Chapter 27 - Guilt-Based Parenting

Xu Xiaoyou was washing up in the bathroom, eagerly checking the results of yesterday’s training. The outcome did not disappoint her and even slightly exceeded her expectations.

Gaining so many attributes overnight, was it because of that experience card, coupled with the fact that yesterday happened to be a full moon?

Who would have thought even the Wolf Race’s full moon blessing could be enhanced by the experience card? Xu Xiaoyou had a rough idea of how to use the remaining experience card.

"Frenzy, a 200% attribute boost..." Xu Xiaoyou pondered.

Anya’s current Power, agility, and Physique are 25, 40, and 35 respectively. After activating Frenzy, these attributes could soar to 50, 80, and 70, touching the threshold of the Two Tier Cleaner’s standard set by the association.

But there is a downside effect of reduced resistance to Spirit attributes and decreased rationality.

Does it mean Anya would become more prone to madness and lose control when encountering Spirit-type attacks?

Xu Xiaoyou shook her head.

In this city of Nest, First Tier or above Cleaners are few and far between, and Spirit-type professions haven’t been seen in decades. Even if one appears, they would have been recruited by Cosmic Heavy Industries’ strategic talent resource department and taken to the headquarters.

With Anya at her side, there are few in this city of Nest who could pose a threat to her. She could practically walk with free reign in the city.

The premise is not to have a direct conflict with larger gangs, and that Three-winged Investigator.

Her Substitute gained 563 proficiency in the latter half of the night, better than none.

Upon meeting her, Anya appeared flustered, like a child who had done something wrong.

Looking at the reflection of Anya standing silently behind her, head lowered and ears drooping, Xu Xiaoyou couldn’t comprehend what was going on with her.

Why does she seem to be...

Afraid of her?

She glanced at the Substitute card’s durability, surprised to find it had dropped to 0.

Did Anya wear it out?

Perhaps she’s afraid of getting scolded by her.

Xu Xiaoyou understood Anya’s feelings.

The little girl tugged at her coat hem, swaying gently, opening her mouth as if she wanted to say something but swallowing it back.

Just as Anya looked up, gathering courage, the girl’s hand slowly reached towards her head.

Anya shut her eyes tightly in fear, neck shrinking back, with her entire shoulders trembling slightly.

The imagined punishment did not materialize, as the warm, soft hands merely patted her head gently, tussling her hair, rubbing her fluffy ears.

This feeling was comfortable and familiar, like when her mother used to groom her hair when she was little.

"Mmm..."

"Anya, don’t be afraid, it’s okay," Xu Xiaoyou said softly. "I won’t scold you for something like this."

Anya opened her eyes wide, staring dumbfoundedly at the girl, who smiled at her warmly, like the sun melting the snow in early spring, warming her fur, a pleasant sensation.

Recalling the events of last night, Anya, though not fully understanding, felt instinctively that the Xu Xiaoyou before her was different from the blonde girl from yesterday, unlike anyone she had met before.

"Waa waa waa..."

Suddenly, tearful, she pressed her head against Xu Xiaoyou’s waist, rubbing it continuously, the little girl burying her head, appearing wronged, as Xu Xiaoyou gently patted her head with a smile.

Now she comprehended why parents sometimes use guilt-tripping methods to foster their children’s dependence on them.

This feeling is indeed pleasing.

Later, Lin Ran prepared breakfast, and the three of them sat around the dining table.

The crispy toasted bread had a rich wheat fragrance, drizzled with jam, tasting superb.

Along with eggs, sausages, and bacon, emitting a strong meaty aroma, Anya stabbed a piece, stuffed it into her mouth with satisfaction blooming on her little face.

"How is it, how is it?" Lin Ran asked expectantly.

"It’s okay," Xu Xiaoyou said.

Lin Ran felt disappointed.

Fine, fine, she rose at dawn, putting in so much effort to prepare breakfast, only to receive an "it’s okay"?

Xu Xiaoyou didn’t notice the intense resentment from Lin Ran, only glancing at the morning news on her phone.

"Good morning to all our viewers! Yesterday’s death lottery results are out, totaling 31 people. Did you guess the correct number?"

"A total of 47 crime incidents occurred in the city yesterday, four fewer than the previous day. Thanks to our city heroes maintaining law and order, and for your honesty in front of the TV."

"The mysterious Three-winged Investigator from Oasis showed up at Zone Seven’s train station yesterday, causing quite a stir. Let’s guess, why has this investigator from the Order Court family traveled all the way here?" The host’s expression was mysterious, his tone becoming fervent, "Guess right!"

"Yes, she is here to investigate the villain who murdered three First Tier Cleaners a few days ago! It’s said to be her first case after coming of age, this beautiful lady aims to end her coming-of-age with a perfect case closure."

"I guarantee, I will capture that criminal and bring them to justice, swearing on behalf of the Order Court family, the evildoer will not remain at large!"

In the footage, facing the reporters’ interviews, the black-haired girl held her fist against her chest, eyes resolute.

"Tut," Xu Xiaoyou silently switched channels.

"Why’s she got to be so nosy, with so many crime incidents in the city, are those three Cleaners somehow superior? They might have killed ordinary people too, Cleaner Association, how ironic," Lin Ran mumbled with a mouthful of bread.

"But that person’s so unlucky, haha, three First Tier Cleaners, typically a small matter, yet encountered someone’s coming-of-age ceremony."

"Targeted by a Three-winged Investigator, poor them. I hear that Bai Youyou is a bona fide sadist, getting caught by her, tsk tsk tsk."

"I’m full," Xu Xiaoyou said, putting down her cutlery, Anya followed, hopping off her chair to catch up with the girl.

Lin Ran puzzled, watched the girls depart: "You’ve barely eaten anything."

"No need for lunch, I’m taking Anya out, have things to deal with, won’t be back," Xu Xiaoyou’s voice came from the hallway.

"Fine then..."

"Fresh Meat Restaurant Fresh Deliveries, half-off on the second box of thigh meat today, limited quantities, first come first served~"

"What on earth... airing such ads when people are dining, killing my appetite," Lin Ran complained.