Chapter 70 Reckless Acts

Though faint, the sound of something fracturing still reached Lyte’s ears.Having turned his head, he saw Shenhong gently clasping a hand over his chest, his face, painted orange-red by the morning sun, etched with an expression that seemed a mix of shame and bitterness.

“Shenhong, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I was just thinking about what comes next.”

Shenhong spoke, his voice as crisp and pleasant as ever, a quality that would be considered melodious even among women.Based on Lyte’s consistent observations and understanding of Shenhong, this was not a lie uttered specifically to reassure him.

Moreover, Shenhong’s mood was clearly much better than it had been initially.

Lyte couldn’t help but let out a silent sigh of relief.

“There’s no need to worry; no matter what, I will assist you.”

“Yes, I know.”

Shenhong smiled.

It was a happy, sweet, and sincere smile, brimming with gratitude.Gazing at the red-haired beauty before him, a sight capable of turning even morning goddesses into mere backdrops, Lyte couldn’t help but return an emotional smile.

‘Helping others without expecting anything in return’—such sentiments, he did not entirely agree with.

It wasn’t that he demanded repayment, but rather that everyone held a different definition of ‘return’.

For Lyte, a simple ‘thank you’ was enough to satisfy him.

If even that was absent, it made no difference, so long as he saw the person he helped doing well.

Of course, receiving heartfelt gratitude from the other party was naturally the best possible outcome.

For then, he could be certain that his help had been effective.

Just like now.

‘This is truly wonderful.’

Without warning, a blue-haired, red-eyed figure flashed through Lyte’s mind.

‘I truly hope that one day, I can make Master Hai Zhu show such a happy expression…’

Silently setting this goal in his heart, Lyte walked over to Shenhong.

“Shenhong, let’s go back.”

“Alright…” Shenhong lowered his head slightly, speaking in a weak voice that might have been exhaustion, “Lyte, carry me back.”

Lyte knew perfectly well that the ‘carry’ Shenhong spoke of meant a bridal carry.

However, ever since his younger sister, Huangfu Jing, had lectured him after that previous return, he had not typically treated Shenhong with overly gentlemanly conduct.

He knew that Shenhong, deep down, regarded himself as a male. However, having received extensive lady-like education, Shenhong’s usual demeanor was akin to that of a noble young lady, and even his private actions leaned more towards feminine traits.

The correct approach, therefore, was to disregard gender mentally, yet treat the other person as a girl in words and deeds.

Their interactions over the past half-month had proven the correctness of this approach… now, with Shenhong suddenly asking for a bridal carry, he was momentarily stunned.

“I want to return quickly… I’m a little tired.”

“My apologies.”

Lyte immediately felt a pang of guilt.

Truly, what was he thinking about, all these irrelevant things?

Shenhong was a magic-less individual; after half a day on the train and then walking for several hours without sleep… not to mention Shenhong, even he was tired.

Gently lifting Shenhong, Lyte swiftly sprinted back in the direction they had come from.

‘Hmm… so light.’

He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he felt that Shenhong was significantly lighter than half a month ago, and his frame seemed to have shrunk by half a size, truly like an ordinary girl.

Yet, when they first met, Shenhong’s physique had been slightly delicate, but still heavier than girls of the same height, with more muscle in his limbs…

Now, the feeling of the parts of Shenhong he was holding was indescribably soft.

Could it be that… Lyte couldn’t help but show a worried expression.

“Lyte, what’s wrong?”

Shenhong, who had been intently watching him from his arms, asked.

“Shenhong, have you been eating properly recently? You must take care of your health.”

“I’m just on a diet, no need to worry. I’m getting enough nutrition.”

“That’s good… Although being concerned with beauty is fine, don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Mm, I won’t.”

Shenhong nodded lightly.

Of course, this was undoubtedly a lie.

As for the reason…

****

After the two returned to Qilin City and boarded the train back to the royal capital, Xie Shenhong went to the restroom on the train and took out the golden pocket watch.

