Restricted Fantasy I Chapter 183: Seeing Through

"Buzz..."

"Shiyu, you head ho first. I'm going to drop Xiao Huan off and then head over to the company."

In Kyogo Ward, in front of the Ye Residence.

Even after arriving ho, Ye Lan didn't go inside to rest. Instead, she changed into a crisp suit, returned to the black electric car, and gave Ye Shiyu—who had just stepped out—a few instructions.

"I've contacted our private doctor to co and check on you later. Rest at ho and read a book."

"...Okay, Mom."

Only after hearing her daughter's reply did Ye Lan turn around and get back into the car.

But this ti, she didn't sit in the front passenger seat. Instead, she climbed into the back seat next to Yan Huan.

"Thud."

The car door closed, and Ye Lan spoke to the driver up front.

"Head to the South District, Aina Public Housing Building A."

"Understood, President Ye."

The electric car started silently. Yan Huan couldn't help but turn his head to look at Ye Lan, who was leaning against the window and gazing at the passing scenery.

After a second of silence, he asked,

"Aunt Ye, aren't you going to rest for a bit?"

"Ah, I've been quite busy lately. I'll take a quick nap at the company this afternoon..."

Hearing Yan Huan's voice, Ye Lan snapped out of her daze. She shifted her gaze toward him and smiled.

"Speaking of which, Xiao Huan, there's sothing I want to talk to you about."

"...Go ahead, Aunt Ye."

In truth, the mont Ye Lan had joined him in the back seat, Yan Huan knew she had sothing to discuss. He was naturally prepared for this.

"Xiao Huan, what do you think of Shiyu?"

"What do I think... Well, her personality is a bit strange and withdrawn, but overall, she's very kind..."

"I want to hear the truth, Xiao Huan."

Ye Lan stared straight at Yan Huan. She paused for a second before continuing,

"You actually knew about Shiyu sneaking into your room at night a long ti ago, didn't you?"

This sudden turn of events caught Yan Huan off guard. Perhaps it was because he hadn't worn his mask at the ti, leaving a flaw in his perfect expression?

But before Yan Huan could react, Ye Lan explained,

"I accidentally let it slip this morning. I was too anxious to think much of it at the ti, but after calming down, I realized your reaction was far too calm..."

"I don't believe that you are as abnormal as Shiyu and actually enjoy that sort of thing. But if you are a normal person, even if Shiyu only told you about it last night, you shouldn't have been completely unfazed.

"So the only possibility is that you've known for a long ti—both about Shiyu's abnormal feelings for you and her actions toward you."

As expected, despite Ye Lan's usually approachable deanor around Yan Huan, her sharp gaze could see through these twists and turns at a single glance.

Since things had reached this point, Yan Huan naturally had no reason to deny it anymore. He nodded.

"Yes, Aunt Ye. I already knew about Sister Shiyu's situation."

"Then why? I don't think you enjoy it, nor do I think you're enduring such humiliation just because you covet our family's wealth."

Yan Huan wasn't sure if Ye Lan was asking why he pretended not to know, or why he hadn't run away yet.

However, the answer was the sa either way.

The main reason, of course, was the Modifier, but there was absolutely no way he could tell Ye Lan about that.

As for other reasons, aside from Ye Lan herself, Yan Huan really couldn't think of why else he hadn't just called the police.

After pondering for a mont, Yan Huan finally spoke.

"Aunt Ye, if I only knew that Sister Shiyu was like this, I definitely wouldn't have stayed.

"But I also know that you've been secretly trying to correct her behavior all along."

Hearing this, Ye Lan couldn't help but look at Yan Huan in surprise. Clearly, he knew more than she thought.

"Aunt Ye, you truly treat

as family. You are so good to both

and Sister Shiyu.

"So, in return, I want to try and help you both. I want to help her beco normal."

As he spoke, the words Ye Shiyu had said to him last night resurfaced in his mind. He hesitated for a mont but still continued.

"Besides, I don't think Sister Shiyu is completely hopeless. She knows she isn't normal, and she wants to change.

"Plus, I'm a guy and she's a girl. No matter what, um, it shouldn't be too seri—"

Before he could finish, Ye Lan swallowed hard, reached out to grip his shoulder, and softly warned him.

"Xiao Huan, Shiyu studied martial arts for many years. So... you really shouldn't underestimate what she's capable of."

"..."

'Aunt Ye, you really didn't need to remind

of that!!'

Honestly, Yan Huan lacked confidence even as he said those last words.

If it weren't for comforting Ye Lan, he absolutely never would have said that.

After all, he knew better than anyone just how terrifying Ye Shiyu was.

Standing before him was the Zero-Fra Activating, Unapologetically Ruthless, Terrifying Hypnosis Domain Master, Wing Chun Master Ye.

