Paranoid Alpha Chapter 78: Extra: Lin Xi was ten years old now (END)

Chapter 78: Extra: Lin Xi was ten years old now (END)

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: CaiCai

Lin Xi was ten years old now. Supposedly, it should be the most carefree age, but in the past few days, the “consensus” unknown to the little girl has disappeared from the online world.

—Her sister was not the daughter of Mom and Dad!

She believed it, but the evidence online was overwhelming. For example, the age of Lu Xingye and Lin Lang did not match at all. For example, when Lyss gave birth to Lin Lang, he was only 15…

Although Lin Xi is a bit more mature than other children her age, after all, she grew up in a sweet honey jar. Learning about this news shocked her so much that she was in a daze for the next week. Unlike Lin Lang, who loved to smile since she was little, Lin Xi was more introverted, resembling Lyss.

She was close to Lyss, but it was a silent attachment. Only to her biological father was she a bit more cheerful. This was attributed to Lu Xingye’s unique way of raising her since she was a child. Anyone would find a way to be calm when dealing with her.

But during this week, Lin Xi was unusually silent. When she returned home, even if her father slapped her on the head, she didn’t get angry. Instead, she looked at him with a silent and complex gaze, sending a chill down Lu Xingye’s back.

Thinking of Lin Lang’s childhood experiences, he immediately restrained the playful intentions and nervously asked, “What’s wrong? Were you bullied at school?”

Lin Xi bit her lip and shook her head. Lyss had just finished showering, and Lin Xi walked over to him, hugging him suddenly. “Mommy.”

Lyss also looked puzzled. Just as he was about to say something, Lin Xi walked over to Lu Xingye and hugged him, “Daddy.”

Lyss was also taken aback. After a while, Lin Xi whispered, “When will my sister come back?”

“She has a day off tomorrow,” Lyss slightly relaxed, “Do you miss her?”

“…Yes,” Lin Xi buried herself in his arms and replied softly, “I miss her.”

Their relationship had always been close since childhood. Lin Lang, who was lively, used to take Lin Xi everywhere to play. Now that Lin Lang was going to live in school for the first time, Lin Xi was not used to it, which was quite normal.

Lyss rubbed the little girl’s head, “Then we’ll pick up your sister together tomorrow.”

Lin Xi nodded obediently, “Okay.”

Although that’s all she said on the surface, she remained too silent during dinner that night. Even teasing her didn’t get her to speak. The two of them were in a dilemma, but since the little girl didn’t want to say anything, they couldn’t keep asking.

Before going to bed that night, Lyss pondered, “Lin Xi seems to have something on her mind… Did you upset her again?”

Lin Xi loved mecha games from an early age, but due to her young age, she could only play mecha games. However, she had this one hobby that Lu Xingye shamelessly competed with his daughter for. Every time, he acted like he was Lin Xi’s age and challenged her to games. He never let Lin Xi win.

The girl had a straightforward temperament and liked the thrill of overcoming challenges, but sometimes, if she was bullied too much, she would still feel unhappy. Lyss had lectured Lu Xingye less because of this, and later this little girl finally grasped the balance.

“Injustice, sir,” Lu Xingye immediately protested when he heard this, “we’ve been playing games these days, and your daughter has a big heart. How could she be upset by such a small matter?”

Lyss squinted, somewhat skeptical, “Is that so?”

Lu Xingye paused for a moment, and his eyes suddenly became evasive. “…Really.”

Lyss looked at him with a raised eyebrow, somewhat incredulous, “Is it?”

“Yeah,” Lu Xingye kissed the corner of his mouth shamelessly, “The little Miss looks at me with a complicated expression, with a hint of sympathy.”

“Sympathy?” Lyss frowned, “What did you do?”

“I don’t know,” Lu Xingye obviously had no idea, “Maybe I look like I’m about to die? Does she think her dad is terminally ill?”

Lyss “tsk” a sound and patted his ear with a hand, “Go out again if you talk nonsense.”

