That morning, the city was filled with golden light. Sunlight crept slowly through the gaps between the buildings, reflecting off the glass windows, and dancing gently across the floor of Yuan Jin's room. The fresh air coming in through the open window carried the scent of dew and the sound of birds chirping from afar, as if the entire world were deliberately offering a gentle welcome to the new day.
In the small but tidy kitchen, Yuan Jin had already woken up early. He stood at the table, slicing bread and preparing two simple dishes. He yawned occasionally, but a small smile still appeared as he thought about the special guest staying with him.
Vaelthanya.
Yuan Jin cooked, occasionally glancing up at the stairs, making sure Vaelthanya hadn't woken up. But soon, the sound of soft footsteps was heard.
Vaelthanya came down, holding her head, her long silver hair slightly disheveled, and her face looking haggard.
"How are you? Are you feeling better?" Yuan Jin asked anxiously.
Vaelthanya stopped right in front of him. She didn't look sick, but a trace of fatigue clearly radiated from her body. Even so, her eyes remained beautiful—like a pair of sparkling stars descended upon the mortal world.
"I'm better than before," she replied softly. "But somehow my body feels so weak… and my stomach is rumbling as if… it needs something to fill it."
Yuan Jin held back a smile.
It wasn't a supernatural phenomenon. It was… just hunger.
"Then try eating this white bread," he said, thrusting a piece into Vaelthanya's hands.
Vaelthanya accepted the bread like a child receiving a gift.
She stared at it for a few seconds, then took a bite. In an instant, the tired expression on her face changed—her eyes widened slightly, her cheeks puffed out, and her body seemed to regain its strength.
"Wow…! This… makes my body warm…" Vaelthanya murmured.
"Because you're hungry," Yuan Jin replied with a faint laugh.
After making sure Vaelthanya had eaten, Yuan Jin reached for his school bag.
"Okay… I have to go first."
Vaelthanya looked up quickly. "Going? Where?"
"To school."
"Can I come?"
The question made Yuan Jin pause for a moment. He knew Vaelthanya was new and unfamiliar with her surroundings. But bringing her to school? That was a big deal.
"No way," Yuan Jin replied firmly. "You're not a student. If the teacher finds out I brought a stranger into class, I could be punished."
Vaelthanya… didn't accept that excuse. She immediately put on a look of annoyance and disappointment so obvious that Yuan Jin felt a little guilty.
"Why can't I come?!"
"Because that's the rule," Yuan Jin replied. "Let's see. If you really want to go to school, I'll ask my guidance counselor for permission. If he allows it… you can come tomorrow."
"Really?" Vaelthanya's eyes lit up.
Yuan Jin nodded with a smile.
"Then… I'll stay home today," she said finally.
"Good."
-
After Yuan Jin left, the house fell silent. Vaelthanya stood in the middle of the living room, looking around. The mortal world was indeed strange—there were so many boxy objects, moving objects, things that lit up, and things that made sounds. But she didn't yet know what they were for.
She began walking slowly, opening doors, looking at bookshelves, touching sofas, and exploring every corner of the house as if finding hidden treasures with every step.
Until her eyes landed on a large rectangular object in the living room.
A television.
On top of it lay a remote. She picked it up and pressed it haphazardly—without knowing which buttons did what.
"Click."
The screen suddenly lit up.
Vaelthanya immediately took a half step back. The light appeared instantly. The sound of a movie played, full of action and color. Vaelthanya stared wide-eyed, then slowly sat back down, hypnotized by the first visual spectacle she had ever seen.
Several hours passed without her realizing it. She watched action movies, funny cartoons, dramas, even soap commercials—which she thought were like a human ritual for magical washing.
-
Towards evening, the sound of the door lock was heard.
Yuan Jin returned home carrying an extra bag of clothes. He called out to Vaelthanya several times, but there was no answer. Silence.
Until he heard a small voice from the second floor.
He climbed the stairs cautiously, opened the door… and found Vaelthanya sitting on the floor, watching the small television in his upstairs room.
"No wonder you didn't answer when I called," Yuan Jin said, leaning against the door.
Vaelthanya was startled and quickly turned off the television. "Hey… are you home?"
"Of course." Yuan Jin held up a bag of clothes. "And I brought something. I got permission from the guidance counselor. So… you can come to school tomorrow."
Vaelthanya's eyes shone brightly like the lights in the movie she'd just seen. "Really?!"
"Yes. But before that… here's your uniform. Try it on, does it fit?"
Innocently—very innocently—Vaelthanya immediately took off her clothes right in front of Yuan Jin.
"Hey… wait! Why are you taking off your clothes here?!" Yuan Jin exclaimed in panic.
"What's wrong?" Vaelthanya replied, confused.
"That… is rude to do in front of other people. If you want to change, do it in your room. Then come out after you're in your school uniform."
Vaelthanya blinked a few times, staring at her like someone just learning the rules of the mortal world. But finally, she nodded and walked to her room.
Five minutes later…
The door opened slowly. Vaelthanya came out—walking with light steps. The school uniform fit her perfectly, enhancing her natural, elegant aura.
Her long hair flowed softly, contrasting with the modern uniform she was wearing.
"What do you think?" she asked, turning around slightly.
Yuan Jin froze for a moment.
"Wow… you're so beautiful," he said in amazement.
Vaelthanya smiled broadly. "Of course. I am."
The two laughed together, the afternoon atmosphere warm and light.
And tomorrow… was the day Vaelthanya had been eagerly awaiting.
The day she would enter the human world directly.
The day she would become more familiar with mortal life.