Chapter 9: Sister Wen Yin Collects Interest

“Xiao Qi, are you home? Did you fall?”

As the spoon clattered to the floor, the sharp sound of metal on tile must have been too loud.

A gentle, mature, slightly husky voice laced with concern came from outside.

Hearing that familiar voice, Su Qi instantly knew who it was.

Since his parents and Su Lulu’s accidents, the Su family had few visitors.

Relatives who initially checked in had dwindled to none after a year with no sign of Su Lulu waking.

Aside from Lin Xue’s unexpected window visit last night, only one person still came by—Wen Yin, his sister’s best friend and neighbor.

Wen Yin—a name often given to heroines in Japanese manga, evoking beauty just by its sound.

And indeed, Neighbor Wen Yin was stunning.

When Su Qi was a freshman, Wen Yin, then still a student, was a campus beauty on par with Lin Xue in the school forums.

Unlike Lin Xue, whose fame came from her striking looks, Wen Yin’s allure stemmed from her unmatched, captivating aura and gentle demeanor.

Normally, a visit from this campus-beauty neighbor would thrill Su Qi.

For one, her flawless looks and personality were hard for any boy to resist.

Since moving here, Su Qi had harbored a quiet crush on her.

The other reason was more practical.

Since Su Lulu’s coma, perhaps due to their close friendship, Wen Yin always left money during her visits to ease Su Qi’s financial strain.

Without her support, he’d likely have sold the house and been homeless by now.

But now? At this moment?

Through the living room mirror, Su Qi saw himself in the JK outfit, golden hair flowing, white stockings on, radiating a wifely softness and grace.

A shiver ran through him.

If Wen Yin saw him cross-dressing and discovered his bizarre ability…

‘Emmmmmmmm, my crush would be over before it even began.’

‘What would she think of me?’

‘A pervert?’

‘No way, she can’t see me like this.’

‘I need to change back now.’

But first, he had to stall Wen Yin.

She knew about the spare key hidden in the flowerpot outside.

“Wen…”

Just as he started to speak, asking her to wait, he stopped mid-word.

His transformed voice was completely different—a full-on girly tone.

If Wen Yin heard it, things would get even messier when she opened the door.

“Xiao Qi, why aren’t you answering?”

With no immediate response, her melodic, mature voice sounded again.

Straining to listen, Su Qi caught faint footsteps.

Was Wen Yin heading for the flowerpot?!

Shock (ΩДΩ)!!!

Realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, Su Qi panicked—utterly panicked.

But thanks to his Crisp Wife instincts, he turned off the stove before bolting to his room.

The moment he entered, he frantically stripped off the JK top and camisole.

As the clothes came off, perhaps due to the speed or the outfit’s higher stat boosts, a wave of emptiness hit him—a fragility as his enhanced strength faded.

With the top and camisole gone, a pair of soft, pale, slightly pink “little darlings” bounced into view.

Though small—barely enough for a girl’s mouth to handle—their soft curves and creamy skin were heart-stirring.

Looking at these “darlings,” Su Qi’s fair face flushed faintly, his emotions a tangled mess.

‘Emmmmmmmm, is it my imagination?’

‘They feel… bigger than when I first got this ability.’

‘Is it the outfit?’

‘Or a side effect of gaining experience?’

‘And my little brother… it feels a tiny bit smaller.’

‘It’s just my imagination, right? It has to be!’

“Xiao Qi, I’m coming in!”

Click~

The sound of a key turning in the lock snapped him back.

With no time to dwell, Su Qi yanked off the white stockings and JK skirt.

As they came off, a faint glow shimmered in the room.

Hurriedly dressing in men’s clothes, he stepped out of his bedroom just as Wen Yin, using the spare key, entered the living room.

Today, Wen Yin looked as mature and radiant as ever.

Her lower half wore a knee-length, checkered skirt, her shapely legs encased in either black stockings or pantyhose, exuding style and elegance.

Her upper half sported a loose brown knit sweater, but even its bagginess couldn’t hide her ample curves.

A brown designer purse slung across her shoulder, its silver chain accentuating her assets.

Perhaps from worrying about him, a strand of her unbound, naturally purple hair had slipped from her bangs, resting near a sultry mole by her eye.

Paired with her slightly quickened breathing, her refined beauty carried a subtle, almost imperceptible allure.

Gazing at her natural, undyed purple hair, Su Qi had always wondered about her ability.

Before Su Lulu’s coma, he’d asked his sister about it multiple times, only to be told he was too young to know.

But now, reflecting on his own transformed long hair, Su Qi had a hunch.

Maybe Wen Yin’s ability was transformation-based too?

Lost in thought, staring at the conservatively dressed yet subtly seductive neighbor, Su Qi didn’t notice Wen Yin’s relief at seeing him unharmed.

She tucked the stray hair behind her ear, pursed her pink lips, and approached him.

Before he could explain, she grabbed his cheeks with her faintly sweet-scented hands, stretching them into “Su Big-Face-Cat Qi.”

After a few tugs, her annoyance eased, and she spoke as the caring neighbor.

