Time flew by, and Chen Xuanqiu’s body feminized a little more each day. Nourished by super estrogen, it steadfastly evolved into that of a complete woman, much like an embryo in a mother’s womb.
The process was not swift, yet it remained somewhat difficult for Chen Xuanqiu to adapt. After all, he had lived as a man for sixteen years, and even the slightest feminization made his nerves exceptionally sensitive; for instance, he would immediately notice even a minuscule increase in his chest size.
CEO Hai, however, had long grown impatient. He frequently had Liqiang urge for updates, stating that once the time was ripe, he would come to “collect his goods.”
Another week passed in a flash. Chen Xuanqiu finally discovered, to her dismay, that she had developed female anatomy below, and while still subtle, she understood this signified the absolute end of her male life.
“I must escape,” she thought. “Otherwise, becoming CEO Hai’s plaything would be little better than death.”
Chen Xuanqiu mused once more.
That morning, Chen Xuanqiu was cornered by Liqiang directly at the laboratory entrance.
“Have you completely turned into a woman now?”
Liqiang’s gaze aggressively swept over Chen Xuanqiu from head to toe.
The surrounding people also turned their attention to Chen Xuanqiu. By then, her hair cascaded over her shoulders, her skin was even fairer and softer than before, and her figure appeared curvaceous, exuding a full, intoxicating femininity, like a fragrant, ripe apple.
“N-not yet.”
Chen Xuanqiu replied instinctively. She spoke the truth, as certain parts of her body had indeed not fully developed, though even if she had fully feminized, she would never have honestly admitted it.
“Don’t you dare lie to me, or I won’t let you off.”
Liqiang threatened, his brow furrowed.
“Why are you being so fierce?” Wei Shoutai interjected. “Didn’t we tell you already that it would take a month for her to fully transition? It’s only been half a month. Can’t you count?”
“Who can’t count?” Liqiang retorted. “Kid, watch your tone!”
Liqiang pointed at Wei Shoutai’s forehead.
“Don’t point your filthy finger at this grandpa,” Wei Shoutai snapped. “This grandpa has killed men; do you think I’d be afraid of you?”
Wei Shoutai abruptly slapped Liqiang’s hand away.
“Kid, remember what you did today,” Liqiang snarled.
Liqiang gritted his teeth and spat out the threat.
“Just a lackey,” Wei Shoutai scoffed. “Do you think you can overturn the heavens?”
Wei Shoutai scoffed contemptuously.
“Thank you,” Chen Xuanqiu said, a touch moved.
“It’s nothing,” Wei Shoutai blurted out. “I just can’t stand seeing him bully girls.”
“You know I’m a man,” Chen Xuanqiu firmly retorted, her clear, black-and-white eyes wide.
“Oh, oh, oh, sorry,” Wei Shoutai apologized, utterly insincerely. “You’re a man.”
In truth, from the very first day they met, he had never truly regarded Chen Xuanqiu as a boy; her beautiful face was simply too captivating.
Once inside the laboratory, the grandfather and grandson proceeded with Chen Xuanqiu’s physical examination as usual.
“Although some of her organs aren’t fully developed yet, she has everything a girl should have,” Dr. Wei stated. “And all the Y-chromosomes in her body have transformed into X-chromosomes.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Xuanqiu’s cheeks burned, as if all her clothes had been stripped away.
“Does this mean she has completely turned into a girl?” Wei Shoutai eagerly inquired.
“I’m not even excited, so why are you so thrilled?”
Chen Xuanqiu couldn’t help but retort inwardly. ‘Even if I become a girl, I won’t be cheap for any man, and that certainly includes you, kid.’
“You could say that,” Dr. Wei teased. “So, from now on, you must treat her with respect.”
“I know! I know!”
Wei Shoutai awkwardly rubbed his head. His gaze towards Chen Xuanqiu grew even more fervent; there was nothing for it, as he was, after all, a normal man in the prime of his youth.
“Child, after you leave this place, no matter what happens,” Dr. Wei said, his expression suddenly serious, “never, ever say that you used to be a boy. Understand?”
“Huh?”
Chen Xuanqiu was somewhat bewildered.
“Do you remember what I told you?” Dr. Wei reminded her. “You are the only person in the world to successfully undergo gender transition. The gender ratio outside is severely imbalanced now, and every country is desperate to solve this. If people find out you’re a transperson, you should know the consequences.”
Chen Xuanqiu’s mood also grew heavy upon hearing this, for she knew that someone like Dr. Wei would never exaggerate.
