Tang Coco sat before the vanity, her moon-white gauze dress drifting like soft clouds. Behind her, Gu Xin combed her long hair, fingers threading silk like gentle rain.

Xin… maybe I should dye my hair black… Her voice wavered like a reed in the wind.

She eyed the long white strands, worry pooling like cold dew.

Why though? I think it looks pretty like this. Gu Xin rubbed the soft hair, her smile warm as a lamp at dusk.

No… it’s too abrupt, like snow at noon.

Black lines of exasperation sketched across Tang Coco’s face like cartoon thunder.

Uh… when you put it like that… maybe. Let’s hit the salon this afternoon. Not necessarily black—other colors could work, like repainting a dawn.

Yeah. Any color’s better than white, like swapping frost for blossom.

Then… what about your smart system? Her words hovered like a moth over a flame.

Smart system? Her mind blinked like a lost firefly.

Marilyn, you goof. Gu Xin laughed and tapped Tang Coco’s head, a playful flick like a pebble skipping water.

Marilyn! How did I forget her! Shock crackled like dry lightning in her chest.

Sigh… you— that kid’s hair is white too, like a patch of snow on a willow.

…

She finally remembered that white-haired little girl, a snowbud with clear eyes.

But I think Marilyn doesn’t need dye. She’s a kid, a spring shoot still green.

Fine… Right, where’d that little brat run off to, like a sparrow slipping through a window?

She’s at Yiyi’s place. Cute kid; Yiyi likes her, like warm tea on a chilly day.

Oh… The sound fell soft, and she swore to find a chance to question that little troublemaker, like a cat stalking a feather.

What are you going to do? Gu Xin’s tone dipped, a low drum.

Hm? Confusion rose like morning fog.

Do you plan to live with Yiyi, or with us? Her voice drew two paths like forked streams.

Silence pressed in like snow. Tang Coco felt joy flicker like embers at the thought of making up with Gu Xin, yet she couldn’t set down Ye Yiyi— Yiyi’s care glowed like a lantern in rain, their bond braided like twin vines.

Alright, stop twisting yourself into knots. I’ll answer for you. Stay at Yiyi’s for now. Gu Xin’s smile settled like a river choosing a gentle bank.

She had worked it out long ago, not wanting to cage Tang Coco’s wings. After everything, Gu Xin knew how deep their roots ran.

Xin… Tang Coco turned to her, warmth rising like sunrise.

I can tell Yiyi’s kind—she truly likes you. And you two have… you know. Gu Xin’s cheeks flushed like ripe peaches.

Huh? What? Her brows lifted, a pair of startled swallows.

Quit it. Don’t play dumb. Gu Xin rolled her eyes, a breeze flipping a page.

Ah? I’m not playing… Tang Coco’s confusion drifted like a lost kite. Back then, the red-haired Coco had piloted her body; her memories only returned when she blocked that blade for Gu Xin, a snap like ice cracking.

Tsk… Another eye-roll, quick as a sparrow wing.

Fine. I don’t oppose Ye Yiyi, but handle it right. Yiyi’s pure, a clear spring that shouldn’t be muddied.

…

The words left Tang Coco blinking, thoughts scattering like petals.

Alright, let’s go eat. Gu Xin had tied a single ponytail, neat and lively, adding a dash of wind to Tang Coco’s delicate figure.

Mm. Tang Coco rose, following Gu Xin down, steps like soft rain on wood.

Yo—big wife and little wife are coming down! Meng Yuting’s voice chimed from the stairs like a mocking bell. She slung her bag, ready to head out, a swift shadow at noon.

Get lost. In your dreams. Gu Xin shot back, sharp as a flicked fan.

Haha. You two eat. I’m full. I’ve got something over there—gotta go. Meng Yuting’s grin flashed, then drifted like a stray cloud.

Alright, be careful on the road, watch the wind. Gu Xin nodded, gentle as falling leaves.

But Meng Yuting didn’t leave at once. She jogged over, leaned close, her whisper a secret like cicadas in grass. Xin—don’t let this one run. I haven’t had my fun yet.

You! Tang Coco bristled like a kitten puffing up, but morning shadows still clung like damp cloth. She didn’t dare flare at Meng Yuting; she could only glare, clawless thunder.

Ahahaha. Meng Yuting laughed and slipped away, footfalls light as gulls.

Eat up. You haven’t eaten since you woke. Gu Xin pulled out a chair, the scrape like a soft rasp.

Mm. Tang Coco nodded and sat, settling like a feather.

You… you remembered all this… She looked at the dishes—steam curling like home fog. Meng Yuting had “eaten,” but barely. These were the foods Coco had loved; she and Gu Xin had learned to make them, flavors layered like old songs. Warmth rushed in like a hearth fire.

Of course… how could I forget? Gu Xin smiled, a lantern’s steady glow.

Xin… Tang Coco’s eyes misted, beads of dew trembling on lashes.

Alright, alright. Since turning into a girl, why so easy to cry? Gu Xin flustered, guilt pricking like thorns. She slid beside Coco, palm on her back, a soothing stream.

…

Tang Coco calmed, then began to eat, savoring like a squirrel with its first nut of autumn.

Got plans for the next few days? Gu Xin watched her, the question a cool breeze.

Until my Anomaly Power comes back, I’ll lay low, like a hawk folding its wings. Also… I want to withdraw from school. I don’t fit the classroom.

Yeah… we’re different from ordinary folk, like two rivers running apart. Their daily rhythm doesn’t suit us. A faint sadness crossed Gu Xin’s eyes, a gray cloud.

