One moment they were discussing serious matters like the Nightwatchers and Witches; the next, Lu Yunzhi suddenly grabbed Jiang Qianyu’s ankle. A mischievous grin played on her lips as she abruptly rose.

She slid beside Jiang Qianyu in one fluid motion—one hand cradling the back of her knee, the other sweeping around her waist—a textbook princess carry setup.

Jiang Qianyu truly couldn’t fathom her thoughts. How did this girl’s mind work so differently?

Before Jiang Qianyu could even speak, Lu Yunzhi swept her up from the bed. Startled, Jiang Qianyu instinctively clutched her clothes and let out an awkward “Eh?”

“Yunzhi!” Jiang Qianyu shot her a glare—but in Lu Yunzhi’s eyes, it looked utterly coquettish.

“It’s late. Time to rest, don’t you think?” Lu Yunzhi smirked, carrying her toward the door. “Our daughter’s asleep. How about sleeping in my room tonight?”

Though they appeared married, they slept separately—a habit born from Jiang Qianyu’s former clinginess and Lu Yunzhi’s constant exhaustion. Jiang Qianyu had even given her the silent treatment once… only to realize Lu Yunzhi never noticed.

Back in the bedroom, tossed onto the soft double bed, Jiang Qianyu lay flustered, barely registering her own exposed skin. She watched Lu Yunzhi step closer. A wave of unease washed over her—stronger than even during the Tomorrow Apartment mission.

*Why do I feel this way?*

“Hehehe, my beauty~ Wait right here. I’m off to shower~”

No hungry pounce came. Lu Yunzhi simply turned, pulled fresh underwear and matching bunny-print couple’s pajamas from the wardrobe—identical to Jiang Qianyu’s—and headed out.

Jiang Qianyu burrowed under the quilt, head peeking out. Nervous butterflies fluttered in her chest. *Why is she suddenly frisky? What if she does something… weird?*

She barely understood intimacy between girls—let alone between genders. Sure, she knew the theory from those “educational films,” but zero hands-on experience. Would Lu Yunzhi notice? After all, her past self had been quite the pervert—always making advances. And now, when Lu Yunzhi finally took initiative… *she* was the one faltering.

*Is this the “reward” she promised?* Jiang Qianyu stared at the ceiling, listening to faint water sounds from the bathroom. After the Tomorrow Apartment mission, Lu Yunzhi had teased a mysterious reward. In a way… this truly was one.

Half an hour later, Lu Yunzhi returned wrapped in pajamas, towel-drying her damp hair. Undeniably lovely—but where Jiang Qianyu leaned into seductive allure, Lu Yunzhi radiated pure, youthful charm. *She looks twenty. Modest chest? Totally normal. Wait… she’s twenty-three. Still time to develop?* Jiang Qianyu flushed. *Why am I even thinking this?*

Just imagining Lu Yunzhi showering sent restless heat crawling under her skin. *Like she’s a tempting delicacy. In every sense.* She swore—it was pure bodily instinct! Zero soul involvement!

Catching Jiang Qianyu’s gaze on her chest, Lu Yunzhi pouted. “Stop staring. I know I can’t compare.”

She sat at the vanity, hairdryer in hand. Through the mirror, she saw Jiang Qianyu silent, eyes locked on her. After drying her hair, Lu Yunzhi climbed onto the bed, hovering over Jiang Qianyu. Dark-blue strands brushed Jiang Qianyu’s cheek. Faces mere inches apart. One hand braced beside Jiang Qianyu’s ear; the other swept hair behind her own ear, revealing delicate features.

“Yu… why so quiet?” Lu Yunzhi’s crimson lips parted. “Remember the reward? This is it.”

Warm breath ghosted over Jiang Qianyu’s skin. *One hundred percent certain now—Lu Yunzhi’s body affects me differently.* This wasn’t just infatuation or leftover attachment from the original owner. Something deeper. Something else.

Heart hammering. Mind foggy.

As Jiang Qianyu lifted a hand, Lu Yunzhi caught it—their fingers interlaced. Lips met. Soft. Supple. Jiang Qianyu’s eyes flew wide.

Lu Yunzhi shifted, unbuttoning her pajama top, tucking the quilt over them. Warmth from the room kept the chill away. Jiang Qianyu’s gaze dropped to pale skin, the black lace-trimmed lingerie stark against it. *She’s not small—I’m just… generous. Confirmed that in the mirror last night.* Truth was, Lu Yunzhi’s figure was lovely.

Lu Yunzhi leaned down again. Kisses—warm, slick, deep. Jiang Qianyu’s pajamas slipped away. Eyes glazed, she arched instinctively toward those lips. A greedy, eager absorption of everything Lu Yunzhi offered. And Lu Yunzhi drew from her too.

This was only the “opening act.”

Yet something felt off. As dizziness clouded her mind, Jiang Qianyu realized: while she absorbed faint threads of Lu Yunzhi’s soul energy, wisps of her own were seeping into Lu Yunzhi—and Lu Yunzhi seemed unaware she was drawing Jiang Qianyu’s essence too. The loss was minuscule… so why the violent vertigo?

*Is this soul exchange? Or fusion?* She’d lost balance. Overwhelmed.

As consciousness faded into darkness, the last words Jiang Qianyu heard were—

“Eh? Yu? Yu! Why did you pass out?!”

...