Lu Xingye immediately, coquettishly, said, “I said something wrong, sorry, Brother.”

Lin Xi is ten years old now, yet he still relies on his youthful looks and handsomeness to confidently call out to Lyss.  Lyss doesn’t fall for it. Instead, he gives Lin Xi a glance, and his demeanor immediately softens. Lin Xi takes advantage of this change and affectionately kisses him on the forehead.

After that incident, both of them suffered some consequences. Lu Xingye’s consequences were a bit severe; even though nearly a decade has passed, he still can’t bear a day without seeing Lyss or receiving any news about him.

Initially, Lyss wasn’t aware of Lu Xingye’s situation. One day, while working late and forgetting to take his suppressants, Lu Xingye unexpectedly showed up at headquarters. That night, Lyss was nearly overwhelmed by pheromones. Since that incident, no matter how busy he is, Lyss ensures there’s constant communication.

On the other hand, Lyss’ consequences seemed lighter, but appearances can be deceiving. He can’t fall asleep alone anymore. Even if he wakes up early in the morning, as long as Lu Xingye isn’t by his side, he loses the ability to continue sleeping, despite the faint sound of the kitchen from the bedroom. 

Initially, Lyss didn’t show this, casually waking up at his usual time, but Lu Xingye almost discovered the issue the next day. His solution was simple. To allow Lyss more sleep, he cautiously cooked at 3 a.m., the time when Lyss slept most deeply. After cooking, he’d put the food in a thermal container for Lyss to have breakfast.

This method was immensely effective, though the only downside was Lyss’ displeasure upon discovering it. As a result, during the mornings when Lu Xingye took their daughters to school, Lyss had breakfast at headquarters. But, with Lin Lang’s advancement to higher education, she desired to experience dorm life, reducing one task for Lu Xingye. 

Tomorrow is Lin Lang’s vacation.

Lyss and Lu Xingye promised to take their two daughters to the Starlight Amusement Park during this break. Lin Lang especially loves it and immediately expressed her desire to go on that day. So, both of them arranged to work ahead and added a few extra days to fulfill their daughter’s wish.

The next day at noon, the two of them brought Lin Xi to Lin Lang’s school gate.

The black-haired, golden-eyed girl walked silently between the two, tightly holding her parents’ hands. Sensing her unusual emotions, they exchanged a glance and simultaneously looked at the younger girl.

“Lin Xi,” Lu Xingye said gently, “What do you want to play later?”

Lin Xi seemed to be contemplating and suddenly blinked, “Galactic Assault, but Sister doesn’t play with me.”

Galactic Assault involves simulated combat situations, and although Lin Lang enjoys thrills, she avoids high-altitude entertainment if not necessary.

“It’s okay,” Lyss ruffled Lin Xi’s hair, “Dad will play with you.”

Lin Xi fell silent for a while and then awkwardly tugged Lu Xingye’s hand, “Dad, can you play Nebula Racer with Sister later? She wants to play that.”

“Okay,” Lu Xingye nodded and noticed something amiss, “Why don’t you play with Sister?”

Lin Xi subconsciously tightened her grip on Lu Xingye’s hand, then hesitantly replied, “I want to play with Mom; we can team up for that.”

After all, being raised by Lyss, both Lin Lang and Lin Xi naturally gravitate more towards him. This explanation seemed plausible, but both parents sensed something amiss.

However, Lin Xi didn’t seem keen on elaborating further, and after exchanging a glance, they refrained from probing.

At that moment, Lin Lang emerged, skipping and exclaiming, “Little Xi Xi—Mom, Dad!”

She dashed towards Lyss, hugged him tightly, then turned around to dump her backpack into Lu Xingye’s arms. Lowering her head, she pinched Lin Xi’s ear and teased, “Do you miss Sister?”

Lin Xi playfully swished her tail, “Yes, does Sister miss Lin Xi?”