Mm. Tang Coco’s mood matched, shadow to shadow.

But we don’t have to be that bleak. This transformation is a chance—a seed we can plant. We can try ordinary life from scratch. Gu Xin looked at her, hope like a thin sun through mist.

But… I still have things I must do. Tang Coco’s tone tightened, knots in wood—her revenge, and the other soul in her body, both tugging like tides.

It’s fine. Do those first. I believe if we work together, you’ll reach your goal soon. We’ll walk with you, under the same moon. Gu Xin smiled, hands steady as a bridge.

…

Tang Coco paused, then said, Thank you… The words fell like soft rain.

Saying thanks to me? Sounds like you want a spanking, little brat. Gu Xin feigned anger, a drumbeat with a grin.

Alright, eat up. Rest a bit after, then we’ll head out, like setting sail after a nap.

Okay. Her answer was a small pebble plinking into a pond.

At Ye Yiyi’s place, lunch had just ended. Yiyi washed dishes, water glittering like river light, when Li Muyan stepped in, his presence calm as shade.

What’s wrong? Go rest. I’ve got this. Yiyi’s voice was mild tea.

Yiyi, your father called, but it already hung up. Li Muyan passed her phone, a black fish slipping into her palm.

Oh, okay—hand it here. Yiyi wiped her hands, then tucked the phone into her pocket, a swift bird flick.

Aren’t you calling back? His brow lifted, light as a spring reed.

It’s fine; I’ll return it later. Her tone drifted, easy as a cloud.

Call back now. Might be urgent. I’ll wash. He took the sponge, a torch passed mid-run.

Alright. Yiyi stepped out of the kitchen, climbed to the upstairs bedroom like ascending a quiet hill, and returned her father’s call.

After the dishes, Li Muyan headed to the living room. Meng Xiaoxiao and Marilyn sat on the sofa, snacking and watching TV, cozy as kittens in sun.

Marilyn, come here a sec. His voice beckoned, a finger drawing a line in sand.

Mm. Okay. Marilyn put down her snacks, slippers whispering like soft waves as she padded to the kitchen.

What’s up?

Is Coco awake? His question hung, a kite string taut.

Mm… I’ll check. Marilyn closed her eyes, settling like a still lake.

At Gu Xin’s villa, her wristband chimed, a quick birdcall that startled both women. Gu Xin waved a hand and lifted her wrist, motion smooth as willow.

Should I tell them the host has woken? A tiny loli voice piped in, clear as a bell.

Yeah… tell them, but quietly. Don’t let Xiaoxiao find out. Gu Xin thought, caution like a hand on a reed.

Got it. The band fell silent, night closing like a lid.

The host is awake. You can visit her tonight. Marilyn’s voice rang to Li Muyan, bright as silver coins.

Really!? Joy rose in him like a sudden flame.

Of course—how would I lie? Marilyn puffed her cheeks, a little drum. Then she added, But don’t let Miss Xiaoxiao know.

Mm, got it. I’ll let Yiyi know. Li Muyan patted Marilyn’s head, a breeze ruffling grass, then headed upstairs.

Back at Gu Xin’s side…

I swear… you two are playing spy games, inside-out coordination, shadows tossing signals. Tang Coco stared, speechless as a moon staring at clouds.

Ahahaha. Marilyn’s fun. Gu Xin’s laugh was awkward, a sparrow embarrassed mid-flight.

No way! Give that back. Feels like nothing can be hidden from you anymore. Tang Coco puffed her cheeks and reached for the wristband, hands like grabby vines.

No! You gave me this. How could you take it back! Gu Xin held it close, clutching it like a talisman.

But…

Nope. If you can, snatch it. Her grin teased, fox-tail flicking.

… Tang Coco drooped, powerless as a wet feather. She yelled inward, voice like flint: Damn system! Get out here and answer me!

…

No voice answered, only the hush like depth water.

If you don’t come out, I’ll force-shut you—believe it or not… Her threat sparked like flares.

After system materialization, unless an emergency, the host cannot shut down the system. Forced shutdown will cause Anomaly Power chaos. The mechanical loli tone finally chimed, a clock in a cold hall.

Oh, now you show. Say it—how much of my dirt did you spill? Her cheeks flushed red then purple, like sunset bruising into night.

Under forty percent. The host has too many secrets. For the host’s safety, Marilyn did not reveal all. The reply was cool as stone.

Uh…

I…

You… Words tangled like vines. Tang Coco couldn’t find a jab.

Forget it… Her sigh fell like a leaf.

Aren’t you supposed to protect me? Why aren’t you by my side when I wake? Her question glowed, a coal cupped in both hands.

The system’s voice was cool, like a status light in a dark room: “Two high-affinity Abnormals detected beside the host. Living environment secure. Marilyn entering autonomous learning mode.”

The pause stretched thin as silk.

“Forget it. Fine. Go watch over Ye Yiyi and the others over there,” Tang Coco said, helpless as a kite in a crosswind.

“Okay,” came the reply, dropping like a pebble into still water.

“How long till the Anomaly Power upgrade wraps up?” Tang Coco asked, her tone soft as dusk.

“Approximately thirteen to sixteen days...” the system answered, crisp as a metronome.

“Half a month, huh...” Tang Coco thought. Then—a tap on her shoulder, light as a dragonfly.

“What are you thinking about?” Gu Xin asked, curiosity bright as a spark.

“Ah?! N-no... nothing.” Tang Coco stumbled over the words, like toes catching on a step.

“Tch—you’re just chatting with the system. It’s not like I don’t know,” Gu Xin said, rolling her eyes like a tossed marble.

...