Chapter 1: Mr. Guest, would you like a Suqi Bento?

A radiant full moon hung high in the sky like a silver plate, casting a gentle glow that heralded the quiet descent of night.
Moonlight poured over the earth like water, draping the world in a silvery hue, rendering everything in the night exceptionally serene.
Yet, this tranquility clearly did not extend to one particular place—Lin City’s Fangxiang District Night Market.
In stark contrast to the quiet of the surrounding residential areas, this place was ablaze with lights, buzzing with voices, and brimming with excitement.

In the sprawling night market, stalls stood shoulder to shoulder, their dazzling array of goods overwhelming the senses.
Vendors called out enthusiastically, vying to attract passing customers.
The aroma of various foods wafted through the air, tempting passersby to salivate.
Along the roadside, mysterious spiritual artifacts were displayed, awaiting their new owners.

Amid the hustle and bustle of the night market staff competing for customers’ attention,
a seemingly unremarkable corner of the market was already packed, with a long queue forming spontaneously.
Following the line to its front, one could see a stall with an overly simplistic sign—Su Family Bento, 200 yuan per portion, purchase limited to one per person.

At 200 yuan, the price was practically extortionate in a night market where a deluxe bento with two meats and a vegetable could be had for just 15 yuan.
Yet, those waiting in line didn’t seem to mind; instead, they were filled with anticipation.

“I wonder what delicious thing Boss Su made today. I hope it’s something that boosts strength—then I’ll have more confidence heading into the Spirit Ruins later. If I can hunt one or two spirit beasts, I’ll break even!”
“Heh, I’m more excited about the moment Boss Su hands over the bento. Haven’t you noticed? She has this gentle, wifely charm that’s so soothing. Every time I take a bento from her, it feels like I’m a newlywed husband. So healing, so blissful.”
“Now that you mention it, I feel the same! The lady boss may have a flat chest, but her flawless skin and perfect face make her the ideal wife—no, the perfect crisp wife! She’s practically a crisp wife!”
“Cough, cough… shh, stop talking. The lady boss is here.”

At the reminder of a kind soul, the crowd fell silent, their gazes turning to a graceful figure approaching from behind.
The young woman wore a breezy, floral summer dress, her smooth, jade-like arms and slender legs peeking out from beneath, reflecting a mesmerizing glow under the night market’s lights.
Her silky hair was woven into a neat braid, draping over her swan-like neck and resting on her chest, swaying slightly with her steps like a soft brush tickling the heart.

Beneath the braid, she cradled a white plastic thermal food container in her arms. Perhaps due to its weight, a faint flush colored her delicate face, and tiny beads of sweat dotted her forehead.
Her tender lips parted with slightly hurried breaths, yet she appeared not disheveled but even more endearing.
Politely declining offers of help from those around her, she placed the container on the stall.
With an elegant motion, she pulled a handkerchief from her pocket, wiped the sweat from her brow, and then raised her head, offering a gentle smile to the first customer in line.

“Dear customer, would you like a bento?”

“Everyone, today’s bentos have all been sold out. I’m so sorry, but I’ll be closing up now.”

At ten o’clock that night, a soft, melodious voice rang out from the stall, signaling the end of the day’s work.
After bowing apologetically to the few customers who hadn’t managed to buy a bento, “Boss Su” began to pack up.
Since the bentos were pre-made and brought to the stall, cleaning up was quite straightforward.
After tidying the small stall, Boss Su slung a small backpack over her shoulder and headed out of the night market.

A beautiful woman—and an exceptionally stunning one traveling alone—naturally drew many eyes in the night market.
Feeling the gazes around her and turning down countless attempts by men to strike up a conversation, Boss Su made her way with practiced ease to a nearby mall.
She took the elevator to the fifth floor, entering a rarely used accessible restroom.

Through the restroom’s mirror, she gazed at the reflection, which carried a hint of wifely charm.
Her unadorned features were delicate and fair, with faint dimples appearing when she smiled.
Her sparkling peach-blossom eyes shimmered with every blink, everything about her impossibly perfect.
For any ordinary girl, seeing such flawless beauty would undoubtedly bring joy.
But at this moment, Boss Su, standing before the mirror, furrowed her delicate brows and muttered to herself.

“Damn it, this can’t go on. It’s really going to level up!”

As she spoke, she stepped closer to the clean sink.
In the next moment, her slender hand gently slipped off the cool summer dress.
As the fabric peeled away, her jade-like skin was exposed to the air, revealing a flat chest wrapped in a light camisole, reminiscent of a boy’s.
Her waist was so slender it seemed one could encircle it with both hands.
…And there, a pair of cute panties with a slight forward curve.

