It was an unbelievable—no, an almost unreal—scene.
The same Bai Ming who had been acting unserious and scatterbrained just moments ago had now transformed into a calm, big-sister-like figure.
She was gently patting Wen Shiling's back as the girl sobbed in her arms, softly rocking her and murmuring, "Don't cry, don't cry, big sister's here."
she really was coaxing a child.
She could actually do this?
Asta stared at Bai Ming as if she'd just discovered a new star through her telescope. The sight was so unexpected that she simply stood there, quietly amazed.
Meanwhile, Bai Ming didn't notice Asta's surprised gaze. Her attention was completely on the little girl in her arms.
"There, there… Big sister's right here," she whispered in a singsong tone. "Little one you are the best girl~"
Her words, paired with gentle pats, carried a comforting rhythm.
Thankfully, Bai Ming looked young enough that the scene didn't resemble a mother consoling her daughter—just a slightly clumsy but kind older sister soothing a child.
And it worked.
Under Bai Ming's coaxing, Wen Shiling's cries slowly quieted. Eventually, she clung to Bai Ming's shoulder, truly treating her like a sister. Bai Ming's long gray hair brushed against Wen Shiling's hands, and when their foreheads touched, the little girl even let out a small giggle.
Watching this heartwarming moment, Asta felt something warm stir in her chest.
But before she could say anything, Bai Ming turned around—her big-sister image immediately shattering.
"Director! Look! I can comfort kids!" she announced proudly.
Asta blinked, momentarily speechless, before offering a small, awkward applause.
"Uh… yes, that's quite impressive."
"Hehe, I think so too!" Bai Ming grinned ear to ear. "I'll perform for March next time! She'll definitely praise me!"
"…Probably," Asta muttered under her breath, though given Bai Ming's earlier success, it wasn't impossible.
Turning her gaze back to the girl, Bai Ming gently brushed aside Wen Shiling's messy bangs. Her voice softened again.
"Alright, no more crying. Good girls don't cry, right?"
"Mm…" Wen Shiling nodded, sniffling.
"Now, tell big sister what's wrong," Bai Ming said warmly. "Maybe I can help you solve it."
"Huh?" Wen Shiling blinked, then looked up at Bai Ming's cheerful, toothy smile. The genuine kindness in that smile made her trust Bai Ming instantly.
"Mhm! I… I will!" she said, but her face quickly turned pitiful again. "Big sister, what should I do…"
"You have to say what's wrong before I can help you!" Bai Ming reminded her, half playfully.
"It's…" Wen Shiling pointed toward the other end of the passageway. "They said there are monsters in the Containment Zone too… but the gift for Bo Shao is still in the Applied Sciences Department's analysis room…"
"Oh, I see." Bai Ming nodded thoughtfully. "So you want to go get it, but you can't?"
"Mhm!" Wen Shiling nodded hard.
Bai Ming was just about to reply when the anxious-looking boy nearby—Adler—spoke up instead.
"I'm telling you, there are dozens of monsters attacking the station this time!" Adler said, hands on his hips. "Some of them are new creations not even in the station's database—"
Clearly, he was trying to warn her how dangerous it was.
But to Wen Shiling, his words were like a switch.
"Waaaah—! Adler, you're so mean! I don't wanna hear that!" she wailed, bursting into tears again.
Adler, however, didn't stop. "Geez, how old are you? Still crying like a baby?" he said, rolling his eyes. "Fine, I'll pretend to be a monster for you!"
He raised his hands like claws and started growling exaggeratedly. "Grrr—GRRRR—!"
It would've been better if he hadn't done anything at all.
Because the moment he did, Wen Shiling's wails grew even louder.
"WAAAAAAH!"
The entire area descended into chaos.
Blue veins appeared on Bai Ming's forehead with each rising pitch of the cry.
Finally, when Adler tried to "roar" a third time, Bai Ming could take no more.
She turned to Asta, holding out the still-crying Wen Shiling.
"Director hold her for a second."
"Huh?" Asta blinked but nodded. "Alright, sure."
The moment her hands were free, Bai Ming marched straight toward Adler.
"W-wait, what are you doing?!" Adler stammered, stepping back.
Bai Ming didn't respond. She just kept walking—then raised her hand high in a chopping motion and brought it down fast.
Adler froze and yelped, throwing up his arms to protect himself.
But… nothing happened.
No pain. Not even a touch.
He peeked through his arms—and his face turned pale.
Bai Ming's hand had stopped just inches from his head.
Her golden eyes were cold, serious, and utterly devoid of the warmth they'd held a moment ago.
"Understand now?" she asked flatly.
"U-understand what…?" Adler stammered.
"Don't keep bringing up things other people don't want to hear," Bai Ming said, her voice firm. "You wouldn't like it if I kept trying to scare you, right?"
"..."
Asta, watching from the side, exhaled in relief. She'd thought Bai Ming was about to hit the poor boy—but it turned out she was just teaching him.
Empathy—taught in the most direct way possible.
Adler quickly nodded, sweating. "S-sorry! I didn't mean to… It's just—she kept crying, and it was getting annoying!"
"Then find a way to make her stop crying," Bai Ming said bluntly.
"A way to make her stop crying?" he repeated.
"Exactly!" Bai Ming put her hands on her hips, confidence returning to her tone. "I'll just go get that thing back myself. Problem solved, right?"
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A/n: While I am a new translator, I have a Patreon! While it may be a bit empty right now both this and the other book on my page has advanced chapters posted on patreon.
patreon.com/deadlygoober