Chen Xuanqiu awoke early, feeling utterly refreshed. Everything seemed idyllic as she surveyed her surroundings; it had been an exceptionally long time since she had slept so soundly.
Rising from bed, she noticed the hospital gown offered little coverage. Having worn no underwear, her breasts swayed, brushing against her skin, which felt sticky and clung to itself.
Chen Xuanqiu frowned, then took a fresh set of lingerie and retreated into the bathroom.
Soon after, she emerged, damp, her delicate face flushed crimson. This wasn’t from shyness, but from the steam of the hot water.
After such a long transformation, she had grown accustomed to her new body. This wasn’t due to a shift in sexual orientation, but simply a matter of habit.
Chen Xuanqiu was drying her hair when a knock echoed at the door. She went to open it, revealing Ni Shanshan.
“Sister, aren’t you off duty yet?”
Chen Xuanqiu asked instinctively. Normally, Ni Shanshan would have already finished her shift and had no reason to visit the ward.
“No, it’s infuriating!”
Ni Shanshan’s face clouded with vexation.
“What happened?”
Chen Xuanqiu pressed, puzzled.
“Can you believe it? Zhai Xiaozhen and Yu Hua are going to be released tomorrow!”
Ni Shanshan explained, exasperated.
“What? Why? Aren’t the police continuing their investigation?”
Chen Xuanqiu asked, agitated.
“How can they investigate? There are no cameras in the ward, and from start to finish, it’s just been your word against theirs.”
Ni Shanshan retorted.
“But… but they’re so highly suspicious. How can they just be released like this?”
Chen Xuanqiu was unwilling to accept this, not for justice, but for the pitiful Infant Spirit.
“Xiaoqiu, you know how it is. In this world, the nation is exceptionally lenient towards women. If they push too hard, it could stir up negative repercussions, and it’s foreseeable that serious matters will be downplayed.
Moreover, those two women have numerous ‘simps’ working tirelessly behind the scenes. So, even if something were uncovered, it would likely be swept under the rug.”
Ni Shanshan explained patiently.
Chen Xuanqiu gradually came to a realization. This wasn’t her original Earth; it was Earth B, where reproductive resources were incredibly precious.
From top to bottom, no one was willing to simply eliminate two young women. After all, keeping them alive held far more significance than killing them.
‘Alas! Justice is utterly fragile in the face of reality.’
Chen Xuanqiu sighed inwardly. Possessing a male mind, she didn’t feel smug about the world’s leniency towards women; only sorrow remained.
“Xiaoqiu, I also heard that Zhai Xiaozhen has been asking the hospital nurses about your condition. It seems she has no intention of letting this go. You must be careful.”
Ni Shanshan warned with a grave tone.
Chen Xuanqiu was about to reply when the Infant Spirit materialized from the corner.
“Sister, I understand. You should head home now. You’ve been busy all night.”
Chen Xuanqiu urged quickly.
Ni Shanshan cast a worried glance at Chen Xuanqiu, then looked back repeatedly as she left.
“Did you hear what that sister just said?”
Chen Xuanqiu asked the Infant Spirit.
It remained silent, staring unmoving at Chen Xuanqiu, its gaze devoid of emotion.
‘Alas! It seems I can’t wait until discharge.’
Chen Xuanqiu sighed. Once those two women were released, it would be too troublesome to track them down again.
“How about this? You go back to the ward and stay there. I’ll figure out a way to take you to the police station later.”
Chen Xuanqiu said after a moment of contemplation.
Only then did the Infant Spirit slowly retreat, its tiny form vanishing into the corner.
‘It seems I’ll have to ask my parents to take me out today.’
Chen Xuanqiu mused inwardly.
****
Soon after, her parents arrived with breakfast.
Chen Degao, preoccupied with company matters, hadn’t visited for two days. Upon arrival, he immediately cornered the on-duty nurse, inquiring about his daughter’s condition.
“Well… Miss Chen has been doing very well these past few days and hasn’t had another episode.”