But having reached this point, Ye Lan finally understood in her heart that the only reason Yan Huan hadn't run away yet was entirely because of her.

She couldn't help but sigh, rubbing her temples with a massive headache as she spoke in distress.

"It's all my fault, Xiao Huan.

"Shiyu never really interacted with outsiders before. I originally brought you back hoping it would encourage her to step out of her room and stop spending all day with her dolls. Who knew...

"It's my first ti being a mother, too. I don't know where I went wrong for her to turn out like this."

As Ye Lan spoke, her eye sockets reddened.

Clearly, in the face of Ye Shiyu's incorrigible behavior, she no longer knew what to do.

She could already foresee that if things continued this way, her daughter would sooner or later commit a grave error and end up behind bars operating a prison sewing machine.

Ye Lan rely wanted her daughter to be as normal as other children; she didn't even demand that she be particularly excellent.

Yet, the result was the exact opposite.

In all other aspects, Ye Shiyu excelled at everything.

From studying to martial arts, she could do it all, and she did it all perfectly.

But when it ca to her personality, she was only becoming more strange and increasingly terrifying.

If she weren't her own daughter, Ye Lan would sotis feel that Ye Shiyu possessed an aura that even she found frightening.

"I don't know what's gotten into her lately. Aside from reacting to you and , she acts like a wooden puppet the rest of the ti...

"Especially earlier at the hospital. When she was about to resort to violence against Bai Yi's mother, I truly felt like she was an emotionless monster.

"Even before we ca to Linn, she wasn't this bad."

Seeing Ye Lan wiping teardrops from the corners of her eyes left a bitter taste in Yan Huan's mouth. He reached out to the driver in front and asked for a tissue.

"Aunt Ye, here."

"Thank you, Xiao Huan..."

Taking the tissue from Yan Huan, Ye Lan wiped away her tears in anguish.

In truth, Yan Huan shared the sa sentint. In the beginning, Ye Shiyu hadn't given him such a massive sense of oppression. Even when using her Hypnosis on him, she would still display all sorts of little quirks.

Hmm...

She would even pout the exact sa way Ye Lan did.

But now? She maintained a completely blank expression while ruthlessly pursuing her targets, acting like a cold-blooded emotional black hole. Who wouldn't be afraid of that?

It was only last night that Ye Shiyu had ward up a bit, seemingly returning to how she used to be.

Why exactly was...

Wait.

Just as Ye Lan was wiping her tears in total bewildernt, Yan Huan suddenly realized sothing.

Yesterday, Ye Shiyu's phone had seemingly been malfunctioning the entire ti.

Yan Huan had always thought it was the effect of An Le's Modifier that made Ye Shiyu act more adorable, but was it possible that her reaction was actually related to her Modifier's malfunction?

He abruptly recalled sothing Myau-chan had told him before, sothing he had completely overlooked.

In the darkness, Myau-chan's divine eyes seed to stare straight at him.

Its voice was distant, echoing loudly like a large bell.

"Using those Modifiers cos with a heavy price, Yan Huan."

Cold sweat broke out on Yan Huan's back. His throat bobbed as a realization hit him, though he couldn't be entirely certain yet.

As Ye Lan took Yan Huan's tissue to wipe her tears, it seed as though the more she wiped, the more tears fell.

"It's all my fault. I was too busy with work when Shiyu was little. Now that I finally have the ti, I can no longer change her..."

"Aunt Ye, don't say that. There's still a chance."

Weeping beautifully, Ye Lan looked at Yan Huan and said,

"Xiao Huan, I know you an well, but recently, Elvira from the Golden Lion Group has arrived in Linn.

"The Golden Lion Group is Ye International's biggest rival in Linn. I am truly, incredibly busy right now.

"I simply don't have the ti to keep an eye on Shiyu lately. So... either I have Shiyu take a temporary leave from school, or Xiao Huan, it would be best if you stayed far away from her."

Yan Huan pondered his recent discovery regarding the Modifier. After hesitating for a mont, he said,

"Auntie, maybe... I can help Sister Shiyu."

"But, during this ti..."

He rubbed the space between his eyebrows. It was difficult to explain the situation to her because of the Modifier.

"Don't worry, Aunt Ye. Next week is the ten-day training camp. The locations for first-year and second-year students are completely different, so there's no way we'll end up in the sa place."

Ye Lan thought for a mont, calculating the tiline.

"In other words, even without , Shiyu shouldn't be able to do anything to you for the next half a month."

Yan Huan nodded and said calmly,

"Exactly. So... you don't need to worry about

for now, Aunt Ye.

"Besides, when Sister Shiyu was unconscious last night, she shared a lot of her true thoughts with .

"I might actually be able to help her."

