Earth, evening.
In Heavenly Lotus Academy of the Mysterious Country, Dormitory Building No. 2, Room 402, the sound of a key turning in the security door echoed. Lying on the couch and playing with a tablet, Little Jiu's hands relaxed, and the tablet, bigger than her face, landed solidly on her.
Ignoring her sore nose, Little Jiu jumped up from the couch. She saw that the Black Cat, who had been watching a live stream on the other side, had already run to the door. It leaped up to pull down the door handle, opening the wooden door inside.
"Hmm? Coming to greet so nicely?"
Seeing Qiao Muyi co in wearing a Tactical Bureau vest, Little Jiu pouted. The Black Cat scratched its claws against the floor. Noticing this, Qiao Muyi raised an eyebrow slightly. "Hmm? You don't welco ~?"
Along with the drawn-out question, a barely perceptible, sharp malice made both the fox and the cat bristle. Little Jiu and the Black Cat imdiately shook their heads. "No, no, no, no—"
Qiao Muyi sat down and placed the bag on the coffee table. She patted her thigh. The Black Cat obediently jumped up, showing its belly and emitting an adorable, baby-like wl. Little Jiu sat next to Qiao Muyi, very ladylike and upright, her two little hands on her red and black plaid school skirt, a picture of obedience.
Qiao Muyi happily stroked the cat and patted Little Jiu's head, saying, "Xiao Suo and Cheng Ling have entrusted you to . I will take good care of you, ensuring that when they co back, they can see you safe and sound, or even cuter than before."
Little Jiu showed an awkward but polite smile. She lowered her head and exchanged a glance with the long-suffering Black Cat. An endless longing rose within them both—
Sister Ling, Big Brother Suo, co back quickly and rescue us from the Great Demon King!
Qiao Muyi took out three bento boxes from the bag. Naturally, she wouldn't cook, nor did she want to waste ti cooking after a day of hard work. She preferred to spend money to buy takeout from a nice restaurant.
All three were Japanese beef bento boxes, along with three cups of strawberry sundaes. Originally, Qiao Muyi hadn't planned to eat ice cream, but Little Jiu said it was a strong request from the Black Cat. In other areas, perhaps, but Qiao Muyi wouldn't skimp on their food.
Watching the Black Cat devour the beef and rice, not forgetting to lick up the blood-red strawberry sundae with its tongue, Qiao Muyi was used to such sights. Compared to these, she was more curious about how it managed to fully digest human food. She also wished to be a fantasy-level beautiful girl who didn't need to use the toilet.
As Qiao Muyi ate her al, she turned on the TV to catch up on national affairs with the nightly news program.
Her life had followed this rhythm these days:
During the day, she sent Little Jiu to school before heading to the city for work, while the Black Cat stayed ho playing with the tablet.
At noon, Little Jiu handled her own lunch at school, and the Black Cat managed with a large tub of ice cream in the fridge, a gift from Bai Ji.
In the evening, she bought three als for them to eat together. Then she would pet Ren Suo's cat, keep Ren Suo's Little Jiu company, and sleep in Ren Suo's bed, ready to energetically welco the next day.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Little Jiu took the initiative to open the door and imdiately pounced on the newcor with enthusiasm. "Sister Yueyan, Salted Fish!"
"Why don't you call sis..." Lin Xianyu muttered as she entered. Seeing them eating high-end bento boxes, her mouth imdiately began to water. "So nice, so nice, you guys have beef bento boxes... Little Jiu, I'll trade my braised eggplant rice with you, how about it!?"
"No way!" Little Jiu made a face at her and quickly pulled Gu Yueyan to sit down, having Gu Yueyan sit next to Qiao Muyi. With this buffer between them and the Great Demon King, Little Jiu suddenly felt much more relaxed. She curled her little feet up on the couch and ate happily.
Gu Yueyan and Lin Xianyu had brought their packaged als from the canteen. They knew Qiao Muyi would take care of Little Jiu and the Black Cat, and they simply wanted to join Little Jiu for a al—having dinner together had almost beco their nightly routine.
With Dong Chengling and Ren Suo absent, they ate while waiting for their return.
Qiao Muyi was tight-lipped. Everyone at Heavenly Lotus Academy believed that Teacher Dong and School Doctor Ren were temporarily assigned to the Tactical Bureau due to the "First Otherworldly Invasion" a few days earlier. However, to Gu Yueyan and the others, Qiao Muyi disclosed a bit of information: "Just as he protected you, Xiao Suo went this ti to protect Cheng Ling and his sister."