Lin Xi resembled Lyss in appearance but with black ears, an adorable yet slightly serious expression. Lin Lang found her earnestness irresistibly cute, immediately lifting her up and hugging her tightly, “Of course, I missed my little baby!”

Lin Lang’s sweetness mirrored her father’s. He stood to the side, holding the backpack, watching her with an amused yet somewhat inscrutable expression. Once she finished embracing everyone, finally, it was his turn.

“Dad—” Lin Lang trotted over, “Where’s the butterfly pastry you promised?”

“A kiss for Mom, longing for Sister,” Lu Xingye raised an eyebrow, “Now it’s my turn, right? I only get this kind of treatment?”

They rarely joked like this in front of Lin Lang, but the atmosphere seemed different now. She seemed nervous after hearing Lu Xingye’s words.

“Pfft, how could that be? You’re my real and only dad by law,” Lin Lang replied with confidence.

Lu Xingye couldn’t help but smirk but continued teasing, “What butterfly pastry? I have no idea.”

“Mom—” Lin Lang used her ultimate weapon, turning to Lyss, “Make your husband give me the butterfly pastry.”

She imitated Lu Xingye’s playful tone. Lyss, feeling helpless, said, “Lu Xingye.”

“Here!” Lu Xingye responded immediately.

“Give her the butterfly pastry,” Lyss issued the final ultimatum, “We’re at the amusement park, and it’s almost opening time.”

“Fine.” Lu Xingye reluctantly took out the butterfly pastry from his bag and handed it to Lin Xi. He then warned her, “If Sister bullies you, call for an adult. Don’t play the racer with her later.”

Lin Lang received the pastry, smiled mischievously, then handed one to Lin Xi, “Did you eat already?”

Everyone seemed joyous and content, except Lin Xi, who nodded reluctantly, “Yes, I ate. Sister, you have it.”

Lin Lang, belatedly sensing something amiss, paused, looking at Lin Xi, “What’s wrong? Are you upset?”

Quickly, Lin Xi shook her head, “No, I’m not.”

Lin Lang furrowed her brow, glancing at Lyss and Lu Xingye, seeing their identical expressions.

This situation continued until they entered the amusement park. While Lin Xi was in the restroom, Lin Lang hurriedly asked, “What’s wrong with Xi Xi?”

“I don’t know,” Lyss looked concerned, “Her mood has been off since yesterday, but she doesn’t want to talk about it.”

“Right,” Lu Xingye nodded, “So, Miss Lin Lang, your sister needs your help.”

Lin Lang suddenly felt the weight of responsibility, but she raised her head confidently, “I got this!”

Soon, Lin Xi came out, and the trio resumed pretending nothing had happened. After playing in the amusement park for a while, Lin Lang’s mood notably improved. She was ecstatic, running around everywhere with Lu Xingye. Lin Xi also seemed to brighten up in this atmosphere.

Inside the park, Lin Lang was being chased around by Lu Xingye, pretending to shoot randomly. She covered her head, shouting, “Xi Xi, come save me!”

“No time,” Lu Xingye shamelessly chased his daughter, “Raise your hands; you’ve lost.”

Lin Lang helplessly raised her hand when Lu Xingye approached to decipher her poker hand. Suddenly, she raised her hand and, holding a dagger, fiercely stabbed towards him.

At that moment, a beam of light pierced through the father and daughter, and the in-game system announced, “Player 006 and 007 are injured by Player 005. Game over.”

The intense fighters turned around in disbelief, only to see Lin Xi standing excitedly behind Lyss. Her poker hand had already been taken by Lyss, who still held a gun. After a moment of astonishment, Linglang not only showed no anger but instead excitedly widened her eyes, “Mommy, you’re so cool!”

Lu Xingye smiled and surrendered, “I concede defeat. Chief, what will you do now that you’ve won against me?”

Lyss, with a gun in hand, warned Lu Xingye with a glance, signaling him not to talk nonsense in front of the girls.

“Xi Xi, let’s go to the Dream Factory?” Lin Lang seemed not to have had enough play. “Without those two.”

