Chapter 3: Not Human

Chapter 3: Not Human

She actually had Chen Shiyu’s thoughts…!

No, no way. If there was even the slightest chance, she had to find a way to “body-swap” again. Next time, with a man.

Otherwise, if this went on, she’d start getting used to life as a girl. Start getting used to a girl’s way of thinking. She’d be swallowed by Chen Shiyu’s habits. What if she… what if she actually started liking men? What if she married Shen Yan? What if she had kids with him?!

That’s terrifying!

She’d been a guy for over twenty years in her last life. There was no way she could accept that!

But she had no idea how the possession had even happened. The only thing she knew was that Chen Shiyu had been on the verge of death—and then somehow, she had become Chen Shiyu.

Maybe next time, if she found a dying man… she could hop into his body?

Yeah. Like, say, a six-pack, 186cm tall handsome guy.

Her thoughts spiraled until a yawn slipped out. A tidal wave of drowsiness flooded her mind.

She didn’t want to think anymore. She didn’t want to worry. She just wanted to sleep.

The past few days have been exhausting. Playing the role of a cute high school girl when you used to be a guy? She was constantly watching her every move, terrified someone would notice, even her sleep had been restless.

Shen Yan, her so-called childhood sweetheart, had already started to suspect something.

Her mom hadn’t noticed yet—mostly because she’d been avoiding her, practically living at Shen Yan’s house.

And then there was her older brother at university, her father always away on business trips, her gaggle of friends and relatives…

“Sleepy?”

Shen Yan’s eyes stayed glued to the screen, but with CS, you spend two minutes playing and five minutes spectating, so he still had plenty of time to sneak glances at the girl nearby.

“Yeah. Didn’t sleep well.” Chen Shiyu stretched lazily, her voice tinged with fatigue. “Do I look like I’ve got dark circles?”

“Not really. Doesn’t show.”

“I’m taking a nap…”

She yawned again, then casually dove straight into Shen Yan’s bed, curling up like it was her own.

Shen Yan rolled his eyes. “You know, walking home would take less than two minutes.”

“Your bed’s more comfortable. Keep it down, okay? Don’t wake me up.”

Snuggling under the covers, she pulled the blanket over her head, cocooning herself completely.

Inside, though, she was ranting.

‘What the hell is wrong with you, girl? Sleeping in a guy’s bed every other day—aren’t you afraid he’ll try something?!’

—Though, to be fair, the real Chen Shiyu was kind of hoping Shen Yan would try something.

Which only made things worse. Now she felt uneasy. What if Shen Yan did make a move while she slept?

…Nah. No way. He was a clueless virgin. Even with the real Shiyu practically throwing herself at him, he never took the hint. Like hell he’d suddenly grow a brain now.

Besides, this bed really was comfortable. Softer than her own. And it had this… faint, calming scent to it.

‘When the time is right, I’ll find some excuse to break up with him…’

Her thoughts scattered as the sound of rain pattering outside lulled her deeper and deeper. Her breathing slowed, evening out, until sleep finally took her.

The moment she burrowed into his blankets, Shen Yan subconsciously eased his movements. He kept his keyboard and mouse clicks soft, careful not to disturb her.

Before long, faint little snores drifted out from under the covers.

“…She’s not even fat. How does she snore?”

Turning his head, Shen Yan stared at the lump in his bed.

The girl had buried most of herself under the quilt, but her curled-up figure left a faint outline. One pale arm dangled outside the covers—slender, soft, with faint scrapes still healing along the skin.

He lost all interest in the game.

Without a second thought, he went AFK, slipped quietly to the bedside, and crouched down. His fingertips brushed over the half-healed cuts.

Those wounds were from her fall a few days ago. Honestly, it was a miracle she only sprained her ankle.

She’d nearly died in that fall—yet the girl still worried about him, still learned to play his stupid games just to keep him company.

And all he could think these past few days was how strange she’d been. Like she wasn’t even the same person anymore.

“I’m such an ass…” Shen Yan muttered under his breath.

But his whisper startled her. From beneath the covers, the girl let out a soft, unconscious whimper — a tiny “nn~” that froze him in place. He clamped his mouth shut, holding his breath like she might wake at the slightest sound.

After a moment, the blanket shifted. Maybe she was too warm, maybe the air inside felt stifling. Chen Shiyu mumbled something, then poked her head out, tilting it to the side before dozing right back off.

Shen Yan’s eyes locked onto her head and froze.

Two palm-sized, fiery red, fluffy fox ears twitched atop her hair.

“???”

Dog ears? Cat ears? …Fox ears?!

No way.

What kind of lunatic wears animal ears to bed? Was she seriously trying to seduce him with cosplay accessories?

And how—how did she know about his hidden beast-ear fetish?!

Before he could process, the pointed ears twitched again, then drooped.

They… moved.

His body instinctively leaned back, eyes wide, staring as though he’d just witnessed a ghost.

Swallowing hard, he hesitated—then slowly, very slowly, reached out a trembling hand. His fingertips brushed against the soft fur.

Warm. Silky. Alive.

“Mm~”

She made a sound. Shen Yan snatched his hand back like he’d been electrocuted, heart pounding in his ears.

—That wasn’t a prop.

He wasn’t worldly, but he wasn’t an idiot either. He’d seen his share of cosplayers online. None of them looked this real. None of them moved.

This was… the real thing.

Shen Yan lifted the blanket just a fraction, letting a sliver of light slip beneath.

Inside—there it was. A huge, fluffy, crimson tail. Slowly swishing in her sleep.

His breath caught. Even with his secret beast-ear kink, the sight still sent shivers down his spine. His whole body locked up, panic thrumming through his veins.

“Not… human…?”

If he thought about it kindly—his childhood sweetheart had turned out to be some sort of fox spirit.

If he thought about it realistically—his childhood sweetheart was supposed to be a perfectly normal girl.

They’d grown up together, after all. Neighbors since birth. Same kindergarten, same elementary, same middle school, same high school. They’d even played “doctor” when they were kids, checking each other’s bodies like idiots.

And now… this?

No wonder something always felt off.

. . . .

“Shen Yan? You here?”

Chen Shiyu stretched as she sat up, glancing around. 

No Shen Yan in sight.

She yawned wide. “I slept so well~”

Her whole body felt light. For the first time in days, she actually woke up feeling refreshed. Almost too refreshed.

She grabbed her phone off the pillow—only to notice several strands of fine, red fur stuck there.

“Huh? Red hair?”

The door creaked open.

“You’re awake? Perfect timing. Auntie called you home for lunch.”

Shen Yan stepped inside, face unreadable, eyes complicated as they landed on her.

The ears, the tail—gone. She looked completely normal again, not a trace of the inhuman left.

Who would believe him if he tried to explain? Even the cops wouldn’t buy it.

“Wait, it’s only noon? I thought I slept forever~”

Her arms stretched high, back arching as she lazily drew another yawn. The motion outlined her slender waist and the budding curves of her chest, the picture of youthful vitality.

“I’m heading home then!”

She flashed him her brightest, sweetest smile. That innocent, radiant smile that always melted his heart.

Only now, Shen Yan felt his skin crawl, his brain buzzing like a hive of angry bees.

“…Want me to walk you down? Your ankle’s still bad. Stairs can be tricky.”

As he spoke, his phone screen dimmed on the desk—the call app open, 110 already dialed.

“Got it, got it~”