After Swapping Identities With My Archenemy - Chapter 82

Chapter 82: The Stakeout

Laughter rarely comes naturally when one is filled with dread, which is why Shen Wensi felt so utterly speechless. In the mortal world, New Year meant fireworks; that was simply a force of nature beyond her control.

The woman and the beast stood in a frozen stalemate for a long time. Finally, Xiao Die spat out four cold words: “I’m going home.”

Shen Wensi let out a cold laugh. “That is my house, not yours.”

Xiao Die flicked her tail impatiently. “It’s mine now.” She made a move to walk past, heading toward the street.

Shen Wensi didn’t block her. She simply stood there with her arms crossed, her voice dripping with cool irony. “Go ahead. Let’s see if she accepts you looking like that.”

Xiao Die’s massive, furry paw froze mid-air. Her entire three-meter frame went rigid. Though she had sounded bold a moment ago, the thought of the expression Jiang Huaiyi would make the shock, the horror, the potential rejection sent a wave of guilt and hesitation through her.

She wasn’t ready to come clean. Not everyone was like the old Taoist priest, who didn’t mind raising a calamity-class auspicious beast like a common house cat.

Xiao Die eventually retracted her paw. A look of genuine grievance crossed her fierce, leonine face. It was the transformation from a “Kitty” to a “Killer,” but with a hint of a pouting child.

Shen Wensi’s tone softened slightly. “If you don’t want her to see you like this, it’s best if you don’t go back yet. Wait until you can control the transformation again.”

Xiao Die spun around nimbly in the narrow alley, presenting her backside to Wensi and refusing to give her another look. It was a clear sign: I’m done talking to you.

Wensi found it peculiar. A creature of this caliber shouldn’t be so “tsundere.” Perhaps staying in the mortal realm too long has rubbed off on her, she thought, before turning on her heel and heading home.

Once the footsteps faded, Xiao Die turned back around. She rested her massive head on her crossed paws, her ears drooping. She missed the cat food Huaiyi made for her the simple mixture of fish, chicken, and those “nutritious vegetables” Huaiyi insisted on. It wasn’t gourmet, but at this moment, she craved it more than anything.

She noticed a bag sitting in the corner of the wall that hadn’t been there before. She extended a claw and hooked it over. It was a takeout container from the hotel, still warm. She sniffed—large prawns.

She carefully nipped the lid open to find the prawns neatly arranged and drizzled with a thick chicken broth glaze. With one lick of her tongue, she swept them into her mouth. The springy texture of the meat hit her palate, and the weight in her chest lightened. She curled around the box and, before long, began to snore.

The New Year’s Visit

Jiang Huaiyi woke up late the next morning. She had tossed and turned, her mind a kaleidoscope of ghostly processions and Sect Leader proposals.

After ensuring through a quick divination that Xiao Die was safe (even if she was missing), Huaiyi got ready. She and Shen Wensi had agreed to visit her Uncle’s Taoist temple to pay their New Year respects.

Huaiyi felt a new sense of confidence. The old “failing genius” identity was gone; in her current role, she could hold her head high.

Shen Wensi stood beside her, carrying two large gift boxes. Seeing Huaiyi trying to pump herself up, she couldn’t help but find it endearing. She patted Huaiyi’s stiff back, much like one would soothe a child. “Don’t worry. You’re excellent. With your identity swapped, you don’t have to endure those looks anymore.”

Huaiyi’s face went through a spectrum of colors. It was one thing to know your embarrassing past; it was another to have the cool, mysterious Shen Wensi bring it up. “How did you manage not to laugh at me back then?” Huaiyi muttered, her face heating up.

“It’s normal to have a disguise in front of strangers,” Wensi replied casually.

As they approached the temple, they saw a crowd gathered at the entrance, buzzing with excitement. Huaiyi’s Uncle and Senior Sister were standing there with their hands tucked into their sleeves, listening to the crowd with resigned expressions.

Curiosity got the better of Huaiyi. As she got closer, she heard her own name (or rather, the person she was currently pretending to be) being tossed around. These people were lobbyists sent by Huo Xuanjing.

Huaiyi’s first instinct was to bolt. But Shen Wensi grabbed her hand firmly, her eyes saying: You’ve faced ghosts, don’t run from this.

Huaiyi straightened her clothes and walked with feigned composure… straight toward the back door.

Shen Wensi: “…” So much for “facing it.”

The Unseen Observer

They slipped inside to find the Uncle, Jiang Jiling, sitting at a table sighing while sipping on a milk tea. He looked profoundly melancholy until he saw them, at which point he looked slightly embarrassed and offered them a seat.

“What’s happening outside?” Huaiyi asked.

“They’re here for you,” the Uncle said, taking a long pull of his straw. “Huo Xuanjing hasn’t given up.”

Huaiyi was speechless. We’re the same age, why is she so stubborn? Outside, a dozen people were surrounding Chu Lianxue, talking all at once.

“Don’t worry,” the Uncle smiled breezily. “This excitement will pass in a few days.”

Knowing they couldn’t stay long without being spotted, Huaiyi and Wensi decided to slip out the back way again. They didn’t even get a chance to talk to the Senior Sister.

The two sneaked out of the back gate, but as they prepared to leave, a familiar figure stepped out from behind a decorative rock garden.

She was holding a hand warmer, her face slightly flushed from the winter wind. She looked as though she had been waiting there for a long time.

Jiang Huaiyi froze, the name escaping her lips before she could stop it: “Huo Xuanjing.”

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