Everyone Thought The Fake Heiress Had Her Reasons Ch. 33
Ming Jiao wasn’t joking with the System when she said she wanted to design clothes for Shi Yan as a way to repay her. In fact, ever since the idea had taken root, her inspiration had begun to sprout, and a general concept had already formed in her mind.
Her visit to the studio today was to discuss with the experienced designers there, seeking their guidance if any issues arose.
With these thoughts in mind, she stepped through the studio’s entrance. A cool breeze greeted her, and the receptionist, already accustomed to her daily visits, greeted her warmly.
Ming Jiao responded with a bright smile, only to have her attention captured the next moment by a flash of crimson in her line of sight.
It was the young woman she had seen last time. Their eyes met briefly before the girl’s gaze slid indifferently past Ming Jiao, and she took the elevator upstairs.
This time, however, Ming Jiao got a clearer look at her. She noticed the girl might be of mixed heritage, her eyes a hazy silver-gray.
As a model, she was quite tall, though not intimidatingly so. Her features were exquisitely delicate, and her demeanor was icy, giving her the appearance of a beautiful doll.
The receptionist noticed Ming Jiao’s lingering gaze and sidled over conspiratorially. “Boss, you’ve been captivated by Xiao Ying’s beauty too. She’s really stunning, but she never talks to anyone.”
The receptionist was naturally enthusiastic and somewhat of a looks-obsessed person. Once you got to know her, she spoke quite casually.
“Xiao Ying? Is that her name?” Ming Jiao turned to ask. “Is she a signed model at our studio?”
The receptionist nodded. “Yes, she models Hanfu and Lolita fashion. Ah, last time she wore that Gothic style, she looked like a dark elf—nearly killed me with how gorgeous she was.”
Ming Jiao chuckled. “Are you a nine-lived cat?”
It seemed she’d said something similar last time. “If you’re ‘dying’ from beauty every day, even nine lives wouldn’t be enough.”
The receptionist giggled sheepishly and scratched her head.
After exchanging a few more lighthearted words with the receptionist, Ming Jiao headed to her private design studio to gather some tools, hoping to sketch out the ideas swirling in her mind.
As she rode the elevator, she found herself thinking again of Xiao Ying’s striking silver-gray eyes—they were truly unique.
She couldn’t help but sigh to the System, System, don’t you think the concentration of ‘unattainable flowers’ around me is a bit too high?
Tang Xiaoyu, Ming Yue, Shi Yan, and now Xiao Ying—none of them were the lively type.
After a moment of serious contemplation, the System responded with feigned solemnity, Perhaps, Host, you have the legendary catnip effect—specifically attracting aloof cats.
·
When one immerses themselves wholeheartedly in a task, time always seems to slip away unnoticed.
Ming Jiao set down her pencil after finishing the final stroke and rubbed her sore neck. “So tired… Is it already dark outside?”
Beyond the floor-to-ceiling window, the sky had deepened into twilight, with the nightscape beginning to emerge.
The System’s voice drifted over like a cool breeze from outside, I reminded you twice, Host, but you ignored me. Since you’re already out, why not just stay at the studio tonight?
Ming Jiao thought for a moment but had no recollection of the reminders. Deciding to dismiss what she couldn’t remember, she replied with unearned confidence, Did you? Well, no use dwelling on the past. I’d better head back now. She efficiently packed up her tools.
System, …
“You’re the one who’s truly strong, Host. No wonder you’re the main character and I’m just the support. I still have much to learn from you in the art of shamelessness.”
Ming Jiao felt a faint pang of guilt, thinking that this pure and innocent System might eventually turn into a seasoned slacker after being with her.
When in doubt, change the subject.
Ming Jiao picked up the design draft from the table and unfolded it. “Look, System, I drew this. You won’t have to worry about me performing chest-smashing stunts on street corners just to earn a meal anymore.”
The System was quite pleased. “Not bad. I think Shi Yan will like it too.”
The design depicted a black dress with a simple and understated style, fitting Shi Yan’s personality and fashion taste—perfect for attending various banquets.
“But Host, this is just the first step on a long journey. Don’t get too proud yet!”
Although the design was ready and she could ask someone to make the dress, it wouldn’t compare to sewing it stitch by stitch herself. She still had plenty of work ahead.
Ming Jiao thought the same. Since she wouldn’t be able to come to the studio for a while, she decided to pack all the tools she’d need for cutting and sewing to take back with her.
At times like this, she couldn’t help but envy Tang Xiaoyu’s spatial ability.
·
After packing her things, Ming Jiao wanted to say a few more words to Manager Hu, who usually hadn’t left the studio at this hour.
But as soon as she opened the workshop door, a familiar sensation—like an electric current piercing her heart—surfaced, and a similar silence began to spread around her.
Ming Jiao paused mid-step, set down what she was carrying, and walked over to the wide window in the corridor. Peering through the glass, she indeed saw the beautiful white ship hovering in the sky.
The surrounding silence felt oppressively uncomfortable, but it didn’t last long before being shattered by the sharp crash of something heavy breaking through glass.
Ming Jiao withdrew her gaze from the Sky Ark and confirmed, somewhat puzzled, that the sound had definitely come from downstairs.
Her current floor wasn’t high—she was on the third floor—and the noise seemed to originate from the first floor.
The System promptly reported the situation. “Host, one bad news and one good news. The bad news is that there are fiends downstairs. The good news is that an ability user is there too.”
It waited for Ming Jiao’s reaction, but from the day they’d met, her bright and lovely face had never shown a trace of panic—and it didn’t now.
“This commotion is a bit louder than last time. Not only was there no such noise last time, but nothing was damaged during the entire fight,” Ming Jiao mused.
