Magical Girl Heavy Dependence

Chapter 57, An Encounter?

"So, producer."

Zhong Ai turned around, her eyes looking at him quietly through her glasses. "Is there anything I can do for you regarding Yan Xi?"

Cheng Chen paused, "Why do you say that?"

Zhong Ai took two steps forward and stood beside him naturally, tilting her head jokingly: "Because you won't suddenly run to find me or Dad to reminisce, nor will you come to the Seventh Academy specifically to see me. If we hadn't met by chance, you probably would never have recognized me as Cang Qing."

"Yan Xi is also one of your trainees, right? And she's the one you like and value the most." She sighed, feigning helplessness. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have gone out of your way to find her."

Cheng Chen did not deny it.

Discovering that "Magical Girl Azure" was the girl next door he had once taken care of was a completely unexpected discovery; and inviting her to join the company was also a spur-of-the-moment decision.

All of this was for that idiot Yan Xi.

Seeing his silence, Zhong Ai's eyes dimmed almost imperceptibly, but she quickly suppressed the sadness with her reason.

She regained her normal tone and took the lead: "I'm currently investigating a demon, or rather, someone whose identity is suspected to be a demon. If I provide the company with the information I currently have, can the company help me with further investigation?"

"So eager to use company resources?"

Cheng Chen erased the image of that idiot Yan Xi from his mind and followed her at a leisurely pace.

"It's clearly stated in the contract that as a contracted artist, I have the right to use some of the company's non-core resources to assist with my personal affairs." Zhong Ai glanced at Cheng Chen. "Besides, it's an equal exchange; I will also do my best to help you achieve what you want, brother. We each get what we need."

Seeing her speak in such a strong tone with such a well-behaved appearance is quite an endearing contrast.

He sighed helplessly and surrendered: "Yes, yes."

It turns out that the "good girl" image was just an act; behind Zhong Wenge's back, this is her true personality.

Zhong Ai pursed her lips, and the two continued walking forward.

"What's the name of the person you're looking for?"

"Night Owl".

Zhong Ai uttered two words, "He is from 'Mo Mao Ju'. Mo Mao Ju is an extremely secretive and deeply hidden demon organization. The 'Soul Eater' we caught in the subway yesterday is very likely a subordinate controlled by them."

"I've asked the company's intelligence analysis department to investigate; we'll have the results soon."

"Thanks."

The two were talking very quickly.

"Speaking of which, what does my brother need me to do?"

What's your impression of Yan Xi?

"My impression of him is... withdrawn, eccentric, violent, and sensitive."

Cheng Chen was somewhat surprised: "So accurate?"

Zhong Ai said calmly, "She's quite famous in the academy, though not for a good reason. She's short-tempered and quick to resort to violence at the slightest provocation. Even those who approach her with affection will be mercilessly berated and driven away."

"She seemed to live in the old street, and many people had prejudices against that kind of environment. Later, through rumors and misinformation, she became known as a delinquent girl leader or something similar."

"Did you know she was a magical girl?" Cheng Chen asked.

"Yes, not only me, but everyone else in the club knows."

"Clubs?"

Zhong Ai paused and turned to look at him: "The Love Research Club is a magical girl club at the Seventh Academy. Most magical girls who awaken at the academy are invited to join. The current president is a third-year senior, and she was the one who helped me connect with my current partner."

Cheng Chen suddenly remembered the name of the club he had heard in Zhong Wenge's office.

That's not surprising now.

He nodded and pressed for more details: "Anything else?"

"That's it." Zhong Ai shook her head. "Although we were in the same class, we didn't interact much. If my brother hadn't suddenly appeared, I wouldn't have known she was from Yinfu Entertainment."

Why not invite her to join the "Love Research Club"?

"The president said she's in trouble."

Trouble? Do you mean being targeted by the Kaleidoscope Prison?

Cheng Chen frowned; this club was surprisingly well-informed.

"Actually, you've met before."

"The black one in the cold storage last time?" Before the words were even finished, Zhong Ai had already looked over directly.

Cheng Chen paused for a moment, then nodded: "That's right."

"No wonder." Zhong Ai had an "I knew it" look on her face. "Taking care of someone like that, brother, your job must be really tough."

Cheng Chen's lips twitched as he watched her retreating figure.

Why did the sweet and adorable girl next door I remember turn into this arrogant person? Old Deng, how did you raise your daughter?