Hearing this, Ye Lan pursed her lips before suddenly wrapping her arms around Yan Huan in a tight hug.

Feeling her trembling body and her chin resting on his shoulder, Yan Huan stiffened slightly, but he still reached out and patted her back.

"Xiao Huan, thank you..."

"It's nothing, Aunt Ye."

"I will try to work hard together with you to help her return to normal. But I don't want this matter to affect your own life, or your own romantic relationships..."

As he listened, Yan Huan froze slightly.

"My romantic relationships?"

Ye Lan released him, looking puzzled.

"Yes, during the Club Battle Finals, weren't you with Elvira's daughter, that little Spencer..."

"Aunt Ye, about that..."

Yan Huan blinked, looking thoroughly embarrassed. 'Aunt Ye, please don't ever say these things in front of Ye Shiyu,' he thought to himself.

'Otherwise, it would be a total disaster if she exploded before I even had the chance to do anything.'

"Xiao Huan, I will do my best to resolve my work issues during this ti. It will be over before your end of term exams. Once sumr vacation starts, I will dedicate all my energy to dealing with Shiyu."

Seeing his reaction, Ye Lan instantly understood and didn't press the matter further, deftly changing the subject.

"So until then, I'll temporarily entrust Shiyu to you, Xiao Huan. If there are any problems whatsoever, tell

imdiately." "Understood, Aunt Ye."

Having discussed things up to this point, Yan Huan had finally cleared the air with Ye Lan, and the two had reached a solid consensus.

Before, Yan Huan and Ye Lan were a secret alliance at best. Now, they stood firmly on the sa side, completely determined to work together to correct Ye Shiyu's personality.

"..."

Before long, Ye Lan had dropped Yan Huan off outside his public housing building.

"Xiao Huan, Auntie will be taking her leave now."

"Aunt Ye, make sure you get so rest."

Watching Ye Lan's car depart, the smile on Yan Huan's face faded slightly. As he walked upstairs, he called out,

"Myau-chan."

"ow?"

On his shoulder, Myau-chan materialized like a phantom, looking at Yan Huan.

"You ntioned before that there's a price when a host uses a Modifier. What exactly did you an by that?"

"Exactly what it sounds like, ow."

Myau-chan flicked its tail, speaking cutely,

"Modifiers have no emotions, no intelligence, only instinct. In their eyes, the host is nothing more than a tool to achieve their goals.

"Activating such powerful superpowers is often accompanied by unknown consequences, and there is no way the Modifier will bear those consequences."

Drawing connections to Spencer's case, Yan Huan speculated,

"Is it like with Spencer? The price for her Modifier is becoming annoying to others..."

"It would be nice if the so-called price was always that minor, ow."

Hearing this, Yan Huan frowned. He turned his head, locking eyes with Myau-chan's erald-green gaze.

"Yan Huan, the more the Modifier is used, the more severe the consequences will beco, ow."

"..."

At this mont, Yan Huan paused right in front of his door.

Everything was dead silent.

In the afternoon, at the entrance of Baihe Cancer Hospital in the Luoqiao District.

An Le had changed into a pretty white gauze dress layered with a beige cardigan sweater. She stood reservedly by the side of the street, seemingly waiting for soone to arrive.

Behind her, a faint bustling noise drifted out from the clusters of old, tall buildings.

Quite a few staff mbers from Golden Lion Entertainnt and television reporters were already waiting at the entrance, discussing venue arrangents and other details with the hospital authorities.

"No, Director Chen, we agreed beforehand that there would be a stage..."

"The thing is, it's like this. A few patient family mbers heard about the event and refused to cooperate. They felt it was inappropriate to set things up this way, and they've been filing complaints for days."

Director Chen, wearing spectacles, negotiated with the visibly displeased Golden Lion Entertainnt staff. It seed he had changed his mind at the last minute.

"So, see if we can do this: we'll clear out the activity room. Whoever wants to attend in person can co, and those who don't can just watch the broadcast."

"How can we do that? What about our television station interviews? If no one shows up, are our artists supposed to sing to an empty room? We won't even be able to get any group photos with the patients..."

"..."

anwhile, a black sedan car was steadily approaching the hospital. Inside, Jiang Xiong, who was driving, listened to Bai Yi nagging from the back seat.

"Ugh, I originally invited Yan Huan to co alone, but who would've guessed..."

"Who would've guessed he'd invite another girl to co along?"

Hearing this, Bai Yi imdiately sat up and complained indignantly,

"And she's not just any girl! She's his childhood sweetheart!!"

"Childhood sweetheart?"

"Yeah, exactly! It's this day and age, having a childhood sweetheart or whatever is seriously weird, right? And, she's not even a normal childhood sweetheart!"

