The sprawling hypermarket Bai Xia had chosen was situated in Suhua New District, its main structure a towering skyscraper imbued with a distinct sci-fi aesthetic.
It was only after stepping into this new district that she could genuinely perceive herself to be in a world utterly different from her own.
As far as her gaze could stretch, silver-white skyscrapers, though varying in height, were intricately linked by a series of elevated pathways.
These crystal-like thoroughfares were flanked by aerial channels, along which unique, compact hovercars glided smoothly and in perfect order.
Below, the main city district hummed with activity.
On the roads, robotic guards patrolled ceaselessly, directing traffic, while sleek light-energy vehicles swept away refuse.
Along the thoroughfares, a myriad of projected road signs, navigation displays, and vibrant billboards illuminated the surroundings.
Standing at the intersection, Bai Xia tilted her head slightly, her eyes surveying the utterly unfamiliar landscape.
An ineffable sensation swelled within her.
In that fleeting moment, she felt transported back in time, to an era when she, fueled by a reckless determination, had first plunged into the heart of a bustling international metropolis.
Facing those towering skyscrapers then, structures that seemed to bridge heaven and earth, her heart must have pulsed with a similar mix of exhilaration and profound trepidation, much as it did now.
The alienness of her new surroundings, coupled with a deep-seated fear and bewilderment regarding the future, briefly left Bai Xia feeling a touch of vertigo.
Mercifully, beneath her outwardly youthful facade lay a soul already tempered by life’s tempests.
She was, after all, no longer a mere child prone to tears and tantrums.
Her formidable adaptability swiftly allowed her to regain control of her emotions.
While her personal journey was undeniably extraordinary, dwelling on what had transpired would serve no purpose.
The paramount concern now was to establish a good life in this new world.
To adapt and thrive in any circumstance was, Bai Xia believed, one of her most potent skills.
“Hoo…”
Taking a deep, steadying breath, the young woman standing at the street corner now possessed a gaze imbued with newfound resolve, the lingering traces of bewilderment having receded.
If she had once lived with such unbridled spirit, then there was no reason to believe her future would be any less vibrant than her past.
While the transformation of not just her worldview but also her very being into a ‘legal loli’ (TL Note: A Japanese slang term referring to a character who appears underage but is legally an adult, often used humorously or ironically) was, upon careful consideration, quite a vexing predicament, stagnation and despair were utterly antithetical to Bai Xia’s nature.
From a more optimistic perspective, at least she had possessed the body of a loli, rather than a cat, a dog, or some other non-human entity.
She was still human, capable of experiencing human joys.
Furthermore, having lost one ‘below’ but gained two ‘above,’ it seemed like an undeniably profitable exchange… didn’t it?
“As if!”
Patting her rather meager chest, a flicker of disdain crossed Bai Xia’s otherwise impassive face.
Trading a magnificent twenty-centimeter cucumber for two mere fried eggs—this was, by any measure, an absolute financial disaster!
What’s more, the cucumber was at least something she could *use*.
These fried eggs, however…
‘Once I’m back, I’ll fondle them to my heart’s content.’
Patting her cheeks to regain her composure, Bai Xia, who had lingered at the intersection for some time, finally began walking towards the towering edifice that dominated her vision.
Incidentally, besides replenishing her daily necessities, purchasing groceries, and acquiring some autumn and winter clothing, she also needed to procure a rather peculiar item.
It was something white and soft, possessing two ‘wings’ that protected all women: a tiny angel indeed.
Having made a rough calculation of the time, and assuming this body’s physiological functions were relatively normal, it wouldn’t be long before… a certain ‘monthly visitor’ would make their appearance.
At this realization, Bai Xia felt a familiar throb of a headache beginning.
“Why, with technology so incredibly advanced, do women still have to endure this monthly torment? It’s utterly illogical.”
She had worried about this very matter previously, and a quick search online had confirmed that nothing had changed from her memories, leaving her both speechless and resigned.
