Chapter 1: Mr. Guest, would you like a Suqi Bento?

A bright full moon hung high like a silver plate, casting a gentle glow that signaled the quiet arrival of night.

The moonlight flowed like water, blanketing the earth in a layer of silvery white, making everything in the night appear especially serene.

Yet, this tranquility clearly did not belong to a certain place—the Linsi Fangxiang District Night Market.

In stark contrast to the peaceful residential areas nearby, the night market was brightly lit, filled with the clamor of voices and bustling energy.

Within the sprawling night market, stalls stood side by side, dazzling with a variety of goods that made one’s eyes spin.

The vendors enthusiastically shouted to attract passing customers.

The air was thick with the aroma of delicious food, making mouths water. Along the roadside, many mysterious Spirit Tools were displayed, waiting for their new owners.

And amid the crowded night market, as the staff scrambled for customers’ favor,

a seemingly inconspicuous corner was already packed with people, who had spontaneously formed a long line.

Following the queue to the front, one could see a stall with an overly simple sign hanging above—Su Family Bento, 200 yuan per serving, purchase limited to one per person.

Two hundred yuan. In today’s night market, where you could buy a deluxe bento with two meat dishes and one vegetable for fifteen yuan, this was an outrageous price.

Yet, those waiting didn’t mind at all—in fact, they were filled with anticipation.

“Not sure what Su Boss cooked today, but I hope it boosts strength. That way, I’ll have more confidence when I head into the Spiritual Ruins later. If I can hunt one or two Spirit Beasts, I’ll break even.”

“Hehe, honestly, I’m more looking forward to the moment Su Boss hands over the bento. Have you noticed that she gives off this warm ‘Tender Wife’ vibe? It’s all tingly and cozy. Every time I get my bento, I get this ‘newlywed husband’ feeling. So healing, so happy.”

“Now that you mention it, I feel the same. Though the boss lady’s chest is flat, her flawless skin and perfect face make her the perfect wife—no, the perfect Tender Wife. Seriously, she’s the embodiment of ‘Su Wife’!!!”

“Cough cough… cough cough cough… Don’t say anything else, here comes the boss lady.”

At a kind person’s warning, everyone fell silent and turned their eyes to the back, where a graceful silhouette was approaching.

The girl wore a cool summer floral dress, revealing smooth, fair arms and slender legs beneath the skirt.

Under the night market lights, she shone with exquisite radiance.

Her silky long hair was braided into a neat plait that hung down over her swan-like neck to her chest. As she walked, the braid swayed gently like a small brush, tickling one’s heart.

In her arms rested a white plastic insulated food box.

The box was probably heavy, for the delicate blush that colored her refined face deepened, and tiny beads of sweat dotted her forehead.

Her tender lips breathed a little quickly, but she didn’t look flustered—on the contrary, it made her all the more endearing.

Silently refusing help from many around her, the girl placed the food box in front of her stall. Elegantly, she took out a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped the sweat from her brow before slowly looking up to smile at the first waiting customer and spoke softly.

“Dear customer, would you like a bento today?”

…

“Dear customers, today’s bentos are all sold out. Sorry, I’m closing up now.”

At 10 PM, a gentle female voice rang out at the stall, signaling the end of the day’s work.

After bowing apologetically to the few customers who hadn’t managed to buy a bento, ‘Su Boss’ began packing up.

Since the bentos were prepared in advance and simply handed over, cleaning up was relatively easy.

After tidying the stall, Su Boss slung a small bag over her shoulder and headed out of the night market.

A beautiful woman—especially one moving alone—always attracted attention at the night market.

Feeling the gazes all around and rejecting countless men’s attempts to strike up conversation, Su Boss skillfully made her way to a nearby shopping mall and took the elevator up to the fifth floor, where an accessible restroom rarely used on normal days awaited.

Looking into the mirror in the restroom, she saw the reflection of a woman imbued with a faint Tender Wife aura.

Her makeup-free face was delicate and fair, a soft smile revealing two shallow dimples.

Her sparkling peach-blossom eyes twinkled vividly with each blink—everything about her was almost too perfect.

If she were a normal girl, she would undoubtedly be happy seeing such a flawless visage.

But at this moment, Su Boss stood before the mirror, slowly furrowing her fine brows and muttering to herself.

“Damn it, this can’t go on. I’m really going to upgrade!”

She stepped forward two paces and approached the spotless sink.

In the next moment, her pale hand gently slid the cool summer dress off her shoulders.