The System sighed. “Probably because there were fewer fiends last time, and they were quickly contained within a barrier.”
Ming Jiao asked, “What about now?”
The System replied, “There are twice as many fiends this time. The barrier isn’t fully deployed yet, and the ability user is fighting at full strength to prevent them from spreading.”
Ming Jiao slowly descended the stairs, her footsteps silent against the steps. As she walked, she asked, “System, how would your 100,000 volts fare against fiends?”
The System retorted, “Host, I actually have other methods of attack. Don’t just treat me like a Pikachu.”
It added sarcastically, “Besides, you’re not even sure if I can handle fiends. So why are you still going down?”
Ming Jiao smiled. “Because from the tone of your voice, there’s only one ability user nearby. If she can’t hold them off, we’re all in serious danger regardless. In that case, these couple floors of distance won’t make much difference.”
System: That does seem to be the case.
However, the main point was that even if it couldn’t withstand being surrounded by over a dozen monsters, escaping with its host wouldn’t be a problem.
“To put it simply, host, monsters and ability users both belong to the magic system. As a magic system myself, direct combat poses no pressure for me.”
“Unfortunately, my actions are restricted. I can’t attack directly and need you, the host, to serve as a medium to unleash this power.”
The System’s explanation didn’t surprise Ming Jiao, as she had already made similar conjectures before. If the System could do everything itself, there would be no need to bind with a host.
The System continued, “But the consequence of this approach is that if anyone sees and questions the source of your power, it would be difficult to explain.”
“So under normal circumstances, especially in worlds without supernatural powers, the System operates in assistant mode. It cannot independently activate attack mode nor display offensive capabilities through the host.”
“I see,” Ming Jiao said. “That’s quite thorough planning. Speaking of which, if we consider my previous strength in this world facing those monsters, perhaps I would stand a fighting chance?”
After all, Tang Xiaoyu had mentioned that accomplished martial artists in this world could also deal with monsters.
However, both technology and supernatural power in this world were far more advanced than in her original world, and martial arts were likely the same.
If her original world could be considered low-magic, then this world was at least medium-magic. What were the odds of using low-magic world martial arts against medium-magic world monsters?
“You’d definitely stand a fighting chance. If we could collect data on this world’s martial artists, we could make more precise judgments and comparisons,” the System said.
“But overall, we’re classified as magic attack, while martial artists like you fall under physical attack. In games, both physical and magic attacks can damage monsters, and this theory applies to this world as well.”
“Simply put, it’s not that physical attacks are useless against monsters, but that insufficiently powerful attacks are useless. As long as you’re strong enough, any means of attack will work.”
With the System’s casual explanation, some of the heaviness brought by the deathly silence dissipated considerably.
Ming Jiao soon reached the second floor below. Apart from the shattering glass sound from earlier, there were no other noises, indicating that the barrier had fully deployed.
She lightened her footsteps further as she entered the staircase area leading to the first floor.
·
Outside the first-floor lobby lay the world isolated by the barrier. Ming Jiao slowly advanced a few steps and saw watery ripples spreading before her eyes.
She had previously imagined scenes of monsters and ability users fighting them. In her fantasies, the battles might be bloody, cruel, filled with savage slaughter and intense clashes.
The latter indeed existed, but it differed from what she had assumed.
The red-skirted girl’s dress flared open in the air like a blazing crimson flower burning at its peak. Every curve of the dress tearing in the wind resembled falling vermilion petals.
The girl held a slightly long silver ‘gun’ in her hand, but what shot from its barrel weren’t bullets but similarly coalescing silver streams of light named the Fruit of Death.
Ming Jiao finally witnessed the legendary monsters.
How should I put it? Though their massive bodies radiated an untamable savage ferocity, their appearance wasn’t exactly ugly.
If forced to describe them, one could only say they resembled feline creatures. Their frames were three to four times larger than ordinary adult leopards, with pitch-black coats and eyes that gleamed either dark gold or deep violet.
Their combat style largely mirrored that of wild beasts, except when they roared or swiped their claws, energy reminiscent of supernatural abilities would erupt from their mouths and paws—like light waves or invisible blades—possessing devastating destructive power.
Yet these demonic creatures, which appeared capable of tearing ordinary humans apart like paper, proved utterly fragile before the red-clad girl.
Silver and red intertwined as they descended upon the ink-black demons, creating a spectacle of extreme violent aesthetics.
Soon, the slain demons dissolved into swirling petals of deep purple or pure black, gradually withering away.
It was truly a fantastical and magnificent battle.
As Ming Jiao’s thought concluded, the fight had already reached its end.
·
The red-skirted girl retracted the silvery gleam in her hand amidst the dark floral rain, her figure landing steadily once more.
Just as the final petal vanished into nothingness, she suddenly paused, then turned as if sensing something.
The square behind the building stood completely empty. The entire area, enveloped by the barrier, was eerily silent, creating an illusion for anyone within, standing in a deserted city.
The girl didn’t let her guard down despite the emptiness and silence. She slowly began to walk, her Martin boots making no sound as they touched the ground.
Soon, she entered the lobby on the first floor.
The receptionist sat dazedly in her chair, her consciousness hazy and confused.
The red-skirted girl’s gaze swept slowly over her, then across every corner of the lobby. Only after confirming no one else was present did the alertness in her eyes fade slightly.
She turned to look at the shattered glass on the left side, her pressed lips curling into a rare, slightly troubled arc that made her appear more vivid.
However, she ultimately did nothing. After lingering for a few seconds, she soon departed, as if she hadn’t rushed here in haste not long before.
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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