A curve? Panties?!

If anyone were to witness this scene, their eyes would surely widen in disbelief.
Because, judging by the contours of those panties—unless this was some peculiar girl who stuffed odd things into them—
this stunning young woman was unmistakably a boy!

And in truth, the person before the mirror was indeed a boy.
As the dress was fully removed, the girl’s braided hair vanished, replaced by ordinary short hair typical of a teenage boy.
Her features, softer as a girl, now carried a touch of youthful masculinity.
At that moment, a notification sounded in his mind.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host Su Qi, for successfully using the Crisp Wife ability. Today, 30 Crisp Wife bentos were sold, 10 of which have been consumed, granting 10 Crisp Wife experience points.]

Hearing the familiar voice in his mind, though he’d heard it countless times before, Su Qi couldn’t help but sigh.
In this era of spiritual energy resurgence, everyone had a chance to awaken a random ability based on their name upon reaching adulthood.
But the problem was… why, as a boy, had he awakened the Crisp Wife ability?!
Sure, the ability matched his name perfectly, but no matter how you looked at it, this made no sense!

With a mix of resignation, Su Qi opened the ability interface in his mind.

Host: Su Qi
Ability: LV1 Crisp Wife (243/1000)
Current Outfit: Casual Dress
Description: Only a boy, through perspective-shifting, can truly understand the meaning of a Crisp Wife. You can be a gentle, generous, confident, and caring wife, or a pure-hearted, bright-eyed, and lovely wife. May you use this ability to spread the warmth of a Crisp Wife and heal the world.
Strength: 5 (Attack, Power) (Average for age: 13)
Agility: 15 (Movement Speed, Attack Speed) (Average for age: 15)
Intelligence: 17 (Casting Speed, MP) (Average for age: 14)
Constitution: 18 (Recovery Speed, HP) (Average for age: 21)
Charisma: 43 (Average for age: 20)
Current Ability Skills: Crisp Wife’s Sweetness, Crisp Wife’s Bento, Crisp Wife’s Armor

Crisp Wife’s Sweetness (Passive): As a Crisp Wife, when you successfully transform into female attire, your charisma and appearance are greatly enhanced. Both outwardly and inwardly, you subtly exude a faint, pleasant fragrance. (Note: This skill may trigger certain special events.)

Crisp Wife’s Bento (Active): To capture someone’s heart, you must first capture their stomach. As a virtuous Crisp Wife, lacking culinary skills is unacceptable. When transformed, your cooking skills reach master level. Those who eat your bentos will feel happiness and receive random attribute boosts.

Crisp Wife’s Armor: Clothing is a Crisp Wife’s weapon. A good outfit not only enhances your figure but also boosts your attributes and experience. When transformed, the host gains ability enhancements based on the female attire worn. Higher-quality clothing grants stronger enhancements, with quality tied to spiritual energy. Please collect more outfits. (Note: If an outfit granting ability boosts is damaged or removed, the host’s strength will decrease. Each outfit can only grant experience once.)

After reviewing the ability interface, Su Qi, now back in male clothing, looked down at his recently softened arms, devoid of muscle and pale as snow.
Before awakening his ability, he’d tested at Spirit Martial University, and while his strength wasn’t exceptional, it was at least average.
Certainly not the pitiful 5 points it was now.
After a month of transforming, well… he’d successfully turned himself into a complete weakling.
This was the complete opposite of the rugged, macho image he’d hoped for before awakening his ability!

Beep beep~

Just as Su Qi threw a soft, kitten-like punch in frustration, his phone vibrated in his bag.
Taking it out and glancing at the message and payment details, he thought briefly before typing a reply: [Half an hour from now, meet at the hospital.]
After sending the message, Su Qi pushed open the door of the accessible restroom.

Seeing the door open, the few boys who’d been trailing him, hoping to chat with the beauty, froze in confusion.
Had they gotten it wrong?
How could a stunning girl go in and a completely different boy come out? Had they followed the wrong person?
Taking advantage of their stunned moment, Su Qi didn’t bother explaining and strode out of the mall.
After all, as a boy who could transform into a convincing Crisp Wife, if this secret were exposed, it would be disastrous in every way.

Twenty minutes later, in the corridor of the rehabilitation ward at Lin City’s Third Hospital.

“Student Su Qi, your sister’s condition hasn’t improved. She remains in a coma induced by a spiritual curse. Our hospital has been searching for high-level monk ability users, but with little success—such abilities are exceedingly rare in any city. For now, we’re focusing on maintaining her vital signs.”

