“Wait, why are you calling the cops?!”

I threw out my hand in a dramatic ‘Er Kang’ pose¹ to block Sister Qiuluo, but she shot back with a question of her own.

“Then tell me, is this little girl from your house?”

“Well, she’s not—”

“Then I am calling the cops!”

“Wait, hold on a second! What kind of person do you think I am!?”

She gave a cold snort. “Obviously a pervert who’s keeping a little girl locked up. And you’re making her call you ‘big sis’ just because you’ve got a girly face?”

“Would a pervert let a kid draw turtles all over their face!?”

“Who knows what kind of kink you’ve got?”

…Who the hell gets off on being doodled on with turtles by a ten-year-old?!

Why is she so hostile toward me? Is it because I changed back into a guy and she doesn’t like how I look anymore?

“Big Sis isn’t a bad person!”
Little Qianxia bared her teeth at Qiuluo, trying her best to look fierce. I was touched.

“Sis, that’s way out of line. Chang Kai really helped me out…”
Even senior Jianlian came to my defense.

Well, I’m not a hundred-yuan note, can’t expect everyone to like me. And I’m not some shameless simp either. If someone doesn’t like me, I’m not about to cozy up and beg for attention.

I let out a sigh. “Since your brother’s changed back into his clothes, I assume you’re ready to head home now?”

“Obviously. Come on, Jianlian, we’re going.”

Realizing she was in the wrong, Qiuluo flicked her ponytail, lifted her chin, and marched right out the door.

Senior stood up too, but lingered for a moment to whisper to me:

“Sorry about that, Chang Kai. My sister’s probably just jealous—seeing you still look so good even after turning back into a guy. She’s always been self-conscious about not being very feminine.

“…Is being good-looking a crime now?”

“Oh, by the way, those two omurice dishes on the table? I think I made those at the cafe.”

Wait. Didn’t Dad say the omurice came from Wu Qinglan’s takeout order?

I thought for a moment and asked, “The person who ordered—was it a handsome guy with kind of a foxlike face and a bit of a hunch?”

“Yeah, that sounds right. Do you know him?”

I knew it. Wu Qinglan is definitely one of us—a fellow closeted otaku.

“He’s one of my dad’s coworkers. Spent half the summer freeloading at our house. Him sending me dinner like this? Totally within character.”

“But each omurice cost 158 yuan, you know?”

“Wait, how much?!”

“You heard me. 158 yuan.”

“Did you wrap gold leaf in there or something?!”

These two little boxes cost over 300 yuan!?

“It’s just normal omurice,” he explained. “Originally the kitchen made them, but I thought they were made too half-heartedly, so I started making them myself. Then they suddenly became a best-seller... Oh, and every dish comes with a maid infusing ‘magical power’ in it with ketchup.”

Magical power, seriously?

And at that price, people still bought it?

No wonder people treat Zhao Zhao like an easy mark.

Xiao Lei nodded solemnly beside us. “Senior truly has the heart of service. The popularity of his omurice proves how beloved he is by the café’s patrons.”

“…What’s taking you so long, Jianlian?”

Qiuluo poked her head back in through the door, clearly getting impatient.

“Hurry it up, Manxing’s still waiting on us for dinner!”

Manxing—probably their younger sibling. If he’s cooking, maybe he’s the third kid in the family.

After the Li siblings left, Xiao Lei and I dug into the “MoeMoe Maid LoveLove Omurice.” We even shared some with Qianxia. The sweet and tangy ketchup was a big hit with ten-year-old girls.

When I brought Qianxia home, Brother Zhu unexpectedly handed me a cup of brown sugar ginger tea. Said it’d help with my cold.

…How’d he know I was sick?

Then I changed Xiao Lei back into Zhao Zhao.

He groaned as soon as the transformation finished.

“Ugh, I should’ve changed back before eating the omurice. That idiot Xiao Lei totally didn’t appreciate the value of what she just devoured!”

“What else were you planning to do?”

Seriously, what’s so valuable about omurice with ketchup drawings?

