Between us, we've discussed this many times before. This girl's body is inexplicably tiny for some reason. Maybe a Nine Tailed Fox's growth starts from the day of awakening? I don't know. I'm not sure.

But if I had to choose—keep growing or stay like this—I honestly can't answer.

Staying the same means always looking like a little girl... no, that's not quite right. More like a little girl except for my chest. If I keep growing, I'd basically become a busty, curvy mature woman.

Hmm. I'll stay like this. At least it feels fresh and innocent.

Why did this pop into my head? Besides the older sister asking my age, I remembered another problem.

What grade should I start in when school begins?

Lanying High School has a middle school section too. Yejia Yin did say she'd get me into Lanying... but she never specified middle or high school!

Heaven, I can't stand competing in the same class as those little kids! A cold sweat broke out on my back. I quickly answered the two sisters:

"Sixteen. I'm sixteen."

"Oh," the chestnut-haired older sister lifted the measuring tape from my stomach, raising an eyebrow. "I don't believe it. Fourteen at most."

If you can guess, why ask? And I really am sixteen.

I didn't argue. I let them finish measuring, redressed, and stood up. Outside, the manager from earlier still waited.

"Let's look at wedding dress styles. See which you like."

I didn't want to. I just wanted to go home.

I followed them around the showroom anyway, lost in thought. I barely noticed the dresses on the mannequins.

"Manager," I finally blurted out, "I don't know much about this. Just pick what suits me. I have things to do. I'll leave now."

"Well... alright," he said, surprised but agreeing. He called the driver and walked me downstairs. The driver already stood by the car door.

"Thank you for today. See you later." I greeted him politely and got in.

"Where to now, Madam? Hospital or home?"

*Madam?* I choked on the title. I knew what it meant, but it felt so awkward.

Unlike the manager—who called her "Miss Ye"—the driver addressed her as "Head of the Family."

So, I was someone's "Madam" now. How life changes. I propped my chin on my hand. "Hospital."

"Home" meant Yejia Yin's place. But it'd be empty now. Better to visit Qingli at the hospital.

"Xiao Yao, you're back?" Qingli sat up in bed, surprised. "Weren't you picking things with the group?"

Yeah, I returned fast. It was lunchtime too. Normally, you'd eat out after errands. I suddenly felt annoyed.

"Yejia Yin took me there, then ditched me halfway."

"Hmm." Qingli clenched her fist, ready to defend me. "And then?"

"And then?" I twitched my lips, confused. "What 'then'?"

"She left halfway. Then what? Did you take a taxi back alone?"

"No," I scratched my head. "She arranged people to host me, but..."

"But?" Qingli cut in, leaning close. Her golden eyes locked onto mine. "But why did you come back?"

Huh? What did she mean? It was obvious.

"Yejia Yin left. Of course I came back."

At that, Qingli froze. I blinked, clueless. "Is... something wrong?"

As I puzzled over it, the girl on the bed sighed softly and lay back. "So... you came back because Yejia Yin wasn't with you?"

*Gulp.*

Her tone made even my slow brain catch on. Qingli suspected I had feelings for Yejia Yin. I rushed to explain.

"No! I was alone there. I didn't know anyone. It was boring. Wanting to go home is normal, right?"

"Normal," Qingli nodded, eyes narrowed. "Then why did you go with her in the first place?"

"Because Yejia Yin dragged me along!"

"Right. So you went because of Yejia Yin... and came back because of Yejia Yin too."

"Well, yes, but—" I waved my hands frantically. "She's our boss now! We're living off her kindness—food, shelter, everything. We have to follow her lead. What's wrong with that?"

I spread my hands, feeling confident.

"Wrong? Plenty." Qingli opened her eyes wide. Her golden pupils pierced straight into my soul.

"You say you follow her lead. But she told you to keep shopping. Yet you disobeyed and came back. Didn't you?"

*Gulp.*

Her words left me speechless. Even I started doubting myself. Did I really come back just because Yejia Yin left?

"I... I... uh..." I fumbled, twisting my fingers. Romantic feelings for Yejia Yin? Impossible. We'd just met. She had a terrible temper and wasn't nice to me... well, actually, she was kind of nice.

*Nice to me?*

No! Wait. This wasn't how a boy should think.

Boys should care about looks—cute, gentle, good at housework. Not whether someone treats them well.

*This is totally a girl's way of thinking!*

The realization hit me like a truck. I turned gray and lifeless. Thankfully, Qingli dropped it.

"By the way, Xiao Yao," she switched topics, "you're back so early. Haven't eaten lunch, right? I'll order some."

I kept my head down, twirling my ear hair. "Okay."

Lunch was simple corn and lean pork bento. But coming from Lanying, it tasted amazing. I buried my face in the box, eating ravenously. I was starving.

See? This no-holds-barred eating style is totally manly.

"Xiao Yao."

"Hmm?" I mumbled through a mouthful.

Qingli held her chopsticks untouched. She frowned, worried. "Xiao Yao... what is your place here now? Among them?"

"Place?" I twisted my hair, confused by the sudden question.

Officially, I was a sacrificial pawn in a political marriage, per our race's old ways.

But Qingli meant more. She knew that better than I did. She was asking about my role, my purpose, my own feelings. It was a foggy question. I wasn't arrogant enough to act like "the Head's wife."

Truthfully, living here scared me. As I'd told Yejia Yin during our talk—I had nothing to offer. Everything I had, including myself, wasn't worth much.

*'Holding the moral high ground to justify their actions.'*

That was my purpose. My meaning.

"Sigh... I don't know," I rested my chin on my hand. "Yejia Yin took us in out of kindness. I don't know what I can do. I'll just take it one step at a time."

We ate in silence, the rustling of wrappers filling the air. After packing the trash, Qingli called me back. She hesitated.

"What's wrong? Is your injury acting up?" I asked, panicked.

"No. I'll probably be discharged soon."

"So soon? Shouldn't you rest more? You were..."

*You almost died.* The words stuck in my throat. Bad luck. She'd understand half-sentences anyway.

"Silly Xiao Yao," Qingli chuckled, her lips curling into a cat-like 'W'. "Forgot? We Yao Race heal fast. The wounds are fine."

*Gulp.* Right. I nodded. Then she asked, "After I'm discharged... can you come somewhere with me?"

"Of course! Where?" My eyes lit up. Hospitals were boring. Going out sounded great.

"Not telling yet. You'll see."

Qingli seemed genuinely cheerful, even joking. Her health must be okay. I breathed easier, but my own worry returned.

*What am I now? What can I do?*

The question coiled around my heart like a knot, refusing to loosen.