I Will Never Submit to Miss Grim Reaper - Chapter 194

Chapter 194: Dreams, Miracles, and Magic All Exist

 

On May 30, 2022, Thursday, the weather is clear with an average temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. The next five days are expected to be sunny. The cooling effect caused by the approaching typhoon in Shenzhen City, which occurred a few days ago, has almost disappeared, and the cool weather has quickly returned to the summer heat.

 

According to the meteorological bureau, the temperature is expected to continue rising in the coming month, and some regions may experience temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.

 

Headlines:

?Rare! Once-in-a-century Extremely High Temperatures Worldwide?

?High Temperatures Warning: Citizens, please be mindful of heatstroke, and relevant departments should take preventive measures.?

?Petition from Construction Workers: Requesting relevant departments not to falsely report high temperatures, and not to label 43 degrees as 39 degrees. Workers also need rest.?

 

These days, while working in the cafe, I occasionally take breaks to browse the internet and catch up on the news. I switch the LCD TV in the lobby to the news mode, and almost all the news I see is related to “high temperatures.”

 

Even in areas like Nanqi District, where green initiatives are well-implemented and there are not many factories or high-density residential areas, water trucks can be seen on the streets. Every day when I go to work with Yin Xiamo, even in the not-so-hot mornings, we often see water trucks singing birthday songs, spraying clear water over the surrounding old streets, wetting the roads, and bringing a mist of water vapor to the wilted green belts on the roadside.

 

“Umm…”

 

Because today is a day off, I didn’t set an alarm, and I slept until I naturally woke up. With a drowsy head, I sat up on the small bed, glanced at the time on the phone at the bedside, and it was already 9:10 in the morning.

 

Getting up at this time was almost unimaginable for the previous me. During the period when I had to go to work at the cafe without sleeping with Yin Xiamo, which was the busiest time for the cafe, I had to be there by 8 a.m. So, at the latest, I could only wake up by 7 a.m., quickly tidy up, have a simple breakfast, and head out.

 

Even on a day off, I could only sleep until 8 a.m. at most, as I would be awakened by the restless Yin Xiamo next to me. Or, if she woke up early, she would go to the living room alone to water and take care of her plants, then go downstairs to buy breakfast and try cooking sweet potatoes and eggs. If I didn’t get up by 8:30, she would launch the “itchy-scratchy attack,” and even if I was in a deep sleep, I had no choice but to reluctantly open my eyes.

 

After the life of the cafe maid settled down, my routine became like this—finishing work around 8:30 in the evening, then taking a stroll with Yin Xiamo near the Nanci Tower by the seaside. We would climb to the top of the tower, gaze at the sea, chat, and relax. We usually got back home around 9 p.m., quickly tidied up, took a shower by around 9:30, spent about two hours writing novels, and went to bed around 11:30.

 

However, even when in bed, Yin Xiamo was usually not very calm. Like an octopus, she bought a body pillow but only hugged me, even in the dark. She would hold me from behind and snuggle for nearly half an hour before settling down. If by chance I noticed her mood, we would usually “play around” until after midnight before resting.

 

In this way, waking up around 7 a.m. the next day, my nighttime sleep was just under seven hours. Going to the cafe meant intense work until around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. At this time, I would take a nap, around twenty to thirty minutes. In total, my daily sleep time was just over seven hours.

 

If it wasn’t enough or if the day had exceptionally high customer traffic and numerous tasks, requiring physical exertion like moving things, I would lie on the massage chair and sleep for another ten minutes after finishing the evening rush.

 

For adults, this amount of sleep is sufficient, for me… well, it’s barely enough. At least I have no issues in terms of mental alertness. Yin Xiamo also mentioned that due to the different time calculation methods in the other world, people there generally sleep for less than seven hours. Moreover, with the catgirl genes in my body, the “sleep” of cats is quite mystical.

 

Most cats don’t enter deep sleep. They take short naps when they need to rest and continue their activities upon waking. They don’t exhibit the long seven to eight hours of sleep typical in humans. This “setting” aligns with the habits of cat ancestors. The reason most cats use cat litter is because the ancestors of cats come from the desert, a place full of lurking dangers. The desert’s biggest characteristic is its extreme simplicity—everywhere is sand. If there’s a specific smell, it could easily be tracked by hunters, such as animal feces.

 

Cats themselves can also track prey based on the feces of small animals, such as small rabbits or mice. So, they have developed a habit—no matter what, they absolutely bury their own scent.

