Chapter 72: You’re Starved for Love

What is a home?

When Tang Yunle was a child, she thought that a home was a house of a moderate size, with a father and a mother, a younger brother and a younger sister, and herself. Although life was poor, it was happy.

After she had grown up, before she had met Qin Liang, and before she had transmigrated, Tang Yunle thought that a home was a frame that she could barely maintain by patching it up.

In the small rental unit, there were endless quarrels, endless talk of money, endless cigarettes, and endless tears.

The cold war between her parents made the air so oppressive that it was suffocating.

And for the current Tang Yunle, who had transmigrated to a parallel world and had been gender-bent into a female pet, a solemn father, a gentle mother, a considerate younger sister, and a cheerful younger brother.

The family in this world was so good that she didn’t even dare to have such a beautiful dream.

As soon as they stepped into the house, she and Qin Liang were warmly welcomed. Some carried their luggage, some offered their condolences. Tang Mingnuo even pulled out a confetti popper from somewhere and “banged” it into the air.

The two of them were ushered to a soft sofa, sitting shoulder to shoulder, a little uncomfortable.

Tang’s mother enthusiastically poured a cup of tea for Qin Liang.

Qin Liang said his thanks and was about to pick up the cup to drink, but he found that his left hand was being held tightly by a small, fair hand.

He turned his head and saw that the girl’s fingertips were sweating. The cold sensation spread from their clasped palms. There was a thin layer of sweat on her exquisite forehead.

She looked around this familiar yet strange home, but every time she met her family’s gaze, she would guiltily look away.

She was more nervous than he was.

The young man with ice-blue pupils thought to himself.

“Brother-in-law, want to play a game?”

Tang Mingnuo, who was nearly 1.8 meters tall, came over with a game controller, his face full of encouragement and anticipation.

“Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It’s super fun.”

Qin Liang waved his hand and declined.

Compared to games, Tang Yunle needed him by her side even more now.

Tang Mingnuo returned in high spirits and left in disappointment. Qin Liang turned to the side, leaned close to the girl’s ear, and said in a low voice.

“Don’t worry, I’m with you.”

“Thank you.”

Tang Yunle turned her head and smiled.

The right hand that had been tightly clutching the young man’s left hand slightly loosened.

“Wow~ sis, brother-in-law, you’re so in love and so sweet!”

“You’re even whispering in each other’s ears.”

At this moment, a long-haired girl with black hair suddenly poked her head over, cupped her face in her hands, her eyes full of amazement and envy.

She was wearing a light purple knitted sweater, with a small bow in her hair. Although her features were somewhat similar to Tang Yunle’s, they had a completely different playful and lively air.

—Tang Yunke

She was also Tang Yunle’s family in this world. Although her appearance was similar, her looks were a few grades lower. But she could still be considered a little beauty.

“Is… is there?” Tang Yunle blushed and stammered a little.

“Of course there is. If not, why are you blushing, sis?”

“Ahem, um… quickly tell me about what’s been happening at home these past few years. And Mom and Dad, tell me about them in detail.”

“Sis, why are you asking that?”

“Just tell me when I tell you. I’ll ask, and you’ll answer. Just think of it as your big sister testing your obedience as a female pet.”

“Alright…”

Then, Tang Yunke began to recount. In the middle, Tang Yunle would constantly ask questions. Although she was confused as to why her sister was asking about these basic family matters, thinking that it might be a test, she still answered obediently.

And so, with one question and one answer, a few hours passed. Tang Yunle, who had learned a lot of information, her eyes lit up.

She understood why the family in this world was so harmonious and loving.

In the original world, Tang’s mother had been caught by Tang’s father having an affair with her first love. Since then, Tang’s father had been dejected, indulging in gambling and alcohol. He had lost his job and his house. The whole family had been forced to squeeze into a rental unit, and the family relationship had fallen apart.

This twisted marriage had deeply affected Tang Mingnuo and Tang Yunke, who were still in elementary school at the time. One had become timid and self-abasing, while the other had been led astray by online trends and had developed bad values.

But in this female pet world, the basis for all this did not exist.

As a female pet with no autonomy, Tang’s mother’s survival was completely dependent on Tang’s father. Naturally, there was no talk of betrayal.

Without the drama of an affair, without the quarrels and fights, Tang’s father would not have fallen into gambling, and the family’s chain of misfortune would have been broken.

In a sense, it was this absurd world that had given Tang Yunle the warm family she had always dreamed of.

“Dinner’s ready!” Tang’s mother, wearing a floral apron, poked her head out of the kitchen.

“Coming! Mom, I’ll help you with the dishes!” Tang Yunke skipped to the kitchen.

“I’ll help too!” Tang Mingnuo casually put down his game controller and followed.

Tang Yunle and Qin Liang exchanged a glance and also got up to help in the kitchen.

Because of Qin Liang’s arrival, a few spicy dishes with Wanqing characteristics were added to the dining table. Amidst the fragrant smell of the red oil, there was also Tang’s mother’s nagging concern.

“How has Lele been at school recently? Are you used to college?”

“The food Mom made, is it to your liking?”

“How are your studies in college? Don’t be anxious, take your time.”

Amidst the incessant nagging, Tang Yunle suddenly lowered her head. She grabbed a tissue from the side and wiped her face hard. Then she looked up and continued to shovel rice into her mouth.

Noticing the concerned gazes of her family, the red-eyed girl smiled and shook her head.

“It’s nothing.”

“I’m just so spicy that I’m crying.”

“And, Mom, your food is really delicious, much better than the school cafeteria’s. Can I have another bowl?”

Hearing this, Tang’s mother immediately scooped a full bowl of rice and handed it to her, the heartache in her eyes unable to be hidden. “Eat slowly. If it’s not enough, Mom will go and cook more.”

The girl buried her head and swallowed her food, her jaw slightly clenched. She just kept nodding in response. In the steam, her eyes became redder.

And beside her, a certain young man who had taken all this in, his gaze darkened slightly.

Outside, the night was as black as ink, covering the moonlight.

In Tang Yunle’s former bedroom, on her former bed, two figures were lying side by side. Neither of them was sleepy. They were chatting idly.

“Ah Le, you cried today.”

“Yeah, I was a little emotional. My family in my original world was never this good to me.”

“Staying in this world is not a long-term solution. Maybe we can find a way to transmigrate back to our world in the future.”

“I know. My eyes are just a little sore.”

“Then let’s go to sleep first. We’ll stay at your house for another two days, and on Monday, we’ll go back to school.”

“Okay.”

After speaking, the two of them turned their backs to each other and closed their eyes.

Soon, light snores could be heard. But in the darkness, two hearts were each churning with unspoken thoughts.