“Obviously, you’re supposed to lick all the ketchup off the omelet with your tongue first!”

...Okay, that mental image is kinda gross.

“Anyway, remember to show up early tomorrow. We still need to settle things with Sis Fei.”

“Relax, I won’t forget!”

Not that I trust his definition of “remembering.”

Since senior’s side of things clearly isn’t going anywhere, I’d better focus on Fei’s situation.

Tomorrow’s family meeting is the perfect time to push Old Feng toward finally letting go of the past—and letting Fei fully embrace her new role as the school’s resident ice queen.

Sunday, September 14

When I woke up, my cold had gotten worse, despite drinking the warm ginger tea last night. Probably because my main body got chilled again—after being used as Qianxia’s life-sized doll and art canvas.

Coughing, runny nose, sore throat… Everything but a fever. I was feeling so awful I just wanted the whole world to burn.

“Your cold got worse?”

Dad asked, looking concerned as we ate breakfast.
“Let Xiao Wu take you to the hospital later, just to be safe.”

Dressed in a full business suit again. Looks like another workday for him.

I then shook my head.

“It’s just a mild cold. Give it a couple of days and I’ll be fine. I’ll take some meds and sleep under a blanket all day.”

“Son, if you really feel bad, just say the word, alright?”

As if Dad could do anything. The man can’t even look at my face, even more so taking care of me.

In the end, he’d still have to rely on Wu Qinglan.

“Yep, I’ve got it rough. You rest here, main body…”

After changing clothes, I straightened the blanket over my slumbering self—still wearing an eye mask—and glanced at the time. Just past 8 a.m.

I sent a message to Rinka.

【What time and where today?】

【10 , Tianping Commercial District.】

That place again.

Then again, it is the busiest hub in the area, so it makes sense.

【Got it. See you there.】

There was plenty of time before 10, but Zhao Zhao hadn’t shown up yet.

And for Fei to change back into Old Feng, we needed our Divine Emissary Xiao Lei to play her role.

I gave Zhao Zhao a call and cut straight to the chase:

“Didn’t I tell you to come early? Where the f̲u̲c̲k̲ are you?”

Swearing in a girl’s voice… unexpectedly satisfying.

“Sorry, Commander! My mom forced me to go out and buy breakfast!”

“Run. You’ve got the stamina for it, don’t you?”

Wind whistled over the line as he apparently started running. From his place to mine would take at least ten minutes, even at a sprint.

I figured I’d clean up a bit while waiting—

Then I heard something at the window.

Peeking out, I spotted Qianxia scaling the window again.

Her climbing skills were getting way too good… Is she actually a monkey?

“Whoa! It’s the big sister with breasts again today!”

She shouted, climbing even faster.

“Use the front door!”

Too late. She came in through the window anyway.

Apparently, I don’t inspire much authority.

She plopped down cross-legged on the rug and casually pulled two controllers out from under the TV cabinet.

She knew my room a little too well.

She handed me a controller. “Big sis, play with me today?”

This ball of energy… Guess she didn’t catch my cold after all.

“Sorry, not today. I’ve got plans. But I’ll play with you tonight, okay?”

Hearing that, Qianxia instantly pouted, lips drooping like a sad puppy.

“Aww… I wanna go out with big sis too… but I’m not allowed to go far from home.”

I wouldn’t dare take her out either. Who knows how many enemies her gangster dad has watching my house.

I tried to reassure her. “I’ll be back as soon as I can, alright?”

Why is this kid from a mob-boss family so adorable? It’s unfair—makes you want to protect her even more.

Just then, Zhao Zhao came up the stairs and pushed open the door.

“Yo! I’m here, Commander! Oh hey, Qianxia’s here too?”

Qianxia’s eyes lit up like a kid at a zoo.

“Big sis! Big sis! There’s a gorilla! I’ve never seen one before!”

“I’m a person!!”

“Zhao Zhao, quick! Jump over a flaming hoop!”

“I SAID I’M A PERSON!!”