As the clothes peeled away, the girl’s creamy skin was exposed to the air.

She revealed a cool camisole that wrapped her chest, which was as flat as a boy’s, a slender waist that could be held with one hand…and a pair of cute panties with a slight forward curve.

Panties?!!

If anyone had seen this, they’d have their eyes wide in disbelief.

Judging by the shape beneath the panties, unless there were girls who liked stuffing odd things inside, there was no doubt—the beautiful girl was actually a genuine boy!

And indeed, the person before her was definitely a boy.

As the clothes came off completely, the braid vanished and was replaced by a simple short boyish haircut. The features that once looked soft and feminine took on a youthful and heroic sharpness.

At the same time, a prompt sounded in his mind.

【Ding, congratulations host Su Qi, successfully used the Tender Wife Ability. Today’s sales: 30 Su Wife Bentos; 10 consumed. Gained 10 Tender Wife experience points.】

Though he had heard this countless times before, Su Qi still sighed.

In this era of spiritual energy revival, everyone has a chance to randomly activate some ability upon adulthood based on their name.

But the problem was… Emmm, why did a boy like him activate the ‘Tender Wife Ability’!?

Though the ability matched his name perfectly, it made no sense.

With no better option, Su Qi opened the ability interface in his mind.

Host: Su Qi

Ability: LV1 Tender Wife (243/1000)

Current outfit: Casual dress

Description: Only boys can truly understand the meaning of ‘Tender Wife’ through empathy. You can be a gentle, generous, confident, and caring soulmate, or a pure-hearted, bright-eyed, adorable wife. Hopefully, you can use this ability to spread the warmth of the Tender Wife and heal the world.

Strength: 5 (attack, force) (average for age: 13)

Agility: 15 (movement speed, attack speed) (average for age: 15)

Intelligence: 17 (spellcasting speed, MP) (average for age: 14)

Constitution: 18 (recovery speed, HP) (average for age: 21)

Charm: 43 (average for age: 20)

Current abilities: Su Wife’s Sweetness, Su Wife’s Bento, Su Wife’s Battle Attire

Su Wife’s Sweetness (Passive): As a Tender Wife, when you successfully transform by wearing female clothes, your charm and beauty increase significantly, and you exude a faint fragrance that subtly influences those around you. (Note: This skill may randomly trigger special events.)

Su Wife’s Bento (Active): To win someone’s heart, you must first win their stomach. As a dutiful Tender Wife, you have master-level cooking skills after transformation. Those who eat your bentos feel happiness and may gain random additional attributes.

Su Wife’s Battle Attire: Clothes are a Tender Wife’s weapon.

A good outfit not only shapes your figure but also increases attributes and experience. After transformation, wearing female clothes grants ability boosts.

The higher the quality of the clothes and the spiritual energy contained, the stronger the boost. Please collect more!

(Note: If the battle attire is damaged or removed, the host’s power will decrease. Each piece of clothing only grants experience once.)

…

After reading all the details, Su Qi, now back in boy’s clothes, lowered his head and looked at his recently muscle-less, pale, soft little arms.

Before awakening his ability, during tests at Spiritual Martial University, his strength was at least average.

Not outstanding, but definitely not five points.

After a month of transformations, well… he had successfully turned into a weakling.

The macho image he had hoped for before activating his ability was now completely overturned!

Beep beep~

Just as Su Qi vented his frustration with a feeble cat-like punch, his phone in his bag vibrated slightly.

Picking it up, he glanced at the message and cost details, then quickly typed a reply: “See you at the hospital in half an hour.”

After sending the message, Su Qi pushed open the accessible restroom door.

The few men who had been following Su Qi, waiting to chat with ‘her’, froze in surprise.

Had they made a mistake?

How could a stunning beauty enter and come out looking like a completely different boy? Had they followed the wrong person?

Taking advantage of their confusion, Su Qi didn’t explain and strode out of the mall.

After all, as a boy who could transform convincingly into a Tender Wife, if this secret got out, things would be very bad—in every sense.

…

Twenty minutes later, Lin Family Third Hospital, rehabilitation ward corridor.

“Su Qi, your sister’s condition hasn’t improved recently. She remains in a Spirit Creature Curse-induced coma. Our hospital has been searching for a High-rank Monk Ability User, but with little success—such abilities are rare in any city. For now, we must focus on maintaining her vital signs.”

Listening to the Nurse Miss, now an adult, Su Qi understood the implication.

It was time to pay.