 

For felines, the sense of smell is a crucial perception, even more important than vision. Most cats don’t mind being ugly, but they absolutely mind being dirty. Similarly, cats dislike having others’ scents on them. For example, if some girls like to wear perfume and use hand cream, if you try to touch a cat at that moment, it will be very disdainful. A temperamental cat might even give you a scratch, while a slightly better-tempered one will reluctantly let you touch it. After being touched, it silently licks its fur, covering the touched area with its own scent again.

 

Given the importance of scent in the desert, full of predators, if a cat sleeps too deeply, it can easily be captured by natural enemies. Therefore, they have evolved a system that allows them to “rest at any time, with their sense of smell and hearing still fully operational, ready to escape.” Yin Xiamo says I have a similar system, able to sleep like a normal person but also capable of taking a short ten-minute rest to recharge when feeling tired.

 

Speaking of which… why is there no sign of Xiao Mo today?

 

Stretching lazily in bed, I, as usual, jumped down from the small bed and put on slippers. Everything in Ai Luodi’s room is good, except that the bed is a bit high relative to my current height. If I sit at the edge of the bed and stretch my legs down, my little feet can’t reach the ground. So, usually, I use a “jump” to get off the bed.

 

With a “whoosh,” I pulled open the curtains of this small room. Suddenly, a bright sunlight slanted in from outside, casting bright patches on the floor through the gaps in the window.

 

I feel completely accustomed to this small body now.

 

In the sunlight, I reached for the air conditioner remote control on the side, used my small hand to find the power button, and pressed it with a “click” sound.

 

Initially, these small hands felt awkward whether typing on a keyboard or gripping a mouse. It took several days to get used to them. Similarly, the short legs and the petite stature were inconvenient in various ways, but I’ve almost adapted now. People calling me “little sister,” “little loli,” or “little girl” doesn’t feel like they’re addressing someone else.

 

With long hair cascading down past my waist, although it’s troublesome to wash and maintain daily, I can’t bear to cut it short because it looks so beautiful. Gradually, I’ve adjusted to spending a long time each day caring for my hair, getting used to the soft feeling of the long hair draped behind me as I walk.

 

I feel like a significant portion of my weight has been taken up by my hair.

 

It’s like those dreamy-style illustrations of little loli characters with small bodies and exceptionally long hair, scattered like flower petals on the ground against a gorgeous backdrop. Since my hair is clearly beyond my waist, even reaching my hips, if I don’t do anything with it, sitting down gives me that “fairytale princess” sensation, especially since some of my hair just falls on the ground.

 

Like a vase.

 

Yes, though I hate to admit it, most of the time, I serve a purpose similar to that of a vase. In the cafe, I can only move relatively light objects. If a customer orders a lot of heavy items, like a whole plate of chicken, a large bottle of cola, and a big bowl of chicken soup, exceeding the weight limit, Chef Wang won’t let me carry everything at once, it has to be done in stages.

 

By the way, it’s almost June in two days. The novel royalties will be coming, and I can settle my wages from the cafe.

 

Facing the sunlight outside the window, I did a few stretching exercises, bending and moving my hands and waist to return my body to its normal state after being made all tingly by a certain Miss Reaper last night. Yawning, I walked out of the room.

 

If my calculations are correct, adding up the scattered wages from my main and part-time jobs, my income for this month should be around ten to fifteen thousand yuan. This is still under the condition that Ouyang Xue has advanced me part of my salary. Next month, my salary might even reach twenty thousand yuan.

 

For me, this is undoubtedly a “huge sum.” Considering the meager royalties I received from publishing novels in February, March, and April, ranging from one to two thousand yuan, my monthly income in May is equivalent to the annual income at that time. How can I not be excited?

 

“Xiao Mo?”

 

Stepping out of the door, I instinctively glanced at the living room filled with flowers and plants, then checked the kitchen.

 

Not here?

 

The quiet living room only echoed with the “clattering” sound of my small slippers on the floor and the morning exercise broadcast from the Starlight Elementary School garden next door —

 

“National Second Set of Primary School Students’ Radio Gymnastics — Little Eagles Take Flight!”

 

“Stretching exercise, one, two, three, four, two, two, three, four…”

 

Not at home?

 

With a sense of curiosity, I walked to the entrance and glanced at the shoe rack. I could remember the types and styles of shoes here quite well. Lan Jiajia, being the tallest among us, had the largest shoe size, mostly in a mature style—either women’s sandals or high heels. Ai Luodi’s shoes were more casual and cute, usually in a relaxed style. As for Yin Xiamo, apart from the Lolita chunky heels she bought with me, she mostly wore casual and athletic shoes.

 

As for me… my shoes were just a few pairs, easily recognizable.