Li Rui truthfully reported. As she always worked during the day, the Chen Xuanqiu she saw appeared no different from any normal person.
Chen Degao was overjoyed and profusely thanked her.
“Do you remember what Dr. Ren said? If you’re fine for half a month, it means there’s nothing seriously wrong with you.”
Chen Degao excitedly reiterated the doctor’s words.
“Yes, and when you’re discharged, Mama will take you out for delicious food. You haven’t eaten or slept well in the hospital, you’ve gotten so thin.”
Melissa said tenderly.
“As long as I can get out, any food is fine.”
Chen Xuanqiu replied. Though she had only been in the hospital for a week, it had felt like ages.
Soon after, Dr. Ren returned with a group of young doctors in white coats to do their rounds, once again inquiring about Chen Xuanqiu’s condition from Li Rui.
“Dr. Ren, you previously said that if my daughter’s condition doesn’t flare up for half a month, she can be discharged, right?”
Chen Degao quickly confirmed.
“Yes, if nothing occurs for half a month, it proves that it’s likely a temporary physiological hallucination. After discharge, just remember to take some calming medication.”
Dr. Ren gave a firm answer.
“Once you’re discharged, I’ll take you both to apply for passports. In half a month at most, we can go to Ceylon.”
After the doctor left, Chen Degao calmly arranged.
“That’s wonderful! I haven’t been back to see my parents in a long time; they’re always nagging me on the phone.”
Melissa’s expression was fervent. Given it was an international marriage, it wasn’t easy for her to visit her parents.
“I’m sorry, my dear. I’ve been an incompetent husband, but now you’ll be able to spend more time with them when we live there.”
A hint of guilt appeared on Chen Degao’s face. In this era, few men dared to neglect their in-laws. After all, a woman could marry with her eyes closed, but for a man to find a wife was as difficult as ascending to heaven.
Chen Degao and his wife began to envision a beautiful future. In this world, having one daughter was already a blessing from the heavens. To receive another unexpectedly was truly a double blessing.
Several times, Chen Xuanqiu considered telling her parents about being hunted, but the words caught in her throat.
‘No, if I tell them, Father will surely hire security personnel to follow me. What if those assassins then don’t dare to make a move?’
Chen Xuanqiu decisively abandoned the idea after considering this problem. After all, she still intended to use the blood of those people to enhance her strength and uncover clues; she couldn’t scare them away.
As for safety, Chen Xuanqiu hadn’t considered it at all. If even a malevolent ghost couldn’t kill her, what hope did a few ordinary humans have?
“Mom, can you take me for a walk on the street? I haven’t been out in days.”
Chen Xuanqiu quickly asked. According to hospital regulations, having been hospitalized for a week, she was permitted to leave with a family member accompanying her.
“Of course, darling! I’ll go say hello to the nurse; you get dressed first.”
Melissa was utterly compliant with her daughter’s wishes, so without a second thought, she hurried off to find a nurse.
Chen Xuanqiu was delighted and began to change her clothes; after all, one couldn’t go out in a hospital gown.
She rummaged through her suitcase, ultimately choosing the clothes she had worn to the hospital that day. These were clothes her parents had retrieved from her younger sister.
The outfit consisted of a red short-sleeved t-shirt adorned with a cartoon magical girl, paired with form-fitting capris and women’s athletic shoes. While still somewhat feminine, they were far preferable to the outfits her mother had bought.
Once dressed, Chen Xuanqiu went to call the Infant Spirit from Room 305.
“Mingming, what do you plan to do after you get your revenge?”
Chen Xuanqiu tried to hold back, but couldn’t resist asking.
“I… I don’t know.”
The Infant Spirit replied forlornly.
“Promise me, brother—no, sister—wherever you go, please don’t harm ordinary people, okay?”
Chen Xuanqiu patiently urged. She didn’t want this child to harm others, nor did she want harm to come to this pitiful child.
“Okay, Mama told Mingming the same thing. You don’t have to worry.”
The Infant Spirit replied obediently.
Melissa soon returned, a hint of dissatisfaction on her face when she saw her daughter’s attire.
