Xue Ji used her staff to draw an intricate magic circle on the floor. She gently drew back the curtains, allowing the bright moonlight to flood the room before extinguishing the indoor lights. She lounged leisurely on the sofa and turned on the TV, while Chi Ling sat quietly at the center of the magic circle, awaiting the descent of mystical energy.
“Um… Benefactor,” Ling Xiaoxiao called hesitantly, noticing Xue Ji’s focus on the television.
Xue Ji licked her fingers after eating a potato chip. “Just call me Xue Ji. What’s up?”
“Miss Xue Ji, is this… really safe?”
“Don’t worry. The time hasn’t come yet. Just wait a little longer.”
When the clock struck exactly eight, the silvery moonlight shone perfectly onto the carefully arranged magic circle.
“It’s time. Close your eyes and relax.”
[Breaking News: An important announcement for the nation.]
Xue Ji: “Tell me, who are you?”
Chi Ling: “I am… Ling Xiaoxiao.”
[The spiritual energy revival in Huaguo has begun, marked by the recent incident involving mutated beasts in City A.]
Xue Ji: “Ling Xiaoxiao, why did we meet?”
Chi Ling: “Fate? A destined encounter.”
[Spiritual energy revival refers to the explosive emergence of an energy known as ‘spiritual qi,’ triggering awakenings and evolution in humans and animals. This phenomenon is believed to be a cyclical event on Blue Star, based on last year’s archaeological discoveries.]
Xue Ji: “Our destinies are now intertwined. Your past remains hidden for now. Should we take this moment as a new beginning and let fate flow anew?”
Chi Ling: “Yes. I must first establish myself in this era.”
[Due to historical gaps, we failed to resolve the incident in City A in time. We sincerely apologize to the nation. A series of measures will be implemented within a week, bringing significant changes across society. A new era is upon us.]
Moonlight transformed into liquid energy, merging into Ling Xiaoxiao’s body.
The runes on the magic circle glowed brilliantly, enveloping her.
Under the moonlight, the phantom of a fiery bird gradually materialized, radiating scorching brilliance. The surging energy waves around Ling Xiaoxiao resembled turbulent ocean waves, eventually overwhelming the magic circle’s light.
The fiery bird’s phantom stared intently at Xue Ji, scrutinizing her.
After a long moment, the bird vanished, leaving only a single feather resting in Xue Ji’s palm.
When Xue Ji looked down, her gaze was immediately drawn to the girl on the floor.
Clad in a crimson ruqun dress, with cloud-like hair, a slender waist, snow-white skin, and a flame-like mark between her brows, the girl resembled a celestial being banished from the heavens.
Even Xue Ji, who had seen countless beauties, was momentarily entranced.
That fat bird is actually quite pretty… but that’s all.
Xue Ji tried to help Ling Xiaoxiao up but found herself strangely weakened. Though she had been the weakest in her hero party, her current physical strength seemed even worse than that of an average high school girl. Was the gender swap really this extreme?!
To make matters worse, Ling Xiaoxiao was a full head taller, making the task even more strenuous.
After an exhausting struggle, Xue Ji finally managed to tuck Ling Xiaoxiao into her own bed. Just as she turned to leave, a powerful hand suddenly seized her wrist.
Ling Xiaoxiao gripped her tightly, murmuring in her sleep: “Don’t go… Stay with me… I won’t lock you away again.”
The sheer strength startled Xue Ji. She tried prying Ling Xiaoxiao’s fingers open with her free hand, but it was futile—the more she struggled, the tighter the grip became.
Damn it, what did I ever do to you?! My hand’s about to break!
Xue Ji used both hands, bracing one foot against the bedframe, straining with all her might to break free. In the struggle, she accidentally dragged half of Ling Xiaoxiao’s body off the bed, yet the grip remained unyielding.
Then, her foot slipped.
Both of them tumbled to the floor.
“Enough, you brute of a bird!” Xue Ji snapped, elbowing the person behind her.