Having failed to locate this particular necessity at home, she had suddenly recalled it while out today, making it the perfect opportunity to purchase.
Even Bai Xia, despite her usual thick skin, felt a profound flush of embarrassment at the prospect of buying such an item for the very first time in her life.
Yet, however much she resisted the notion, her current body was undeniably that of a normal young woman, meaning this particular experience would likely recur countless times in the future.
In any case, she would simply have to grow accustomed to it; there was no other choice.
Such was life: even if one wished to stand still, it would relentlessly propel them forward, right until the very end.
Of course, it was still too soon to dwell on such matters.
At present, Bai Xia felt no discomfort whatsoever, suggesting it would be some time before she succumbed to the ‘continuous bleeding’ debuff.
Shaking her head, she cast all these chaotic thoughts from her mind.
Bai Xia first stepped into the colossal hypermarket, pausing on the ground floor to consult the directories for various sections and levels, before ascending directly to a restaurant on the third floor.
She hadn’t, after all, had breakfast yet.
As the edifice housing the largest hypermarket in the district, its offerings naturally extended far beyond a mere grocery store.
It encompassed arcades, KTV lounges, diverse eateries, bookstores, internet cafes, and even boasted a pristine market for fresh produce and seafood in its subterranean levels.
To explore every floor would undoubtedly consume an entire day, and even then, one might not see it all.
While Bai Xia had no intention of visiting every single floor, she certainly had no plans to bypass anything that piqued her interest.
After finishing her meal, she headed directly to the arcade, eager to discover what gaming establishments looked like in this future era.
What she discovered, however, was… that it seemed remarkably similar to her memories.
The expansive area was filled with rows upon rows of various arcade machines, dance machines, and claw games.
Despite the bustling atmosphere, Bai Xia couldn’t shake a peculiar sense of déjà vu.
A touch of disappointment settled over her, until she ventured to the other side and finally stumbled upon a new frontier: holographic projection games!
Yet, as she eagerly made her way over, she was… abruptly halted.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Gazing at the attendant in the blue and white uniform before her, Bai Xia narrowed her eyes slightly, a hint of displeasure clouding her expression.
The attendant, however, maintained her gentle smile, speaking softly, “I’m terribly sorry, little sister, but these particular games contain elements of violence and gore.
By legal mandate, only adults are permitted to experience them.”
The virtual gaming zone Bai Xia had approached predominantly featured intense shooting and combat games, of the kind where blood splattered with every shot and fists connected with bone-jarring impact.
Consequently, upon seeing her, the attendant patiently relayed the regulations of that section before extending a finger to point towards another area.
“If you wish to play a game, little sister, you should head over there instead.”
Bai Xia followed the direction of her finger, and a faint, almost imperceptible twitch played at the corner of her lips.
For the projected sign there unmistakably declared: ‘Princess Simulation Game!’
“This is a very popular game recently, offering a truly authentic princess experience where you can revel in the allure of a lavish castle and your very own prince charming!
It’s absolutely perfect for a sweet little princess like you!
Oh, and little sister, you are truly, incredibly adorable!
Could I possibly take a quick photo with you later? Just one, I promise!”
The attendant’s smile grew increasingly benevolent, and she even reached out, intending to pat Bai Xia’s head.
However, the young woman impassively evaded her touch, then spoke with a hint of resentment in her voice: “I apologize, but I am neither a ‘little sister’ nor any sort of ‘little princess.’”
With that, Bai Xia’s finger lightly tapped her Sky-Comm (TL Note: A futuristic communication device, similar to a smartphone), and the attendant’s verification device immediately flashed green.
The attendant instinctively glanced at the scanned basic information, only to discover that this ‘little sister’ was, in fact, a month older than herself!
Bai Xia bypassed her and continued towards the virtual gaming zone, leaving the attendant standing frozen in place, utterly bewildered and questioning her entire existence.
If this scene were depicted in a comic, her head would undoubtedly be overflowing with question marks.