Qiao Fei's room was still as immaculate as a model home—
the bed neatly made, the bedside lamp casting a warm glow,
even the curtains hanging in perfectly measured folds, as if the wind itself had lined them up.
Ye Xiaoxiao sat cross-legged on the carpet, chin propped in her hands, striking the posture of someone about to deliver a TED Talk.
"Miss Qiao, I've been thinking about something lately," she began solemnly.
She cleared her throat, scholarly spirit fully activated.
"You've always wanted to dance White Feather, and the car accident happened during the tour…"
She leaned forward, eyes bright with logic.
"So I was wondering—if I help you complete the White Feather performance,
would you be able to return to your own body?"
Qiao Fei leaned against the headboard, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised.
"And how do you know that doing this would let me go back?"
Ye Xiaoxiao let out an awkward laugh, but grew more serious as she spoke.
"That's how it works in TV shows and movies!
Either you fulfill an unfinished wish, or someone completes something for you, and then you can go back.
So I thought… we should at least try, right?
Who knows—maybe you really can come back."
She even patted her chest confidently.
Qiao Fei stared at her in silence for a long moment.
Ye Xiaoxiao squirmed under the gaze.
"Why are you staring at me like that…?"
Suddenly, Qiao Fei asked:
"Ye Xiaoxiao."
Her tone wasn't her usual cool sharpness—it carried, for the first time, a trace of probing curiosity.
"Have you never thought about staying in my body?
Living my life, using my identity?"
Ye Xiaoxiao froze.
Qiao Fei continued calmly:
"I've known since I was young how many people envy my life.
Pretty, wealthy family, lead dancer in the troupe, parents who care, brothers who dote on me—
everyone says I'm blessed."
A rare hint of self-mockery crossed her face.
"You suddenly woke up in my body, with such perfect conditions…
you've never thought about staying?"
Ye Xiaoxiao shook her head—firmly, decisively.
"I might envy it," she said softly, "but I don't want it."
Qiao Fei looked surprised.
Ye Xiaoxiao's voice was gentle, but unwavering.
"I know I'm not as pretty as you. My figure is…"
She gestured at her small belly. "A bit round."
"My family's ordinary, my life's ordinary—but—"
She looked straight at Qiao Fei, eyes steady for the first time.
"This is your body.
Your life.
I don't have the right, and I don't have the authority, to live it for you."
She took a deep breath.
"If I stay in your body, that's not 'living for you.'
That's stealing."
"I want to help you return to your own stage—
not stand there pretending it belongs to me."
Qiao Fei went completely still.
Her soul felt like it had been pricked—not pain, but a deep tremor.
She had always thought this clumsy, soft little assistant would be tempted,
that she'd grow greedy, lose herself in the Qiao family's life.
But she hadn't.
She was serious—like she was guarding something sacred.
Qiao Fei's gaze softened for a fleeting second.
Almost inaudibly, she said:
"…You're really stupid."
Ye Xiaoxiao smiled.
"Then I guess I'm stupid…
but I want to be a good person."
Qiao Fei was silent for a long time before finally speaking:
"…Then let's try."
Ye Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up.
"Really?!"
Qiao Fei sighed.
"Besides, you dance like a duck with muscle cramps. You need motivation."
Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."
Qiao Fei couldn't help but laugh.
"Fine. Starting tomorrow—hell training.
You want to help me complete White Feather?"
She stepped closer, her tone suddenly serious and resolute—
the look of a dancer, and of a girl reclaiming her belief.
"Then I'll teach you every dance I've learned in twenty years."
Later That Night
The light in Qiao Sheng's study was still on.
He was typing away at his desk when—
two heads peeked through the door.
Qiao Yi looked sneaky.
Qiao Lin looked like he hadn't slept in days.
They tiptoed in like burglars.
Qiao Sheng: "…What are you two doing?"
Qiao Yi immediately raised a finger.
"Shh! Big brother, keep it down! Don't wake Mom, Dad, or Feifei!"
Qiao Sheng paused, raised an eyebrow.
"…Was I loud?"
Qiao Lin frowned, lowering his voice.
"Yi says Feifei's been a little… off since she woke up."
Qiao Sheng finally paid attention.
"Oh?"
Qiao Yi leaned in, whispering dramatically.
"She walks weird, stutters when she talks, and even… talks to herself!"
Qiao Lin adjusted his glasses, entering doctor mode.
"Unsteady gait and speech issues could be muscle recovery and delayed neural response after a coma."
He paused, brow furrowing.
"But… talking to herself is a bit strange."
"Mm." Qiao Sheng nodded calmly, like listening to a medical report.
Qiao Yi, however, laughed it off.
"Eh, whatever! As long as Feifei's awake, the house doesn't feel so gloomy anymore.
Mom and Dad have been in great spirits!"
Qiao Lin rubbed his eyes, nearly collapsing.
"Yeah… she's awake, so it's all worth it.
I've got an early shift tomorrow—I'll pass out before my patients if I don't sleep.
Good night, big brother."
He waved weakly and staggered out.
Qiao Yi stretched.
"I'm turning in too. Night, big brother—don't stay up too late!"
The study fell silent again.
Qiao Sheng leaned back, watching their figures disappear down the hall, and sighed with a helpless smile.
"…So you came here just to chat?"
He rubbed his brow and returned to typing—
but his thoughts drifted toward Qiao Fei's room.
The sister his brothers said had suddenly become… a little strange.
The Next Morning — Qiao Family Dining Table
Breakfast at the Qiao household was always orderly and quiet—
until Ye Xiaoxiao (in Qiao Fei's body) lifted her milk and said:
"Um… I've decided. I'm going back to the dance troupe."
Five seconds later—
the table exploded.
Qiao Dad snapped his financial newspaper shut.
His eyes shone like the stock market hitting a limit-up.
"Good! That's great, Feifei!
Going back means you've fully recovered!"
He was beaming, even gulping down his soy milk.
Ye Xiaoxiao: "Uh… not fully—"
Too late. He wasn't listening anymore.
Qiao Mom's chopsticks nearly dropped.
"Feifei! You've only been awake a few days. Your body hasn't fully recovered.
The troupe is exhausting—won't it be too much?"
Ye Xiaoxiao, internally:
I think so too… especially dancing at your daughter's level.
Qiao Mom looked deeply worried.
Qiao Sheng set down his coffee, his sharp gaze scanning Ye Xiaoxiao's Qiao Fei expression.
He frowned briefly, then nodded slowly.
"Mm… that confidence in your eyes is back."
Ye Xiaoxiao: "?"
Qiao Fei's soul flailed behind her.
Big brother, that's not confidence!! That's fear!!
Qiao Sheng smiled, completely misunderstanding.
Second brother Qiao Lin had already left early for his hospital shift.
Third brother Qiao Yi slapped the table, energized.
"Alright! I'll handle your rides to and from the troupe.
No matter where it is, I'll drive you."
Ye Xiaoxiao nearly choked.
"W-wait—no need—!"
Qiao Yi's tone was firm.
"You were in a car accident. I'm not taking chances."
Qiao Fei's soul nodded approvingly.
"Third brother is reliable, at least."
Ye Xiaoxiao suddenly felt ten tons of pressure on her shoulders.
I'm just a wage-slave assistant borrowing someone else's body—
how dare I let the Third Young Master of the Qiao family be my driver?!