Instead of letting go, Ling Xiaoxiao pulled her into a tight embrace. Xue Ji’s right hand was still trapped, her left arm pinned, and her legs entangled. They were now completely locked together.
Ling Xiaoxiao held her firmly but not uncomfortably. Trembling slightly, she nuzzled against Xue Ji’s neck, inhaling her scent. Gradually, the trembling subsided.
Xue Ji’s heartbeat raced until it became unbearable. The overwhelming emotions in the embrace made her forget her resistance. It felt like falling into an abyss—one she was willingly sinking into. Strangely, this mix of reluctance and submission felt familiar.
The night dragged on. Exhaustion weighed on Xue Ji, but Ling Xiaoxiao’s restless hands kept her awake. Even though I’ve gender-swapped, I’m still a guy inside. Why does it feel like I’m the one being taken advantage of?
Ling Xiaoxiao, meanwhile, slept soundly, a slightly lewd smile on her lips.
At the crack of dawn, a rooster’s crow shattered the dreamlike haze.
Ling Xiaoxiao awoke, savoring the soft warmth in her arms—the girl curled up like a pliant kitten.
Then, reality set in.
Seeing Xue Ji in her disheveled short-sleeved pajamas, Ling Xiaoxiao realized how terribly she had behaved last night. Though inwardly thrilled, she feigned remorse.
She transformed back into a crimson bird, pretending to panic.
“What do I do? My benefactor took me in, helped me regain human form, and I repaid her like this… Should I run? Maybe return later with compensation? No, no, that’d make me no better than a scoundrel. I must take responsibility!”
The weight on Xue Ji vanished. Groggily waking up from a night on the floor, she stretched—only to find the plump bird standing stiffly beside her.
“Miss Xue Ji, I—I’ll take responsibility,” the bird stammered, visibly relieved after saying it.
Memories of last night’s torment flooded back. Xue Ji glared. “Damn right you will! You nearly crushed my hand!”
“Ah! I—I—It’s all my fault! I’ll treat you properly from now on!” Ling Xiaoxiao’s guilt deepened.
“You kept me up all night! You think a few words will make up for it?!” (Referring to being unable to sleep.)
Ling Xiaoxiao’s shame intensified. After a pause, she declared solemnly: “Then… I’ll marry you today.” She transformed back, clasping Xue Ji’s hands, her eyes brimming with hope and greed, cheeks flushed crimson.
Xue Ji blinked, baffled. An ancient woman is proposing to me? This is too weird.
After a delayed realization, Xue Ji facepalmed. We were having two different conversations!
“Uh, that’s not what I meant,” she hurriedly clarified.
“You… look down on me?” Ling Xiaoxiao’s expression fell, though a fleeting ruthlessness flashed in her eyes. “It’s fine. I won’t interfere if you have someone else.”
Xue Ji cringed hard. “Stop. Let me explain.”
After a lengthy clarification, Ling Xiaoxiao turned beet red, reverting to her bird form in embarrassment.
Xue Ji, equally awkward, dropped the subject. Once she left, Ling Xiaoxiao smirked, a triumphant gleam in her eyes. She inhaled the lingering fragrance on her hands, watching Xue Ji’s retreating figure.
‘Xue’er… After 1,366 years, you’ve returned to me. This time, I’ll…’
A memory surfaced—of a weeping, broken girl. The image snapped Ling Xiaoxiao out of her possessive daze, clearing her mind.
‘Let me stay by your side. This time, I won’t hurt you again.’
……
After lunch, Xue Ji turned on the TV.
[The new semester approaches. The first large-scale awakening of supernatural abilities will commence in high schools. The process is now fully stabilized—participating students need not worry.]
Xue Ji frowned.
If she remembered correctly, she was a third-year high school student. Classes would resume in a few days.
But in her current state… how could she possibly go back?
As she agonized, her parents called. Staring at the familiar-yet-unfamiliar number, she hesitated. How do I explain this? Will they even believe me?