Gu Yueyan and Lin Xianyu imdiately understood. Well, as Lin Xianyu blurted out in her first reaction, "How the tables have turned."
Although everyone had their own ulterior motives, the safety of Ren Suo, Dong Chengling, and Ren Xingi was ultimately most important. So, these days, they hadn't had any quarrels and were all waiting for their return.
After the news finished covering dostic affairs and started on international news, Gu Yueyan suddenly asked, "Sister Qiao, it's... been 8 days already."
"Yes." Qiao Muyi showed no reaction, as indifferent as if Ren Suo had gone on a trip without her.
Gu Yueyan glanced at Qiao Muyi, noting that Qiao Muyi was truly not worried at all. Her eyes were fixed on the television as if the negotiations on strategic cooperation between the Mysterious Country and the Federation regarding the Otherworldly Invasion were incredibly captivating.
Nearby, Little Jiu, because Lin Xianyu had snagged a piece of her beef, beca all claws and teeth.
The Black Cat, having finished the beef rice and strawberry sundae, jumped over and lay on Gu Yueyan's lap, owing for a pat.
Gu Yueyan stroked the Black Cat, sowhat puzzled. "Sister Qiao... aren't you worried?"
"I'm not worried." Qiao Muyi glanced at Gu Yueyan. "You, my dear, just haven't experienced enough, so you lack composure. After a few more tis, you'll get used to this kind of situation just like ."
"A few more tis?" Gu Yueyan's eyes widened. "Does that an there will be more Otherworldly Invasions? But even if there are, they have nothing to do with him!"
"Who knows... attacks from the Moon God, Otherworldly Invasions, the Demon King's Descent... I won't be surprised by anything next ti," Qiao Muyi said teasingly. "As for whether it concerns him, hehe, if another girl gets involved with him, then it certainly concerns him..."
Gu Yueyan truly had limited experience; she was rely a beginner who had adventured with Ren Suo once. Soone like Qiao Muyi, an 'old hand' at this, having witnessed Ren Suo's adventures twice and even helped him hide his tracks, wasn't anxious or worried about his third adventure.
Although this ti was more dangerous than the previous ones, Ren Suo had directly entered the main base of the Otherworld Dinsion. Surviving and returning to Earth would both be extrely difficult. Still, Qiao Muyi wasn't worried at all.
She believed Ren Suo and the others would return safely more than anyone. After all, he was her man.
She hadn't been 'devoured' yet. She was confident Ren Suo would hurry back.
The only issue was, based on Qiao Muyi's own experiences and those of Gu Yueyan, wouldn't Ren Suo again this ti...
But she considered it. This ti, Ren Suo had been forced to go protect Dong Chengling and Ren Xingi. Dong Chengling was a given, and Ren Xingi was his sister. Unless Ren Suo brought back a girl from the Otherworld, the competitive landscape probably wouldn't change, right?
At this mont, Gu Yueyan spoke gloomily, "Sister Qiao, Sister Ling and he were out there for 8 days this ti. Do you think sothing... might have happened?"
Gu Yueyan raised this possibility, which was indeed quite likely—given her own past experiences.
And it was an experience Qiao Muyi, another veteran, shared.
In an unfamiliar Otherworld teeming with enemies, the human "suspension bridge effect" and the primal "instinct for procreation" would combine, creating an effect potent enough to overco any creature—especially since the two of them were already in love.
Although the chances weren't high, if Dong Chengling's inner flirtatiousness had awakened during the thrilling adventure and she had managed to bewitch Ren Suo, becoming the sole victor, devouring Ren Suo completely, and making Ren Suo draw a clear line with them...
This possibility not only existed, but the chances were quite significant!
Qiao Muyi calmly said, "I'm not too sure..."
Gu Yueyan looked at Qiao Muyi suspiciously, not believing that Qiao Muyi didn't grasp her underlying aning. "Don't tell , Sister Qiao, that you believe Mr. Suo will steadfastly stick to his principles?"
"What I an," Qiao Muyi paused, then continued softly, "is that I'm not too sure what *I* would do..."
Lin Xianyu, who was playing and bickering over food with Little Jiu, couldn't help but shiver. She exchanged a glance with Little Jiu, and together they took their bento boxes to eat at the dining table.
Although Gu Yueyan was not as extre as Qiao Muyi, she still felt quite lancholic.
Before starting university, she had already spent countless hours pondering how to handle the relationship between herself, Ren Suo, and Dong Chengling. Gu Yueyan could ignore Qiao Muyi, ignore Luna, but she couldn't ignore Dong Chengling.
