Though I’d rudely sprayed soup all over the table, the people across from me didn’t look angry—not even surprised. And honestly? I couldn’t help it. The girl’s words had hit me like a freight train.

Whether it was that so-called "price," or how she’d blurted out that word without a single blush—

And she’d meant *me*!

How to put it… this price made sense yet came out of nowhere. Or rather: understandable, but utterly unacceptable.

*Completely* unacceptable!

This had escalated from a tragic tale to a bedroom story. My body shuddered involuntarily. I tested another excuse: "So… you guys—*we*—can’t just pretend I never showed up? Stay neutral?"

"Hah. You think we found you by *luck*?" The gruff voice belonged to the burly man. I didn’t have time to dwell on whatever grudge he held—I was too busy processing his words.

"Right… how *did* you find me?"

"Scent," the elderly man explained, his expression softening again. He wasn’t angry anymore. "The soul scent of a Nine-Tailed Fox."

*Huh?*

I forced a bitter chuckle. "Fox scent? You mean… body odor?"

"No." The black cat girl lifted her face, sniffed the air, and said earnestly: "It smells nice."

I was just joking to lighten the mood—no need to take it so seriously…

"From the moment your soul awakened," the old man continued, his smile returning as if he’d forgiven my rudeness, "anyone with strong perception across the factions sensed it. Qingli told you, didn’t she? You have one week’s grace period. That week isn’t just for settling your human affairs—it’s your time to choose. That’s the rule set by the higher-ups."

*Damn. Setting deadlines for me now? How’s that fair?* I bit back the thought, afraid to anger him again. But another detail caught my attention. I pointed at the cat girl. "Qingli? Is that her name?"

"Technically, Luo Qingli," the girl said, her golden irises fixed on me with an unreadable emotion. "She shares your surname."

*That sounds way too suggestive!* My fingers brushed my cheek—I could feel the heat. Taking someone’s surname was usually a wife’s privilege, right? *Ah… hahaha… how embarrassing.*

Her features were exquisitely delicate, like every catgirl heroine from games. Those mysterious golden eyes added an air of regality. Without her fluffy tail swaying to break the mood, she radiated quiet reliability.

And her body looked so soft… hugging her must feel amazing…

The old man stood up, cutting off my daydream. "Qingli, take her to rest. Little fox of the Luo Clan," he added to me, "ask Qingli anything you need."

"Okay!" I nodded vigorously, pushed myself up from the chair, and lifted a foot to step forward—

*Thud.*

I face-planted on the floor.

"Ow ow ow ow ow!" I clutched my knee, tears pricking my eyes. This body’s tear ducts were way too sensitive—definitely *not* because I was crying like a baby!

Glancing down, I saw my pants pooled around my ankles. No wonder my lower half felt chilly.

But wait—sure, my waist and legs had gotten slender after turning into a fox girl, but my butt wasn’t useless! How did these buttoned jeans just… slip off?

Qingli helped me up. As I tugged my pants up to inspect them, my face darkened. Right where my butt should’ve been—*a huge tear*. Then it clicked: my tail must’ve ripped through when it burst out.

*What a hassle.* I shook my head, signaling to keep moving. Qingli led the way. I hurried after her—

*Thud.*

I tripped again.

These delicate fox feet were tiny—maybe size 34. Compared to my old size 39 men’s shoes, walking felt like dragging oversized slippers.

*October 27th, 20XX. Luo Xiaoyao—great leader of the Yao Race, wise strategist, commander-in-chief, core of her clan, and however-many-generations descendant of the Nine Tails—cried after tripping on a flat floor.*

And so, the meeting that sounded like it would decide the Yao Race’s fate ended abruptly. Qingli practically carried me into a small inner chamber. The room was simple but carried a faint sweet fragrance. No decorations, but the tiny pillow on the bed was absurdly cute. If I had to guess… this was Qingli’s bedroom.

Heart pounding, face flushed, I pushed aside my flustered thoughts to ask the real questions. The meeting had been clear enough, but gaps remained: "Um… are there very few of us Yao? Why were only three people here for something this important…?"

*Translation: Are we so weak that someone as crucial as me gets only this tiny welcome party?* Realizing how that sounded, I rushed to add:

"I mean—I’m supposed to make a huge decision for the whole race, right? Shouldn’t there be more people? Representatives? To give me advice?"

*See? Mom’s right—I really do think like a girl sometimes.*

"No," Qingli said, flicking her cat ears out and back in as if demonstrating just for me. "We’re nowhere near human numbers, but we’re still numerous enough to form a grand army. We just live hidden among humans. During neutrality, everyone’s scattered across cities—we can’t gather instantly."

Following her guidance, I focused inward, gently coaxing those two strange nerve clusters. Slowly, my fox ears and nine snowy tails retracted. At least I looked like a normal… girl now.

"*Why am I still a girl?!* Didn’t we have a one-week buffer?!" I panicked. Qingli’s small hand clasped mine. The soft warmth in her palm calmed me. She leaned close, whispering: "It’s okay. You didn’t transform willingly—you were startled out by Elder Mink’s aura. Reverting takes time. You’ll be back to normal by afternoon."

*Afternoon?* Relief washed over me. Missing half a day of class was manageable—I’d fake a sick note. *Elder Mink?* So the old man was a mink spirit? Then I remembered Qingli’s earlier, heart-fluttering comment. I lowered my voice: "Qingli… what did you mean earlier? About sharing my surname?"

"Just that." She squeezed my hand tighter. Our palms pressed together, I could feel her pulse. "The Spirit Cat Clan has always served the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan… Our souls are bound. For life. If you die, I follow you to hell."

*How beautiful,* I thought, tears welling up. Such a sacred bond between our races…

"After you marry your destined partner," she added softly, "I’ll stay by your side forever—as your handmaiden."

My smile froze. The tears retreated back into my tear ducts.

*Why does it work like this?!* Doesn’t the guy I’m stuck with get *all* the benefits?! *Elder Mink… can’t we just declare independence? Sob sob sob…*

Of course, that was just a dream. I might not want to die for a race I didn’t feel part of—but I couldn’t order them to self-destruct either. Judging by their attitude? If I shouted "independence" tomorrow, I’d probably wake up drugged, stripped naked, and delivered to some random bigshot.

*How tragic, Luo Xiaoyao. Why must you suffer so?*

Qingli must’ve sensed my mood shift. She patted my back comfortingly, then walked to a wardrobe and pulled out clothes. "Change first."

She was right. With torn pants and lost shoes, I was barely covered by an oversized hoodie. The hem barely reached mid-thigh—like I was wearing nothing below. *To a guy, this’d look… tempting.*

But I *was* wearing something down there! Boxer briefs counted as pants! I reached under the hoodie to check—yep, the elastic waistband still clung to my hips.

…*Wait. Why?*

Seeing my expression crumble, Qingli rushed to explain: "Elder Mink’s aura was overwhelming—and targeted at you. Plus… female bladders are weaker than males’. You’re used to a man’s endurance. As a new girl, you weren’t prepared. The shock just…"

Her words faded. My mind went blank, echoing with only one phrase:

—*I peed myself from fear?*