Lin Xi immediately nodded, “Okay.”

Lu Xingye raised an eyebrow, “Oh, wings are stiff now.”

Lin Lang boldly said, “Isn’t that leaving space for you two?”

Lyss chuckled, “Go, watch your little sister.”

The two girls happily entered the Dream Factory. Lu Xingye insisted on dragging Lyss to spin in the nearby flower sea, continuing the previous conversation, “Brother, you won, so you can ask me to do anything.”

Lyss laughed, “Mr. Lu, your daughter is already this big, and you’re still acting cute?”

Lu Xingye immediately looked hurt and said, “Brother, you really disdain me for being old, and now that I’m aged you want to find someone new.”

“To add crimes, what’s lacking in excuses?” Lyss held his hand and said, “Lin Xi seems much happier, but she hasn’t spoken her true feelings.”

“Yeah.” Lu Xingye became a bit more serious at the words, nodding, “But don’t worry too much. I guess Lin Lang will figure it out soon.”

And indeed, he was right.

After walking in the flower field for a while, Lin Lang rushed out of the Dream Factory, laughing so much that the flowers trembled. Lin Xi, with an embarrassed expression, chased after her, “Sister!”

However, she couldn’t catch up. Lin Lang ran ahead, shouting, “Mommy!! Daddy!”

Lin Xi, rarely annoyed, said, “Lin Lang!”

“What’s wrong?” Lyss looked at the two approaching girls and quickly hugged Lin Lang, who was like a small firecracker. “Slow down and don’t fall.”

“Xi Xi said—” Lin Lang, lying in Lyss’s arms, laughed so hard her ears trembled, “She thinks I’m not Daddy’s biological daughter… Hahaha, she thinks Daddy is my stepdad!”

Lu Xingye never imagined the topic would turn so strangely to himself. After a moment of astonishment, he incredulously grabbed Lin Xi, who was about to pull Lin Lang.

“No… I don’t…” Lin Xi blushed and explained, “I heard it on the Star Network!”

“Xi Xi.” Lu Xingye looked both incredulous and hurt, “Do I really look like your sister’s stepdad?”

After a pause, Lin Lang laughed even louder, “Hahaha… Oh, it hurts. I’m laughing so hard my stomach hurts.”

Lyss couldn’t help but smile too. He patted Lin Lang’s head and reassured her, “He’s your biological father, don’t worry.”

After a moment, Lin Xi suddenly looked at Lyss in disbelief and stammered, “Then, then… Mom, you—!”

Lyss, at a glance, understood what the little girl was shocked about. He sighed, smiled, and briefly described the current situation. He and Lu Xingye had never thought of hiding it from Lin Xi. They just thought those matters were too dark for a child who grew up in a sheltered environment. They planned to tell her when she was a bit older, but they didn’t expect such a big misunderstanding to arise.

“Don’t worry.” Lyss, holding the older daughter, and rubbing the younger one’s ear, said, “Both you and your sister are my and your dad’s biological daughters, no one else.”

Lin Xi stood there in amazement, apparently still immersed in Lyss’s recent revelation. After a moment, she suddenly looked up at Lu Xingye, then lowered her head, rubbing her eyes. She had obviously cried. Silently, she hugged Lu Xingye, burying her face in his arms, and said with a choked voice, “Daddy, you’ve been through a lot.”

Lu Xingye, caught in this unexpected turn of events, laughed and felt touched. He rubbed the younger daughter’s hair and said, “Not at all. It’s hard for us, and I appreciate that you still care about me, Xi Xi.”

Seeing this, Lin Lang stopped laughing. She stood up from Lyss’s arms, walked to Lin Xi, and looked down at her sister with a smile, saying, “Oh, even if Dad is a stepdad, you’ll always be my sister. We’ll always protect our silly Xi Xi.”

Lu Xingye teased, “Stepdad, huh? Then spit out the butterfly pastry I made that you ate.”