 

Looking at the arrangement of shoes on the rack, it was clear that Lan Jiajia had gone out wearing a pair of sandals, probably working at the cafe at this time. Ai Luodi’s shoes were all present, indicating she was likely still sleeping on the second floor. As for Yin Xiamo… the pair of black Lolita round-toe chunky heels was missing.

 

She actually went out at this time? I was a bit surprised. Because in the previous holidays, this girl woke me up every morning, either demanding kisses and hugs or showcasing her culinary skills. It was the first time she let me sleep in until after nine and went out on her own.

 

I took out my phone and found Yin Xiamo’s contact in the list. The corresponding profile picture was from the time when Xiao Mo took the initiative to take a photo with me, our faces pressed together.

 

In the picture, my face was almost distorted by her, like jelly.

 

Should I give her a call? As soon as this thought crossed my mind, I immediately rejected it. No, no, I’m already an adult. I’m not a child who can’t be separated from my mom. Xiao Mo has only been gone for a short while, and I’m already thinking of calling her.

 

You’re too dependent, Yin Nuo’er.

 

Moreover, Xiao Mo went out today wearing those Lolita shoes, and if nothing unexpected happened, she must be wearing a matching Lolita summer-style dress. Going out in such an outfit only means she’s not up to anything improper.

 

I guess she probably went to the convenience store downstairs to pick up a package or went to the nearby flower and bird market to get some flowers or something…

 

Perhaps experiencing the convenience of modern society, after receiving compensation from the convenience store owner where she used to work, Xiao Mo suddenly fell in love with online shopping, buying one item after another, such as little dresses, knee-high socks, and small shoes.

 

I remember two nights ago she went downstairs alone and brought back a lot of packages. She’s probably doing the same now, picking up packages.

 

With these thoughts, I went to the kitchen, preparing to have breakfast before getting ready for the day.

 

?Attention, Little Kitty?

Then, I noticed that a note had been stuck on the refrigerator in the kitchen at some point. On it was Xiao Mo’s graceful and girlish handwriting:

?Breakfast is on the table in the living room. There’s steamed mantou (Chinese steamed buns) and corn eggs in the pot. Remember to have a good breakfast.?

?I’ve placed the clothes and shoes you’ll be wearing today on the bedside table in your room. They arrived the night before yesterday, and I’ve washed them for you. Please make sure to wear this outfit today!?

?Love you, Your Lovely Grim Reaper?

 

Clothes and shoes on the bedside table?

Seeing this note, I returned to my room and only then noticed the neatly folded little dress and shoes placed on the bedside table, along with two ribbons.

 

It was a cute-style dress, mostly deep blue with a lovely pink bow at the chest. The accompanying socks were, unsurprisingly, Yin Xiamo’s favorite knee-high white stockings. As for the shoes…

 

I took out the little shoes from under the clothes.

 

Black round-toe flat shoes with a bow on the toe and another bow on the strap. If I wear this set… I probably look even more like an elementary school student than an actual elementary school student.

 

The white knee-high stockings give the wearer a somewhat youthful and youthful effect. Of course, this buff has certain limitations and requires a strict standard based on the appearance and figure of the person wearing it. If a naturally cute girl wears them, it makes her look even younger and cuter, just like me now. I already look small, and wearing white socks makes me look like a first or second-grade student.

 

As for the round-toe shoes with bows, not to mention, maid shoes somewhat give the impression of working in the service industry. The first impression these little shoes give me is of a Japanese-style child wearing a yellow safety hat, walking into kindergarten with the teacher’s guidance, saying “one, two—two, one.”

 

On this side of the rental house, Yin Xiamo took charge of washing all my clothes. After a month of living together, I have gotten used to her arranging my daily attire.

 

Since this outfit was just bought by her a few days ago for me and isn’t something very embarrassing, I might as well wear it.

 

I wondered how many sets of clothes Xiao Mo has bought by now.

 

After hesitating in the bedroom for a moment, I reluctantly took off my sleeping gown and put on the short-sleeved summer dress. Hmm… it fits just right. I guess Xiao Mo specially reported my body measurements and sizes to the store.

 

As for the knee-high socks, these socks have become commonplace for me now. I rolled up the socks, slid one foot in, repeated with the other foot, pulled them up, and done. Finally, I put on the new little shoes and turned towards the full-length mirror on the side.

 

As I expected, the “Yin Nuo’er” in the mirror looks at least three years younger than usual—small stature, slender waist, delicate legs, small feet, and tiny shoes. If I added a yellow safety hat, I don’t think anyone would doubt if I went straight to kindergarten.

 

Isn’t this just too cute? Even I can’t help but…

 

Looking at the little girl in the mirror, I tried raising my hand and pinched my own face.

