Chapter 32: This…is not right!

“Look… that girl over there, she’s kinda gorgeous.”
“I’m looking, still looking! And she’s bare-faced, no makeup!”
“Can’t even imagine how sweet it’d be to kiss her.”

In this era of spiritual energy resurgence, abilities transformed lives, but the grind of work persisted. At 9 a.m., the last wave of workers boarded public transport to their jobs.

Commuting was usually a dull slog, but today, on the subway to Wuyue Plaza, the workers buzzed with excitement. The reason? A serene, bare-faced girl radiating gentle charm stood by the door, like a lotus in a pond, her head slightly bowed in an adorable, demure way.

Her slender legs, wrapped in sheer white stockings, curved gracefully, pressed together elegantly, blocking any curious glances upward. A black women’s coat concealed her upper body, but its fit hinted at a captivating figure.

This girl was none other than Su Qi, who’d fled Lin Xue’s home that morning.

Why was she on the subway? Simple. After escaping Lin Xue’s apartment, the elevator ride down revealed countless stares. Though used to attention from selling bentos, her upgraded Crisp Wife charm now drew gazes laced with heat, unlike the mere awe of before. Recalling the vulnerable photo Lin Xue snapped—implying a “push and she’d fall” fragility—Su Qi, aiming to retrieve her male clothes from the mall, chose the subway over buses or cabs. Post-morning rush, it felt safer.

The Wealth Financial Center to Wuyue Plaza was just four stops. As the subway announced, “Wuyue Plaza station. Passengers for Wuyue Mall, Shaoyifu Hospital, or City Amusement Park, please disembark,” Su Qi exhaled in relief.

As a usually invisible person, the intense stares overwhelmed her. Stepping off, she noted the station was quieter on this Tuesday, post-rush hour. Though some passersby still gawked, her subway experience had desensitized her slightly.

Tap tap tap~

Her black shoes clicked on the mall’s tiles as she headed to the locker where she’d stored her bag yesterday, checking her phone. Opening the pinned chat with ❤ Wen Yin-jie, she saw a flood of concerned messages from last night:

Xiao Qi, what are you up to? What do you want for dinner? I’ll cook.
Xiao Qi, it’s 10 p.m., it’s getting dark. Where are you? I’ll pick you up.
Xiao Qi, did something happen?

Voice call notifications followed, their timestamps suggesting Wen Yin hadn’t slept, possibly even searching for her. Guilt mingled with warmth. With her parents missing and sister Su Lulu comatose, only her best friend Mo Yu and Wen Yin-jie cared for her now.

Instead of dwelling on regret, Su Qi focused on an explanation. Telling the truth about her Crisp Wife ability? No way. As a boy, she couldn’t let her beloved big sister know about her bizarre power.

At the sixth-floor locker, retrieving her bag, she headed to the accessible restroom. As two laughing boys exited the men’s room, an idea struck. She’d tell Wen Yin she’d stayed at Mo Yu’s place. Though they’d never met, Su Qi often mentioned her best friend to Wen Yin. It was believable. Sorry, Mo Yu, I’ll borrow your name as a shield. I’ll make you a feast tomorrow!

Back in the restroom where she’d changed yesterday, Su Qi studied her reflection. Her ability upgrade hadn’t altered her face much, but her aura and figure had transformed. Before, in female form, she was a gentle stream—soft and graceful. Now, she was a vibrant river, lively yet still tender. Her hips were perkier, her waist slimmer, and her chest… noticeably prominent.

Sighing, she undid her JK skirt’s clasp. It slid down her silky stockings, pooling on the floor. Gazing at her white lace underwear, now barely bulging where it once did, despair hit. A meme echoed in her mind: “It’s okay, small is cute too!”

Accepting the change after a long stare, she removed her stockings and JK outfit. But something felt off. Checking the mirror again, she froze.

Her golden Asuna-like hair was gone—normal. Her eyes were back to black—fine. But her chest… it was still soft and full. Her muscles? Gone.

What now? This… this is wrong! Am I really a girl now?

Nooo!