He silently opened his phone to check the balance. After reluctantly setting aside 500 yuan for living expenses, he transferred the rest of the 2,900 yuan he had earned tonight—after food costs—to the hospital.

Gazing at his sister Su Lulu, lying peacefully on the bed like a sleeping beauty, Su Qi fell into deep thought.

Five years ago, their parents—leaders of the Saint Ruins Exploration Group—had mysteriously disappeared while exploring a Saint Ruins site in the Lin City outskirts.

With no parents left, only Su Qi and Su Lulu remained.

Fortunately, Su Lulu, five years younger than Su Qi, had awakened the Water Dragon King ability and had been quite active in various Adventurer Organizations.

Everything had seemed fine, but two years ago, Su Qi had thought Su Lulu’s latest expedition was routine.

He never expected the news that followed: Su Lulu was cursed into a coma.

Looking at his elder sister who had been in a vegetative state for two years, and recalling the hospital’s exorbitant fees—all paid from his own dignity as he transformed into a Tender Wife to sell bentos—Su Qi reached out and gently pinched Su Lulu’s soft cheeks, making a cat-face expression.

He whispered softly.

“Big sis, wake up soon. I really don’t want to wear dresses and be a Tender Wife anymore! You wouldn’t want your little brother to become a little sister, would you?!”

Breathing steady. Blood pressure steady. Pulse steady.

It turned out that, unlike in dramas, shock therapy couldn’t wake a coma patient.

Since today was Sunday and he had classes at Spiritual Martial University Monday morning, after paying the fees and receiving Nurse Miss’s reminders, Su Qi headed home.

…

When Su Qi returned home, he quietly pushed open the bedroom door and looked toward the entryway. Unconsciously, it was already midnight.

Outside, darkness had completely fallen.

Seeing the late hour and thinking of having to report to school at 7 AM, Su Qi felt a headache coming on.

If it weren’t for the fear of exposing his Tender Wife secret, he could’ve been home an hour earlier after selling those loving bentos.

Well, although the hour delay was frustrating, at least his identity hadn’t been exposed. That was a relief.

After silently comforting himself, Su Qi was about to enter his room and quickly change into pajamas and get some sleep.

Creak~

Just as Su Qi gently pushed open the wooden door to his room,

he felt a subtle wrongness.

Was it his imagination?

Why did it feel like the window was open?

He clearly remembered closing it before leaving.

Or had he forgotten?

While Su Qi hesitated, the wooden door, already cracked open, was suddenly pushed wide from the inside.

A shaft of pale moonlight like a gauzy veil spilled into the room. Su Qi’s eyes were drawn toward it, but what he saw froze him in place.

The roughly ten-square-meter room had its window wide open, night wind howling inside, lifting the curtains in a graceful dance.

The breeze also softly caressed the long, waterfall-like blue-black hair of the girl who stood in the doorway, gently stirring it under the moonlight, creating a dreamlike scene.

Under the moonlight, the girl’s figure was especially slender and graceful, like a fairy untouched by worldly dust.

Her features were exquisitely delicate, her skin pale and nearly translucent like white jade.

Most striking were her blood-red eyes, burning like flames, radiating a strange, alluring charm that captivated the onlooker.

She wore a tight leather outfit that perfectly outlined her curvaceous figure, adding a wild allure.

But the most shocking thing was the pair of black feathered wings that sprouted from her butterfly-like, slender back and slightly raised hips!

Bathed in moonlight, the wings shimmered faintly, like mysterious creatures born from darkness.

They fluttered slightly, as if ready to spread and carry the girl away from the noisy world.

Su Qi’s eyes widened as he stared at the beautiful girl who looked like a “vampire” invading his home, a surge of indescribable shock and caution rising in his chest.

His thoughts raced—

Who was this beautiful girl?

An Ability User? Or a supernatural beast?

Why had she broken into his house?

Wait, judging by her looks, she must be from the Blood Clan. Could she be here to suck his blood?

Yes, that had to be it. After all, he was living alone, and if you rounded up his family, there wasn’t a single ‘normal’ person.

Looking at the situation, uh-oh… he might be doomed.

Was he about to be drained to death by this beautiful girl today?

If so, well, if he was going to die, he might as well go down fighting. He had to resist.

As Su Qi backed away and reached for a broom to defend himself and flee,

the girl standing in the bedroom spoke first.

“Su Qi junior, don’t get so worked up. You wouldn’t want anyone to find out about you selling bentos in dresses at the night market, would you?”