 

Soft and tender.

 

The girl in the mirror, the dress just reaching halfway down the thighs, elegantly slender legs wrapped in white knee-high stockings. The socks stopping just above the knees, leaving a perfect absolute area between them and the little dress.

 

The bow on the round-toe shoes adds a finishing touch, giving the girl in the mirror a hint of elegance and a touch of fantasy.

 

Afterward, I surveyed the room and glanced outside to confirm Yin Xiamo’s absence. Then, I took out my phone and tried taking a few pictures of myself.

 

Next, I took the ribbon and skillfully tied a double ponytail hairstyle, positioning the bows of the two ribbons towards the front, and took a few more photos with my phone.

 

Ah… even without specialized post-processing, these photos look exceptionally cute.

 

Returning to the living room, I went to the kitchen to get some breakfast, sat at the dining table, spent about ten minutes finishing it, and tidied up the tabletop.

 

Then came the routine of washing up and skincare.

 

After completing all this, I returned to the computer desk and opened the “Honeydew Novel” website, entering the author’s backstage.

 

?What’s the title of this novel? Bookmarking it.?

?The setting seems interesting, the author should update more.?

?Paper-folded umbrella gave the author a 500 cat food reward.?

 

Just as the editor mentioned, this book gained a large number of bookmarks within a few days of its launch because its title aligns with the mainstream on the website. After the first day of publication and approval, it received over 30 bookmarks, breaking a hundred on the second day, 150 on the third day, and today it has reached an impressive 280 bookmarks.

 

It’s important to note that this is a new book from a new author without any recommendations or promotional strategies, relying solely on updating a chapter every day and staying in the “Latest Updates” section for a few minutes for exposure.

 

Moreover, it is said that the book has a particularly high follow-up reading rate. If it continues at this pace, the number of bookmarks after being officially published is expected to surpass my previous book with several million words.

 

This makes me marvel at how significant the changes are in this era.

 

?Uncle’s novel has ended. Didn’t any of you read it??

?What? It’s finished? I stopped at 600,000 words and never continued, just left it there.?

?Oh, you’re still not a real reader. 600,000 words don’t cover the content from almost two years ago!?

?I haven’t read it either. Haha, never mind. Anyone up for a game??

?Don’t call him “uncle” anymore. Everyone knows that Nuo’er is a little loli, a legal loli.?

 

Opening my reader group, I found that the people in the group were as carefree as ever. Most members haven’t been reading my books for a long time, and some weren’t even aware that the novel had finished for several days.

 

?By the way, I drew a yuri illustration of Nuo’er and Xiamo. Does anyone want to see it??

?What? An illustration? We have an artist in the group? Show me quickly!?

?I don’t know if I can share it.?

?Cat Girl Nuo’er.jpg?

?Cat Girl Nuo’er, White Stockings – Split.png?

 

What’s this?

 

Seeing this, I instinctively double-clicked on the file on the screen. Then, a picture appeared on the huge computer screen, making my face turn red.

 

“Nuo’er! Little Nuo’er? Haven’t you gotten up yet?”

 

At this moment, accompanied by the sound of the door being opened, Xiao Mo’s teasing voice echoed in the living room, “If you haven’t gotten up by now, get ready to receive my loving hug, okay?”

 

The sudden sound of the door being pushed open startled me, and I almost flung the mouse out.

 

“I’m already up!”

 

After shouting this to the outside, I hastily picked up the mouse, closed the NSFW image on the screen, and then clicked the start button to shut down.

 

“Where did you go?”

 

Because the shoes Xiao Mo bought were new, I hadn’t taken them off after putting them on just now. When I stood up from the computer chair and walked toward the door, the small shoes made a muffled “clatter” sound as they touched the floor. “I was just about to call you…”

 

“Nuo’er is so cute!”

 

Just as Xiao Mo entered the room, she saw my appearance and immediately pounced, hugging me, “How is it? My taste in choosing clothes is excellent, right?”

 

Unable to move in her embrace, I could only respond with a helpless tone, “If you keep buying things like this, one day our money at home will be spent.”

 

“Our money? Wow! Has Nuo’er already accustomed herself to being the little wife of this household?”

 

Yin Xiamo released her hand, her eyes sparkling, “It seems like I’ll have to buy even more adorable clothes in the future!”

 

“No need.”

 

I looked at Yin Xiamo, who was wearing that summer dress and lace ankle socks, and asked, “Where did you go?”

 

“Hmm? Nuo’er, are you worried about me?”

 

“I’m definitely not worried about you!”

 

Almost reflexively, I turned my face away, “Let’s forget it.”