Bai Yi puffed her cheeks in anger and waved her delicate fists around. One could easily imagine just how infuriated she was.

"They... They actually slept together when they were little! They have absolutely no sha!"

Jiang Xiong was completely speechless. Glancing into the rearview mirror, he said,

"Didn't you just say they were really little? Kids don't understand that sort of thing."

"But what if... what if that An Le matured early?"

"...That would be way too early!"

Jiang Xiong helplessly turned his head slightly to look back. "If you ask , you're just being jealous."

"Am not."

"Heh heh."

Just as Jiang Xiong was about to turn into the hospital, he caught sight of the young girl standing at the entrance, looking at her phone.

"Yiyi, look at that girl over there. Is she the An Le you were talking about?"

"Huh?"

Bai Yi turned to look out the window. She imdiately ducked down, nodding with intense resentnt.

"Yes, that's her!"

"So, what's the plan? Should we pick her up and go in together?"

"No way!"

Jiang Xiong smiled faintly, perfectly hitting Bai Yi's weak spot as he said,

"If you don't take her inside with us, then she'll just wait here to et up with Yan Huan, and they'll go in together, chatting and laughing the whole way."

"..."

The mont Jiang Xiong finished his sentence, Bai Yi silently rolled down the rear car window.

"An Le!"

"Yes!"

The instant she heard soone call out to her, An Le instinctively stood a bit straighter.

Then, she began looking around in all directions, trying to find who had called her.

After scanning the area, she finally spotted a beaming Bai Yi sitting in the back seat of a car parked on the nearby road.

"Classmate Bai Yi..."

"It's ! You got here so early?"

"Ah, because my family lives right here in the Luoqiao District, so..."

But before An Le could finish explaining, Bai Yi smiled and extended an invitation,

"Co inside with

first. We can just wait for Yan Huan in the backstage area."

Hearing this, An Le blinked, then nodded in agreent.

"Okay."

As soon as she got into the car and sat down next to Bai Yi in the back, she greeted Jiang Xiong as well.

"Hello, sir."

"Ah, hello there."

Jiang Xiong smiled slightly, then drove forward, entering the cancer hospital.

The mont An Le sat beside her, her gaze secretly fell upon Bai Yi, which inexplicably caused Bai Yi to feel a sense of discomfort.

It felt exactly like a highly venomous cobra was staring at her, flicking its tongue.

She frowned and turned her head to look at An Le, only to see the harmless, shy little white rabbit that was An Le.

"..."

Seemingly feeling embarrassed by Bai Yi's stare, An Le pursed her lips and initiated a conversation.

"Um, Classmate Bai Yi, how did you and Xiao Huan et?"

Oh?

This little white rabbit was actually asking such a direct question?

Bai Yi was sowhat surprised, but she still smiled and replied,

"Actually, Yan Huan is a music fan of mine. But I rarely went to school last sester, so we only started contacting each other this sester."

"A music fan?"

An Le blinked, reminiscing about when they were children.

Back then at the milk tea shop, she had only claid Yan Huan was her fan to prove how close they were.

After all, Xiao Huan had always had very strange aesthetic tastes since he was little.

When she wore completely unstylish, plain clothes that her mother and father rated as a zero, only Yan Huan thought it was a solid seven or eight out of a perfect score of ten.

When she sang during the New Year, her mom and dad just found it funny, but only Yan Huan genuinely thought she sounded nice.

An Le had rembered this detail up until now.

And now, Bai Yi was also claiming that Xiao Huan was her music fan.

Could it be... that the reason Bai Yi reacted earlier was because of this?

"..."

While An Le was secretly deducing whether Bai Yi had superpowers, Bai Yi turned to her and suddenly asked,

"By the way, An Le, where did you and Yan Huan say you were eting up again?"

"We didn't specify exactly. We just said we'd et at the hospital. He'll probably ask once he arrives..."

"Oh~"

Bai Yi pulled out her phone, smiling.

"What a coincidence, sa for ."

"I see..."

"Sigh, I wonder who he'll contact first to ask?"

An Le, who had just unlocked her phone to check her ssages, froze montarily upon hearing Bai Yi's words.

That's right. Neither of them had told Yan Huan the exact etup spot.

So wouldn't that an whoever Yan Huan ssaged first would show who he cared about more?

"..."

Hearing Bai Yi's seemingly casual question, An Le turned her head to look at her smiling face.

After staring directly at her for several seconds, An Le unlocked her phone, turned the screen toward Bai Yi, and said in a soft voice,

"Um... Xiao Huan seems to be asking where I am? How should I reply to him, Classmate Bai?"

anwhile, Bai Yi, clutching her Plane app which showed absolutely no new notifications, felt her smile suddenly stiffen.

Imdiately after, she stared at An Le's phone screen in utter disbelief.