He started walking again and changed the subject: "Why are you investigating that 'Night Owl'? Do you have a grudge against him?"

"Does a Magical Girl Need a Reason to Investigate a Demon?"

"Don't you need it?"

Zhong Ai looked at him strangely, cleared her throat, and after a moment of preparation, said, "I will drive out every single demon and monster! I will create a world where only magical girls exist!"

silence.

She puffed out her cheeks and looked at Cheng Chen's dumbfounded expression: "See? You wouldn't believe me even if I told you."

"I'm not stupid." Cheng Chen pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Actually, it was a commission I took on before." Zhong Ai put away her joking attitude. "Mo Mao Ju is a very mysterious demon organization. The composition of its members and the organization's goals are unknown. From the city's perspective, they abide by the law, do not kill, do not cause trouble, and do not have any conflicts with any magical girls."

"But that's just the surface. They most likely provide cover and information support to the lowest-ranking demons in Yin City through some clandestine channels. For example, 'Soul Eater'—his evil deeds are insignificant compared to those of a big shot like 'Salt Master,' and his harm is limited to economic crimes."

"There are countless demons like this in Yincheng. They are like mold growing in the corner of a wall. If too much of it accumulates, it will cause harm and needs to be cleaned up regularly."

Cheng Chen hadn't paid attention to the plight of those lowest-level demons for a long time.

Newly minted magical girls can grow up and make their debut in the open, receiving municipal registration and association protection, but newly minted demons can only hide their true selves, be wary of their own kind, prevent their identities from being exposed, and also find ways to support the calamity beasts they have made contracts with.

"So you'll be the one to do the cleaning?"

"...That's just how it is between natural enemies."

Zhong Ai's tone suddenly turned cold.

She paused for a moment, then suddenly looked up at him: "Brother, do you remember the last time we met?"

"You mean the time at the cold storage warehouse?"

She nodded: "You saw the corpses in that cold storage room too. Every one of those dead magical girls was innocent. If cleaning up the demons and monsters can protect more people like them, I have no reason to refuse."

So, is her enthusiasm for becoming a magical girl due to her simple sense of justice?

Cheng Chen thought casually as he listened to Zhong Ai continue.

"Yeqi is the only clue I've caught up with so far."

The girl unconsciously frowned when the name was mentioned.

"Many seemingly unrelated acts of evil by demons, including the cold storage, can be linked to this name. Yet we know nothing about his existence; we can't find him, and we don't even know if a demon named 'Yeqi' truly exists."

Cheng Chen nodded slightly, no longer pressing her for her reasons.

I will help you.

"Okay, thank you."

Stepping into the elevator, the two stopped their previous conversation.

The orange light from the ceiling shone on the two people, and all they could hear was the buzzing of the motor.

Ding.

The elevator doors suddenly opened midway through the journey, and a girl in a lemon-colored fitted long dress and sunglasses with a huge star earring clipped to the side of her face walked in.

"Oh? The producer?"

Upon seeing the two standing side by side, Lu Baishu took off her sunglasses, revealing a surprised expression.

"Lingxia?"

Cheng Chen raised an eyebrow: "There's no training today, what are you doing at the company?"

"It's a personal matter." Lu Baishu smiled and gestured towards Zhong Ai with her chin. "And this is?"

Before he could answer, Chung Ai blurted out, "The producer's new trainee." She extended her hand, "Hello, I'm Cang Qing."

"Lingxia." Lu Baishu also gave his code name and took the hand that Lingxia offered. "I've heard of you. You're very famous on Twitter, and you even have your own super topic and fan club."

"Thanks."

Zhong Ai was somewhat puzzled by the enthusiasm she was displaying.

That smiling face reminds one of a cunning fox.

Suddenly, Lu Baishu leaned close to her ear: "I heard everything you just said, you're such a good actor~"

Zhong Ai's heart suddenly skipped a beat. What did she mean?

By this time, Lu Baishu had moved away and moved closer to Cheng Chen, putting her finger to her lips in a cute manner: "So, producer, is this the child you found to replace Huiya?"

Cheng Chen glanced at her: "Yes, that's right. Hui Ya gave up her debut opportunity, which is a pity, but the company can't stop because of one person's willfulness. Cang Qing will take over her work completely from now on."

"Oh~"

Lu Baishu sighed regretfully, stepped aside, and said, "Hey, don't blame me, I didn't say those things."

Unbeknownst to them, Yan Xi was standing there, lost in thought.

……