"Could it be..."


    Lin Da raised an eyebrow and said, "You all stay behind, let''s see together what this gift really is."


    "Uh, okay, sure." Aiko''s smile was somewhat forced.


    The four of them formed a circle.


    Lin Da slowly untied the ribbon bow on top of the gift box.


    Bang!


    A thick cloud of smoke burst out from inside, causing Lin Da and the others to cough profusely.


    "Everyone, be careful, it would be bad if it were poisonous!"


    As Lin Da said this, a stone from within the gift box projected a three-dimensional holographic figure.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    It was a pink-haired girl wearing ck hollowed-out battle armor, with a spade-shaped tail raised proudly.


    The girl waszily seated on a stone throne with her legs crossed, her full, fair thighs and bare feet were visible, with her toes painted an enticing red.


    "Be careful of poison... that''s what Lin Da would probably say, right? But unfortunately, there''s no poison, just smoke to scare people!"


    Selin''s annoyingly coyughter rang out.


    Lin Da and his party were stunned, feeling both annoyed and bemused.


    This kind of personality, that enjoyed ying pranks on others, was indeed very much like Lin Xi.


    "It''s really her!" Lia eximed, pointing at the holographic Selin: "The one with sses was disguised! If I had known, I would have finished her off and defeated her!"


    Lulu snorted, "Level 27, fighting against a Moon Rank?"


    "Um..." Lia wanted to argue, but was left speechless.


    "How could Lin Xi''s little sister have turned out like this?" Aiko asked in surprise, looking at Lin Da, "Did you know about this already?"


    "Yes. But that Miss Lin was Lin Xi, I only just found out too."


    This visit from his sister had left Lin Da both angry and somewhat happy. Angry that his sister was disrespecting her elder brother, but happy that she had notpletely fallen from grace.


    If she had already sumbed to the Demon King, a Moon Ranking to the promotion party would definitely have ughtered the adventurers en masse.


    But she didn''t do that.


    The holographic Selinzily propped her chin with her hand, issuing amand like an arrogant queen to her subjects:


    "Lin Da, Lia, and the other members of Snow Goose, if you surrender, I can ensure you won''t be destroyed by His Majesty the Demon King. I advise you to think it over before you reach the 20th floor, whether to be corpses or pledge allegiance to His Majesty the Demon King... hehehehe."


    As Selin''s proudughter faded, the hologram disappeared.


    Lia said nkly, "Lin Xi has gone bad."


    "Yes," Lin Da sighed, "I must defeat her and bring her back to her old self."


    "Don''t worry, this miss will help you," Lia said confidently.


    "Thank you very much for that."


    Lin Da did not refuse. If Snow Goose could reach the 20th floor, their strength would be of great help to him.


    "I''ll be leaving first, you guys take your time to chat." Aiko tried to sneak away quietly.


    "Wait a minute."


    As Aiko was about to get away, a hand was ced on her shoulder.


    "What, what''s up? There should be nothing to do with me now, right?"


    Aiko''s forehead broke out in a sweat, running down like a small waterfall.


    "I mean no offense, I just wanted to ask..." Lin Da stared intently at Aiko, "why did you ''poison'' the chicken soup?"


    "No, there''s no such thing," Aiko said in panic, "it could have been someone from the Specter Adventure Group framing you."


    "Impossible," Lin Da shook his head, "Considering the speed at which the Chunyang Flower took effect... If it had been someone from Specters who poisoned me, I would have shown symptoms at the party. Since then, there''s only been one thing I''ve eaten."


    "That is, the chicken soup you cooked."


    "Aiko, there''s no point in denying it. All we need to do is check your lunch box, and the truth will be revealed."


    Lin Da said calmly.


    "What? You poisoned Lin Da? Why would you do such a thing?" Lia looked at Aiko in shock.


    Lulu also wore an unfriendly expression; her beast w flicked out in a sh. If it hadn''t been for Lin Da holding her back, letting Aiko have the chance to exin, that w would have been scratching at Aiko''s face.


    "Wuuu, don''t look at me with those eyes. I''m not your enemy," Aiko said again,unching into her fake crying skills, wiping away tears.


    Lin Da was not softened, "If you can''t provide a reasonable exnation, Aiko, even you will not be forgiven. What if Lulu hadn''te? What if, in Monica''s room, I had not been able to hold on to thatst shred of sanity..."


    He didn''t finish the rest.


    Enjoy new adventures from empire


    But everyone knew what the consequences would be.


    Monica, Lia, Aiko, all three of them, would be torn apart by Lin Da!


    Aiko reaping what she sowed was one thing.


    But the other two were victims.


    Although Lulu had helped Lin Da through tough times, this did not mean that Aiko''s wrongdoing could be excused.


    Lin Da needed Aiko to give a convincing reason.


    "I believe in Aiko," Lia said, exceptionally taking Aiko''s side and speaking out for her, "Although she''s not always great, I know she''s not a bad person. Aiko, quickly tell Lin Da the real reason you did this!"


    Faced with Lia''s trusting gaze, Aiko felt a wave of shame.


    This powder keg... was really too naive!


    Aiko had always treated Lia as a simple stepping stone


    But unexpectedly, Lia trusted her so much.


    Aiko felt a bit moved.


    But how could she exin to Lin Da?


    She had wanted to use the chicken soup to defeat Lin Da and make him her captive.


    This ''real reason'' definitely could not be revealed.


    If she spoke the truth, Lin Da, Lulu, and Lia would not let her go.


    So, she had to resort to a ''lie.''


    A lie that was most logical and would certainly not be seen through.


    Supporting herself at her chest, Aiko put on the expression of someone on the verge of tears; two drops of tears fell from her eyes as she said with a whimper:


    "Lin Da, don''t you understand why I did this?"


    Lin Da shook his head, "I wouldn''t be asking you if I understood."


    "Do I have to say it out loud?"


    "Yes. Otherwise, I will not forgive you."


    Hearing Lin Da''s almost heartless words, Aiko''s face grew even paler.


    She clenched her fists, the nails painfully digging into her palms.


    Facing Lin Da''s perplexed gaze, Aiko''s mouth felt dry, her throat as if blocked by a foreign object.


    Normally glib with lies, she was, at this moment, somewhat disconcerted.


    Aiko took a deep breath and slowly said:


    "Because..."


    "I like you."