Listening to the nurse’s words, Su Qi, now an adult, understood the unspoken implication.
It was time to pay.
Silently opening his phone to check his balance, he saw the 2,900 yuan he’d earned tonight after ingredient costs.
Reluctantly setting aside 500 yuan for living expenses, he transferred the rest to the hospital.

Gazing at his sister, Su Lulu, lying on the bed as serene as a sleeping beauty, Su Qi fell into deep thought.
Five years ago, their parents, leaders of a Sacred Ruins exploration team, had mysteriously vanished while investigating a ruin on the outskirts of Lin City, their whereabouts unknown.
With their parents gone, the Su family was left with just Su Qi and Su Lulu.
Fortunately, Su Lulu, five years older than Su Qi, had awakened the Water Dragon King ability and thrived in various adventurer organizations.
Everything had seemed perfect until two years ago, when Su Qi thought Su Lulu’s team was embarking on a routine expedition.
Instead, he received news that she’d fallen into a cursed coma.

Looking at his sister, who had been asleep for two years, and thinking of the exorbitant hospital fees for her care—earned by sacrificing his dignity to become a Crisp Wife and sell bentos—Su Qi couldn’t help but reach out.
He gently pinched her soft cheeks, pulling them into a big cat-like face, and muttered under his breath.

“Sis, please wake up. Wearing women’s clothes and being a Crisp Wife—I really don’t want to do this anymore! You don’t want your little brother to turn into your little sister, do you?!”

Steady breathing, stable blood pressure, normal pulse.
Reality proved that dramatic TV scenes where stimulating a patient wakes them from a coma didn’t apply here.
Considering it was Sunday, and he had classes at Spirit Martial University the next day, Su Qi paid the fees, gave the nurse some instructions, and headed home.

When Su Qi returned home and gently pushed open his room’s door, it was already midnight.
Outside, the world was cloaked in complete darkness.
Seeing the time and thinking of his 7 a.m. school registration the next morning, Su Qi felt a headache coming on.
If he weren’t so worried about exposing his Crisp Wife secret, he could’ve finished selling bentos and been home an hour earlier.
Still, though it cost him an hour to cover his tracks, at least his identity remained hidden—a small victory.

Consoling himself, Su Qi prepared to head to his room, change into pajamas, and sleep.
Creak~
But as he pushed open the wooden door to his room, he felt a flicker of unease.
Was it his imagination?
Why did it feel like the window was open?
He was certain he’d closed it before leaving.
Or had he forgotten?

As Su Qi hesitated, the slightly ajar door was suddenly pulled open from the inside.
As the door swung wide, a veil of moonlight spilled into the room like gossamer.
Su Qi’s gaze was drawn to the scene, but what he saw left him frozen in place.

In the small, ten-square-meter room, the window was wide open, and the night breeze howled in, lifting the curtains high as if they were dancing.
The wind also gently tousled the cascade of long hair belonging to the girl who had opened the door, her locks shimmering under the moonlight like a dreamlike vision.
Under the moon’s glow, the girl’s figure was strikingly delicate, as if she belonged to another world.
Her features were exquisitely refined, her skin so fair it was almost translucent, like polished jade.
Her blood-red eyes, like burning flames, radiated an eerie yet captivating allure, impossible to resist.

She wore a tight leather outfit that perfectly outlined her curvaceous figure, adding a touch of wild charm.
But most shocking of all, sprouting from her delicate back and slightly raised hips was a pair of black feathered wings!
Under the moonlight, the wings glimmered faintly, as if born from the darkness itself.
They trembled slightly, as though ready to take flight at any moment, carrying her away from the mundane world.

Su Qi’s eyes widened, staring at the beautiful girl who appeared in his home as a “vampire,” his heart surging with a mix of shock and wariness.
His thoughts raced.
Who was this girl?
An ability user? Or a spirit beast?
Why had she broken into his home?
Wait—judging by her appearance, she must be a vampire. Was she here to drink his blood?
That had to be it. Living alone, with his family… well, rounded up, he had no normal family left.
In that case, wasn’t he doomed?
Was he about to be drained dry by this beautiful vampire girl?
No way—he couldn’t go down like this. If he had to die, it should at least be meaningful. He had to resist!

As Su Qi backed away, grabbing a broom to prepare his escape, the girl in the room spoke first.

“Junior Su Qi, no need to get worked up. You wouldn’t want anyone to find out about you cross-dressing and selling bentos at the night market, would you?”