Lin Lang immediately hid behind Lyss, pretending to be pitiful, “Mommy, your boyfriend is bullying me!”

With a similar posture to Lu Xingye, Lyss smiled and warned, “I don’t have a boyfriend, only a legal partner.”

“Hear that? Legal partner,” Lu Xingye raised an eyebrow playfully, joking, “Your mommy is mine now. You go find your biological dad.”

“Wow, I’m scared.” Lin Lang, holding Lyss’s hand, walked towards a distant amusement ride, turned around, and stuck her tongue out at Lu Xingye, “My dad is amazing, be careful he finds out and takes care of you!”

Lu Xingye walked over to pull Lin Xi, and, hearing this, he looked at Lyss with a face of injury, “Brother, your ex-wife’s daughters are really fierce, saying they will take care of me. It seems your ex-wife is fierce too, not as gentle as me.”

Lyss, helpless yet smiling, raised his hand to each of them, tapping lightly, “After discussing this, both of you go to stay in a hotel tonight.”

Lin Lang covered her head and laughed, walking to Lin Xi, “What do you want to play next?”

Lin Xi had completely walked out of her previous emotional state and said without thinking, “Star Wars…”

Halfway through, she remembered her sister’s fear of heights and stopped abruptly. Lin Lang, understanding the situation, turned to Lyss and Lu Xingye, “Mommy, Daddy, I want to play Star Wars! Let’s take Xi Xi to play, okay?”

Lin Xi hesitated, then subconsciously held Lin Lang’s hand, “Sister…”

Lin Lang turned to her and blinked. Lin Xi’s heart warmed, and she seemed on the verge of tears again. She quickly lowered her head to cover her emotions.

“Yes,” Lyss pretended not to notice the younger daughter’s expression, “Who wants to be in my team?”

The two little girls immediately exclaimed, “Me, me, me!” 

“Me!”

Lu Xingye raised an eyebrow, “None of you wants to be in my team? You look down on Dad’s combat power?”

“It’s not that we look down on you,” Lin Lang said with disdain, “It’s just common sense. With Mommy around, who would want to be on a team with you?”

“Is that so?” Lu Xingye smiled, “Wife, I also want to be on your team. Come on, the choice is yours. Among the three of us, you choose one.”

The two little girls were stunned for a moment, then looked at each other in disbelief, “You can’t do this!” 

“Dad is cheating!”

They obviously knew who Lyss would choose. As expected, after asking the two girls who they wanted to choose, Lyss lightly hooked the corner of his mouth and glanced at Lu Xingye, “I choose you.”

Lu Xingye, in the competition for the affection of the daughters, won the victory. Shamelessly, he approached Lyss, pulled him into his arms, and said, “Sorry, ladies, whoever let your mommy like me.”

Lin Xi still hesitated, and Lin Lang, upon hearing this, indignantly declared, “You wait! Later, we will definitely snatch Mommy back!”

“Oh, oh, big words,” Lu Xingye, hugging Lyss’s waist, turned his head and kissed him on the face. “I’m telling you, if we can’t snatch her back, I’ll be your stepdad. Have you heard the stories of Cinderella and the stepmother? Be careful.”

The whole family chuckled at this topic, and Lyss helplessly chuckled again, “Is this topic over?”

As they were speaking, a group of people arrived at the entrance of the Star Wars ride. Seeing this, Lin Lang, holding Lin Xi’s hand, ran over.

Lyss and Lu Xingye hurriedly said, “Slow down, don’t fall.”

Lin Lang stood with Lin Xi at the entrance, turned around eagerly, and waved at them, “Hurry up!”

The two cute girls, one black and one white, wagged their tails there, and Lyss and Lu Xingye looked at each other at the same time. Sure enough, they saw joy in each other’s eyes.

The next moment, they turned around and walked towards the two girls in the distance, “Here they are!”

This was the happiness they had achieved with all their efforts, the most ordinary yet extraordinary happiness. They were willing to use everything to protect this hard-won life and continue to be happy forever.

The end.