Chapter 6: A Bitter Journey and a Shifting Reality

“Isn’t this just hilarious?”

Under An Yueying’s steadying hand, Ye Qing’s face was grim as he stumbled a few steps, his voice hoarse with the question.

An Yueying’s narrow, phoenix-like eyes curved into a slight, unreadable smile, yet her voice was remarkably gentle.

“I suggest you put some distance between yourself and her, or she might just see you blubbering like a helpless child, you know~”

Ye Qing gritted his teeth, enduring the searing pain in his ankle, and quickened his pace.

He didn’t pull away from An Yueying’s hand. Even if her demeanor remained as irritating as ever, he genuinely needed support at this moment—a reliable, comforting arm to lean on.

Despite her almost mocking words, An Yueying’s hand merely guided him forward with gentle precision.

She consistently maintained a measured rhythm, appearing in the right places to offer her strength, a sensation of being cared for that Ye Qing rarely experienced.

Perhaps she was only sharp-tongued. Perhaps, beneath that mischievous smile, she was a mature and perceptive older sister?

Even if it was just a fleeting, alluring fantasy, he allowed himself to indulge in it for a little longer.

“Thank you.”

An Yueying heard his words without surprise, yet she was unaccustomed to being thanked. She brushed it off with a playful retort.

“Regrettably, I’m more interested in tangible returns than mere gratitude.”

Ye Qing was momentarily speechless, then slowly continued walking, unconcerned if his retreating figure appeared disheveled in Gu Xuanyu’s eyes.

If An Yueying hadn’t arrived in time, Gu Xuanyu, in her hurried attempt to help, would have witnessed his vulnerable side.

While that might have effectively exploited her sympathy, it would only have deepened Ye Qing’s humiliation.

He had believed his heart to be resilient enough, or perhaps, simply unfeeling, for he was a detached individual.

Yet, the moment he realized he had been completely forgotten by Gu Xuanyu, a feeling akin to a knife twisting in his gut surged forth, following closely on the heels of his shock.

Now, Ye Qing felt utterly exhausted. Apart from the throbbing pain in his twisted ankle, the rest of his body felt heavy as lead, constantly dragging him deeper into the mire.

“That’s far enough. She’s out of sight now.”

An Yueying glanced behind Ye Qing, confirming that Gu Xuanyu had vanished. She then stopped, releasing Ye Qing’s hand.

Suddenly bereft of support, Ye Qing nearly collapsed to the ground, a pang of disappointment stirring within him. However, as he struggled to stand, he saw An Yueying squat down before him.

“Come on. I don’t have all day to walk you home.”

Ye Qing remained silent for a long moment, then limped along, using the wall for support.

“No need. I can manage myself.”

He hadn’t fallen so low. Besides, he couldn’t possibly accept being carried on the street.

Yet, before he could take more than a few steps, he felt his knees gently lifted. His vision spun skyward as he was irresistibly scooped up, his armpits and legs cradled. He found himself held horizontally against An Yueying’s chest.

“You—what do you think you’re doing!”

Ye Qing instinctively reached out to push An Yueying away in alarm, but his body felt unstable.

The intense sensation of imbalance made him instinctively wrap his arms around An Yueying’s graceful swan-like neck, curling into her embrace.

“Don’t squirm. I might just let go, you know.”

An Yueying’s voice drifted down from above, tinged with amusement. From this angle, Ye Qing could only glimpse the slight curve of her lips.

“Put me down! I can walk myself, ugh—”

An Yueying’s soft body was suddenly encased within the black stitched bear costume. Though this made her movements exceptionally clumsy, she still managed to hold Ye Qing tightly.

“There, no need to be shy now, is there? Hmph, such a bother.”

Ye Qing’s cheeks flushed. Rarely, his clear amber eyes glared at An Yueying.

‘That should be my line!

“Don’t misunderstand. I simply wish for you to overcome your troubles quickly and peacefully become my mascot, rather than wasting time limping down the street, lost in gloom.”

Ye Qing’s brows furrowed, and he ultimately let out a helpless sigh.

“Alright, I get it.”

Along the twilight street, the dim glow of streetlights barely illuminated the gray paving bricks. Pedestrians were sparse, yet each one turned back in surprise after brushing past the large stuffed bear.

Cradled within the colossal bear, a petite, dark-haired girl seemed to be curled up, her face bashfully hidden in her hat, not daring to move.

“Remember, you owe me a favor.”

“Owe you nothing!”

***

After returning home, he spent another hour soaking in the bathtub, calming himself. Only when the warm water had softened the numbness in his ankle did Ye Qing emerge.

As he stood bare before his reflection, droplets clinging to his form, Ye Qing couldn’t help but avert his gaze. Yet, the alluring images lingered stubbornly in his mind.

Though he still possessed the normal functions of a male, his body now exhibited graceful curves capable of pleasing himself.

He couldn’t quite accept it immediately, but Ye Qing was already prepared to take the next step.

This wasn’t about abandoning his male identity, but rather, because he loathed prolonged internal struggles.

“Second recording.”

Ye Qing activated the camera’s recording function. It wasn’t that he was perverse; he simply wanted to precisely document the transformation process.

How it vanished, and how it reappeared…

Alright, that sounded even worse, but Ye Qing merely wanted to keep it as a memento.

To reassure himself that Ye Qing, the male, and Ye Qing, the girl, were one and the same person.

This time, no repeated attempts were needed. He seemed to be gradually grasping the knack, or perhaps, after last night, he had found motivation in learning how to please himself.

Desire, it seemed, was precisely such a thing.

Once again, she fell into an unknown sleep, but this time upon waking, Ye Qing felt a distinct strangeness.

Her skin was incredibly smooth, as lustrous as mutton-fat jade, feeling slightly uncomfortable against the rough sheets.

Ye Qing recalled a similar sensation from childhood, when her tender skin was just as delicate after a bath, before climbing into bed.

Her chest felt heavy and constricted. When the bedding occasionally brushed against her breasts, a keen, sensitive thrill, tinged with a hint of soreness, shot through her body like an electric current.

She unconsciously rubbed her legs. Previously, doing so would involve touching something round, but now, it was empty—surprisingly liberating, for the bird had flown its cage, no longer constrained by fabric.

Yet, what made Ye Qing most uncomfortable was the persistent urge of her excretory instincts. Her body’s sensations had already mapped themselves onto her mind.

In her dream, Ye Qing was frantically searching for a restroom.

After a frantic dash, Ye Qing finally pushed open the door to the men’s room. Facing the urinal, ready to relieve herself, she reached for her ‘gun’…

‘Where’s my gun? A warrior going to battle without a weapon?’

‘Forget it, whatever. Even without a gun, I must proceed!’

A warm, satisfying trickle flowed down her thighs, yet it inexplicably pooled behind her, creating a warm, spreading dampness that made Ye Qing’s delicate brows furrow slightly.

‘Am I dreaming?’

‘Wait, I am dreaming?’