The red sports car sped down the highway, heading toward the seaside of City H.
It was an undeveloped suburban area, remote and secluded. To reach it, one had to drive through a forest with a narrow road barely wide enough for two small cars. Wild beasts often roamed there. So despite the beautiful seaside scenery, few people ever visited.
"Sixteen years old..." Ye Wen recalled memories from that year. She had crossed this forest, reaching this rarely-visited shore with its golden sand and endless blue sea. For her younger self back then, it had been utterly breathtaking. Then she remembered how her parents scolded her fiercely after finding out. A faint smile curled at Ye Wen's lips.
"What's up, sweetie? Thinking of something happy?" Ye Wen's mother asked playfully. "Daydreaming about love?"
"Huh? No... not at all..." Ye Wen was pulled back to reality, flustered as she replied.
"Oh~" Her mother let out a knowing hum.
"Focus on driving..." Ye Wen worried her mother might crash into a tree.
"Don't worry. No cars come here."
*I'm afraid you'll hit a tree...* Ye Wen silently grumbled. But since she wasn't close to her mother yet, she swallowed the words meant for friends.
To Ye Wen now, her mother was just a stranger... well, a stranger familiar with the current her.
The sports car exited the forest. Not far away stood a three-and-a-half-story villa, surrounded by a large courtyard.
It was incredibly luxurious. Ye Wen had only seen such villas on TV. Located on this secluded coast with just one villa around, the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore added a poetic touch.
At the villa gate, two guards opened the iron doors. Ye Wen's mother slowed the car and drove in gently.
A separate garage stood in the courtyard. Inside, the space was vast—Ye Wen guessed over a hundred square meters.
Remembering her old ten-square-meter rental room, she sighed inwardly: being rich is truly great.
Ye Wen and her mother walked along a pebbled path to the entrance. A middle-aged man in a white uniform waited there.
"Madam and Miss are back."
"How many times, Old Liu? It's not the old society. Just call us by name."
"Ah, yes."
"Where's Doctor Wang?" Ye Wen's mother asked.
"He's waiting in the living room."
Ye Wen felt like she'd stepped into an old-world family. Though few servants were present, all necessary staff seemed accounted for.
Gate guards, the butler—Ye Wen even spotted young maids playing in a room. They instantly stood and bowed when her mother approached.
"It's fine, go play. Nothing urgent today. New society means no need for formality." Her mother seemed casual, pulling small trinkets from her pocket and handing them to the girls.
Their faces lit up with bright smiles. The head maid prompted, "Aren't you thanking Madam?"
"Thank you, Madam~" they chimed.
"Good girls." Ye Wen's mother pinched one round-faced maid's cheek, smiling.
Ye Wen watched dazedly. One girl playfully winked, secretly waved, and whispered, "Miss~"
Ye Wen blinked, then quickly smiled back.
Her mother pulled her into the living room. A man in a clean suit waited there.
"Doctor Wang, sorry to keep you waiting."
"Not at all. Little Wenwen's stomach hurting again?"
"Mm, she says it comes and goes." Ye Wen's mother ruffled Ye Wen's hair. "Still hurting now?"
"Mm... no." Ye Wen carefully modulated her tone, terrified of exposing she was actually a boy.
Honestly, even claiming to be male wouldn't be believed... Guilty conscience was natural... Though she hadn't chosen this girlhood...
"Hmm, let me check." Doctor Wang took a stethoscope from his kit. He lifted her eyelids, shone a light in her mouth, then said, "Nothing serious. Just caught a chill. Stay warm, and the pain will fade."
"Mm, thank you, Doctor Wang."
"You're welcome." He waved. "If nothing else, I'll take my leave?"
"Won't you stay for dinner?"
"No need. Busy tonight."
"Then I won't insist. Safe travels."
"Mm-hmm." Doctor Wang grabbed his kit, got into an old car, and drove off slowly.
*This is the life of the rich...* Ye Wen sighed inwardly.
"Wenwen, go play. Mom's busy."
"Mm."
...
Ye Wen stood on the rooftop terrace, surrounded by railings. She leaned against the iron bars, gazing down at the azure sea.
The salty breeze tousled her hair.
"Before... no villas stood here..."
If she recalled right, it was 2004—a time of rapid global growth, China's high-speed development beginning. Countless old houses and streets were being demolished. The whole country raced toward modernity as high-tech products spread fast.
This was also when computers became common. Back then, Ye Wen had no computer; she used internet cafes. In her memory, she got her first PC only in university.
Of course, as a young lady now, a computer was trivial.
"Returning to the past... maybe it's happiness?" Ye Wen consoled herself with a bitter smile. "Pity I'm a girl now..."
Was this return good or bad for her?
Though turned female, Ye Wen hadn't reacted violently. She just found it hard to accept—for now.
Since she was here, she'd adapt. Ending her life through self-harm? Irresponsible to herself and others. Constantly claiming to be male would draw strange looks. She refused to be seen as a mental patient.
Besides, this body was so lovely and charming—no normal male could feel disgust toward it...
"I hope this is just a dream..." Ye Wen murmured. "Tomorrow, I'll wake up... and everything will be normal..."
After all, as a normal boy, a female body meant no hope of a girlfriend...
*I... I'm still a virgin!* Ye Wen roared inwardly.
What a huge regret...
...