“That’s right,” Wei Shoutai added, fearing Chen Xuanqiu might not fully grasp the severity. “If that happens, you won’t just be staying in the lab for two months. It’ll probably be for life.”
“If I just keep pretending to be a man afterward, won’t I be fine?” Chen Xuanqiu asked after a moment, a touch of fanciful thinking in her voice.
“Sure,” Dr. Wei stated, ruthlessly revealing the truth. “Unless you can escape from here first. Otherwise, do you think CEO Hai would allow you to continue being a boy?”
Chen Xuanqiu was speechless, her expression turning exceedingly grim.
Wei Shoutai looked at Chen Xuanqiu with a touch of pity, unsure what to say for a moment.
“Grandpa Wei, Brother Wei,” Chen Xuanqiu pleaded pitifully, “To be honest with you, I only became a girl to survive, so I really don’t want to be… taken by a man. You’re men too; you should be able to understand how I feel. So, if you know how I can escape, please tell me. I will surely repay your immense kindness once I’m out.”
Dr. Wei showed no reaction to her words, continuing to busy himself with his experiments, though it was unclear what he was thinking.
Wei Shoutai looked at Chen Xuanqiu, appearing as if he wanted to speak but held back, though in the end, he chose to evade.
Chen Xuanqiu let out a disheartened laugh. ‘I’m truly asking too much of them,’ she thought. ‘It wasn’t easy for this grandfather and grandson to find a place to live; they’ve already been more than benevolent towards me.’
‘Am I truly destined to be someone’s plaything for the rest of my life?’ Chen Xuanqiu thought, a chill piercing her heart. ‘I was a man!’
Another week passed. Chen Xuanqiu’s breasts had grown to the size of her younger sister’s, and her entire body was now indistinguishable from that of a normal woman. Even without makeup, it would likely be difficult for outsiders to tell the two apart.
Late that night, Chen Xuanqiu was drifting in and out of sleep when she suddenly heard a faint knock at the door.
“Who is it?” she called out. “What are you doing in the middle of the night?”
As a newly transitioned woman, Chen Xuanqiu wasn’t particularly cautious, so she obediently opened the door. The next second, however, a shiver ran through her as a tall, muscular man stood outside, panting heavily as he stared at her. It was Liqiang.
Chen Xuanqiu felt as though she had been targeted by a beast, an instinctive sense of danger washing over her. She immediately tried to close the door.
Liqiang, however, was swift. He blocked the door with his knee, gaining the upper hand. A struggle ensued.
Chen Xuanqiu put all her strength into it, but as a frail young woman, she was easily overwhelmed. Her body stumbled backward, and it took her a moment to regain her footing.
“What do you want?” Chen Xuanqiu demanded, retreating cautiously.
“What do I want?” Liqiang replied, unhurriedly turning to lock the door. “Why, to check your body, of course. CEO Hai wants an update on your progress, so I’m simply obliging.”
“Do you think I’m stupid?” Chen Xuanqiu immediately retorted. “If you wanted to check my body, there’s plenty of time during the day. Why come at night?”
“You’re quite clever, aren’t you?” Liqiang chuckled triumphantly. “Then I won’t pretend anymore. Wei Shoutai is quite fond of you, isn’t he? Tonight, I’m going to give him a spiritual cuckold, so he can never hold his head high again.”
“Don’t forget,” Chen Xuanqiu stammered, dodging like a frightened lamb, her panic overriding her concern for dignity. “I belong to your boss. Aren’t you afraid CEO Hai will come after you?”
“Who said I have to sleep with you to cuckold him?” Liqiang sneered, his smile lecherous. “There are countless pleasures between men and women. You’ll soon find out.”
He lunged forward like an eagle pouncing on a chick.
“Help! Help!”
In that desperate moment, Chen Xuanqiu cast aside all concern for face, dodging and screaming for help.
“Shout all you want!” Liqiang mocked calmly. “It’s the middle of the night, and the room is soundproof. I’d like to see who can save you.”
Chen Xuanqiu knew her efforts were futile. Cornered, a flash of inspiration struck her. She grabbed the water glass from the table and hurled it at Liqiang.
“With that little strength of yours…”
Liqiang agilely dodged, intending to mock her further. But then, he heard a jarring crash. He turned to look, only to see the glass shattered in front of the door. It was then he understood: the little brat’s target wasn’t him, but the door.
In the dead of night, with everything silent, the sound of the glass cup hitting the iron door was exceptionally piercing, echoing throughout the entire basement.