According to the tiline of Ren Suo's emotional Awakening, Gu Yueyan was the first person he liked.
But in terms of the real-world tiline, the first person who liked Ren Suo was Dong Chengling.
Although Ren Suo had been openly non-committal from the beginning, Gu Yueyan always felt a sense of guilt, as if she were stealing his love, interfering with a destined pair, and forcibly changing their path.
She didn't want to hurt Dong Chengling, nor did she want to give up. The conclusion she reached was almost the sa as her conclusion six months ago: make Dong Chengling realize Ren Suo wasn't worthy of her, and have Ren Suo leave Teacher Dong!
And to be honest, Ren Suo truly isn't worthy of Dong Chengling. He's just barely... or perhaps just good enough for !
Having convinced herself with these reasons, Gu Yueyan felt justified in petting the cat. She scratched the Black Cat's chin. It comfortably closed its eyes, giving Gu Yueyan a strangely familiar feeling, as if she knew this cat very well.
The doorbell rang again. Everyone perked up slightly. Lin Xianyu imdiately went to open the door. "Ah? Teacher Bai, it's so late..."
In the spring season, when everyone else wore light jackets, Bai Ji was still fully ard with a trench coat and scarf, making the seasons aningless in his presence.
He nodded slightly at Lin Xianyu, entered, and looked around with a sigh. "I saw the light on from downstairs, and I thought..."
Qiao Muyi glanced at him. "If Ren Suo and the others had co back, don't you think I would have told you?"
Bai Ji glanced at her but said nothing.
"I think you all are really tense," Qiao Muyi said. "You haven't been sleeping or eating properly these past few days, have you?"
Gu Yueyan and Bai Ji's expressions changed slightly. Qiao Muyi sighed, asked them to sit down, and said, "Although I'm not worried at all, you guys are different from ... I promised Xiao Suo to help soothe your emotions."
"How about this: what do you plan to do to celebrate when Xiao Suo and the others co back? It can be a group celebration or a personal one. Let's talk about it and relax a bit."
"I'll give an example," Qiao Muyi tucked her hair behind her ear and looked at them, speaking unabashedly. "I want to celebrate just with Xiao Suo. We'll pick a day to go out and have fun—whether it's eating, watching a movie, or ice skating. In any case, I want to play with him from dawn till dawn!"
Little Jiu blinked and said loudly in a childlike voice, "I'm the sa as Sister Qiao!"
Gu Yueyan's eyes flickered slightly. "I'm the sa as Sister Qiao too."
Bai Ji's lips moved, but under Qiao Muyi's teasing gaze, he had to honestly say, "Just have a al together with Dong Chengling, Ren Suo, and the others to celebrate."
Finally, only Lin Xianyu hadn't spoken. The owing Black Cat beside her was being held down by Little Jiu's hand on its head.
Lin Xianyu pouted and said, "I'm a bit different from you guys..."
"Oh?" Everyone's attention sharpened.
Lin Xianyu crossed her arms and said, "Seeing you all involved in such thrilling major events, having such exciting experiences, I want to get involved in these kinds of events too, and then cling to Big Brother Ren's coattails..."
Qiao Muyi, Gu Yueyan, and Bai Ji said in unison, "Absolutely not!"
"Right, you think it's a field trip? Absolutely not!"
A familiar female voice suddenly rang out.
Everyone turned their heads and saw three people appear on the balcony.
They were Dong Chengling, Ren Xingi, and... Ren Xingi.
Wait, why were there two Ren Xingis—
However, quick as a flash, the Black Cat still in Gu Yueyan's arms leaped high into the air and, in mid-jump, transford into a blue-haired beautiful girl in a simple white divine robe. She pounced on the obviously frail Ren Xingi, hugging her and wildly rubbing against her on the floor. "Suosuo, you're back!"
Wait, why did the Black Cat transform into a human?
And into a blue-haired beautiful girl, no less!
This blue-haired beautiful girl even resembled the deity, the Moon Chanter, from Ren Naiser's videos!
Most importantly, why was she holding Ren Xingi but calling out Ren Suo's na?
Qiao Muyi was the quickest to react. "Xiao Suo, you've transford into your sister's appearance?"
Bai Ji also caught on. "Ren Suo, your Ability can even transcend gender restrictions?!"
Ren Suo said with a wry smile, "Well... to co back to Earth, I had to take on this appearance."
Unlike his journey to Earth with Didra, this ti Ren Suo was crossing over through a public domain without a license, neither guided by a Great Lord's power nor having his coordinates locked.