 

“You’re being tsundere.”

 

Yin Xiamo glanced at the kitchen, “Have you had breakfast?”

 

“Yes, I have.”

 

Yin Xiamo pointed to the door, “Then let’s go.”

 

Curious, I asked, “Go where?”

 

“To Moon Orchid Island.”

 

Yin Xiamo took my hand, “I just went to see Mayor Ye, had a brief talk with her, and we agreed to go over today to sign the contract and buy that little island.”

 

“Is it true or not…”

I became even more curious, “Where did you get so much money?”

 

“Some things are priceless.”

 

Yin Xiamo neither confirmed nor denied, “Stop asking. I acquired Mayor Ye through legitimate means. I can get that island without needing money. Now the mayor and that… Natural Resources Bureau? I think that’s what it’s called, the person in charge of this matter, are already downstairs. Nuo’er, just freshen up a bit, and we’ll set off. We’ll visit the island again, then discuss with them, change the name, sign the contract, and finally, we can buy the island.”

 

“The mayor is downstairs?”

 

I was surprised, “Did you go out early in the morning just for this?”

 

“Of course, if we want to buy the island, build a teleportation gate over there, or build our little house, the sooner, the better. Otherwise, it will be inconvenient with workers coming and going every day.”

 

Yin Xiamo noticed my knee-high socks and little shoes, showing a knowing smile, “Looks like the little kitten is quite self-aware!”

 

“I just don’t want the clothes you buy to go to waste!”

 

I defended myself while walking out of the door, “Don’t buy so many clothes in the future, it’s too much to wear.”

 

The girl followed, “Nuo’er can never have too many clothes!”

 

“You can’t wear more than one set a day…”

 

“Not necessarily. For example, with a little dress, Nuo’er can wear a checkered skirt in the morning and a pleated skirt in the evening. As for socks, you can wear white stockings during the day and black stockings at night, or maybe white on the left leg and black on the right…”

 

“You’ve been influenced by anime too much.”

 

“It’s not called influence, it’s called the purest love for Nuo’er!”

 

Went downstairs, followed the small slope outside the apartment building to the back door, crossed the vegetable garden, arrived at the entrance of Starlight Elementary School, and walked a few dozen meters. Yin Xiamo and I reached a small car parked by the roadside.

 

“Have you had breakfast?”

 

From a distance of four or five meters, Mayor Ye Yuqing rolled down the window on the passenger side, “Do you want me to take you to eat something?”

 

“No… no need.”

 

I still felt a bit uncomfortable facing such an exaggerated official position. Subconsciously, I closed my legs, placed both hands in front of my body, and softly said to Mayor Ye Yuqing in the car, “Ye… um, Mayor Ye, good morning!”

 

“Ah, good, good, no need to be so nervous.”

 

Ye Yuqing glanced at me, dressed like a child, “Xiamo must have told you, right? We’ll take a boat to the island later. It’ll probably take twenty to forty minutes.”

 

“Yeah, I know.”

 

I cautiously checked the back seat of the car.

 

“Don’t worry, there’s no one inside. The person who will sign the contract is already waiting for us by the sea.”

 

Ye Yuqing gestured towards the car door, “Come on up.”

 

“Okay… sure.”

 

I walked over, opened the car door with a “click,” and carefully got into the car. It was only then that I realized that getting into the car at my current height was much easier than when I was taller.

 

At that time, “Uncle” needed to bend down as much as possible to get into a taxi, but now I only need to slightly lower my head to get in.

 

“Now that everything is ready, let’s set off.”

 

After Yin Xiamo and I got into the car, Ye Yuqing, who was in the passenger seat, gave the driver a look: “Nanqi Bay, intersection 3.”

 

“Okay.”

 

The car started and headed towards the main road ahead.

 

“I say, Xiao Mo…”

 

As the car was moving, I took advantage of the driver and the mayor in front not paying attention to this side, and slowly approached Yin Xiamo, “Why did you talk to her about this so quickly? There’s no need to be in such a hurry, right?”

 

“Need to.”

 

Yin Xiamo also lowered her voice and said to me, “Let me tell you secretly, a few days ago, I felt the movement of the Black Dragon Princess from the other world. She probably found a way to come over, but hasn’t confirmed the specific coordinates yet. If we’re not prepared and let her land in another city, it’s probably going to be a big mess.”

 

“If we set up a wind vane on the island in advance, she won’t get lost when the time comes.”

 

“Of course, Nuo’er, you also need to be prepared to be mocked by that dragon. After all… the former hero in her eyes was the strongest knight, and now it has become…”

 

“Such a little loli, right?”

 

“……”

 

……