Chapter 7: Awakening

Ye Qing woke with a start, struggling to emerge from the blankets.

A quick glance down, and his vision was obstructed by the slight swell of his chest, causing him to pause.

Embarrassed, he pressed it down with his slender arms, while his right hand and eyes continued to search for the ominous premonition.

‘It was just a dream, right? I’m already eighteen, not a three-year-old who can’t control themselves…’

However, as the swell shifted, his hands confirmed his worst fears, and his cheeks flushed a deep red in an instant.

Ye Qing looked up, his amber eyes trembling, and they caught the camera’s glare.

‘Wait, it’s still recording…’

Ye Qing, naked and flustered, jumped out of bed like a swift black cat, covering the camera and hurriedly turning it off.

After catching his breath, Ye Qing pressed his hands to his burning cheeks, slowly regaining his composure.

‘What am I doing? I’m not live-streaming…’

Ye Qing sighed, holding the camera and sinking back onto the bed. The sudden movement jarred his still-healing right foot, and he noticed the swollen white ankle.

His delicate feet were small and cute, with pink nails, evenly rounded toes, and an unblemished, healthy glow.

The graceful arch extended upwards, but was abruptly interrupted by the red swelling, marring the overall beauty and making him lament.

‘Lament? This is my foot!’

But what truly disheartened Ye Qing was the decision to record.

He never imagined he would one day capture such an embarrassing moment.

Ye Qing lay still, his gaze slightly unfocused, but his calm expression revealed he was still the familiar Ye Qing.

Just missing certain important things…

Ye Qing painfully decided to seal away the second recording, but to complete this once, he approached the mirror.

He could clearly feel the inconvenience of his decreased height. The mirror, once large enough to frame his upper body, now barely captured the snow-white bunnies.

But if he leaned in, he could still see his waist had grown even slimmer.

The camera was also troublesome. Holding it above his shoulder, his arms quickly grew weak. Clearly, this was a body of a frail girl, with barely any muscle.

Whether it was the smooth skin, the alluring curves, or the embarrassing softness of his chest, everything served to enhance the beauty, leaving Ye Qing amazed by this enticing body.

His raven hair fell to his shoulders, and he swept it back, revealing his charming face and soulful amber eyes. Finally, the last piece of the puzzle in his mind fell into place.

‘Cute.’

But thinking that this petite black-haired girl was himself, Ye Qing couldn’t help but feel immense shame and guilt.

A man’s soul residing in such a tempting girl’s body, possessing everything she had, it was almost criminal.

Though unwilling to admit it, Ye Qing still indulged in the feeling of gazing at himself in the mirror, until a chill ran through him, and he snapped back to reality.

‘When did I become so self-conscious? No, I should put on some clothes.

Oh, and the bedsheets!’

***

Since seeing that strange black-haired girl yesterday, Gu Xuanyu had been lost in thought, barely responding when called, her unfocused wine-colored eyes revealing her inner turmoil.

She felt like she had forgotten something incredibly important.

Sitting at her dressing table, she stared at her reflection, everything seemed normal, yet she felt a profound sense of loss. Was it because of the girl named Ye Qing?

‘Your hair is a mess.’

A familiar, crisp voice echoed from behind, childlike yet mature, snapping Gu Xuanyu back to reality.

The mirror reflected the image of the speaker: a girl with hair as pure white as snow, each strand shimmering with an ethereal glow.

Unlike her voice, her figure was tall and slender, average for a man, but her face was indistinct. Not unclear, but impossible to remember, like a beloved spouse lost to time, a fleeting memory.

Gazing at her, a perfect face would appear in the mind’s eye, one deeply loved.

Generally, such things don’t exist in reality, but they reside in the hearts of many, known as—a white moon.

Gu Xuanyu instinctively straightened her back, bowing her head slightly to allow the girl to comb her hair easily.

‘Silver Moon, always troubling you like this, I’m sorry… Hehe, my hands are better, but without you, I just can’t seem to do it right.’

The girl, Silver Moon, frowned slightly before responding with a resigned tone.

‘You’re so troublesome.’

A sense of unease flickered in Gu Xuanyu’s heart, but as the girl’s gentle touch wrapped around her silver hair, she felt a profound peace and happiness.

‘Silver Moon, why don’t you change your words sometimes? Always complaining that I’m troublesome, it makes me feel shy.’

‘…’

Receiving no response, Gu Xuanyu’s heart raced, and she quickly changed the subject.

‘By the way, Silver Moon, I met a special girl yesterday. She wrapped herself tightly and sat quietly at the back, listening to my piano, even after everyone left.

Her expression was as blank as yours, and her eyes were as beautiful as amber.’

‘I wanted to be friends with her, but she asked if I recognized the name Ye Qing. It sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it.

Watching her rush out in distress, I felt a pain in my chest, and I couldn’t speak. I should have chased after her…’

Silver Moon suddenly interrupted, her tone strange and soothing.

‘Don’t overthink it, it will only trouble you.’

‘Yeah, I know you’ll say that, so I’m planning to see her again today. Maybe there’s been a misunderstanding?’

Hearing this, Silver Moon hesitated before responding with displeasure.

‘No, I want to go to the aquarium today.’

‘Then… I’ll go with you first.’

Gu Xuanyu forced a smile, but even she could tell it was strained.

Why didn’t she feel joy being with Silver Moon? Or was she hoping I could be a better magical girl, not wasting energy on these things?

Gu Xuanyu looked up, her gaze meeting Silver Moon’s serene amber eyes, feeling the familiar mixture of exasperation and indulgence. She dismissed her wandering thoughts.

What am I thinking? Silver Moon has always been the best and kindest.’