Chapter 47: The Daughter of the Bai Family

Victoria Bay
Villa Living Room

“So you’re saying that, for some unknown reason, you turned into a woman?!”

“Yes.”

After asking this question, Bai Yaobin and his child—now father and daughter—sat on opposite sides of the coffee table, an inexplicable silence hanging in the air of the living room.

After giving their statements to the police at the station, the two had taken a car here, and all along the way, neither could quite figure out how to start the conversation.

One remained stunned by the news that his son had become his daughter.

The other, having said all there was to say, could only give the shocked “old father” some time to process.

Gurgle~

A rumble of hunger broke the stillness of the living room.

Bai Yaobin gave a somewhat embarrassed smile.

He’d left for a café near lunchtime, later ended up at the police station, and now it was past six in the evening—he’d hardly eaten all day.

“How about we order some takeout?”

“Forget it. Delivery isn’t allowed in this community, and we’d have to go all the way to the main gate to pick it up. I’ll just whip up a couple of quick dishes and we’ll make do.”

Bai Yaobin agreed with a simple “Okay.”

He watched as Bai Xian, sitting across from him, stood up and, while tying back her long hair, walked toward the kitchen.

She grabbed the apron hanging by the door and fastened it around her waist, and in no time was moving about the kitchen with practiced ease.

Once Bai Xian’s back was turned, Bai Yaobin’s body went limp on the sofa, his expression utterly dejected.

His son had become a daughter… what a thing to happen.

Most fathers love having daughters—when he was young, he’d dreamed of having both a son and a daughter, a perfect pair.

So a few years after their eldest was born, Bai Yaobin and his wife had a second child. It was another boy, which was a slight disappointment.

But surely, there were better ways to mend such regrets than having your son turn into a daughter.

Who on earth would believe such a thing?

Lost in thought, Bai Yaobin glanced toward the kitchen.

The glass door reflected Bai Xian’s delicate silhouette—graceful and youthful.

His daughter was cooking for him!

That was something he’d only ever dreamed of.

Strangely, the fact that his son had become a daughter didn’t seem so hard to accept after all.

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Bai Yaobin took out his phone and began looking up possible causes and methods for a man to become a woman.

...

“Dad, the food’s ready. Go wash your hands and eat.”

By now, Bai Yaobin had composed himself and sat up straight on the sofa. Hearing her, he got up and washed his hands.

When he emerged from the bathroom, he found three dishes and a soup already arranged on the dining table, along with two bowls of rice.

Father and daughter sat on either side, eating in silence.

Even so, Bai Yaobin’s heart trembled with every bite.

It was because the taste was so achingly familiar—exactly like his wife Zheng Xuan’s cooking.

Both sons had learned to cook from their mother, and there was no faking that.

“Ahem, so, young lady, it’s not that I don’t believe you. It’s just that what you’re saying is… astonishing.”

“I understand. But what would it take for you to believe me?”

Bai Xian set down her chopsticks helplessly.

“How about this—do you have any secrets that only you would know?”

“Secrets only I would know…” Bai Xian hesitated. “When I was little, I stole money and you gave me a beating.”

Bai Yaobin shook his head.

“That’s too common. What kid hasn’t snuck some money from their parents?”

“In middle school, I told you I was doing homework at school after class, but actually I was at an internet café with friends.”

“What! You rascal… Well, a lot of kids have done that sort of thing.”

Suddenly, Bai Xian’s eyes brightened as she remembered something.

“There’s a hidden compartment on top of your wardrobe, filled with DVDs. Inside, they’re all—”

“Stop! Stop!” Bai Yaobin’s face went crimson, and he hastily cut her off.

“Now do you believe I’m really your son?”

“I do, I do.”

In truth, he’d already been nearly convinced after tasting the meal, and all these questions were just a way to help himself face reality.

But now he had no choice but to believe.

After all, even Zheng Xuan didn’t know about that secret stash of DVDs—he’d thought only he did. Who would have imagined his kid had found it too…

Still, having a daughter wasn’t so bad.

Hadn’t he always envied old Liu next door for having a lovely daughter? Now he had one too.

And…

Bai Yaobin looked his beautiful daughter up and down.

And she was even prettier than Liu’s girl.

“Dau—daughter, has anyone else learned about this?”

Bai Xian shook her head.

“Other than a certain special government department, you’re the first to know.”

“So this big villa is…? How did you get so capable, taking down so many people single-handedly? And what’s this special department you mentioned…”

Bai Yaobin felt like everything around him had become utterly bewildering since his son became his daughter.

Faced with so many questions, Bai Xian’s head throbbed. It took all her effort just to muddle through, and before she knew it, it was midnight.

After settling her still-bewildered father into a spare room, Bai Xian finally sank onto the sofa with a sigh of relief.

Dealing with her dad was more exhausting than slaying a great demon in another world.

Nevertheless, the first step was taken.

Now that her dad was on her side, it shouldn’t be long before she could return home.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, Bai Xian was awakened by the sounds of activity in the living room.

Bleary-eyed and wearing a loose T-shirt, she came out of the bedroom to find Bai Yaobin, apron on, inspecting a few “decorations” on the display shelf.

“Your taste in collectibles is really odd,” he said awkwardly when he saw his daughter. “Go wash up, breakfast is ready.”

When Bai Xian had freshened up and sat down at the table, Bai Yaobin set a bowl of porridge and two side dishes before her, then took his own seat and started eating.

Watching her father act so naturally, Bai Xian couldn’t help but ask,

“Dad, you’ve accepted it?”

“Accepted what?”

“The way I look now.”

“What else? Whether you’re my son or daughter, you’re still part of this family.”

Bai Yaobin set down his chopsticks and looked at her, his daughter’s beautiful face so close.

“I don’t know what you’ve been through lately, but from all the little things, it’s clear you’ve faced experiences I can’t even imagine.

But remember this—your mom and I will always have your back. Whatever happens, you can always talk to us. And if things get too hard, just come home—we’ll take care of you.”

Bai Xian hadn’t expected her usually stern father to say such words. Tears pricked at her eyes.

Seeing this, Bai Yaobin panicked, abandoning his solemnity and hurrying to hand her a tissue.

It took a bit of fuss before the tears finally stopped.

It seemed that since becoming a woman, her tear ducts had grown more sensitive too.

After sniffing her reddened nose, Bai Xian asked, “What about Mom and my brother?”

“Your mom’s not as good with surprises. Let me break it to her gradually. As for your brother…” Bai Yaobin paused, “It’s not a big deal to tell him, but he’s got college entrance exams this fall. Let’s wait until after the exam.”

Bai Xian nodded.

Her father’s plan matched her own thoughts.

As for the rest of the relatives, father and daughter agreed not to tell anyone.

After all, when Bai Xian was still a man, he barely kept in touch with them. It had been a year since he’d seen any of them, so even if Bai Xian disappeared, probably no one would notice.

She curled her lips wryly, unsure whether to feel glad or sad.

After discussing a few more details, Bai Yaobin left the villa before lunchtime.

He was far more relaxed leaving than when he had arrived. Before he left, he gave his “new daughter” a few last bits of advice, then got into the community shuttle driven by Chen Xu and left the villa district.

In the car, Chen Xu offered Bai Yaobin a cigarette and lit it for him.

“Mr. Bai, your daughter is truly remarkable. She’s helped our boss Li quite a bit.”

Bai Yaobin exhaled a ring of smoke.

Thinking of Bai Xian standing at the door to see him off, he couldn’t help but smile and utter a seemingly random phrase.

“She’s my daughter, after all.”