Chapter 27: Home Comforts and a Sister’s ‘Love Lesson’

“Ah, the air at home truly feels so much more comfortable.

The pervasive scent of disinfectant at the hospital earlier was absolutely suffocating.”

Having been successfully discharged and returning home, the familiar scents immediately put Liu Xingluo at ease.

Indeed, there’s no place like home.

The old saying about how a golden palace can’t compare to one’s own humble abode must truly capture this sentiment.

“Even though you’re home, you still need to rest properly, alright?”

Fearing Liu Xingluo would immediately cast aside the doctor’s advice upon returning home, indulging in unrestrained behavior, Liu Ruyan made sure to remind him.

“Alright, alright, I know.

My recovery is the top priority.

But for now, let me just have a moment of freedom.

Transform!”

Striking a transformation pose he’d learned from a superhero show, the amethyst on his bracelet glowed, instantly transforming Liu Xingluo back into a girl.

“Oh, my, this is truly wonderful.

Even up close, this face is exquisitely beautiful.

Ah~ even the skin on this face is so incredibly smooth, it’s almost irresistible.”

“What in the world are you preening about…? You’re clearly a boy.”

Watching Liu Xingluo, now a girl, primping and admiring herself in the mirror, Liu Ruyan felt an overwhelming urge to smack her forehead with a slipper.

How could a boy, after transforming into a girl, stand there admiring himself in the mirror so shamelessly?

No matter how she looked at it, this was far from normal.

He was, after all, still a boy on the inside.

“What do you mean, Sister? Isn’t this perfectly normal?

Oh, could it be that you, Sister, are jealous, perhaps even ‘triggered’ (TL Note: A slang term referring to being emotionally overwhelmed or losing one’s composure, often in response to something perceived as an attack or slight), seeing your brother, who is clearly a boy, now looking more beautiful and stunning than you, a model yourself?

Hmm, this little brother truly understands.

After all the effort you’ve put in—using countless cosmetics to doll yourself up, strictly controlling your diet to maintain your figure—only to be outshone by a girl who was originally a man, it’s only natural to feel hurt.”

“You worthless little brother, what nonsense are you spouting?

Do you want your sister to give you a ‘love lesson’ (TL Note: A humorous euphemism for a scolding or physical discipline, often implying a playful but firm correction) again, huh?”

Witnessing Liu Xingluo’s blatant taunts, now practically dancing on her nerves in their arrogant glee, Liu Ruyan could no longer hold back, no matter how hard she tried.

“This wretched little brother!

If I don’t properly teach her a lesson today, I’ll take her surname!”

Of course, they already shared the same surname.

“Ow, Sister, Sister, let go!

I know I was wrong, ah.

I won’t dare to do it again!”

Easily subdued by one of Liu Ruyan’s joint locks, Liu Xingluo could only loudly beg for mercy and admit her mistake.

While it wouldn’t have been difficult for her, in her current powerful form, to break free from her sister’s hold, Liu Xingluo dared not use it.

Considering that power could effortlessly vanquish an 异生兽 (TL Note: A type of monster or alien creature, often translated as ‘Unidentified Life Form’ or ‘Alien Beast’), she still couldn’t control her strength, and accidentally injuring her sister while struggling free would be a huge problem.

Thus, admitting fault was the better option, as her sister would surely release her soon.

“So, you know you were wrong, do you?

Very well, I’ll let you off this time.

But if there’s a next time, I won’t forgive you so easily.”

Having achieved her goal of teaching Liu Xingluo a lesson, Liu Ruyan finally released her.

“But why would you, a boy, start preening at yourself after transforming into a girl?

Normally, wouldn’t someone in such a situation feel panicked, even terrified?”

“No, initially, when I first saw my body had completely become that of a girl, I was quite startled myself.

I even wondered what I would do if I couldn’t change back permanently.

Fortunately, I can change back, and switch between forms at will.

So now, this form is simply a new fashion, something I can put on whenever and wherever I please.

When you buy new clothes, Sister, don’t you also compare them in the mirror?”

It was crucial to understand that being able to change back and being unable to change back were two entirely different matters.

Since she could switch forms at any time, Liu Xingluo had nothing to fear.

Transforming into a girl didn’t cause any adverse effects on her original body.

If anything, excessive stamina consumption might be considered a side effect.

However, even that wasn’t a major concern; as long as she monitored her stamina and avoided energy-draining activities like fighting with 异生兽 (TL Note: A type of monster or alien creature, often translated as ‘Unidentified Life Form’ or ‘Alien Beast’), she would be fine.

Moreover, and most importantly, her transformed self was beautiful!

Even though she was fundamentally a boy, her transformed self was beautiful!

Even if this appearance was merely borrowed, her transformed self was undeniably beautiful!

“No, comparing a gender switch to new clothes… that’s still a bit inappropriate, don’t you think?

Oh, never mind.

As long as you, Xiao Luo (TL Note: A common affectionate diminutive, combining ‘Xiao’ meaning ‘little’ with the last character of a person’s given name), remain yourself, then it’s fine.

However, I suggest that you avoid transforming into this form in the future unless absolutely necessary.”

Even though Liu Ruyan knew that despite Liu Xingluo’s transformation into an unrecognizable girl, the person within was still the Liu Xingluo she knew, she still found it difficult to get used to.

“Is that so?

If Sister doesn’t like it, then never mind.

I’ll change back then.”

“Wait.”

Just as Liu Xingluo was about to transform back, Liu Ruyan interrupted her.

“What is it, Sister?”

“Isn’t your body still recovering?

If you change back now, you’ll just be confined to bed again, won’t you?

Looking at it this way, it truly seems best to maintain your current form for now.

What do you think?”

Beyond the fact that Liu Xingluo would be bedridden if he changed back, and whether he would find that uncomfortable, Liu Ruyan herself found the prospect of caring for his immobile self quite troublesome.

While it was a sister’s duty to look after her sick brother, when presented with an opportunity to avoid such a situation, how could Liu Ruyan possibly forgo it?

“You have a point.

Let’s do that then.”

Liu Xingluo immediately recognized the practicality of the situation.

Maintaining her current form was indeed better for both siblings than reverting.

She could move freely, and her sister wouldn’t have to dedicate all her time to caring for an incapacitated version of her.

However, a new problem quickly arose for Liu Xingluo and her sister.

Bathing.

For someone of Liu Xingluo’s age, bathing shouldn’t have been an issue.

Yet, she was currently a girl, and she couldn’t possibly bathe as a boy would, could she?

Especially with her waist-length white hair, Liu Ruyan doubted she could manage to wash it thoroughly on her own.

There was no other option; at a time like this, Liu Ruyan, as the older sister, had to step in.

She would simply help her, a true girl assisting another, with washing her body.

However, Liu Xingluo would need to have her eyes covered.

Even if her current body was that of a girl, her inner self remained a man.

Even for her own brother, Liu Ruyan couldn’t possibly let him see her naked.

“Does something like that even need to be worried about?

Sister’s naked body, and all.

When I was little, I already saw… Ow, that hurts!”

Uttering such an ill-timed remark, Liu Xingluo deserved the smack on the head she received from Liu Ruyan’s slipper.