Located in Haizhu City District C, a remote area far from human habitation. In the opposite direction from the commercial street, taking a bus leads to the suburbs—
As far as the eye could see, there were sparse plantations and experimental farmland. On the undeveloped land, a few buildings stood isolated.
Among these buildings, the most conspicuous was a church full of Western style—magnificent, gorgeous, and exquisite.
Above it hung a sign that read “Dandelion Orphanage.”
.
“Eh. It’s here.”
In stark contrast to the solemn atmosphere, a lively and cheerful voice was the first to break the silence.
Two girls who looked like high school students, Lianying and Qinglan, accompanied by an adult woman beside them, walked into the church. The sounds of footsteps and conversation were especially noticeable in the empty environment.
“Um, you’re Lianying, right… Please forgive me for speaking bluntly.”
The staff member and nun in charge of reception and introduction, standing beside them, said. The expression on her face visibly turned awkward and confused.
“Hmm?”
Lianying blinked in confusion, looking as relaxed as if she didn’t mind at all.
“…I can probably guess what you want to say. Actually, I think so too.”
Her companion, Qinglan, on the contrary, sighed while holding her head.
“I advised her, but she wouldn’t listen.”
It was a subtle reaction unusual for her age. She glared fiercely at her companion beside her.
“R-Right! Anyone normal would think that.”
Knowing she wasn’t the only one, the nun nodded in agreement.
Then facing Lianying, she spoke earnestly:
“You… Are you really planning to adopt a child? Um, you’re still a high school student, right?”
Perhaps because it was too unbelievable, as soon as these words were spoken, the other staff in the church cast strange glances at them—
“What’s a high school student doing here?”
“This isn’t the place for her.”
“If she wants to visit, go to the zoo.”
And so on.
“Don’t worry about that, um! I asked my uncle and aunt to be proxy guardians, and the paperwork and procedures went smoothly.”
Lianying patted her chest confidently, showing off how well prepared she was.
“Haah… My parents must have a screw loose somewhere to agree to you.”
In comparison, Qinglan’s face was even more worried as she shook her head.
“Since you insist—alright, I’ll take you to meet her first.”
Seeing this, she couldn’t say much more, and the nun somewhat acknowledged her in attitude.
“By the way, have you decided which child to adopt?”
Then, as if remembering something, she confirmed repeatedly before departure.
One might think they were out shopping, picking out favorite snacks and toys.
“Yeah! I already picked from the list before.”
Lianying answered excitedly and happily, nodding like a garlic pestle.
“Her name is Wuhua. She’s a really, really cute girl.”
—
Meanwhile, in a room deep inside the church that resembled a prayer room, an adult woman in uniform, Mingji, was secretly observing them.
“Wuhua is the target. Get ready.”
Mingji reminded her.
“From now on, it’s up to you.”
And standing behind her was Wuhua—the protagonist and executor of this confidential mission.
Far different from her appearance and body three days ago, she had undergone an earth-shattering change. From an adult man into a mere seven-year-old girl.
“I didn’t expect they actually came…”
With a face full of confusion and bewilderment, Wuhua still nodded and said:
“I know her name. But this is my first time seeing her without her transformation.”
“Me neither. And just in case, I’ll repeat the operation plan for you.”
Mingji rubbed her eyes and spoke slowly:
“The ‘Double Rabbit Type Experimental Potion’ you took is the latest product from our R&D department. It allows you to act in your current little girl’s body and appearance for a certain period of time.”
“Plus, with the cooperation and assistance of our publicity department colleagues, we successfully made Lianying develop the idea of adopting a child. And, you were her preferred target.”
“What you need to do is simple. Disguise yourself as much as possible as a helpless orphan, a girl whose parents died young, inexperienced, withdrawn, and longing for love. It’s that simple.”
“Don’t let her see through any flaws or your true identity. Infiltrate her home and life, and then.”
“As an inside mole, help us obtain more private intelligence and information, as well as content that ordinary people can’t access. That’s all.”
After speaking, Mingji looked at Wuhua, signaling her to ask any questions now.
“Isn’t this just role-playing…? No more questions. More than that, there’s something I’m very curious about.”
