As a native-born Huaguo citizen, I share all the common flaws of my people. I hate crowded places, yet my curiosity for spectacles runs deep.

So... I didn’t wait for Dragon Peak to finish. I raised a hand, cutting him off, and strode forward.

The moment I opened the door, shouts erupted outside. Chaos reigned. I froze, a flicker of fear rising. Just as I turned to retreat, someone shoved me from behind. I tumbled down the steps!

Instinctively, I covered my head. The world spun violently. Dragon Peak’s urgent shouts echoed in my ears...

When I came to, I lay at the bottom. Aches pulsed through my body. Luckily, the restaurant steps were low—only five tiers. Painful, but no major injuries.

I jolted upright, patting myself down. Nothing broken. Dragon Peak rushed down and grabbed me.

“How are you? Where’d you get hurt? Should I call an ambulance? I’m dialing 120!” Dragon Peak’s face was tight with worry. His words poured out like gunfire, giving me a headache.

Seeing his genuine panic, I understood why I stayed despite hating this scene. Dragon Peak truly treated me—a nobody writer—as a friend. I had few friends. I cherished every hard-won bond.

“I’m fine...” I shook my head slightly and tried to stand. Dragon Peak supported me, helping me up.

My right arm throbbed. Scrapes covered my limbs. Otherwise, okay. After testing my movements, I gently pushed Dragon Peak away, signaling I was fine.

He eyed me doubtfully before slowly releasing my arm.

I stretched, then looked up to say, “See? I’m—”

Dragon Peak suddenly roared, “Watch out behind you!”

Before I could react, searing pain ripped through my right shoulder. A massive force slammed me face-first to the ground!

Thud! My ribs groaned. Darkness swallowed my vision, but shoulder pain jolted me awake.

The gnawing sensation and ragged breaths told me I’d been bitten. I tried to turn, but dizziness and the weight pinning me down left me helpless.

“Holy shit!!!!”

That ever-smiling nice guy, Dragon Peak... was furious?

I’d known him over a decade. Since we met, I’d rarely seen him angry. Only a few times—like when high school bullies targeted me. He’d charge in like a madman, taking on three seniors alone. He beat them until they begged for mercy.

After that, Dragon Peak’s reputation soared. Even seniors called him “Brother Long” out of habit.

I’d joke, “You’re not cut out to be an official’s son. Join the triads instead.”

Why he never looked at me when angry? I didn’t know. Because of that, I’d never seen his furious face head-on.

This time, I forgot the biter behind me. I lifted my head, straining to see Dragon Peak charging over.

Tianfeng... when you rage, you’re truly like a demon or god.

My thoughts drifted as strength faded. I pressed my face against the hot asphalt, too weak to struggle.

Urgent footsteps neared. The weight on my back lifted. But sharper pain tore through my shoulder. I groaned. A dark shadow thudded beside me...

Blood smeared its face. Eyes glowed red—a demon’s visage. It was... chewing something...

Was that... flesh from my shoulder?

Blood loss blurred my mind. Vision faded, but Dragon Peak’s desperate shouts cut through.

I wanted to answer...

I...

...

The memory ended. I woke in this room.

I touched my right shoulder where I’d been bitten... The skin was smooth, flawless, cool as jade. The sensation felt strangely new...

Fine, so I’m a virgin. Big deal!

I dropped my hand with a sigh. Before, I couldn’t touch beauties because I wasn’t good enough. Now I finally touched a woman’s body... and still couldn’t perform!

Wait—I confirmed the top. But below...

I instinctively reached down. An empty void made my heart sink.

Relief washed over me—I wasn’t a shemale, at least physically. But sorrow crashed in. My twenty-year-old buddy was gone... gone... forever.

All that remained was a phantom ache... down there.

Now, that faint sorrow had turned into... boob pain!

I grabbed my new chest flab hard. Pain shot through me, making me wince.

“Hiss~~~” I gasped, stopping the grab. My hands switched to gentle rubbing...

Gotta admit, boob pain is a weird new sensation.

Sigh...

After two rubs, a tingling numbness spread from my chest. I jerked my hands back like I’d been shocked. Lost? Or...

Damn, this is so unlucky!

Enough gender worries. Frustrated, I brushed aside the hair on my face and sat with closed eyes...

Time passed. Moonlight shifted across my eyelids, waking me. Panic hit—Zombies were still out there! I couldn’t sleep. The moon had moved to my right. I must be facing south...

So, judging by its position, it’s past midnight?

Sitting here won’t help. I should head home first. I remember my Great Black Eagle mechanical crossbow. My buddy Dragon Peak got it for me. It’s illegal—only rich kids like him handle such things. I love it, but never dared to use it. Getting reported would be serious.

Unlike movies, Zombies don’t move slow. They’re faster than normal runners. I saw that earlier from the balcony.

I put my phone back in my bag—powered off. Every bit of battery counts now. Who knows if electricity will return?

By the way, my travel-loving neighbor has a solar charger. He showed it off once. If I get that, power won’t be a problem later.

But that’s for later. Right now, I need to escape.

I fell about three stories. No wonder I blacked out. If my hand hadn’t grabbed the bedsheets, shifting my weight inward and cushioning the fall, I’d be a pancake or unconscious. Three stories is high for an ordinary person.

I glanced left and right. The side windows were over 1.5 meters away. The one directly above was only two meters up. So... climb up or sideways?

Sideways is risky. No good handholds. I’d likely miss the balcony and splatter on the ground.

“Better check above...” I eyed the blurry shadows below. I didn’t want to die like that.

Two meters up. I haven’t measured my height, but my vision feels lower now. Probably around 1.75 meters. Tall for a woman.

By the way, I was 1.8 meters before...

I stretched up. I could barely reach the balcony edge, but my fingers couldn’t hold my weight. Thinking fast, I grabbed my Zippo. I opened the cigarette case, lit one up. The familiar taste spread, but my lungs rebelled.

“Cough! Cough! Cough!...” My new body must have cleaned out my old lungs.

The idea that this isn’t my body is nonsense. My phone, keys, wallet—all in that drawer. Proof I’m still me. Why this change? I’ll figure it out after safety.

Snap! I closed the Zippo lid. Thank goodness for its good seal. Running out of fuel would be awkward.

I weighed it in my hand. Nodded. My Zippo is a brass armored thick version—heavy enough.

What am I doing? Heh...

Aiming carefully, I hurled the lighter! Then I quickly covered my head with my bag.

The brass lighter hit the window glass! Crash! Tinkle! Shards flew everywhere. A low growl followed.