“Didn’t I buy you so many new clothes? Why are you still wearing your sister’s?”
Melissa began to nag.
“I think they’re perfectly fine.”
Chen Xuanqiu insisted stubbornly.
Despite repeated persuasion, Melissa found herself helpless and ultimately had to give up.
The mother and daughter left the inpatient department. As they reached the entrance, the scorching sun blazed outside, making the very air seem to ignite.
“Take an umbrella; this sunlight is too fierce.”
Melissa handed her daughter a parasol adorned with white lace.
Chen Xuanqiu, however, didn’t take it. Psychologically, she was a man; how could she possibly carry such a feminine parasol?
“What’s wrong?”
Melissa asked, puzzled.
“I don’t need an umbrella.”
Chen Xuanqiu replied with great confidence.
“How can you not use an umbrella? You’re a girl now! If you get tanned like charcoal, who will you marry in the future?”
Melissa forcefully pressed the parasol into her daughter’s hand.
“Who said I’m getting married?”
Chen Xuanqiu threw a small tantrum. Hearing her mother mention marriage immediately irritated her. The topic had been a persistent headache, one she had consciously set aside, but her mother had chosen to poke at the very wound she’d tried to ignore.
“You…”
Melissa was startled. She hadn’t expected her usually gentle and meek eldest daughter to react so strongly. Upon reflection, she realized her words had been too blunt.
Such matters required a delicate approach.
“I’m sorry, darling! I was too impatient.”
Melissa quickly apologized. As a purely Western woman, she harbored no rigid notions of respecting elders regardless of right or wrong; for her, right was right, and wrong was wrong.
“Sister, I want the umbrella. I’m afraid of the sun.”
Just then, the Infant Spirit at Chen Xuanqiu’s feet suddenly spoke in a pitiful voice.
‘So ghosts really are afraid of sunlight.’
Chen Xuanqiu paused in surprise. To her surprise, after all her stubbornness, she couldn’t escape it.
“Mama, give it to me.”
Chen Xuanqiu finally took the parasol.
A smile instantly bloomed on Melissa’s face as she quickly handed the umbrella to her daughter, clearly having misunderstood something.
Chen Xuanqiu walked behind her mother, holding the parasol, feeling the gazes from all around her. She felt deeply uncomfortable, unable to shake the feeling that they were mocking her.
Of course, this was merely her misconception. What was wrong with a beautiful girl carrying a parasol?
Those people weren’t deities; how could they know that a male soul resided within this beautiful facade?
Chen Xuanqiu followed closely behind her mother, feeling as though ants were crawling all over her. The Infant Spirit, however, paid no mind. It rested peacefully beneath the parasol, awaiting its chance to avenge its mother.
“Darling, where do you want to go? For something to eat?”
Melissa asked tentatively.
“Let’s go to the West District Police Station first.”
Chen Xuanqiu replied immediately.
“To the police station? Why go to the police station?”
Melissa’s brows furrowed. ‘Had her daughter run into trouble again?’ she thought.
“Not to the police station, but near the police station. I want to buy something.”
Chen Xuanqiu quickly corrected herself.
“Okay.”
Melissa breathed a sigh of relief. She led her daughter to the parking lot and then drove out of the hospital gates.
The Infant Spirit consciously entered the back seat of the car and sat quietly, like a well-behaved child.
‘Alas! Without its mother, it will have no one else to rely on in this world.’
Chen Xuanqiu, sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly felt a pang of sorrow. Unfortunately, as a living person, she couldn’t possibly take in an Infant Spirit.
Melissa soon drove to the West District Police Station and parked the car in a nearby alley.
Chen Xuanqiu stepped out, holding the parasol, and then led the Infant Spirit to the vicinity of the police station.
“Go.”
Chen Xuanqiu said, gazing at the police station’s entrance.
“Thank you, Sister.”
The tiny Infant Spirit turned back to thank her, then, carrying an immense wave of resentment, it entered the police station.
Infant Spirit… has come for retribution!