"Alright, alright—let’s drop the sad stuff. Back to you, my daughter. Ask what you want… but no more questions about the Demon Realm, okay?"

Her mom’s mood was clearly sour. Sensing it, Luo Ling wisely chose not to push her luck and shifted to something else on her mind.

"Well… I do have another question. Why did you make me live disguised as a boy all this time? Why couldn’t I have lived as a girl?"

Instead of answering, her mom tapped Luo Ling’s forehead. In an instant, all non-human traits vanished—the wings, tail, tiny head-wings, even the revealing outfit transformed into a sweet little dress. Now, Luo Ling looked exactly like an utterly adorable human girl.

"This is you as a human girl. So? What do you think?"

Staring at her mirror reflection, Luo Ling was utterly captivated. She spun around and gave her mom a thumbs-up. "I’m in!"

"Huh? What are you saying?" Her mom blinked, completely baffled.

"Ah—nothing! I just mean… super cute. *Very* cute!"

"You *know* how stunning you are. Even prettier than me! You’d turn every head on the street—guaranteed."

Luo Ling nodded.

"So being scouted is inevitable. Post your photo online? Instant viral fame. But for us outsiders in the human world, that’s dangerous. We must stay low-key. Too much attention… wouldn’t end well."

Her meaning was clear: standing out risked exposure—and worse.

"Can’t we just… tone down the looks?"

"If it were that simple," her mom sighed, "we’d do it. But our Succubus bodies *inherently* charm others. We’d be the center of attention anywhere… unless disguised as male."

"Ah… I see."

"That’s why *I* travel as a man. And you… I raised you as a boy. I’m sorry I’m only telling you now. If you can’t forgive me… I understand. This choice hurt you. I’m truly sorry."

Mengya bowed her head. Luo Ling’s built-up anger dissolved into confusion. Without a word, she stepped forward and hugged her.

After that, the tension between them softened. Sitting side by side on the bed, they talked again.

"Mom… one more thing. Who’s my dad?"

"You don’t have one," Mengya replied lightly.

"Then… how was I born?" Luo Ling hesitated. "Did you… turn into a guy and…?"

"*Pfft!* What wild thoughts!" Mengya flicked her forehead. "We Succubi conceive by accumulating magic within ourselves. To birth you, I hunted dozens of targets over several intense nights. You have no idea how—"

"Whoa, STOP!" Luo Ling waved her hands frantically, covering her ears. "La la la—I’m not listening!"

*Ah, my flustered daughter is just too cute…* Mengya watched Luo Ling’s crimson face, utterly charmed.

(Truth was, Mengya—a rare pure-hearted Succubus—only ever "hunted" girls. But she kept that detail to herself… just to tease her daughter.)

Flustered, Luo Ling grabbed her mom’s tail. A soft, startled gasp escaped Mengya.

"Sweetheart… let’s talk calmly. Could you… *please* let go of Mommy’s tail?"

*The mom who teases me daily is actually pleading?!* Luo Ling glanced from the tail in her hand to her mom’s earnest face—and flashed a mischievous little devil’s smile.

——After the Tussle——

"Naive, my dear. Did you really think you could win?"

Mengya stood, shifted back to human form, and glanced at Luo Ling sprawled on the bed—completely out cold.

"Oops… went a bit too hard. But no worries. Succubus bodies bounce back fast."

A whisper reached her ear: *"Master… you told Her Highness about feeding via demonic contracts. Why not mention she can absorb energy directly from females? Her reaction suggests she has no idea."*

"Simple," Mengya replied without hesitation. "It’s more fun this way."

Silence.

Later, Mengya retrieved a small ID card from her room and placed it on Luo Ling’s desk. Name: *Ling Luo*. Photo: her girl form. A backup identity—just in case.

Days passed. Mengya taught Ling Luo magic and Succubus lore at home. Ling Luo studied seriously—this was survival-level stuff. (Not death… but that "worse-than-death" feeling? Hard pass.)

Oddly, Mengya never took her for field training. For Ling Luo—who planned to rely *only* on demonic contracts—it was a relief.

She wasn’t casual about intimacy. Her first time would be for someone she truly loved. Her heart was… conservative.

Late July neared. Nearly a week since her last feed. Full magic lasted half a month… but maintaining disguise drained it in seven days. Training burned reserves faster. Now? Barely one-tenth left. She’d need to feed tomorrow. Or the next day.

Asking Mom was an option—Mom would happily oblige—but Ling Luo’s pride wouldn’t allow it. *Too… embarrassing.*

Now that she’d mastered the Demon Eye, Mengya’s hypnosis no longer worked. The choice was hers alone.

"Ugh… gotta find some poor soul to sign a contract with today… but I *really* don’t wanna go out…"

The little Succubus slumped over the table, rubbing her stomach. Her tail drooped limply. Alone in the quiet house.

A chronic procrastinator radiating pure "couch potato" energy.

*BLARE!* A deafening ringtone shattered the silence. She snatched the phone without looking.

"Hello? Who is it?" she drawled.

"Um… I’m looking for Luo Ling. Could… could he take the call?"

The voice—shy, familiar—made Ling Luo jolt upright. Tail shot straight. *It’s Liu Yixiao! My desk mate!*

"Hold on!" She cleared her throat, shifted her voice.

"Yixiao? What’s up?"—now in Luo Ling’s boyish tone.

"Ah! There’s something I’d like to discuss… Are you free to meet?"

Relief softened his voice. Ling Luo understood: calling and hearing a stranger (a *girl*!) would fluster anyone shy.

"Yeah, free. When and where?"

"Three o’clock. Bubble tea shop near school."

"Got it. Anything else?"

"Um… who was that girl earlier? Her voice was… really cute."

A tiny warm flutter bloomed in Ling Luo’s chest. She brushed it off—unaware her feminine self-awareness was quietly budding.

"Oh, just a distant cousin visiting. Kids being kids…" *Please don’t see through this.*

"A cousin? I thought she was your girlfriend."

"No way! I’m shyer than *you*—how could I have a girlfriend?!"

"Don’t say that. You’ll find someone. But your cousin sounds cute… Hope I meet her someday."

"Ahaha… sure! Maybe! Gotta go—bye!"

"Bye!"

*Click.*

She slumped back. *He’s finally acting on his crush… and asking romance-rookie me? Awkward… but he trusts me.*

————

Mengya entered her spacious office. A bird fluttered in through the window. She caught it gently—it shimmered, transforming into a tiny eyeball with bat wings: her familiar.

"Master, Her Highness has left the house."

"I know. No need to report." Mengya settled into her chair, legs crossed.

"Master… are you *truly* at ease letting her hunt alone? Zero experience! A homebody with shaky social skills—will she even find a target?"

"Don’t worry. Some lessons must be lived." She turned toward the window, murmuring, "What lies ahead… she must face it herself."