Theoretically, Ren Suo might even have been swept into the Azure Silver Ti-River, to be washed away by the endless currents until he beca a re echo of ti.
So, before he left, he used "A Different Life" on his sister again, overwriting the Truth Seeker's save file.
Since it was the second save in a short period, Ren Suo skimd through Ren Xingi's past almost effortlessly, even faster than he had browsed the Truth Seeker's unremarkable and brief life.
However, the updated thoughts and information from Ren Xingi over these few hours made Ren Suo feel a complex mix of emotions: he found it unbearable to look at directly, yet he also felt a little excited.
Then, by assuming Ren Xingi's appearance, he used her as a temporal coordinate for Earth, enabling him to directly anchor onto Earth during the dinsional traversal and return ho.
When they returned, they went directly to the roof of the dormitory building—the very spot where they had traversed originally.
Lying on the ground, Ren Suo transford back into his True Form. When he saw Ren Xingi trying to pull Luna off him, he waved his hand and said, "Luna, put on the couch."
Luna imdiately lifted Ren Suo and placed him on the couch. Then, she held him tightly with both arms, much like a child guarding a toy, refusing to let go.
Ren Suo didn't mind. In fact, without Luna's embrace, he would have already collapsed into a mushy heap on the ground.
He looked around at everyone and exchanged a look with Ren Xingi and Dong Chengling, flashing them a big, genuine smile. "We're back."
Five voices echoed, "Welco back."
After a brief drink of water and a rest, Ren Suo looked at them curiously and asked, "How co you're all here?"
"We were all waiting for you to co back," Gu Yueyan said with a hint of annoyance. "You took off to brave the Otherworld with Teacher Dong and Xingi without a word. You have no idea how worried we were about you."
Qiao Muyi glanced at the balcony. "Is it just you three who returned? You didn't bring back a lady from the Otherworld or anything?"
Lin Xianyu asked, "Big Brother Ren, what exactly have you all been through these past few days? And why has your Black Cat transford into the Moon Chanter?"
"Well, that's a long story…"
RUMBLE...
Little Jiu blinked. "So it's true that human stomachs can actually growl..."
"We've been fighting and running all day and haven't eaten anything," Dong Chengling said. "I'll go change and cook so food. Do we have ingredients at ho?"
Gu Yueyan imdiately responded, "Yes, I bought so at and vegetables a few days ago and stored them in the fridge. I'll help too."
Ren Xingi asked, "Is my suitcase still here? It has a lot of snacks. We could nibble on those for now."
Bai Ji said, "I'll go back and bring so ice cream over."
Lin Xianyu said, "I haven't had my fill yet! I can keep eating with you guys!"
Qiao Muyi didn't say a word, sitting on the couch and staring at Luna. Luna, unable to bear the scrutiny, finally, and reluctantly, shared half of Ren Suo with Qiao Muyi.
Ren Suo looked at the joyous, harmonious scene before him and felt sowhat relieved.
He had initially thought that seeing such a large group of people at ho would quickly lead to a tense situation. But now, it seed everyone was well-intentioned, and it was unlikely any conflict serious enough to draw blood would erupt. Ren Suo realized he had overthought things.
And at this mont, Gu Yueyan, who was taking ingredients out of the fridge to thaw, thought to herself:
No matter what happened between Mr. Suo and Teacher Dong in the Otherworld, the first person he developed feelings for after his Awakening was ! I still have a chance!
Back in her own apartnt, seeing her brand-new ho, Dong Chengling's usually placid expression showed a hint of a smile as she pulled clothes from her suitcase to change into.
Although I've set my heart on Suo for this lifeti, I still need to help him correct his mistakes as much as possible. As the person Suo first liked, I will ensure his feelings remain true to the end.
Holding the other side of Ren Suo's body and checking him over to make sure he was all there, Qiao Muyi finally sighed in relief. She reached out to pinch Ren Suo's cheek, but he didn't even have the energy to speak. Looking at him, she finally showed a helpless smile and embraced him.
Xiao Suo, you might not rember now, but as your first love in another world line, I will absolutely not let anyone take you away from . No matter how many hardships you've endured with them, no matter how many trials you've overco... I will never allow it! The you from every world line belongs to !
Luna struggled to reclaim the other side of Ren Suo, holding his hand and rubbing it back and forth. Suddenly feeling sleepy, she curled up directly on the couch and fell asleep.
Suosuo's back! I can finally get a good night's sleep!
And at this ti, Bai Ji, who was walking ho to get ice cream, had a single thought echoing persistently in his mind, impossible to shake:
Ren Suo can actually turn into a woman!
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