dayun Truck, who didn’t seem quite human, no longer made Ye Yao nervous.

She even stepped forward on her own, staring up at her adoptive parents with wide, curious eyes.

It gave the impression that she wasn’t being chosen; she was the one doing the choosing.

“Ah?” Xiao Jing was taken aback.

She had expected Ye Yao to be a slightly introverted and shy little one, but she was actually this bold?

Ye Yao’s move completely threw Xiao Jing off balance, and all the carefully prepared words she had planned to say now felt awkward and out of place.

What was even more surprising was that she wasn’t even afraid of Lou Wei!

Normally, just Lou Wei’s presence alone, even while standing perfectly still, was enough to stop a child’s crying.

Yet, Ye Yao didn’t seem affected at all. She even walked around him in a full circle, as if she knew exactly how adorable she was.

Lou Wei: “…”

Lou Wei stayed silent.

For some reason, his danger sense was blaring an alarm, as if warning him to be careful around this girl.

His pressure level, which was already not low, spiked in an instant.

What’s going on?

This girl was completely defenseless, showed no signs of aggression, and looked utterly harmless, yet she could make him feel a hint of pressure?

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Is that even reasonable?

Lou Wei observed further and confirmed that Ye Yao hadn’t even awakened her abilities yet. Her mental power was pitifully low, basically at the baseline level of an ordinary human.

So, why did she give him such a dangerous feeling?

Lou Wei was forced to ponder.

Various theories flooded his mind.

One possibility was that he had preconceived notions, such as knowing that Ye Yao was the future destroyer of the world, and was unconsciously projecting that dangerous identity onto her.

Another was that he had been overthinking things lately, under too much pressure, and was being overstimulated by small details, leading to an overreaction.

Even Ye Yao’s bold, probing stare was enough to make Lou Wei feel immense pressure.

It felt like facing a formidable enemy.

“My future father seems a bit cold and tense, maybe a little hard to get along with.”

Reading the familiar inner essays in Lou Wei’s mind, Ye Yao felt that the current Dayun Truck was very amusing.

It’s back, it’s all back!

This was exactly the kind of inhuman, robotic Dayun Truck that made her want to mess with him!

Ye Yao’s blunt comment snapped Lou Wei back to reality, and for a moment, he didn’t even know what to say.

This development was off.

Logically speaking, Xiao Jing should handle all the interaction and conversation.

Lou Wei had long been prepared to be disliked or kept at arm’s length, and he was fine with not saying much.

But the problem was that Ye Yao had taken the initiative to come talk to him!

That caught him completely off guard.

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Ye Yao smiled faintly, showing no sign of displeasure.

“But my future father looks kind of cool. That’s okay. After we get to know each other, I’m sure he’ll relax and we’ll get along fine.”

Then she turned to Xiao Jing, who still looked surprised, with an eager expression.

“Um… can I call you Mom and Dad now? I like you both.”

At those words, Xiao Jing snapped out of it. Her previously repressed maternal instincts burst forth the moment Ye Yao said “I like you both.”

“O-Of course! From now on, we’re your family.”

Too smooth!

It was far too smooth.

Xiao Jing had never imagined that she would earn Ye Yao’s approval so quickly.

She had braced herself for a long, patient effort.

But Ye Yao adapted at a shocking speed!

Even Lou Wei hadn’t expected this turn of events. His eyes locked onto Ye Yao.

As if sensing his gaze, the silver-haired girl turned her head and gave him a small, knowing smile.

At that moment, Lou Wei felt a deep, unprecedented unease!

Author Note

Wriggle! Wriggle!

Text: I find escaping all problems very comfortable