In Fu Hua's mind, that fleeting gray figure reappeared. But as Kiana suddenly leaned in, her breath brushing against Fu Hua's face, Fu Hua instinctively stepped back.
"Kiana?"
Kiana closed in step by step, pinching her chin and staring intently at Fu Hua's face, as if trying to find something unique about it.
"I can't tell… seriously can't tell, you look like you came from the same mold. Can't even spot any difference..."
Her tone was filled with confusion and doubt, beginning to suspect that all people with the surname Fu from Shenzhou might be sharing the same face, otherwise how could they all look so alike.
---------------------------------
Fu Hua didn't know how to answer this question, because she herself didn't understand why they looked so alike. She turned her gaze to Fu Lin, hoping the latter could provide an explanation.
"Y-You have something to say?" Fu Hua finally couldn't help but ask.
Fu Lin kept a straight face, not knowing how to explain it either. Should he say it was assigned by the system?
After a long silence, Fu Lin stared at Fu Hua, and with a hint of shyness and hesitation, called out, "Mom."
"Ahem! What nonsense are you spouting!" Fu Shi clutched her throat, sitting up with a red face in shock. Under Mei's pats on the back, she spat out the grapes and looked at Fu Lin in disbelief.
"So dramatic?"
Σ(っ°Д°;)っ The crowd of bystanders were equally shocked, mouths agape, glancing between Fu Hua, Fu Lin, and Fu Shi.
In their minds, a long soap opera played out, the love and hatred of the Celestial Immortal, who had forgotten her beloved due to memory loss.
Her lover, depressed and heartbroken, died, leaving behind young Fu Lin and another sister to rely on each other. Upon seeing her long-lost mother again, Fu Lin's buried resentment surfaced — perhaps explaining why he cleaned out Fu Hua's vegetable garden.
And Fu Shi? The age doesn't match? Then it must be another tangled love story Fu Hua had while amnesiac (doge face (?＞︿＜))～
Everyone nodded thoughtfully, feeling they were getting closer to the truth, silently patting themselves on the back for their cleverness.
Fu Hua looked at the crowd, her eyes filled with confusion and helplessness. Without realizing it, she had gained a son. She did want answers, but definitely not like this!
Fortunately, Fu Hua couldn't read minds, or else if she heard the imagined drama playing out in everyone's heads, she might just spit blood on the spot.
Fu Hua placed a hand on Fu Lin's shoulder and said solemnly, "Explain this clearly. I…"
Fu Lin scratched her head, took a deep breath, then slowly said, "Your genes flow through my body. Isn't it natural for me to call you mom?"
A look of shock spread across Fu Hua's face. She couldn't believe what she was hearing, but somehow, it all made sense.
Just from how Fu Lin had acted completely normal the next day, Fu Hua had already been suspicious. But she hadn't expected that Otto would actually dare to…
As her thoughts cleared, Fu Hua took a deep breath and glanced at the collar around Fu Lin's neck, her eyes filled with a hint of pity.
Fu Lin blinked in confusion.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked.
Fu Hua replied softly, "You've had a hard time."
Fu Lin looked even more confused. "What did I do? Why say I've had a hard time?"
"Working for Otto must be exhausting. As for the wanted status, don't worry about it. The Principal will protect you…"
Fu Hua didn't respond to the question and just continued speaking, and for a moment, even forgot about Fu Lin stealing from her garden. Her gaze toward Fu Lin had also softened.
"…" What in the world are you imagining?!
Fu Lin took a deep breath, seemingly trying to organize his words. But in the end, he remained silent.
Himeko placed a hand on Fu Hua's shoulder and asked, "Fu Hua, have you figured something out?"
"Mm."
Fu Hua looked at Fu Lin, nodded slightly, then turned and walked into a room. Facing the others who had followed, she pushed up her glasses and said quietly,
"Fu Lin is very likely a clone created by Otto using my genes. His appearance at Chiba Academy, becoming Kiana's classmate, is also most likely part of Otto's plan."
"And the reason Otto did this is most likely to monitor Kiana…"
"So Fu Lin is also a clone~"
Kiana scratched her head, feeling a bit sorry for Fu Lin. But when she heard the latter part, she looked blankly and pointed at herself.
"Wait, monitor me?"
Bronya, expressionless, said calmly, "Idiot Kiana, don't look so surprised. Didn't the class monitor also come to monitor you on the orders of the Schicksal Overseer?"
Kiana suddenly remembered sensing Honkai energy at Fu Lin's house while delivering food. She had thought it was just her imagination, but now it seemed it came from Fu Lin and Sister Shi.
Thinking about it, Kiana was left speechless and could only remain silent, "…"
"If it's to monitor Kiana, then should we really keep him around? Maybe I should tie him up and trade him to Grandpa for money!"
Theresa summoned Judah again, gripping the gleaming golden chains, ready to march outside with eyes full of excitement.
"Wait, Principal." Fu Hua's voice called Theresa to a halt. Her expression was very serious, her eyes full of resolve.
Theresa stopped and turned to Fu Hua, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
"We can't do that. Fu Lin has already betrayed Otto…"
Fu Hua's voice was low and hesitant as she said, "If we send Fu Lin back, it would be like throwing him to the wolves. Otto would very likely…"
Theresa fell silent at those words. She, too, had been created by Otto, and had never forgotten her number, A-310.
And Fu Lin, just like her, had been created by Grandpa, who seemed to care about Fu Lin a lot.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have placed such a high bounty on him.
If Fu Lin were returned, Grandpa might brainwash him and force him back into his service — or worse, treat him like trash and destroy him.
(Fu Shi: I won't let Otto to even touch a hair on Fu Lin! Hmph!!)