“So, Xiao Qiqi, what were you doing to make such a racket? I called out, and you didn’t answer.”

Rubbing his slightly sore cheeks, Su Qi wasn’t in pain but needed time to think of an excuse.

As he pondered, Wen Yin, now closer, sniffed lightly and made a surprising discovery.

“Xiao Qi, are you wearing perfume? Why do you smell so nice? What brand is this?”

As she leaned in, earnestly sniffing, Su Qi felt her warm, sweet presence and a faint softness brushing against him.

He grew tense and puzzled.

Tense because his crush was so close, showing such intimate concern.

And because, as a boy, he’d never worn perfume—this scent was likely a lingering effect of his Crisp Wife ability, not fully faded from his rushed change.

He was terrified she’d notice something.

His puzzlement came from a feeling.

From their interactions and her conservative summer outfit today, Wen Yin always seemed gentle and reserved.

But now, with her pressing closer, her warmth and fragrance enveloping him, Su Qi wondered if he was imagining things.

Was Wen Yin… changing in some subtle way?

Sniff sniff~

As she leaned even closer, her sweet, feminine breath brushing his neck, the moment grew increasingly intimate.

Su Qi’s heart raced, loving the feeling of being so close to his crush, his heart pounding as if it might leap out.

But with his bedroom door behind him, hiding un-stowed women’s clothes, discovery would be disastrous.

At the door, reason triumphed over desire. He gently pushed Wen Yin back.

“Wen Yin-jie, the scent isn’t perfume. I added milk to the dish I’m cooking. Oh, right, have you eaten dinner? If not, wanna join me?”

Pushed back gently and hearing his flimsy topic change, Wen Yin noted the enticing aroma of tomato-braised brisket from the kitchen.

But after a moment’s thought, the gentle neighbor shook her head.

“Xiao Qi, I’ve eaten, so I’ll pass. I came because the Adventurers’ Guild approved Lulu’s medical funds. Keep this safe.”

She opened her stylish purse, handing him an envelope.

Su Qi’s heart warmed at the gesture.

Though she said it was from the guild, Su Qi, who’d dealt with them often over the past two years, knew better.

The Adventurers’ Guild sounded grand, like something from a light novel.

But in reality, except for top-tier adventurers—like legendary SSS-tier magical girls or rare priestesses—most were just contract workers.

Support was minimal, and for cases like Su Lulu, comatose for two years, aid was impossible.

The money, then, was likely Wen Yin’s own earnings.

A month ago, Su Qi would’ve accepted it.

Without an ability, working three jobs barely covered medical costs. Without her help, he’d have been sunk.

But now, selling Crisp Wife bentos—even just once a week—was lucrative.

He didn’t want his sister’s friend to bear such a burden.

“Wen Yin-jie, I’m writing novels now. I can cover Lulu’s medical fees.”

He tried to return the heavy envelope, aiming for her purse nestled near her ample chest.

But before he could, a gentle hand gripped his wrist, and a sultry voice echoed in the clean room.

“Xiao Qi, I know you’re a boy with pride, worried about owing me. But with me, you don’t need to be so formal. Your sister already ‘sold’ you to me—you’re my designated childhood groom! I’m happy to spend on you. If you feel indebted, I’ll just collect a little interest today.”

“Interest?”

Feeling his hand enveloped by her soft, smooth grip, hearing he was her “childhood groom,” Su Qi knew it was likely a playful remark to ease his mind about the money.

But it hit his sweet spot, and he was thrilled.

Curious about the “interest,” he trusted her and didn’t guard himself.

Seeing no refusal, Wen Yin stepped forward, her black-stockinged foot closing the gap, her gentle hands wrapping around his back.

Su Qi trembled, eyes wide, as she drew near.

Wen Yin had always been a reserved older sister figure—today’s actions felt unusually bold.

And… so close.

Her body was warm, soft, fragrant. Being held felt so good.

Where should his hands go?

As she pressed closer, Su Qi’s fair skin flushed pink, his ears trembling like a startled rabbit’s.

Seeing his endearing reaction, Wen Yin’s refined face bloomed with a charming smile.

“Little Qi, deep breaths. I’m just collecting interest today—I won’t eat you.”

Boop~

A soft, sweet touch, like a blooming flower, landed on his forehead.

It was too perfect, too dreamlike—Su Qi’s brain crashed.

In that blank moment, Wen Yin left a parting instruction and hurried off.

“Xiao Qi, I’m leaving. Eat your dinner.”

Click~

As the door of 1507 closed, Wen Yin reached 1505 next door, unlocking her apartment.

The gentle neighbor of moments ago transformed.

Her black eyes gleamed with irrepressible red hearts.

A playful tail with intricate patterns slipped out from under her conservative checkered skirt.

A faint, seductive pink aura spread around her.

Blushing deeply, Wen Yin collapsed onto her bed, legs wrapping around soft blankets, her unmanicured hands instinctively wandering downward.

Her bedroom walls, plastered with photos of Su Qi, echoed with a sultry, restrained voice.

“Xiao Qi, ha~ why are you getting sweeter? At this rate, I won’t last until your 18th birthday~ Mm~”