Wuhua thought for a moment and asked in confusion:
“How did you make Lianying make such an unreasonable move as adopting a child…? Could it be coercion—”
“Impossible! It’s not like we’re an evil organization or mafia—don’t forget, we’re originally a media company.”
Mingji mysteriously pressed her index finger to her lips.
“In this half-truth, half-false information society, grasping information and discourse power means being omnipotent.”
—
Soon, Wuhua, entrusted with the important task, appeared in everyone’s sight under the staff’s guidance.
With delicate and regular features, a round face, fair and tender skin, she could be called a true doll face. Silver hair like an epiphyllum, skin white like jade. Under the light filtering through the church’s stained glass windows, it seemed as if she was draped in a soft veil.
“…” Wuhua said nothing, wearing a subtle expression as she observed her surroundings. Her gaze inadvertently met Lianying’s.
“Th-That’s the girl, right.”
Noticing Wuhua, Lianying suddenly stopped and grabbed her companion who was about to continue approaching.
“…Right, the one you saw on the list is her, exactly like the photo.”
Qinglan, with an unhappy expression, was forced to stop, then glanced at her.
“What? You’re not thinking of backing out now, are you? I told you—”
“Not at all! …I just need some mental preparation.”
Denying it, Lianying’s originally relaxed and cheerful expression turned tense and hesitant.
She kept her distance, and she and Wuhua, who was also frozen in place, stared at each other. For a moment, neither knew how to react.
Watching the two who were about to form a special relationship, looking somewhat immature and like sisters no matter how you looked at them, the staff silently observing on the side showed a “You’re hopeless” smile.
“You should already know, this child’s name is Wuhua.”
As she spoke, the nun actively walked to Wuhua’s side and gently bent down.
“She has only been here a few days. But I have a very deep impression of her.”
“She doesn’t talk much usually, is very smart and obedient, and is also very friendly to the other children.”
“She’s seven years old this year, seven years apart from you.”
The nun introduced her in a gentle and caring tone.
“Mhm, mhm, I know.”
A bit flustered and at a loss, Lianying took a deep breath and pretended to be calm.
“Come, little Wuhua. Let me introduce you too.”
The nun brought Wuhua in front of Lianying and spoke softly:
“This big sister is Lianying, and she will be your future family. You will live together for a very, very long time.”
“Support each other, love each other. Share happiness, comfort sadness. That will be a relationship different from friends or us.”
“Say hello. Be a polite good child.”
Under the nun’s attentive guidance, the young Wuhua stepped forward with a shy expression.
“H-Hello, Lianying, big sister.”
The cute and childish voice pierced Lianying’s heart like a sharp blade.
“S-So cute?!”
Lianying, covering her chest with both hands, barely managed not to fall over and pulled herself together.
“…Ahem.”
She also tried to muster courage. She extended her hand towards the girl whose height only reached her waist.
“Hello! Wuhua, um, I’m Lianying. I’m fifteen years old, currently a high school student. This is my friend, Qinglan. Nice to meet you. Well, um…”
Even though it was a self-introduction, her eyes darted around hesitantly.
She closed her eyes again as if mentally preparing, then spoke slowly:
“You, you can call me Mommy… okay.”
[The moment the words fell, the previously noisy and lively room fell into dead silence. Calming down, one could hear the wind outside and the sound of leaves brushing against treetops.]
Everyone present was stunned in unison, casting needle-like glances this way.
“…You’re way too impatient.”
First stunned, Qinglan wished she could find a crack to crawl into.
“Well, young people these days are really bold.”
The nun blushed and touched her face.
“But sincere feelings between each other is a good thing too.”
“W-What’s wrong with that!? I do plan to do that! I will replace Wuhua’s biological mother and give her plenty of love that won’t lose to anyone.”
Lianying also blushed at her own words, patted her chest, and made an oath under everyone’s gaze and the church’s witness.
“…I understand.”
Wuhua, on the other hand, stepped forward proactively and took Lianying’s outstretched hand.
“Please take care of me from now on.”
The affectionate gesture made Lianying beam with joy, and she firmly grasped Wuhua’s hand back.
“Yeah!”
Just like that, at an unsuitable age, they became an adoptive mother-daughter relationship—
The story of a girl (actually a man in secret) and a magical girl (on the surface an ordinary high school student) officially begins.