Without any surprise, the hour hand had not only returned to its original position but had advanced further, landing on the 4th mark.

As a result, her body had once again undergone changes; her chest binder could no longer bear the strain, and her physique and weight were increasingly trending towards that of a female.

Below, her male anatomy had shrunk to an insignificant degree, while female characteristics had begun to appear… though the latter was merely for show, her current state was already akin to certain special groups.

She could no longer be considered ‘he’ but ‘she’.

If it were the old Xie Shenhong, facing such changes, even if she had anticipated them, she would have struggled with the revelation.

But for some unknown reason, the current her, despite undergoing this transformation right in front of Lyte, despite blushing and her heart pounding with shyness, felt no fear at all.

She knew that even if exposed, Lyte would accept her.

Indeed, her clumsy lie was merely an anticipation of Lyte seeing through her.

‘I truly am terrible.’

Yet, even knowing this was wrong, and despite her current state feeling profoundly off, she couldn’t resist the urge to indulge.

She even lay in Lyte’s arms, observing every detail of his face with keen enjoyment, making no emergency attempt to conceal her suddenly ‘unbridled’ chest…

However, at this moment, Xie Shenhong had calmed down.

Rather, more than indulging her desires, she yearned to see Lyte wear a happy smile.

To achieve this, the method she could think of was to fulfill Lyte’s wish of protecting the kingdom.

And to do as many things as possible to make him happy—

“Lyte, thank you for waiting.”

Returning to the carriage, Xie Shenhong quickly told Lyte her subsequent plans.

“No problem, I’ll help you. Besides, I’ve always felt there was something strange about this matter.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you… Lyte, I’d like to rest now.”

“Mm, I’m feeling a bit sleepy too. Let’s sleep together.”

This, of course, carried no strange implication; they were in a luxurious double compartment equipped with comfortable single beds, and with the journey from Qilin City back to the royal capital spanning over ten hours, and having already gone a full night without sleep, rest was undeniably a necessity for both of them.

After confirming that Shenhong was sound asleep, Lyte cast his most secure barrier magic and lay down on his bed.

Then…

“Transform.”

Through a haze, Lyte heard a voice utter those words.

He attempted to rise, but a wave of warmth swiftly enveloped his body, bringing with it an overwhelming sense of ease and comfort, ultimately pulling him into a profound slumber.

When he awoke again, everything around him had completely changed.

“This is… the royal capital?”

Lyte stared in astonishment at the silhouette of a city about a kilometer away, then quickly turned his head, indeed seeing a blue-haired, red-eyed girl sitting not far away, sipping tea.

“Greetings, Master Hai Zhu!”

He instinctively prepared to kneel on one knee to salute, but this action was forcibly pulled into a backward slump by magic.

“No need for formalities; this is not a formal meeting.”

Given their previous late-night visit as friends, Lyte immediately understood Hai Zhu’s meaning, relaxing his body and allowing the stone chair to slide him to the table.

“Master Hai Zhu, if I may ask, how is Shenhong…”

“Shenhong is fine now, no need to worry.”

Seeing that Lyte’s first question was about this, Xie Hai Zhu couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile.

Indeed, she was still Hai Zhu in her fiery form. The change in the dial had still failed to bring out her other self.

Thus, to successfully bring Lyte back, she had to first knock him unconscious, then teleport countless times, taking a full two hours to bring him to the vicinity of the royal capital.

After that, she spent another hour, constantly experimenting and practicing, finally succeeding in creating this somewhat presentable table and chairs, allowing her to strike an elegant pose before Lyte.

Indeed, her precious transformation time had been squandered… yet she harbored not a single regret.

Because Lyte would be incredibly happy to see her as she was now.

Moreover, she had noticed something these past few days—

“That’s good.”

Lyte, in her current presence, was actually more relaxed.

He gave the impression that he regarded her as a mother figure to whom he could confide his innermost thoughts.